Brsian's 1st Birthday

Today, September 20th marks a very special day. One year ago, Brisan arrived in our lives. Besa became a big sister, I fell in love with boys, Ben become a “man” by Albanian standards. Half of the grandparents felt complete and will no longer keep pestering us to have more children since we accomplished our duties by giving birth to a boy. The other half of the grandparents, AKA the cool ones, are just happy to have another healthy and good-looking grandchild.

On Sunday, we celebrated the big day with a Birthday Party filled family and friends. Our good friend Florika was gracious enough to let us reserve her condominium’s cabana which allowed lots of extra room for the kids. They did their thing and the adults enjoyed some good food and each-other’s company.

Brisan took all the attention in. His cousin Elaizia even proposed to him. “ Brisan! I would love to be married to you, will you marry me?” I somehow think this will be Brisan’s life pattern.
So girls, line up!

The weather could have been nicer but after many years in the NW, my expatiations for nice weather have dropped to the lowest levels. Any ray of sunlight is perceived as a gift now. The biggest gifts however, are not measured in anyway or form and they are our kids, Besa and Brisan. Happy BD our Baby! To a happy and fulfilling life.

2 Years later.....We are back. Here to more postings

I feel obligated to return to my blog even if it is almost 2 years later. Brisan is turning 1 year old in just a few days and i feel guilty for not posting anything about his amazing 1st year. What's left of my free time during the day from here on will be spent blogging about the day. How else am i to remember how crazy life feels unless i go back to read about it and than my new face wrinkles become rightfully justified. At a year old Brisan has grown to be an amazing child from every aspect.

Considering everything that has happened in the last year, Brisan has has helped us look ahead in life. Life seemed like it stopped about a year ago with my brother Krenar passing. I don't think i can ever believe he is no longer with us. He is a part of my life daily and is shaping very much how i value life, what i want from it and how to be a better person, wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend. Life is truly too short and i never want to regret a moment.

With my parents living with us most of the time, we have tried to do as many things together as we can. Summer this year was extremely short but it will be well remembered. Almost every weekend we went out of town. We started camping and started to like it a lot although learned that planning in advance makes it easier. Amazingly, the kids really like camping despite the destruction in the regular routine. Our last camping attempt was in lake Chelan only to learn that spots get reserved a year in advance. Instead, we stayed a Springhill hotel in Wenatchee which is just a half hour drive to the lake. Besa had her BFF Angelina with her so she was well entertained. My parents just loved the heat including me. On the way back we spent the day in Leavenworth which is packed with tourists as always. The day was beautiful. We enjoyed the many activities, people swimming in the river and talking long walks. A full day of playing paid off especially when we headed back. It took less than 5 minutes in the car for both kids to fall asleep and stay that way for the entire trip back to Burien. Probably the easiest drive we've had for as long as we can remember.

This weekend we spent at home to do some much needed work around the house and take some much needed long naps. Brisan has only cut 4 teeth thus far which means that he is having a hack of a time with the process. During the day he does really well and takes amazing long naps. At night is a different story. If he wakes up less than 3 times a night is a good night. Many nights we sleep with him to spare us of the picking up and putting him down 5-6 times a night. I know this phase shall pass but at the moment it means that i am very much sleep deprived. The espresso shots do help and i just can't complain. With my parents here, i get to sleep in a couple of days in the week, go on date nights with Ben more often than most couples can and have a piece of mind that we there is always someone home if needed. Life is good and we are enjoying every minute of it. I have the most amazing kids, husband, parents and family. I want nothing more but good health for everyone.

Long Time No Post

Let’s see. Besa is now 15 months old and having a very hard time with teething. Mum agrees that it is like Father like daughter case. Her gums are not as tough as Ben’s and it did not require dentist intervention to open them for the teeth to come through but they are making our lil girl very uncomfortable. Teething is making her lose appetite which she never had much to begin with. There was a week which she survived only on milk. We felt helpless. Oh.. I wish she could just take from me when it comes to food : )

Better weather is coming and we can hardly wait to truly enjoy being outdoors which is heaven for Besa.

Yay! One Year Old!

As promised, my posing are getting very rare.
At least there is lot's of changes to write about. Since my last post, Besa is now walking and very eager to do it without help. We recently enrolled her for Coop Pre-School and the class we attend is only one day a week for about 2 hours. It is great at seeing her interact with other kids her age and learn how to be herself without hurting others. She gets special attention from everyone since happens to be the youngest.

The last week and half or so have been especially hard since we decided that once she reached one year old, she was ready for rules and handle us being tough. And... tough we were. First, we had to loose the pacifier which she had gotten addicted to. She would have been just fine with using for a little longer but the longer she did the harder for us. Sleep training was the hardest however. As a nonbeliever of the cry it out method, i must say that works only if consistent like with everything else in life. The tough week is over with now and she goes to sleep so much easier and sleeps through the night.

It is almost end of January and it is so nice to see the days get longer and sunnier. it takes only this little to make me stop obsessing with the idea of moving to a sunny place. If anything comes good of global worming, would be to give us California's wether.

Welcome to AC Model & Talent

Welcome to AC Model & Talent

11 Month Old! The older the busier!

Proof of being busy is lack of writing on this blog. It is good busy though. Besa is now almost walking, saying mama, drita, ( light ) gives us kisses with her mouth open though and climbs stairs like a hiker.
This week has been amazing and it must be a growth spurt because she’s eating pretty much anything we offer her, takes long naps during the day and sleeps thru the night. It such a nice phase that we know won’t be for long since we are still waiting for the teething to start. My mum has been gone one week now and our Indian’s friend mother comes to the house and takes care of her. Luckily she is the same age as my mum and just as sweet so the change was super easy. They bonded from day one.
The Holidays are here and off to shopping. The waiting lines are killing me.

Obama Girl

She picked up the newspaper herself : )
We don't talk politics with her yet but she knows who she likes. We will take her suggestion.
Besa is baby no more. She's figured out how to demand attention but has not outsmarted us out yet. Distraction works like a charm. Give her any cellphone and she will forget about bumping her head in a split of a sec. Our house is always messy and Ben has finally come to terms that it will be like that for a awhile. Thanksgiving is right around the corner and we are going to Omak. Every holiday now will the first one so we will make every effort to spend it with family. Nothing like a first. First Christmas, First Birthday, First valentines and on and on.
Our latest news is that my little brother living in Italy has been granted a tourist visa for a year. He come December 20th to meet Besa and stay for about a month. We are so excited. We have not seen him in 3 over 3 years. The americans at the embassy have not been very nice but finally they were convinced that he does not intend to stay here illegally.