One Month Already!

I really can't believe that we've had little Alexa for one month.  Despite the lack of a users manual, we are


First Fourth of July

 enjoying parenthood. Day by day she seems to be more aware of her surroundings and spends more time with her eyes open, intently gazing on objects and people around her. She also continues to amaze and delight us with a myriad of facial expressions and ever gesticulating hands.

What is truly amazing is that she already has some likes and dislikes. She likes to sleep on her right side and manages to roll to her side if she is placed on her back. She does not like her hands swaddled since she sleeps with her hands curled up next to her face. She does like to be held all the time and will let me know that she is not happy when I put her down. And she is not at all startled when the dogs bark but will jump every time someone uses the ice maker. I wish I could capture every little cute squeaky noise she makes because I know it won't be long before those sounds are no more.

As for me, I am loving motherhood; even with the sleepless nights and even during the moments when nothing seems to sooth her. Each day goes by so incredibly fast which is somewhat surprising because most of my time is spent feeding, holding and taking care of her.

I'm on a mission to shape up this post baby body with a daily does of P90X or Yoga, but admittedly, it's difficult. My goal is to be in better shape than before baby by the end of October so wish me luck.

And there it is...the cry of my little one. Mommy duty never ends and I love it.

Our Little Piece of Heaven

This is a long overdue post that I have been meaning to write for days.  I figured most of you would understand as we are in awe of God's new blessing in our life.  We can't get enough!

She came into this world on Sunday, June 9th. The moment I held her, my heart filled with an immeasurable amount of love that is indescribable.

I went into the hospital at 6pm on Saturday night to start the induction process. All week, I had been praying that God would start my contractions prior to being induced. Unbeknownst to me, I was having mild contractions that were 5 minutes apart when I finally got hooked up to the monitor. I was delighted but discouraged because my cervix had not even dilated. For the rest of the night, I laid there feeling every contraction but it was not bad at all.  In the morning, they checked my cervix and it went from a pin-size opening to a punch-hole size opening so they started me on Pitocin. By 10am, my cervix had opened just enough for the doctor to break my water. And that’s when I felt pain like I’ve never experienced. I prayed through every contraction that God would help me get through it and he did by sending an angel in white. He eased my suffering with an epidural. From that point on, I was able to relax, enjoy the family who was there to celebrate this miracle. At 2pm, Alexa (“Lexi”)Rae graced the world with her presence.

 I’m enjoying motherhood to the fullest. She is such a good sleeper and has what seems to be a never-ending appetite. I’ve had some challenges with breast feeding but have found a solution by supplementing with formula. I love the times when she is awake and we engage in conversation, songs, prayers and little leg exercises. She seems to be very alert and every day she is doing something new.

There is a joy in my heart that was never there before; she adds so much to our lives and I am embracing every moment I can with her.  

I am so grateful to each of you who prayed, offered support and encouraged me through this amazing journey. As I close this chapter on pregnancy and birth, I begin the next with a prayer of thankfulness for this precious gift.

Harry, Scary and Cherry

A while back, I posted about this giant mole that was taking over the right side of my cheek.  Well, over the course of the last month, I have had two more of these beasts pop-up overnight, obviously uninvited. They settled in the most inappropriate places – the middle of my chest and on the left side of my temple just under my hairline. The problem with these types of growths is that they bleed profusely. They are called Cherry Angoimas.  Anytime I brushed my hair, I would barely bump the thing and it would bleed; same for the one growing right in the middle of my chest.  It seemed every time they bled, they grew even bigger.

Truth be told…my birthmark which is vascular in nature and all these really cool pregnancy hormones joined forces to create these large, fast growing, unsightly growths which I have comically named, Harry, Scary and Cherry.

Really, it didn’t take much for these things to start and it took much effort to get them to stop. I could have given a pint of blood with just one.

I am happy to report that I had them removed today! I am relieved to know that when my baby arrives and is placed on my chest, I won’t have to worry about it bleeding.

Perhaps this is too much information for some, but it is what it is.  I’m delighted that I can move on and I don’t have to worry about them anymore. I pray that there won’t be any more overnight appearances in these final days.



 A little over a week left and I'm doing well, bandages and all.



Hubby appearing calm

A Week of Love and Loss

I’ve been grieving this past week for my cousin who lost her 28 week old baby girl to what I understand to be an umbilical cord accident.  My heart aches for her and her family and I’ve been praying that God will give my cousin strength to make it through each day.  

There are so many sad thoughts that keep creeping into my mind... I try not to think about what it must have been like for her to deliver her stillborn baby, but I do.  I can’t begin to comprehend the roller-coaster of emotions and feelings she is experiencing right now; the emptiness in my heart for the loss of baby Olivia is often overwhelming. 

Babies are the purest and most innocent of us all. Death seems so wrong. It is unnatural and unwanted. There is no disputing this. Though none of us will understand why, I find comfort in knowing that God does not view death as an end, but rather as the beginning, because death in this world is merely the doorway into His.

God wraps these tiny babies in His unending love, heals them of all pain and deformity, wipes every tear from their eyes, and assures them of His love and the love of their parents.

And so begins another day…

I must say that I’ve been truly blessed again by the love of family and friends. My sister-in-law, Sheila put together a small, mostly family, baby shower for me and our baby girl. I received some wonderful gifts and enjoyed the delicious food and the time spent together.

Then a very kind individual from my work planned a surprise baby shower one afternoon for me. And I was very surprised! Everyone in our department came together in the conference room and gobbled up all the delicious food and desserts. It was very thoughtful of everyone to acknowledge our baby. 

My coworkers see me every day and always express excitement about the upcoming event and also concern when I’m struggling to get through the day, which isn’t too often. I appreciate their support and encouragement and I’ve enjoyed hearing stories of their experience with pregnancy and labor.

Today marks 36 weeks. I’m in my office finishing up a proposal that needs to be sent on Monday. I do feel a bit overwhelmed with my workload right now-I have several deadlines and projects due in the next three weeks that I keep praying our baby stays put for the remaining 4 more weeks.  If she decides to grace us with her presence early, I will be there to welcome her (haha)! 

Despite the normal aches and pains that come with pregnancy, I’m doing well. Our little girl is moving so much which I still find strange but at the same time, love. I’m so thankful!

Oh So Animated

Happy Girl

 The one good thing about having a baby in your forties is that you have more ultra sounds.  I just had our 32 week ultra sound which was amazing.  I could have stayed in the room all day watching my baby girl kick, open her eyes, and suck her fingers. She was wide awake and moving all around during the process.

 

Pouting

The ultra sound tech was fascinated by her expressions that she took a total of 15 pictures for us to keep rather than the 3 or 4 that most people receive. 

Everything measured perfect, she had plenty of fluid between her and the uterus and her heartbeat was nice and strong.  My Doctor said she had no reason to believe I would have any difficulties in the coming weeks and that I should be able to have a successful vaginal birth.  

Sucking Fingers

When she was done with all of the measurements, she estimated that our baby was approximately 4 pounds, 4 ounces.  Assuming at this point that the babies grows 1/2 pound every week, she estimated that our baby would be about 7 1/2 pounds at birth, give or take a half a pound.  I was so relieved to hear that.

Our next ultra sound is at the end of May and then we get to have one every week thereafter until I deliver. This helps my Doctor confirm that the baby is growing on track and to confirm that there are no issues with the placenta. 

Eyes Open

 

Sweet Smile

I wish you could see my facial expressions as I sit here and think about the fact that we only have seven weeks to go...

Showered with Love and Friendship!

7 1/2 months

This past weekend was one I will look back on and remember always. I spent a weekend in San Diego with the most amazing friends a person can have. Friday started with a quick visit to see my friend Cindy who just recently gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. I am so glad I had time to sit with her and get her insight and recommendations on taking care of a newborn. Then I was off to my old job (which I loved) TD Ameritrade to have lunch with a couple of my previous co-workers.

 

I have only great things to say about this company and only amazing things to say about the people who work there. I truly miss them!  Upon my arrival, I was escorted to the lunch room to find a large group of ladies who took time out of their crazy schedules to shower me and my baby with love. 

Sally Sotelo

What a wonderful surprise and it meant so much for me to be able to spend a little time with a great group of women. I loved all the gifts and truly value my friendships with each of these ladies. My dear friend Sally Sotelo planned this surprise event and it really made me feel special.  

Friday night, I had dinner with my amazing nephew Steven. He is working for TD Ameritrade and at 21 is making a great salary and making great strides to becoming a leader. I’m so proud of him and what he has accomplished in such a short time. 

Saturday was the main event and I couldn’t wait for it to get here. My sweet, and dearest friend Kim, went above and beyond to throw me a beautiful baby shower. She asked me months ago if I would be interested in having a baby shower in San Diego since most of my long-time friends lived there. I couldn’t agree more. And what a baby shower it was! I was blessed abundantly in so many ways. It was such a blessing to be able to share this occasion with women I admire and cherish.  What remarkable women you are and I am honored you call me friend.

Sherri & her daughter Lexi

Ana

 

Vera & Tanya

Tiffany

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Karen

Kim

 I can’t thank Kim enough for hosting the shower, for her hospitality and for being my rock throughout the last five years. She is a great mother and I hope I can be as patient and loving as she is to her beautiful daughter Taylor.      

Kim & Taylor-smiling

Sunday, I met up with two very brilliant ladies for brunch. It was so great to catch up and reminisce about the old times and to discuss future possibilities. Thank you, Angela and Tanya.

I then made my way to Ana and Craig’s house for a “family” BBQ. This is where I spent many days, nights, and weekends when I lived in San Diego. Ana and Craig have always been there for me and everyone. Anyone who enters their house is considered family. I cherish the many memories –trips to Cabo, Palm Springs, Vegas, LA, San Francisco, and those many summer nights walking down to the beach to watch the sunset.

And here we were, all of us together having a BBQ to celebrate a new addition to the family. We played Baby Pictionary  - guys versus the girls -  and as I always do; I laughed the entire day. 
 

I cannot event imagine where I would be today were it not for my friends. Through life’s ups and downs, we’ve laughed, we’ve cried, celebrated life’s milestones; and of course, gathered together to enjoy good company and wine.  Our baby girl is very blessed to have so many people who already love her so much. 

“The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.” - Elizabeth Foley