In January, Gabe and I worked very hard getting our home ready for our new arrival. We had a huge baby shower, which was tons of fun!! It was great to have so much support from friends and family! We got a lot of things that we needed. By the end of January, we were almost ready for Effie to join us!
In February, we had a few finishing touches at home and by the second week in February, we were ready for Effie! We even had the car seat strapped into the car...just in case she came early! Well...she didn't come early (like I was hoping). She came 2 days late! My due date was February 25th and we decided to have labor induced on February 27th. Labor and delivery went great...so great that 2 hours into labor, I had to tell Gabe to put the computer away that I needed him. His response was "I was going to put it away once you go into labor". My response was "I AM IN LABOR!!!". He said he was waiting for me to scream and yell from all the pain. Don't get me wrong, it was painful, but the wonderful epidural that I loved so much helped out tremendously! Our precious baby girl, Effie Jane Aldana, was born on February 27, 2008 at 5:47 p.m., weighing in at 8lb 90z, 19 1/2" long!! Holding her for the first time was the most magical moment in my entire life! It was amazing!! Gabe and I just held her and stared at her for a while before we let our family back in to see her. Needless to say, both our families are crazy about her! Below is a picture of the dress she wore home from the hospital. When the hospital pediatrician came in to check on Effie that morning, she said that Effie gets the best dressed award! We couldn't wait to get her home to get settled in as a new family.
Our first time holding Effie Jane
Precious Baby Girl!!
Coming home from the hospital.
In March, we were busy getting used to parenthood...which wasn't very difficult at all. We are both totally in love with Effie! Although there were a lot of sleepless nights and long crying spells, we were still in heaven! Having my Mom stay with us for a week really helped out! On March 2nd, Effie was blessed at church. At only 4 days old, we braved the outside world! It was very difficult, but we didn't have much of a choice. My Dad was preparing to leave to Kuwait for 400 days and that was the only day he had available to bless Effie before he left. Having my Dad give Effie a special blessing was important to us...we are so lucky he was able to do that. Her blessing dress was beautiful! My Mom purchased the dress while we were still in the hospital. At only 10 days old, Effie had her first airplane ride when her and I flew to Salt Lake City for my Grandma's 80th birthday party. Effie was great on the plane! We stayed a few extra days to visit with family.
Effie 4 days old in her blessing dress.
Effie: 3.29.08 4 weeks old
Effie: 3.4.08 6 days old
Effie: 12 days old with Uncle Todd, Cousin Caitlin, and Cousin Jeff
Effie: 10 days old with Aunt Barbara
Effie: 10 days old with Gammy
Effie: 10 days old with Jessica Meeks
Effie: 10 days old with Grandma Meeks at her 80th Birthday party!
In April, Effie and I went on another airplane ride to North Carolina where we attended a farewell for my Dad's Army unit. We also had to say our last goodbyes to him. The farewell ceremony was great! The Army even hosted a BBQ afterward where we got to spend some time with Dad. They also brought in a rock climbing wall for the soldiers. My Dad went on it with some other soldiers from his team. Saying goodbye to him was not as fun or easy! It was very difficult. It makes me sad to think that Effie will be 1 year old when he gets home. While we were in North Carolina, I was also able to meet up with my good friend from high school...that was great to be able to see her. I was hoping to meet up with another friend I have out there, but it didn't happen...maybe next time.
Dad's farewell ceremony
Effie and Dad...both in camouflage. 4.17.08
In May, we had fun just hanging out as a family. On Memorial weekend, we drove to Las Vegas for our nephew's Jesse and Jace's 4th birthday party. They had a pirate themed party, it was decorated so cute and there was even a treasure hunt for the kids. Effie had a tough time for some reason, she cried a lot...but we still enjoyed being with the family. This was my first Mother's Day and it was nice. My sisters cooked dinner for me and Mom and Gabe took the day off work to spend with us. Gabe is going to take us to get a family picture done...soon I hope. That is my Mother's Day gift! Oh...I also cut 12 inches off of my hair this month!!!!
Effie and Mommy...2 happy girls!
This month (June) we had 2 graduations! Gabe's sister, Mari graduated from Cal Poly Pomona!! She got her bachelors...we are so proud of her! She worked VERY hard!!! My sister, Kiki graduated from San Dimas High School, we are proud of her as well! The cool thing is that my Dad got to come home on 2 weeks R & R to attend Kiki's graduation! We had a busy mini vacation planned. One day we went to Julia's house and went swimming...it was a lot of fun. Her pool has a kids water park! It is so neat...the kids had a lot of fun. One day we went to Camp Pendleton and went to the beach...Andrew brought his wave runners and everyone had a blast with that! Another day we went to Sea World...that was a lot of fun! Effie was such a good girl! It was really hot, but she was a trooper! The last day, we took the wave runners out to Mission Bay. I didn't go to Mission Bay, instead, Effie and I drove home to see Gabe. He wasn't able to make it to any of the fun stuff because he had to work. We missed him so much! This was Gabe's first Father's Day. Effie and I served him breakfast in bed, I gave him a Bluetooth speaker for his car, and Effie gave him 2 children's books about Daddy's that he can read to her. We spent the day at my parents house as my Dad was home for Father's Day...it was wonderful!
Congrats Kiki!!!
Beautiful Effie
Effie & cousin Jace
Effie and cousin Maxyne
Effie and Mommy
Effie and Grampy
All the kids!!!
Grammy and Grampy love Baby Effie!
Effie's first beach trip! She loved it!!
