Bella Marie Allen R.I.P. 6.20. 2002 - 6.28. 2008

Today we lost our best friend Bella. She was the best dog we've ever had. She traveled with us, endured our adventures and put up with all of our antics. She had the personality of an old grumpy lady but the heart of an angel.

Bella is in a much better place now and will always be remembered for the funny things she did and the companionship she gave us. Oh, and for her snores in the middle of the night and her farts that made us gag and cleared a room.

She will forever be in our hearts and in our prayers.

We love you "Belzie".

Summertime Fun in the Sun!

Nick had his first Father's Day this year and he loved it. We celebrated a little early, Nick took Sofie and I to the comic book store. Nick can't wait until the two of them go and pick out their favorites!




Sofie had no idea what was going on but she posed for the pictures anyway.

Summer has officially started. With temperatures in the triple digits, out here we find water and find it fast! Sofia went to her Nana and Papa's house this past Father's Day for some splish splashin' fun!

Sofia LOVES the water.

She had no problems. Here she is posing on waterfall.

Sofie and her Daddy spending some quality time... The floaty was a gift from Sofie's Nonnie and Grandpa (we refer to it as Sofie's speed boat).

Daddy giving Sofie some pointers on floating

We had a great Father's Day!

After a long wait...here is the latest happenings in the Allen family-

The last time we updated the blog we were on our way to California to baptize Sofia. Well, here is the three of us crossing the Arizona California border. And our newest member of Catholic Church. Sofia looked like a little angel.

The baptism was memorable. Father Tom was gracious enough to do the service for us. I mentioned before, he performed our wedding as well as confirmed and gave both Nick and I our first communion. He is truly a saint!

Here is a picture of Angela (my cousin, faithful blog reader and commenter)!

Sofie was such a trooper! This girl was born to travel!

While we were in California we took Sofia to visit Mama Chana. We said a special prayer remembered all the fond memories we have of her.

And when we made it home. Keith sent Nick a special house warming gift...a 6 foot wall sticker of The Incredible Hulk! And here is Sofia doing her best impression of The Hulk.
Nick and Sofia can't wait to wear their matching shirts to the theater to see the movie. I think this will be one of many movies Sofie goes to see with her daddy.

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.