Labor

It all started around 3a.m. June 19th.

I woke up to contractions every 10 minutes that lasted for about a minute apart. Funny because all I could think was that he waited till after his daddy's birthday to start his big appearance. LOL.

Any who, I was excited and scared all at once. I knew this was it and that by the weekend our little Alejandro would  be here. I sat in bed and emailed my sister and brother so that they'd be prepared and then rolled over and bared it out.

Before I knew it, it was morning. I went to the restroom and got what people call "bloody show." Basically, my mucus plug had come loose and again, was another sign of labor. I remembered this perfectly from last year. Only that last year I knew that there would be no baby in the end.

The whole day came and went and I got contractions throughout but nothing to drive to the hospital for.  Besides, on Thursday, the 20th I had a Dr's appointment, so I wasn't too worried.

The day came and went and before I knew it I was at the doctor's. He checked me and verified what I thought. He said "oh yeah... you're in labor... I wouldn't be surprised if you had your baby between now and Saturday."

The news wasn't a shocker because  I KNEW that was IT! Ha! At that moment he said I was somewhere between 3 1/2 and 4 cm dilated. This is when he swept my membranes in order to "speed" up the process, gave me kudos, and sent me home to wait it out.

Hubby and I left and stopped by my sis's house to give her the news. She was excited as were my nieces. While with her the contractions became stronger, but again... nothing to go in for.

Hubby and I went home and I went straight to bed. It had now been about 36 hours of no sleep and off and on contractions. Then at around 3:30p.m., Thursday, the 20th the contractions came every 5 minutes each around a minute long. I knew that was a sign to head in to the hospital.

My mom drove me and hubby to my sister's who's in route to hospital. I remember feeling every single bump on the road. It was painful! Then my sister drove me in to the hospital. As soon as I came in I was greeted by friendly nurses who took me in and tied me up to machines to check on both baby and I.

To my surprise... or maybe out of nervousness, my contractions literally STOPPED when I was being checked! I couldn't believe it! However, being that I was 4 days overdue the doctor on call decided to take me in.

They checked me into a beautiful room with an amazing view of the mountains. Now, this is nice, but when you're in labor, you're not really paying attention to the view! LOL.

Now normally feeling good is a good thing, but the on call doctor wanted to see me dilate. She checked me again and nothing had changed from earlier. I was 4cm dilated. Still long way to go. She recommended I take picotin to induce contractions and therefore help me dilate.  She recommended I take the epidural along with the picotin so that I would be able to handle the pain. Which I opted in to do.

So late that night around 9p.m. the anesthesiologist came in and started me on the epidural. I was so scared. I was shaking. I couldn't stop myself. I seriously had no control over my body. Luckily everything went good and before I knew it I didn't feel a thing waist down. Soon after, they started me on picotin.

Now, everyone recommended I sleep because I was going to need all the energy the following morning. I tried and tried and nothing. I couldn't do it. I was dead scared. Now all this time my hubby is there, but even he couldn't help me.

Now I have to mention that while I was literally a vegetable I was proded with a bunch of medical instruments to check on both baby and I. Under normal circumstances, this would have been a NO, NO!, but I was so out of it that I just let the doctors do their thing.

After several hours my body was much too heavy. I managed to move myself a bit to the other side... when the nurses came in and said that the baby didn't like that. They said his heart beat did not react positively when I laid on my left side. So again they positioned me on the right.

By then I wasn't necessarily in pain as more in severe discomfort. I didn't feel the contractions, but I felt the heaviness of every piece of me. No one ever mentioned that to me. Then I realized the epi was wearing off. I started to feel the contractions and the panic set in again. Then at 5:30 a.m. the doctor on call came in and checked me. I had not dilated past what I had the previous night. Then they went over the baby report and showed me how he reacted negatively to every contraction that I got. He was stressed out and that could possess some sort of negative impact if we continued trying for vaginal delivery.

I was heartbroken. I remember praying to God and telling him that I left everything in his hands. Now I could've pushed for a vaginal delivery, but so many things could go wrong and I wasn't willing to risk my  babies life for it. So before I knew it I would be giving birth via c-section.

I was wheeled in to the OR and soon the surgery began. I gotta say, I didn't feel pain. I felt kicked and punched over and over again in my gut. Sort of like a big bowl of jello. Only the jello was me :/

The surgery took no more than 45 minutes beginning to end. And although drugged up, I cried when I heard his scream.

At exactly 6:09 a.m. on June 21st my son Alejandro was born. To my surprise, he looked nothing like I imagined! He was, if at all possible even more gorgeous. Alejandro weighed 6 pounds 13.3 ounces and measured 19 inches. Perfect in every way.

His skin, nothing like mine because he has a very milky white complexion. He has to have gotten that from his dad. But I can definitely claim those perfect little lips and eyebrows (lack of). Everything else, he's all daddy.

Sunny Days

Lately the weather here in Los Angeles has been a little muggy... definitely see the "june gloom." But yesterday, to our surprise, was a nice sunny day... so sunny and warm out that we were able to head out to the beach. Not necessarily to swim, but to walk the Santa Monica Pier. It was amazing. Perfect. and just plain one of my most favorite outings since I've been pregnant. The weather wasn't uncomfortable at all.

Hubby and I just strolled the pier, took lots of pictures, enjoyed the breeze, and people watched. I could tell even the baby loved it because he was nice and calm throughout the entire time. Definitely good times. :)

View of Santa Monica Beach from the Pier

The Pacific Ferris on the Pier aka Pacific Park

Not a good selfie, but had to include a 39 week shot

My hubby overlooking the ocean

The three of us

The chubster on the Pier...lol

Amigas de la Niñez

I'm the kind of person that makes the most awesome friends. (Pats self on back) However, I'm the kind of person who very often looses touch with those friends because life happens. Here for example is my friend Tina. We were the best of friends from diapers through the beginning of high school. 

I say the beginning, because that's when she left me and her familia to move to Chicago with her baby daddy. Yes, she was a teen mom, but after speaking with her today, I realized that she did a pretty good job. Her kids sound amazing :)

So any who, after 18 years she came into town for her sister's graduation and asked to meet up with me. Of course I jumped at the chance. I mean we were inseparable! And what I loved about our meet up was that there were no awkward moments. It's as if time stood still and we just took off from where we left off. 

Unfortunately, our little reunion was short because she had to leave to her sister's graduation, but I'm so glad we got to reunite. I absolutely love catching up with old friends! Yay for lifelong buds! 

Pearl is 1!

I cannot believe this little mamas just turned one... it feels like time just flew and continues to fly. I still remember when she was born. She had the chubbiest arms and so much strength that she could almost hold her head up from the day she was born. Aghhh... time needs to slow down. 

Funny how being at her first birthday party I started thinking about what I want to do for my little one... mind you, he's not even born yet! LOL.... 

Any who, Happy Birthday to my third little mama's. May God continue to bless you with that beautiful smile and happy go lucky personality. May you have a long, happy, healthy, and successful life filled with lots of love and happy times. 

Muahhhs!

Surprise Baby Shower @ Work

So yesterday, my coworkers surprised me with a babyshower at work. It was the cutest thing ever! I really, really, really wish I would've taken more pictures, but sadly I left my phone in the office and didn't want to step out to get it :/.

Any who, all were there and in good spirits, so the vibe really made me feel the love :)

The food was amazing as they did my favorite dish CEVICHE... only that without shrimp as at the moment I can't have :( The cake was also my favorite tres leches and was so cutely decorated that I didn't want to cut into it, but I had to :( lol.

Baby Alejandro got lots of goodies, including an awesome car seat that he can use from birth to elm. years. Lot's of cute baby clothes and some baby necessities, and a baby carrier which hubby and I played with last night. We also got a bunch of gift cards that we can't wait to spend :) lol

So overall, great times! :)

3D Ultrasound

Got to see my little man today... it was so exciting. Seeing him move around and YAWN was the cutest. At first he did not want to cooperate. He had his foot right in front of his face for like 10 minutes! However, soon after he moved it and let us take a peek at his face. I truly think he's a perfect mix of both hubby and I, but his lips are all ME! It's actually funny because when I texted these pictures to my sis and brother that is the first thing they both commented on. LOL

Overall, it was a good experience and we're pleased to have this memory of him :) BTW, he is still a HE :)

Profile

Covering his face with his little hand

Here he is with his foot right at his cheek... he's a flexible lil guy!

... and my favorite, the yawn :) LOL

Our 9 Year Anniversary

Boy am I exhausted. And no I don't mean from being married to Manuel! I'm exhausted from all the pasta I ate at The Cheesecake Factory yesterday! I could've sworn it was after five so I asked for the wrong plate. However wrong it was... it was still delicious! It was extremely crowded there. Too crowded. I so was not expecting that. But once we got seated it wound up being a nice dinner just the two of us.

At first I kind of wanted to invite the family and have that be the moment that we broke the news to everyone, but changed my mind. Well, two reasons weighed heavily in our decision. 1. I want my baby to have his/her own special days. and 2.  My pregnancy is very delicate. Anything can happen and I don't want our anniversary to somehow remind me of anything sad. I know I shouldn't be pessimistic, but that is truly how I feel. I'm hoping for the very best... I really am. I've put all my faith in God and that he'll take really good care of my little "lucky bean."

Any who, Manuel and I had dinner and then went to the movies. It was nice. Just the two of us hanging out and celebrating nine years of marriage. It's funny because without a doubt I truly believe we are meant for each other. We make such a wonderful pair :) Neither of us is perfect, but together we complete each other. I love that about us.

I love that we can be together and tell each other exactly how we feel without feeling judged or  criticized. I know that what we have is something very special. And honestly, I can't wait to bring my little baby into our loving home. I have no doubt that we'll provide a very loving and nurturing home.

Back to Manuel and I.... after dinner we went to the movies and saw "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol". Now let me tell you I don't care much for Tom Cruise. I find him annoying and frankly am turned off by his ginormous ego. However, I loved the movie. It was fun and entertaining. I was dying to pee toward the end, but nonetheless it was worth my "pain". . .lol.

Later on, we headed back home and got a call from my sis. She was told what she was having today. Turns out she's adding a.......

GIRL to the family in May. I'm very happy for her, but found it hilarious because she swore up and down it was a boy. They really wanted a boy. She has two girls already and oh Lord, they can be drama! I love those two so much, but they're a handful! So now with the third one on the way.... eek. I'll pray for their survival. LOL... j/k. They're very happy their baby is very healthy  and so are we. I'm getting another niece!!!!

Christmas

Merry Christmas y'all! Hope you all had a wonderful and joyous day with your families and loved ones. I sure did! As you know, my mom, niece, hubby, and I spent Christmas eve making tamales. Oh, it was a lot of work. But so worth it in the end. Everyone loved the tamales and ponche :).  Here's Clarice just waiting to open all the gifts...

I gotta admit I was beat. After doing the tamales I went and took a shower and changed into tights and a tshirt! Yup. I did not feel like getting dressed up at all. I didn't even put make-up on. So sad :(. . .lol... It's crazy, but I seriously just felt beat. It made me appreciate all that my mom does for us though. I mean she never stopped to rest. Not Once. I truly admire her strength because she had dialysis earlier that day and she still managed to be full of energy. Love that woman! Here she is after opening her second gift... which was some more moola. She loves to play in Vegas, so now she has some extra cash to play :)

George, my sister's hubby got her a framed portrait of two of their wedding pictures. She was happy. They're lovely. He's like Santa Claus.... his presents were on going. LOL.... cute :)

Then we have my two beautiful nieces. Clarice had already opened all her gifts while Angie was at her dad's. So we got to see her open hers Christmas night. She's so cute and in love with hippos. Any size, shape, or form.... she loves them. Here are a few new ones that she's added to her collection. Watching her play "Mama hippo" is the cutest thing ever! Little Secret: I think it would be the sweetest thing ever if my baby had a stuffed animal addiction like Angie. Maybe to little stuffed Lions :) hehehehe.

Manuel had to go to work before midnight, so we decided to change it up a bit and began opening presents at 9pm that way he didn't miss out. I really appreciate my family for taking him into consideration. He was very happy. Here he is opening one of his our gifts.... movie tickets! We love going to the movies!

This is Salvador. He's my step-dad. An awesome, kind, and giving man. My mom is very fortunate to have found him. Since my mom's kidney failure he's been the most awesome-est man ever. He got nothing but colognes from everyone. Hahahha... he loves to smell good :)

Luis, my brother got liquor. He was very happy about it. Luckily, he doesn't drive so he can enjoy his little bottle. LOL...

And finally here's George... trying out his new sweater. Fit him perfectly. 

So how was your Christmas? Did you have a big party or a small family dinner like us? Well whatever you did hope you had fun and thanked God for your meal and the memories that were made! Have an awesome rest of 2011!  eeeeeeeeeekkkkk!

P.S. Just in case you're wondering, we haven't shared the news with the family yet. It's killing me to do so, but we're going to after our appointment tomorrow. Maybe invite the family to dinner... :) How exciting! 

Pacific Coast Highway 1 Central Coast Roadtrip

The following are a few of the pictures from today's daytrip back to Los Angeles. There is so much to do! Too bad we didn't have enough time. Seriously, this trip can be spread throughout a good week. So we promised ourselves that we'd be back. It is absolutely a must do for any self respecting Cali resident :)

A look of the ocean as we pass through Big Sur... It was around 9:30am

This little fella must have felt like a celebrity. He let everyone take his picture Too Cute!

Driving through Carmel... such a cute little city.

Manuel and I

Leo, Precious, and I... such a pretty view

Manuel and the pups

Us again. :)

You can't really tell, but there's a surfer in this pic. 

Too bad we were rushing to get home. I would've loved to chill down there :)

Point Lobos State Reserve... 

Entrance to the Point Lobos State Reserve. It looked so pretty. Too bad they didn't let dogs in :(

Us and Leo @ Point Lobos State Reserve. We snuck in for a peak.

Precious... she's so tomboyish

Made a quick stop here at Fernwood Grill. Nice little shop, grill, grocery store, and motel on the side of the road 

While at Fernwood Grill we got us some BBQ wings and some chicken tenders. The BBQ wings were yummmmmey!

This chair was huge! 

Enjoy!

My Babies Have Culminated

Clarice, Maddie, Angie, & Skylir

I've been blessed. I've been able to witness my two greatest loves grow from innocent babies to wonderful kids. I'm extremely proud of who they've become and am ecstatic to see them grow into strong ladies. But we're not that far along yet! The girlies are barely done with kinder & 2nd grades. But this is a hard time for me because since I worked in the school they attended I felt a deeper connection. Unfortunately, my school only goes up to 2nd grade. Now my sister has enrolled them both in another school with a full elementary. And like a baby I want to cry. I know they'll be fine, but I'm going to miss them sooooooo much!

I love those two with every piece of me!

Congrats to My Sis Jackie!

It's been a long time coming and after nights upon nights of late studying after work my sis did it! She graduated today!

Her graduation was held at the Peoples Bank Arena in Ontario, CA. It was a FULL house!

The People's Bank Arena... & thousands of graduates

Jackie, George, & Clarice

My bro Luis & sis Jackie