Amira and her Kuwaiti Cousins
In preparation for Cousin Kiira’s 1st Birthday, we got all of the Kuwait Cousins together to take some pictures. It was quite the fiasco trying to get all four kids to stay still long enough to take a picutre. It actually took two mommies, two nannies, and one fantastic, fast-action camera to get these pictures. It was the first time I used Paulo’s fancy camera for something like this and am quite proud of how the pictures turned out. 
Now I understand why child photographers make so much money!!!
Special thanks to Amira & Tate Valenza, our nanny Mina, Kiira Ghosn, her nanny Chintha, and Aidan Cauley for being such willing participants. And also to Jennifer Cauley and Paulo for all of their help.
http://www.valenzalife.com/flv/With%20the%20Kuwait%20Cousins.flv
Amira Meets Tate
She couldn’t have been any cuter!
Amira was extremely gentle and well behaved - thank God - as she held Tate for the first time. Enjoy these photos of Amira as she meets her baby brother for the first time. We’ve even included a short video for you to watch.
Even though this video is all about Amira meeting Baby Tate, half way through this song you’ll hear a great song called “Son of Mine”. This provides a perfect backdrop for a very tender moment as I hold Amira and Tate in my arms. Everything this song says is true for me and my new son. Thanks Ralston Bowls for such a great song!
Ralston is a personal friend of mine and you can learn more of Ralston’s great music by heading to site.
Our New Addition
What a great day. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. It was a smooth delivery that took only 3 pushes during one contraction. We tried to get our family up on iChat for a video conference but it happened so quickly no one made it. That’s alright though. We have great photos and video of his birth.
After much thought, we decided on two names that carry significant meaning to us. Paulo’s close friend way back from High School is Mike Tatu. He has really been there for us all the way and is a creative and godly man. It is with great honor that our son’s name is inspired by him.
Laurence is the first name of Paulo’s favorite Jazz piano player, Laurence Hobgood. He plays for Kurt Elling, Paulo’s most favorite singer ever. If you really know Paulo, you’ll know Elling and Hobgood! Larry is also the name of Karin’s step-dad who has been there for her throughout the years.
http://www.valenzalife.com/flv/Tate's%20Birth.flv
Born March 24, 2009 10:40 am
Weight: 3.18 kg
Height: 50 cm
Blue eyes, brown hair
Sneak peak at my baby brother… but I still stole the show…
Today we all went to the doctors to look at my baby brother, although all we did was stare at a computer screen. The doctor kept pointing at the screen saying “look there’s his head”. I don’t know what he was thinking - that didn’t look like a head to me!
After that, Grandma and I walked downstairs in the lobby of the hospital. They had a nice Asian lady who was playing some kind of instrument with strings and sticks. She let me sit next to her and color. And then, she actually gave me the stick and I got to make music! It sounded really good.
Later Daddy told me this instrument is called a yangqin 扬琴 a Chinese hammered dulcimer.
