Talia Beliana - May 7th, 2009

So since my wife has been a "champ" taking care of the kids by herself while I am at work, I figured I would try and figure out how to edit this "blog" thing for her to save her some time.

Last Thursday, we were fortunate to welcome Talia Beliana into our family. She was born 6 pounds 15 ounces and 19" long (the smallest of all of our babies). She is doing really well and the best baby ever. We really needed that blessing after Talia's "high-octane" olders sisters...namely Vanessa and Daniela.

But we were so proud of Corina. She made a goal to have this baby naturally without any medicine to induce labor or to eliminate the pain. I told her she was crazy to avoid the epidural. At any rate, she went into labor on Friday May 1st and we were checked into a labor and delivery room at the hospital. Her contractions really slowed down, even though she was dialated to a "5", and the hospital said we should just go home to wait it out since she didn't want to be induced. Unfortunately for Corina, she had to continue with the contractions every 5 minutes for another 6 days.

But Thursday was a great event for our family. I told Corina that child birth without an epidural is nothing like the movies. It was quite intense. Anyways, everyone is doing well and is very healthy. Vanessa and Daniela are especially excited to have a baby sister in the home.

San Diego Half Marathon, April 26th, 2009

It seems that the San Diego Half Marathon in April has become a family and friend tradition. Every year, more of us compete in the race. This year, Brad was determined to do a lot better. He started training 3 months before the race back in January. (In the picture to the left, Brad is just out-sprinting another competitor for 25th place at the finish line)

We were really proud of him because he placed 25th out of the 6,500 that entered the race. He was also really happy because he beat all of the women. His final time for the 13.1 miles was 1:26:21 which was an average mile of 6:36. He was really excited with his time, especially because the San Diego half is one of the toughest around. There are just too many hills.

The picture above shows everyone who participated in the race this year. Starting from the top left is Brad's brother Greg, Brad in the middle, and our friend from Arizona, Dan Lemon on the right. On the bottom row is my sister Monica, Victoria Lemon (other AZ friend) and Brad's sister Katie.

Surprise

Surprise I am 31weeks pregnant! Well, I am sure most of you all know but I have never blogged about it. I do have my reasons though. Unfortunately, I have been sick almost everyday since I hit 8 weeks. Poor children of mine. They are very excited and we are so very ready to see our new baby girl in our family. Yes, that’s right you read correctly we are having a baby girl, our Charlie’s Angles or should I say our Bradley’s Angles. It’s pretty interesting how we are the only Leavitt’s in the whole Leavitt clan that I am aware of to have TWO girls in a row at the beginning, let alone THREE. Everyone has either all boys or one of each or if they do have 2 girls in a row it’s their 5th and 6th child. I guess the Malcolm girl trait (I come from all girls) is stronger than what Brad has power over. Yay for girls!

P.S. Excuse the picture, I always forget to tell Brad to take a picture of me and my tummy, so this is as good as it's going to get.

daniela 3rd birthday

Daniela had her 3rd birthday 2 months ago, Yeah I am such a bad mom! She wanted a spongebob party and we were lucky enough to find a gaint pineapple for the pinata. I can't believe she's 3!

1st family vacation

A few days after my sisters wedding we went on our first personal family Vacation. We took the girls to Disneyland. We went for 2 days Disneyland and California adventure and then spent 3 days in San Diego. I packed everything while Vanessa was at school and Daniela was playing outside. I told them that we were going to met daddy to go to the park. 5 hrs later they realized we were at Disneyland. Daniela actually caught on first and said: I think we’re at Disneyland” and Vanessa didn’t believe her. But shortly Vanessa realized that her sister was right and YELLED “this is awesome”. It was the best surprise reaction ever. We stayed at the Paradise Pier hotel, its right next to the California Adventure hotel. We enjoyed our time and the girls were pooped by the time we got home. Yay, for family vacations, now all I need is a little retreat for me and Brad before the baby gets here.

wedding decorations

The colors were Purple and Sage green. Instead of wedding cake we did purple cupcakes with flowers on them. We also had personal little cakes on the table with dragon flies on them in all different colors. Costco is the bomb!

Monica's wedding

My sister Monica got married a couple of weeks ago to a super awesome guy name Jesse. I just wanted to post some of the pictures from her reception. I was put as the wedding planner and I had a GREAT time picking everything. Hey when it’s not your money it’s a little easier to spend, right. Since my mom does not live in Arizona I was left to make sure that everything was in order and ready for the big day. I don’t think I sat down for four days straight. Not highly recommended to throw a wedding party when you’re 29 weeks pregnant. Oh well it turned out great and best part it’s now over!

Christmas

I am such a slacker but here are Christmas pictures. We spent it with my parents this past year. We were able to stay for 2 weeks. It’s was freezing but we all had a blast. Plus, it actually snowed on Christmas day, how perfect is that!

Background!

Okay so I FINALLY took Bree's advice and looked at cutest blog on the block website and attempted to change my blog background. It was obviously a success. Too bad it only took me about a whole year to finally change it. Hey, at least I finally did it!

Six year anniversary

So today is mine and Brad's six year anniversary. It's crazy to think that I have known Brad's family for almost 7 years and have been able to be part of so many changes. Melanie had just finished 5th grade when I was introduced to Brad's family and now she is in her freshmen year at BYUI! I loved being able to be apart of Greg and Jeff's mission leaving experience. Since I have no brothers of my own it was fun supporting them and seeing them come home. My anniversary not only represents another year reminder of my rad marriage with Bradley but all my awesome memories with the whole Leavitt family.
I love Brad so much. I think back to being 18 years old and meeting Brad for the first time. He stole my heart right away and luckily he wanted to keep it for time and all eternity. I am super blessed at such a young age I was right with my instincts, in knowing what an amazing young man I believed he was and would continue to be to me and our future family.
He is so kind and loving. Always willing to give to others before himself. He never compares himself to others and is so humble about his accomplishments (except for sports at least with me : ) ). He never fails to impress me with the things he does. I am so blessed to have a friend that is a teacher, someone I can trust and lean on, and love with all my heart- Bradley Allen- I Love you! Thanks for six great years

Conversation with a 2yr old

Sometimes conversations with little kids can be super funny. I always wonder what is really going on through their little minds. Here is a conversation between Daniela and I from a couple of days a go.

Mommy: Daniela you look so yummy I think I'm going to eat you.
Daniela: No mommy, you can't eat me
Mommy: Why not?
Daniela: Because I'm not a Turkey, I'm D-ela!


Sorry if no one else finds thing stinking hilarious. I just had to post this so I never forget. Plus, Daniela has such a great accent when she talks, its a family joke that she speaks with a Chinese accent. Oh yeah and she's just plain awesome

Best Friends forever

These girls are triplets : ). They are wonderful friends. Thanks Lemons

Pizza making

We were able to go with our joy school preschool class to Barro's pizza to make our own pizza. I loved it! Oh wait! I should say that the girls loved it ; ). Vanessa made her pizza with BBQ sauce, cheese, chicken, pineapple, and pepperoni. Daniela was just pretty original but kept eating the toppings before they took it to cook it. We thought this was the yummiest activity ever!

Trick or Treat

My great grandma came to visit us from Lake Havasu she is 94 and still going strong. It was great seeing her again, she hasn't met Daniela before and Vanessa when she was 15 months old. We took her to Vanessa's soccer game and Truck or Trick, I think we kept her pretty busy.

Vanessa this year was Hello Kitty. Daniela was a ladybug and Axton a cute loin. I think we have collected too much candy this year.

Ode to Flying fun with Uncle Greg

I know I always end up saying this EVERY single month, that I am a slacker about posting but as of lately I really have a GREAT excuse. Just keep checking our postings and maybe you'll all find out why later : ).

Uncle Greg, Aunt Bree and Axton like to come over some nights when Axton is being crazy hoping that my girls entertain him. But in actuality it's uncle Greg that ends up play the most, and the girls have the time of their life. Although, I think Greg is usually exhausted by the time he is done. The girls are so lucky to have such a wonderful uncle that plays with them so much. They love him! Thanks Greg and Bree for being so great!

In these pictures greg was throwing them in the air onto the couch and they would flap their arms like they were flying. It looked so funny to see them flap their arms like birds.

Fire station

Vanessa had a field trip at the fire station. It was pretty interesting, seeing what it really looks like inside and how things work. I think the favorite thing the girls liked was going inside the fire truck. Afterwards we were suppose to go to the park and have lunch but it was a super windy (which equals dusty) day, so I let them eat their lunchables in the car and we went to rent a dollar movie at blockbuster. Super good day!

Pink Bubble Gum Girls

Vanessa started her first session of soccer this fall. She was super excited at her first practice, she didn't take her soccer shoes off for 3 days.She picked her Jersey number 7 because she says that is her daddy's favorite number.

I am crazy enough to say that I am the soccer coach for her team. We have 7 girls on the team and it is pretty interesting to say the least. Some of the girls need a little more encouraging than others which is sometimes hard for me because, I do get a little competitive (which is always important to remind myself they are only 4). We have practices on Wednesdays and games on Saturdays.

Vanessa is learning to be more aggressive and not afraid to get the ball when there are 5 other girls hoovering over it. Poor Daniela gets so upset that she can't play, she is going to be awesome when she can play. Well, over all it has been fun coaching this team and I hope we have a great session this year!