lions and tigers and bears...oh my!

Saturday we decided to take advantage of leith's military discount (free admission) and head to the San Diego Zoo for a little stroll. So we got all geared up, dressed Isaiah in his monkey outfit, and headed down to the zoo where we met Sara. It turned out to be not as sunny as we had hoped but the day was still nice. After a few hours of animal watching and trying to maneuver around the streets of the zoo with our map (which was not very easy to interpret)...we headed home quite exhausted. Isaiah slept almost the entire time but we are sure he enjoyed himself! We look forward to many more fun family outings this summer. Below are some pictures of the day...enjoy!

the three of us

Leith's favorite part of the zoo...monkeys!

Isaiah and daddy with the elephants

week 1

So we have successfully made it through our first week as parents....yay! Isaiah is a week old today and he's doing amazingly well. He eats about every three hours during the day and is nice enough to give his mommy a 4-5 hour stretch at night! He has also had several visitors including his great-grandma, grandparents, aunt Paola and cousins, Lizzy, Sara, and Natalie. He had a very successful 1st doctor's visit where we learned that he is already back up to his birth weight...he's a champion breastfeeder! He even made it to church for the first time yesterday where he met several close friends of ours and his new buddy Asher who is 5 weeks older than him. It's been a big week of firsts for him and for us and I imagine there will be many more to come! Below are some of the highlights of this week...

with grandma and grandpa wearing his "team grandpa" onesie

testing out the swing...he was quite fond of the classical music it plays!

meeting my Abuelita for the 1st time...her first great grandchild

post feeding coma!

Welcome Isaiah Shaun States

Leith and I had the privilege of meeting our dear son, Isaiah Shaun States, on June 14 at 11:08 in the morning. He entered the world in perfect condition...10 fingers, 10 toes, and a full head of hair! Weighing in at 7 lbs 2 oz and 21 inches long. We cannot even begin to explain the joy he has brought us so far. He is quite content and has mastered life's responsibilities...eating, sleeping, and pooping! He was born just in time for my birthday on the 16th. He's the best gift I could have asked for! Leith and I are adjusting to parenthood quite well I think. We were very blessed to have my parents stay with us this week and help out with meals and watching Isaiah so we could get a few more winks at night. Thank you to all who have come to visit and have helped us out this week. We are so appreciative of all the support we have recieved. Below are some brief pictures of Isaiah's arrival. Stay tuned for more!

Proud daddy just moments after his arrival!

Grandma is so happy!

Immediately after birth on mommy's chest. "Hello Mommy!"

Proud family of 3!

Announcing Dr. Leith States!

Yesterday was a momentous occasion for us and our entire family. Leith completed his four years of hard work at UCSD and graduated as Dr Leith States! I am so proud of him for not only achieving such a huge goal but by overcoming all he did in the past four years. His journey through medical school was not easy. From a long distance relationship, engagement, and planning a wedding through first year; experiencing the first year of marriage (with all its ups and downs) his second year; missing almost 3 months of school due to mono and strep 6 times during third year; and a tonsillectomy and planning for our first baby fourth year, you could say that this journey was no walk in the park for him! While reminiscing last night over the past seven years I can honestly say that it has been a privilege to watch him and be by his side as he has achieved so much. First and foremost we thank God for blessing us in so many ways and for giving Leith the strength and support he needed. We know that without Him none of this would have been possible. We are also both so thankful to all the family and friends who have supported him in so many ways throughout the years. The encouragement and prayers have not gone unnoticed.
So....on to the next chapter in our lives. Leith starts his internship year at the Naval Medical Center, San Diego on wednesday. We are still waiting for Isaiah's arrival. I guess you could say it's gonna be a big week for Leith...becoming a doctor AND a dad...wow!

There he is with degree in hand!

being hooded by Dr Mandell

best buds from high school all came to support him

Dr Leith States and Dr Aaron Powell...congratulations guys!

beach, bbq, and great friends

What better way to spend memorial day than at the beach with great friends? That's exactly what Leith and I did. Bathing suits, towels, and beach chairs in hand (actually in the trunk of the car) we headed down to Imperial Beach to spend the day at our dear friends The Powells' condo. Sara came along and so did a delicious chocolate cake she made! The day was filled with beach fun, grilled burgers and hot dogs, and lots of hilarious story telling. Leith and I feel so blessed to have such great friends in San Diego and we will definitely miss Aaron and Tammy when they move up to Sacramento at the end of the month. It's been a long 4 years endured through medical school full of many memories that will be cherished forever. On Sunday we get the opportunity to celebrate all of Leith and Aaron's hard work as they graduate and become big, bad MD's! Congrats guys! I am so proud you!

Sara and I soaking up the sun

best buds enjoying a second round of hot dogs. the gilligan hat is apparently in preparation for Isaiah.

great friends...we are gonna miss you guys so much!

just after sunset on the balcony

view from the condo...paradise!

so they say that pregnancy makes you do crazy things, have crazy cravings, and forget simply everything. I never really believed it until now. I have never been so absent minded in my life! I have even gone so far as to send a $50 check to our leasing office for rent when in fact we definitely pay alot more! My bad!

I suppose you could say that I am quite attached to my long locks of hair and have been for as long as I can remember. My sister has even compared me to Samson and called my hair "my strength" (i know...kinda dramatic)! well, to top off the pregnancy randomness I make the crazy decision to chop off my long locks this week. That's right...8 inches gone! I had a sudden craving for change and did it before I could change my mind. Fortunately for me I love the new look. It's easy and ecomonical! I think I will use half the amount of shampoo and conditioner now and Leith is quite pleased with this.

So anyway...here is a picture of the new look and the latest of Isaiah before he makes his debut. I am almost 38 wks already! Hospital bag packed...check! nursery ready...check! car seat installed...check! new mommy friendly hair style...check!

nesting

Although I have heard so many times of this so called "nesting" stage that all pregnant women go through, I never exactly knew what that might feel like or when that sudden "urge to organize" would hit me. Well, I am proud to say that I am officially nesting! The realization that Isaiah will be here in 5 weeks has definitely caused Leith and I to literally re-arrange our lives (and furniture) in preparation for his arrival. Leith has worked hard and completed building the crib and changing table. I have already done several loads of laundry including crib sheets, burp cloths, and onsie after onsie. Drawers are beginning to fill up with all the great gifts that people have been so generous to give us. Toys are already piling up and he even responds to the ones that make noise! (today when I put one next to my belly he started kicking around.) I still have lots of work to do, but I think we are almost ready for him! Below are some pictures of what Isaiah's room looks like so far.

the "toys" bag was handmade by my dear friend Sara. It's so cute and I love it!