Back to blogging

Hi there,

Life has changed a lot in the last three years. Actually that is an understatement. It has changed more than I thought it ever would. I didn't think 3 years after having my daughter, I'd be sitting here in my brother's old room where I now sleep.

I have moved into my parent's house with my 2 kids (Walker is now 9 months) and when Wyatt isn't in training or a deployment, he's here on the weekends.

Yes, now I have two kids. Little Walker joined us March 31st at 11:37pm at night. He was early, he couldn't wait to meet us.

However, the biggest change was moving in here because Wyatt and I have been on our own for the last 7 years. Now we've been here a couple of weeks and I can say we have adjusted ok. Everything is fine except how the kids are sick and Mia got 5 stitches on her chin. That sucked but she was brave. Walker is still nursing and waking up at night. Praying that ends soon. I'm sleep deprived and that part sucks but I enjoy them during the day.

Mom is flying to Peru in just 2 days. I'm so happy and excited for her. I'll miss her for sure, but she needs this so badly. She hasn't seen her family in over 18 years and she hasn't seen her mom of about 5. Mamita Eloisa is very ill. I pray for her every night. I now pray for my mom as she makes the flight solo to a country she has not visited in a long time. Not to mention she's not well herself. She's got more health issues that I can remember and it makes me so nervous but I cannot imagine how she feels as her mom is slipping away.

We are here till we can afford to buy a house hopefully by October. I'm also going to be looking for a job in a couple months once Walker isn't nursing anymore. I pray everyday that he doesn't fight it but so far he has not taken a liking to any bottles I offer.

I decided to blog again because I have goals and I want to make sure I stay motivated. It's like writing a list.  I have started to record everything we spend. I have been on a diet for over a week and it's looking pretty good. Kids are challenging but they are pretty good to me. I try to workout or go for a long walk.
I just want to make sure I remember everything because you never know, life seems so fragile at the moment.

Galatians 5:18 is helping me daily. Being a stay at home mom is super hard. I'm very blessed to be able to do this. I miss my husband. I miss our life as family but I have to keep looking towards the future. GG mama should be visiting soon to help me in my mom's absence, then mom will be back, then Wyatt will be back, then it'll be Walker's birthday. So many great things to look forward.

Feels good to type this down. 2016 has been crazy already. This year is not meant to start off easy and it sure hasn't. Gladly, I know it will improve, things will only get better. I can just feel it. It has to.

The First Month

1 Month Old

Wow! I can't believe it's actually already been a month since Mia was born. I still remember the feeling the day she was born, the anticipation of the 9 months, the awe I was in when I heard my little miracle first cry. So many days waiting for her, she's finally here, and it really is an amazing experience.

So sleep deprivation...hmm...everyone says that having a baby is hard. Specifics? I'm super tired. It's been a month of running on 4-6 hours of sleep a day. Trying to sleep when baby sleeps is also not very realistic. I still gotta eat, shower, clean and do laundry. Do I skip some of these things sometimes? OH YEA. If I get a nap, it would only be one and close to bed time. So far, having a baby is a full time job. She is also starting to be awake more ...both day and night. She is starting to get fussier now and it's hard sometimes to guess what she wants, but we are working at it. TRUTH TIME: It is tiring and demanding, but looking at her little face makes it all worth it. We love her so much!

Mia likes:
:) Car ride, she will sleep the whole time.
:) To sleep on my chest and Wyatt's chest.
:) To eat every 2-3 hours.
:) To be in arms most of the time.
:) Being burped. She will fall asleep this way easy too.
:) To cuddle.
:) Her pacifier...didn't think we would end up giving her one but oh well...oh and she has a favorite brand: MAM only please!
:) To smile, even if it's her sleep...we'll take it!
:) Sleeping on her parent's bed. We are co-sleeping for the sake of getting sleep ourselves. She has slept on her craddle and pack n play during the day...but for some reason at night, she wakes up right away.
:) Her swing...lifesaver sometimes!

Mia dislikes:
:( Getting in her carseat, sometimes getting out.
:( Baths...sometimes.
:( Getting her diaper changed when it's cold.
:( To spit up (afterfeeding).
:( Potty, she will struggle but when she does, she is a lot less fussy!
:( Being too warm.

Bella Photography Pics- Day 2

Bella Photography Pics- Day 2 of life

You can find the pictures on http://www.bellababyphotography.com password is 1015mianella

Mia is here!!!!!

WELCOME TO THE WORLD!

took my Week 39 picture on Sunday 14th. It was actually taken by my bff Jessica Barrozo who was visiting for the weekend. She joined me on many walks (park, mall, Ross lol) and we all had a great time. 

That night Wyatt and I went to our class "Growing kids with God" at our church and afterwards discussed with our friends how we hoped she would be here soon. I was having some discomfort on my back and was actually able to time them every 7-8 minutes at one point. But they were so light I wasn't sure if they were contractions, the pain was mostly my back and I could ignore them if I stood up and walked around. So that night I went to bed thinking they either go away or will get stronger but I couldn't sleep, I was texting my little brother Kevin for a bit then dozed off. 

Woke up at around 4 am and I felt the pain on my back again but stronger so I started to time them..but I was tired and I just hugged Wyatt every time I felt it and tried to go back to sleep but couldn't. He woke up to go to work and we discussed again that if it was time to call him and he would head home right away. So after he was gone for about 15 mins I went back to bed and felt a "contraction" (pain on my back) and actually felt a pop in my tummy. So I googled it and found that it could be my water breaking so I got excited. I got up but nothing...a few more steps and got ready to potty and sure enough! So I called Wyatt who did not pick up, called the base and let the dispatcher know my water broke. Called mom and she said she was on her way. Called the doctor's office who said "ok go to labor and delivery!" and then Wyatt called me and started asking me how it was and as the contractions got stronger I told him to just head home, to hurry and be careful. I picked up the last few things I needed to put in a bag (diaper and hospital bag were already in the car) and "tried" to pick up the apartment a little bit. Washed my face, brushed my teeth, did a little dance and when Wyatt got home, we went straight to labor and delivery!

We got there at almost 7am and parked and I was able to walk to the door (pain was still not awful). We got there and they put me in a room and we go comfortable. They tested for amniotic fluid before they did a cervical check and that took a while. At around 9am they did the cervical check and I was dilated 4cm. At around 9:30 am they broke my water some more to speed up the process. By this time my contractions were horrible, still all on my back and I was not able to breath through them. I got the epidural which was not bad at all. The contractions were way more painful and I was having a hard time holding still. But this was me after the Epi:

So I was still feeling the contractions on my left side but they were not horrible and I liked that I could still feel something to know when to push. At around 10am I was dilated 6cm, by noon I was dilated 8cm, and at 2pm I started pushing. Took a couple of hours (she was facing sideways which made it difficult for her to come out). In the meantime I relaxed, Wyatt ate, and we talked some about how excited we were. I swear Wyatt was almost jumping from joy, we were so happy the time was finally here. 

It was hard, the pushing, exhausting!! But I tried with all my might and the midwife said I could not be doing a better job. It was beautiful, the whole thing. When she came out, I could not hold back the tears, a miracle just happened, my little miracle! Daddy cut the cord:

She was born at 4:05pm weighing 6 pounds 12 ounces and 20 inches long. She was put in my arms and Wyatt and I just stared at her and we had a great bonding experience. This is me first holding her:

Her after getting checked by the pediatrician:

Breastfeeding for the first time:

WELCOME BABY MIA, 

DADDY AND I LOVE YOU MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER IMAGINE.

Week 38

WEEK 38 - Large and in charge!

How far along? 38 Weeks, 3 days

Total weight gain: up 25+ lbs
Maternity clothes? and yoga pants and whatever fits lol

Stretch marks? no and crossing my fingers!!!
Sleep: its great, I get lots of it and I love it!
Best moment this week: Spending time nesting and taking in these last few weeks of sleep, eating anything, and spending quality time with the hubby
Miss Anything? at the time, I wish i was with my parents. However, my pregnancy and the fact that Mia will be here soon gives me hope that everything will be ok
Movement: yes! she's a lazy one sometimes but she does like to kick my ribs :)
Food cravings: fruit and chocolate and pretty much anything lol I love food right now, a little too much!
Anything making you queasy or sick: empty stomach
Gender: Girl 
Labor Signs: dilated a couple centimeters, some pains. Not sure, but maybe a couple of contractions last night? Not painful, didn't come back. I think she likes is it in there way too much! Pretty comfy baby 
Symptoms: less back pain (only after a long walk) but still can't breath as good as I can
Belly Button in or out? in, almost completely smoothed out
Wedding rings on or off? on and off, some days I'm more swollen than others
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy !!!!
Looking forward to: doc appt and due date 12 days from today!

Pics of the nursery:

From baby2see.com:

Week Thirty Eight: Development is complete

You are 38 weeks pregnant. (fetal age 36 weeks) Baby is about 20 inches (51 cm) and weighs about 7.5 pounds (3.4 kilograms). The soft down, which covered the body throughout the pregnancy, is now disappearing. The body fat is continuing to build up, baby putting on about 1oz (28 grams) a day. The wrinkled skin is becoming 'baby' smooth. The baby may have reached its final birth position. Most babies are born head first with only about 3 percent coming out feet first. About one in eight births are caesarean. Development is complete, baby's main job is to gain weight. The body continues laying on the fat stores at a rate of about an ounce (28 grams) a day, that will help regulate his or her body temperature after birth. The amniotic fluid, this is approximately equal to 4 or 5 cups. It doesn't sound like much, but just wait until your water breaks, it will feel like much more. Baby may have a full head of hair now, an inch or more long, but some babies are born with only peach fuzz. Speaking of hair, most of the downy coat of lanugo that covered your baby for weeks has disappeared, but you may see some on the upper back and shoulders when he or she arrives. Almost gone has most of the vernix caseosa, the whitish substance that also covered baby. Your baby will swallow the lanugo and exterior coating, along with other secretions, and store them in their bowels. These will become your infant's first bowel movement, a blackish waste called meconium. Your child's intestines are accumulating lots of meconium. About 30% of babies move their bowels before birth. Usually this is a sign that the baby is under some stress and can cause pneumonia if the baby inhales any amniotic fluid with meconium in it. If there are signs of meconium in the amniotic fluid at birth your care provider will make sure that the baby's throat and lungs are suctioned thoroughly. This week, your baby weighs around seven and a half pounds and measures about 20 inches (51cm) head to toe. You are almost at the end of your pregnancy. Your weight should not increase much from this point. It should remain between 25 and 35 pounds (11.5 and 15.5 kg) until delivery.

Week 37

WEEK 37- FULL TERM! And feeling FULL HUGE

How far along? 37 Weeks, 4 days

Total weight gain: up 25 lbs.

Maternity clothes? maternity leggings, jeans are getting tighter, still using my shirts, but now that I'm home I get comfy and wear anything :)

Stretch marks? none yet around the tummy

Sleep: better, loving the naps! Now that I'm not working, I deff nap and still sleep at night, love getting my sleep on :D

Best moment this week: doctor appt was today, saw the midwife, I'm dilated 2-3 cm and 80% effaced, she thinks Mia will either be early or right on time :) BUT we will see....AND seeing my family last weekend, it was so much fun being all together again, love it!

Miss Anything? being comfortable, it's harder getting up and finding a position to sleep

Movement: she stretches and wiggles :) Love it!

Food cravings: none really, just gotta have something sweet after I eat even if it's just an apple lol

Anything making you queasy or sick: no, appetite is not that great but deff not sick

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: Besides being a bit dilated, none, also might have lost my mucus plug but little by little and I've heard that  it can regenerate 

Symptoms: just uncomfortable, back pain is almost gone now- very minimal, feeling like my feet are swollen but they don't look like it

Belly Button in or out? In, almost all smoothed out

Wedding rings on or off? On but very tight in the morning

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy :D

Looking forward to: baby girl's arrival, getting impatient lol Also my bff coming to visit soon :) 

from baby2see.com

Week Thirty Seven: Pregnancy is considered 'at term'

You are 37 weeks pregnant. (fetal age 35 weeks) Typically, baby now measures 19.5 inches (50 cm) from the head to the heel. Baby weighs up to 7 pounds or 3 kilograms. The head diameter is over 3.5 inches (9cm). The water could break at any time. If it does happen, see a doctor immediately. Gaining one ounce per day, your baby is growing rapidly. Keep up those exercises, especially your Kegels. Keeping your pelvic floor muscles toned will aid in a quicker recovery from the birth. An elbow, foot or head may protrude from your stomach when baby stretches and squirms about. Soon, as the wall of your uterus and your abdomen stretch thinner and let in more light, your baby will begin to develop daily activity cycles. Even though you are three weeks from your due date, you are now considered 'at term'. In most cases, nothing will be done to stop your labour once it starts, even if it is before your 40th week. You may notice a bit more vaginal discharge and/or cervical mucus. If you go into labor at this point your careprovider may not try to stop it. So what are the signs that your labor may be starting? Regular contractions that grow longer, stronger and closer together. Contractions that are not affected significantly by a change in your activity level. A trickle or gush of fluid from your vagina. A regular, rhythmic backache. If you have any of these signs, contact your doctor/careprovider immediately. Fewer than 5% of births occur on the due date; 50% of births are within a week of the due date, and almost 90% within 2 weeks.

Week 36

WEEK 36 - baby is the size of a watermelon!

How far along? 36 Weeks, 3 days

Total weight gain: 24+
Maternity clothes? yes still the leggins, the jeans are getting tight lol Since I'm home more now I like to just be in dresses unless I go out because it's getting a little breezeeeeee which I'm excited about :)
Stretch marks? none yet
Sleep: much better, this weekend I slept great except for a cramp in my calf which I woke up screaming to...poor Wyatt!
Best moment this week: Getting the nursery together :D It's so cute in her room and I still need some decor but it's pretty much ready for her! Pics will be up soon :) Doc appt went fine last week, everything seems to be going K, OK :)
Miss Anything? Just the little things (like being able to breathe without working at it and not being so tired all the time) but I can't believe my pregnancy is almost over...will I miss it? We'll see lol
Movement: yes mostly wiggles but she likes to wake me up in the a.m. with kicks haha getting me ready I guess 
Food cravings: just fruit and sweets :) Wyatt made me muffins today, yeay!
Anything making you queasy or sick: random stuff and smells
Gender: Girl 
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: Still back pain, more and more, shortness of breath, but I'm feeling pretty good most of the time :)
Belly Button in or out? in, flatter but I think it will stay an innie
Wedding rings on or off? on, sometimes I forget to put them back on after a shower lol
Happy or Moody most of the time: EMOTIONAL lol but because it's getting so close and I am very happy but also anxious and nervous!
Looking forward to: Mia's arrival, doctors appt. on Wednesday (doing weekly appts. now!) and seeing my lovely family this weekend :D



From baby2see.com

Week Thirty Six: Baby may drop into the birth canal

You are 36 weeks pregnant. (fetal age 34 weeks) The baby is about 19 inches (48 cm) long. Weight is around 6 pounds (2.7 kg). The baby's body is becoming chubby as fat layers build. Between now and birth they may gain about an ounce (30g) a day You may feel contractions of the womb, called Braxton Hicks contractions. While it says that your baby weighs six and a half pounds this week and measures 19 inches long, this is only an estimate. In general, babies are gaining half a pound (225 grams) per week now. Baby continues gaining weight as fat deposits and is forming creases in the neck and wrists. You may feel contractions of the womb, called Braxton Hicks contractions, which can be used to perform and practice breathing exercises. You may be visiting your caregiver weekly up until the birth. Regular internal exams may begin, to see if your cervix has softened, thinned, dilated or if your baby's head is dropping into the pelvis. Any of these could be signs of impending labor but there are no guarantees and you could be waiting for weeks yet. Your baby is almost ready, a pair of kidneys and the liver has begun processing some waste products, the only organ still to mature is the lungs. This week your baby may drop into the birth canal, this is called 'lightening' or 'dropping'. If this is not your first baby, this 'lightening' may not occur until right before labor. Your care provider may refer to it by saying that your baby is now 'engaged'. The majority of babies are now in the birth position, either head down (vertex) or butt down (breech), most will maintain this position until birth. Any movements that they make are more likely to be rolls from side to side.You may notice when this happens because it will suddenly become much easier for you to breathe. While breathing becomes easier, walking may be the exact opposite. If your baby has dropped you may find yourself visiting the bathroom much more often as baby is resting right on top of your bladder again. Keep talking - by now he or she can recognize you voice, and may respond to any loud noises with a swift kick out. The average twin birth occurs between 36 and 37 weeks and the babies weigh an average of 5 pounds apiece. A baby's average size is now 18.5 inches (47 cm) and 6 pounds (2700 g).