Continued Experience with Android OS

So after three months of using my Motorola X Pure Edition, I fell in love with the not so bloated version of Android Marshmallow (6.0.1).  But the sad news was I had to end up returning the Motorola X Pure Edition due to security issues with Lenovo and they now own Motorola's mobile side of the house.

With that said I was surprised BestBuy took back the phone with no issues.  So I was left looking for a new smartphone and I wanted another Android platform.  So after some intense research I found the ZTE AXON 7.  This phone comes with the Snapdragon 820 CPU and the Adreno 530 GPU.  It also supports dual sim and a MicroSD card up to 128GB.  Although it has two sim trays it does not support CDMA networks currently.  It does have the radio chipset to do so but it is not enabled.

So first impressions after a few weeks with this phone now is that it is amazing.  You get all this value for $400 unlocked by the way.  Just an incredible value for a smartphone.

I already have Android Nougat (7.0) installed and it runs like a champ and yes it supports DayDream which I will discuss further in another blog.

This is an incredible smartphone and Android experience......

After 5 Months of Heavy Usage with Android

Some of you might know I have been heavily using Android OS for the past 5 months now on an Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge.  I loved the hardware but couldn't stand all the bloatware on the phone.  Most of the bloatware was from Samsung and it was difficult to defeat. 

So after 5 months of pain and frustration I made but yet another change, I will say it wasn't all negative.  I did however come to the conclusion in order for me to give Android OS a fair shake, I needed to try a more pure Google Android phone.  Well we all know there is the Google Nexus and now the Google Pixel phones out there, but with us trying to be debt free, who has $500 - $900 laying around.

So after doing some research I found the Motorola Moto X Pure Edition.  All I can say is that for $250 it is a great phone.  By the way that is $250 new from like BestBuy unlocked and is compatible with CDMA and GSM networks.  I was fortunate the Samsung S7 had great resale value so thanks to eBay I will make most of my investment back.

So only time will tell how great this phone is and my experience with Android OS.  I will say thus far, even with a slower CPU and 1GB less memory it is much more responsive than my S7 even after a fresh factory reset. 

Google is here to stay as part of my technology arsenal for now.  It is great to see awesome technology be affordable again.  Maybe it was always there and I was just not looking for it.

Samsung Apps for Android (WHY?)

So here is my verdict on Android after using it for personal use now for a few weeks.  If you use the native Google Apps, which there are many of on the Play Store; my experience has been the best on a smartphone next to iOS.  If you use any of the Samsung Apps, it is horrible....

Samsung has built proprietary apps and even have there own app store for there phones.  There apps are only designed to run on Android OS so why have your own store?  Well I will tell you why Samsung is attempting to pull an Apple.  Get you to love there apps which are only tied and usable on there phones.

Here is the deal why would I buy a Google Android OS phone and load Samsung Apps on it, that can't even touch the Google experience.

We are talking about from the keyboard, the launcher, the widgets, the texting app, the photos app, the health app, the music app, the web browser, etc... etc...

Google developed apps run much smoother on Android OS and that is the way it is intended to be.  I love Samsung's hardware especially this S7 Edge but the OS and Apps go to Google, hands down.  (Ravi)

Patience is not my Virtue

Just when I think that I've been patient enough another roadblock appears and patience is once again required.  Two months ago Ravi and I went to the appointment that I was dreading most, hand-in-hand, ready for good news or bad news, that would finally bring us some closure. However, the worst happened and we received the bad news that even despite all the hormones and Meds I had received during my IVF cycle my biopsy once again came back abnormal just like during my IUI cycle. I hated crying in the doctor's office, but in that moment my hopes had not just been dashed but obliterated.  Yet somehow in my deepest despair I long to find that closure that we had done all we could medically and we needed to move on, but the emptiness in my chest told me closure would not be coming today.  Just at that moment my diligent and sympathetic doctor  gave us one last hope, through a very experimental treatment of my adenomyosis.  I would need to start myself on birth control and then into weeks receive my first of three Lupron shots to stop my cycles and let my uterus hopefully repair itself or, in other words, get a reboot. Ravi and I left the doctors that day with the thinnest crack of hopeful light piercing the dark black clouds of bad news.  After praying and discussing this new option we came to the conclusion that we should try this last treatment to find the closure we would need if IVF is in fact not an option.

 Just a week ago I received my second shot and all I have received so far have been horrible, intense hot flashes and a cycle that has gone on over three weeks.  After multiple phone calls to my doctor and seeing them face-to-face on this last Lupron shot visit I have been counseled time in again to let things take their course and "be patient". Apparently these medical practitioners do not understand that patience is that the NOT my virtue.  With all of the physical side effects, this last treatment has been the biggest roller coaster thus far.  With my hormones off the charts, I have had multiple small breakdowns where I just wanted to throw in the towel and give up .  However, I know to my very core that fear is the opposite of faith. Every time I begin to doubt I remind myself that although infertility has robbed me of time, sanity, money, and control it will not steal my faith. So as miserable, sad, overwhelmed, and powerless I may feel I still cling to my faith that we will get a miracle and that miracle will be our baby!

Imaginary Finish Line

We've all been there...running a race or counting down the minutes on the clock until we leave school or work...feeling like time is standing still when all we want to do is be finished. We want that closure, that ending, so that we can feel completed and move onto other races or activities. This is where I have been for the last five years.  I have endured two different surgeries, four failed IUI procedures, and most recently received the crushing news that I am no longer a candidate for IUI, with the cherry on top that I may not be a candidate for IVF either. Now, I am finally on my last lap of the race, the last hour of the work day, and I feel weakened and tired. All that stands behind me and the finish line is one last test, one last hurdle to jump. 

In the meantime I suffer, I feel sometimes like I can't go on or fight the good fight anymore. The only thing spurring me on is my amazing race partner and my little co-worker. They give me strength and love when my heart feels so fractured. Our whole lives, from the youngest age of verbal communication we resent the word "NO". We pitch tantrums as toddlers, stomp our feet as children, and fall into a pit of teenage angst and despair as teenagers at the mere mention of the word. However, as an adult the word carries just as much weight and punishment. How should you respond as you see every other friend around you keep having baby after baby without ever hearing that horrible two-letter word? Will it ever get easier to see the plethora of baby pictures posted on social media as you heart yearns for that time again? Will you sweet, little miracle child's prayerful cries for a sibling ever stop stinging like lemon juice on a fresh paper cut...so small and uneventful to the untrained fertile eye though deep and painful like a sword plunged into the heart? 

Each day is a struggle and each minute a plea for understanding, peace, and a grateful heart for all that I have in my life. However, I'm staggering toward the finish line nonetheless hoping beyond hope to finish the race on my feet. 

The Trail

You're hiking up a beautiful mountain with picturesque views!  You have enough water and supplies, feeling as if you could hike for days.  You take a gorgeous shot that you never thought you'd have the opportunity to get in a lifetime, but still your heart yearns for just one more magnificent photo.  You know you have enough energy to accomplish this goal and are excited to race to the very top... when the ground underneath you begins to crumble and you realize that another shot may no longer be an option.

Your first feelings are ones of anger and resentment as others come bounding down the mountain, some with more than one awesome picture snapped and not a bead of sweat or sign of tiredness. It's then that you look down at your shaky, scratched up legs and begin to feel shame, embarrassment, and weakness that you may be the reason for your unsuccessful attempt at this shop.  Maybe they are stronger, more skilled or more deserving.  Finally, overcome with sadness, fatigue, and depression you just sit down on the side of the trail unable to move forward, yet unwilling to go back.

However, it's at this exact moment of bitterness and disparity that you hear the sweet sound of birds in the trees.  You can now smell the soft scent of flowers and trees floating around you, almost unnoticed, and can feel the gentle breeze bringing you cooling peace and comfort you hadn't anticipated you'd find.

This is where I now find myself, on my hike up the mountain of motherhood.  I have already been blessed with one gorgeous shot, for which I am more grateful than I can say, but my heart still longs for just one more.  Sometimes it feels just beyond my reach, right around the next bend of my path.  However, after yet another failed procedure this weekend my ground has crumbled beneath my once strong feet and now here I sit on this never-ending trail!  I have scrapes, bruises, and muscles so sore I often wonder if I can stand, much less walk.  I have felt anger, shame, and sadness, but for now I am at a rest... surviving solely on the Living Waters of my Savior and his peace.

I do not know how my journey will end and I hate hearing the minutes tick by, as I sit on this trail of trial and tears, but here I sit... waiting with my eyes searching for my Shepherd to lead me on!

In My Pretty Garden

So, the same woman who couldn't keep a plant alive to save her life is now a gardener!  It all started with a Relief Society activity that I wasn't even sure I would even attend.  Lots had been going on and I almost didn't go.  However, the sweet spirit that I felt was just what my tired heart needed and the bonus was getting to try my hand at planting and growing.  I took my cute little tub and proceeded to plant basil, chives, and cilantro.  I carefully planted each seed, probably asking a million questions as I did, and covered them with care.  I knew there was a good chance that I would be sending these little seeds to their death soon, but decided to be hopeful nonetheless.

I carefully watered my little herb garden daily, even usually an old medicine dropper that I used on Chandani as a baby.  Watering my little garden became a daily ritual and I began to just do it without thinking.  Then one day I saw my first spouts and my heart was filled with pride over my accomplishment.  It might sound silly, but I had never seen anything grow from a seed, and at a might hand, so I was beyond elated at this little miracle I had performed.

I continued to water it daily and watch it bloom and grow with beaming pride.  Then, Chandani proceeded to bring home two little corn plants that they had grown in school.  She loved to help water my little garden and was ecstatic to add her little plants to the mix.  Before long her corn plants had outgrown their small little plastic cup and it was time to try moving part of our little garden outside,  this thought was scary!  I knew how carefully I had cared for these little plants in the safety of my kitchen window, but now I would be introducing our little corn plants to the heat, bugs, and other outside extremities.  However, I knew I would continue to love and care for it all the more so we made the leap and planted it outside with fingers crossed.

Skip ahead a month or two and we now have our beloved corn plants (which are almost as tall as Chandani), a tangerine tree, pineapple sage, two types of thyme, red and yellow bell peppers, our little herb garden still thriving, and two different types of hot peppers all growing and flourishing... not to mention a beautiful bush that I cloned from a cutting that my mother-in-law also gave along with a few of those other plants we're growing.  I  have developed such a love and tending to my little helpless plants and giving them what they need, as I water them and fertilize them regularly.

However, gardening has become more than a cherished past-time for me in the past few weeks.  It has become a sort of therapeutic metaphor for my life right now.   I recently went to our beloved fertility doctors to prepare to try again, only to come away with a new, crippling diagnosis of Adenomyosis.  Basically stated it is similar to Endometriosis and might causing my own "soil" to not be conducive for "growing" anymore :-(  The thought caused me so much pain that I truly didn't think I could handle this news, but the master gardener had prepared me for this blow without my even knowing it.  He had given me an abundance of the spirit in the weeks and days leading up to that appointment.  The Savior had touched my heart just seconds before the doctor walked in, as I bowed my head and began praying a prayer that I had not planned to pray.  He knew that he could not take a way the pain and sadness I would feel upon learning this terrible news, but he made sure to stand ready to comfort me when that time came.

Now, as I tend to my little fledging plants, I have a new perspective, with open eyes and an open heart.  I cannot protect them from the burning sun, the ripping winds, or the birds and insects that pick and tear as their leaves.  However, I can stand ever ready with my watering can to comfort them with life-giving water that can refresh and revive.  I do not know what lies in store for me or if my most earnest prayer will be answered or not, for I have not been granted such personal revelation, but what I do know is that my Savior is aware of me.  So I will continue on and be as hopeful as I was that first night that I planted my first seeds and try to be a patient gardener with my trust firmly planted in the Master Gardener!

A New Perspective

So the last few weeks have given me more perspective and wisdom than I ever thought was possible in such a short amount of time. First of all, I am now fully aware of just how tough I am! I guess in certain situations I am fairly confident, but as a whole I have always struggled with confidence in myself. I am most certainly a "comfort zone" person and am happy sticking with what I know. However, due to life's unpredictability I was forced to fully own the last few weeks on my life and am happy to say I've faired SO much better than I ever thought possible.

Secondly, I now know I am a good mom! That probably sounds silly to say or maybe even a little vain but as I previously stated confidence in myself is pretty hard to come by and the fact that I want everything to be "just the way it should be", or at least the way it should be in my own mind, I am often VERY hard on myself and even overly critical of my abilities. However, Heavenly Father has a way of humbling me and causing me see myself through his eyes and this has definitely been the case as I've relied more fully on him in my times of need.

And thirdly, I am MUCH more aware of the blessings in my lifet! Humility sure is an eye opener! But it's only when we're forced to step outside of our comfort zone and when we are pushed to our limits that we finally see what our potential is and the bigger picture that's in store for us when we push through :) I am SO unbelievably grateful for my husband and everything he is and does for me!!! So often we take the people most important to us for granted and I think this was my wake up call to see my husband for what he is... my literal other half! I am SO grateful for an amazingly smart, funny and purely compassionate little daughter of mine! She brings me joy that transcends the ability to comprehend it! And I'm SO very grateful for my family and friends who buoy me up, lend support and give me the encouragement I need to keep improving upon myself!

The Sweetest Things in Life....

Sometimes the sweetest things in life are the simplest.  This evening I started to archive old family video from VHS and 8MM of my family and Carrie's family.  I must say it is just awesome to have such memories.  My parents; nor did any of my extended family members have a VHS Camcorder until later in life.  My uncle Dredo was the first to purchase one in our family and he used it very well.  He captured some memories that if I didn't have I wouldn't be able to share them with my family.  My father in law Danny AKA dad is also another brilliant man who invested in his family wisely and captured those family memories.  A shout out to my dad for buying one of the top of the line Olympus SLR's back in the day the OM2 and he took some awesome photos of mom, myself, and my brother growing up.  Also dad later bought a SONY HandyCam that he used to capture some moments with my grandfather and grandmother in Guyana that we would have never had if it wasn't for him.

I just want to say these guys are my heroes.  They really have motivated me to continue capturing those precious moments and archive them away for our children.  Don't feel silly to pull out a camera and take some video or snap a photo or two; because as the years go by, and they go by fast; you won't regret it.

Sweet Little Blessing...

So I have not blogged in forever...literally, but with a brand new year and a fresh new outlook on life it just feels right to start again! :)

There is so much new going on in the Armogan household, as of recent, that is wonderful and exciting! Ravi and I have kicked our weight-loss goal into high gear. It's been roughly 2 or 3 months of reducing portions, more fruits & veggie, no sugary drinks and getting my booty moving and I couldn't be happier :) My awesome hubby has lost way more than I have, by far, but he is my complete inspiration, motivation and the one that holds me accountable when I'm sorely tempted by sweet cravings late in the night...oh those terrible cravings :( LOL!

And on an even happier note, Ravi and I are looking forward to expanding our family this year. When? Well, sooner than later is what we're hoping for! Chandani is the most ready child I have ever seen for a little sibling :) She talks about a "baby seester" (sister) non-stop. She puts away her toys and clothes in little bags and says "This is for my seester, Momma!" and smiles from ear to ear whenever she talks about her. She is going to be quite disappointed if it's a boy with all this sister talk (LOL) but I know she will love whatever sibling comes her way, she is such a sweetie when it comes to babies, even when they're not ours! :)

It's amazing how well the Lord knows us personally and what we need in every situation! Today was such a special moment I will always cherish :) Chandani started, once again, talking about her baby sister and how much she loved her and I said "You'll have a baby soon enough sweetie". And Chandani, in her sweet little way, looked up at me and said "Mommy we pray her, you pray her, ok?" So we said a sweet little prayer together, in her rocking chair, that our little baby would come soon and join our family. And when it was done she wrapped her arms around my neck and said "Mommy, you rock me?" And for the first time in a LONG time my little girl let me rock her to sleep. How precious it was to look at her face and remember how she looked in that same position as a new born, a toddler and now a big girl, all grown up.

How did the Lord know my arms were aching to hold her like I once did? How did he know I needed my arms filled with that precious little spirit at that exact moment as we prayed together for more love to be added to an already overflowing family. He knew because he is my Father! And that is enough for me...

Example of Great Leadership!!

Imagine telling the CEO of the company that you have been working for, for almost eight full years now; that you are leaving to pursue your career elsewhere. Well that is what I had to do today, due to a dream I have always wanted to pursue in IT and here I am with the opportunity. So I called Mike this morning and let him know I wanted to speak with him one on one and he made a joke that cracked me up; the usual great sense of humor from Mike. It made me smile all the way to his office and once I got there I knew I was doing the right thing in speaking with him face to face.

As I sat down in one of the chairs in Mike's office; I started to explain to him that I had an opportunity that I just had to take because of that dream I wanted to fulfill. Mike looked at me with no hesitation and said I am happy for you and I want you to succeed. He said if this is something you want to fulfill in your career go for it and if it does not work out; you always have a home here at EI. I only speak of this; because this kind of genuine friendship, respect, and leadership is so hard to find in today's world period. Mike showed me once again what it takes to be an effective leader and I thank him for that. I will always remember those kind words and make him proud by furthering my career with passion and education (READING).

Ravi

Every man is said to have his peculiar ambition. Whether it be true or not, I can say for one that I have no other so great as that of being truly esteemed of my fellow men, by rendering myself worthy of their esteem.
Abraham Lincoln

TV - Never will be the same!!

So in an effort to create a budget and really hone in on some ways to save money; we decided to ditch the concept of paying for TV subscriptions. There has been this whole idea a few years back on ipTV; what a novel concept right? Your already paying for internet service in most homes today and some of us are even tapping into VOIP technology; so why not use it to watch TV as well. Well we all know if corporate America can not make any money on this then it was not going to go well. Guess what that is exactly what happened and providers such as COX, COMCAST, AT&T, and many others started to raise a stink about this. The problem was and is that there is no way to bill for this type of service reliably just yet.

Well we took advantage of what I predict will be the next wave of the future for most homes and we have not paid a service provider to watch TV for the past six months now. We are doing this with a mixture of an over the air ClearStream 2 long range antenna and ipTV through a service called "PLAYON".

So you might ask well what are the pros and cons right? Well here are some of them for our family and I will start out with the CONS first. So if there is a specific live show that is coming on a channel that your not getting over the air; then you won't be able to watch it. But the next day it will be posted up either on HULU or whatever other channel it might of been as long as you have access to it through PLAYON. Also the whole rewind and fast forward concept is a bit slow and sometimes does not work at all that well only on PLAYON. Now for the PROS; I would start out by saying well the obvious there is no monthly fee; but a onetime fee of $100 for the ClearStream 2 antenna and $79 for PLAYON. Also you will not believe the amount of HD channels you get over the air for FREE and how clear they come in; it is just so awesome. With PLAYON if you miss a show the night before and you didn't record it; then you can watch it the next day once it is posted to that particular channel.

Now this took Carrie a little getting use to and I got the IT calls while at work about a few issues at first like some channels on PLAYON not working. After a few days after work of working out the kinks such as filtering through the channels that work and don't work; we were good to go. I can't say that we would have adopted to this right off the bat if I did not work in IT; but I do and I am all electronic.... SERIOUSLY.... :). The great thing about this is that it works and it works very well and we are happy to save now $100 a month.

Last thing I will say about this and I only want to brag a little because this is just so cool. Well when using an over the air antenna; traditionally you would connect it directly to your TV set(s) right? Not me I am using a product from Microsoft called Windows Media Center (MWMC) to deliver the over the air HD signal to the TV's through an XBOX 360. Now you would ask why do this; well you can now have full DVR functionality and there are some other cool things you can do to share music, photos, and videos. I am also using my XBOX 360 to deliver the PLAYON service to the TV's in the house as well and it works fantastic. Now typically to get this done you would have a PC in the home that delivers MWMC and PLAYON to your 360. Well I went a step further and I am running a virtual machine on my MAC Mini of Microsoft Windows 7 and it is the only PC in the house. This is cool because we can have the awesome experience of using a MAC and the Microsoft Windows OS with being so energy efficient and really you can't tell that the MAC Mini is even on; just simply amazing. Well that is all for now but like I said I can talk electronics and technology all day. ENJOY!!!

Just Around the River Bend...

Too much Disney...I KNOW! LOL :-)

Well, I really can't complain, life is pretty great! Hubby continues to work SO HARD and after some brief job struggles (quite the stressful few montsh) the Lord has lead our family to better a more stable place that continues to allow me to stay home and do what I do best, be a full-time Mommy! Little girl amazes me everyday with how fast she's learning & growing! I LOVE my calling in Young Womens and am getting ready for Girls Camp (coming up in less than a month)...Assistant Director baby...I'm in the big time now (lol!) Not to mention I'm taking a class this semester and am just two classes away from finally getting my AA, the first in my family to get a college degree, SO EXCITED!

But somehow with SO MANY blessings in my life I'm still feeling a void :( I'm pretty sure I know what that "void" is but have been avoiding those thoughts like the plague! I don't want Satan to have even a little sway on my positive outlook and attitude. Still, I have begun to feel the slight achings that seem all too familiar... After a corrective surgery and failed procedure I could have easily slipped into old emotions and downward spirals. However, I'm happy to report that was not the case I continue to push forward and live in the moment.

I feel, in my heart, the void is there to keep me humble and ever mindful that I must continue to have faith in & rely on Heavenly Father as I cling to the peace that only the Savior can give me. I continue to hope that it will be my time again in the near future... but until then the void will continue to be the reason for this journey of growth! Who knows...maybe my heart's desire is just around the River Bend :-)

Paging Jessie Spano!!!

"Time! There's never any time! I don't have time to..." Ok so if you were an avid "Saved By the Bell" fan you know exactly what I'm talking about. And if you weren't... why are we friends again?! LOL!! Just kidding!!!

Between Girls Camp, Young Womens, Family, Friends & Housework I seriously need some of those magical caffeine pills :) And I haven't even started my online class yet! Yet with with all that being said, I know I am SEVERELY blessed for my righteous endeavors and gaining great experience and patience through it all. Glass half full, glass half full :) LOL

However, my biggest challenge right now continues to be THE POTTY! Chandani is making GREAT strides in potty training and continues to surprise me everyday as she goes "pee pee" and does the ocassional (and much celebrated) "poo poo" like a big girl! Gotta love how motherhood changes the subjects of your previous conversations and blog topics :)

All in all, I would say the Lord has blessed my little family beyond understanding so far this year. And though we are asked to continue to walk a path of sadness and tested patience we know that the windows of heaven will be opened to us once again, in the Lord's time :) Which reminds me, anyone happen to have a "Celestial Watch" cause I do get curious from time to time. Awww...note to self... must ask the temple for one of their clocks (LOL!!!) Can't blame a sista' for trying!

It's "Potty" Time Up in this Crib :-)

Well, the year is wrapping up and so much has happened that I can't possibly sum it all up. However, I can say we are definitely on our way to Potty Training with our little girl :)

"Slow and Steady wins the race" is my motto for 2011! Whether it's getting in shape, potty training or about a thousand other resolutions I have ahead of me I keep reminding myself it's not a Sprint it's a Marathon and I have a year to do it in so plenty of time.

Thought I'd post this very short, but SUPER cute video of Chandani singing on the potty...don't worry it's totally Rated G :) We call it "Twinkle, Twinkle while we Twinkle"!!! Enjoy :)

Shopping Pro!

So, I needed to run and get a few things, at the grocery store, the other day. We pull up, jump out and look for a "Car Cart" to cruise in while mommy grabs a few things off the grocery list. However, to our dismay...no car cart :( So I say to myself "well, this is a fast visit...maybe she'd be ok just walking through the store real quick". She's always been a "rider" in the grocery store, but there's a first time for everything :)

Here she is, a BORN SHOPPER...


But then she got tired and find a genius way to "hitch a ride"...

Big Sister!

Well, the day we look forward to might not be here yet, but I can tell you one thing for sure, the day Father in Heaven blesses us with a new, little spirit in our home...Chandani will be the BEST Big Sister ever.

Everytime we're at a playdate with someone who has a little baby, Chandani LOVES to play with the baby. Sometimes she'd even rather play with the baby over the big sister (LOL) We are currently up to five baby dolls now, not sure how that happened, and she loves them all. Carrying them around, singing to them, trying to feed them Cheerios or a bottle and snuggling them warm my heart and always makes me smile!

Just the other day we went for a playdate and while the big sister was using the potty Chandani climbed down on the floor with the little sister. What I caught on film may be the CUTEST thing I've ever seen...

Hi Ho, Hi Ho...it's off to climbing she goes!

So if you asked my little monkey where her MOST FAVORITE place to be is lately...well, ok...you probably wouldn't really understand anything she said (lol!) But if you walked into my house, 9 times out of 10 you'd find Chandani on THE COUCH! :) Our Chandani is quite the little climber and LOVVVVVVVVVVES climbing off and on the couch all day long :) She looks like such a little woman sitting up there with her cup of Cheerios, pointing at the tv & going "Mom! Mom! GaGaGa Daaa Mmmmm Bpst...hahahaha!"

I Love It...

HALLELUJAH!

Don't pass out everyone...I am actually blogging again :) I've officially updated my layout, picture slide show of Miss Chandani and song list! Gotta love mastering something you've been behind on.

Our biggest joy continues to be our soon to be 20-month old litle (not-so-baby) girl and all the fun new adventures she brings into our life. Her vocab is up to about 11 words consisting of "mama, dada, duck, cracker, kittycat, hi, bye, yesss, NO!, teeeese (please) & our most recent word WIPESSSSSS"! LOL! And she officially said her first sentence two days ago which was "I love mama!" and then pointed to ME...talk about the best day of my life!!!

Along with some vocab we're also learning sign language and have mastered the sign for "cracker, milk, water, cookie and her FAVORITE sign...MORE!" Her favorite songs to sing and do the hand motions to are "Itsy Bitsy Spider, Popcorn & The Wise Man/Foolish Man Song" but her favorites to sing (whether mama sings along or not) is the "ABC Song & "SUNBEAM". Every now and then I hear her singing "Na da da da da da na DAAAAAA" as she jumps...it's hysterical!

And our little genius LOVESSSS to count to three. Which usually goes like this "Un, Ooo, thEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" which she shrieks as loud as our ears can stand and then laughs :) She's quite the little ham and laughs at her self all the time...whether mama & dada are laughing or not.

Ravi and I are just simply IN LOVE with watching our little girl learn and grow at each level of life. And although we can't wait to give her a little sister or brother one day we are enormously grateful for the opportunity Father in Heaven has given us to spend "every moment" with Chandani celebrating her victories and helping her through trying milestones :)

Sleepy Babies

Ok, so for many of you it may come as no surprise that my two "babies" (Ravi & Chandani) have one very similar trait in common...they LOVES them some peaceful napping! Since day one, when the house got very quiet and I found myself alone, it was only a matter of seconds before I realized that my babies were napping together!


Or after church, on a lazy Sunday afternoon, it was not unusual to find my sweeties curled up catching some Zzzzzzz's together!

And now almost sixteen months have gone by and I sit here, late at night, in the livingroom listening to them make the same sleep sounds from different rooms :) I don't think these two could be any more alike...and I wouldn't change them for the world!