PAY IT FORWARD

Okay, so 2 of my friends on here have blogged about this and I'm totally in to it because of the element of surprise...so here's the game:

1. Be one of the first THREE bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me (i will add "semi-handmade" too just in case).

2. Winners must post this challenge on their own blog, meaning that you will pay it forward, creating a handmade gift -anything!- for the first THREE bloggers who leave a comment on YOUR post about this giveaway!

3. The gift that you send to your 3 friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts. And, remember it’s the spirit and the thought that count!

4. When you receive your gift, blog about it! If you are not one of the first three to comment on this post, you can still play along. Go ahead and start your own Pay It Forward chain, and encourage your blogging friends to do the same! It's all about paying it forward.

ew Sick!

So on Wednesday I was out THE ENTIRE DAY with the stomach flu. Unfortunately, having the squirts, (yah i said it), vomiting, body & head aches, didn't excuse me from my duties as milkmaid, even though I had to supplement a lot! It was a hard 24 hours, trying to still be a mother to my kids whilst laying in bed, but thankfully the next day it was all OVER! Lole was such a help (just for that day) by getting my water, helping me with baby, and best of all, no whining from her about dresses, lipgloss, or messy hair. Laila on the other hand kept staring at me funny while I was laying there in pain. I hadn't been sick for a really long time so I'm really glad it was just a 24 hour bug. You really do have nothing without your health!

My Tongan Girl

Here's Lole trying to sing "OFA MO'ONI"--one of her and her dad's favorite Tongan songs.

THREE WEEKS

Laila turned 3 weeks yesterday and grows stronger by the day. She is often comforted by music and loves talking to her Dad. We melt every time we chance a smile from her, and laugh at her frequent farting. She is a heavy sleeper and will not discriminate when it comes to bottles, formula, or susu...she'll take whatever. She is such a joy and we are loving every minute!

Scoldings from my Sunbeam

On Sunday we left church after Sacrament Mtg, but not before taking Lole to primary. Even though I felt guilty for ditching, we arranged for Grandma or Aunty to pick her up after class, and went home with baby. I was half asleep when Lole came home and this is what she said to me and Bo after bursting through the door.

"HEY, why did you guys leave church? JESUS IS GONNA SASA YOU!"

Lol. You have all been forewarned.

Picture Tag

*From Hine

The Rules:
1. Go to your Documents/ Pictures
2. Go to you 6th Folder (if get)
3. Go to your 6th Picture
4. Blog about it
5. Tag 6 people to do the same
6. Here we go...6th photo from the 6th folder of 2009: Well, I think this picture is pretty self-explanatory. Our baby girl is finally here, and her big sister couldn't be happier. Here, Laila is 4 days old and she'd been home with us for 2 days. Lole is 3 yrs. old (going on 16) and loves her sister so much she doesn't like to share. Even at 4 days old, Laila could be seen moving her head around to find Lole's face when she talked. How sweet is that? I, on the other hand, was still experiencing the "baby blues", most especially that day because Dad had to go back to work. I cried about everything and nothing (maybe because I never picked up my pain killers still to this day) and actually missed the hospital and all the "pampering" from the nurses. Ahh, I LOVE MY GIRLS!

I TAG: Anyone

OH BABY!!!

HERE SHE IS!

LAILA FIAGATASI MALUPO

BORN: JAN 29, 2009 @ 5:54 AM

WEIGHT: 8 LBS. 15 OZ.
HEIGHT: 20 in

THE BASICS:
1/27 Midnight- Mucus plug came out
1/28 3 am- Thought my water was leaking
1/28 6 am - Arrived at Queens Hospital (contractions every 5 mins)
1/28 8 am- Found out I was still early and only about 2 cm dilated (grrr)
1/28 6 pm- Even after walking around, bouncing on the exercise ball, still only @ 3 cm, still contracting every 3-5...gave up trying to "rough it"after 12 hours and got the EPI! <--thank goodness, WTH was I thinking?
1/28 Midnight- Still at a 3, but comfortable as heck and getting some rest
1/29 3am- Discouraged and seriously contemplating C-SECTION
1/29 4:00 am- Water finally broke, fully dilated, now just waiting...meanwhile, the EPI is wearing off (AHHHH!) and nurse #4 won't give me anymore
1/29 5:54 am- After about an hour of pushing, she finally came out!

The feelings of relief and (not to mention violation) after she finally arrived were so unbelievable that I STILL DON'T KNOW HOW I DID IT. I know women do it all the time, but for me, every experience was totally NEW and I am still AMAZED. Successful VBAC, healthy baby, and recovering well...what more could I ask for?

Here are just a few pics:

Just got to the hospital, anxious Mom and Dad

Big sister Lole meeting Laila for the first time

Mean muggin like her dad

Click Here to see her hospital pics.

We've waited so long for Laila to finally arrive since discovering we were pregnant @ 4 weeks. She is a well-tempered baby (SO FAR) though throughout most of my pregnancy, I was an emotional wreck. In fact, the news of her conception came at a time when my marriage seemed to have been going to much lower lows than welcomed. Thus, her middle name (after my sister) means TOGETHER, or to bring together (as one). The timing of her arrival is no coincidence, and there's no doubt in my mind that my Heavenly Father, through the gift of her life, TRULY LOVES ME!

We love you BABY!