Archives for April 2017

Dear Sareena,

You are 9 months old here. There were a few firsts in this month: your first tooth began to sprout, we did our first sign language class and soon after you began making your first sign in the proper usage (It was dog. Go figure), and it was the first time I sat you on a baby toilet and you actually used it for poopoo on your first try!! You also went to your first pumpkin patch, petting zoo, and Halloween.

The highlight of the month was your passion for reading. This was when you fell head over heels in love with reading! You would constantly pick out new books to read from our book basket, crawl into my lap to sit up and interact with the story. I like to think your imagination was running wild with each smile and gleam in your eye as the stories went on. You established a few favorites already (basically any of the Van Fleet books) and would even say “agai agai” for “again.” I remember reading Moo by Mathew Van Fleet to you about 36 times in a row once because you loved it so much. I’ve memorized all your books at this point.

We began taking American Sign Language classes together and found it so useful! You actually signed so many words in the proper usage even to this day (at 15 months) without me really practicing with you! Now I wish I had practiced sign language more with you because it amazes me how fast you learn.

We already know Kiyaan was the first person you properly kissed, but now you’ve given me the honor of making me the second person you properly kissed on your own! I was so happy, my heart wanted to burst. You are so affectionate and we love it!

You were like, umm hello he’s crying! Why isn’t anyone coming here?!!!

Daddy’s favorite hiking backpack! Packed with extra cute.

You began your cute little morning ritual with daddy. While I got up early to cook & get things ready for the day, daddy would snuggle and sleep with you a little bit longer (since he’s usually up working late). Then you’d watch daddy brush his teeth, wash his face and help him shave by “holding” the razor!

You loved playing fetch with Snowey!

Zoodles!

Enjoying our picnic at the lake

I started using Google Photos and they sometimes turn your videos into mini movies of a typical day!

You loved playing peekaboo with us!

Daddy visited our mommy and me class today! He saw how much you love bubbles

You love ducks!

We haven’t ever shown you screens or tv or anything like that. And when we’re out and it’s on in public, you aren’t interested so we’re not even worried about that. The only time you ever see a screen and it’s sparked your interest is if you’re FaceTiming with Kiyaan or you see photos of him! The joy you get whenever you see him is so heartwarming.

The feeling is mutual on Kiyaan’s end <3

Well, mostly.

No one could deny how much you love him!

That time we had a wild chicken running around

Bouncy, Bouncy, Bouncy, Bouncy!

Telling Snowey you want to play fetch!

hahaha I don’t even know why we got the pack and play. Most useless, and unused item ever.

Your first time trying a lime. Your reaction was not one we expected.

We’ve always thought of you as a little creature roaming about our home

Licking the fridge.

Daddy would sometimes wear you and take you on a walk while he got some coffee. You would sing yourself to sleep during your naptime.

Sareena, this age is extra special because you are out in this world just as long as you have been inside me. You will always be my little baby even as you keep growing and growing. I cherish how you love being held against me and how wearing you and snuggling you close to my heart is your favorite place ever.

We love you forever and ever,
Mommy & Daddy

Dear Sareena,

You are 8 months old in these photos.

You are a happy, giggly, growly 8 month old with personality for days. You have a contagious laugh that gets everyone around you giggling. You’re the sweetest baby I know, and I’m not just saying that because I’m your mom. Admittedly, I am biased but I cannot believe I get to call you my daughter. You’re a perfect little human with an uncanny ability to make everything brighter. I am so glad I get the opportunity to play with you all day; everyday. This has got to be the most fun I’ve ever had and you’re helping me grow and learn a lot about myself too!

We’ve still been spending the majority of our time with the usual: socializing with your mommy and me pals, going to baby & me yoga, shopping at farmer’s markets, relaxing in nature, and snuggling and playing at home. We went to our first baby pool party together and you LOVED swimming with me in the pool. We were spinning, splashing and swirling around.

This was the time when we left you alone for the very first time. Your Azo, Aji & Aki watched over you for 2 hours while mommy and daddy went on their first date night out together. It broke my heart to see you so sad because you’ve never been separated from me and as everyone has seen (even still to this day at 15 months old as I write this) you hate being away from me. But you ended up having fun playing with everyone and Kiyaan! We came just in time to find you asleep in Azo’s arms. I’m so appreciative that you get to spend so much time with your grandparents, aunt and cousin brother! It’s important for you to be close to them and for you to see your mommy and daddy as romantic and in love as well! We want you to grow up seeing and knowing your parents love you and each other very much <3

You love Kiyaan so much! You simply adore him, kiss him, cuddle him and hold his hand any chance you get!

Enjoying bath time with your farm buddies!

So well mannered.

Drogo loved you so much and wanted to protect you at every moment. But he was very confused as to why you insisted on tugging his name tag. We worked on you being gentle and after a couple times you understood it wasn’t nice to do that 🙂

You always stop what you’re doing or get self conscious as soon as you know you’re being recorded. I swear you were giggling like a maniac earlier.

We love you forever and ever,
Mommy & Daddy

Dear Sareena,

You are 7 months old in these photos.

We started the first day of you being 7 months by collaborating with Sakura Bloom on their ring sling collection for Theory! It was such a fun project for us to be a part of because baby wearing has been vital to our journey. There’s no better way to incorporate you into our life, rock you to sleep, and get snuggles than it is wearing you so close to my heart. Besides, you wouldn’t have it any other way!

We started going to Baby and Me Yoga in Palisades Park. It is such a serene location surrounded by palm trees and overlooking the beach. It’s a place that’s always been 10 minutes away from us, yet I never went there before you. Exploring through your eyes is making me take the time to appreciate the beauty surrounding us. You make me fall in love with our world even more. We decided to make this a regular activity and even take frequent picnics here.

Enjoying our shoot for Sakura Bloom! Full photos here

You were in love with puppets and would often giggle in delight whenever you’d see one. But nothing beat the joy you’d get from seeing your baby cousin brother, Kiyaan!!

I mean this video speaks for itself. This is you FaceTiming him.

Your mischief is evident here!

(You slept like this only once for 4 minutes. I had to take a photo though.)

With Shauray Mama and Shivani Mausi at a park when they came to visit you!

Not a day goes by without you smiling, laughing and squealing in glee. Same goes with us, you have brought so much more laughter and happiness into our lives.

We love you forever and ever,
Mommy & Daddy

Dear Sareena,

You are 6 months old in these photos.

This was a month of plenty of milestones for you. You learned to crawl. You said your first true words with meaning rather than just babbling them out, “Mama” being the first. You were introduced to your first taste of solids. Most of all, you welcomed your very best friend in to the world, your baby cousin brother Kiyaan.

Hearing you calling me mama while look at me with purpose and calling out specifically to me melted my heart (you would also call me “emma” and “ma’am”).

You simply adore affection. There’s nothing quite like watching the way your eyes light up and smile every time we kiss you, squeeze, cuddle or hug you. We love this quality about you and hope this doesn’t change.

Toward the end of your 6 months, your baby cousin brother Kiyaan was born. Your involvement in his birth was one of the most precious moments. You exhibited a calming presence throughout, acting as a mini doula. You would stroke your Akki’s head as if saying “there there, Kiyaan will find his way to you soon.” You even gave her a little snuggle for comfort. You would communicate throughout in your little cough language with your grandparents. You entertained us throughout.

We were all astonished at what a nurturing soul you already were, you continue to amaze us day by day with your loving grace. Your heart is so pure and innocent, and we can already tell you’re born to nurture and love. I wish there was some way I could preserve your pure innocence. Bottle it into a jar and show it to you someday, when the horrors of the world and the indecency of some human-beings leave you in tears. And although I wish I could protect you from pain, and find a way so that you will never suffer, I know that this is not how life works. Instead, I will continue to try and teach you the things you need to learn, and support you through your daily discoveries. In the end, it’s not our job to toughen up our children to face a cruel and heartless world, it’s our job to raise children who will make the world a little less cruel and heartless. I know this world has already become a better place with such a sweet soul as you, Sareena. We are so blessed to have you in our world.

So much sass and personality!

Still obsessed with using the bedrail to stand… mommy kept having to pull you away because it was so dangerous!

At the airport on your way to see your grandparents, aunts & uncles, and to meet your GREAT grandparents!

You were going through major separation anxiety and stranger awareness, so unfortunately it was difficult for everyone to get a chance to know you properly because you kept calling out for me to hold you. I was glad to hold you throughout as I usually do, but I had to share you so your extended family could get to know you. I’m so sorry! You kept looking at me as if I had betrayed you even though I was always right next to you, it broke my heart. The only person who was able to hold you for longer than 10 seconds without you crying was Shivani Mausi! She was so flattered.

You are just so loved, my little one.

You are the sweetest thing ever. Look at you cuddling your akki up, telling her it’ll be all okay throughout her marathon labor.

You didn’t even bother anyone during your nap times, you just slept peacefully like you always do snuggled up against me in our Tula! <3

The next morning, you finally met him! It’s as if you’re like “Oh, so that’s what was in your belly. Man, what took you so long to come, Kiyaan!”

“Alright, let me see how you’re taking these photos. I’m the director here”

And now time for a few videos of your goofiness and firsts

Still enjoying our mommy & me classes!

You are the sweetest soul, we are so proud to be your parents <3 Love you forever & ever, Mommy & Daddy.