First Year Anniversary!

Derek and I are celebrating our one year wedding anniversary today!!!  We chose not to save our wedding cake - mainly because we've heard how terrible it tastes.  And I'm not one that does something just for tradition sake if it's not any good anyway.  :)

It has been absolutely wonderful and we have been so blessed by God in our marriage!  We have the most beautiful family in the world!!!  We joined together as a family of 3 one year ago today, and then added another member to our family 11 months later!  

I could not ask for a better soulmate.  Derek is the most loving and wonderful husband in the world!  I can't imagine my life without him by my side!  Thank you Derek for your commitment to doing life together with me and for going on this amazing adventure!!!  I love you so very much!  Happy Anniversary!!!  I look forward to many more years and memories to come!!

First Month Pictures

Elise just turned one month old yesterday - Wow, time seems to have flown by this first month!  She's now 8 lbs 9.5 oz!  Logan is enjoying his baby sister too.  Here are some pictures we've taken since she was born.

Tiny hands

Cute little feet

Logan loves to feed her

Daddy time

Proud big brother with little sister

Logan feeding Elise again

Tummy time

Ready for the beach at OBX

The Mall...Oh how I've missed you!

Today was my first time going to the mall since Elise was born.  Wow, has it really been over a month since I've gone shopping?  Well I suppose it's not the end of the world and I didn't exactly go to the mall today to buy anything...but it was nice to get out of the house and do something I would normally spend time doing! 

So, immediately upon arriving at the mall, I go through the daunting task of getting the stroller out and unfolded so that her seat can properly fit into it.  My first thought walking through the doors were...how do I go to the bathroom while keeping an eye on Elise in the stroller since I have no one else to watch her?  Luckily, I found the family bathroom that would accommodate this.  

Then, right as I get into the bathroom, Elise decides she is now hungry and begins to cry.  So, I feed her and change her diaper while I am there - which is perfect timing since there is a changing area and seating for this purpose.  So...the first 20 or 30 minutes of my trip to the mall has now been spent in the bathroom.  I guess this is how life is like with an infant.  :)

After all this, I decide it is time for Starbucks - my favorite!  So I treat myself to a tall Caffe Vanilla Frappuccino.  Mmmm!!  We walked around the mall, looked in a few stores, and just as I was thinking about getting ready to leave it is raining...and not just raining, but I mean it is a torrential downpour! Wow!!! And, of course, I did not even think to bring an umbrella since it was sunny when I walked into the mall only an hour or so earlier with sunglasses on. Well, we just decided to shop a little longer.  :)

Here's a picture of Elise's first trip to the mall:

Finally the rain stops and we are ready to go.  Only light sprinkles coming down as we get in the car to head back home.  Overall, I would say the trip went well!

Ok, so this is a not-so-serious blog post, but it's just part of the adventure!  :) 

Elise is here!!!

We are so excited to announce that our beautiful daughter, Elise Anastasia Santan, has arrived!  She is absolutely beautiful with black hair and dark eyes!  

We were a little surprised to see her head covered in thick black hair, but she is just gorgeous!!

She arrived on April 28, 2009 at 1:23pm.  She weighed 7 lbs 5 oz and was 20 1/4 inches long.

Logan came to the hospital to meet his new baby sister on Tuesday night right after school on the day she was born!  He was so excited to see her and will be such a great big brother!!!

To see the photos that were taken of her at the hospital go to the following link:

http://www.growingfamily.com/webnursery/hospitals/5774/frame_test.asp?URLID=3551760516

Derek and I appreciate all the thoughts and prayers from our family and friends this week during the labor!  Elise is such a blessing to us and a wonderful addition to our family!  :)