These are the first photos of Aiyana and AJ together. AJ was on his 2nd day of life.
She was so sweet and so curious.
It was the beginning of a dynamic duo.
Today Aiyana was sitting in her chair and AJ walked up to her and hugged her several times. He is such a little lover! He loves giving hugs to us and sometimes others. (My friend Vicki got a few hugs the other day. He just climbed into her lap and embraced her.)
Aiyana was supposed to be doing her craft while I put AJ to sleep. I heard her chatting a little about feeding the fish but I didn't think much of it. A few minutes later Aiyana came into the room and said, "It like got all over the place. I was feeding the fish and the food, um, like got everywhere."
Papa heard noises downstairs and just had to investigate. He found the stuffed animals joyriding in Aiyana's car. He tried to stop them but they were quick and the Mustang horsepower was too overpowering!
Papa went to urgent care and luckily only suffered from minor scrapes and bruises. The stuffed animals licenses were revoked and are sentenced to life without parole in the family room toy basket.
March 5, 2007 at Pepper Grove Park in Balboa Park
January 21, 2009 at the same park
AJ was fascinated by the spinning animals!
2007 vs. 2009
AJ had so much fun walking all over! This was his 1st opportunity to roam free at the park. He was training for the strong man competition by pushing the stroller around the playground.
AJ update
Aiyana update
Somebody once told me that if I had interracial children I would be intentionally giving my kids a bad start in life. They would be chastised and looked down upon. I knew at a young age that was wrong and I know even more today! I am filled with joy when I think about my family. My babies. They are celebrated by strangers everywhere we go; Costco, the post office, Target, the beach, the park. People love children! People can see the beauty that is children.
When two people come together in love and a child is born it doesn't matter the "race" of the two. The result is more love. That is what keeps this world spinning. The love of friends, the love of family, the love of God.
We live in amazing times and we are so fortunate!
Aiyana just before her 1st birthday.
and just watch the miracle of nature. It is so peaceful to be alone with the sunset. Us, the beach and the sky.
This holiday season was so fulfilling! It is amazing how joyful it can be to participate in family traditions both new and old. Our first new tradition was to visit the Del Mar light display. Francheska and I took Zen, Aiyana and AJ up to start the season off. We drove around the race track 3 or 4 times so the kids could look at the lights. Zen's favorite was the rocket and Aiyana's favorite was the huge light tunnel. It was fun!
Next we set up a little 4 ft tree in the kids room. Aiyana got really into decorating it. I let her pick out her ornaments and have full creative control. She was so proud of her own tree. 
AJ got in on the tree decorating fun also. I have never seen a sweeter little helper elf!
The Wild Animal Park had it's final showing of the "Festival of Lights". We got all bundled up and trekked to Park for an evening. Aiyana got her face painted and did some crafts. She made a sand-filled bracelet for each of us and some wrapping paper.
Nana and I and the kids went to visit a house on Knob Hill in San Marcos. It was amazing! There were characters and scenes and lights everywhere! They even had Santa! When S.C. asked Aiyana what she wanted for Christmas she told him "a Barbie cash register". She repeated this at least 15 times! We were all chuckling our bellies like bowls full of jellies!
As always, for Christmas Eve the whole family gathered at Nana and Papa's house for prime rib and a gift exchange. The food was amazing as always! (Thanks Mom) I made my from scratch buttermilk biscuits, my sisters prepared the green beans and salad and Nana did everything else!
