Thankful for: My Little Everything

I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay: 

Small acts of kindness and love. 

-Gandolf

My Little Darlin', Little Pumpkin, Little Babushka, Little Sweetie Pie, Little Angel, Little Giraffe, Little Saint, Little Love. hahaha, Never....EVER....have I uttered the word 'little' so freely without restraint! I guess a 16lb ball of cuteness will do that to you. Oh our LITTLE Anabelle! Your loving, smallness has become the vibrant center of our lives. Once again have you reminded us of the importance in offering thanks for the little moments that compose the grand masterpieces of our lives!

Being the first to wake up so that in Karim's peaceful slumber I could take a moment to truly cherish him and our marriage. The delicious smells upon coming into the homes of family and friends as they lovingly prepare a meal. Slowdancing at the end of the pier as the sun sets. Waddling around Santa Monica throughout my pregnancy with friends. Karim wiping my forehead and holding my hand during labor. The first time Anabelle rested her sweet face on my chest. The crack in my Mom's voice as she told me a close friend had passed away, and the flooding of images and memories that came attached to those simple words. Anabelle's first laugh. Receiving the Eucharist!!! Helping my sister put on her wedding dress.   Writing letters. Fighting back tears as I watched my brother in pure bliss as he saw Olivia walk through the doors of the church.  The piercing 'goodbye' and 'see you later' exchanged with my Abuela as she holds my hand. All of the I love you's, spoken over the phone, yelled across the airport terminal, mouthed from the car at the dropoff, whispered in an embrace.

This is my greatest desire: that these small,beautiful moments in my life gain momentum so that they will be all that is left to see. This portrait of love, turns my heart towards God in the jubilant expression of Thanksgiving for these little moments, my little Anabelle, my little everything!

Thank you for your presence this year!!!
Sending you a 'little' love, and wishing you a beautiful Thanksgiving ;)
-Teresita y Anabelle

Now brace yourself for cuteness overload.... ;-) Some photos from fall this year:

10 takes of Month 2

10 quick takes of our 2nd month with our little bouncing babe:

1. Anabelle must really love us!!! At 6 weeks she started sleeping through the night (a whole 8hr stretch!). This act of kindness really let's Babba Karim get his rest for work the next day. Ahhhhhh, how sweet life is :)

2. Anabelle made her first furry friend! During our visit to TX she became acquainted to my youngest sister's dog: a gender-confused, female imperial shitzu named "Hombre." They compete in their degree of cuteness and I believe Anabelle finally met her match in someone who owns even more ridiculous outfits. During our visit we saw Hombre sport everything from bridal attire to batman and clown outfits!

3. It was such a gift to celebrate our first wedding anniversary with Anabelle! We spent the day in Napa with breathtaking beauty, every-which-way we turned. The day was filled with laughter and great peace. Anabelle took a long "napa" in Napa as we visited a couple of vineyards. The day was topped off by a surprise discovery of the Carmelite Monastery. Finding it nestled in a beautiful vineyard was a true reminder that all the blessings we had received this year came from the fount of His alter. Kneeling in the monastery with Karim reminded me of that pivotal moment at Our Lady of Mount Carmel just a year ago when God poured His love into our hearts and fused them as one.

4. Speaking of weddings.....Anabelle was a little party animal this month! She got to live it up at her aunt Tina and uncle Jayson's wedding! She loved being cuddled with in the loving arms of people who had been praying for her all these months and also struck a move on the dance floor under the romantic chandeliers of a rustic flour-mill.

5. Our visit to TX also proved one thing to me....Anabelle would have very different hair if she lived in the Texas. The saying "the higher one's hair is, the closer one is to heaven" totally applied to our little Californian as she experienced a TX summer for the first time! With a sweating baby- modesty was thrown out the window and most days were spent only in diapers. It was cute to see her wakeup with a little flip at sunrise, play around in tight curls at noon, and fall asleep with a little afro-poof by sunset.

6. With babies: accidents happen. Yes, I have been out in public with my shirt drenched in baby spit-up....Yes, I have been out in public with a little baby urine here and there....and alas...Yes, I have been out in public with a big baby poop stain on my shorts. Just one of those things about mama-hood that one doesn't ever daydream about in prenatal yoga. ;)

7. I think we have a little book worm in our house. Even though we only have  a couple of books at our home here, we still haven't been bored by them- Anabelle loves cuddling with a reader while she listens intently as she follows gestures, and the colors, patterns and shapes of the different pages.

8. Driving through San Francisco- a new meaning has been ascribed to 'tunnel-vision.' If you haven't seen a baby's facial expression as you go through a tunnel- you NEED to put it on your bucket list! (or maybe just watch this youtube video to get the gist: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p97UFCA_Zk).  ;)

9. Anabelle is one reverent baby. San Francisco has some BEAUTIFUL churches and the majority of the time spent in them has been peaceful. If she's not sleeping, she loves listening to the church hymns, smelling the candles and flowers in the little grottos, and looking at all the different light patterns and colors of the stained-glass windows.

10. Anabelle's smile gets cuter and cuter each day! We can't get enough of it!!!! :)


Thank you, Anabelle, for this month of having celebrated weddings, our anniversary, and our daily life. Each sweet moment, you have let us grow in your love!

We love you Anabelle!

-Teresa :)

Photos from TX, Robert & Olivia's visit, and our anniversary celebration! :) 

Getting to know Auntie Kara! :) 

Our dear Kathryn who baked our wedding cake surprised us with a delicious anniversary spread!

Still can't get over my gorgeous sister!!! :)

Thanks for the memories TX! 

Comfy in the carrier while we enjoy a hike @ Muir Woods :) 

This love birds are just too cute! :) 

My little chubster is just tooooooo cute! :) 

Napa was simply BREATHTAKING!

God's little detour in Napa to find the Carmelite Monastery :) 

My handsome fella :) 

Twirling! The only appropriate thing to do when you find a big open room :) 

We're going to cherish these last weeks in SF! :)