Besides her physical changes, Emi is officially a talker.  It started off with coos and grew into more babbling.  Today, I think I held a 20+ minute conversation with the girl!  I think she has more things to say than me and that is not only surprising, but a whole lot of conversation!  It is really cute, though, and I find it entertaining.  She is so talkative and loud that I can hear Taro and Emi talking in the bedroom from the laundry room!  She definitely keeps her daddy busy.

Emi is a wiggly little one now and I can see the beginning attempts of trying to roll over.  She can get on her side and bend her knees.  I’m guessing with a little more practice, she is going to be turning over soon.  In addition to her movement, she has a strong hold with eye contact and whenever she sees someone familiar, Emi gives a smile.  I have to say I am lucky because I usually get the most smiles out of her and they are becoming bigger and a laugh usually accompanies it.  She is definitely a momma’s girl and will now only be held by me at night and be put down for bed by me only.  I have to admit, I absolutely love it and cherish these moments.  I hope she will go back to Taro, though, because I know night time, especially on weekdays, is the only time they have to bond and hang out.

I don’t exactly know what is in store for the next month, but I do know that I am going to enjoy every moment of it, especially since I go back to work at the end of January.  For now, I am going to hold Emi tight, have 5 minute, 20 minute, hour long conversations, smile, laugh, and giggle, and enjoy the 8 hours that she is sleeping at night!  (You were so right about it getting easier at 3 months, Lizet!)

It was a joy capturing the Fong family and I cannot wait for our next session together.  Congratulations again on your beautiful girl, Andy and Amy!  Emi is going to love having play dates with Madeline!

After the crazy wind in South Pasadena, it left piles of leaves in the park.  However, Kaitlyn had a blast tossing them in the air with her daddy!

I finally have a chance to update the things that are going on!  I have to admit, the first month was pretty much a blur.  Nothing can quite prepare you for the whirlwind of newborn life – the 10-15 diaper changes in a day, feeding every couple of hours, and of course, the lack of sleep.  There were times when I woke up in the middle of the night and started dozing as I was feeding the lil’ munchkin.  As Lizet, our cousin, stated, it is truly a marathon – long, tiresome, but there is a goal and finish at the end.  And that is where we are now!  It is definitely not the end, but waking up every couple of hours?  Done!  Emi started sleeping longer through the night this past week and it was the first time that I actually slept 6 hours – yes! 6 whole hours – in a row.  I actually woke up refreshed and ready to conquer the world!  Besides sleeping longer through the night, Emi has grown significantly since her first day.  Remember how she was only 6 pounds 7 ounces?  She is now almost 11 pounds!  Her cheeks continue to grow and I love kissing them every single day.  And she has started to “talk” to us, cooing all throughout the day.  What is even better?  More smiles and plenty of giggles!  A two month old is definitely much different and my day is filled more with play – kicking her piano mat, tummy time on the boppy, reading books, and singing nursery songs and songs she loved while in the womb (Rhythm of Love is still her favorite).  Emi is getting stronger each and every day and we look forward to when she is able to start rolling.  She already is pretty squirmy so we are guessing it is a matter of time before she starts using those hands and feet to turn herself every which way.

So happy two months, baby girl!  It has been an adventure so far and I cannot wait for more.

For now, though, a photo a day so when that time comes, I can look back and remember that very day my life changed.  (Mommy hormones are causing me to tear up right now as I write this because that is how special Emi is to me!)

By the way, she sleeps like her daddy.  I love it.

It was a fun, late afternoon with the Kan family.  Jason and Melissa, you two are really a great couple and I love Isabella.  Taro and I are so happy for the two of you and love that we are her uncle and aunt!

A funny, candid shot of Jason playing with Isabella.  I love how he is blowing into her cheek and she is playfully pushing him away.

Isn’t she the most adorable Princess Leia?  I love this little girl.

Congratulations again, Trisha and Duke!  I hope you enjoy the new path and may it be filled with even more happy memories!

To view all photos click here.

Victor and Rebecca met in college and since then, they dated for six years.  Two years ago, Victor proposed on New Year’s Eve and since then, their lives have been very busy.  Rebecca was attending graduate school when Victor proposed and instead of balancing the hectic life of a student and trying to plan a wedding, they decided to have a longer engagement so she could finish up her Masters Degree.  That also allowed for Victor to continue saving money for the wedding because, in his words, Rebecca deserved it.  Isn’t that just the sweetest thing?  He said it with such sentiment and a loving glance over at Rebecca that it could make anyone swoon.  The longer engagement also allowed for them to reserve that perfect Saturday, January 1, 2011, for their wedding to coincide with the proposal.

The way that Victor and Rebecca describe themselves as a couple is like the characters Carl and Ellie from the movie Up.  They see themselves that much in love with each other and when a family member said, “But Ellie dies in the movie,” Victor responded that they are living that type of lifestyle, the younger Carl and Ellie.  I thought it was adorable because after all, don’t we want that Carl and Ellie relationship?  Sigh…and swooning again at how much Victor and Rebecca mean to each other.  What is even cuter is that they did photos based off of Up and Victor even made a mailbox where they painted their handprints on it!  Too cute!

So for their engagement session, Rebecca expressed how much she loved the colors of Olvera Street, which remind her of where the ceremony and reception are taking place, a Spanish hacienda.  There were vibrant colors everywhere and before the restaurants and vendors opened up, even the stalls provided these wonderful backdrops.  The session ended up being a tour of Downtown L.A., moving to Union Station, riding the metro, hopping off at the Walt Disney Hall, and even exploring the Music Center.  It was a wonderful adventure and not only was it fun capturing Victor and Rebecca’s love for each other, I felt like I was giving them a quick tour of Los Angeles!

Victor and Rebecca, congratulations again on your engagement!  I hope you have a wonderful ride together and may the two of you find your version of Paradise Falls!

We grabbed some coffee before we headed off to Union Station, eventually hopping on the Metro to discover more of Los Angeles.

Off we headed to the Walt Disney Hall and Music Center:

Back in February when we saw Joe Romero perform his Anti-Valentine’s Day stand-up routine, he mentioned that I could come along to any of his weddings to second shoot for him.  I thought it was a generous offer, especially since it would help in learning hands on the time it takes to get all the necessary shots – ceremony, family shots – while balancing out the photojournalistic style.  So this past Saturday, I was able to accompany Joe to Leticia and Daniel’s wedding.  Even though I was a stranger, Leticia welcomed me as she was getting ready for her big day.  Her hair and make-up were getting the final touches before she stepped into her fluttering, layered wedding dress.  It was a breathtaking moment before the hustle of jumping into the limosine to head to Our Lady of Soledad where Daniel, standing at the back of the church, awaited his bride.

Despite not understanding the ceremony (conducted all in Spanish), you could still feel the beauty of the music, singing, and feel the words that were addressed to Leticia and Daniel.  The idea of commitment, love, and mutual understanding was clear and the joy and happiness were evident in each set of parents’ eyes.  When the ceremony ended, there were plenty of hugs, kisses, and congratulations.  Shortly after, the wedding party headed over to Pasadena for photos and portraits before the celebration continued at the Rococo Room.

Joe, thank you so much again for letting me second shoot at Leticia and Daniel’s wedding.  It was a wonderful learning experience and I hope to work with you again very soon!  Leticia and Danny, congratulations again and I wish the two of you a lifetime of happiness!

I loved the vibrant colors of the wedding along with the recurring image of the bride and groom pictured below.

Loved, loved, loved the bright yellows and blues!

Thanks for entertaining my photo ideas, Brother and Vivian, and thanks again for participating in the madness!