Just an update...

We wanted to give everyone just a little update as to what we have been up to.

Nick and I never knew just how time consuming being a parent is. Our days and nights revolve around feeding, diapers and burping. We LOVE IT!!!

Our little Sofie is growing up and filling in wonderfully. She has started to laugh and make giggle noises (coos and ahhs). She smiles when we make funny baby noises and when she sees her mommy and daddy. Another funny thing, she's found her hands. It's so cute, she stares and just looks at her hand with amazement.

Next week, Mothers Day we will be driving out to California to baptize Sofia. The same Priest who gave both Nick and I our first communion, confirmation and married us will be baptizing our little Sofie. Having Father Tom Glynn do this really means a lot to me because he also gave Mama Chana her last rites. For me it's some sort of connection....I miss her so very much!

Over the many years Nick and I have been together we have truly felt God present in our lives. We have been blessed in so many ways with our friends, family and now with Sofia. We picked Alicia and Vincent Castro to be her God Parents. We know that they will be wonderful. They have both played such a major part in her life thus far.

The Baptism will the held at

Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church
Long Beach Ca.
May 11, 2008 @ 2:00

We will post tons of pictures in our next update. Stay posted.


Much love,

The Allens

Almost a month old!

For those of you who read this we just wanted to give an update as to how we're doing and how our baby girl is doing.

Since coming home from the hospital Sofie has been a PERFECT baby. All through my pregnancy I prayed for a baby with her demeanor. She is calm, relaxed and not "fussy" at all.

The first three weeks all she did was sleep & eat! The only problem we have experienced so far is constipation. Since I was not able to breastfeed we put Sofia on formula a few days after she was born. I learned that formula is a bit harsher to digest than breast milk and so a majority of formula fed infants do experience constipation for the first few weeks.

Feeding her is no problem...burping her is a breeze but trying to get her to "go" thats another story! We feel so helpless when we see her strain and try to "go". We have tried all the remedies...Karo syrup, rubbing her stomach, stretching her legs and even Mama Chana's home remedy of chamomile tea. We've had some success but Sofie still does not go as many times as we would like. I never thought I would say this but, all I want to do is change poopy diapers! Although, when she does go, SHE REALLY GOES! It's such a relief when Nick and I can tell each other at changing time- "we have poop"!

This has been one of my obstacles as a new mommy. We've Googled remedies, causes, and everything we could ever want to know about baby constipation! It's just one of those things that Sofia has.

So far I've learned to be patient. And to do what I think is right and listen to the advice of others but ultimately do what I think is right for our baby girl.

Other than that, Sofia is really starting to fill out. She has put on more and more weight. At our last doctors appointment she was 9 pounds 6 ounces and 22 1/2 inches long. Her hair is growing in nicely and all the newborn clothes in her closet are becoming more and more snug. We started to but her into the 0-3 month category. Carrying her around in her car seat is no longer a "light as a feather".

Her features are starting to resemble Nick and I more and more. She is slowly growing out of that "newborn look". She is really starting to move her head a lot more and is awake longer periods of time.

Although she still finds time to get in her beauty rest!

So far being a mommy has been such an amazing experience.

almost three week mark

Sofia is now two weeks old and five days old. It's amazing how her features have begun to change and her personality has started to come out. She has definitely inherited the "Mata" cheeks...which I LOVE! It's funny, each day Nick and I laugh at one of her new facial expressions or a new sound she comes up with.

Nick has really taken to his "daddy" role. He is becoming a pro at holding her, feeding her and changing those diapers.






This is one of my favorite pictures. This is what they do best!
























Sofie is still a big fan of sleeping.















Sofie celebrated her first Easter over her Nonnie and Nonno's house.
And as you can see in the picture below, they really enjoy spoiling her with gifts.

Becoming a mother has been an interesting journey so far. I am enjoying it but, must admit it has taken some getting use to.

I am EXTREMELY tired but can't wait to get up and hold her in the middle of the night.

My body is trying to get back to some what of a normal shape. My "normal" closthes don't fit but my "prego" clothes are too big! And don't even get me started on my hormones! They are nowhere near balanced! Poor Nick, he is trying to keep up with me as much as he can.

I know this stage will pass but in the meantime, all I can do is look into Sofia's eyes and thank God for her! I worked so hard and each smile I see on her face is a blessing!

She is Wonderful!

Sofie is a week and five days old today and adjusting wonderfully. She has got into some sort of a routine...well, mainly one of eating, sleeping, peeing more eating and more sleeping and pooping.

Bringing her home was such a joy and a bit nerve wrecking. Nick and I, like all parents do...drove about 20 miles under the speed limit coming home from the hospital. When we finally made it home we were welcomed by family anxious to kiss her and hug her.

Nick and I met them with hand sanitizer.

Once everyone left I found myself staring at her in amazement. I was PROUD at what we had created and what we have to look forward to in the future. All these images popped into my head. All of her "first". First step, first day of school, first cooking lesson...I just got a huge smile on my face.

Nick really enjoys feeding her. He loves to watch all the little faces she makes. It really makes my heart happy to see him hold her and love her so much.

I am so grateful to have had Sofie's Nina and cousin come and help out with getting settled in. She gave me support and advice and it felt good coming from a mother with some wisdom to me...a newbie.

Alicia is great with kids. She was able to remind me of all those home remedies that Mama Chana used on the newborn babies and showed me the things Mama Chana showed her when she was taking care of her newborn.

Trinity (a.k.a. Puddin') got to meet her cousin. These two are gonna be the way Alicia and I was growing up. Puddin' in going to me Sofie's little protector. She was already looking out for her. I have a feeling she is going to have a lot of people looking over her.

Here is Sofie and her Auntie Kalani. It's so cute, Kalani loves her so much.

SOFIE MADE IT!!!

Well, after a much anticipated arrival, she made it! Sofie really put me through a work out. After a good three and half hours of pushing and about 19 hours of "labor" I was thrilled when she finally made it to my arms.

Sofia Addison Allen-

born March 5, 2008 11:17 am

8 lbs. 1 oz

20" long and cute as can be!

Words cannot describe the feeling of giving birth. I had all of these emotions rushing through my body...and then the final pay off! I worked so hard and being able to get over the pain and see this warm little body was amazing!

Here is Sofia getting her very first sponge bath.

Here is daddy and his little pumpkin.

While in the hospital, Sofia developed a case of Jaundice. She was taken to the nursery and put under UV lights and Nick and I were only allowed in every three hours for her feeding.

In this picture you can see that her complexion turned very yellowish. The two dots on the side of here head are velcro and were used to hold in place protective eye glasses. While she was under the lights.

Nick loved getting the chance to sit and feed her, even if it was just for half an hour.

After three days in the hospital, Nick and I were able to take our little baby girl home.

Here is Sofia coming home!

Leap year day and still no baby!

Well, the 29 has come and is about to go...and yet, still no Sofie. Nick and I really wanted her to make her appearance today but she has other plans.

I'm just taking it day by day. I've finally finished work and officially begun the whole "maternity leave". I'm pretty proud of myself for hanging in there for so long. So far, I'm feeling okay. I've had some pains here and there but still nothing to get too excited about. I'm just waiting for that contraction that will send me into alert mode and begin to time them. Either that or experiencing my water breaking. Either one...will be a welcoming sign that Sofie is on her way!

Today, it was so incredibly cute...Nick told be how excited he was to meet her and how much he already loves her and yet has never even met her. My heart melted when he told me that. I know he is going to be a wonderful Daddy!


Well, we'll keep everyone posted with any new developments. let me know if you would like to be put on the "phone tree". When the time does come Nick is planning on sending out a text with all her info (weight, length and pics).


Keep us in your prayers.

The Allen's.

WATERMELON!!!

Okay, I made to week 39 of my pregnancy! This picture illustrates just how big Sofia might be. Believe me...the way I feel today, this picture hits the target!

Doctors say once you've reached "full term", baby is likely to thrive after birth. Sofia may be spending these last weeks preparing for the outside world… meaning careful refinement of the blink, suck, inhale and exhale. I've been reading about what we can expect from our snuggle bug...

Here are some neat facts about these last few days...

~Meconium, which we'll probably find in the first diaper, is accumulating in the intestines.

~During the journey out of your womb, baby will produce more stress hormones than any other time in her life.

~Sofia now has the muscles that enable her to suck and to swallow amniotic fluid.

As of my last doctors appointment last week I was 1 1/2 almost 2 cm dialated (the goal is 10) and she was effaced to stage +2 (goal being +5). So we are making some progress. I have another appointment tomorrow and we are hoping she has moved further along. Nick and I have decided to let Sofia determine when she wants to come. We're not going to try and push things...so it could be within the next five days or longer.

We appreciate everyones prayers and loving thoughts. We ask that you continue to pray for us during this time.


We'll keep you posted.

The Allens.

Sofia's New Home

This is a very special entry for the Allens. Nick and I have taken another HUGE step in our lives and will very shortly be homeowners! We found the perfect house for our soon-to-be perfect little girl.

The house we are in the process of buying in located just around the corner from her Nonni and Nonno. It's a cute 3 bedroom, two bath single family home with a fabulous kitchen for mommy.

I fell in love with this kitchen from the beginning. I love the lighting and the cabinets!

I can't wait until I can teach Sofia all about cooking... we'll roll pie dough, make pasta, roll out our cookies...and of course...

make Daddy's Gluten free stuff!

Here is a picture of our bathroom.

I'm not sure how I feel about the glass block window.

Here is a picture of the main living room wall. Nick thinks it would be cool for Sofie to have a Hot Wheels track curving the wall...I think it's Nick that wants the track!

Our view from our back yard. Superstition Mountain.

This is the main entry way leading into the family area and the kitchen. On the right, Sofie's room










Nick and I are looking forward to raising our little girl here and creating lasting memories. We can't wait until we bring her home and begin our new life...Mommy and Daddy!

Here is Daddy...our protector!