Pattycake video # DOS

First time in 8 Months...

I feel like the luckiest mom alive, and I feel that God has blessed me more than I deserve when it comes to Dannika. She is not a fussy baby. She hardly ever cries. She's not very needy. She smiles and laughs at everything. She's just a baby that loves life. At church today, I dropped her off in the infant nursery for the first time today, and the nursery lady told me that "she is such a good baby, and she is so mellow!" I already knew this, but it sounds way better coming from someone else. She has never been sick either. Nick and I aren't the type of parents that freak out either about every little sniffle or cough she has. Our pediatrician, Dr. Shannon couldn't believe we were first time parents! He LOVES us.,..mainly cause we let common sense prevail when it comes to raising our daughter. Dannika now has two teeth, and her teething experience has been wonderful. I had heard other people's teething experiences, but there was nothing crazy about Dannika's teething. But I know that all good things aren't always gonna be good. This weekend, I noticed that Dannika was throwing up ALL of her food and wasn't having any wet diapers. She didn't have a fever, and she was acting like her normal self (minus the projectile vomiting). By Saturday evening, I was worried about dehydration since she wasn't taking the Pedialyte, so I took her to the ER. She was on the BOTTOM of the triage system since she wasn't really "sick". After waiting for several hours to be seen, I left the ER after they gave her an inital dose of Zofran (for nausea and vomiting). Today, she has been fine. She had been holding all her food down. The only thing I noticed was that she had lost a lot of her appetite. It started worrying me so I forced her to finish a bottle. Well...it backfired on me. My friend Kim invited Dannika and I over for dinner tonight (for a late birthday present). As soon as we got there, Dannika PUKED ALL OVER KIM!!!!! Like EVERYWHERE! But afterwards, she was fine. Below are the pics from Dannika's "date" with Kanoa. She is naked cause she puked all over her onesie....lol

And of course...we got a picture with the Easter Bunny today...

TWENTY 6

Today I turned 26. A birthday that I didn't want to celebrate cause Nick is gone, and I just wasn't in the 'mood' to celebrate anything without my partner in crime. My BBF Dulce convinced me to go out for dinner for my birthday. I decided on a cute Mexican restaurant called El Adobe in San Juan Capistranot right by my house. I had never been there, and I was super excited to try it out. While I was hesitant at first, I gave in to her. I figured it was a good chance to catch up with some old friends that I hadn't seen in FOREVER. Kim, Tillery, Jen, and Sarah...and Miss Danni (whom I see regularly cause I work in the same office as her husband...and their ADORABLE daughter, Arianna is two months older than Dannika). I was SUPER bummed when Jen told me she couldn't make it, and even more bummed when Dulce couldn't make it cause everyone that I invited were all very important people in my life, but I was still excited to see my old friends. So...Today gave me some time to think on the last year....This has been by far the most blessed year I have had in my entire life.

My 25th birthday, I was pregnant with Dannika, and Nick threw me a surprise birthday party with the help of Sarah and my old roommate Eddie. Since then, my life has changed so much I can't believe it. Since giving birth to my daughter, my life has been one big giant roller coaster. I went from being the single carefree girl, to a devoted wife to a husband with a demanding job, to a mom....on top of doing one of the hardest jobs in the Marine Corps...recruiting duty. I went from basking in my success and becoming rookie recruiter of the year for my recruiting station to a substandard recruiter because I decided to put my family first instead of the Marine Corps (for the first time in my life). So, even with my crazy year, I couldn't have done it with a few important people in my life, and I think they deserve a shout out on my blog (they deserve way more, but this is all I have to offer for now...)

Lydi...my baby sister who is about to become a WIFE! I can't believe it...can you????? We've come so far. I'm not gonna write much here cause I am saving it for your wedding speech. I do want you to know that I pray everyday that Dannika become the Godly person that you have become. I look up to your ability to connect with God in ways that I can't sometimes. I'm blessed to have you pray for my family...you're amazing...the rest you'll have to wait for your wedding day...

Nicholas...my wonderful, devoted, sexy, caring, honest, loyal husband. There isn't a man like you in this world. When guys I work with tell me that you make them look bad...I can't help but smile. I know you're not the typical guy. I'm proud to call you my husband. You've bent over backwards for me to make me happy, and you've pretty much killed yourself for Dannika's happiness. What more could I ask for?? I can't ask for anything more, and some way, some how, you find a way to do more. You put your happiness aside to make others happy (especially when it comes to Dannika and I). I have never met a more selfless individual than you. You've picked me up when I was down, and even when I was wrong, you were understanding to me. You deserve the moon and back, and I'm upset at God that he won't let me do that...yet....I love you.

Kim...The first memory I have of you is when you died your hair black in the barracks and it turned purple for inspection. I laugh so hard thinking about it. I think about the time we used to talk about the "hot MSgt from 169"...hahaha. How far we have come since those days at 39! We were two single girls, breaking hearts, and living life in 'Oceanslime'. I fell in love with you because you never judged me....and I could tell you ANYTHING. We've gone through a lot together, and to see you now in your life, I can't help but be happy and excited for your future. I can't wait till Dannika is old enough to know what an amazing person her Aunt Kim is!

Tillery...meeting you has been a gift from God. I'm just upset that we didn't become friends the minute we met! I think both of us have experienced some things that normal chicks will never experience (you know what I mean!). Our lives are SO different from the old 'Carlsbad bar days'. Your drive and passion for life is awesome. Your love and patriotism for our BADASS country makes me want to re enlist over and over again! Your view on the world is one that 'retards' aka 'liberals' will never understand, and your goals that you have set for yourself is admirable. If my daughter has half the passion you do about life, politics, and relationships...she'll be set for life.

Jenn...Remember the Halloween party??? HAHAHA. Like Kim...you've never judged me on anything on my past, and have always been the most approachable person to talk to. You can always bring a smile to my face and make me happy when times were rough. You've taught me to not take life too seriously cause it's short. You always know how to look at the positive things in life and you know how to bounce back from rough patches. You're beautiful, hardworking, and caring...anyone who doesn't have a friend like you is seriously missing out!

Dulce...You define the word "BFF". You are the one person in my life that has been there through the ups and downs of recruiting duty cause you're the only girl who has really understood the 'old' days when our station was closing out on mission day (and no one will ever believe that recruiting in MV was hard unless they were there in the Mattson, De La Rosa, and Gy Mac days). You were there for me through pregnancy, birth, and the life of a new mom. You've been my support since Nick deployed. You've taught me the importance of balancing work and mommyhood. I've fallen in love with your family and Christopher James. You've become a part of my family, and I am beyond blessed that I got to come on recruiting duty to meet someone as cool, fun, and amazing as you!

Sarah...Oh my dear Sarah...lol. If I wrote about EVERYTHING...I'd run out of space. It was totally a coincidence that Eddie became my roommate after my last deployment to Iraq. I would have never thought that you would have become one of my BFF's! I've had so much fun with you. You have seen me grow from single party girl to married mom. You've been with me through my bad relationships and good...before Nick. You are the most happiest, liveliest, beautiful people in the world. You always go out of your way for your friends, and I have never met anyone like you. Your laugh is contagious. Your style is to die for. Your ability to connect with just about everyone that you meet is amazing. I really feel that Dannika is one of the luckiest babies in the world to have Sarah as her aunt....and I am totally not blowing smoke up your a double 'S'. 

Eddie...What a total coincidence that we met while both of us were in Iraq and ended up becoming roomies and best friends. That green futon has got to go (by the way!)...lol. I've always been able to tell you anything and act like a complete idiot without worrying about what you would think about me. Most of our "deep and intellectual" conversations have been while we've been intoxicated, but those are the moments that I cherish. You're the most forgiving person I know (especially after leaving you at a bar TWICE and making you find your own way home.) I ALWAYS talk about how you were the best roommate that I have ever had. The best days of my life were the days when we lived in that apartment in Oceanside getting drunk on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays....lol. You were so much fun and one of the best friends a girl could ask for. 

These aren't the only people in my life that made a difference. They're just people that have stuck around for a while with me. I'm so thankful for them, and without them, I would not have made it to 26 with this huge grin on my face. I plan on turning 25 for the next 15 years until I turn 40...then I'll turn 30....

Before leavin' the house

Dannika after choking on a tortilla chip and her BFF Arianna

Blowin out my candle

Dannika and her Aunt Tillery

Dannika and her Aunt Kim

Dannika and her "rich" Aunt Sarah

Danni and the kids

Don't mess with Marine moms.

I only had TWO cosmos in the span of 3 hours...I am not drunk in this pic....just reallllly happy.

 my long lost friends!

My Silly Girl

Dannika has learned how to do patty cake. When you start singing patty cake, she actually tries to clap her hands. This isn't the greatest video of her trying cause she was realllllyyyy into watching Nick Jr., but it's good enough for the camera! My baby is gettin sooo big!

This next one is just of her playing with her stacking toys...and yes that is a Christmas bib she is wearing. She only wears it at home!

20 More Weeks to Go (approximately)!!!!

My handsome Marine and his LT in Afghanistan

I was 'unpleasantly' surprised this morning when the Orange County Sheriff's Dept told me that I shouldn't leave my house today cause they were blocking off all the roads to my house...all day...due to the Festival of the Swallows (you can read about it here). It's a HUGE parade in San Juan Capistrano. I was a little peeved at first cause I thought I would be confined to my house all day long, BUT I decided to make the best of it and actually go check out all the commotion with Dannika. It was a nice mile and a half walk to the mission in San Juan. I ended up having a blast. Dannika LOVED watching all the horses and the colorful parade. She got SO many compliments from EVERYONE about her gigantic bow. We walked down to the Sundried Tomato Cafe and had lunch. It was such a great day for mama and daughter time. I reallllyyy wished Nick was here today to spend the day with, but either way, I had a great day at the parade. I can't wait till next year's parade when we can all go as a family! 

The Marine Corps' mounted color guard

Since the weather has been so warm, I decided to buy Dannika a pool for our backyard. She loves bath time and the water so I thought it would be fun idea. It's deep enough for me to put her in an inner tube to play in. I LOVE having a backyard for her to play in!!

The initial shock was no bueno...(the bikini she is wearing is from her Aunt Lydi)

Then she got over it.

After a TIRING Saturday...

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Lots of Love and Lots of Luck,

Dannika Jane

Sunday Funday

This weekend was pretty laid back for Dannika and I, and by "laid back", I mean she hasn't been in the mood to give mommy a break! She's got a runny nose and is stuffy so she's been pretty miserable. I got to talk to Nick on the phone this morning. I LOOOOOVE hearing from him, but when he tells me how much he misses Dannika, it breaks my heart. I know he's really sad when he hears Dannika on the phone and sees all her pictures of her growing up, that he's missing out on so much! Dulce's husband went on an all guys' trip to Vegas this weekend so we decided to get together and take the kids out. The weather was GORGEOUS, and it was just a great day to go to Cox Park. Christopher had a TON of fun on the slide and on his mini 4 wheeler that Nick and I got him for Christmas. Dannika was just happy to be outside. She enjoyed looking around and watching all the 'big' kids' play on the playground. We had dinner tonight with the Gilbert family. It's always a treat for us to go over to their house on sundays. They love Dannika, and I LOVE Gloria's cookin' *mmm mmm mmm*! Great food, great conversation, and great wine. Since Nick's been gone, I don't have 'family dinners' and it's nice to have a sit down meal with a family and have adult conversation. They've become a second family to Nick and I! It was a perfect way to end my weekend...

on to Monday! 

Upon arrival at the park

Dannika LOVES her Aunt Dulce!

Her first time on a slide (she didn't really slide down it...we just put her on it)

Christopher was really excited to hold her!

But he just wanted to pet her 'big bald head'

"Come on giiirrlll...let me touch your head..."