Analise Melton

My heart simply is worn on my sleeves, it is tattered, beaten, and yet screams in shear delight that I was blessed with not just one girl, but two girls!  My Analise is so precious, huggable, grins of joy, laughter that fills a room and yet I feel that she will put me in Cardiac Arrest with her climbing and adventurous ways.  I'm in love with this little treasure that will be two in less than a month.

I find it disheartening that I cried so much when I found out I was pregnant for the second time.  Blissful ignorance was out the door and all I could see was a father with two girls and no mother to raise them.  I saw the miracle of life for them but not for myself.  Isn't that weird how we can hope, believe, pray and almost taste the miracle for another, but humbly accept our demise.  I've seen God's hand work over and over in my life, my parents, their parents, and their parent's lives and yet I had such uncertainty for myself and my own personal miracle.  Maybe the miracle is seeing yourself stretch and how it's done?  Hmmm, something to ponder.

But I am just filled with emotion that I never had before new life had entered our lives.  I never cried over trivial things, such as movies, stories, testimonies or things of that nature.  But I did cry over silly things like an old movie where a lion remembered his owner after finding him in the wild!  What was that?  But now my daughter's (both) tears make me ache inside, I cry out to God to give me wisdom to answer them correctly and hold them at the right times and be strong when they are being defiant.  I am in love all over again but with my girls, which rekindles the love I have with Dale.  And then, there I go to tears again of the blessings and the monstrous responsibility I have to this little family unit.

And where has the time gone that Analise is already going to be two?  Two years have flown by, and three if you count the gestational time of brewing her up in the oven, you know what I mean.  I can't believe how one child changes you and then the second one just rewrites everything about you.  I am grateful even on the days where it feels like Ground Hog Day and I can't accomplish the simplest thing such as dishes in the sink or laundry being put away.  I have learned and am still learning to be content in every situation.  So one day, I hope my daughter will read how fond I am of her and not only do I love her that I also like her.  And for the rest of my life she and Addie will forever be on my mind.

My dearest Analise,

You are so sweet and yes sometimes naughty with that vivacious smile!  You are quick to forgive when your sister is a bit snotty with you.  You are full of life and vigor and you light up our lives with your little sense of humor that you exude.  I pray that you will always be full of energy, joy, and a peacemaker.  We will try our best to give you all the love we can lavish on such a busy little girl, but I hope you will give us grace as we are learning with each year we are blessed with you.  I look forward to many years to see you grow into a beautiful woman on the inside as well as the outside.  But remember, mommy is always more concerned about your inside beauty as it will not fade like the outside, but will continue for an eternity.  

All my love 

Frustrated Mom Tonight.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Tonight I just got Addie to bed and so alone I feel. Not that other mothers don't feel the same way at anything that just brings you to feeling like there is no end to this one episode of many to come. And as I was getting ready to lose it-cry, scream at the sky, call Dale who's no where to be found (yes, I did try to call him) because everyone is asleep right now. I had to remind myself that I asked for her-frustration and all. I, on my own accord, no gun to my head, no husband threatening to leave me, nothing of the sort, just me praying every day for her to enter my world.

And my childhood memory verse kept coming to mind. Think of the lovely things, things that bring good report. And as I held my overly hyper child, who was frustrated herself, due to her tiredness that reacts like a hyper pill to her, I was able to get a grip on things. All alone, no hubby, no one to call forced me to call on the Gift Giver to bring another gift to me-peace, tranquility, thankfulness, joy, good happy thoughts that are beyond the Captain Hook version of Happy thoughts.

I am thankful for these moments as these are actually more simple than the ones to come in her teenage years, so I thank Him for her crying for she's here in my arms. I thank Him for the frustration because when she's finally asleep I can gaze down into her crib and know that she is mine. And I thank Him for the smile that will greet me as a new day starts clean and fresh and all is forgotten about tonight except for the lack of my physical weakness-lack of sleep.

I was frustrated and now I am thankful.

Alyssa's Birthday Bash

Addie, Gammy and myself went out to Redlands to take Alyssa out for her 13th birthday. We had a great time as we took her to some little Thai place there on Orange. Addie slept through the entire dinner, but at least she made the effort to celebrate. We all shared food and had great conversation and lots of laughs. We then went shopping and brought her back home to do homework and prepare for school the next day.

Before we went to celebrate Addie had some bonding moments with her cousin Daisy. So sweet they both are.

Texas 2008

Dale and I decided at the last minute to go to Texas to see my best friend Lisa and her parents, who we call Grandpa & Grandma Gomez. It was Addie's first trip out of state and on a plane at 7 months of age. She was comical to say the least. She was very calm until she saw all the buttons, gadgets, window, people and then away she went. Thank God the ride was only 1 hours and 45 minutes long. She definitely is a bundle of energy. I truly think she belongs to my brother more than me as she displays strong characteristics of him-friendly, outgoing, wanting attention, getting attention, being silly, and always trying to break out of something.

When we landed she right away was at home with Auntie Lisa. We went somewhere just about everyday. We went to New Mexico for lunch, went up on a tram to see the entire city, drove to the star that sits on the hillside since the war began, visited her church, and waiting with anticipation for her grandparents to arrive.

She started displaying her crawling skills or lack of, but she can move somehow, it just doesn't look like crawling. She loved playing with Max & Jakey the Gomez dogs. This was one of the times we saw her just laugh hysterically as they played with Dale all sorts of games dogs enjoy.

When her grandparents arrived, she just loved being in their arms and getting all that love, it was a hard departure. It was worth every penny we put into that trip to be with them.

Thanks Gomez Family for opening your doors to us and sending us away with blessings!

Gabriel's B-day & Time with Nana

Addison had the time of her life at Gabriel's 1st birthday. She enjoyed going arm to arm and being doted on by people who truly love her. Aunt Martie, Jill, Nana, Chela are just the few I remember seeing hold her and carry her around to be introduced to everyone.

The most precious part of the entire day was when Addie was telling nana to hold her. Dale has been trying for a while to get her to show who she wants to go to and in one brief moment, Addie reached out her arms, and vocalized her desire to be in Nana's arms. The downside, yes the downside, is that Nana can't depend on her own strength any more, so she couldn't reach out to her to hold her. But where there's a will there is a way, so Addie leaned on Nana's back and then I had Addie sit on the table and Nana move closer so they could lean on each other. And for what seemed like a moment stolen in time, I watched the most precious site. A great grandmother and her 19th great grandchild interact.

Nana lined up all the candies that the kids had won from the pinata or as Lorraine says, "pinada", and had Addie pick them up, shake them, throw them on the table and floor and play until everyone packed up to leave. Addie touched her face so gently, which she doesn't do for us, but somewhere in her little heart she knew to touch Nana with extra gentleness. And oh the tears that filled my eyes when Nana said she was so thankful to the Lord that she got to live long enough to see this little miracle come to pass. How small I feel. How humbled I am that God would choose me to wait so long to see how it touches each person so differently that my joy did come in the morning of January 25th when I first laid my eyes on her.

To rejoice at the gift of Gabriel achieving so much in his first year and the gift that came five months later. What a beautiful day!

Addie's Sick

It's amazing that our children are more resilient that their parents when they are ill. I've been frustrated for three long days thinking we were going through a spell of her being spoiled and wanting to be held 24/7 and then some. When finally today, her fever emerged and everything began to make sense. But in the interim of all that went on, I think my heart ached much more than her strong body versus my weak heart. Emotions I never felt fun through this cold blood I carry were so foreign that I didn't get all teary-eyed and sappy, I just became snappy, difficult, ready to fight the world instead of succumbing to tears that my child was ill. And to think of the many more that will come my way-long nights, long days, arms ready to fall apart and that's not even counting her first time her little heart will hurt. Oh, I dread and look forward to those days knowing I can not do it without Him and my hubby. Thank goodness He is stronger than little 'ol me.

Baby Dedication

"Suffer the little children to come unto Me and forbid them not; for of such is the Kingdom of God."




On Sunday, July 13th, 2008 Dale and I were honored to dedicate Addison back to Him. I must have cried through the whole worship part of the service as we waited so long for this day. It probably doesn't mean a lot to other people, but as a child and seeing the picture of me being dedicated by my parents and seeing child after child be presented to Him and even my brother's children. I thought it was a honor just to see Daisy & Alyssa at their church and then Zander on my father's 60th birthday party. So we are extremely honored to do this today.

Attendees:

• Mom
• Pepa & Mema
• Nana
• Lisa all the way from Texas
• Uncle Sam & Aunt Lily
  
• Roger & Aunt Martie
• Uncle David & Dickie
• Ruth & Kathy
• Andy, Brenda, Elisha & Emma (Only3 days older than Addie)
  
• Franco & Melissa
• Buddy, Christina, Andrew, & Matthew
• Ryan & Anthony
• Norma
• Luis, Julie & Isabella
  
• Eloisa, Alyssa & Evan
• Josette, Reagan &
  
• Chuck, Kim & Gillian
  

Joined us later at the celebration:

• Uncle Joe, Auntie T, Daisy, Alyssa & Zander
• Uncle Paul
  
• Holley Montoya
• Kenny & Wilma Lee Okano
  

The First Sound of Laughter

We, Addie, my mom & myself, visited cousin Augie & Cece Rameriz today and had a great time. We got treated like royalty as they took us to a nice little Italian place in Whittier and then just visited with us at their beautiful house. And if anyone knows Augie, he's a character full of life, stories, and just knows how to make people laugh. I truly can't remember the exact thing we were laughing about, but all of a sudden little Addie laughed with all of us. It was the first sound of laughter that we've been waiting for as her usual laugh was a gummy smile and no sound.

What a great day to see her laugh so sweetly.

The Aunt Dot-ee Visit

This is a lovely picture of my Aunt Dot-ee and Dickie.

While Dale was sleeping we ventured out to Laguna to spend the day with Aunt D. She treated us to lunch at the Fish Market (not sure if I got the right restaurant down) and surprised me by telling me this was for Mother's Day. How sweet is that?

Addie could not keep her eyes of her. I believe bling, sparkle, and jewels may be something that attracts her. Addie was so excited with the day that she did not want to take a single nap for fear that she would miss out on something. Imagine her older being this way as she's only a few days from being four months old.

Aunt D, was the best hostess as she lavished my doll with love and special attention. What a blessing to be close with your aunt.

Nana, Uncle Ham, Aunt Martie & Roger Visit

Here is Addie's Great Grandmother as Addie is the last of the great grandchildren until Ben & Celine start their family.

Addie and I visited them for a few hours after a Dr. visit. Uncle Sam met us their at Aunt Martie's house and spent a good portion of time with all of us. That means a lot considering he's a very busy retired man who's time is valuable.

We had good laughs, good food, and enjoyed each other's company. What a blessing it is to have my grandmother around who can recant stories of my father and tie them with me and my child. And to know that she never stopped praying for Addie to arrive nor has she stopped praying for all her children, grandchildren and great grand children.

It was a great day to see Addie socialize with this side of the family.

Mother's Day-the first of many

I can not even express what Addie has done in my life. What a gift from God! To be called a mom, to not feel quite like one and yet know the responsibility that lies ahead. As I look at women who are already mothers, I see them differently now with more admiration.

I see my beautiful nieces and nephew and how wonderful they've turned out and hope that I can do the same with her. I hope she will love her family, be respectful, courteous and polite and not judge others by their color or status.

So this Mother's Day is overwhelming not only with the people who remembered me this day but with the barrage of things to come to pass on to my child to create a wonderful adult who gives back with love and not of what she will receive.

I am glad to be called mom, mommy, mother, mama, ma, or whatever she can pronounce as the name will change with her vocabulary. I love the new title I have acquired-mom.

First time with Uncle Joe & Auntie Tina

Today is Monday, April 21st and mommy has to meet a client out by Uncle Joe & Auntie Tina's(our favorite aunt), neck of the woods. They have done such a huge favor by watching you as you are only 12 weeks old and all that comes with it. But when you talk to your Aunt, it's as if we have done a huge favor for her by letting you have special alone time with her and all your cousins who love you so much.

I can't even express how amazing it is to see you loved so much by this side of the family. I don't even step in their way if they want to hold you, feed you, change you, talk to you or express any sort of love. I sit in the corner talking to everyone, but watching as if I'm looking from the outside of the window as your auntie dotes on you with all sorts of different expressions of love. And I'm touched when I see your Uncle Joe, bend over and kiss you softly on your forehead as you are held by your aunt and Alyssa is begging to hold you longer. And then Zander offers to feed you and I'm touched that a 10 year old boy full of life and lots of energy would stop to have a special moment with you. Then there's Daisy, your oldest cousin who comes in from a busy day of school and wherever her dad picked her up from, stops to give you so much of her precious time. She talks to you and tells you the silliest joke ever...something about two snowmen and carrots on their nose and smelling something. I laugh because your cousin talks to you like she's talking to her girlfriend that's her age as we explain that babies need to hear Disneyland sounding voices to make them feel all warm and cozy. But the cutest thing out of that conversation you two have is that you are mesmerized by her. You just gaze at her with those adoring eyes as she showers you with compliments that mother's lock up in her heart. I wish I could write about the two hours they spent with you while I was gone.

My favorite part was when your cousin Alyssa wanted to feed you, hold you and not give you up to her mommy to help ease the gas from your belly. She lifted you up almost giving you up to her and then she quickly recoiled and brought you close to her chest as she bent her face down close to your face and said she just didn't want to let you go. She finally did give you to your Auntie and then your little burst of fussiness was quickly changed to a calm lulling and heavy eyes as she prepared you for the long ride home.

Blissful tastes of heaven is what I call being a mother. I thought I was in heaven when I had your cousins over and so heavy was my heart each time they left me in my quiet house. They were the joy and noise that filled my house with laughter. And now I have you to hear your giggles and noise fill up my house. I am blessed to be both Auntie and mommy.

I found my hand

It's Friday, April 18th, and Addie has found her fist. We heard tons of slurping going on in her car seat and found her with an entire fist inside her mouth. She has officially found pleasure beyond her pacifier and has also found that she has the coordination to bring her hand to her mouth on purpose.

Smiles from Heaven

I can't believe she's finally in Newborn clothes and with that comes a blossoming personality. She follows us around the house with her eyes, she wants her alone time on the floor to explore her fingers and toes, she wants to hold hands when she eats, her stare is studying everything you do and say, but the thing that intrigues me the most is her smile. The smile that starts in her eyes and wiggles it's way down to the corner of her mouth and ends with arms and legs flying all over the place. It's the beginning of a coo that merges into an almost giggle that grabs my heart and tugs in all those places of your being that you had no idea that it existed. I am moved by those moments I have with her as we talk (mostly me) and she responds with those gum filled smiles that light up my room and my heart. She gives me glimpses of heaven with those smiles and I am content at what He has graced me with.

Dreaded Shots

I'm not that emotional of a person, but when it was time to give Addie her shots for her 2 month check up...I was a train wreck! I was not prepared for the flood of emotions to hit as they did and for Niagara Falls to hit Brea's clinic. When she pulled out the needles that are longer than the widest part of her leg, pulled the alcohol wipes out, and had 3 band aides waiting for their job to be fulfilled the beat of my heart began to escalate. I told Dale that he was going to handle this one and he was stoic as he held her little hands and talked to her as the nurse placed the first shot on her little bitty thigh. Addie reacted instantly turning bright red like the tomatoes they sell on the vine, screaming with mouth gaping wide open and no sound coming out because her little breath had been taken away from her, and eyes closed tight as you could see her little eye lashes fill with the tears before the ran down her checks. And me watching and feeling lead in my feet, sweat in my hands, and that feeling of nausea that takes over you and finally the explosion of tears running down my face while I'm wondering what the heck is wrong with me.

Every mother has to endure her child getting vaccinated, every mother hurts for her child but why am I so emotional and hurt for her and then it clicks how God must ache for us when we go through such things that hurt for a second when he knows how wonderful our reward is waiting for us. And then my focus is that in a moment my darling will be in my arms as I dote on her and reassure her that mommy is here to wipe the tears from her eyes and whisper softly in her ear that everything will be all right. It was just a moment of pain and now I will shower her with love.

Tuesday Feb. 7th, 2008

Our first adventures out in public are hysterical now, but weren't when it happened. We all went to my Dr. visit and since it was early, we decided it might be safe enough to take Addie to Baby's R Us and get some new bottles and some formula to get her to the 5 lb mark. So after our little run to the store, we went to Juanita's a little joint famous for their burritos and have been in the area for eons and realized we should probably feed Addie as well. So we headed to Mema Melton's to feed the family when we realized we had officially become world's dumbest parents. When we went to change her we realized that we had inadvertently forgot wipes, which we most desperately needed at this moment and opted to use a wet wash cloth. Thank goodness we were with family during this time.

Later in the evening we had to pick up something from FedEx and thought it might be an opportune time to eat Sushi after 8 long months of not eating our favorite food. We went to our beloved Sushi place where the owners treat us like royalty-Chies in Ontario. We arrived ready to show off our little one to the family and got nestled at the bar (yes, Addie was sitting right with us at the Sushi Bar) and we began to order as our mouths were salivating for some long deserved Sushi and Sashimi. That's right about when Ms. Addie went into a frightening rage for food and her diaper to be changed. We handled the diaper change and confidently moved into the feeding when we realized that two heads are not better than one. We most definitely needed a third or maybe a fourth head to remind us of what we needed for this small adventure that was quickly lived. We had a bottle, a bib, a burp cloth and no formula! How idiotic are we? Apparently, we win the prize on this particular day and are proud owners of a certificate that hangs above our head like the Orbitz commercials where they have the halo of events of the flight, hotel & car circulating around their head. That is pretty much what our certificate looks like except it's the words "Worlds Greatest Idiotic Parents" that circulates in halo fashion around our heads.

That's not the end of our story because now it's Thursday and Dale is putting the stroller away and I don't know what possessed me to watch him put it away, but that's when I realized that there was a huge case of Enfamil in the trunk of the car that was there the night of our feeding Addison fiasco. Oh my gosh, when you panic everything goes down hill fast including all your brain cells!

Just thought we'd share our funny story of being new parents and having to care for little Addie.

Addison Came With a Bang

On Monday, January 21st, we had one of many teasers that Addison may be on her way before her actual due date of February 22, 2008. We had our actual Dr's appointment to check how we both were doing, when they realized I had encountered a high blood pressure problem for the first time. The main problem had always been my sugar levels, but with the insulin and the strict diet we thought we had it under raps. As it turns out, my blood pressure was through the roof for my normal numbers and the protein in my urine was extremely beyond normal levels, which meant we were in for a rough ride. I had been trying to adhere to the strict guidelines of only getting out of bed to use the facilities and let others take care of me, but in today's society thats a hard thing to order-help! So from her office, we were quickly admitted to triage for Labor and Delivery as they monitored me and her for over 5 hours. Poor daddy as he sat there in those uncomfortable chairs with no snacks, even though I told him to carry those snacks Joe and Tina had purchased for him. At least he had his book to contend with to keep him calm from worry. They finally let us go home with strict guidelines to go straight home and into bed to lay on my left side.

My woman's intuition (God's still small voice is what it should be called) kicked in and I told Dale to go to Island's in Chino Hills to feed us and from there I could get to Motherhood to purchase needed items I'd put off for February. After a nice Tuna Sandwich, we went to purchase some prego pj's, nursing bras, and a robe. From there I told him if they keep me on Wednesday, which is when I was supposed to go back, and they induce labor, she would need a preemie outfit, so we went to Carter's and daddy bought her first preemie outfit.

With due diligence, I stayed in bed! OK, those of you who know me well, Dale monitored my every move and made me stay in bed until my left hip felt as if it would fall off. The next day, we went back to Triage to get monitored again and after about 3 hours, we knew we were not going anywhere. It was a mixture of overwhelming confusion and relief for all we had been through in the last 8 months of pregnancy.

During our hospital stay, they had to administer Magnesium Sulfate to keep me from going into seizures during the delivery, which was just atrocious. It makes you feel hot, groggy, and like you're coming out of your skin. I can't explain how horrible you feel, but know that I wouldn't want that again in my near future. You're not allowed to eat with that stuff in your blood system as they do not want you to lose your meals, nor do they want you to have ice or water. How fun is that when you're thirsty and sweating up a storm? They then start to get all your vital signs in the normal ranges, so that from there they can administer Pitocin and place a bulb in the cervix to get it dilated to induce the labor. Well, after the labor pains start to increase I opted for the Epidural (light version, since it would be another 10 to 20 hours to have her naturally), which was a nice break being that I was only 1 centimeter for a few hours. They then checked on the bulb to see if I had increased to 4 centimeters and all seemed good until we heard the gushing sound of water break! She then checked to see how far the cervix had increased when she realized that Addie's umbilical cord had come with the gush, so she held Addie up to not pinch the cord (Oxygen supply for her) and called a Code Crash C.

Instantly everything went from slow to 120 in 60 seconds and out of nowhere the whole team appeared, unlocked my bed, grabbed the Ivy, unhooked this and that and wheeled me from one room to the surgery room. Since my epidural was a light one, they had to knock me out under general anesthesia. And yes, for the first time in my life I was scared. Normally, I say God take me if it's my time, but this time, all I could think about was Addie needs her mommy to stick around. Yes, those thoughts did come to plague my mind only because I do not do well when under medication. I went in and Addie came out in less than 10 minutes!

Addie, my precious Addie, God was holding her hand, sustaining her lungs, and gave her strength of a full term baby. She only visited the ICU and never had to stay. She got to have her first shot, bath, be held by those wonderful arms of daddy, had the paparazzi taking picture after picture, got to be monitored by all the lovely equipment of Kaiser, and once again got to be loved by daddy while mommy was somewhere in La La Land. Another miracle for the Melton family, that a 4 lb 9 oz child would come out with wonderful healthy lungs, able to suck on her own and not have to stay in ICU. She got to move on with the other big babies of normal weight and birth were held-the nursery! To have her placed in our home and have such a bang in coming out and then be so healthy, you have to agree that Someone was watching over this household!

As for me, 4.5 hours later and them debating to put me in ICU or let me go to a regular room they finally let Dale have me. And no, I did not get to see my little one that night. I did see lots of cameras in my face telling me what she looks like, but it all seems like a blur now when you're still sedated by Lord knows what. As it is I vaguely remember those who were present, Dale, my mom, Auntie Tina, Uncle Paul & Aunt Dawn, Auntie Norma and I heard that Dale's Uncle Paul & Aunt Ruth and Mema Melton were there too. And yes, I had my own miracle, as they say I had much difficulty coming out and then all the other complications they had to deal with me as I will never forget what happened behind closed doors, but at the same time do not want to recant those moments as they were nightmares! But to see those nightmares replaced by my hubby's smile and her being placed in my arms with just us three alone in the morning. I can barely gasp for air and keep these eyes dry as I felt the warmth of her little body placed on me and Dale kissing me so tenderly showering me with accolades that only a husband, a new father could give his love. Oh, I will never trade those moments for a million dollars nor to never experience life being brought out of undying love for each other and through all these years the encouragement that we gave each other and the love we doted on each other is just bliss exhilaration at this point.

Addison Iliana Melton has graced us in ways that words can never express. It's just the gushy mushy feeling you get inside, like butterflies hitting your belly or the first day of school, or the minute before you enter the threshold as the music is played and your father places your hand in the crock of his arm and ushers you into the church to meet your husband. It is life and the memories that are created that makes every day worth living and remembering for years to come. And as her name means daughter of Adam & God has answered, we are pleased that He selected us to have her grace our lives and soften our hearts beyond recognition.

Baby Shower Pictures

Baby Shower Location

I can't thank Karen Wright enough who made this place accessible to us. She is infamous for one of the guru's of Creative Memories, which is how we met her (my mother-in-law and myself). The funny story is that this is the exact church Dale went to as a child and one day as we were talking this big world all of a sudden seemed small as Louise began to reminisce the past when she attended this church. Karen graciously opened her doors, church doors that is, and catered our event. We have much to be thankful as she's been a part of our lives through the years and got to bless us with this wonderful event.

December 24th Dr. Apt. -Difficult Apt.

You were incredibly difficult today with nurse Nancy in your NST appointment. Every time they found your heart beat, you kicked the equipment and moved away. That forced mommy to stay 1.5 hours trying different positions to make you cooperate. I hope this isn't a precursor to your temperament. If it is, we will have to focus on the positive- that at least you're a leader and that you will stand up for righteousness. After several attempts of trying to locate you and make you stay, I moved to my right side which is hard for me to breathe and you kept kicking that little circle that monitors your heart beat, but at least you gave us some good numbers for your records.
We also had a special guest with us today. We had Holley Montoya a friend from work come and see you in my belly and see your uncooperative side. The poor thing had a longer day than expected, but on the good side, we ate at Pepe's. Mommy loves their guacamole tacos and their chile that is so awesome. I would eat there everyday if it was here in Chino.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is truly not about us anymore. I believe every present we opened was for our little girl who will enjoy this note to her one day. Her Uncle, Auntie, and cousins spoiled her beyond what we could have imagined. Little veggie outfit, pink Vans, blanket, and a gift card from Home Depot to finish her room. You are a blessed little girl and you haven't even entered the world yet. Your Melton grandparents bought you two of the most precious dresses that you can wear for Easter provided you fit into them. And all I can say is you are a very loved little girl and long awaited.

Merry Christmas my little angel.

Special Delivery from Washington

We received this special delivery right before Christmas from Eric and Corrine my cousins from Bothell, Washington. The box read that it was for a special Melton, so Dale opened it up and asked me how does it look. He had me laughing pretty hard. This little outfit is just too cute. I just wish we were closer in proximity so they could be here for the shower and her birth.

It seems like just yesterday when I called Eric asking if we could come for the weekend and stay with them. As sweethearts as they are, they opened their doors and had their parents tote us around for church, since it was one of the only years to snow in Bothell. We had flew up there in January of I can't even remember the year to be prayed for at a church up there that had been recognized for a lot of couples with fertility issues of either seeing them get pregnant, helping with adoption or God giving the couples peace about not being parents at all. And as the years went by we kept holding on to that miracle that was waiting for us, since we never felt the peace that we would be childless.

Thank you Eric and Corrine for opening your home, hearts, and always making us feel at home.

First Christmas Ornaments

My mom bought her the cutest little ornaments, which will be up on the tree next year. They are the cutest pieces I've seen.

Mom will have to come over next year to decorate the tree with her grand baby, so we can have some more photo opts.

Out of Control Friends :)

Our out of control friends are better known as Paul and Dawn. They have the same story as we do, miracle babies who have placed their little stamp on our lives. They had their precious miracle 2 years ago on April 19th and now it's our turn. They waited 12 years and we waited 11 years and we both share so many similarities that it's mind boggling to know how God would knit us all together. Buying furniture 11 years ago from Ontario Furniture would help all four of us encourage each other as we struggled through the years of not knowing what God's will would be on our lives and now look at us all sharing these moments together.

Paul and Dawn let us use Savanna's baby furniture for our little one and here it is sitting in the warehouse full of all sorts of beautiful presents. I told her that she's out of control because not only does our baby have a place to lay her head and get her diaper changed, but she's be blessed by Dawn hosting the baby shower with the mother's helping her in the background. Dawn will be an awesome auntie as she as rejoiced more than any single person other than ourselves. I wish I would have taped her screaming her lungs off in the parking lot of Islands on June 28th! It was something to remember for years to come.

Long story short, we were supposed to take pictures for some secret project her and Paul were working on, so all day she kept changing things. First it was going to be at our house because they only needed a close up of some sort, then we get the panic call to do it at noon, then we agree for 4:00 p.m., then we get another call to go to the furniture store before 4:00 p.m. and it was just craziness that Dawn showing on that cold rainy day. So finally we show up at the store and I'm totally scared because Dawn had said that the girls wanted to do something to make the furniture cute, which I was strongly opposed to. I don't want anything messed with because what if it clashes with the decor of the room. I had visions of paint of new knobs being put on the furniture and me not being able to contain my tears and put on the pretend smile that everything was fine. So, when we walked in it was with heavy feet and caution as I stepped into that store. Lana and Dana were so ear to ear smiles and I was trying to have a smile, but it was hard because I didn't know what was going on. So we closed our eyes and Dana led us to the back to see the surprise and oh how stupid I felt as I saw Dawn's craziness unfold before my eyes. She wanted that moment to be special for us and I had all these horrible nightmares floating through my head. I could have cried had I not been in such a protective state of mind, but to know the effort she went through was beyond words.

Thank you Paul and Dawn for everything that we know about and everything that's to come. You two are blessings to Dale and I and I can't wait to see our babies grow up together to share more generational blessings.

Baby Isabella Lobos

This is Isabella, our little girls playmate. When I went to visit Julie at the hospital and hold her, I had no clue that her little buddy was inside of me at the time.

Julie and I had been prayer buddies in Bible Study class and had put on each others prayer list for God's will in giving us the gift of motherhood. I was totally believing she would get pregnant, but was a little reluctant towards my own pregnancy. We used to joke around about walking the Victoria Gardens with our strollers and the chit chat that we girls do and had no idea it would actually come to fruition.

I still remember that Sunday as Dale told Luis and her and I held little Isabella in my arms knowing in 9 months I'd be holding my own child as well. Luis got it right away and Julie was still in lala land as Dale told them in coded language. He asked what the name of her Dr. was because we needed that information as soon as possible. She was thinking long term and Luis that clever boy, raised his eyebrow and said is there something we should know about with his forever smile. The minute Julie realized we were pregnant it was Niagra Falls and then I was Niagra Falls and the boys were just smiles and laughs. Oh, what a precious moment to share with friends that God had prepared just in time.

I just watched her for the first time December 14th, 2007. It was so sweet. As I fed Isabella, Addy was kicking away to let her know that she was there too. My baby was ready to play before her time. Tonight was also the first night I got a little frazzled knowing that I would be a mommy full time and I couldn't turn back the clock now and got a little scared. I called Dale right away and as usual he reassured me that everything would be just fine and that I would be a good mommy and to not worry.
We love you Lobos!!!

Great Grandma's Sweater

This was my sweater that my great grandmother (mama Chonita) knitted for me a long long time ago. I can't to pass it to the next generation. I hope it fits her because this sweater is teeny-tiny!

Baby's Gift Before She Was a Thought

This blanket has a story...

My grandmother on my mother's side made this either when I was still in high school or shortly after. Her famous words were, "I'm making this now in case I die, so your baby will have something to remember me." What a blessing to know she got to see our prayers being answered when almost 20 years later that seeds had been sown already in my heart. This is a treasure that will always bring tears to this person who hardly sheds them!!!

Faithful Hubby

He's only missed one visit and it was to give Lisa (my best friend) that whole moment to see the baby wiggle around inside me. What a trooper here with only 1.5 hours of sleep and not even one ounce of grumpiness!!! Gotta love him for his faithfulness.

Meet the Staff

Dr. Visits

We have the joy of visiting our Doctors and nurses every other week, but won't bore you with every visit. Since I'm a high risk case, we selected Kaiser in Anahiem and the one in Sand Canyon.

Melton Baby Updates

Time Line of Baby Events

1. June 26th, We found out we were pregnant.
2. June 27th, We told our parents about the good news.
3. June 28th, We told my brother, Paul & Dawn, Norma, Luis & Julie.
   
4. August (entire month)-We got the rest of our friends and family on board with the news all before our 11th year anniversary.
5. At our 18th week, we found out her sex and that all was going normal. That's right when I started to feel flutters and unusual movements.
6. October 26th, Dale felt her move for the first time.
7. November 15th, Lisa got to go her Dr. Apt and meet her for the first time. It was also the first appointment that Dale volunteered to not go to give Lisa and I that special time.
8. Between November 14th and November 24th, my belly grew like crazy. It was more obvious because from the time Lisa came and left, she even noticed the big (I do mean big) difference in my appearance.
9. November 25th, Dale got to see my belly move for the first time. How cool of a birthday present was that for me? Love to see my honey get so excited about it all.
10. December 3rd we started doing kick counts-for a half hour time frame I have to see if she kicks me at least 10 times within that period. She kicks 20 plus times in about a ten minute time frame. I hope this isn't a precursor to her being more active than sleeping a lot.
11. December 14, we start NST (Non Stress Tests) twice a week. They will monitor her during this time to ensure she'll be born on time or if she needs to arrive a little earlier than planned due to her placenta causing my blood sugars to sky rocket. She passed like a trooper! They told us that babies who are 36 weeks are not showing such good reports as this one. They say she's very playful...like they have to tell me. (little miss cart wheels!)
12. December 14-She kicked her friend Isabella when I was feeding her...hmmm, hope this isn't a sign of jealousy.
13. December 17-2nd NST Test. Great fluid. Quick results as others have to wait the full 45 minutes, we kick butt!
14. December 18-picture date with Valencia's for Baby Shower Invites. Wonder what they'll do with our picture. I'm scared.
    

Eloisa's Birthday

It was Eloisa's birthday, but I made out like a bandit. I had seen this at Family Christian Bookstore with my aunt and wanted it at that time and had no idea that Julie had bought it for me already. She also bought this cute little outfit with a little squirrel on it. We are so fortunate to have so many people who care so much for her before she's even in our arms.

Baby's Room 101

We are quite the novices when it comes to creativity and creating a baby's room, but we're not ashamed to post our updates on our attempts at it. I hope you enjoy our silly quest to make her room special for her arrival come February 22, 2008 (speculation on that date).

Here is the evolution of the proud papa working hard in the cold elements to give his daughter that special room, which he is very concerned about.

Love is shown in such different ways, and this is how he displays his love and affection for us girls here at the Melton Pad. I just can't stop loving him enough as each day passes and another part of him unfolds before us.