Growing and Learning

I can’t believe how fast Adrian is growing, seems like just yesterday I found out we were expecting.

I’m amazed at all my little man has accomplished and learned, he can now sit up all my himself, roll over from his back to his tummy, he wants to touch, grab and put everything in his mouth. He LOVES LOVES LOVES his bath time, he gets very frustrated that he can’t grab and hold onto a stream of water, he tries so hard to grab it and put it in his mouth quickly. Eventually he will give up and just let the water run through his hands and he loves to splash with his arms and legs. Sometimes after a bath I’m completely drenched because of how much splashing he does, other times he just kicks back and relaxes, enjoying the swaying water.

I’m still amazed at how each and everyday my love for my little guy grows, everyday while I sit in traffic to get home all I can think about is hurrying home so I can play with him. The weekends go by so quickly so I really try to make sure we get to spend lots of quality family time.

Bittersweet

I knew this day would come and you would think sending out my resume a million times would have helped me prepare but it didn't. I'm going back to work Monday and I'm devastated. I went for a second interview today to meet the president of the company, on the way home they called and offered me the job, I cried the rest of the way to pick up Adrian from my parents. I know I have to go back to work to keep a roof over our heads, food on the table and diapers on my sweet baby boy, I know this is to make a better life for him and give him everything he deserves but that doesn't help my guilt, it won't help the heart ache, it won't help me catch my breath whenever I think about leaving him and it won't make me miss him any less.

There is a very small part of me that is excited to get out in the world again, to have conversations with someone that can actually talk back and feel like I'm contributing to our family again. A VERY VERY small part, like 1/2 a %.

I don't even want to think about it anymore so I'm ending this post, short and sad...

We have a screamer

Adrian has now learned to scream, he doesn’t have it quite down yet but today when he woke up from his nap is he was screaming bloody murder. It scared Corey and I to death, he was of course completely fine just testing out his vocal cords. He also has learned to pull out and almost put back his pacifier, I can’t believe he can focus in on something and actually reach for it or roll towards it. I’m anxious for him to reach new milestones but I want to cherish them when they happen and remember them forever.

At his 4 month Dr.’s appointment this week he was 14 pounds and 26 inches, he grew 3 inches in 2 months! He didn’t even cry when he got his shot, he’s such a champ.

Some other fun things he’s learned to do is grab stationary items and use them for leverage, he loves to grab the toys hanging from his bouncer and use them to sit up straighter, he will turn and grab the side of it to try to get himself to turn over. He’s working on rolling over from his back and he loves to arch his back to look at things upside down. He learned to grab his toes awhile ago and he loves to play with them and kick everything.

 

We have a baby einstein stationary play thing, he get’s in that thing and goes to town, he jumps like a kangaroo. He loves to jump on anything and everything, he will stand holding onto us or the sofa or something. Corey’s mom said he started walking at 8 months, didn’t bother crawling.  He’s also learning to laugh, OMG it’s so cute when he cracks up. He’s ticklish but only sometimes and his ticklish spots change.

 

I think his favorite thing to do is take baths. He splashes up a storm and hates getting out. I’m really excited he enjoys water so much because I can’t wait to take him to San Diego. We are going to do mommy and me swim classes within the next couple months so both he and I can feel comfortable with him in the water.

He smiles at absolutely anything and everything, strangers, dogs, the mirror of course and all of his toys. He is such a happy baby it has definitely made things really easy on me. It’s so nice to be able to put him on the floor for a few minutes while I vacuum or throw a load of laundry in.

The Easter Bunny

I took this picture of Adrian a couple weeks ago, I love it! It really shows how expressive he is with his hands.

 

Here’s our Easter card:

My Baby

 

I love everything about you. You were literally made for me, I could not have asked for a more perfect baby. I love your lips and their smiles, your eyes, your little button nose and your ears that have a slight point to them. Your hands are amazing and so expressive, I can’t kiss them enough. Your feet have always been large but they are still so tiny and I love how you curl your toes when I touch them.

Your daddy and I love you so so much, you have forever changed our lives for the better. Even when you are overly tired and flailing your arms about, getting in some good jabs I still feel so lucky to have you. I never knew love could come so instantly and I can’t believe I can love you more yet each day you prove me wrong.

Not only have our lives changed for the better but you have brought so much joy to your grandparents and aunts and uncles. They literally fight to hold and spend time with you. Our friends are also smitten by you and can’t visit enough. Even Zoey is trying to get belly rubs from you already. No one can resist you.

I love you great big whole world, always and forever!!

<3 Mommy

Wedding bells are ringing

This evening we went and ordered the bridesmaid dresses for Nikki’s wedding. I’m so excited and I think the dresses are beautiful.

There’s so many exciting times to come, this year is going to be crazy. I got to see Nikki in her full wedding attire on Saturday night, holy crap!! She is seriously going to be the most beautiful bride ever.

The bachelorette party and bridal shower are in the planning stages, we are going to have a blast!

New photos

Just wanted to post some new photos, I just uploaded these from my camera…

I don’t know why I love this so much but I can’t get enough of it

This is his newest pose, chin up!

I should be updating more

Adrian is freaking adorable and I can’t get enough of him. I can’t believe how quickly he is growing and changing. He laughed for the first time the other night (the 10th) I most definitely teared up.

He will be 3 months old on Monday, I can’t believe it.

I feel like a grown up (besides the fact I’m married and have a baby) because I got my first lap top. I’ve never even had a computer of my own before, I’m so ridiculously excited and hope to be able to update a lot more since I can move it around the house with me.

Once I have pictures uploaded to the computer I will start posting them on here.

Quick update

Adrian James was born 12/15/09 at 10:15am weighing 8lbs. and 20in long.

I was supposed to be induced Tuesday morning at 7, Monday night at Benihana's I started having contractions. Used Contraction Master on Corey's phone and went from 6 minutes apart to 4 minutes apart in about an hour. Showered when I got home so see if they would subside but they were coming quicker. Got to the hospital at 10pm, 4 cm dilated Adrian was sunny side up so I was having terrible back labor and his heart rate kept dropping, I caved and got the epi around 1:30am when I was 4-5cm, they then broke my water and started pitocen. Checked again at 4:30 fully dilated but baby hadn't dropped, practice pushes at 6:40-7am but baby was still too high. 8:45-10:15am pushed "for reals" and Adrian was born! Dr. cut me and I tore but recovery from that has been easy however my nipples are going to fall off from breastfeeding. He was born with a fever of 103 so I didn't get to see hold him for about 20 minutes but Corey was with him the whole time, he has a rash that we got checked out yesterday but they said it's just a newborn rash and nothing to worry about.

I'm so completely head over heels in love.

Merry Christmas!!!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Still pregnant

I like how my ticker to the left says I'm -7 days. Yes, Nameless Newman has decided to do things on his own time and has yet to make his debut. This doesn't surprise me one bit because Corey and I are both stubborn and hate to be told what to do, WE however always make it everywhere on time! I hope this is not a sign of what's to come, tardiness is one of my biggest pet peeves, probably something I need to get over now that I will have another person to get out the door.
Maybe he's staying in because he knows he doesn't have a name yet, we have a list I promise! We are just waiting to meet you and see your beautiful face to make sure your name fits you.

The anticipation is killing me! I want so badly to hold this little miracle, see his tiny nose and toes, kiss and love on him, come out baby come out! As much as the anticipation is getting to me Corey is going to need to be committed here shortly if he doesn't get to meet his son very soon. Tuesday is our induction day, it's only a few days away yet still seems so far away. We were hoping to do some fun stuff this weekend since it'll be our last without a baby but the weather is not permitting. It's been raining on and off, it's actually pouring down pretty good at the moment.

My dad had an angiogram Thursday because he's been feeling some pressure in his chest, everything went very smoothly. He does have a 70% blockage but because of the location there isn't anything they can do about it BUT that's ok because the part of the heart it is going to is "dead". That artery feeds into the part of his heart that he had the heart attack in so it isn't accepting blood because of the scar tissue. This small artery has the blockage at the corner where it meets a main artery, they come together like a "T" with the main artery being the top part, they can't put a stent in because they don't want to risk creating a blockage for the main artery. I think that right, that's what I took away from it all atleast. He is at home, recovering well and being a naughty patient because he refuses to stay still and walks up and down the stairs all day.

So that's pretty much all that's been going on around here. I got all of my family Christmas shopping done, Corey's parents are done, gift baskets will be made for his brothers, our grandma's and friends. I don't know how much baking I'll be doing this year having a newborn and all, had he come when he was due we'd already be home and well on our way to getting adjusted but everyday he doesn't arrive is one more day closer to the chaos of Christmas. Corey and I have decided to not get each other gifts this year, instead we are putting the money towards fun stuff for the both of us like an IHome, Corey has been wanting one that can be used with the TV but they are on the expensive side so it's a perfect gift, I can't wait to have my ipod on surround sound and he can't wait to watch movies.

More photos

Photos!

I've been wanting to get some cute belly shots and I asked my sister to take some quick pictures for me yesterday. Had I known it was going to turn into a full photo shoot I would have probably picked out a better outfit but I'm so grateful to have these. Funny that Corey has photo's published all over the world and yet I can't get him to take 1 damn pregnancy picture of me. Anyways, the photo's turned out amazing!!! I got a new point and shoot camera for my birthday and this thing is freaking awesome.

Pregnancy Update

How far along? 38 weeks 6 days
Total weight gain/loss: Up 7 pounds
Maternity clothes? Definitely
Stretch marks? More then I'd like to admit
Sleep: I got 3 hours a row the other night, that was heaven!
Best moment this week: Corey woke me up yesterday and said "I had a dream about the baby" I replied "oh really?" he said "Ya, I woke up smiling" Totally melted my heart.
Movement: Slowing down, had to go to L&D to get monitored, he's getting lazy!
Food cravings: Of course all I could think about these last few weeks have been the thanksgiving feast, I'm so happy to have left overs!
Gender: Still a boy, it's been confirmed 2 more times!
Labor Signs: NOTHING, Nada, zilch! I think he's comfy in there and has no desire to leave
Belly Button in or out? Still in, but getting very very shallow
What I miss: Full nights of sleep
What I am looking forward to: Hoping to have some progress at my appt on Monday
Milestones: Umm, I have 8 days to go...8 DAYS!

Good intentions

I had really good intentions to update the blog but once I started thinking about all it would say I sat here for a few minutes just staring. Things have been so crazy lately and I don't think I've really let it all hit me.
Sister Pat passed away, I had to miss her rosary and funeral because I had 2 Dr's appts that I couldn't get rescheduled and had to attend because I was having tests done. Corey and I did make it to the cemetery for the burial mass and for the get together afterwards. It was really nice to see all my family and celebrate all that Sister Pat did for us and thousands of other people and families. We were so blessed to have her in our lives, she was an incredible woman and I will always miss her. I'm heart broken that our little guy didn't get to meet her but plan to do my best to keep her memory alive and I'm so grateful she said a blessing for him days before passing away.

My birthday has come and gone, our floors should be finished tomorrow and I've been watching our niece Jayden for the last 2 weeks to help out Corey's brother.
At my appt last Thursday the baby was measuring small, in the 20% but my Dr. said it's nothing to worry about...as if! I've been doing my best not to stress about it cause I know that isn't going to help anything. I have another appt. today, with 16 days until my due date it's all seeming a little surreal.

Once a month update

So as always I've lagged on updating the blog.
We've been very busy getting ready for our impending arrival. Both showers went amazing, they were so much fun and our little guy is already spoiled rotten. I started laundry today and it took me a half an hour just to get all the tags and plastic things off of the first load but I'm amazed how many outfits you can fit in 1 load, I love it!
I'm also starting to pack my hospital bag, Corey is getting freaked out that I haven't even started it. We've been watching the birth class videos at home rather then actually taking the classes because they didn't work with Corey's work schedule. They are interesting and I'm impressed with all that he is absorbing, he was especially interested in the "drugs" section because he doesn't want the little one to be affected by them. I love that he cares so much and quizzes me on a daily basis as to what I should do when/if my water breaks.

On other fronts Sister Pat isn't doing very well, we went to visit her last weekend only to find out on our way she was rushed to the hospital, we arrived and they were just taking her into emergency surgery. we've visited a few times since then though she is mostly sleeping and when she does wake up she's confused. It's really hard to see her like this, the first time I saw her after surgery she looked exactly like my papa before he passed away. So skinny and frail and pail, almost skeleton looking. While performing the surgery they were able to see that her latest treatments didn't work and the cancer has spread to her her other organs. As soon as she's eating and able to be taken off the IV she will be moved back home to the Carondelet center where hospice will come to take care of her. We all desperately want her back home where the nuns all love her and take amazing care of her, while visiting we've run into a dozen or so other sisters and they all love her dearly and want to make her last days here as comfortable as possible. I don't know how much longer she's expected to live, I pray that she will recover as much as possible and be able to enjoy the time she has left. I selfishly hope that she will hold on long enough to atleast meet our little guy. Growing up I was very close to Sister Pat and would spend weeks at a time during summer with her and though I don't get to see her as often she has always been someone I've looked upto because of her strength, faith and how completely nonjudgmental she is. As sad as I am to know she'll be leaving us soon it breaks my heart to think she will not be a part of my children's lives. She has said that she's at peace with everything and is ready to go, I can't be mad at her for that :(

Ok, well now I'm emotionally drained and need to fold some baby clothes. I promise to TRY to update atleast once more this month.

Hide and Seek

I just spent 5 minutes searching the house and backyard for the dog...

She was getting cozy in my next load of laundry

Wedding Videos

Like I said before my NorCal family is very fun, here are 2 videos from the wedding.
Not only are they fun but family is the most important thing to them ALL, they do everything together which is not easy with 4 generations and 10 kids under the age of 10.

Sacramento

Went to Sacramento this past weekend for my cousin Hannah's wedding, while there we got to see some of the sites and had a great time.

Here's me in front of the Capitol

Danielle in front of the governors office

Golden Bridge out front of our hotel The wedding was at an old sugar mill, the location and history were amazing
Here are some of the flower girl, most of them are family

Groomsmen, all 12 of them

My beautiful cousin Hannah and her parentsPaige (Amy's daughter), Amy (maid of honor and sister), Marc (brother and officiant) Hannah and Alec. Hanna's dad was reading a poem he wrote, there wasn't a dry eye

Danielle in front of the wine barrels
I'll update more later, the wedding was one of the funnest I've ever been to. Not only are they a really fun and energetic couple but my whole family is crazy so it made for a very interesting day.

31 weeks

How far along? 31 weeks 2 days
Total weight gain/loss: Up 1 lb, but still down 19
Maternity clothes? Yup
Stretch marks? Are getting darker
Sleep: Is getting harder
Best moment this week: Feeling hiccups for the first time
Movement: Getting stronger to the point of hurting sometimes
Food cravings: I'm tired of eating and nothing sounds good
Gender: BOY
Labor Signs: None thankfully
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Being able to walk at a normal speed
What I am looking forward to: My friends shower this weekend!
Weekly Wisdom: Don't forget to take tums everywhere
Milestones: Hiccups!