Aj's First Birthday Party

Oh I can't believe how fast this year has come and went. It feels like only yesterday the doctor put this tiny little stranger in my arms. Here we are a year latter and you are the joy to our lives. Every laugh and  smirk brings sunshine to our days. 

Happy First Birthday Baby Boy

Lets Get this Party Started

Your Friends

What is Mateo Doing? Does he have berry eyes

Grandpa, Mommy Grandma-ma and Aj

Lanie

Carrie, Shea and Robin

Gail, Seena and Mateo

A very Brave Kamasu

And then Came the Cake

You are one year older. I am looking forward to see how much you go in another year.

#53

Tuesday September 6, 2011

Birthday Boy (tomorrow)


"Happy Birthday to You... Happy Birthday to You... Happy Birthday Dear Aj... Happy Birthday to You!"

Love Mommy and Daddy

Kids Fest

Little Drummer Boy

Oh What new sound did you find?

Rock Out Baby Boy

We went to Kids Fest today and saw a lot of really cool things. We saw big boys doing crazy tricks on their bikes, we saw little soft bunnies and a scaly alligators. As cool as those things were they had nothing on the music station. You could not get enough of banging the drums and ringing the bells. If it was up to you I think you would never have left. Maybe one day you will grow up to be a musician just like your dad. 

#52

Tuesday August 30, 2011

Water Baby

Dear Water Baby,
This photo was taken one day this week when you just could not be consoled. You were crawling around crying. I would pick you up and you would cry, I tried to give you a bottle and you would cry no matter what I did you would cry. I was at my wits end so I did something that I have never done before, I put you in the sink for some water fun. You loved it! You sat and played with the running water or the water that was around you for almost 20 minutes. You were just as happy as can be.
You are such a great baby
Love you, your very happy Mama

Celebrate Good Times... Come On!

On Friday August 12, 2011 Aj, Grandpa and I made the familiar drive into Oakland to go visit our favorite  pediatric  oncologist Dr. Goodman.  Three month back when we found the tumor the Doctors noticed that Ajs AFP was also elevated. After the surgery his AFP never dropped like we were expecting, since then we have been watching his levels very closely hoping that they would fall back into normal range.


Aj's AFP History
5/25 - 35.4, 5/31 - 31.1, 6/7 - 25.8, 6/14 - 30.3, 6/21 - 21.5, 6/28 - 23.06, 7/5 - 28 and finally 8/9 - 27.8

Most doctors would consider 0-15 to be the normal AFP range.  Since day one Aj never has done anything normal, so why would his AFP be any different? Dr. Goodman is confident that because everything else looks good that this slight elevation in his AFP just happens! He is eating, sleeping and playing like a normal healthy little boy. All his blood work and ultra sounds are also coming back normal.  This all comes down to.... Aj has been given a clean bill of health... its time to celebrate!!!

In this time of celebration, I would like to take a moment and send out a prayer for all those families who are still going through the fight or who have lost the battle. My thoughts, love and prayers will always be with you

#51

To my Little Boy,

I had to leave for a couple days to go to a friends wedding. Your daddy was still revoverying from his throat surgery so I made sure that some of your favorite people were here to help take care you of.  Grandma-ma Barger, Uncle Tristan, Grandma Carbaugh, Robin, Shannon and Seena all came over to help. Everyone loved being able to spend time with you and really enjoyed seeing all the new things that you could do. You showed Robin how you play peak - a- boo and Grandma-ma how you play drums with the wooden spoon and bowl. I loved recieving messages from everyone with all the cute things that you have done. I missed you so much but I was so proud of you for being such a good boy.

Love your very proud,
Mama

Fadi and Liz's Wedding Long Beach, Ca

 In college you face many challenges: getting into your classes, passing exams, finding food at 2am, you know, the important stuff. Some how through all the parties and late night studying Fadi and Liz met, fell in love and had time to build a relationship together. Over the next seven years they allowed their relationship to grow and mature with them. Their friendship grew stronger, their love for each other more true. The day finally came when they knew that it was just meant to be 

They truly fell in love 

Happy Groom waiting for his Bride

Love is a beautiful thing

Proud Father walking his Daughter down the isle

I always cry at weddings, they remind me of hope and the wonders of the future. I am  reminded again about my own vows,  my own promises that I took with the one that I love

Saying I do

The Kiss

Friends old and new come together to celebrate with the happy couple !

Crazy Theta Chi Boys

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Fadi's Beautiful Sister giving a touching toast

Sean not disappointing us with his 11 minutes and 30 second toast

Me with my wonderful friend Fadi

Thank you very much Fadi and Liz for allowing me to share in your very special day. The whole weekend was a blast and I enjoyed every moment of it.