New Pictures

Well, we are on the move! We are so excited to be moving on Saturday to our new apartment!! We want to thank the Lord for his provisions for us and this place - it is amazing that He provided not just a 2 bedroom but a 3 bedroom and it is a far better place than we could have imagined. Brian and I just feel so blessed and excited these days. Not to mention that this weekend with our church small group at USC we are having a "stay at home retreat", meaning we get together during the day, but sleep in our own beds. Well, the service project for this Saturday is moving us to our new place! So I know we will have lots of willing hands which will be wonderful. But, there is lots we are doing right not to pack up. We have thankfully had the opportunity to take many car loads over there already, so that should help out a little. Also, on Sunday Brian and I painted Liam's room. It is a bit brighter (green) than I had planned, but we'll wait and make our decision when we get his furniture in it. I am thinking we will repaint it. It only took about 3 hours so that is not bad.

Liam is doing well - still fussy in the evenings but the past 3 nights has been consolable and more just like himself. I think maybe he really got his lungs the past few weeks! He is still a good baby, just of course the evenings are tricky. No problem. Brian and I pace up and down the hall with him and are generally able to distract him. But it has taken us almost 2.5 hours to calm him down before. I took him to the doctor last Thursday just to see, and they said he has a little cold. Personally, I think he has allergies. He has always sneezed like 10-15 times a day, rubbed his nose and eyes. Not to mention that I am sitting in the "mold room" right now. Our roof leaked during the recent rains and now I believe there is mold growing in the corner. Very frustrating since we told our landlord about a month ago. But there is a paper bag I taped up around the area and a sheet coving the doorway. I am glad we are moving.

So, enjoy the pictures of the cutie!

Updates, finally!

Wow, this was the longest I have gone between posts! I have had my hands full recently and Brian and I have been busy as well. New videos are below!

To start with, I thought I'd post a pictures of Brian on his sailing trip with his friend Greg (who has a friend whose boat this is) for his birthday. He had a great time and even had the chance to steer for a little while. I know that sailing is something Brian would like to get into and it was a great time spent with his friend. We celebrated a few other times for Brian too that week. The saturday after his birthday we went with some friends to a sushi/Japanese food place down in Little Tokyo downtown. It was a great find and we had fun with our friends. We ended up back at our place (on a very rainy and cold night I might add) playing games and eating some yummy homemade German chocolate cake for him. I had fun making it and we all enjoyed eating it.

Also, we are moving! No, we aren't moving east, we are just moving in our immediate neighborhood close to USC to a bigger place. We have looked off and on since we found out we were pregnant for a 2 bedroom affordable, nice place with a dining room (since we have found those to be lacking in 2 bedroom places around here) and really didn't have any luck. But about 2 weeks ago we found a great place not far from here, with a laundry room and everything we were wanting (what a blessing that would be! no more laundromat!). The price was 1700 and they came down to 1600 for us! However, as soon as we had made an appointment to sign the lease, we found yet another place, closer to USC and to our friends, for LESS money and one more bedroom. Brian was skeptical, but we went to see it last Friday night. It was fabulous and we both left feeling like it was truly a home and special place to find in this area. It is a two story duplex with three bedrooms upstairs and 1 1/2 baths, shared laundry with the owners (no problem, it is right on the back porch), 2 parking spots (unheard of!!) and even central heating. So all of this is only going to cost us $50 more than we are paying for our current 1 bedroom! What a blessing. God truly has met our needs and has graciously granted us a fabulous place to stay in and raise little Liam. We honestly feel humbled at how God is blessing us. We signed the lease and get the keys tonight. We are really excited. Moving day is the 16th of Feb.

So,what is new with Liam these days? Well, as of yesterday, he is getting really fussy! And last night in the midst of a lot of crying, Brian poses the question as to whether he may be teething. Ahh...very possible I think. He has been eating his hands like crazy, as well as anything he holds. He is drooling lots and just can't calm down sometimes. Now, I know all babies cry, but he really has been such a good baby, that his crying usually doesn't last long and usually there is something to console him. Well, not yesterday. He is doing alright today, though woke up more often last night. He is 4 1/2 months old and 3 months old gestationally (post due date). I guess it is possible! Also, he is holding his head up better and better these days, just still a little wobbly. But he does have a big head (as was also pointed out by Grandpa who visited earlier this week.) And when placed on his tummy he can push up and lift up his head well. But often, he just likes lying in his tummy. :) Yesterday we got out to walk at the beach in Santa Monica which I personally loved. It was great to get out and see some scenery and get some exercise! My goal is to go at least 3 times a week.

He is also sort of laughing. He has laughed in his sleep several times, one time in the middle of the night it was an all out laugh for like a minute while I was holding him after he ate. It made me laugh and gave me such joy to hear and see his smile! I woke Brian up during the time as well so he could here. It was great. He continues to mimic me and that gets him to let out a little laugh sometimes too. How amazing...these are his first laughs of his life! He will laugh countless times in his life but I am hearing his first ones! How special. He is so amazing and I love discovering him. Brian is also so fun as he hates leaving in the morning especially as Liam is so smiley when he wakes up. Next Saturday I am hoping to go get my hair done and just spend some time alone and let Brian watch Liam. We'll see. It is hard for me to even think about pumping and giving Liam a bottle after the incredibly hard time I had to get him to breastfeed after bottlefeeding, but I think I am going to do it. I know Brian will enjoy the time too to take care of him.

Well, hope everyone is staying warm around the country! Thanks for continuing to keep up with us.