Random likes

Here is a list of random thoughts/events from the past month(in no particular order):

-I am in awe at the feeling I got when our little girl was born and how everyday I love her more and more, it's AMAZING!

-I can't get enough of my Melany's SMILES and her array of hand gestures

-I enjoy reading Gordon B. Hinckely's WONDERFUL book

-Our family visited us to witness the blessing of our PRECIOUS daughter this past Sunday

-I had a GOOD time this weekend at the wedding of my friend Anahi at Elings Park in Santa Barbara

-I am so GRATEFUL for my mother and dear husband, they were so helpful during my long and tedious labor. I don't know what I would've done without them!

Grandma Gloria and Melany

-In 1 more week I can start exercising again! I never thought I'd yearn to exercise. I have been walking with Melany at the park but nothing beats the FEELING of a good workout. 

Melany Is Here

Hello All.
I apologize that this post is not in the same format that my lovely wife usually uses. She is much more artistic and creative then I am.
Anyway, I am excited to write this post nonetheless to share with you all that our lovely daughter has come into the world.
Melany Sariah was born on Sunday July 10, 2010 at 2:30 PM.
As I looked and saw my baby the first time I really felt like a dream and didn't even know if I was really there. I cut the umbillical cord and heard the baby crying a fresh breath.
I handed her over to mommy and we were just speechless staring at the new life in front of us.
The days since then have been amazing and challenging. Melany is the star of our home and has given us plenty of things to laugh and joke about.

Sleep is more of a novelty than ever, but I wouldn't change a thing.

PS: Many thanks to our friends and family who have supported us during this exciting time.

Waiting and wondering

Lately, there have been two things on my mind constantly. One of those pertains to the unknown time when our baby will be due. This is a "normal" unknown that I'm ok with having. There is another "unknown"  that I never thought I'd be contemplating. I can't say much yet (I promise I will once I confirm) but what I can say it will affect our small family greatly. I've been wanting to scream and shout about it because the plan is so crazy to me.

     On the other hand, today happens to be the day I will be having my baby shower! I'm so excited to see some of my friends and family gathered together to celebrate the upcoming birth of our child. I feel so blessed to have family and friends that make my life beautiful and special. I will miss those of you who are out of state/country in places like Guatemala, D.C., Colorado, Louisiana, Texas and Philadelphia. Please know that your prayers and good wishes have helped me have a good pregnancy so far. I love you!

    I'm also wondering how our little milk shake will look like. Will she have her father's unique eyebrows/ears or her mother's dark hair and tan skin? Hmm..?? In the mean time, I am contemplating on this journey of pregnancy. To some, pregnancy was a breeze. For me, I don't think so. I traveled with this baby to Guatemala, hiked the Mayan ruins, finished my first year of grad school and sat in a therapy session with my client trying really hard not to fall asleep or barf in their faces.
Ah! the joys of pregnancy. I loved the experience but I'm also glad its coming to an end! I love making fun of how I was in denial at first but I wouldn't have it any other way. We love our baby so much!

Add the black hair and she might look like this!

*These cartoons are too funny:

 

 

8 months pregnant

 I can hardly believe I am in my third trimester and just came in to my 8th month. I decided to take 2 courses in the summer at USC because I wanted to take lesser units in the fall when my baby is a newborn. It will already be hard to leave her and I didn't want to be gone in school/internship for more time than I have to. But, I know it will make the rest of my pregnancy go by faster and interesting. The two classes I am taking are Psychopathology and Diagnosis of Mental Disorders as well as Leadership in the Social Work Professions and Organizations.  So far these classes have been very interesting.

Being in class for 8 hours is the downfall, but good thing this summer session ends June 28. That's 2 weeks before I'm due! So far I have enjoyed her random kicks and reading and singing to her with Enoch. My favorite part has been when Enoch reads to her from the Friend magazine. I know he will be such a great father.  I love that he makes me laugh and has been so supportive throughout my pregnancy. We took pictures about 2 weeks ago at Laguna Beach.  I go to the doctor on Friday to get an ultrasound so we'll see how big she has gotten:)

     

 

Done, done!

"With realization of one's own potential and self-confidence in one's ability, one can build a better world." -Dalai Lama

 
   I can't get enough of the fact I'm done with my first year of grad school at USC. I loved learning about myself, my family and human beings. I loved being back to school after 2 years of not immersing myself in books, and expanding my knowledge in a classroom setting. I grew so much from my internship at the health care clinic in Boyle Heights. It was such a good experience to work with doctors, nurses, and other personnel in a clinical setting. My clients came from all walks of life, I conducted several types of interventions ranging from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Play therapy.
 
    But, everything must come to an end and while there were so many positive experiences there was also so much stress and sacrifice involved. I have never struggled so much in school like I did this last semester. The pressure to maintain high grades and being pregnant was very draining. Coming home from internship and working on 15 page papers was exhausting! What kept me going was the fact I knew and know this is what God wants me to do. I know He carried me through those long, endless nights studying and writing papers. And I know He will continue to help me in my next challenge as a mother and last year in grad school.

  Last week I managed to take a break from finals to see the Dalai Lama. He spoke to a crowd of 5,500 on the importance of individual happiness,  happy families, happy communities and a happy world.  I'm grateful for people who spread the message of happiness around the world.
                              

This is where I spent my days studying, the Leavy Library

The Dalai Lama at USC

Two year anniversary

"Marriage in its truest sense, is a partnership of equals, with neither exercising dominion over the other, but, rather, with each encouraging and assisting the other in whatever responsibilities and aspirations he or she might have."
— Gordon B. Hinckley

  
  Yesterday was our 2 year anniversary. It feels like it should be our 4 year anniversary because that's how long Enoch and I have been together.
    I worked all day and got home to a beautiful bouquet of flowers. We then headed to a fancy Brazilian restaurant in Culver City called Libra. The food was delicious and we really enjoyed our time being together.

    Last week I started pondering about our upcoming anniversary, on how things have changed since Enoch and I have been together. I can say that being married has given me a happiness that I had never experienced before. It has also taught me about very important principles and has shaped me as a human being. I have learned  these lessons through our trials and struggles as a family. We have gone through so much and constantly sacrifice so much for each other and for our future. We rarely see each other since Enoch has 2 jobs, carries a full load in school and does volunteer work. I, on the other hand am carrying 17 units in school and working at a clinic in Boyle Heights for my internship. And did I mention I'm 6 months pregnant?! Our little baby keeps me motivated and provides plenty of random smiles during the day as she kicks letting me know shes there.

    Needless to say, our lives consist of work..work..work! Sometimes it hard to keep up with so much going on on top of church callings, helping our families and keeping up with our home responsabilities. It is only with God's help that we have been able to keep up with this crazy lifestyle. However, I treasure those sweet, simple moment with Enoch, when we don't think of our responsabilites and simply enjoy each others company. I have learned not to take my husband for granted and to tell him every day via text or before he leaves for work how much I love and care for him. I admire his hard work and dedication. I admire his willingness to make our marriage work depspite the madness that surrounds us.

       I can see why Heavenly Father gave him to me. We both support each others dreams, we both believe in one another, we both love the other with all our heart. And that is why when I think of our marriage, I can honestly say, it has not been easy, but I wouldn't change it for the world!

Children learn what they live

Lately I've been pondering several issues that have led me to look up this poem below. As I get closer to becoming a mother, I am reminded how important my role will be in this child's life. In my internship I  do short term therapy with clients. They come to me with several psychosocial issues that 99% of the time stemed from their childhood. This is why I love the poem by Dorothy Nolte. I have also been listeneing to church articles on my way to work and school and reading several boks by women who are mothers in our church. I want to be prepared spitirutally to welcome the precious blessing that will be a part of our lives. I know nothing can fully prepare me to be a mother but I am doing all I can to give my child the best life possible. And of course this stems from my own childhood traumas and experiences. I promised myself as a child that I would give my child a better life than mine. So I hope I can remember my own words and the words of the author from this poem. 

CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE

By: Dorothy Law Nolte

If a child lives with criticism,

he learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility,

he learns to fight.

If a child lives with fear,

he learns to be apprehensive.

If a child lives with pity,

he learns to feel sorry for himself.

If a child lives with ridicule,

he learns to be shy.

If a child lives with jealousy,

he learns what envy is.

If a child lives with shame,

he learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with encouragement,

he learns to be confident.

If a child lives with tolerance,

he learns to be patient.

If a child lives with praise,

he learns to be appreciative.

If a child lives with acceptance,

he learns to love.

If a child lives with approval,

he learns to like himself.

If a child lives with recognition,

he learns that it is good to have a goal.

If a child lives with sharing,

he learns about generosity.

If a child lives with honesty and fairness,

he learns what truth and justice are.

If a child lives with security,

he learns to have faith in himself and in those about him.

If a child lives with friendliness,

he learns that the world is a nice place in which to live.

If you live with serenity,

your child will live with peace of mind.

With what is your child living?

Two of the books I am reading

p.s. I will be posting belly pictures soon:)