Snip, Snip

Hi Everyone,

Well, Taten had a big, big day today. Her very first haircut! For awhile I never thought this day would come, bald like her father. To be honest, you really can't tell she had that much cut off. My friends and I agreed though that she needed a little foofing on top.

This adventure could have gone either way, considering she won't even let me put a barrette in her hair. She actually did really well. We went to a little children's salon with cars and planes that they can sit in. She chose the plane because that's how we get to Grandma and Papa's:) They also have a movie going for them, and distract them with animal crackers and suckers. Taten's only really problem was the cape that you usually wear. She wanted nothing to do with that! She didn't like when she had to look away from the TV either as you can tell in the first picture.

Afterwards I told her looked beautiful. She said, "No I don't Momma." I was shocked, I said "Yes, you do!!" "No Momma, I look like Cinderella!" I love that girl:)

Love and Miss you all,

The Lake's

Back On Island Time

Whew,

We made it back! Tessa did great on both the plane ride there and back. Taten, not so much. It's hard for a 2 1/2 year old who doesn't like to sleep to sit in one seat for 12 hours. Thankfully we only have to make this trip one more time.

My girls are definitly adjusted to Hawaii time more than Michigan, but we still had a great time in Michigan. It was wonderful to see everyone, and be able to spend time with our friends. Taten loved having so many kids to play with, and having her doggy back for a short time. We of course loved hanging out with all of you Labor Day Weekend.

Tessa had her 8 weeks shots yesterday, and had a heartbreaking afternoon. I don't remember Taten having such a strong and painful reaction to the injections. It was adorable at the doctor's office though. Taten remarkably didn't cry when she got her flu shot, but cried for Tessa when she cried during her shots. When Tessa cries, Taten calls her Essa. So we are in the room and Taten is crying with Tessa "Essa, it's ok Essa". It was so sweet. Thankfully Tessa didn't cry for long, and Taten was a great helper.

I'm glad you all had a safe 9/11. Thinking of you all today.

Love and Miss you all,

The Lake's

Little Moments

As most of you know, I was lucky enough to have Travis around for the last 3 months. Well, this week he went back to work, and I went crazy! It has been a trying week to say the least. My wise friends have told me the horror stories of going from 1 child to 2. They are all true! Don't get me wrong, I am blessed, blessed, blessed with two wonderful girls, but the older one is me 10 times personified. Travis's favorite saying is that my Grandmother is up in heaven laughing everyday, "Ha, ha Betty". I'm getting back 100 times worse than what I did to my parents, and we haven't even started junior high yet! So I am posting this picture because these are the little moments that get me through the day. Taten loves to entertain her little sister, and today Tessa was smiling like crazy at her. I really hope they are always this enamored with each other.

See you all soon.

Love,

The Lake's

Tessa's Big Week

Big week at the Lake house...Tessa finally lost her umbilical cord (only took 3 weeks!), and she rolled over twice. Taten has been walking around the house all week pointing out her Betty button. Taten reminds us of Grandma all the time. I know, you are all saying "No way, she's only 3 weeks, how could she roll over?". I wouldn't have believed it myself if Travis wasn't there to witness it. She is a strong little one, she kind of kick starts her roll. Day two the nurses were pointing out that she was lifting her head already. I've got a little olympian on my hands. I think she's just trying to keep up with her big sister.

In other HI news, we saw a Monk seal on Sunset Beach today. Apparently it's often that the seals set up camp on the beach, but I had yet to see one. I can check another HI experience off my list. Keep sending the emails, we love to hear how you are all doing.

Love,

The Lake's

The girls at

Sunset Beach

North Shore

We still like each other!

Aloha Everyone,

Well, almost 3 weeks into baby Tessa's life and Travis and I haven't wanted to kill each other yet. So you can say this is going much better than it did with Taten! I think God gave me the difficult one first to see if this was really what I wanted because Tessa is a totally different baby. I'm afraid if I talk to much about how good she is I'll jinx myself. I think it really helped to be so relaxed this pregnancy, and know that I survived Taten so this one can't be to bad. We are all adjusting well, if I could just a little more sleep we would be perfect.

Taten has hit an independent streak that could only be from me! My parents have been visiting and just laugh because I have been given a mini version of myself. Defiant, independent, and stubborn are the words I think they used. The only person she seems to listen to is Tessa! Ok, I don't want to sound like I'm complaining because she is highly entertaining. The hardest part is keeping a straight face when she does act out. My favorite is when she says "No!" and crosses her arms and scowls. It's me all over again! Ahhhh...

Well, Papa has taken Taten to the park, and Tessa is asleep again so it's time for the three minute shower. I'm keeping it "green" without even trying.

Love and miss you all,

The Lake's

She's Here!!!

Finally!!! Tessa Ray joined us by c-section on July 16th at 12:57pm. She weighed 7 pounds 6.6 ounces and was 19 3/4 inches long. The c-section took a little longer than we thought, and once they finally got her out she needed a kick start with breathing to get going. Thankfully Travis didn't tell me this until I was in recovery.

The night before I went in Taten wanted to make cookies. So thinking of my baby delivering friends, we made chocolate chip cookies for the staff. My momma didn't raise no fool. I know who brings me my drugs. We were so lucky to have such a wonderful experience at Kapi'olani Medical Center. I have to say, having a second c-section was a great choice. The whole experiece was so much better than Taten's, and no labor:)

The morningof the surgery Taten woke up and the first words out of her mouth were, "Baby Tessa today. She's gonna lub it!" I was amazed that she knew what day it was. We are also very blessed to have such great friends out here. Our friend Kristina and her son Dylan (3) took Taten for the day. They went to the water park with our other friend Molly and her two kids, then the library, and had a great day together. It was a huge relief for me to know that Taten was in such great hands and having fun.

Daddy picked her up and brought her to the hospital that afternoon to meet her sister for the first time. I'll never forget the look on Taten's face. She came into the room "Mommy, mommy, mommy." and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Tessa. Her eyes got big as saucers, and her jaw dropped. "Baby Tessa, baby Tessa. Can I fold her?" and came over and kissed the top of her head. It was a beautiful moment that will get me through some serious sibling squables.

So, we are home now and doing well with the usual adjustments. Taten of course has a cold so we were both up with both girls in the middle of the night last night. Fun, fun, fun. It's just beginning. I have to say though, that the whole experience has gone much better than I could have ever dreamed. We are a very blessed family, and are all healthy and happy.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. We can't wait for you to meet our newest addition.

Love,

The Lake's

Happy 4th of July

Still not much happening at our house in the way of a baby, but we did have a great night with our Pacific Rim friends. We had about 21 people over for a BBQ, and afterwards enjoyed two different fireworks displays at our beach, and another from Pearl Harbor in our backyard. No major meltdowns, which makes for a successful evening with the 3 and under crowd. We hope you all had fun evenings, and can't wait to see you when we are home in a couple of weeks.