Books, barbells, babies

Three Months

I absolutely cannot believe Leo is 3 months old. Where has the time gone!? It seems like just yesterday we were coming home from the hospital with a tiny, but alert newborn with a full head of hair.

I spend a lot of time every day looking through the pictures on my phone and I always go all the way back to those first few hours with him. Somedays it seems like he was a newborn and we were scared and inexperienced parents a lifetime ago and other days it seems like it was just yesterday when I sent my husband on a 5 am Walmart expedition to get me a manual breast pump.

Leo has changed so much and we have changed so much along with him these past 3 months. Without further ado, a bullet list:

- The absolute highlight of this past month has been taking him to his swimming lessons. I was a nervous wreck the first time in the water with him, but he seemed to enjoy it. 3 weeks later, he went in the pool with dad and they had a blast in class! My job was to be Mamarazzi and take pictures and videos of them being adorable.

- I had to move up a size in his clothes. I hate doing this, btw and will wait until his current clothes will absolutely not fit him at all, because I think maybe I can help delay the inevitable.

- I took out his teething toys and he kinda sorta uses them. He can't really grab them and bring them to his mouth but if I hold them for him, he likes to chomp on them.

- He found his hands and likes to put them in his mouth a lot. One day I went to pick him up at my mom's and she told me about his new trick: Shove his long ass fingers in his mouth so far that he made himself throw up 😑

- I went back to work part time, 5 hours a day while Leo stays with my mom. He loves it, she loves it, I love it. It's a win-win-win. My mom and I constantly text about him and she sends me pictures throughout the day. Hector does the morning drop offs and I do the afternoon pick ups at 2:30pm. There is nothing better than seeing him smile when he sees me walk in. Love that!

2016 in review

2016 was definitely a great year for us. I know many people complained about it being a terrible year but that was definitely not the case for me and my little family. I could probably say it was the best year so far (2017 will definitely surpass it, I'm sure)

1. What did you do in 2016 that you had never done before?

Went on a cruise
Served in the kid's ministry at church
Had my nephew living with us

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions and will you make more for next year?
It wasn't a resolution per se, but I hoped we would get pregnant this year and it happened!
I definitely have a couple of goals for 2017, most of which include tons of snuggles and taking things easy with the baby.

3. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve
At my parents' house, eating dinner and possibly having a glass of champagne. Sleeping early most likely, since I'm so tired all the time.

4. Did anyone close to you give birth? Did anyone close to you die?
One of my good friends gave birth in January, so her baby will be almost exactly one year older than mine. Thank God, no one close to me died this year.

5. Did you travel this year?
Yes, we went on a Cruise to Key West and Cozumel in March for my birthday.

6. What would you like to have in 2017 that you didn’t have in 2016?
I would like to have my baby! I just want to see his little face already and see what he looks like.

7. What moment from 2016 will remain etched in your memory, and why?
The moment the pregnancy test came back positive. Actually, it came back "Pregnant". I really didn't want to misread anything, so I sprung for the digital one LOL
Also, the moment I told Hector. Him tearing up and taking a moment to pray will be forever in my heart. Also, the first ultrasound where we got to see Leo sucking his thumb and dancing around.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Making it through the last semester without dropping out. I was so tired, so swollen, so uncomfortable that every single day I thought "this is it. I don't need this right now. I'm done." Thankfully, I didn't act on those thoughts and finished the semester, but taking a final while barely breathing from how tight the desk was on my belly was no fun.

Also, working out pretty consistently until the 8th month. Doing Crossfit WODs while pregnant was a lesson in humility and in mental/physical strength.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Being so busy all the time that I was not able to truly enjoy the pregnancy. I would take some moments here and there to think about it, but for the most part I was just go go go.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I was pretty sick with 2 colds while pregnant. One at the beginning of the pregnancy and one towards the end, right before Christmas. Both definitely kicked my butt. I was incredibly sick with that second cold, and not able to take anything but some Theraflu did not help much.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
I treated myself to a very nice Kate Spade purse and a watch. I would also say the little baby boots I used to tell Hector I was pregnant.

12. Where did most of your money go?
Towards paying bills, and buying maternity/baby clothes and needs.

13. What song will always remind you of 2016?
Not sure. All the Top 40 ones? Definitely Calvin Harris and Rihanna's "This is what you came for" and The Chainsmoker's "Closer".

14. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Relaxing. Taking a deep breath and enjoying my pregnancy. Traveling. I really wanted to go on a babymoon, but with Hector's exam, my school schedule and the holidays, we were not able to. Also, blogging here. I had every intention of doing it, and then...

15. What do you wish you’d done less of?
I wish I had been less busy.

16. What was your favorite new tv program?
We cut cable out, so no new TV for me unless it's my Netflix reruns. Maybe "Gilmore Girls"? It was new to me.

17. Compared to this time last year are you:
Happier or Sadder – Happier!
Fatter or Thinner – Fatter, but does it count as fatter if you're pregnant?

Richer or Poorer - Richer. I've been working full time the last couple of weeks so I can stash some money for my leave.

18. What was the best book you read?
I don't think I read a book for pleasure this year. I wish I had though.

19. Greatest Musical Discovery?
Umm.. I don't think I discovered any music this year.

20. Favorite Film of the year?
I don't think I saw any movies this year. Can't remember one that stands out.

21. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
We went on a cruise! I turned 28.

22. Greatest Food Discovery?
Not being able to eat sushi regularly made me discover how much I really miss it. Does that count?

23. Describe your personal fashion concept?
Comfortable, affordable maternity. This is the year I wore more dresses than I ever did before.

24. What did you want and not get?
I wanted to graduate this semester. Obviously, being extra pregnant, working part time and 4 classes, I wouldn't have been able to do the practicum I needed to graduate in December.

25. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned:
Pregnancy is a literal miracle, and for us it was an answered prayer.

26. What pictures best represent 2016?

pregnancy

An update

So, I haven't updated the ol' blog in about a month. Of course it was the busiest month of all my months so far so it figures. I'll just update in bullet format:

- MATERNITY SHOOT: If you're in the South Florida area and looking for a maternity, newborn or family photographer; I highly recommend Melissa. She was incredibly patient (I'm a nervous wreck in front of cameras) super professional, sweet as pie and incredibly talented!

- THANKSGIVING: It was bittersweet as my brother was going through a hard time and he wasn't here. We all missed him but we still celebrated and video chatted him. My mom's spread was delicious as always and Hector and I had enough leftovers for lunch AND dinner the next day.

- GILMORE GIRLS! Speaking of the day after Thanksgiving, I was sooooo excited and so ready for the GG revival! I remember watching the show when it first aired here and there and liking it, but not really following it religiously. Early this year (or was it late last year?) I stumbled upon it on Netflix and decided to give it a chance. I loved it and couldn't get enough! I laughed, cried, laughed and cried at the same time. While I was watching the original show, Hector got into it and we would watch it together sometimes so he was *semi* excited for the revival while I was next to him freaking out. For the record, I cried 36 minutes into the very first episode so...

It was good, it wasn't great but I liked it! The last 4 words were good and left me in shock (me to Hector: "but how?!! but who?!! It better not be that Wookie!) and I appreciated seeing all the cameos from Parenthood and Bunheads. I could literally write an entire post on just this very topic so I'll move on now.

- SCHOOL: GAHHHH.... The 2 weeks before finals were brutal! I had presentations, papers, homework, quizzes. On top of that I had work, was 32-34 weeks pregnant and just over it. I questioned wether or not I *really* wanted this degree every.single.day. Lots of tears, lots of hair pulling, lots of Hector talking me off the ledge. And then finals week. Ugh. But it's over now and I got through it. And I didn't get terrible grades. So I win! Now all I have left is my practicum which will have to be done during the summer semester (can't do it next semester as it starts 2 weeks before my due date) and then FREEDOM! and a Bachelor's Degree.

celebrations pregnancy

A Baby Shower

Our baby shower turned out beautiful and so much fun! I had a little army of people helping that included my mom, stepdad, stepsis, nephew, best friend and hubby. It took a village lol, but it took off some stress from me and I was able to relax and enjoy. Also, special shout out to my best friend, who was the one making sure pictures were taken and because of her I have beautiful pictures with my family, most of the guests, decorations and set up. She would also direct us on how to pose and would tell me which was my best angle. Not only was she the self-designated photographer but also head decorator. What else can you possibly want in a best friend?

The shower was co-ed and my stepsis was in charge of the games. She picked 2 very fun ones and everyone participated and laughed. I definitely recommend playing them even if your shower is not co-ed. One was to draw baby Leo on a paper plate on your forehead and the other one was to make the baby out of play-doh. You'd be surprised, but people get really into both games! Especially the Play-Doh one, it got really competitive! Seriously, my one piece of advise if you're having a baby shower is to designate the most fun person you know to be in charge of your games.

For food we did brunch with scrambled eggs, sausages, pancakes, waffles, french toast casserole, my mom's famous egg stratta, coffee bar, mimosas and munchkins and a dessert table with assorted mini desserts and cake.

The theme was baby Lion King (the line is called Sweet Circle of Life. Discontinued by Disney, sadly) because of the baby's name being Leo. In hindsight, it wasn't very clear that that was the reason since his name was nowhere to be seen :( If there's one thing I regret is not getting the giant ballon letters to spell it out. I really debated whether to get them or not, and decided not to since we had baby lion balloons.

Now for the photo dump!