She's such a happy baby!

I Just love this picture! Don't you??? Such a great shot! Looks almost like an action short since they aren't looking at the camera. But they are actually looking at me, I just held the camera lower. Anyway, this is Toni with Aaliyah (3 years old) taken today at that new outlet mall off of 290. But let's start at the beginning of the weekend, shall we?

Saturday we went to a post baby shower for my cousin (well family friend, but we all grew up together so...cousin) Lisa. It was a post baby shower because she now lives in England with her husband Peter (who's a famous rugby player there... too bad we know nothing about rubgy here) and so she had the baby in England. So they all came down here for a visit so all of our family could see them. Her son, Makayan, is so adorable! Or as Len would say, "That is SO precious." I swear she said that at LEAST 50 times that day. Anyway, it's pretty cool how he got his name. Happens to be Anne and Lisa's mom's maiden name. Makayan Lupton. Pretty cool. Anyway, so it was nice to see Lisa after almost a year and see the baby. When we got there, all of the auntie and uncles (parents) were on a bit of a trip because here we all were, the former kids, walking in with babies. Lisa with hers, Kathy with her two kids, and then me with Toni. And that's just some of us. So Tita Baby (Lisa's mom) starts to tell me how she can't believe it's us now with the babies when it seems just like yesterday when she and all of our parents were sitting on the couch holding us as babies at these get togethers. And it is kind of cool to think that. I actually have that picture (somewhere buried in storage) of my parents and aunties and uncles holding us kids on their laps sitting in chairs and on couches. And here were are doing the same 25+ years later. Wow. It is pretty cool. Anyway, so everyone there is of course switching and handing off babies so we can all hold the other baby. Everyone that holds Toni always says, "She's such a happy baby!" And it's just really awesome that so many people say that. I mean I know she is and I don't need anyone to reassure me that she is. But it's still nice to hear it from others and not just a few people, but everyone. People from her school, parents of other kids, people at the store in line behhind me, people at church, relatives, friends... it's great. Not only am I proud that my baby is happy, but it almost makes me feel like hey... we've must have done something right she's so happy. Though I have to admit there is a small part of me deep down that is waiting for the other shoe to drop. In general, my pregnancy was relatively easy. The birth, I know I didn't get my epidural, but didn't last too long and was over with and I healed pretty fast according to the doctor (as I have nothing to compare to). Now I have this prefectly (knock on wood she's still developing) healthy, HAPPY baby. I have truely been blessed. And really that's an understatement. And so that SMALL part of me is almost waiting for something to go wrong. How horrible, huh? I just need to completely enjoy and be grateful for my blessings.

Today is my sister in law, Binky's, birthday WHO happens to be pregnant! I can announce that now that they have officially announced it too. She's still in her first trimester but is almost in her second. AND, they're having a girl!!! Let's just say that she already has a wardrobe waiting for her. Everything Toni grows out of will go to her. And it's fairly new, so it's still "in." haha! Anyway, so Junior, me and Toni meet my brother and his family and Binky's cousin Sherwin and his family at the outlet mall off 290. Shewrin and Maureen also have a newborn boy, Angelo, of two months and their daughter Aaliyah of three years. That's her in the picture with Toni. Toni just loves people! she's very social and Aaliyah was always playing with her. Thankfully I remembered to bring the camera with us today and was able to catch some snap shots. I forgot my camera yesterday so I didn't get pictures of Makayan. But I think I will wait until Anne and Lisa or even Len post some up on facebook or myspace and then I'll steal them. haha!

So anyway, while were at the mall let's just say Junior spoiled the heck out of Toni! Ok I did a little. They have the Carter's outlet store there so I got her some bibs and a dress. I only paid $17 for all of it! I love their clothes and bibs! Well while we were in the store, Junior saw this stuffed toy of a dog and it sings the abc's and moves it's feet. He played it and showed it to Toni and she really got a kick out of it! She reached for it with both hands with a huge smile on her face. But we put it back on the shelf and I think Junior felt bad. honestly, I think she forgot about it a minute later. So I go tell him to wait outside while I wait in the long line to pay. When I get to the register I asked the lady how much the dog was. The tag said $34 but since it is the outlet, I was curious to know what it was going for. She said it was $25 something. I don't think so. That is WAY to expensive for that. Her carebear was $15 AND it's interactive AND it sings three songs and not just one! So I didn't get it. But when I got out of the store, Junior was still wanting to get it for her. I told him to go ahead if he really wanted to, but she's already forgotten about it. And he agreed but couldn't get over her reaction to it. But he knew that getting it for her would really be for him. haha! So he didn't get it (even though he kept mentioning it throughout the rest of the day) but I think he made up for it in other ways. So we all go tot he foodcourt for dinner ans snacks and he decides to go to the Converse store to look for some shoes. Well he bought some, but not for him like he intended! He bought Toni her first pair of Chuck Taylor's in pink! Soo cute! I've never even owned a pair and neither has he. Then later, he goes to Starbucks to get me a drink and comes back with this little stuffed bear dressed as a pumpkin. Hahahaha! Good Lord this little girl is so spoiled and she doesn't even have a clue! haha!

So her appetite is still huge and I don't think there is anyway to keep up unless I quit my job and that definitely is NOT an option. but believe you me, if I knew there was a way we could be where we want to be and me not have to work and I would take that opportunity in a heart beat. So I think it's safe to say that the weaning process has begun. I predict that by the end of this year or at least early next year she will not be breastfed anymore. Although I am a little sad, I am accepting it more and more everyday and look forward to owning my body again and dropping this excess of 20 lbs dammit. haha... I need to look good by 30!