An Eli Update

Now I know Eli is just my nephew, but I still love giving you guys some updates. 

I love when my sister-in-law sends me pictures. In the past, she has been really bad about updating us about her life, but I gotta say she has gotten a lot better! (No offense Malier.) 

So here we go. 

Eli turned two months on March 9th. (I have no idea how much he weighs, etc. - Like I said, I am just the Auntie.) 

So cute. 

This weekend Matt and I got the following pictures and text. Eli was having a little conversation with us. 

{:D my auntie and uncle!}

{Oh how I miss them and haven't even met them! :( }

{Ooo but soon I shall see them!!}

Ok, I am very impressed. One, we got three pictures in one day! And two, Malia printed our picture and is showing it to Eli! YAY. Hopefully, when we see him next month he won't look at us like we are strangers! 

Keep the pictures coming Malia! 

Eli Update

This last weekend Eli had his baby blessing. Matt and I weren't able to make it, but we got see some great pictures. Here are some I wanted to share. 

{Seriously, one of the funniest things I have seen.}

{My Abuela made this hat for Eli. I am very impressed.} 

Wish we could have been there. P.S. thanks for the pictures. Keep them coming. 

Happy One Month Baby Eli

Eli is one month today! We had our first Skype date and I think it was love at first Skype. 

The Baby Boom

Right now it seems like everyone is getting pregnant, or delivering their first baby. 

With a lot of my friends/ family having babies in the last few months, I have had to buy a lot of gifts for the new little families.

While I love going to Target and picking out whatever cute baby clothes they have at the time (which they always do), I also love looking for more precious gifts that others might not give as a gift. 

I am sure most of you are in the same boat I am with shopping for baby gifts, so I thought I would share some gifts I am loving. And just to be nice I will include a pay scale and a link to the original page! 

*Pay Scale out of $$$$$ (5) 

*Highest gift is $100 

{1. Luxury Plush Stroller Blankets by baby & child Restoration Hardware. 

Love them! They are so soft and you can personalize it with the baby's monogram

Pay Scale: $$} 

{2. Pottery Barn's Silver Leaf First Year Frame- I am all about documenting the baby's first year and this is a great way to do so. Plus, you can PERSONALIZE it! (You will see this is a theme.) 

Pay Scale: $$$} 

{3. Chinese Birth Year Shadowbox- by Uncommon Goods. This is a keepsake box for baby's first year, and it is personalized by Chinese Zodiac (i.e Dragon, Rabbit, Monkey). 

Pay Scale: $$$$}

{4. Handcrafted Language Blocks- by redEnvelope. These are a spin on the traditional letter blocks. They come in Chinese, Japanese, French, Hebrew, or Spanish! Can you saw awesome!  The new baby can play and learn! 

Pay Scale: $$} 

{5. Baby Monthly Onesie Stickers- by the Etsy shop MaddiesMomE . 

Document the baby through these personalized onesie stickers. Cute Cute Cute! 

Pay Scale: $} 

{6. Vulli Sophie the Giraffe- one of the best teethers out there. You can pick one up on Amazon.

Pay Scale: $} 

{7. Land of Nod's Ticking Nod Chair- This, of course, can be personalized and is perfect for babies starting to crawl and walk. 

Pay Scale: $$$$$} 

{8. Honey Bear Lane's Puff Quilt- Perfect for tummy time! I found these through a blog I read called Little Miss Momma (if you haven't heard of her check her out), and I am in love with these puff quilts. Honey Bear Lane has her own blog and Etsy shop where you can buy either a pre made puff quilt or the PDF of the pattern, so you can make your own if you are crafty like that. Or if you have a mother-in-law that is crafty like that! 

Pay Scale: $- $$$$$ (just depends if you are getting the PDF or the quilt.} 

{9. Diaper Clutch- these are all over Etsy shops right now. They are perfect for a quick diaper change. Most clutches fit 2-3 diapers and travel size wipes. This one from the Etsy shop Penelope Pie Boutique 

also can hold some baby powder and includes a changing pad. 

Pay Scale: $$} 

{10. Baby Bliss in a Box- by Chasing Fireflies. This is a perfect gift for getting the family involved in the new baby. The family makes wishes for the baby and they are nicely stored in the box. Love it!

Pay Scale: $} 

What baby gifts do you love? 

I would love to hear your ideas. 

Now Announcing... Baby Bowen

On January 9, 2013, Baby Eli Bowen made his way into this world- I whole whopping 4-5 weeks early! 

I guess he was just looking forward to meeting his wonderful Mama. I have known for a while that Malia would have a baby way before me, but now that it has happened I can't believe it. I guess Matt and I have some work to do so Baby Eli has some Ho cousins to play with... (Haha just joking so don't get too excited Janice aka Mama Ho.)

Like I said, I knew Malia would have babies before me, but there are couple other things I have known for awhile as well:

1. Malia has always wanted to be a mother.      

2. Malia is going to be an AMAZING mother. 

I am so happy for her and Caleb, and more importantly, I am excited to have a new nephew to love and spoil. 

When Malia and I were younger and really good friends, we always used to talk about wanting to be sisters. However, neither of us were willing to marry the other one's brother! (Ha Ha- I see the irony, do you?) 

Anyway, two years ago we got our wish and we became sisters. I am so happy this wonderful lady is a part of my family, and that I get to play such an important role to her new baby- you know- the role of the FAVORITE AUNT! 

As the Favorite Aunt, and Malia's Favorite Sister, I wanted to share a few words and wishes for the happy family. 

For Malia, 

Congrats on making such a beautiful baby. I cannot believe you are a new momma! Now you will definitely need to start your Mommy blog. While we have not stayed in the best of contact the last year or so (mostly due to my stubbornness), you are my sister and I am so happy for you. I am so impressed with what you have accomplished. Enjoy your time with your new baby, and make sure to show pictures of Matt and I so Eli will actually like us in April. (I know what you are thinking- it's too early- but please just humor me.) I love you Malia and good luck! 

For Caleb, 

Just a short note- take care of my sister and your new baby. They are some of the most precious people in the world to Matt and I. 

For Baby Eli, 

You are a very lucky baby to have been sent to this family. For you, I have some Wishes: 

I hope you learn how great your parents are, especially your sweet sweet Mama. 

I hope your become whatever your heart desires. 

I hope you don't try to fit into the mold, when you can choose to stand out. 

I hope you aren't afraid of taking a chance and following your dreams. 

I hope you learn to speak another language. You can never go wrong doing this. 

I hope you get all you can out of life. 

I hope you laugh at all mine and your Uncle Matt's jokes. We really are some funny people. 

I hope you never forget how much you were loved from day one. You were wanted by your parents and your extended family, and don't you ever forget it. 

I hope you respect your elders, seriously, don't be rude. And while I know you think of me and your Uncle Matt as two young hipsters that are so relatable, you still have to respect us. 

I hope you always know you can come to me and your Uncle Matt whenever you need a hug, or an extra $20, or to vent about your outdated parents, or just to hang out. We are here for you, and we love you. 

Love, 

Your Favorite Auntie Alex Fahey Ho 

XOXO 

Malia and Caleb- you did good! 

(Note: I did make the Subway art, but the wish list I found on Pinterest- my other love.) 

Baby Buckmaster

Well the time has come where one of the London gang had a baby. Yup, that's right. Elliot and Roy had a baby! I really can't believe it. I don't feel old enough to be able to have a baby, so it's weird that one of my friends just had their first child.

(The Attic Crew: Brittany, Sarah, Jenny, Me, Elliot, and Ashael back in 2009) 

I have a lot of friends that have babies, but for some reason my London friends starting families is strange. I met Elliot in 2009 during my study abroad to London. During our study abroad, Elliot and Roy were dating and soon after our return they got engaged. Soon after that they got married... and now they had a baby!

 I am so happy for these two. And I wanted to write a little message to each member of the Buckmaster family.

To Elliot- Congrats on making a little human. I can't wait to read all about your adventures in motherhood and parenting. Matt and I will need to plan a trip to Arizona to see this little babe. Don't forget to take pictures of the blanket.

To Baby Camden- You are lucky to be with such great parents. You will be a part of many adventures, and your whole life will be documented on your mom's blog- good luck.

To Roy- We have never met, but congrats! Good luck with law school and a newborn- my mom did it and hated it- so I know you will need the luck.

(This is the first of many M.H.A Productions. Yup, that's right I made it on my very own.

Elliot- I planned on printing this and sending it to y'all- would you like it?)