Christmas! Gifts Galore!

Emma wonders when the snow will ever end...

Here's a video of Eden and Emma having a great time in the snow. The snowfall that came down in Salem was the most its ever been in 40 years. As thankful as we were for the fluffy stuff to be around, we were more thankful when it finally started melting the day after Christmas. No more tire chains, no more icy roads and no more crunchy gravel!

We praise God that Paw and Lara made it up safely on Sunday, the 21st. They drove up from the Bay Area during one of the worst snow storms in Oregon. They took their time and came up here without much of a problem.

Christmas Eve was a blast! The roads were clear enough that we were able to get a Christmas tree for the house. Emma didn't really understand why there was a giant tree in the house, but she went along with it anyway. We trimmed it with lights and ornaments. Some of the favorites for the girls were a giant crab (this one Emma likened to Mr. Krabs), and a Mr. Hanky the Christmas Poo from South Park (Lara gave this to Paw this year for one of his stocking stuffers). Christmas Eve dinner consisted of homemade crabcakes and clam chowder. I had a grilled cheese sandwich. :) After dinner we started putting gifts under the tree. The cutest thing was watching Emma as we put the gifts down under the tree. She thought each and every one of the gifts was for her! She kept saying, Mine? Mine?, like those seagulls from "Finding Nemo". Below is a video of Emma playing with one of the boxes we received that was full of gifts. Take a look at the box and you can almost make out who gave us that box!

After putting the gifts under the tree, we opened stockings and put on our annual Christmas pajamas! Once we were all comfy and cozy in our new pajamas, it was Paw's turn for the tradition of reading, The Night Before Christmas. We got the PG version this time, since Emma was listening this time.

After the story, it was bedtime for the girls! Off they went to sleep, and wake up to...

CHRISTMAS MORNING!!!

Emma may not understand the whole concept behind Christmas, but she definitely understands how to open gifts! She had a blast opening up her own gifts, and even helped everyone else open theirs as well. One of Emma's gifts was a Spongebob and Detective Emma book that my sister gave her. On every page is a picture of Emma fighting crime with Spongebob! It was a great gift. Thank you Tita! She also received a wonderful dollhouse from her Grandma and Grandpaw! Every morning she wakes up to it and says, "House!", and immediately wants to play with it.

Once the Christmas gifts were all opened, and the mess cleaned up and put away, it was time to go to Grandma Belle's house for Christmas dinner! We had a beautiful spread that consisted of prime rib, eggplant parmigiana, twice-baked potatoes, peas, and cranberry-jello salad! To top it all off, homemade PUMPKIN PIE for dessert! YUM!

On a slight sad note, Joy went in for her 3-hour glucose test Christmas Eve, and we got the results on the 26th. She came in high on all three tests which means she does have gestational diabetes. While it's not a terribly huge surprise, we were just hoping that it wouldn't happen this time. We just ask that you continue to pray for Joy and the baby and for everyone as we get through this one last time.

Thank you so much to everyone for all of the wonderful gifts that we received. We loved all of them very much. We are so very fortunate of the family that we have, and we praise God for each and every one of them. Thank you again for reading!

Snow Days!

Emma dressed for her first day at Grandma's Bible Study Fellowship

Since our last mega update, a lot has happened! We're still all praying for Joy and her gestational diabetes. We hope that it's not as serious this time as it was when she was pregnant with Emma.

Last Saturday was the annual "Holiday" party at Willamette. It was nice to go out for a night and dress up with the girls. Eden and Emma were perfect little ladies as we walked around Goudy and met a lot of Joy's coworkers. They had a cookie decorating station for the kids and a HUGE chocolate fountain for dessert. You could dip anything from marshmallows to waffle sticks to mandarin oranges into the fountain. I'll let the pictures say the rest:

Since Joy's last update the weather here has been turning from cold to downright frozen. Saturday of last week was the first time it snowed in Salem and actually stayed overnight. Sunday didn't make anything better while it snowed the ENTIRE DAY. Eden was overjoyed to say the least. She didn't have school Monday... or Tuesday... or Wednesday... or even today! With the weather the way that it's going, she probably won't be going back until January! Emma didn't really know what to make of it, but she had fun out there stomping around in the snow. For obvious reasons Joy didn't come out and play, she was the one taking the pictures from the safety of the porch.

Lastly, here are a couple of videos of our snow romp. Thanks again for reading and enjoy!

FAIL

I found out that I didn't pass my glucose test and will need to return for my 3 hour test. This isn't suprising news since I developed gestational diabetes while carrying Emma and the doctor told me that if I get pregnant again I would develop it. There could be far worse things that could have gone wrong but it just isn't fun being on a strick diet while being pregnant, plus I have a HUGE sugar tooth. My 3 hour test is scheduled for Dec. 24th.

OWWWW

I had my doctor's appointment today and also my gluecose testing. Nothing like starting the day off with having to drink a thick, flat sprite like fluid and then getting your blood taken. I will have my result later on tonight. I am hoping for a "negative" result. My regular appointment went well. The doctor says the baby is about 3 pounds and I am progressing beautifully. I am feeling the baby move more and more. I swear I have a break dancer in here. LOL

With only 72 more days left, I am feeling more anxious for this new bundle to join us. I haven't done much in the way of getting ready, no crib has been set up, nothing really has been purchased. Were planning on using most of Emma's baby things with the exception on clothes if this baby turns out to be a boy. It is hard preparing for a surprise. I did buy the baby it's first outfit though. At Gymboree they have all these new clothes designed with pandas (my fav. animal) on it. I bought sneakers, jumper, jacket, socks, and hat. Sooooo cute. Total: $68.00 I know, I splurged on that purchase. Crazy how clothes add up but I am a sucker for Pandas!

Long overdue

Look, I'm not the only one expecting! Just Kidding!

Hi everyone...

This post has been long overdue and in our absence realized just how popular our family updates have become. Thank you all for reading and taking an interest in our lives. Lets begin...

Since Eden's birthday, we prepared for our "surprise" journey back down to the Bay Area. The whole week we could think of nothing but seeing missed family and friends, local eateries and fav. places to visit, and enjoying the nice California weather. We were in secret conversations with Inay about this visit since it was intended to surprise EVERYONE which dwindled down to just surprising Papa Abet since someone told someone who then told someone else we were coming. (those names will be withheld but you know who you are) LOL

Tuesday- We made our departure early that morning on the day of Papa Abet's birthday and arrived early to surprise him for dinner. On the way down we had a chance to visit with my sister since she was driving UP to Oregon for Turkey day. It was so nice to squeeze in that visit as well. We had a great surprise and enjoyed dinner. We went to the Nav's house for dessert (sort of... I suggest staying away from the apricot/mango ice cream from Rite Aide, *cough Inay*) and surprised them as well. That evening we had a fun time figuring out where everyone was going to sleep. Eden slept in Inay's room and Mommy and Emma got the futon and Daddy got the floor... hehe

Wednesday- was the big Costco run to prepare for Thanksgiving since Campos Sr. was hosting this year. We got in and grabbed what we need along with the Happy Birthday cake for Papa, Eden, and Emma. There were so many people there. Lets just say it was not the same Costco experience we have in Salem. I noticed people down in the Bay Area are more aggressive and demanding... I got cut in line and given the evil eye while waiting for a sample... I got lost in the sea of people in Costco. The original plan was for Albert and the girls to go and get the cake and Mama and I were to wait for them in line. I turned my back for a second and I lost Mama. Come to find out she decided to make a stop and look at the books. /sigh ... oh Mama! LOL

The weather was horrible, rained all day. Inay came home early and we went and ate at our FAV place for noodles, VH in Ranch 99 in Albany. It was soooooo yummy. After that we got our boba fix on. Can't find boba in Salem. =(

That evening Albert and I were invited to a pre-thanksgiving potluck. It was great to see Myk, Bobby, Jon and others there but talk about feeling a bit out of place. I know Albert and I are a bit ahead of our other friends (marriage, kids) but being the only preggers among young single adults made me feel soooooo old. It reminded me of the scene in Knocked Up where the older sis tries to take Higel's character to a club and she is like 7 months pregnant. Hahaha. I also got to try my first Turdunkin (spelling?). It was very good I do have to say. The sleeping arrangement that night was Daddy and Emma on the futon, Eden on the floor, and Mommy on the couch.

Thursday- Thanksgiving... We watched the Macy's parade and cleaned the house. Lots to cook and get ready. Everyone started showing up around 5 and also brought presents for the girls. Eden and Emma had fun opening gifts and visiting with family. Emma told her dinosaur story, her carousel story where she rode "daddy", sang the wheels on the bus song, and danced. She was the life of the party. I am so thankful for all the blessing God has given us this past year and for the new blessing He is creating inside of me.

Friday- Newark/Fremont/Mt. View/Milpitas day. Also the day that my Gma Belle turned 93! It was nostalgic to drive down to Newark/Fremont. It seemed like it was another day driving "home" after visiting San Pablo. We took our usual route and exited Dumbarten bridge, cut through Jarvis, and drove past our old apartment. We drove past Eden's old school, Albert's old job, took our car to get fixed, and headed to Mt. View for the best ramen in the Bay, Ryowa. We found this place thanks to yelp. Yelp is a good tool but hasn't helped us out so much in the Salem area though, whomp. We met up with the Aunts and Uncles and got treated to some good ol' fashion Filipino food. We ate crispy pata, fresh lumpia, sinigong, rice, sisig.... Boy was it good! We were all so full we had to head to the Great Mall and work it off at Dave and Busters. This was Emma's first time and she went CRAZY! Now every time she sees an arcade she thinks we are at D&B. How can anyone not love all the lights and buttons to push... It was her ultimate playground. She ran around screaming Yes! Yes! It was so cute, you had to be there to see it. Sleeping arrangements, Eden and Emma on the futon, mommy and daddy on the couch.

Saturday- We went to Ikea since they were having a huge sale... I know, I know... Us shopping in California seems ridiculous but we went anyway. While we were there we picked up a few items for Emma for xmas from her Lolo and Lola. We ate lunch at Kamakuras in Alameda and topped it off with ice cream from tuckers! The rest of the day we rested since our trip was coming to an end and we were getting ready to leave the next day. I was determined to get a good night sleep so mommy and daddy on the futon, Emma and Eden in Tita's room! Ha!

Sunday- We woke up and ate a little breakfast, it was time to go home. We loaded up the van, packed the kids, and said goodbye. Not a minute later we got a call from Inay saying we left Eden's shoes, we turned around and picked them up. Another goodbye and were off. Again another call from Inay and she said we forgot something else... Nice try, Inay... not playing that game anymore. LOL

The trip back seemed to take forever, more traffic, grumpy Emma, and just anxious to get home and out of the car. 10-11 hour car trip can do that to you. We made our usual stops at Starbucks in Willows, rest stop near Mt. Shasta, get a quick bite to eat in Weed. We also got to meet up with my sis again. Albert was a trooper driving all the way down and back again. He is such a great husband!










Monday- Happy 2nd Birthday Emma. Our precious Emma has turned 2 and boy does she know what birthdays are all about. She said Happy all day long and tried to sing along with us when her cake came out. My mom made her yummy mac and cheese (one of Emma's fav foods) and we had a great time celebrating. My mom also make her a white cake with animal crackers all around to make it look like a carousel. Emma loved it! The cutest thing was when she took her tambourine and placed a tower of Lego blocks on top and walked over to me singing "happy... happy" She made a birthday cake for me and wanted me to blow out the candle. She is so smart and sweet!








I think this brings you up to speed for now. I do have my doctor's appointment tomorrow in which I will have to take another glucose test. Please keep me in your prayers and I will let you know what happens. Thank you all for reading!