What's COOK'in?:

First Family Stay-cation

Sara — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 04:56:41 +0000

Our Lil Redbird

It has been such a long time since our last post and many exciting things have been happening. First, Lola Grant was born on February 2, 2010. This was a surprise for everyone because she was born almost 3 weeks before her due date (but full term and healthy)! Jenn, Lola and Andrew are all doing great and Sarena really loves her new cousin.

Sarena visiting Lola in the hospital.

Sarena, Lola and Uncle Andrew

Sarena has also become quite fond of finger foods. She really enjoys rice, banana, papaya, organic O’s, and her teething crackers. She is learning to like scrambled eggs. On my birthday, Daddy let her indulge in some ribeye. She thought it was delightful:)

CRACKERS!

Sarena is crawling all over the place and pulling herself up on all of the furniture. Her and Cece enjoy switching toys when no one is looking.

She had a great time this weekend at Ko’olina. It was her first time to really be able to enjoy the water. She loved every minute of it:) We had a great family weekend.

This picture captures it all:)

Back to Reality

Sara — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 06:24:39 +0000

Cory, Sarena and I had a wonderful first Xmas and New Years. It was great to get back to P-town to see all of our friends and family. Sarena even experienced the snow (and lots of it)! She did really well on the plane ride there and pretty good on the plane ride back to Hawaii.

It was hard leaving Peoria. It’s always sad to say good-bye to everyone. But now we are home and I am back to work and actually enjoying it. It was hard the first day and I miss Sarena like crazy, but Cory and I are getting back into the swing of things.

Sarena is crawling, waving, and still is a really happy baby. No teeth yet, but she is really enjoying eating her baby food. Here are just a few pics!

Christmas at Great Grandma's

Christmas Day at the Smith's

Dad and Sarena

My first day back to work (before I cried)

big girl bath

I do it like my grandma!

‘Tis the Season

Sara — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:02:49 +0000

Dad and Sarena--ThanksgivingJust readin' my books, Mom!

Our little Christmas Tree

I love our other xmas tree;)

Well, time is definitely flying by. I have been so blessed to spend the last 5 months at home with Sarena. We are all looking forward to coming home to Illinois in a couple weeks. For me, however, the trip is bitter-sweet since it will be the culminating event before my return to work. I get emotional just thinking about it; I enjoy being at home and watching my little girl grow up. I’ve also improved my cooking and baking skills (Cory reminded me just the other day how far I have come from boiling corn in the box!) and have enjoyed the extra time I have had to spend with my family. Luckily, we don’t have to worry about a babysitter or daycare yet. Cory and I are working out a schedule where he can watch Sarena while I am at work and will go to work later in the afternoons. That is, unless we win the lottery on Illinois vacation;)

Oh POI! We’ve been having fun!

Sara — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:01:13 +0000

: Sarena’s first trip to the aquarium!

Sarena and Daddy at the aquarium

Sarena and Daddy watching the Bears...lose:(

Here comes the poi…

Our Lil’ Chicken

Sara — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:09:23 +0000

Sarena had her four month doctor’s appointment last week. Her stats are:

Height: 25 1/2 inches

Weight: 15 lbs 11oz

Halloween was so much fun. We decided that Sarena would need a day time outfit since her chicken costume was a little warm.

Skull Theme

Day time costume

Artists at work

Our Lil' Bird

My finished product (hint: it is a skull!)

The bride and groom

Bigbird and Lil'Bird

Sarena and Lola's mommy

Finger, Fire, Fotos

Sara — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:49:47 +0000

It has been awhile since my last post. The reason, mostly, for this is because I had a crazy week last week. I had my first ER visit after cutting my finger in the food processor (my finger now is fine), I set the condo on fire (thankfully no damage), lost (and found) my car at UH, and other random events that led me to forget last week’s post. All of these bad events kind of overshadowed an exciting one: Sarena rolled over! Yes, I witnessed it. It has only happened once, but she is now capable of rolling over. I think she just doesn’t want to. She doesn’t enjoy tummy time very much!

Yesterday, we had our first family photos taken with Lysandra Cook. I have seen a couple of the photos already and they turned out great! I am not going to post them up here yet. I am going to wait…However, you could find Lysandra Cook’s website if you wanted a sneak peek;) She is also on Facebook. We had so much fun and Lysandra is great with Sarena.

I am happy this is a brand new week. Sarena and the dogs are looking forward to Halloween and I can’t wait to post those pics after next weekend. Here are a few pictures from the past couple weeks!

BFFs

She’ll be coming on an airplane when she comes!

Sara — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 08:53:26 +0000

We had a good week and 1/2 when Grammy came into town. Sarena spent more time at the beach than she has in awhile. She also LOVED talking to Grammy; she would talk, talk, and talk when Grammy came into the room. And it was really nice to have some extra help around; I got a few extra naps in and was also able to go to Farrington’s homecoming football game! Thanks, Grammy for making our week fun! Sarena went into the ocean for the very first time and even did some swimming at Turtle Bay!! We love you!

Loving Sammy kisses!

Swimming at Turtle Bay!

Grammy, you are so tan!

I like to stand up now...all the time!

Yeah I hold my own books!

Thanks, Grandma for my new chair!

My Mommy's glasses are even bigger than mine;)

Mom and Grammy in coordinating colors

Grammy! Get me my sunglasses! NOW!

Our baby is 3 months old!

Sara — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 06:05:09 +0000

I cannot believe that it has been three months since Sarena came into our world. It has been a fabulous three months and we had a fabulous weekend! We had two first birthday parties (one Saturday, one Sunday) where we had good food and good company at both;) We are all very tired and are spending our Sunday evening relaxing on the couch. Here are some pics from the week and from the birthday parties!

Our babies;)

Just proof I can make cookies just like my Grandma Genia! Someone needs to make sure she sees this!

: Yeah. Cory didn’t think the picture with Mojo the Monkey was a very good idea!

: Soooo tired after the party!

: A picture with Ellie, the birthday girl!

A Weekend of Firsts

Sara — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 07:50:23 +0000

Cory and I went out for dinner without Sarena for the first time since she was born (however, Grandpa did watch her for an afternoon while Daddy was at work and Mom got her hair did:)). Aunty Liz came over to watch her. She did great and Aunty was excited to see her big smile and dimple! However, when we got home, Liz reported she slept most of the time and was feeling a little warm. Sure enough, she had her first fever. However, earlier today with the help of Tylenol (and one worried phone call to the doctor) she is feeling much better and the fever is gone.

Before our night at Sansei

After our morning walk!

Back on the Field

Sara — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 07:55:41 +0000

This week has been pretty uneventful. Sarena and I did a little shopping and we baked a pie. Yes, a homemade kiwi lime pie. We made our own crust and all. I say “we” because Sarena sat in the Baby Bjorn while I rolled the dough. The pie was even edible. Cory ate it…all. The most exciting thing this week was finding out there is room on my friend’s soccer team so I can play. I am back in the game! I am so excited even though I know I will be getting my butt kicked until I can get back in shape. I have not touched a ball since high school. It is going to be a great way to get back in shape and meet some new people.

Sarena is really starting to notice the world around her a lot more. She is paying more attention to Cece and Sammy and does a lot more talking to us during the day. Soon, hopefully, I will be able to post some video…Until next time, enjoy some super star pics of Baby Sarena!

She loves anything with lights and music!

Yeah, Mom, I'm ready to shop!

No, I don't have time for autographs and no more photographs, PLEASE!