I read it, so I'm IT!

Here you go Crystal:
1. Where did you meet your husband? Seminary in the 9th grade, but we didn't date until he came home from his mission :)

2. How long did you date before you married? 9 months 

3. How long have you been married? 5 years

4. What does he do that surprises you? Cleans the house WITHOUT me asking ;)

5. What is his favorite feature? I don't know...

6. What is your favorite quality of his? His corny sense of humor and integrity

7. Does he have a nickname for you? "Babe" or "Teh"

8. What is his favorite food? Milk & Cereal (he eats it for breakfast, lunch, dinner and as a snack)

9. What is his favorite sport? Surfing, if anything...he's not really into sports

10. When & where was your first kiss? One night after we sold T-shirts at a football game together on Hukilau beach

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Just be together without distractions:)

12. Do you have any children? Yes, 2 beautiful daughters!

13. Does he have any hidden talents? He is a very good artist and photographer

14. How old is he? 27

15. Who said I love you first? He did and it totally caught me by surprise ;)

16. What is his favorite music? Old kine Hawaiian music and anything with harmonious instruments

17. What do you admire most about him? He is SO talented and good with his hands.  He can do carpentry, electrical and plumbing work, he's a musician, great photographer, skilled on the computer and he's a purist...believes in doing things the right way, no short cuts! 

18. What is his favorite color? He doesn't really have one...

19. Will he read this? Maybe

20. Who do you tag? If you read this then TAG you're it!

SHE-RA

Mika is such a strong little girl!  She's always arching her back and lifting her head!  And when we put her on her tummy, she stretches out her little legs and tries to push herself forward.  Needless to say, our new little one is doing very good :)  Eating lots, sleeping lots and giving us lots to smile about!

Twinkle, Twinkle

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

On the last page of this "scrapbook" there is a video clip of Elia singing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" to Mika. It was too cute! I loved the part where Elia asks, "Is she smiling?" It's moments like these that just melt me...

Two Weeks Old!

Yesterday, Mika made 2 weeks old!  We spent the day at home, as usual (I don't leave the house with my newborns for at least 1 month) and had a nice visit with Naomi Asay  & Malcolm and the Cifuentes Ohana...Isabel, Santiago & Esteban.  It was really hot inside so eating vanilla ice cream with frozen strawberries was an excellent treat!

In other news, I am have decided to try CLOTH!  Yup, it will save us a lot of money, and I honestly don't mind doing laundry, so it's a win-win situation (thanks Naomi for all the info).  My husband hasn't fully bought into the idea yet...although I don't know why since he is so earth minded and he won't be the one doing the laundry, most of the time.  My friend who also uses cloth diaper offered to make them for me, since she has done the same for her little girl and all I have to do is buy the materials (Mahalo Becca!), which will save me a ton of money (buying cloth diapers can cost up to $20 a piece)!  I've already gone on line and ordered most of the materials I need for about $25 (and this includes $10 shipping).  I have 2 more things to buy that shouldn't run me more than $15.  My friend thinks this will be enough to make me around 7-10 diapers.  I'm excited to try them out and I'll post more info. on how it goes!

Turbo JAM!

Today I finally began exercising again.  Turbo Jam with Chalene Johnson is my absolute favorite!  It has great music to keep you motivated and I love all the punching and kicking...good stress reliever too!   I'm starting back slow, just doing the 20 minute routine, but boy did it feel GOOD!  I bought this workout DVD about over 2 years ago and it really works!  When I first got it I did the 10 day jump start program (including the eating plan) and lost about 4 pounds...just in time to fit into my bridesmaid's dress for my friend's wedding little more nicely.  After that I kept those 4 pounds off for about a year without exercising regularly (which I should have done), so it just goes to show how much muscle you build doing this exercise.  I think Chalene's even coming out with something new called "Chalean" or something like that.  Anyways, just thought I'd share for all you mommies out there who can't go to the gym or even leave the house to jog for some reason or another (like having no sidewalk to run on).  If you try it or have tried it I'd love to hear what ya think!

One Week Old!

Today Mika is one week old!  The days have gone by quickly, yet I feel as though she's been with me always ;)  She is eating and sleeping well and I feel so lucky that she sleeps pretty good during the night.  I only have to wake up with her twice before I'm ready to wake up myself (I'm a morning person for sure) and every morning she gets very smiley...she must be a morning person like her mommy!  Most people will say that newborns don't really smile, it's just gas, but I think Mika is an exception.  She smiles A LOT, even when I don't hear or smell anything else!  She usually smiles while her eyes are shut, so maybe she has really sweet dreams.  In any case, she is a very good baby...she rarely cries and when she does, it takes her a while to actually do it.  She is a squirmy girl, and loves to arch her back and kick her feet.  She also loves to try and grab her bottle, especially when she's really hungry...which makes it a little hard for mommy to get her bib settled and the bottle in her mouth.  She has successfully put both hands around her bottle a couple of times. 

 Elia is also doing very good too!  She loves being around her baby sister, which is making things a little difficult right now because Elia has a cough and I have to keep her away from the baby and my Lysol spray near by.  There has been a couple of incidents of "jealousy", but Sam and I are trying hard to not let her feel left out.  I've been VERY happy that Elia hasn't regressed with her potty training...she still wears pull-ups at night, but for the rest of the day she's in her big girl panties.  I"m so happy that I started early so that now I only have to buy diapers for one!

Motherhood is AWESOME, challenging...but definitely rewarding!  I love having 2 little girls in my home and being surrounded by all the pink and pretty things.  I'll be home on family leave for the next 4 weeks and I plan to make the most of every precious moment!  

          This is Elia at one week old

Mika's Slideshow

Mika Emi Hi'ileinani Cheney

We have finally brought our precious new little girl home!  We survived our first night and found that she truly is a GOOD baby :)  The funniest thing is that we all woke up at 7:30 am, all four of us.  Elia was the first, and the first thing she asked when I went to get her out of her crib was "Where's Mika?"  Elia is going to be a great big sister!  Right now, we are all is a very bissful state...feeling sooo very blessed and beyond happy!

Here is a little about her name...

Mika (Hebrew, meaning Gift from God)

Emi (Japanese, meaning Blessed with beauty)

Hi'ilei (Hawaiian, meaning to carry and tend a beloved child)

Nani (Hawaiian, meaning pretty- part of Lethe's middle name)

Labor Day Baby!

I just got the call that our little angel has been born and is now present here on earth!  She is 5 pounds, 8 ounces and 18 inches long!  She was born at 3:20 pm and we couldn't be more ECSTATIC!  Hopefully tomorrow we will get to visit her at the hospital and take some photos to post and share :)  How truly grateful and blessed we feel!

In anticipation!

We got the call at 10:59 pm while we were doing some last minute shopping at Pearlridge Mall, that the birthmother's water had broken at 12:00am and she was  in labor this very minute!  Now we are just sitting (and of course making sure all the little details of packing and cleaning and preparing are done) and waiting to hear a status update!  Words can't express how we are feeling right now, one can only imagine!  This time around we will be able to visit our daughter in the hospital and take her home from there once she is released!  Our prayers are with the birthmother and little Mika.... we love you guys!