June 2008 A.J. to Manage Coldwell Banker

June brought new changes in A.J.'s career. After negotiations with George Murphy and after seven months at Realty Concepts, A.J. has decided to go back to Coldwell Banker and manage the Fresno office while continuing to list and sell real estate. In five years, he will be 50% partner in Coldwell Banker Fresno. We are so thrilled for his new role at Coldwell Banker and what the future holds in A.J.'s real estate career.

June 2008 Hannah Starts to Sit Up

Hannah is showing signs that she is ready to sit up. Even though she will fall over after a while, she can sit up for a pretty long while if A.J. or I prop her up. It is so much fun watching her grow up and hit her milestones. We can't belive she is already 5 months old. It has been a blast having her in our family.

Hannah's Room

I had so much fun decorating Hannah's nursery for her. She started sleeping in her nursery at about 6 weeks old. I think it is my favorite room in the house. A.J. says he loves to walk by it everyday and I am pretty sure Hannah likes her room too. It is so much more girly than I would have ever imagined doing. I think I went the girly direction because I was always kind of a tomboy when I was little.

May 31, 2008 Lisa & Arlo's Wedding

Lisa Ciano, A.J.'s cousin, got married to Arlo Telesco, one of A.J.'s good friends. Our whole family was in the wedding. It was an amazing day and probably one of the funnest weddings ever. People danced the whole night. Hannah was 4 months old and was one of Lisa's flower girls. A.J. was a groomsman, and I was a bridesmaid.

May 2008 Hannah's First Best Friend

Hannah and Cardey have had many a playdate together, but they are finally old enough where they are awake for them. The first few playdates I think were more for their mommies because Hannah and Cardey would snooze the whole time. Hannah and Cardey are four weeks apart.

May 2008 Hannah Rolls Over

I think the first time Hannah actually rolled over for the first time was at the end of April. I just happened to be filming her on video while she was on the floor and she surprised me with her first roll onto her back. I captured the whole thing on camera and was so excited that I got it on camera, I think I startled Hannah when I burst out into cheer. She actually started to roll over consistently in May.

April 2008 Hannah and her Bumbo

It seems one of the places Hannah is the most happy these days is in her Bumbo chair. She watches her video in her Bumbo, plays with toys in her Bumbo, smiles and laughs in her Bumbo, and watches daddy do his workouts in her Bumbo. Thank God for the Bumbo! It gives mommy a good 20-30 minutes to get things done around the house.

Easter 2008

We spent Easter with both sides of the family like normal. We started the day at Grandma Papi's and then headed over to Tooky and Jeddo's house afterward. Hannah was pretty tired and slept the whole day, but it didn't stop everyone from holding her and loving on her. This is our first "official" family photo together.

Easter Weekend Kids Get Together

Kathy and Danny Robinson had a get together so all of us friends could meet eachothers kids. Matt and Laurel were in from the Bay Area and Hannah got a chance to meet their twin boys, Dylan and Nathan, as well as Sophia and Stella. Hannah's buddy Cal was there too. It was really cute for all the kids to be together. A.J. has known Lance and Tony since junior high and Mia since elementary school, and now they all have kids. Sophia loved Hannah and wanted to hold her the whole time. It was really cute.

March 2008 Smiley Hannah

Hannah started to smile in March. She is such a happy little girl who continues to bless and enrich our lives everyday. She also has no trouble sleeping anywhere and everywhere she feels comfy.

March 2008 Hannah Girl

Some of my favorite photos of Hannah are taken while she sleeps. She is the sweetest little thing to look at. A.J. loves to cuddle with her. As my sister Katie and mother-in-law would say, my cup completely runeth over!

February 2008 Hannah and Her Cousins

All of Hannah's cousins were anxious to meet her. Hannah has 7 boys cousins (4 on A.J.'s side, and 3 on the Papi side), and 1 girl cousin named Logan (Lolo). They all love holding and hugging Hannah and Lolo always wants to give "Baby Hannah" kisses.

February 2008 Hannah Wins Superbowl

We spent Superbowl Sunday with the Mahoney's at their house. A.J. entered Hannah into the Superbowl pool and she actually ended up winning the whole thing. She left her aunt and uncle's house that day $80.00 richer. Hannah and her cousin John didn't think of much of the game. They always have so much to talk about when they get together.

January 27, 2008 Cal's Dedication

We were honored when our best friends Lance and Ginny asked us to be their son Cal's godparents. He is such a sweet boy and a joy to watch grow up. We hope and pray that he grows up to know and love the Lord and we are so honored that we can be a part of helping him realize God's love for him.

Hannah's First Week

Hannah is blessed with so many people who love her and it showed in the first couple weeks of her life. She had visitors non-stop. Her Tooky and Mimi were especially helpful to A.J. and I getting some rest. Hannah would sleep all day long and be up all night for the first couple months. When she was awake during the day, she was surprisingly alert for a newborn baby. A.J.'s favorite thing was having Hannah sleep on his chest. I think she slept more on his chest in the first couple weeks than anywhere else.

January 22, 2008 Bringing Hannah Home

We had a great stay in the hospital, but needless to say we were so anxious to bring our little girl to her home. Everything was prepared and waiting for her arrival. On the drive home A.J. was driving so cautiously that I think we hit EVERY red light. He was going well under the speed limit. When we arrived home Hannah and I were welcomed with a big sign and balloons that A.J. had made for us. There was no better feeling than to know she was healthy, safe, and home where she belonged. I remember feeling such an overwhelmingly close bond with A.J. after he had helped me through labor and after Hannah was born.

Hannah's Hair

Hannah was born with so much hair that everyone commented on it when they came to visit her in the hospital. While we were in the hospital A.J. would comb Hannah's hair with a tooth brush. A.J. wanted to her have a pretty bow, so Auntie Katy went and bought Hannah her first little bow. Hannah did great in the hospital. A.J. wasn't allowed to stay the night with me because I had to share the hospital room with another mom, but despite that, Hannah and I had a good first night together. I just kept staring at her and I couldn't believe she was ours. We are so blessed.

January 21, 2008 Hannah Katherine Lakovich

Hannah Katherine Lakovich was born January 21, 2008 at 5:24 am. She weiged 7lbs 7oz. and was 21 inches long. She had a full head of brown hair and looked very similar to her mommy when she was a baby. Our lives were changed forever :) We are so in love.

January 20, 2008 Here we go!

On our way to the hospital to be induced. We were so excited to finally get to meet little Hannah. A.J. wanted to be involved in every part of the labor process, and it oddly started when we left the house to go to the hospital :)

January 2008 Nine Months Pregnant

Nine months pregnant and ready to pop. Ready to go for sure. Love her so much already. Can't wait to meet you Hannah.

Christmas 2007

Anxiously awaiting our girl! Christmas was so special this year. I swear I got more gifts for Hannah than A.J. and I put together. It was so funny that she wasn't even born but she had sooo many Christmas gifts. She was already very loved. December also brought a change in A.J.'s career. After much thought and prayer, A.J. decided to leave Coldwell Banker (where he has worked the last 5 years) and go to work at Realty Concepts. It was not an easy decision, but A.J. felt he needed a change and really respects the vision and professionalism of John Shamshoyan the broker/owner. He is excited to join the team at Realty Concepts.

December 2007 Photo Shoot with Katie

My little sister is the best and soooo talented. She talked me into doing pregnancy pictures so we wouldn't regret capturing the moment of me being pregnant. She took these pictures for us at her house. It was so funny because I am the most unphotogenic person in the world and I had a hard time posing and being serious. After we took them I was so glad she talked me into doing them. She is such a good sissy.

November 26, 2007 John William Mahoney

Katy and Sean had their fourth boy...welcome to the world John William Mahoney. He was the smallest of all the boys and weighed 7 pounds 14 ounces. He is as cute as can be and A.J. and I are so excited to have our seventh nephew. How blessed we are. We love you Baby John.

November 2007 A.J.'s New Toy

If you know A.J. you know that motorcyles, motocross, etc. run through his blood. He and his buddy Lance made a trip down south for what I thought was a trip to help find Lance a dirt bike. The next thing I know they are on their way home with not one, but two KTM bikes. I heard the excitement in A.J.'s voice and had no other choice but to be happy for him. He loves taking trips to nearby trails for the day and spending time with is buddies to "go riding." He also spends hours outside fixing, washing, tightening, changing, whatever he calls it...bottom line, he loves the bike, and I am excited for him to get back into it.

November 12, 2007 2nd Anniversary

We spent our second anniversary in Cambria, Ca. A.J.'s broker, George, was generous enough to let us use his beach house for the weekend. We had such a relaxing weekend, fun walks, and great food. I was 7 months pregnant in this picture.

November 2-4, 2008 Family Life Marriage Conference

Even though I don't have a picture of us, I thought it worthy of noting on our blog. A.J. and I went to the "Weekend to Remember" marriage conference put on by Family Life. We had no expectations going into it and thought if nothing else, it will be a weekend out of town. The conference was so beneficial and touching. We had the best weekend. It really proactively causes you to focus and talk about your marriage like you normally wouldn't if you were just at home. I am thankful A.J. was open about going and investing in our marriage. We were so impressed with the conference that we bought a gift certifate to the conference for some friends of ours.

October 12-14, 2007 Trip to Palo Alto

We took a weekend trip to Palo Alto to visit the Robinsons and we stayed at their new house. It is such a nice house with a newly redone kitchen, in the neighborhood where Laurel grew up as a child. The boys room is all set to go and is so cute. There are two of everything. We spent the weekend at a Stanford Football game, hanging out at their house, going out to eat, and A.J. and Matt made a couple jaunts to the nearby bar while Laurel and I stayed at home and rested. Laurel is thinking she will have the twins early and that they will be here by Thanksgiving. She is such a trooper.

October 2007 Six Months Pregnant

Six months pregnant. Can't believe I have three to go. So ready to meet her.

September 22, 2007 Yosemite Trip

A.J. has always had the idea of driving up to Yosemite for the day. Well, we forgot to check the weather the day we decided to go. It was pretty unbelievable though. There was something mystic about it all. The rain clouds were creeping through all the big rocks and waterfalls and we went hiking while it drizzled. Later that afternoon when it really started to pour, we drove to the Ahwahnee Hotel and had a really good lunch until the sun came out. Good trip Babe :)

September 9th, 2007 Girly Weekend

I made a trip up north to spend the weekend with my friends Deb, Dena, and Hilleri whom I know all from when I worked at Johnson & Johnson. Hilleri was also pregnant with a girl at the time, and she ended up being born exactly one month to the day before Hannah.

September 2007 It's a Girl

The day we found out we were having a girl! Both of our mothers, Grandma Papi, and A.J.'s sister, Katy (who was pregnant with a boy), were anxiously waiting in the lobby for us to come out and reveal the sex of the baby. A.J. insisted we surprise them by writing the sex of the baby on my tummy with a sharpie PERMANENT pen. I had the words "I'm a Girl" on my belly for about a week before it completely washed off.

September 2007 Morro Bay Trip

We went to Morro Bay with the Backowski's and stayed with Nancy and Bill Leonard, Ginny's dad and stepmom. We have been to their house in Morro Bay with Lance and Gin numerous times in the past. Lance and Gin are always so gracious to invite us out of town with them. This trip was to attend the wedding of Eric and Micshel Kalkowski. A.J. has known Micshel since junior high. It was a beautiful wedding at the the Firestone Winery. Gin and I had our hair done in SLO for the wedding. I was excited for the appt. because I was five months pregnant and wasn't feeling so hot. Ginny's sister, Margot, babysat Cal while we went to the wedding.

August 25, 2007 Twin Boys for the Robinsons

Laurel is due about a month before me. They are having twin boys. We went out to lunch to celebrate but also to see how big eachother's bellies were. We ate at Campagnia and had so much fun catching up and telling pregnancy stories. It is amazing how much we already talk about the babies and they aren't even here yet. I can't imagine having two babies in my belly. Bless Laurel's heart. I am four months pregnant and Laurel is five.