.

Date night

2012-03-26T10:39:00.001-07:00

Ahhh date night. My wife and I don't get very many of these with out baby girl, which we don't mind, but it's nice to have time for just the two of us sometimes we get to talk to each other and enjoy alone time.
We went to old Chicago, I had a salad and chicken Mac n cheese it was yummy and Tiffany had steak I think it was ok because she didn't boast about it but she ate it. We each had a drink I had a sunset something it was fruity of course and babe had a crown royal and coke her signature drink. We enjoyed our time together and we are thankful for nana and poppy watching her.

MIA

2012-02-23T21:49:00.001-07:00

I know I know I've been gone its been a long time since I last filled you in. There is so much going Reina is growing so fast, I am starting school in two weeks, we are looking to buy a house, I am booking more photo shoots! I am super excited about it all but super nervous too.

Reina is so smart! She can already pull herself up on things and I think she may just skip crawling she goes it but very rarely she rather be up. She recognizes Mickey mouse on the tv and claps quietly when she sees him. She is getting better on the car she doesn't cry as much. She knows where the baby's are in the books she laughs when she sees them.

I am very nervous about school I am taking 3 classes and I feel like that's a lot but with receiving financial aid you have to have a minimum of 6 credits so I'm stuck. I know I can do it I just have to get down to business. I will update you all for sure.

About the house this is a love hate thing. I love the idea of getting a house and hate they we have to move in with my parents.. There is no room for us all and our stuff it's hard

I have more to say but I'm going to get to bed night night

XOXO,

Ally

Restaurant Review: Tacos Atoyac

2012-01-11T15:42:00.001-07:00

So my wife and I really love mexican food and especially little hole in the wall places. My mom had found Tacos Atoyac in the Phoenix magazine, and pointed it out. With Tiffany working so much we hadn't had time to go but my mom and I have and we are in love!!!

Reina loves their coke in a bottle!

my mom trying to figure out the camera haha

Their Guacamole sauce is delicious and spicy too its a perfect addition to their $1 tacos!

My mom got one lengua taco which she said was great!

My mom got their fish tacos which she fell in love with

I got the chicken tacos and I have to admit I have not tried anything else because when I find something I really like I tend to not change it up but I plan on trying something new next time!

They also give you a side of onions and peppers that are to die for! These onions are seriously grilled to perfection! I even got extra last time and ate some by themselves!

Our whole spread. AMAZING!

I took a few pictures of the inside so you could see its very simple which I like they focus more on creating a welcome atmosphere with talking to you and making you feel relaxed rather than have a lot of overhead non-sense. Its great! Dan (one of the owners) is so warm, and welcome he really knows how to make you feel comfortable.

I love churros they are one of my favorite desserts (my sister and I are churro snobs) and they really know how to make them taste great! The sauce is the icing on the cake! ;)

I really give them a thumbs up and 5 stars they are overall great!

XOXO,

Ally

40's style waves

2012-01-10T14:53:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to do a 40's inspired soft waves on my sister since she has been growing her hair out. It so long! I finally got to do so and we even got to make a tutorial on it. So if you have been wanting to see how to achieve this look, look no further...

This was before!

And after! She looks gorgeous!

I didn't take a step by step picture tutorial but I did make a video

Hope you enjoyed!!

XOXO,

DIY camera bag

2012-01-06T17:05:00.002-07:00

This is how I converted my ugly, plain camera bag into a cute and fashionable one!
I used the Nikon camera bag that came with my camera as seen below

So I converted that bag into this one!

Step 1:
Empty out the entire bag

Step two:
Cut off the flap on top with the yellow trim

I cut as close as I possibly can (there are a few bits left but I'm not worried about it)

If you wanted to get closer you could use a actual razor blade

Step 3:
Cut off the strap (you can leave this on if you want to be able to remove your bag and carry it around set I however did not need to)

Step 4:
Remove clips from front of bag

I chose to take these off by just undoing the strap rather than cut it off in-case I needed to re-attach them for another reason.

Step 5:
Grab your bag (make sure the size is right)
and clean it out completely

Step 6:
Insert the black bag into your bag of choice

Step 7:

Insert spacers to best fit your items

Step 8:

Add all of your camera(s) and accessories!

I tried to label everything so you could see how much extra room I had and I still have plenty of room to add other things.

Hope you enjoyed this post!!

XOXO,

Big girl

2012-01-05T11:22:00.003-07:00

Reina Jean is just shy of 6 months but she sure isn't acting like it (acting older). Today she had a huge moment and crawled a little bit on her hands AND knees!! She has been doing the army crawl for about 4-5 weeks and she just finally got up on her knees and moved forward a bit. It's still a bit shakey but she will get better I am so happy and excited!! My little baby girl is growing up so fast!!

This was just one of videos I caught I hope you all enjoy I was soo thrilled I almost cried!
I love my baby girl and she is growing up so fast!

XOXO,

First Christmas

2011-12-28T20:14:00.000-07:00

Christmas was so much fun I couldn't have asked for a better first Christmas for Reina. She had so much fun, and even opened a ton of presents on her own. Reina is also sitting up on her own and has been for about a month now! She is getting so big and growing up so fast! She is just about to turn 6 months, January 9th, and I can't believe it!!

Mom and Reina by the tree

Reina loves opening gifts!

Yay a book!!

Hanging out with Aunty J and Uncle J

Aunty J

Reina laying on her present

Reina loves her christmas trees

Mama and Reina

Mom, Reina and Mama

Our very own Hallmark Card

My girls

Yay!! I love clothes

eating bows is so much fun

Mom, my hair is a mess don't take that picture!

My loves

Mom stop talking open the present

Me, Raegan (our Niece), Reina and Tiffany

Reina and her cousins

Reina opening her Christmas eve present

Christmas eve pajamas!

MOMMYS, I'm TIRED!!

Meeting her Uncle Willie for the first time!

It was so sweet then her put her in a basket

She wanted to put on my ear muffs

I hope you all enjoyed a peek into just a few of the pictures we took of Reina's first Christmas.
I hope you all had a wonderful and spectacular holiday!!

Photography

2011-12-09T12:02:00.001-07:00

Today I bring you a post from my other blog

http://neverendingmomentsphoto.blogspot.com/2011/12/happiest-time-of-year-glendale-family.html

Halloween {a little late}

2011-11-16T15:05:00.001-07:00

So I know I am WAYYY late but I just wanted to show you just a few photos from halloween Reina had a great day and it was fun dressing up hehe

Sowwy

2011-10-22T14:55:00.002-07:00

Hey lovelies!

So I had it all planned out I was going to write a nice big blopost with great pictures for you and guess what wifey had to take the camera to work and I forgot to upload any pics so I could update you all.

I am sowwy (sorry)! Anyway I guess I shall update you on other news. Tiffany and I have been discussing and tossing around the idea of me homeschooling Reina. I really love the idea and wifey does too. You may be thinking its to early to worry about that but I disagree! I want to be fully prepared and have all the knowledge I can before the time comes.

I love my daughter and I want her to have the best education she can have and I feel I can give that to her I know a lot of you are probably saying "wait what about her social activities?!" There are plenty of groups and other mothers who homeschool that I can get together with and also she will be in other activites such as sports and ballet etc. I also don't want to limit her to other kids her same age she may not relate to them as well as she would relate to kids of other ages as well. There are so many different reasons I have for wanting her to be homeschooled and not go to public school.

Also a fun thing for me will be decorating a room or area of the house for her to be taught in and Tiffany came up with a good idea to teacher her outside, I love that idea and I think what I will do is teach different subjects outside to make it more fun.

these are a few rooms I like I LOVE the organization!!

I also want to keep it fun and do things that she will look back on and remember she loves! I want to use things that are in everyday life that she will use and relate to in life. The only thing I am worried about is when she gets to like high school level. But I will conquer that once I get closer to that.

I have so many ideas for things to do I need to right them down as they come to me! I have a notebook I am going to start with ideas and a list of things I can slowly buy to put in a bin to save for when the time comes to start the schooling. I think we are going to keep it pretty structured as far as having set times and planning out weeks and things like that.

I hope she enjoys it, loves it and has enthusiasm for it!

XOXO,

JEWELRY LINE

2011-10-06T13:00:00.000-07:00

I recently have started making jewelry in order to help support my family and with the newest addition I can't necessarily leave the house at the moment. I would really like your support and suggestions when it comes to this so I will let you see a few items and also PLEASE GO CHECK OUT MY SHOP!!! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ReinaJean

Let me know what you think!!

XOXO,

Weight loss

2011-10-05T12:20:00.000-07:00

So I haven't really told many people but I am working on a plan to get super fit. (lol I have to laugh a little bit when I say that) Basically I am working with a body builder to get back into shape and its really working so far. I have been at this for just about 2 weeks and I have already lost 9lbs I started at 127lbs and now I am at 118lbs! Its so great and its not messing with my milk so I can still feed baby!

I really have a love hate relationship with the diet part of the change lol I have had to eliminate a lot of things I love the first and mainly being carbs oh how I miss my delicious carbs! But most of the time its not such a big deal just when I get the craving.

Anyway I am going to get with my trainer on Sunday so we can get a weight lifting routine together. I am a little nervous not because I'll be weight lifting but I actually will have to commit to a gym which I don't like to do because I am not sure I will like that particular gym.. SO POO!

I am going to add a few pictures and I am very hesitant to do so especially the one from right after having the baby but I want to share my journey with you all.

I HAVE A TON OF TONING UP TO DO AND THIS HAS JUST BEEN WEIGHT LOSS SO ANY WAY HERE ARE THE PHOTOS

I can say that I am proud of myself for losing all the baby weight plus 9lbs under I only have a little more to go to my goal weight and definitely a long way to go on toning but I am overall like I said proud and I am happy I am sticking with it.

To me the picture above shows a lot of difference and change I have learned my weak spot (my belly) and figured out my strength is my arms they are easy for me to tone. I have learned more about nutrition and about my self control and my own weakness. Also I am wanting to help others in their own weight loss journey what ever it may be for!

XOXO,

2011-09-28T17:27:00.000-07:00

Aunty J and Reina

She makes the most adorable faces

I love to capture each one :D

She likes to smirk a lot

Reina loves to cuddle mama

Sometimes she sleeps in her bouncer....

like a goofball!

She poses too

Night night

XOXO,

A Huge-Ton O' Pictures!!

2011-09-24T14:35:00.000-07:00

Reina at her first picnic!!

From our 2nd date night

My wife looks sexy!

Good morning!!

she's got bright eyes

Cranky sleepy

My girls

She really does have so many faces shes full of character

Sitting in a big chair!

she is truely a happy baby

this is her tired face

She loves watching football in her Cardinals onsies she has 3 (i think) so far

I love this face she is soo precious!!

She is now wearing cloth diapers every so often I would like to use them all the time but Tiffany is not comfortable yet

She loves to fall asleep close to me

Aunt Ari took a break to say hey to Reina

she loves the headband I made her!

Aunty Jen just loves Reina

Playing around on her playmat

She had her hands in her pockets watching tv!!

mom playing around!

She is adorable in her little overalls!

Another cloth diaper

Again another cloth diaper she really seems to like them

Look at these adorable little sockie shoes they are also rattles!!

She wanted me to come closer

mommy loves playing with baby girl

She was staring at herself in the plastic mirror she loves it!

I am in love with this onesie old school mickey!!

My favorite cloth diaper from Happy Heiny LEOPARD PRINT!

again aunty jen!!

she loves to relax and kick back

She actually let me get ready!

she's got such great faces she's thinking "huh why?"

XOXO,

When Reina was 2 months 4 days!!

2011-09-23T17:04:00.000-07:00

I can't believe my baby girl is 2 months already! I really feels like just yesterday I was still pregnant time has flown by so fast. I love her so much its unimaginable! I love being a mama more than anything, it is the most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life. I have been meaning to do outfit posts but its hard to get some photos of my outfits because I'm always holding Reina. She loves to be cuddled and held right now so I am going to get as much as I can cause I know it wont last forever. I have enjoyed these 2 months so much its unreal I am so in love with our little angel.

Yesterday she got her first round of shots and she was not a happy camper she screamed her head off and then calmed down but around 6 o'clock she got really fussy and her thighs were red and swollen it was horrible we had to give her some infant Tylenol and she calmed down she is now back to her happy normal self thank goodness! She was so upset it was almost enough to make me cry.

I can honestly say I have been exhausted, stressed, and on my last nerve. Not with Reina but just from life with a new baby in general. But I would not change anything for the world I love my life and lifestyle that I couldn't imagine anything else I am so blessed to be a stay at home mommy I hope I can continue to do so for many many months. (hopefully minimum a year)

Anyway I just want to know what you all want to know about...

XOXO,

Baby Girl is growing so fast!

2011-09-23T13:00:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe its already been over two months!! Its insane!

I love being a mommy and I know I keep saying that but its so true. It's completely unreal how rewarding it is. Even when I am exhausted and she wants to be up and play, just a simple look at her little face is enough to give me the will to keep going.

We went to get baby girls shots when she was two months and a few days old and she was not happy but we did find out she was 10 lbs 5oz and 22" long! I cannot believe she has grown sooo much since she was born!

So I will add quite a few photos to this post and hope you enjoy!

Below: Reina with her mom and the worlds 2nd largest bear...POLAR BEAR!!

Reina and her mom watching Sunday Football!!

still watching football reina loves to sit up

I can't believe this once was super huge on her and now its close to being too small

Theres a few of these because she makes so many cute faces

She loves to smile and I love it too!

This was the second time we tried to go on a date night with Reina this time was way more successful!

She loves to do this we call it magic flying baby

She loves to sleep on our chest.

She also likes to sleep in just her diaper

in her Auntie's no 1 onesie!!

She's starting to not like being in her carseat :S

So she really enjoys football would'a known?

These are my favorite pjs!

She looks so adorable when she sleeps

She loves to hog the bed

Shes a goofy goober :D

I hope you enjoyed these adorable pictures there will be many many more to come!

XOXO,

Feeling tall

2011-08-12T16:07:00.000-07:00

SHIRT: FOREVER21

SHORTS: THRIFT STORE

SHOES: EBAY

EARRINGS: FOREVER21

Funday!

2011-08-07T17:25:00.004-07:00

Sundays!! I love sundays it marks the beginning of my wifes "weekend", it's a nice relaxing day, and well its just fun! This morning however did not start out so fun Rae Rae was not having a good time last night through the am her stomach haas been bothering her she's had a lot of gas and it makes her very cranky. She was up about every hour to hour and a half. So I got no sleep. She didn't want to eat she was just trying to pass her gas.

I have been doing a certain massage on her to help her relieve it and it really seems to be working! She also really likes the massaging too. She is spoiled already getting massages. So the other day I was just brushing up on my photography taking some shots of Rae and she sucked her thumb for the first time! It was so cute! She did it that night again on the bath! (she loves baths by the way) how flipping exciting!

Wifey had to work ealry this morning and she got home around 11:30am and now we are just relaxing watching Law & Order: SVU. Its our favorite show to watch, we don't have cable so we just watch netflix, and hulu.

I have learned to do my makeup one handed while holding my baby girl. Its definately a longer process but she is happy and I get to feel pretty!

btw breastfeeding is going great!

She also slept the entire time I washed my brushes too!!

I hope you all have enjoyed these few quick posts I've been doing when I get the chance.

XOXO,

2011-08-06T19:36:00.001-07:00

So I've been trying to gather some inspiration. I really want to do some outfit of the day posts but there are a few things holding me back.. what do you think?

3 weeks 4 days old!!

2011-08-03T13:17:00.002-07:00

So baby girl is just over 3 weeks old!! I cannot believe it!! My wife and I were talking about how time has flown. My mom had been staying with us and helping me around the house and with Raisin (Reina's nickname). Its been great. I pump some breast milk during the day when I have time then my mom wakes up with her and feeds her at night. Tiffany needs all the sleep she can get with working full time and the baby its a lot.

But my mom has gone home and again we are on our own. Two nights ago it was a little long night she was waking up every 2 hours to eat and was super fussy. I think she is having a hard time passing her bowl movements she is still having them they just seem like she is working harder to get them. She really likes her baths and last night we gave her a warm bath and massage to help her poop easier and it worked she pooped in the bath! It was pretty gross but at least it was a bit easier for her to get it out.

I am constantly looking at her and I am just so amazed how beautiful, tiny, and how much I love her. I have really enjoyed watching my wife be a mother to our little Raisin its truly rewarding. My favorite part of this week had been when I laid her down on her play mat and turned on the spin/twirl mode on they toys above her and she focused on one and watched it go around for a good long time! Plus she's started making cute noises like oooh-ing and ahhh-ing. Well I guess I've loved everything about this week because I enjoy being able to spend this time with her. And I want to soak it up because I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to.

So here are some pictures I've taken over the past week:

XOXO,

My baby girl

2011-07-27T18:43:00.000-07:00

Reina Jean Alexander is here!!!

She was born 7-9-11
Weighing- 6lbs 7oz
Height- 18 inches

She is absolutely perfect in everyway possible and she is amazing. I love being a mother more than I ever imagined and I have also enjoyed watching my wife be a mother.

My mom has been a wonderful grandma and my sister a great, aunt. Everyone has just been so great around her its amazing. I am going to post quite a few photos of her on this blog so let the craziness ensue....

I love my little angel she is my everything. I have been trying to soak up as much of this time as possible that is why I haven't been posting as much but I plan on trying to make a little time to blog soon.

XOXO,

Induction thoughts

2011-07-07T13:25:00.000-07:00

I have been really thinking about what my doctor said. I have been doing a ton of research on induction and really weighing out my options. Tiffany and I really want our doctor there. I haven't met any other doctors in the practice so I don't know who I would get if I don't choose to induce.

Tiffany is for the induction and I'm still up in the air. I really just don't know what to do I am super nervous and anxious when I think about the induction, but I am also getting pretty uncomfortable and its hot. I also want to see my baby girl now. (I can wait)

If I do get induced then it would be this Friday. What do you all think? Should I induce? Risk not having my doctor there? Go naturally? Please comment and let me know.

XOXO,

39 weeks 2days Doctor Appointment

2011-07-06T17:22:00.000-07:00

So I just got back from my doctors appointment today. My doctor is on call on Friday at the hospital so she said if she wanted to I can do a induction since she will be gone next week!! That news totally freaked me out. I really really like my doctor and I want her to be the one to deliver Reina. I really don't want to be induced but I don't want to have another doctor deliver. I am nervous about that everyone keeps saying don't be nervous and don't worry about who is going to deliver her etc.

I am sorry but this is my first pregnancy and my first labor and delivery so I am going to be nervous and anxious and all of that. I haven't made up my mind about induction or anything, Tiffany and I haven't discussed this yet so that is what we will do.

But more about the appointment, I am almost 2cm dilated and 70% effaced. My doctor gave me a membrane sweep! I was very excited she did so but it was super uncomfortable. It wasn't super like painful per say it was more like a pressure pain. It was very very high up there and she did a sweep quite a few times around. I did cramp a little bit on the car ride home but nothing major. I have had a few braxton hicks since then soon but again nothing major.

I am now drinking some red raspberry leaf tea to try to help with the contractions and keeping them regular and trying to increase them and get them to be more consistant. I will be walking later once it gets cooler, and I will be doing a ton of standing sitting forward to put pressure on the cervix, and also sitting/bouncing on the yoga ball as well.

My sister took me to my appointment because like I said this was one of the appointments Tiffany couldn't make. It wasn't as bad as I thought but I was getting really nervous before the appointment and after the membrane sweep I was a bit sweaty.

Any who I took a few pics of my sissy and I so enjoy!! And wish me labor!!!!!!

Ok so sorry I got photo happy there anyway hope you enjoyed the post I'll post tomorrow.

XOXO,

Face time!!!!

2011-07-06T12:43:00.000-07:00

So this morning I decided to put on mask, not just any mask a strawberry homemade beauty mask!

To make this mask you will need:

1 tsp lemon juice

2 egg whites

3 tsp honey

1 cup strawberries

Then you basically Mash or blend all the ingredients. Smooth over face.
Let it stay for 10 minutes.(or however long you want) Then rinse.

The "recipe" says its enough for two people but I cut it in half and still have a ton left!

It doesn't smell gross or like eggs or anything in fact all I can smell is the strawberries. Its a little bit sticky if you happen to touch something with your face but it shouldn't be a problem.

As it dried I could feel it getting tighter but not an uncomfortable feeling, in fact it feels very refreshing even when its dry.

So after rinsing it off, my face feels super duper soft and fresh!! I thought it might be a little dry because of the honey but its not!

All in all I love this mask and I plan on doing it again and again in the future.

My doctors appointment isn't until later on this afternoon so I think I might do another post for that later! You might get lucky and have two posts today who knows!!

Hope you enjoyed!!

XOXO,

2011-07-05T19:47:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I turned 39 weeks and I am still super ready to have her. Today we went to the doctors office, this time we had to go to a different office luckily it was an ultrasound not an exam. The BPP was great everything was still 8/8 she's doing great she was giving the tech a little bit of trouble she wasn't wanting to move around and they are wanting to make sure she can move around. She finally did and like I said everything is fine.
My amniotic fluid was down since last time it was at 10cm and now its at 8.1cm the tech said that was still good but I was wondering if maybe the decrease in fluid means maybe labor is close? I don't know.

Again the tech was saying she thought I would go into labor soon! So that's exciting!!! After we went to the appointment Tiffany and I decided to go see a movie we went to see "Bad Teacher". I really don't like Cameron Diaz sorry but she is not my favorite actress at all. Anyway it was a pretty decent movie there were some pretty funny parts in it.

Being 39 weeks in the middle of summer is getting pretty exhausting. It's so hot, and it really is tiring and already being anemic its hard to not be tired. I have been really good lately and drinking a ton of water helps, except at night then I am up constantly having to get up to pee.

Wifey and I had a little bit of a photoshoot today so here are the photos.....

I also took a few photos of the belly

I am feeling so huge and I have got a few stretch marks I am not happy about it but I am trying to ignore them. I am hoping that they won't be so prominent once I get back into shape.

Hope you all enjoyed!!

XOXO,