Mum-Mum

Couch Potato. Watching TV and eating his Mum-Mum.

Kingston finally took to rice crackers called Mum-Mum, he's even holding it himself. So proud. I forgot to update you guys on this 4 month check-up. We found out that he's in the 90 percentile with this weight and height, I forgot his head measurement, but as you can see he's okay in that department too. He's more active, he can roll over when he's on his belly, using his legs to stay up, he laughs at everything, holding on to things, speaking baby gibberish, but most important, he's "regular". Kingston was so miserable being plugged for days at a time. I have me a very happy little munchkin.

Happy for mama.

He's is developing a little bit of a personality. Kingston is like his daddy. I'm so happy about that. He's very mellow, likes to take everything in before really responding.

Just like his daddy

Graduation Day

The very 1st BAS Hospitality Management cohort. We had a wonderful dinner at Salty's on Alki.

We just couldn't take this picture right. We tried 3 times. This was the best one. SAD!!!

It was such a bitter sweet week for me, especially on my graduation day. Although, I'll be back for fall quarter to finish 1 more class, I won't have hospitality courses. NO MORE Tom and classmates I've studied with for the last 2 years. It's actually an insult that I said classmates, I think friends is more appropriate. I wouldn't have made it through some quarters without major encouragements from them. I've shared my most important "beginnings" with the 2009 cohort, it was right after I got married, then when I got pregnant and gave birth, they were a part in the major changes that has truly transformed me to the person I am now. They are an amazing group of people that I will never forget. I know that I will cross paths with some of them and we will get together once in a blue moon, but I won't be in room 204 in the Olympic, sharing our experiences professionally, forming groups to make a final presentation, venting over homework and due dates, and just plain seeing them every Tuesday and Thursday, which as been our schedule the last two years. I wish all the graduates luck with their future and good luck to all that are just a few classes aways from completion. We weren't always friendly but glad we were the first in the program and proud when we saw each other succeed. It was a hard road for me to travel but I'm glad I got to travel it with you...

Khinh, Soledad, Jamilla, David, Bradley, Chaz, Heidi, Jaimie, Ian, Olga, Christian, Marilyn, Andrea, Alex, Will, Theresa, Lisa, Katie, Nancy, and Celia...

(Pictures courtesy of Heidi E.)

I was happy to carry this banner, plus no one else wanted to...lol

Update on Mama

Kingston is now 4 months old and many of you that has met him have been super nice with your advice and stories of your own children and their many "first", which I enjoy and look forward to seeing in my own child. And many of you also ask how I'm doing, when I attempt to reply I some how go right back to talking about Kingston. So I'm here to let anyone that has asked or care that mama is doing great.

I know I said I wasn't going to go there but I am, I will discuss the topic of "school". Let me first say that school has more meaning to me know then it has before. Marriage is one of those things that seem to be a gamble in these days (sad btw) and although I love and respect Ned with all my heart, I know nothing in life is guaranteed so my education is something I will fall back on if I were to ever be a widower or divorcee. Having Kingston just gave me that extra push I needed and really lacking, this quarter. I'm only 2 classes away from getting my bachelors in hospitality management. Although, I am walking on graduation day June 18, I won't be happy until I get the diploma on the palm of my hands.

So I have more reason to complete this goal but I'm so unmotivated then ever before. I finally realized that since I set this out as my goal 3 years ago I've been going full force and I'm finally losing steam. Instead of finishing the 2 classes this summer I will be taking the summer off and going back fall. I know I know I'm close, but I need the break. I've thought about it and I have NO MORE to give this summer. I need a break. Some of you have even called me crazy for only taking one week off after giving birth but that would have put me behind, but lucky for me I fought my body and took 5 classes the last 2 quarters and was qualified to walk this June. So although, I'm still going to be a student fall quarter, I'm glad to be 90% accomplished my personal goal. We all need a break right!?!?!?

So after all that being said, I would like to say that "I'm tired not because of Kingston but because of school and I'm glad its that way."

Update on Kingston

Kingston has his 4 month check-up. Ned and I are so excited to find out how much he's grown since his 2 month check-up. I'll post post his stats tomorrow. Below are picures for the month of May. More facial expressions and my favorite thing which I have yet to capture on video is his laugh. Melts my heart. He's also grabbing and holding things. I first noticed this when I was breastfeeding him and he pulled my hair. He's also sleeping longer during the night, 5-6 hours, this is great for Ned and I, but mostly me since I'm the one with the food. Enjoy our little Kingston pictures.

Bye-Bye Shaylee and Candace

Siya (also another hot mama), Me & Candace at Candace website launching.

An old friend, Candace, who I found at meetup.com after about 7 years has moved to Bremerton. I was so excited when I found her but now she's gone again. =( It was great to catch up. It's amazing how similar our path to life has turned out. Two import model chicks with a husband, a baby, and a dog. Who would have thought...haha...Thanks to the internet, text, and cell phons we won't lose touch ever again.

There was some confusion with our meet up group.

But the sun was out and we bought smoothies

so the day wasn't a waste.

Shaylee is such a cutie.

Now we have a reason to take the ferry and take trips to Bremerton.

Happy Birthday Cousin Nathan

Nate is in the blue shirt

I had a great time at my cousin Lani's son, Nathan, birthday party, who turned 6 years-old over the weekend. He's a very shy boy but he seems to come out of his shell when he's around Maxwell, my cousin Patrick's son. Watching the kids run around, playing nicely my I add, makes me so happy for Kingston. He will have older cousins to play with as he grows up. This generation needs a girl though, Elena, my cousin Jeffrey's daughter, is the only blood cousin since Aminah, who is 10 years-old. Hoping me, Elaine, Sheilah, or Jennie can break the testosterone enegry. God if you have a baby girl hanging around you there with you that you want to unload down here, I'll take her, in about 15 months. I'm not ready to go through pregnancy quite yet.

Growing up with my cousins we're some of the best times and have the fondest memories. Their all so funny and we just laugh it up everytime we're all together. I know when we go to family parties and I watch the kids play, will stir up some great and funny memories. Its going to be so fun this summer when we have a BBQ. We are planning a huge cousin party to take pictures and make a video for our Lola Tinang in the Philippines, its for her ?98th? birthday. She's going to enjoy seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I can't wait.

Elena. Look at her dimples.

Dominic and Xiaver. Silly boys

Claire and Aminah

My favorite Ketchup Lover Josiah.

Aliyah so sweet.

Always on the go Maxwell.

So-So Mother's Day

I was so looking forward to my very first Mother's Day, but after all that happened to me and my family members the week of Mother's day, I'm so glad its over. I surely won't forget it but unfortunately most was not so good.

The Bad Part:

• a family member went to jail and still in jail
• a couple I know that has been together 9 years has broken up
• my brother-in-law was jumped after clubbing at Pioneer Square
• my mother will not being coming home until June
• I got a 60% in a test
• the worst of my week my niece was bitten by her dog, Chewy, on the face

My niece always so happy and such a sweet girl

But I'm all about staying positive these days. The Better Part:

I know I shouldn't have let all that get to me but I really couldn't help it. I finally sucked it up at the end of Sunday night. I finally let Ned take me to dinner at one of my favorite Chinese restaurant and we went to Fred Meyers to ge picture frames so I can finally decorate the living room walls. I really didn't want to start the beginning of the following week so I was happy to end my Sunday in a mellow mood. I did get some wonderful gifts. I will get to take the precious medal clay class and pottery classes, pottery tools, a cool craftying encyclopedia, and the hubby cleaned the heck out of the house.