tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60272449863300758952024-03-04T23:46:24.300-08:00Loving Our Little OneMommy Loves Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424457060965996332noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027244986330075895.post-52060227318497156032012-04-02T18:24:00.001-07:002018-07-12T13:25:15.269-07:00The first 24 hours<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After my son was born, Michael was allowed to hold him for a brief minute after he had been cleaned and swaddled. I was still not allowed to touch him (not that I could if I wanted to since my arms were tied down to the OR table) but Mike did the best he could in bringing him close to my face. My heart ached having him so close but not being able to hold him.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holding his son for the first time</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first family picture</td></tr>
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Before I had a chance to memorize his face, my son was taken to the nursery while I was being closed up. Mike was told to get out of the scrubs and meet me in the recovery room. The recovery room is just as cold and uninviting (and crowded) as an ER waiting room. I was told that I would be there for no more than 2 hours as they had to make sure I had no adverse effects from surgery and they needed time to get a room ready for me. I would not be able to see my son until I was transferred to said room.</div>
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Those 2 hours I was in and out of sleep, munching on a lot of ice chips and crying for my mom because I was in so much pain. It didn't help that the nurses kept coming to check on me. They kept poking my legs to see if I could feel them again. The really fun part though was them checking my uterus. Labor was nothing in comparison to what I was feeling now. I kept looking at the huge clock directly in front of my bed (how convenient). Almost two hours had passed by, soon I would see my son.</div>
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Except I wouldn't. Not before more social workers came to ask us questions. Questions about our planned home birth, our choice to not vaccinate, our resistance to interventions. Looking back now, I am honestly amazed that I didn't make a scene. I guess it was a combination of the drugs I was under and the pure exhaustion of the days I had just experienced. It took them SIX HOURS to transfer me to a room and that was only after I agreed to home visits from a nurse the days following my hospital release. </div>
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Time slowed to a crawl once I had been taken to my room, which I wound up sharing with two different women. (More on my roommates another time). I'm not sure how long it took them to finally bring me my son after that, but once they did, I couldn't take him any faster from the nurse's arms. I lowered my hospital gown and immediately put him on my breast for his first meal. I hadn't given much thought to what breast feeding would feel like, but as soon as he latched on everything just made sense.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First meal</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to latch on</td></tr>
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I soaked in every second of my baby, my beautiful baby boy who did not deserve to enter the world in the violent way that he had. The following hours are a blur. My mom's flight was delayed but she eventually made her way to see us that same night. She was already overwhelmed but when she saw her grandchild for the first time she kept saying over and over in Spanish that he looked just like me when I was a baby, but with a set of balls. It was the first time I laughed out loud since I had gone into labor. It hurt, but it was a wonderful moment with my mom. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my mom</td></tr>
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I spent a lot of time telling the nurses not to take my son to the nursery. I reminded them numerous times that I was going to feed him on demand and not every 2 hours as they kept insisting. It upset them that I'd feed him more frequently. It upset them that I wouldn't give him a pacifier. It upset them that I had my gown down to my waist so that I could do skin to skin with him as much as possible.I received another visit from social services that night.</div>
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Breast feeding began to feel painful and every little movement hurt like nothing else I had ever felt before. Holding him was difficult with the IV in my arm and I couldn't figure out the best way to hold him. I couldn't get up to change his diaper so everyone else had to help (Michael, my mom, nurses). But when it was just us two together, I would get lost in every inch of him. I was so blessed and so in love. We managed to sleep a few hours that night.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With his auntie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy showing Teth the view - Central Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milk drunk :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love</td></tr>
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Mommy Loves Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424457060965996332noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027244986330075895.post-20314357912431472802011-12-03T09:53:00.012-08:002018-07-12T13:23:18.196-07:00Teth Adam's Birth StoryFifty days ago today I had the most horrible, traumatizing experience of my life. It was also the day my beautiful baby boy was born. It has taken me this long to even attempt writing his birth story because with each word that I type, it makes each moment real. These things really happened. Ten months of doing everything right and my labor resulted in a Cesarean section. I honestly still can't believe it.<br />
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You'll have to forgive me as I write this. I will probably ramble and go out of order, lose my train of thought and just not make sense. I've wanted to type this up for so long now that at this point I don't want to think too hard about what I'm saying. I'm just going to let it pour out of me. I understand if you don't finish this, I imagine it's going to be very long. I was in labor for 3 days after all. I originally wanted to include pictures but I just don't have the strength right now to type this and make it pretty. Maybe I can add them in another day. (**Pictures added 4 months later**)<br />
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Day 1: October 11, 2011<br />
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This was my baby's due date. I was 40 weeks pregnant and more than ready to finally hold my son in my arms. After weeks of sleepless nights, strong Braxton Hicks and what I think was prodromal labor, in my mind it was time. I was having contractions but I honestly didn't know how to time them. I didn't know when one began or ended, but they were definitely happening. They began around 4am and I fantasized about having a punctual baby. I was ready to be done being pregnant. But today would not be the day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Hubby before going for a walk</td></tr>
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Day 2: October 12, 2011<br />
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If I had any doubt the day before about whether these contractions were real, today there was no question in my mind that I was in labor. Contractions were getting stronger and closer together, even though I still had no idea how to time them. My twitter mamas were all full of amazing advice and once again I thought "this is finally happening!" Mike took me for a long walk to help move things along. A woman in the street pushing her one year old son in a stroller stopped to chat with us when she noticed my gigantic belly bump. She shared with us her experience which at the time sounded like a horror story. How she rushed to the hospital at the first sign of pain and asked for meds immediately. How hours later they broke her water and were cutting her open to deliver her son. I remember feeling a bit arrogant thinking I was better than that. I was going to deliver my baby naturally. And at home. Without a midwife. She laughed before she offered up a piece of advice: "Go home and have sex now. You don't know when you'll get to go at it again." So we did. (And we haven't since). But this did not speed things along.<br />
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That night we prepped our bedroom. Dim lights, soft music, towels on the bed, layers of chux pads, peri bottle ready, clamp on hand, a bowl for the placenta. We had it all set up. Tonight was the night. It had to be. I hadn't slept. Contractions were getting stronger. I was getting scared, though I wouldn't admit it at the time. I was uncomfortable making noise through the pain because I didn't want my father and sister-in-law to know I was in labor. I didn't want to be bothered. As a matter of fact, only Mike knew. Or so I thought. Not long after setting up the room his brother showed up. With his wife. And their two kids, 18 month old girl and 9 year old boy. I wanted to strangle him. This was supposed to be a private thing. Not a party. I would spend the rest of the time in my room. No more freedom to walk around the apartment because everyone was in the living room, ordering pizza, watching movies, having a blast. Meanwhile I was having the worst pains yet. This is when I began my thousand hot showers.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yXNLj3lM8lA/T4havbciJnI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/yrycLU4vJU0/s1600/IMAG0146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yXNLj3lM8lA/T4havbciJnI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/yrycLU4vJU0/s320/IMAG0146.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the tub on my birthing ball</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6nC330Z9Hk/T4hbBGCjSDI/AAAAAAAAAMY/_CqI0WA346w/s1600/IMG_7927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6nC330Z9Hk/T4hbBGCjSDI/AAAAAAAAAMY/_CqI0WA346w/s320/IMG_7927.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DH pouring warm water on my belly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhAqYU1Mx3Djg9MZGFo2ugFvpVCV_y4rD31-5gNrucOC1S5mMH6yap_wdAhg2C6zRWrvEi6Z_Knrvllzbxsmnwm_tlJhNPwbDx_G3WsgBnjlCK0dSbfH6iMiLyYyXnOP9cd2N4OC46ERd/s1600/IMG_7928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhAqYU1Mx3Djg9MZGFo2ugFvpVCV_y4rD31-5gNrucOC1S5mMH6yap_wdAhg2C6zRWrvEi6Z_Knrvllzbxsmnwm_tlJhNPwbDx_G3WsgBnjlCK0dSbfH6iMiLyYyXnOP9cd2N4OC46ERd/s320/IMG_7928.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After shower swaying</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaL7OBHzb8cOqXM64DCEZrd_bYi2JQ_nT-fug7P7Vlok2JNRfq-zecmqttH65EWIwgAS0_P6ZCNiAlI4OFCiWcL4t5UXudP7HtoMrEJE8-IygM2UZuKaBuTNbbXrkhXtdNRgXdC-DF48J/s1600/IMG_7931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaL7OBHzb8cOqXM64DCEZrd_bYi2JQ_nT-fug7P7Vlok2JNRfq-zecmqttH65EWIwgAS0_P6ZCNiAlI4OFCiWcL4t5UXudP7HtoMrEJE8-IygM2UZuKaBuTNbbXrkhXtdNRgXdC-DF48J/s320/IMG_7931.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying out the rocking chair</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I had tried everything for pain management. I bounced on my birthing ball, I hummed and swayed, I meditated, nothing helped like a hot shower. I would get in for a few minutes, feel relief, come out, another contraction would hit and I would run back in. I did this all night well into the morning. I wasn't allowing anyone into the bedroom because I wanted to stay naked, clothes bothered me. As a matter of fact I didn't want to be touched, at all. A very good twitter mama friend had been sending me links and telling me how Michael could check how dilated I was but every time we'd try I never let him touch me. I was nervous, scared, wondering when transition would come and then the urge to push so that I could meet my baby.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPuXGyLtNW1OprUOKXrapFR_1oMQjowVYKze6_GIq6vkRpnsmsEgIVYOvaYeDc6Q0j6-aWNI5_HvnkFuUdKvAB2f_mJLMeV1NrUjL3ZtSi_qfZtTHCqt3Yn5yZO-RXin3PDfdZmzIDMX1/s1600/IMG_7059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPuXGyLtNW1OprUOKXrapFR_1oMQjowVYKze6_GIq6vkRpnsmsEgIVYOvaYeDc6Q0j6-aWNI5_HvnkFuUdKvAB2f_mJLMeV1NrUjL3ZtSi_qfZtTHCqt3Yn5yZO-RXin3PDfdZmzIDMX1/s320/IMG_7059.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On my "birthing ball" - I was not in the mood for this picture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I finally fell asleep for what must have been 20-30 minutes. I woke up to my older sister-in-law practically spooning me, giving me a back massage, with a camera in her hand. Apparently she had been taking pictures of me. The back rubs felt so good that I didn't care at the moment that she was seeing me naked. I asked about Michael. He was in the living room. Playing video games. I could have killed him but I was in too much pain. The contractions were hitting really hard now. I could barely walk. More showers and back rubs. That is all that helped and even that wasn't making much of a difference anymore.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfYemeHQ4EFFqpXDa6CCGiyvHfCB5RrQBrkLhC3usr5TUZpKUoMP5HSvMR8R2t2k1RCCwGc-Rr5J-i_DQDlMs3ceKH-ERovI0Nx9uBPthgAFJgFMVFM9tsDXfXKl3NMywUxuS5oHHo9-J/s1600/IMG_7933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfYemeHQ4EFFqpXDa6CCGiyvHfCB5RrQBrkLhC3usr5TUZpKUoMP5HSvMR8R2t2k1RCCwGc-Rr5J-i_DQDlMs3ceKH-ERovI0Nx9uBPthgAFJgFMVFM9tsDXfXKl3NMywUxuS5oHHo9-J/s320/IMG_7933.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sneaking in a nap while SIL comforted me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
My sister-in-law had given birth naturally, no interventions, with a midwife at a hospital. She at least had some personal experience in this but when she'd give me some insight or an opinion it always felt like a demand. She'd get upset if I didn't do it. She wanted me to stop taking showers. How was I supposed to know if my water broke if I was in water the whole time? But it was the only thing that kept me from crying hysterically from the pain.<br />
<br />
Day 3: October 13, 2011<br />
<br />
Finally around 4am I lost my mucus plug. In the shower. But I noticed it, so ha! Finally, something was happening. This gave me some mental relief. I continued meditating, praying, singing, begging for back rubs, more showers, hoping this would happen soon. I hadn't slept in so long, my entire body shook from the pain, I was drained. How would I have energy to push?<br />
<br />
Meanwhile Michael and sister-in-law were taking shifts sleeping so that someone could always be with me. I really appreciated that. What I did not appreciate was the continuous noise and party like environment in my living room that never fully stopped. Eventually I stopped caring because if I didn't moan, grunt and yell through the contractions I felt I was going to explode. Periodically I would get on my hands and knees on the bed and rock my hips. I did this around 7am and my water broke. PROGRESS!! I felt a pop and all this liquid just rushed out of me. Good thing we had laid down all those towels and chux pads!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpYJdIxu3JgeHEsRD6Tc3WiioChtGMFy6L29ZwIdt4qsmJrspbXH7PkJdEJluw5mzjoVgPpvSWB2En05Kkr5Nq2B5kww06Qx0kJQCXoduZlrrcqlbS4hyphenhyphenFsjsX_v1FXm_YhOKFqht3SzY/s1600/IMG_7923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpYJdIxu3JgeHEsRD6Tc3WiioChtGMFy6L29ZwIdt4qsmJrspbXH7PkJdEJluw5mzjoVgPpvSWB2En05Kkr5Nq2B5kww06Qx0kJQCXoduZlrrcqlbS4hyphenhyphenFsjsX_v1FXm_YhOKFqht3SzY/s320/IMG_7923.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A much needed back rub</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHvxvg4HnMFj3Z78IOauSCfS5QJZN9MapRxBsBbFOYQKCIT1d3tj7Kxpeeq9iCa3_3zAi8U7plWwWaIGdnz6dSSnlSwiSEsTAR5C5scGSCIZ36-5WjP0K2zDfCRGsjeQW_bEramcy1jTH/s1600/IMG_7924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHvxvg4HnMFj3Z78IOauSCfS5QJZN9MapRxBsBbFOYQKCIT1d3tj7Kxpeeq9iCa3_3zAi8U7plWwWaIGdnz6dSSnlSwiSEsTAR5C5scGSCIZ36-5WjP0K2zDfCRGsjeQW_bEramcy1jTH/s320/IMG_7924.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More swaying</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirnRs-XxmIQ6-9IX320g7RplFg4zKLi6cdZjpu9HRRZEWR54f3lNSH89dkafnlY1Nf4GMsdF5kSP95ND5YAPmoXZj_ewrR-RwmLmjNr7mu-roamcrkffCB7hB0fJeQ43Bp9PVEHJaxTtfd/s1600/IMG_7925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirnRs-XxmIQ6-9IX320g7RplFg4zKLi6cdZjpu9HRRZEWR54f3lNSH89dkafnlY1Nf4GMsdF5kSP95ND5YAPmoXZj_ewrR-RwmLmjNr7mu-roamcrkffCB7hB0fJeQ43Bp9PVEHJaxTtfd/s320/IMG_7925.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think I was asleep - maybe ten minutes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I thought for sure my baby was at the most just a few hours away now. I was upset that he'd be born on the 13th but at this point I'd take it! (Silly, I know, but I didn't want his 1st birthday to be on a Friday the 13th-careful what you wish for). Time kept passing by and still nothing. Looking back now, this is where I hit the wall that everyone talks about during labor.<br />
<br />
I cried. I cried so much. I begged Michael to call the midwife we had fired months earlier. "Call her, call someone, call ANYONE, get this baby OUT." I was definitely at my limit, if not way past it. He laughed and recognized it as being transition but I was so upset and in so much pain, all that registered was him not picking up the phone.<br />
<br />
"I'm going to the hospital. If you don't call someone to help me get YOUR son out of my vagina I am going to the hospital." I threatened him. I knew he didn't want to deal with hospital staff, I was so sure my threat would work. It didn't. He tried reassuring me that I could do this, I was almost there. But he was clearly tired too so it didn't come off very convincing. I pushed through it. I wanted to have my baby at home. The more time passed by, the more I knew that wasn't going to happen.<br />
<br />
Six hours had passed since my water broke. "CALL AN AMBULANCE NOW." Everyone received this as me giving up. No one wanted to call for me and I could barely talk so I couldn't do it. Michael got upset and said he was going to take a shower. He wanted to be clean when his son was born. At home. We were NOT going to the hospital. I begged my sister-in-law to call for me, I begged her husband. I started getting bullshit excuses of their cell phones being low on battery and why not just ride it out a bit longer. I had made it this far after all.<br />
<br />
And just how far along was I? I had no idea how dilated I was, still clueless in timing contractions. Then I started worrying because I didn't know what position my son was in and I started thinking of the million other things that could go wrong. I grabbed my phone and dialed 911 as I mindlessly started packing a bag. I yelled to everyone in the apartment "I AM GOING TO THE HOSPITAL. You can all stay home if you want but this is no longer happening at home." I wasn't upset by my choice, I was relieved to have the 911 operator on the other end telling me an ambulance was on their way.<br />
<br />
This is when everyone stopped talking to me. My sister-in-law, all she could say was "Please don't have an epidural." Michael just kept shaking his head at me. But no one knew. No one knew what it felt like to be in my body. Ten months of eating right, prenatal yoga, walking, hypnobirthing, workshops and classes, reading books, talking to other home birth mamas, no one wanted this more than me. But no one was feeling the physical pain and anguish, I was in hell. And mentally I had broken down. I was beyond scared. My baby would be born in a hospital. But I would not accept interventions. I would still push him out. All I wanted was for them to understand and support me.<br />
<br />
The ambulance ride. Apart from the bumpy ride making my contractions feel that much worse, I had Michael and my sister-in-law both arguing with the paramedics. I don't remember over what. I do recall asking them all to shut up and inject me with something to stop the pain. As soon as I said it though, it was like I didn't recognize my own voice, but at the same time it felt right. Yes. Pain meds. This is what I needed. Just a little something to help me sleep and I'd be able to do the rest on my own. But they can't give you anything for pain in the ambulance. Longest. Ride. Ever. I should also mention moving my 200 pound pregnant body into and out of a hospital bed during these god awful contractions-I thought it couldn't get any worse. (Don't worry, it does).<br />
<br />
We get to the hospital and now we're waiting for a room. I had Michael deal with all the paperwork and the bazillion people asking me if I was crazy for trying to home birth. Why had I stopped prenatal visits, why didn't I have a midwife, why was I refusing antibiotics for GBS, why didn't I want to vaccinate my baby, why hadn't I tested for gestational diabetes. The list went on and on.<br />
<br />
Not long after all the paperwork and interrogation (that was done in a hallway, mind you) we were taken to a room where I was hooked up to an IV and a fetal monitor on my belly. That was the first time I felt relief. Hearing my baby's heart beat. I knew he was ok in there still and that was reassuring. Michael kept asking me if I was ready to go back home yet. This upset the nurses as they urged that we stay, but it's not like I was going anywhere. I had made my choice and I was still fine with it.<br />
<br />
They brought in a midwife per our request and I had my first internal examination. I was excited to see how close I was to having my baby. Was I 8cm, 9cm? Was it almost time to push him out? I was uncomfortable as she went in to check. She looks up at me and says I am 4cm dilated. FOUR?? FOUR FUCKING CENTIMETERS? THAT WAS IT??? All these hours of pain and lack of sleep and I wasn't even halfway there??<br />
<br />
I suppose this is where things started to snowball because my immediate reaction was "What are my options for pain relief?" They offered me an epidural or a pain medication (I don't remember the name) that they'd administer into my IV. The pain med would only take the edge off for a few hours, I would still feel the contractions. I honestly believed that as long as I wasn't taking an epidural that I had earned a little bit of pain relief. Within minutes I was asleep.<br />
<br />
I woke up maybe 3-4 hours later to the pain of the strongest contraction yet. Michael started bringing me ice chips because I was starving and thirsty. Not long after his brother and wife showed up with their lawyer to help us draw up forms. Apparently while I was asleep things got heated up about us refusing the vitamin K vaccine for our unborn son. This is not what I wanted to wake up to. I was in a private room with a shower so I asked the midwife if I was able to use it. It was then that she encouraged me to get out of bed and move through my contractions. I was thrilled. I took two showers back to back and started feeling better. Those few hours of sleep had definitely helped. I remember leaning on a wall while Michael was giving me a back massage when the social workers came in. They were not nice, the way they were talking to me, implying I was already an unfit mother. I yelled at them. I asked them to leave. Couldn't they see I was in pain? Couldn't they see I was in labor, trying to have a baby? Couldn't they come back later?? They stayed rambling on about who knows what. Michael was forced to deal with them since I was incapable of doing so at the time which means the back rubs stopped. I was NOT happy.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymChVxfTI7MonJhmdkJ0fjVJarjazFcWoSgvdVxkwffxcQwk2DvtIyRvQZ1hEgV3GA8jBxGxSKnrOXJrDbCn89hOdumgmIHCO8xvZgqU9A4KcnVPKLljIm9HWnmcNF6ZVsCKQoE-Hp8Ul/s1600/IMG_7061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymChVxfTI7MonJhmdkJ0fjVJarjazFcWoSgvdVxkwffxcQwk2DvtIyRvQZ1hEgV3GA8jBxGxSKnrOXJrDbCn89hOdumgmIHCO8xvZgqU9A4KcnVPKLljIm9HWnmcNF6ZVsCKQoE-Hp8Ul/s320/IMG_7061.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple juice never tasted so good</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
It was around this time that it stopped being just a midwife coming to see me, but also an OB. The midwife was very supportive of all my decisions so far and even applauded my efforts to home birth. Enter OB. She immediately suggested pitocin and an epidural without even checking me. I refused which only made her insist more often. She came to see me more than the midwife. But honestly not long after I found myself once again in too much pain. I just couldn't breathe through the contractions anymore. I asked what my options were for pain management and all that was left now was an epidural. I accepted.<br />
<br />
I didn't look at Michael after that and before the anesthesiologist came in his brother and his wife left without saying a word to me. They didn't return until the day I was discharged.<br />
<br />
Getting an epidural wasn't as scary as I thought it was going to be. I didn't see the needle. The hard part is staying still in the preferred position while still having these god-awful contractions. Twenty minutes later I was in heaven. I couldn't feel a thing. All the reading, research and documentary watching I had done warning me about hospitals, epidurals and unnecessary interventions were nowhere to be found in my head.<br />
<br />
Day 4: October 14, 2011<br />
<br />
I got to sleep. No "taking the edge off, just a few hours of sleep"-I got to SLEEP. I was woken up around 2am by the midwife. (My baby wouldn't be born on the 13th after all). She asked to check me. I was now 7cm dilated. YES! I had that same hopeful feeling I had when my water broke. PROGRESS!!! I was so happy, I started crying. She could feel he has heads down, another sigh of relief from me. I remember squeezing Michael's hand, ignoring the fact that he was still upset. I was SO happy. Soon I'd be pushing out my baby. Soon he'd be in my arms. Soon I'd be a mommy. Then I realized I couldn't feel my legs. The epidural. I asked the midwife how I'd be positioned because I didn't want to be on my back. She informed me that without being able to feel my legs, I wouldn't be able to do it any other way. I was crushed. And scared. For some reason it didn't register at the time that I'd already accepted quite a few things that I didn't plan for and didn't want. But I honestly still believed a vaginal birth was possible.<br />
<br />
Enter OB.<br />
<br />
The OB comes shortly after and asks to examine me. I had just been examined and didn't want to risk infection from being checked unnecessarily but that wasn't enough for her. Apparently the midwife had shared a concern with her, one she did not tell me about, and she needed to confirm. My son was posterior and this was worrisome because they were estimating him to be 8-9 pounds. I would definitely have tearing. I didn't recognize it then. The numerous scare tactics they used on me.<br />
<br />
Once again the OB recommended pitocin, once again I refused. It was bad enough I had accepted the epidural I thought. Besides, I was 7cm dilated. Surely things would progress a lot quicker now. Maybe two hours later the midwife returned for another internal exam. I was 9cm dilated! But the epidural was wearing off. "That happens sometimes" she said. WHAT?? That was news to me, I wasn't ready to start feeling pain again, but there it was. And to make things even more fun, my son was trying to turn so he was now transverse. I was on the clock. I was told if I got the urge to push and he was still transverse I'd risk shoulder dystocia. I'm not sure I knew at the time what that meant, but it didn't sound good. What were my options?<br />
<br />
The midwife called the OB and she apologetically excused herself. I don't know if she felt bad for me but she clearly wasn't able to tell me what would happen next. She stepped out of the room as soon as the OB came in. I didn't see the midwife again after that.<br />
<br />
The OB once again urged me to accept the pitocin. Pitocin? Are you crazy? That's the drug that makes contractions stronger, right? The contractions that I am once again feeling because the epidural wore off? No thanks. I'll wait. My baby will come. I was sure of it. As a compromise I accepted she hook me up to this thing that would measure how strong my contractions were. It was supposed to tell me within ten minutes if my contractions were getting stronger. If they were, we could continue waiting. If not, I had accepted to at least consider pitocin.<br />
<br />
Half an hour passed. There was something wrong with the machine. Of course there was something wrong with the damn machine. Ten minutes my ass. The contractions were hitting me fast and they were hitting me hard. Why wasn't I getting the urge to push?? I started crying. I couldn't do this anymore. I wanted another epidural. Was that even possible? I didn't even know if I could survive the twenty minutes it takes for the epidural to kick in.<br />
<br />
This is when I called my mom. It must have been around 5am. She had no idea I'd been in labor. Well, she probably suspected it since we talk every day and I had been dodging her calls. But I called her, crying. I told her I was ok but that I was in the hospital and the baby was coming soon. I told her I needed her to fly in today, as soon as possible. My poor mom. That was not at all how I envisioned telling her I was in labor.<br />
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The OB kept coming in my room hourly if not more frequently. I was not progressing past 9cm, I wasn't getting the urge to push and my son was still transverse. I was to either take the pitocin or take the pitocin. I asked her what would happen if I took the pitocin and I still did not progress. At this moment I was concerned about the contractions, which were already once again killing me, getting stronger, draining whatever energy I had left to push. While the epidural had worn off, the numbness in my legs had not. She told me she'd know within the hour of taking the pitocin if it was working or not. If it wasn't working, I'd be taken in for an emergency c-section.<br />
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A c-section. The last thing in the world that I wanted. But I was between a rock and a hard place and the next decision I made was based on getting my child out safely. If I was to take the pitocin, another medical intervention, and put my body through more pain and anguish for it to ultimately end up in a c-section anyway, I may as well opt for a c-section now. That was my train of thought. I had lost hope on a vaginal birth. You can say I quit, that I gave up. But I did what I thought was best with the information that was given to me at the time.<br />
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Obviously Michael had stopped being any help to me I'd say from the moment I picked up the phone and called an ambulance so I was the one calling the shots. The OB allowed me to have another hour to see if things changed. They didn't. I was then taken to the OR.<br />
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I had never had surgery before. The only ORs I'd seen were on Grey's Anatomy. It is bright, cold, uninviting. Being transferred from one bed to the next was mortifying. I've never felt pain that bad before. They had a much tougher time finding the right spot for my second epidural. I yelled at the doctors that I couldn't do it, I couldn't sit still anymore. Seconds felt like hours so who knows how long it actually took them. The person holding me (not sure if he was a nurse, doctor, etc) I just felt his grip tighten on me and he looked me dead in the eyes "You CAN do this" he insisted, over and over again. It didn't help. I wanted this to be over.<br />
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After the epidural I had to move up on the bed "just a little bit." My body was unresponsive, still in pain, all my energy completely drained. I lost it. I started yelling and crying at the top of my lungs. "I can't do this, I can't move." I kept repeating it until the surgeon grabbed me and yelled back at me: "You CAN do this. You WILL do this and you will NOT scream or give up in MY OR.You are doing this for your son...now MOVE." That not only shut me up, it actually made me feel so much better. It was the slap in the face I needed, a reminder of where I was and what was going on. This wasn't just about me anymore. It would never be just about me anymore. Soon I would have my baby. I thanked him for that speech after surgery.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnUIScBVyRCoVEhUqU6QRSeexaq1pnI2J_sNdq62hamwdjN4tzUPORvjvoR52a3-3qX0Vk1Pec4xj_LkM_QUNm_JjQZ4QjdMR_q2Nlm5O-Jgavxlrjk_8h96lFuuG1Ttjydnn7i5TFFUx/s1600/IMG_7067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnUIScBVyRCoVEhUqU6QRSeexaq1pnI2J_sNdq62hamwdjN4tzUPORvjvoR52a3-3qX0Vk1Pec4xj_LkM_QUNm_JjQZ4QjdMR_q2Nlm5O-Jgavxlrjk_8h96lFuuG1Ttjydnn7i5TFFUx/s320/IMG_7067.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the OR table</td></tr>
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One of the nurses had warned me that one of the possible effects of surgery was uncontrollable shaking. Like clockwork, as soon as the epidural kicked in, my body started quivering. A few minutes later Michael came in dressed head to toe in scrubs. This made me smile. Probably the first time I smiled in days. He held my hand the whole surgery. The surgeon poked me with a needle until I couldn't feel it anymore. A curtain went up and I suddenly felt a lot of pushing and pulling on my belly. It was uncomfortable but I didn't feel any pain. One of the doctors asked Michael for our camera but he had left it in his bag which they made him put inside a locker. Thank goodness for camera phones. The doctor captured the first few seconds of my son's life as he was taken out of me.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting a hold of him</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My baby boy's head poking out</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hate these bright lights :(</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Umbilical cord being clamped </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally being shown to us</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beautiful baby boy</td></tr>
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His crying sounded like heaven to me. They showed us our son and I wanted so desperately to hold him and cry happy tears, but of course I couldn't. And I wouldn't get to. Not for another 6 hours. They cleaned him up, cut his umbilical cord and swaddled him. Michael got to hold him for about a minute and he placed him as close to my face as they'd allow (which wasn't very close at all since I was still shaking). Before I had time to memorize his face, he was taken away to the nursery while they finished closing me up.<br />
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This, unfortunately, is Teth Adam's birth story. The story of how he was ripped out of me in a cold, bright room instead of coming out on his own terms in our home. He was born at 9:06am. Eight pounds 6 ounces and 21 inches of pure perfection. I am so in love with my little man. It is truly a love like nothing I've ever experienced in my life, but this by no way means I need to be ok with how he was brought into this world. I am still grieving, still mourning. I feel like a disappointment to my son's father, to myself, to all the mommas who just need that extra push of confidence to try a home birth but then read stories like mine and are discouraged, but most of all I know I've let down my son. I apologize to him every day for what I've done. It will be a very long time before I come even close to getting over all of this. I have over-analyzed everything that happened but I feel that does me no good for it won't change anything.<br />
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Perhaps another day, another entry, I can find the strength to write about the difficulty of our days in the hospital. But for now I simply thank you for reading this and I hope that my feelings are understood. I only want what is best for my son, always. I did the best I could under the circumstances. If there is a next time, I hope to do better.Mommy Loves Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424457060965996332noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027244986330075895.post-15247280947511705022011-08-06T14:45:00.000-07:002011-08-06T14:59:12.925-07:00Sappy SaturdayIt's amazing to me how fast this pregnancy is progressing. Wasn't it just yesterday that I was setting up this blog & announcing to the world that I was pregnant?<br />
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Well it's already been 30 weeks and it feels like any day now I'll be pushing out this tiny, fragile human being from inside me. I'll be responsible for his well being in every sense and I honestly can't wait. It's exciting and nerve wrecking all at once, but I've always known I wanted to be a mommy so I welcome all of these emotions with open arms. :)<br />
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Teth Adam is definitely growing and getting stronger. Every day I feel him bounce, roll, punch, kick and bop around as if my belly were his own personal playground. I love being woken up by these movements and I cherish the rare moments that he allows his dad to feel them too.<br />
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I don't take any second of this experience for granted. I thank my lucky stars every day that I am having a healthy pregnancy and that I'll get to be a mommy very soon. My life is about to change in ways that I can't even imagine yet but I'm not scared. I don't think I've ever wanted anything more in my life. The fact that I get to share this with the man I love is just icing on the (vegan-friendly) cake. ;)<br />
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My hormones have been all over the place lately, which probably explains the sentimental post today. Recently not everything has been *ideal* at home but I close my eyes, put my hands on my growing belly and I am reminded the wonderful blessing that has been given to me...and right now that is all that matters.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LHUz6QXKroM/Tj247QpPtEI/AAAAAAAAAI0/pfACr_ELl1w/s1600/IMG_6047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LHUz6QXKroM/Tj247QpPtEI/AAAAAAAAAI0/pfACr_ELl1w/s320/IMG_6047.JPG" width="139" /></a></div>Mommy Loves Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424457060965996332noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027244986330075895.post-5907967252065141152011-07-28T15:42:00.000-07:002018-07-12T13:26:11.648-07:00Thankful Thursday - 29 weeks pregnant<ul>
<li>I get to feel my son kick, punch and roll around every day now</li>
<li>Daddy-to-be has felt his son & enjoys it so much he talks & sings to my belly to encourage it!</li>
<li>I'm working at a mommy friendly store surrounded by lovely ladies</li>
<li>My pregnancy is healthy (despite my feeling like a whale at times!) ^_^</li>
<li>I have an abundance of baby things where my only concern now is storage. </li>
<li>My mom is going to respect my wishes and wait until after I give birth to come visit</li>
<li>I've made some real life mama-to-be friends who are just wonderfully supportive</li>
<li>I get to spend my free time preparing for baby's arrival & I wouldn't have it any other way :)</li>
</ul>
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Mommy Loves Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424457060965996332noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027244986330075895.post-35280192251219730052011-07-27T19:47:00.000-07:002011-07-27T19:47:44.917-07:00Wordless Wednesday - Central Park Picnic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BFxNrk-B0Ec/TjDNdtQ3a-I/AAAAAAAAAIM/I7QoPck9Va8/s1600/IMG_5924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BFxNrk-B0Ec/TjDNdtQ3a-I/AAAAAAAAAIM/I7QoPck9Va8/s320/IMG_5924.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5XC5Ii-HopI/TjDNpA75zqI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/KTr0qMvrxy8/s1600/IMG_5922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5XC5Ii-HopI/TjDNpA75zqI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/KTr0qMvrxy8/s320/IMG_5922.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Mommy Loves Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424457060965996332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027244986330075895.post-18697413946327848512011-07-12T20:04:00.000-07:002011-07-12T20:04:14.051-07:00Early Wordless Wednesday - Growing Belly<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">27 weeks :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Mommy Loves Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424457060965996332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027244986330075895.post-67145572330483649552011-06-18T17:55:00.000-07:002011-06-18T17:55:57.643-07:00Last Days in Miami June 12-14The Sunday after my baby shower was an equally eventful day. I'm not a beach person but I really had my heart set on going & getting a few pictures of me with my pregnant belly playing in the sand. Well, that morning it would not stop raining. We were all exhausted from the party the day before and I honestly thought it wasn't going to happen.<br />
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I underestimate how awesome my family is. My aunt packed a cooler, grabbed some chairs & towels & jammed us all in her mini-van. We went to grandma's to eat & then to Macy's to shop & kill time because it really was raining cats & dogs. After we dropped off grandma, my aunt decided we'd go anyway & I'd get my picture in the sand even if it was in the rain.<br />
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Well...I'm not religious, but my mother had a beautiful sentiment regarding how things turned out. We parked at the beach, still pouring, everyone with an umbrella and I swear the minute my feet touched the sand...the rain just stopped. My mom said it was God's gift to me & my son that week.<br />
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We stayed at the beach for an hour. I even went in the water! (I'm deathly afraid & don't know how to swim). I definitely got my pictures & I have another special memory with my family. It also occurred to me to write my son's name in the sand while we were there. My cousin Gabriel did a much better job as you'll see in the pictures, as he supplemented the grooves of the sand with sea weed. I had a beautiful afternoon.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QCXkSbvSyx8/Tf1E9P1s5EI/AAAAAAAAAHE/YXl7aknoy7o/s1600/SAM_2142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QCXkSbvSyx8/Tf1E9P1s5EI/AAAAAAAAAHE/YXl7aknoy7o/s320/SAM_2142.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Gabriel, my cousin</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kMcLiUeN6w8/Tf1FUy5Nd2I/AAAAAAAAAHI/vAVZu2b20zM/s1600/SAM_2143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kMcLiUeN6w8/Tf1FUy5Nd2I/AAAAAAAAAHI/vAVZu2b20zM/s320/SAM_2143.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mommy </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fuWo3b55xAE/Tf1FuwQri6I/AAAAAAAAAHM/jdBFY0TxVbI/s1600/SAM_2144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fuWo3b55xAE/Tf1FuwQri6I/AAAAAAAAAHM/jdBFY0TxVbI/s320/SAM_2144.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belly shot with toes in the sand!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JyV7QV_y9dg/Tf1GJ5-WJGI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/cYmGjfpKS6g/s1600/SAM_2210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JyV7QV_y9dg/Tf1GJ5-WJGI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/cYmGjfpKS6g/s320/SAM_2210.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laying down belly shot</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rfvAN366B8A/Tf1Gif1ttWI/AAAAAAAAAHU/MDwYuUbW2QM/s1600/SAM_2220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rfvAN366B8A/Tf1Gif1ttWI/AAAAAAAAAHU/MDwYuUbW2QM/s320/SAM_2220.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Writing Teth Adam in the sand</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2B6yXkngzFQ/Tf1G5uHL4KI/AAAAAAAAAHY/1qG8M32cHHI/s1600/SAM_2223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2B6yXkngzFQ/Tf1G5uHL4KI/AAAAAAAAAHY/1qG8M32cHHI/s320/SAM_2223.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My son's name with my feet ^_^</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VeuVL3M_078/Tf1HSKn4F3I/AAAAAAAAAHc/2ov3VTxK5kI/s1600/SAM_2244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VeuVL3M_078/Tf1HSKn4F3I/AAAAAAAAAHc/2ov3VTxK5kI/s320/SAM_2244.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teth Adam is from Yami written by Gabriel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mvtZzmo0PWc/Tf1HTrGPZPI/AAAAAAAAAHg/q9m0znsi67g/s1600/IMG_5622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mvtZzmo0PWc/Tf1HTrGPZPI/AAAAAAAAAHg/q9m0znsi67g/s320/IMG_5622.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, I am THAT scared of the water :)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7UNHm7lUfuo/Tf1HVlbS43I/AAAAAAAAAHk/dR0UeGzTars/s1600/IMG_5626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7UNHm7lUfuo/Tf1HVlbS43I/AAAAAAAAAHk/dR0UeGzTars/s320/IMG_5626.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with my cousin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjalnpHApUc/Tf1HXCg_qzI/AAAAAAAAAHo/ESxyf69pVSs/s1600/IMG_5665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjalnpHApUc/Tf1HXCg_qzI/AAAAAAAAAHo/ESxyf69pVSs/s320/IMG_5665.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He REALLY enjoyed the beach!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ZJgVUTfSuY/Tf1HtIhPkAI/AAAAAAAAAHs/kyZs3PMorb4/s1600/SAM_2164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ZJgVUTfSuY/Tf1HtIhPkAI/AAAAAAAAAHs/kyZs3PMorb4/s320/SAM_2164.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my mommy again :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div>My last two days in Miami were pretty relax, me at my mom's house & a few visits from friends. I'm hoping this entry puts me back up to date. :) I hope everyone has enjoyed the pictures & reading about my Miami adventures!<br />
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</div>Mommy Loves Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424457060965996332noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027244986330075895.post-73874182237614117512011-06-16T16:21:00.000-07:002011-07-28T17:27:09.912-07:00My Baby Shower! (Miami June 11)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyone who has been following me on twitter is familiar with the ups & downs that I've had about my baby shower. From not wanting one, to trying to plan it myself in NYC, to being completely depressed about my family missing out on it to just saying F* it & flying to Miami so that my aunt could throw one for me. Even when that was settled I created drama over food, decorations, games, guest list and CAKE. I think we all remember my vegan cake/cupcake issues. But I'm happy to say that it ALL turned out wonderfully!</div><br />
My aunt did a lovely job with the decorations & party favors, the food was delicious (that of which I was able to eat of course), the cake was gorgeous even though I wasn't able to taste it and my friends & family were all there which is what mattered to me the most. :)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SI9_HEP4OjA/TfqEGn3ACWI/AAAAAAAAAGE/hT4LislA0IE/s1600/SAM_2059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SI9_HEP4OjA/TfqEGn3ACWI/AAAAAAAAAGE/hT4LislA0IE/s320/SAM_2059.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My banner :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ShZlneY2VGk/TfqFpECM3cI/AAAAAAAAAGI/3saynyUMwDE/s1600/SAM_2067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ShZlneY2VGk/TfqFpECM3cI/AAAAAAAAAGI/3saynyUMwDE/s320/SAM_2067.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Party favors/games table</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1cciFVVqAKU/TfqF71hq5oI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/dbwQQGWF4nE/s1600/SAM_2083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1cciFVVqAKU/TfqF71hq5oI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/dbwQQGWF4nE/s320/SAM_2083.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beautiful (but non-vegan) cake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mBsXu_BTDLA/TfqGFGRPHXI/AAAAAAAAAGU/yFdaJQmwr-M/s1600/SAM_2079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mBsXu_BTDLA/TfqGFGRPHXI/AAAAAAAAAGU/yFdaJQmwr-M/s320/SAM_2079.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half dozen vegan chocolate cupcakes just for me ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cRybjK9yCDY/TfqGNvoA5AI/AAAAAAAAAGY/eaABS3IRqnw/s1600/SAM_2088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cRybjK9yCDY/TfqGNvoA5AI/AAAAAAAAAGY/eaABS3IRqnw/s320/SAM_2088.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my mommy <3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>My baby shower was the same day as my mommy's birthday & DH's sister had turned 16 the day before. We had a triple celebration! I don't have all of the pictures yet but we played baby shower bingo, everyone cut a piece of string trying to guess the size of my belly (everyone also tried to cheat by hugging me prior to the game!) and the one I probably had the most fun with was that we couldn't say the word "baby". A lot of people, especially Elsa, DH's sister, had great strategy for getting people to mess up and she ultimately won the game. :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TOx16as7WFM/TfqGvjK6VSI/AAAAAAAAAGc/UQh_KXSI3E0/s1600/SAM_2091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TOx16as7WFM/TfqGvjK6VSI/AAAAAAAAAGc/UQh_KXSI3E0/s320/SAM_2091.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My family <3 Grandma, mom, auntie & cousin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0KL_qh4V_ls/TfqHK7KIuVI/AAAAAAAAAGo/4zUWhcTeVSY/s1600/SAM_2130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0KL_qh4V_ls/TfqHK7KIuVI/AAAAAAAAAGo/4zUWhcTeVSY/s320/SAM_2130.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another family shot :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r--sNeKdXuA/TfqHUSNseXI/AAAAAAAAAGs/4sbzQ8REZxs/s1600/SAM_2132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r--sNeKdXuA/TfqHUSNseXI/AAAAAAAAAGs/4sbzQ8REZxs/s320/SAM_2132.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of my best friends Barbie & Griselda</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1eVvOVDaoAw/TfqHdGX3eHI/AAAAAAAAAG0/mrLazmshy-8/s1600/248372_850743466718_60715680_39766024_8120144_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1eVvOVDaoAw/TfqHdGX3eHI/AAAAAAAAAG0/mrLazmshy-8/s320/248372_850743466718_60715680_39766024_8120144_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About to enjoy my cupcake!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7AoRpNGiBtQ/TfqG3-s8-FI/AAAAAAAAAGg/ZVrUUPOjPxY/s1600/SAM_2104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7AoRpNGiBtQ/TfqG3-s8-FI/AAAAAAAAAGg/ZVrUUPOjPxY/s320/SAM_2104.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom always taking a picture of me eating. That's my friend Natalie from high school, so thankful she went! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0EAv4JnlWU8/TfqHAdOcGqI/AAAAAAAAAGk/hu15UJahgTI/s1600/SAM_2112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0EAv4JnlWU8/TfqHAdOcGqI/AAAAAAAAAGk/hu15UJahgTI/s320/SAM_2112.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening gifts! That's a baby einstein turtle, so cute. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pEmqBYFyf7Y/TfqHcUBShwI/AAAAAAAAAGw/QqwMIQZw8Nc/s1600/SAM_2135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pEmqBYFyf7Y/TfqHcUBShwI/AAAAAAAAAGw/QqwMIQZw8Nc/s320/SAM_2135.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singing happy birthday to my mom & SIL</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1KiiVoEQmhg/TfqHdujHGGI/AAAAAAAAAG4/d8Ryrc4Jqos/s1600/254392_850744135378_60715680_39766037_3876739_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1KiiVoEQmhg/TfqHdujHGGI/AAAAAAAAAG4/d8Ryrc4Jqos/s320/254392_850744135378_60715680_39766037_3876739_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family & friends :)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pbCeFc3RsjY/TfqHeDjyWZI/AAAAAAAAAG8/NKkPe3TlmUk/s1600/260526_850744290068_60715680_39766040_1227892_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pbCeFc3RsjY/TfqHeDjyWZI/AAAAAAAAAG8/NKkPe3TlmUk/s320/260526_850744290068_60715680_39766040_1227892_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friends poking Teth Adam the whole night ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IEkI9MuviRY/TfqHehVYsnI/AAAAAAAAAHA/2EGCQb5rqDk/s1600/260040_850744025598_60715680_39766035_6281971_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IEkI9MuviRY/TfqHehVYsnI/AAAAAAAAAHA/2EGCQb5rqDk/s320/260040_850744025598_60715680_39766035_6281971_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dancing with my mom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Those are the main pictures I have from my camera. Luckily my mom & Elsa helped a lot taking pics with my camera, the rest are on my aunt's friend's camera so I am anxiously awaiting those! She's the one who captured us playing the games & me with the rest of the guests who were able to go.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>I feel bad because about 30 people had RSVPd yes but only half showed up so my aunt had a lot of leftover food & party favors. But honestly, those who did go are all people who truly love me, people I've known for years & I'm just so thankful that they were there to help make my shower such a special memorable day.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Perhaps the only awkward thing of the day was that everyone was talking to my belly for EXTENDED periods of time, Lol. You all know I love getting belly rubs (from people I know anyway) but everyone was trying to motivate Teth Adam to kick or punch so they could feel him. It was sweet, but still awkward. :)</div><div><br />
</div><div>The baby shower started around 3pm and didn't finish til around midnight. It was a very typical hispanic shower with mojitos, presidente beer & tequila shots. I even danced reggaeton with my mom! It was an unforgettable day and I have no regrets of the path that led me there. :)<br />
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<br />
**EDIT**<br />
<br />
I finally received pictures from my aunt's friend Bobbie's camera. She was an amazing help throughout the baby shower and I'm extremely thankful! Here are a few pics of people measuring my belly. :)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o5Cg4X6clcw/TjH713kugLI/AAAAAAAAAIY/Nq_3llTduWA/s1600/DSC_3679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o5Cg4X6clcw/TjH713kugLI/AAAAAAAAAIY/Nq_3llTduWA/s320/DSC_3679.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My grandma </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kWmHFvrsJTQ/TjH8GdVGd5I/AAAAAAAAAIc/qdzPKgKZbv8/s1600/DSC_3680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kWmHFvrsJTQ/TjH8GdVGd5I/AAAAAAAAAIc/qdzPKgKZbv8/s320/DSC_3680.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She was sad she didn't win ^_^</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DR96m_NEY0g/TjH8Zw1Eq_I/AAAAAAAAAIg/NV14E6R-nKU/s1600/DSC_3681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DR96m_NEY0g/TjH8Zw1Eq_I/AAAAAAAAAIg/NV14E6R-nKU/s320/DSC_3681.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My auntie</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eVi1rA_r8qo/TjH8r-gtYdI/AAAAAAAAAIk/XHRUnQBTDJc/s1600/DSC_3682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eVi1rA_r8qo/TjH8r-gtYdI/AAAAAAAAAIk/XHRUnQBTDJc/s320/DSC_3682.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also not the winner</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ApYwxZ6X4ds/TjH8-KBspII/AAAAAAAAAIo/N8UCnPdzweU/s1600/DSC_3684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ApYwxZ6X4ds/TjH8-KBspII/AAAAAAAAAIo/N8UCnPdzweU/s320/DSC_3684.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom (who cheated by the way!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lpJc9m5HIh0/TjH9Q3cOO0I/AAAAAAAAAIs/U49yHFPjlhc/s1600/DSC_3685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lpJc9m5HIh0/TjH9Q3cOO0I/AAAAAAAAAIs/U49yHFPjlhc/s320/DSC_3685.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And she still did not win!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1LxyV0-KOT4/TjH9ico4ryI/AAAAAAAAAIw/eM4bNS9hlXQ/s1600/DSC_3686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1LxyV0-KOT4/TjH9ico4ryI/AAAAAAAAAIw/eM4bNS9hlXQ/s320/DSC_3686.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My SIL was the closest & won :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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</div></div></div>Mommy Loves Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424457060965996332noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027244986330075895.post-15221884413488935622011-06-16T14:31:00.000-07:002011-06-16T14:31:31.179-07:00Miami June 8-10I'm not typically a nervous flyer. I have flown by myself on a few occasions & as long as I have some kind of entertainment I'm okay. However, something about flying while pregnant made me lose sleep the night before taking this trip. I did a lot of meditating to reduce stress & anxiety & even listened to my hypnobirthing tracks on the plane to stay in a state of serenity.<br />
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Once I landed, my mom was waiting for my in the airport. From the moment we greeted each other, we were glued at the hip the whole week!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yarHn3zct9s/TfpxMYsnlJI/AAAAAAAAAFM/or4xRbvfRag/s1600/IMG_5546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yarHn3zct9s/TfpxMYsnlJI/AAAAAAAAAFM/or4xRbvfRag/s320/IMG_5546.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me & Mommy (grandma in the back!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The first three days of the trip were mostly family focused. Wednesday & Thursday I spent the whole day with my mom, visited my grandma, got to see my aunt & cousin, even chatted up some of the neighbors. A few hours after landing on Wednesday we went to Whole Foods so that I could do my vegan grocery shopping, which I'm thrilled to say my mom actually ate all my cooking this time!<div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4V0fc3iTQ-g/Tfpxzo2rSEI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/K8MztDFyF_Y/s1600/IMG_5543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4V0fc3iTQ-g/Tfpxzo2rSEI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/K8MztDFyF_Y/s320/IMG_5543.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Whole Foods with a vegan cookie, yum!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5DcY1qf8gUY/Tfpx9jQ7BFI/AAAAAAAAAFU/biNw8qU3RH4/s1600/IMG_5545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5DcY1qf8gUY/Tfpx9jQ7BFI/AAAAAAAAAFU/biNw8qU3RH4/s320/IMG_5545.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First time seeing my auntie since being preggers :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ni9JD3Lg13o/TfpyKE2bYMI/AAAAAAAAAFY/9TtDUMtSVsU/s1600/IMG_5554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ni9JD3Lg13o/TfpyKE2bYMI/AAAAAAAAAFY/9TtDUMtSVsU/s320/IMG_5554.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating a vegan cold-cut sandwich at my grandma's</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lldMM3Nk50/TfpyS8-P2fI/AAAAAAAAAFc/zwlh_9Kfm0A/s1600/IMG_5547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lldMM3Nk50/TfpyS8-P2fI/AAAAAAAAAFc/zwlh_9Kfm0A/s320/IMG_5547.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 9yo cousin who's already my height!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div>It was amazing to see my family. My mom & my grandma I had just seen for Mother's Day here in NYC but it was of course wonderful to see them again. Seeing everyone else though was so much fun because I got a lot of belly rubs & belly pokes. Seeing their faces when they saw my belly for the first time was just priceless. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Thursday was the calmest day. I stayed home with my mom, just the two of us. I helped her with some laundry, her aunt, who I've always called grandma, stopped by to see me & we really just spent the day talking. Oh yeah, and she had me "model" around the apartment, hehee. </div><div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ubCcJ4ai-68/Tfp0Q9KK8jI/AAAAAAAAAFg/Z-mCQa3taZI/s1600/IMG_5578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ubCcJ4ai-68/Tfp0Q9KK8jI/AAAAAAAAAFg/Z-mCQa3taZI/s320/IMG_5578.JPG" width="208" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helping with laundry</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ANJL7KPus9c/Tfp0UZ742HI/AAAAAAAAAFk/Aw9Gg6DS3n8/s1600/IMG_5561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ANJL7KPus9c/Tfp0UZ742HI/AAAAAAAAAFk/Aw9Gg6DS3n8/s320/IMG_5561.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Modeling on the couch</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8bWiWVW9630/Tfp0WFlwisI/AAAAAAAAAFo/m_5yV7WCEXQ/s1600/IMG_5563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8bWiWVW9630/Tfp0WFlwisI/AAAAAAAAAFo/m_5yV7WCEXQ/s320/IMG_5563.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing off her new tv</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tm0ui_-Affs/Tfp0Zgo23LI/AAAAAAAAAFs/mrnM_XB9vJc/s1600/IMG_5580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tm0ui_-Affs/Tfp0Zgo23LI/AAAAAAAAAFs/mrnM_XB9vJc/s320/IMG_5580.JPG" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My "grandma"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A04uJH_4Ma0/Tfp0emShdlI/AAAAAAAAAFw/1J76sDj2S_Y/s1600/IMG_5584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A04uJH_4Ma0/Tfp0emShdlI/AAAAAAAAAFw/1J76sDj2S_Y/s320/IMG_5584.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting on my mom's lap </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div>Friday we went to my aunt's house since that is where the baby shower was going to be held the following day. We helped her finish up the decorations & started prepping the food. By "we" I of course mean everyone but me. I played with Gabriel (my cousin) on the Wii & he taught me how to play Yankee Doodle on the piano. :)</div><div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3sDtFW-X-4U/Tfp1h49v1ZI/AAAAAAAAAF0/ytZrywGosEc/s1600/IMG_5601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3sDtFW-X-4U/Tfp1h49v1ZI/AAAAAAAAAF0/ytZrywGosEc/s320/IMG_5601.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing Rock Band</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4okfR2ZoSTU/Tfp1ksgX2eI/AAAAAAAAAF4/iRmKPXv96nw/s1600/IMG_5593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4okfR2ZoSTU/Tfp1ksgX2eI/AAAAAAAAAF4/iRmKPXv96nw/s320/IMG_5593.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing piano</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3WNIKaUfW00/Tfp1ppW-Y_I/AAAAAAAAAF8/8MxDs4nsZuk/s1600/IMG_5590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3WNIKaUfW00/Tfp1ppW-Y_I/AAAAAAAAAF8/8MxDs4nsZuk/s320/IMG_5590.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my auntie's hubby & his parents</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6EYhQumFR1k/Tfp1sIL99vI/AAAAAAAAAGA/VbkO8fJgy7s/s1600/IMG_5586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6EYhQumFR1k/Tfp1sIL99vI/AAAAAAAAAGA/VbkO8fJgy7s/s320/IMG_5586.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last modeling pose at my mommy's house<br />
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table>That about wraps up my first 3 days in Miami. Lots of quality time with my family. Next entry will be all about my baby shower!! I hope to post that one soon. Choosing what pictures to post will be difficult, there are so many to choose from! :)<div><br />
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</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Mommy Loves Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424457060965996332noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027244986330075895.post-69702707073517984852011-06-06T11:11:00.000-07:002018-07-12T13:31:34.851-07:00New Milestone - We've Chosen A Name!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wEOKbnQut88/Te0W0vqU3rI/AAAAAAAAAE8/bHyvA943s0U/s1600/KR-The-Name-Game-1-300x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wEOKbnQut88/Te0W0vqU3rI/AAAAAAAAAE8/bHyvA943s0U/s1600/KR-The-Name-Game-1-300x225.jpg" /></a></div>
Mike has intuitively known from the moment we learned I was pregnant that we were having a boy. I refused to play the "name game" until we knew for sure. Once we confirmed (twice!) with the sonograms, we started what I thought would be a never ending battle of throwing out every boy name ever imaginable.<br />
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Yesterday, on our way to the movies, it just kind of happened. There was a name he really wanted & I had a few of my own. He fused his together with one of my favorites and I just fell in love with it! When we came home I started looking up the meanings & origins of the names, ensuring easy spelling & pronunciation and as little wiggle room for teasing as possible.<br />
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And with that, I am thrilled to say...We have finally chosen a name for our son! We're no longer calling him Peanut around the house. I haven't decided yet if we'll be sharing with family & friends, let alone our internet family.<br />
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If we do decide to share, I'll definitely be announcing it in the form of a blog entry. :) If not, then everyone will just have to wait until he's born! I just hope our son loves his name as much as we do.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5W4TJYFJUZQ/Te0XHJx7WoI/AAAAAAAAAFA/zoCbYd6aThk/s1600/name+baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5W4TJYFJUZQ/Te0XHJx7WoI/AAAAAAAAAFA/zoCbYd6aThk/s1600/name+baby.jpg" /></a></div>
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When you chose your child's name, did you share it with everyone right away? Did you wait until he was born? If you could do it over again, would you make the same decision? And here's another fun one: other moms have told me to have a back-up name just in case when I see his face he doesn't look like the name we've chosen. Did you have a back-up list? Choosing one name was hard enough! I'd love to hear your thoughts, feedback, experience. :)</div>
Mommy Loves Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424457060965996332noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027244986330075895.post-26872466247523746032011-06-01T20:09:00.000-07:002011-06-01T20:14:52.045-07:00Thankful Thursday - 21 weeks pregnantSo much has been going on lately, so many ups and downs (these pregnancy hormones are no joke!) that it's nice to take a minute and reflect on a few of the very positive things in my life. I was inspired to do this now, besides, it'll be Thursday in less than an hour. ;)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b4R8EIubE9Y/Teb936eQMVI/AAAAAAAAAEs/x3iovBYPQ1c/s1600/SAM_2046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b4R8EIubE9Y/Teb936eQMVI/AAAAAAAAAEs/x3iovBYPQ1c/s320/SAM_2046.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm thankful for my growing baby boy (21 weeks)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dfWBKyR58fc/Teb-ATuE_EI/AAAAAAAAAEw/6mElhspNsUc/s1600/SAM_2051_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dfWBKyR58fc/Teb-ATuE_EI/AAAAAAAAAEw/6mElhspNsUc/s320/SAM_2051_2.JPG" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm thankful for my other baby =^_^=</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xnCvJhwxbFA/Teb-JSGtMMI/AAAAAAAAAE0/8jzI_SG9830/s1600/SAM_2020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xnCvJhwxbFA/Teb-JSGtMMI/AAAAAAAAAE0/8jzI_SG9830/s320/SAM_2020.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm thankful for being with the love of my life</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Mommy Loves Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424457060965996332noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027244986330075895.post-40596109031629944982011-05-31T17:03:00.000-07:002018-07-12T13:27:44.674-07:00Recap May 5th-May 31st<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So much has happened since the last time that I wrote a blog entry that I will do my best to keep this short while at the same time including as much of what's happened as possible. But mostly, lots of pictures!!</div>
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Last time I was here, I was taking guesses on whether I was having a boy or a girl. I'd like to thank everyone who helped make that so much fun for me. I know there are others who guessed that I wasn't able to name & I'm sorry but that was the week my family was here & I barely got on the computer! Obviously the results are in and I'm having a BOY! :D<br />
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I had an elective sonogram done on Thursday, May 5th at <a href="http://goldenviewultrasound.com/">GoldenView UltraSound</a> the day after my mom & grandma arrived from Miami. We got to see our baby on a huge screen in a nice private room with soft lullaby music playing in the background. It was beyond overwhelming. Our little peanut did the most important thing which was to show the goods. :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Money Shot!</td></tr>
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After he showed us his pickle he decided to be shy & gave us a hard time to see his pretty little face, but I did get to see him to do this awesome flip in my belly in his attempt to bury his face. I'm so glad I sprung for the DVD package!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His hand on his cheek</td></tr>
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My mom & grandma's visit was absolutely amazing. It got a bit stressful at times (isn't that how all families are?) but it was definitely one of the best weeks I've ever had. Hubby was extremely helpful and supportive while they were here and he even surprised the 3 of us with flowers on Mother's Day.<br />
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For my first Mother's Day, I shocked mom & grandma by taking them to St. Patrick's Cathedral for a special mass (I haven't been to mass since I was about 14). We then walked along 5th avenue & had lunch at Central Park. The other days were spent buying things for baby at <a href="http://www.babiesrus.com/">Babies R Us</a> (I finally started my registry that day!), showing them around China Town which they loved and doing a little bit of sight seeing. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom & Grandma when they just arrived</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my mom on the train</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Babies R Us scan gun! :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom with her Mother's Day flowers</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Mother's Day flowers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s-7rew6w6B8/TeVv9FGDm4I/AAAAAAAAADM/bI3W7RDwtbk/s1600/SAM_1952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s-7rew6w6B8/TeVv9FGDm4I/AAAAAAAAADM/bI3W7RDwtbk/s320/SAM_1952.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of their favorite store</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Central Park</td></tr>
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After my mom & grandma left I stayed in nesting mode to distract myself from how empty the apartment felt with them gone. I think even my cat was starting to miss them since my grandma would let her sleep next to her on the bed. Hubby had already bought me my awesome glider from Craigslist. (Lucky it has blue cushions since we are having a boy after all!). And since mom & grandma went a little nuts buying baby things (and my auntie had sent me stuff too!) I now needed storage space to put away the itty bitty clothes. :)<br />
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Glider with baby's first toys</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby's dresser & wooden rocking horse (both also from CraigsList!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitty guarding baby's books</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WVujlREYjFw/TeV2jyEEKlI/AAAAAAAAADo/9N5k5ezwuxY/s1600/IMG_5215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WVujlREYjFw/TeV2jyEEKlI/AAAAAAAAADo/9N5k5ezwuxY/s320/IMG_5215.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Itty bitty boy clothes! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ddInTQKx74c/TeV3CRmTTRI/AAAAAAAAADs/tLpnC9PnlJI/s1600/IMG_5214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ddInTQKx74c/TeV3CRmTTRI/AAAAAAAAADs/tLpnC9PnlJI/s320/IMG_5214.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Itty bitty socks, mittens & hats!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Itty bitty blankets, wash cloths & bibs :) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8_867JBmXjI/TeV58IyUOGI/AAAAAAAAAD0/Hq_PVgQRc9k/s1600/IMG_5225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8_867JBmXjI/TeV58IyUOGI/AAAAAAAAAD0/Hq_PVgQRc9k/s1600/IMG_5225.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Graco Stroller I won :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ta3U3TBPRuI/TeV6oZlkfaI/AAAAAAAAAD8/6NeLFzZcPxQ/s1600/IMG_5319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ta3U3TBPRuI/TeV6oZlkfaI/AAAAAAAAAD8/6NeLFzZcPxQ/s320/IMG_5319.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peanut's Co-Sleeper </td></tr>
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I've kept busy not just doing things around the house but I took an awesome baby wearing workshop at <a href="http://wwwmetrominis.com/">Metro Minis</a> which inspired Hubby to practice using blankets around the house with stuffed animals. </div>
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I also finished my registries, one at Babies R Us, the other at Metro Minis for cloth diapers & baby wearing essentials. Somewhere along the lines of nesting & completing the registries I sort of hit this funk where I realized I wouldn't be having a baby shower. Living in NYC I haven't exactly made any friends outside of Hubby's little circle. I spent two days kind of obsessing over it, with crazy ups and downs until I decided there was only one solution: Go to Miami to be with my family & friends there. My aunt had offered to throw me a baby shower since day one, so that is exactly what we're doing!</div>
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I leave next week on the 8th & the baby shower will be Saturday the 11th (my mommy's 61st birthday!). I'll only be 22 weeks pregnant but I'm just not comfortable flying any later than that. I'll be in Miami for a week so hopefully that will be enough time to see everyone & show off my beautiful pregnant belly. :)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegan baby shower cake "research" at Whole Foods</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I finally opted for a less expensive banner ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My auntie found a ton of cute Noah's Ark themed goodies at the dollar store</td></tr>
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While I had gone back & forth on this whole baby shower business I am extremely happy to be flying home for a week to see my mom & grandma again and for the rest of my family to see me. I have been trying to be as involved as possible with the shower because I'm just so excited but my aunt keeps telling me to just sit back & enjoy, so I am trying to do that. :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Shower Crafts ^_^</td></tr>
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The 28th was my niece's 1st birthday party which was a lot of work but so much fun! I baked 3 dozen vegan vanilla cupcakes which I'm proud to say were an absolute hit. During the middle of the party I grabbed a blanket and fell asleep under a tree with Hubby for a good hour or so. I wish someone would've snapped a picture of that! I even missed them singing happy birthday but I was there for everything else. O_o </div>
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There was a clown & face painting which I think the adults enjoyed more than the children. It was a beautiful Saturday & I got so many belly rubs! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday Girl! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stork face painting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XoM_FgS2iko/TeV-jE59CLI/AAAAAAAAAEM/FuB3BUZdcpQ/s1600/IMG_5450.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XoM_FgS2iko/TeV-jE59CLI/AAAAAAAAAEM/FuB3BUZdcpQ/s320/IMG_5450.PNG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Hubby <3</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DmQ6NdwzrOo/TeV-7qauuzI/AAAAAAAAAEg/EdRbdD_ikAo/s1600/IMG_5385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DmQ6NdwzrOo/TeV-7qauuzI/AAAAAAAAAEg/EdRbdD_ikAo/s320/IMG_5385.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue flower balloon bracelet</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cupcakes!</td></tr>
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I guess it's been a pretty eventful couple of weeks! Hopefully this is me returning to the blogging world on a more regular basis. As far as my pregnancy, everything is going wonderfully. I had my anatomy scan on the 26th & everything looks normal & healthy. Baby boy just loves to show his junk too, so we got to confirm once again that we are definitely having a boy. :D<br />
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I'm 21 weeks pregnant today. My belly just keeps growing & growing & every day I feel baby move more & more. I haven't gained much weight or acquired any new symptoms luckily so sometimes I really do forget that I'm pregnant! </div>
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I'm looking forward to next week so I'll keep my blog up to date so that I can keep everyone updated on my Miami adventures!! <3<br />
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Mommy Loves Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424457060965996332noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027244986330075895.post-56587241107173900082011-05-04T09:59:00.000-07:002011-05-04T17:56:28.773-07:00Boy or Girl??My mom and grandma are flying in today from Florida to visit me for my first Mother's Day. I'm actually supposed to be getting ready to go pick them up at the airport soon! This year my gift to them is going to be a sneak peek at the baby. I have booked an elective sonogram to determine the gender at <a href="http://www.goldenviewultrasound.com/">GoldenView Ultrasound</a> tomorrow morning at 9:30amEST.<br />
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Hopefully Peanut will show the goods! Today will be a busy day but I am trying to collect guesses and while I'm sure there's a better way to do it, I'm going to list the ones I already have here. If anyone else wants to give it a go before I reveal tomorrow, please leave a comment!! :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hTK-WQ5r_q4/TcGDfPB7jkI/AAAAAAAAACA/HWVkwWMemJg/s1600/boy-or-girl%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hTK-WQ5r_q4/TcGDfPB7jkI/AAAAAAAAACA/HWVkwWMemJg/s1600/boy-or-girl%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<b><u>BOY</u></b><br />
Hubby who is 100% sure it's a boy<br />
Grandma<br />
Grandpa (may he RIP) in my dreams said I'm having a boy<br />
Auntie<br />
Dad<br />
SIL-Jessie<br />
@angela0916<br />
@JayBee838<br />
@thedaily_poop<br />
@Sheepmama<br />
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<b><u>GIRL</u></b><br />
Mom<br />
BIL-Louis<br />
Griselda<br />
Vicky<br />
Calleah<br />
@ToniRaquel<br />
@twopinklinez<br />
@ReluctantMama<br />
@RaisingKailey<br />
@FreeChildhood<br />
@gossamersmiles<br />
@happyascanbe3<br />
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You have until my big reveal tomorrow to put your guess in. There's no prize except knowing that you were right and rubbing it in everyone else's face. ;) As for my guess, I would love a girl, but due mostly to Hubby's brainwashing, I've been having strong <b>BOY </b>vibes. I guess we'll see tomorrow morning!Mommy Loves Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424457060965996332noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027244986330075895.post-57726228743014982042011-04-28T16:03:00.000-07:002018-07-12T13:30:39.394-07:00Not A Daddy's Little Girl<i>**Disclaimer: This is a long & personal entry that may bore some of you, but I needed to sort out my feelings and I do that best by writing.**</i><br />
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I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and was raised by my mom in Miami, Florida after my parents divorced when I was about 4 years old. My mom's side of the family lived in Miami so we moved to be close to them. Although I had my grandma, aunt and uncle close by, it always felt like it was just me & my mom in the beginning. With the exception of a few "rebellious" years on my end once I graduated high school, I've always been extremely close to my mom for that reason.<br />
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Growing up my mom used to always tell me that I could call my father and have a relationship with him whenever I wanted to. But he always moved around, changed his number, or was simply impossible to reach. Whenever I did get to talk to him I would cry and ask him why he wasn't around. Every birthday I was hopeful he'd call. Every Christmas I held out for a gift from him. In elementary school I struggled every year with Father's Day arts & crafts; I'd always make something for my mom. As I entered high school my concerns turned to who I would have the "Father-Daughter" dance with at my quinceañera (hispanic sweet 16) or at my wedding. I think it was around that time that I started to bond more with my uncle as he had been the only strong, constant male figure in my life. Even today I often say he's my dad & while I never did have a quinceañera, if Mike & I ever get married it's my uncle who will walk me down the aisle.<br />
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Even seeing dads with their daughters on the street affects me. Movies, books, songs dealing with father-daughter relationships are automatic tear-jerkers for me. This has been my whole life, a pain that I have always carried around with me that I just can't seem to shake off. Not sure I ever will be able to either. As a matter of fact, having met Mike's father & having developed a caring relationship with him was incredibly difficult for me too. I would get sick & he'd buy me medicine, make sure I was feeling ok. Now that he's in Florida he still asks to talk to me to see how I'm doing. For father's day & other "just-because" occasions I would bake him a cake & then cry that this man who barely knew me showed me more love than my biological father. I would then remind Mike how lucky he was to have a loving father in his life.<br />
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It wasn't like I never spoke to my father or saw him in all those years though. When I was about 16 I did go visit him. He was living in Orlando at the time with his new wife and 2 year old son. It was extremely difficult to sort my feelings. I felt I was betraying my mom by spending time with them. It was even harder to have conversations with my dad because as I got older my feelings of hurt and anger didn't result in crying as much as it did in me cursing him out for being absent from my life.<br />
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Also with time I learned more stories about why my parents got divorced and some of the things he put my mom through. That made it even harder to want to talk or see this man who was "my father". My whole life has been this back and forth of not being quite sure how to feel about my dad. I always felt like I was the one initiating conversations which would result in frustration and ultimately me not wanting anything to with him.<br />
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I don't remember where I was or who told me the news but the day I found out my father & his wife had a new baby daughter I lost it. Somehow him having a son didn't affect me, seeing pictures of them together, him calling me his sister. Being an only child I thought it was neat that I had a half-brother. Once I learned he had another daughter, the pain that shot through my body was indescribable. Then came facebook. Seeing pictures of their perfect family taking trips together, going to church, school events, him holding his kids. Why couldn't he have had that life with me and my mom? What changed? Were we not special enough? This still hurts, I just don't think about it because why do that to myself.<br />
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Even through that I would still manage to pick up the phone wanting him to be in my life but nothing ever stuck with him. Last year my grandfather passed away & his sister, technically my aunt, went to the funeral. It was weird for me because I was sad about my grandfather but angry that she was there, angry my father had not called me to see how I was. It got worse when I found out my father had been calling my mom and getting updates about me. WHY NOT CALL ME DIRECTLY?<br />
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I blocked him on facebook and swore him off. That was the last time I would cry because of my "daddy issues." That would be the last time he'd hurt me. That would be the last time I would ever give having a relationship with him a second thought.<br />
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And then I found out I was pregnant. How could I deny my baby the chance to know his (or her) grandfather. For better or worse, he is family. For better or worse, he is part of the reason I'm on this earth. As much as I've always hated it, sometimes I would do or say something and my mom would say I was the spitting image of my father. I didn't want to be anything like him, I don't even want to carry his last name, but blood is thicker than water, I couldn't deny that. Once again I found myself trying to call him but the number was disconnected. I emailed him and didn't get a reply. Then I remembered he was on facebook. I un-blocked him and sent him a dry message asking him to call me. I didn't think he would.<br />
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But then this Monday my phone rang. I've since made the decision to put the past behind me (that is where it belongs after all, right?) and move forward. He knows that it's in his hands to continue this relationship with me and his grandchild. I'm not going to chase after him or be upset if this withers away. (Ok, I'll be upset, but I won't be surprised). He was shocked and very happy to hear that I'm pregnant. He updated me with his new contact info and I promptly emailed him pictures & the sound clips of peanut's heart beat. He's overwhelmed and excited that I'm including him in this awesome journey.<br />
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I have faith that this won't bite me in the butt. I'd rather regret something I did versus something I didn't do and suffer the "what if" syndrome. For now I'm taking it day by day as I continue to focus on the positive. Besides, everything I have gone through, every morsel of emotion, makes me who I am today & I love that person. :)<br />
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My pregnancy is coming along really well. I'm now 16 weeks and 2 days pregnant. 4 months already! I myself can't believe it sometimes. I continue to thank my lucky stars that I am having a healthy pregnancy.<br />
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<i>**Thank you for reading**</i>Mommy Loves Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424457060965996332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027244986330075895.post-22420080221266170722011-04-22T11:15:00.000-07:002011-04-22T11:15:05.768-07:00Happy Earth Day!Today I'll be celebrating mother nature's birthday by having lunch outdoors and reading a book under a tree. It's a little cold to be lingering outside. However, I've been looking forward to disconnecting today and reflecting on some of the greener changes I've made in the past few months and what new things I can start doing know that little peanut is on the way.<br />
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If nothing else, join me today in a 10 minute reflection on how we can make our footprint smaller.<br />
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Tomorrow I will post the steps I've already taken and what I can improve on. Really hope to hear everyone's earth friendly solutions. :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Ancient Proverb<br />
We have not inherited the earth from our ancestors, we have only borrowed it from our children.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Mommy Loves Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424457060965996332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027244986330075895.post-16956866289409688092011-04-21T16:39:00.000-07:002011-04-21T20:08:26.650-07:00Thankful Thursday - Maternity Shopping<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While I may not have my close family and friends here to accompany me whenever I need (or simply want to) go maternity clothes shopping, I manage to have fun all by myself. <a href="http://www.motherhood.com/">Motherhood</a> has this silly little pillow that you wrap around your belly and every time I shop there, I wear it and giggle. I love to imagine how big my belly will get as peanut grows and it's fun to see if the clothes I'm buying will stretch along with my bump!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Bump Pillow!! :)</td></tr>
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I'm thankful for days like today where the weather was nice enough for me to walk 15 minutes over to the store. I'm thankful that I found a pretty dress for my 1st Mother's Day and especially thankful that I'll be sharing that day with my mom and grandma. I'm thankful that the dress I wound up liking the most was on sale (every dollar counts!) and I'm thankful I found underwear that now fits my rounder body. :D<br />
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Most of all I am thankful to be having a happy and healthy pregnancy. I look at myself in the mirror and still can't believe it! Then I start crying of happiness because, well, I'm hormonal and just can't help it. Which then makes me thankful for my Twitter mamas for their love and support. It's great knowing I'm not alone with how I feel! ^_^<br />
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What are you thankful for?Mommy Loves Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424457060965996332noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027244986330075895.post-9056123258313944312011-04-20T19:29:00.000-07:002011-04-20T19:29:52.872-07:00Wordless Wednesday<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YdGsozpOTZ0/Ta-V3zQzvKI/AAAAAAAAAB0/C0-1ve9_vKE/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YdGsozpOTZ0/Ta-V3zQzvKI/AAAAAAAAAB0/C0-1ve9_vKE/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is his niece. I can't imagine how much more precious it'll be when he's holding our little peanut.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Mommy Loves Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424457060965996332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027244986330075895.post-22055644001521284922011-04-19T14:22:00.000-07:002018-07-12T13:37:41.062-07:00Mommy-hood "Sacrifices"I always knew that the day I'd decide to have a child it would change my life forever. I never gave it much thought past that general feeling though.<br />
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Mike and I are pretty much still children ourselves. We watch cartoons while eating breakfast, play video games, read comic books, treasure our action figures/stuffed animals and we are just overall lighthearted fun people!<br />
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I'm 15 weeks pregnant (yay!) and am already noticing changes or "sacrifices" that will have to be made once our little peanut arrives. I'll clarify that the word sacrifice is in quotation marks because I feel it has a negative connotations since I truly am open and excited about the adjustments I'll be making.<br />
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Ever since we became vegan I have taken active interests in volunteer organizations, animal sanctuaries, documentary screenings and other events promoting this healthy compassionate lifestyle. As it happens, most of the events that I want to attend, like <a href="http://www.farmsanctuary.org/farm/calendar/">Farm Sanctuary's Thansksgiving Feast FOR the Turkeys</a>, <a href="http://vegfest.webs.com/">NYC 3rd Annual VegFest</a>, and Walk for Farm Animals are all done in October/November at which time I will be busy at home with a precious newborn. Also this year <a href="http://www.newyorkcomiccon.com/">New York Comic Con</a> will be 4 days and of course, held the day after my due date.<br />
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There are other events coming up in the midst of my pregnancy, like <a href="http://veggieconquest.com/veggieprom/">Veggie Conquest's Veggie Prom</a>, <a href="http://www.forksoverknives.com/showtimes/">Forks Over Knives Screening</a>, and the most painful one for me to miss-Jack's Mannequin will be performing in Central Park.<br />
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Even with all of those events I'll be missing, I have so many wonderful things to look forward to. Soon I'll start feeling my baby swish around in my belly, we'll know if we're having a boy or a girl, I'll be celebrating my first Mother's Day with my mom & grandma, we'll paint our room and start decorating for peanut's arrival and oh yeah, in October we'll be <b>HAVING A BABY</b>!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yP3a3JE7WNM/Ta35sDOEg_I/AAAAAAAAABM/Kk3CJ7Mpo_Y/s1600/ErinCartoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yP3a3JE7WNM/Ta35sDOEg_I/AAAAAAAAABM/Kk3CJ7Mpo_Y/s320/ErinCartoon.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
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Yes, a lot of things will be different, both on our social calendars and behind closed doors. But this is something I've always known I wanted.<br />
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Some of my single friends look at me like my life is over. My life is just now beginning. I have never been a party girl, I don't care for clubs or happy hour. Being a full time mom is not going to be much of a stretch for me. I've already started making changes, among them taking a serious interest in learning how to cook a variety of healthy, vegan meals. Next on my list is to learn how to knit or crochet. It goes without saying that I have a lot of love to give. Besides, Mike and I will finally have an excuse to be in the toy section for hours without getting weird looks from people!<br />
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Also, what better way to enjoy those events next year with our child and show them first hand what living a green, compassionate life is all about. And you know, how fun comic book conventions and cosplaying is. ^_^Mommy Loves Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424457060965996332noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027244986330075895.post-5730168524617074992011-04-08T15:06:00.000-07:002018-07-12T13:24:31.794-07:00Midwife Visit & Baby's Heart BeatI officially have a midwife! I never did interview any others, or even make more phone calls like I originally set out to do. Honestly, after meeting Kimm I just knew in my gut that this was the woman that would help bring my child into this world in the comfort of my home.<br />
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Michael and I went to see her today so that they could meet each other and to ensure that the three of us were on the same page. It was a quick meeting at the end of which we all agreed that we'd work around my pending insurance application and start prenatal visits with her as soon as possible.<br />
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My next (and last) prenatal visit at the free clinic is on Tuesday the 12th where I'll ask them to release my medical records to my midwife and finally be done with that place. I already caught a glimpse into the comfort of my visits with Kimm, since her home is her office. She sits on these cool pillows on the floor and I loved the fact that she checked for peanut's heart beat on her own couch.<br />
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Today was the third time I got to enjoy hearing peanut's heart beat but it was the first time that I got to record it. Strong and healthy and 145bpm I got overly emotional (as I usually do) and couldn't stop mumbling the words "There really is a baby in my belly!"<br />
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Needless to say, today was an amazingly spectacularly magical day. :) I couldn't be more pleased with how everything is turning out and hope that things will continue along the path of the peaceful home birth that I have envisioned.<br />
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Here is a sound clip of <a href="http://twiturm.com/m64d3">Baby's Heart Beat 4.8.11</a> :)Mommy Loves Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424457060965996332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027244986330075895.post-13605036631235725192011-04-07T13:56:00.000-07:002011-04-07T13:56:02.951-07:00100% Natural PregnancyMy choice to be vegan has not been only about my dietary habits. I have incorporated a compassionate choice in every thing that I do. Compassionate for our planet, compassionate for me and now compassionate for baby as well.<br />
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In my pregnancy I have encountered obstacles finding products that work for me. For example, instead of having a "pregnancy glow" my face is all blotchy but I have yet to find natural, organic, chemical free makeup. I continue to go sans makeup because I'd rather my skin be naturally blotchy than covered up with products that might further irritate it.<br />
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I am only now beginning my second trimester but I feel my skin stretching out and I immediately began to search for a lotion that I could use. The extra obstacle in this case would be my current sensitivity to anything that is scented. Luckily my boyfriend found this amazing fragrance free, biodegradable, vegan lotion by <a href="http://www.desertessence.com/bath-body/fragrance-free-hand-and-body-lotion">Desert Essence</a>. It has been the best pregnancy item so far that we've purchased.<br />
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They recently posted a contest on <a href="http://twitter.com/desertessence">Twitter</a>: "Share the story of why you switched to #natural & enter to win a year's supply of your fave DE product!" <a href="http://ow.ly/4uQqh">Enter here</a> there is still time to win. :)<br />
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Below is my contest entry:<br />
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Not using natural beauty products is simply not natural in my opinion. Like most women, I never thought twice about what was in my body lotion, shampoo, lipgloss or any of my other "must have" products that were part of my repertoire. Until I did. Last year due mostly to health reasons, I made the decision to go vegan overnight. Once my research led me into the ethical reasons, the impact that we consciously choose to make in our everyday decisions, I realized I would have to change more than just my eating habits. As drastically as I changed my dietary lifestyle, I made the same choice with everything else. Makeup, perfume, lotions, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, you name it. If the ingredients list sounded like a sophisticated science project that I would not be able to complete, it was tossed or given away. Luckily I made all these changes before becoming pregnant with my first child. I am proud to say that I am having an all natural, ecoconscious pregnancy filled with compassionate choices and I intend to raise my child with the same values. With this pregnancy, I discovered Desert Essence's fragrance free lotion. Thanks to baby's aversion to chocolate and other sweet scents, I was determined to find a shea/cocoa butter whose smell would not make me lose my breakfast. Desert Essence to the rescue! It has truly made a huge difference in my day to day routine, no more itchy belly for this mommy to be! I hope that more people decide to realize what it is they're using on their bodies. We have the power to make a difference simply be becoming aware and amazing companies like Desert Essence make it possible for the changes to be compromise free.Mommy Loves Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424457060965996332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027244986330075895.post-34805187386075503202011-04-01T17:10:00.000-07:002011-04-07T14:19:49.087-07:00Happy April Fools' Day!What better day to finally announce that I'm pregnant on my facebook page than on April Fools' Day! After yesterday's disappointment of not getting my sonogram, I realized that I had put off doing a lot of things such as telling the rest of my friends because I wanted to make sure everything was ok.<br />
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Well, everything IS o.k and I decided I didn't want to wait any longer. I thought of a cute way to come out and say it, since I didn't just want to blurt out "I'M PREGNANT!" That's all I've been doing since I found out and I really wanted to try something creative this time. :)<br />
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Here's what I posted as my status a few minutes after midnight:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uz_D10-lLFI/TZZnhv83-6I/AAAAAAAAABE/y99CRPuH8Lo/s1600/baby_stork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uz_D10-lLFI/TZZnhv83-6I/AAAAAAAAABE/y99CRPuH8Lo/s1600/baby_stork.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">Look who came to visit! Dropped off a gift that says "Fragile: Do Not Open Til October 12, 2011" ♥<br />
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<div>So far one friend commented asking me if I really was, then I guess she realized what day it was and said she wasn't going to fall for it. Another friend who already knows that I really am pregnant said that she loved it and my aunt, who also clearly knows the truth, wrote in asking if it was an April Fools' prank. </div><div><br />
</div><div>No one else seems to have taken the bait but that's ok, I'm having a lot of fun with it! My plan is to post a picture of my 7 week sonogram a little after midnight to confirm that I am in fact expecting a little bundle of joy. :)</div><div><br />
</div><div>Two years ago, I got my mom by calling and saying I was pregnant. I went along with it for a few minutes, telling her that I wanted to wait until I was sure before I told her and that the doctor confirmed I was 8 weeks along. She started crying (happy tears) and I felt so bad that I had chosen that as my prank that I haven't fooled her since! At least today I get to tell people I'm pregnant without having to yell "April Fool!" afterwards. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Hope that everyone has enjoyed their April Fools' Day and if you fell for a prank, don't take it seriously! Just run out and prank somebody else right back. ^_^<br />
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P.S-Happy Birthday to one of my best friends in the whole world. Barbie, you're everyone's favorite April Fool. Love you!<br />
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</div>Mommy Loves Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424457060965996332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027244986330075895.post-731402871345661292011-03-31T18:38:00.000-07:002011-04-07T14:21:18.370-07:00"Don't Worry" Letter to PeanutDear Peanut,<br />
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Mommy is very sorry that she has been crying so much today. It's not your fault and I hope I have not made you sad or worried by my emotional state. Mommy really really really wanted to see you today and was very disappointed when I was told that I'll have to wait two more months.<br />
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Your great-grandfather passed away one year ago today which also has me on a bit of a roller coaster. He was a special character but I am sure he would have been thrilled to meet you and would have spoiled you rotten. I am always celebrating the joy of having you and remembering where I was a year ago today makes you so much more special. I love you so much my little peanut and my tears today are just a reflection of overwhelming love.<br />
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Daddy was very good at comforting me today even though I know he was also sad that he didn't get to see you. He wouldn't have woken up so early and held an umbrella over me on this cold, yucky rainy day to get to the sonogram place if he hadn't been as excited as me!<br />
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I hope you heard my comforting whispers and felt my caresses today and that I didn't scare you too much. We love you and I know we'll get to see your beautiful face soon.<br />
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<div style="text-align: right;">I Love You Peanut,</div><div style="text-align: right;">Mommy</div>Mommy Loves Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424457060965996332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027244986330075895.post-11471626983441216832011-03-31T14:22:00.000-07:002011-04-07T14:21:49.020-07:00Thankful ThursdayI just wanted to write a quick line about how thankful I am that my grandmother is still alive and strong a year after losing her husband and partner in life of 52 years.<br />
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I am of course also extremely thankful to be blessed with this new life that is growing inside me and all the love that I am surrounded by on a daily basis.<br />
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I hope everyone is having a beautiful Thursday.Mommy Loves Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424457060965996332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027244986330075895.post-10733564019445811162011-03-30T18:40:00.000-07:002011-04-07T14:23:19.410-07:00Wordless Wednesday - Remembering my GrandfatherPlaying hairdresser with my grandpa. I must have been 4 years old in this picture. That's my grandma in the back watching me try to put a roller in his hair. :) I love you grandpa and I miss you very much.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ariel Gomez July 30, 1932 - March 31, 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Mommy Loves Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424457060965996332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027244986330075895.post-24937791679934420632011-03-18T20:11:00.000-07:002011-04-07T14:25:59.645-07:00MIdwife Meeting #1-possibly my last!Today's meeting with my first prospective midwife went so much better than expected. I am still giddy and warm inside from how much I connected with this woman!<br />
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She became a midwife after having a negative experience birthing her daughter in the hospital and she has been advocating for women's rights ever since. She is vegan which is just the best news ever, I thought it'd be impossible for me to find a vegan midwife. In fact, that was my Hubby's only requirement! She only takes on a handful of clients at a time so that she is always available to them and she just relocated within walking distance of where I live. How perfect is that?!<br />
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She's willing to work with me while I wait for my insurance to go through which is great because I am extremely eager to make the switch. She seemed to really click with me too and at one point even said I had balls and that I would do great in my pregnancy. I am telling you, I love this woman!<br />
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I will still meet with at least 2 more midwives because that is what logic dictates and Hubby won't have it any other way. Plus I learned that she isn't a package deal so I'll also have to start searching for a doula and that might be an out of pocket cost for sure.<br />
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All in all it was a gorgeous spring day to spend walking around in Manhattan with dreams of the blissful, peaceful natural birth that I want at home. :)Mommy Loves Youhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03424457060965996332noreply@blogger.com0