Melany's Birthday Party

Melany had been asking me for months to throw her a birthday party. She wanted balloons, cake, presents and Dora. So Enoch and I worked together and threw Melany a Dora themed birthday party the Saturday after her birthday. I got a lot of ideas from pinterest.

 Enoch and I made Melany's chocolate cake with strawberries and cream cheese frosting. I put the shredded chicken in the crockpot for the tacos and made salsa. We also made strawberry cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. I traced the butterfly with cardboard paper and Enoch assembled with aluminum foil it to make a fruit tray. I made strawberry lemonade and greek yogurt dip for the veggie dip, which was in the form of a tree. I made two banners and special floral arrangements to match the Dora colors. I picked up the balloons and a piñata from the store. We had several friends over from church, my work and the military.

Weeks ago, we won an auction at church where a balloon man would come make balloon animals to a party. He was the hit of the party as he was able to make so many balloon creations. He even made a pregnant dog for me. The funny thing is that in real life, he's a lawyer! Haha..he also happens to be my good friend's husband:) The kids had so much fun playing "put the Map on the Dora" and hitting the piñata. However, our Melany was so sweet she refused to hit Dora, she felt bad for her. When someone hit Dora and her shoe fell, Melany was concerned and wanted to put it back on! It was so funny to see how worried she was for poor Dora.

 Overall, there was so much work for Enoch and I but, Melany really enjoyed it. Everyone loved the tacos and kept asking me for the recipe. Melany kept smiling throughout the party. I'm glad we were able to make Melany's party come true!

Mama loves you Melany!

Melany's Birthday crown

Melany's 3rd Birthday

Our Melany turned 3 on Thursday July 10. I was so happy I was already off work to spend the whole day with her. Melany loves pancakes so we took her to breakfast at IHOP. After breakfast we went to the water park and pool near our home. Part of the homeowners association fees we pay is to maintain the water park, pool, playground, and clubhouse so we finally got the chance to take advantage of it. Melany loved it! She is quite the mermaid!

It was fun having Fiona come with us. After the waterpark, I took her back to Christina as their plane ride was leaving soon. Enoch also left after the waterpark as he had to leave for work at 1pm. After we said our goodbyes to Fiona and Christina, I took Melany to an outdoor mall for some lunch and ice cream. She then enjoyed playing in the mall's playground. I soaked in the moment seeing my baby girl play and feeling so grateful to God for giving Melany to us. I then focused my attention on planning her upcoming birthday party.

Happy to be 3 yearsold

Fiona visiting part 2

I took vacation from Monday through Thursday to help watch Fiona. Christina had some time from her busy conference schedule so we headed to the San Antonio Museum of Art. The Museum was having a Matisse exhibition. It was tough to get the girls calm as naturally, they wanted to touch everything! And who can blame them, the sculptures, and other Art pieces throughout the museum were so amazing! We saw Art from the Mayan era, Inca, Egypt, Greece, Diego Rivera and much more.

It was so sad to see Fiona leave but it was fun to have her in our home. Melany still talks about her today and calls her "My Fiona."

Fiona visiting-Part I

Fiona came to visit us from Friday night July 4th to Thursday July 10 in the afternoon. Melany and her had such a goo time doing everything together! They would sleep, eat, bathe, read, watch movies and play together. It was so interesting to see how fast they bonded and made each other smile.

On Saturday, I had leftover balloons from a photo shoot I did with a family and so I asked them to pose for me. They look so cute!

Later, we went to Sea World. Despite Melany almost giving us a heart attack from getting lost, we were able to enjoy the park and the Sesame Street shows. Enoch and I enjoyed spending some time with Christina, and Fiona and Melany enjoyed playing in the park.

June Happenings

June has been yet another busy month filled with a lot of variety.
 

Enoch volunteered(on top of his busy work schedule) at the Institute of Texan Cultures and the San Antonio Food Bank. He is also helping me build several props that will be used in the upcoming newborn and family photography sessions. Enoch has also been very busy finishing up the last units he needed to complete his Bachelors degree. I am so happy that after years of being in school, he can officially get a degree.

Melany started preschool this month and although at first was uneasy about changing teachers, she transitioned better than we thought. And did I mention our little girl is potty trained almost! She no longer uses diapers in the day, only one at night. Yay!! Melany has been a #1 Frozen fan for months now. Our family in LA mailed her the movie and now she has memorized ALL the songs and acts them out. She is turning in to quite the entertainer. I am working on adding her reenactments of the movie scenes on youtube because it is so funny to see her get in to character without any cue or assistance from anyone. She all of a sudden starts singing and acting! Who knew!?

And I continue to work and grow. I will be 31 weeks pregnant tomorrow. I am glad I'm in my third trimester because we can't wait to meet our sweet Baby. I am looking forward to taking my friends newborn baby pictures as well. I have been on pinterest to get ideas for props. One of my favorites is a Baby Bed that Enoch will be helping me make. I have also been making my rounds these past months to each of the Young Women groups in my ward presenting on "Self-Worth." I created a power point presentation and have enjoyed discussing this topic with them. I do not have a calling in young women but because of my job the Young women leaders asked me a while ago to talk to them about self-worth/God.

We are very much looking forward to July as it will be full of many wonderful memories as we spend time with family and friends in the various upcoming celebrations and out of town trips!

The gifts Melany gave for her DAD for fathers day(made at preschool)

Melany loves her little Sister already, without us asking she always kisses and says"Hi" to her "Baby"



We love reading to Melany, this is one of our favorite books about a Guatemalan family

Having some fun in the sun with her Corvette

 

Melany and her Daddy napping in the couch

 

I found this shirt at a Garage Sale, Melany as Jesse the cowgirl

My brother's girlfriend Aurora was in town and brought us gifts from my family in LA

Watching the US vs. Portugal soccer game

Shopping with Mama

Melany trying to do a ballet move