On Christmas Eve Ella sprinkled "reindeer food" on our front lawn to help guide the reindeer to our house ;)


My handsome husband, Jacob and Grandma.

Christmas morning we watched the Disneyland Christmas Parade on television before we opened presents.Ella received a BARKING doggie from Santa. She LOVES it, the rest of us...not so much! :)

Aunt Christi is in town...yay!!! Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Christi and Uncle Steve all came to town to meet Jacob and celebrate Christmas together.

Our first week home with Jacob!

I spent 5 days in the hospital recovering from my c-section. I loved the time I spent there because I was able to bond and spend a great deal of quality time with him before we went home. But with the H1N1 virus going around, the hospital didn't allow anyone under the age of 14 in the hospital-which meant I wasn't able to see Ella for 5 whole days. That was very difficult for me because I normally spend everyday with her and never want to be away from her.

When I was released, Ella was extremely excited to see me and meet her new baby brother Jacob. I was thrilled and thought this transition may go alot easier than I had imagined...But after about 10 minutes, her excitement for Jacob came to an end. It was very difficult for her to go from having ALL of my attention to all of the sudden having to share it with a new baby. Plus, having a c-section made it extra difficult because I couldn't pick her up and I also was in alot of pain and spent a good portion of the 1st few days in bed. I cried alot because I felt like I was deserting her and I felt like a horrible mother. She would look at me with tears in her eyes when I held him and it would tear me up inside. She wanted nothing to do with Jacob. I kept telling myself to be patient and things would get better in time.

Well, after being home a full week, I have to say that things ARE getting better! I have my sweet Ella back!!! She is all about mommy again and no longer minds that Jacob is with us. Everyday she shows more interest in him and even asked me yesterday if she could hold him! She is quite the helper...she sings to him, burps him, helps with his diaper changes and even tells him, "aww Jacob, it's okay" when he is crying. :) I can't wait to watch their relationship grow!

I am so thankful to have 2 healthy, beautiful children and an amazing husband. I can't imagine life getting any better!

Jacob Peter Pagano
Born 12/9/09 at 7:33a.m.
7lbs. 8oz.
20 1/2"

Happy Birthday Stacy!

Can you believe that we have known eachother since we were in 3rd grade!!??!! I think that means we have been best friends for 24 years! WOW!!!

Thank you for ALWAYS being an incredible friend to me through all these years! I love you and wish you a beautiful birthday and a wonderful year to come.

XOXO,
Jen

Introducing the newest addition to our family, Jacob Peter Pagano...


We have A LOT of pictures to post of this handsome, precious little boy once we get released from the hospital. Stay tuned...

Dear Grandma and Grandpa,

Happy birthday to you both!!!
We love you!

Love,
Ella and Jacob
Jen and Vincent

Today is the birthday to two of the most speical people in my life!

Nani,
Wishing you a birthday that is as wonderful as you are!
We love you!
Love,
Jen, Vincent and Ella

Jaimie,
Happy birthday to one of the most AMAZING friends I have EVER met!
BFF! ;)
We love you!
Love,
Jen, Vincent and Ella

On Sunday Ella and I went to the annual Gymboree holiday party. As usual, we had a wonderful time! I can barely believe this is our 3rd year going to it.
Ella and Kenz sharing a hug.Ella, Kenz and Luke listening to holiday music. Playing with the fake snow.

On Saturday night we went to pick out a Christmas tree! Both Vincent and I have always had fake trees over the years- so it was quite a treat to start a new tradition and get our 1st real tree together with Ella. She had a great time walking around and searching for the tree of her choice :)
Vincent and Ella spent part of today decorating the tree. Ella REALLY enjoyed putting on the colored lights and ornaments (which she calls "instruments"). Once they were done decorating she could not wait to show me how beautiful her tree looked! Considering I only have 2 DAYS LEFT...ahhhh...these are probably the last pregnancy pictures of myself that I will post on this blog until after the baby arrives. I love this picture of Vincent and Ella.

Two of Ella's favorite things-suckers and jewelry :)A blue sucker because Ella's favorite colors are blue and green ofcourse :)...because one bracelet just isn't enough.