Family Pics

This is the reason I haven't been blogging.  Maximus keeps me busy for sure.

Above Briana is up and ready for school, with time to spare to love on her brother. So proud of her.

Jaime just gave Max a bath and is enjoying some skin to skin bonding.  Mommy doesn't have to be the only one.

Lastly Max just woke up from the nap he took in the bathroom, while I had a chance to shower AND do my hair.  This is very rare, had to take a pic so it would last longer.

I love my family to infinity.... and beyond!  I hope to be blogging more often

2 months old

Perfect!

I scratched my nose

How old is baby:
2 months

Baby's Weight:
12 lbs
 
Baby's Height:
23in, his next appointment is next week, so we'll see.

Milestones: 
Pays attention to the Mobile and other toys.  He's also so much stronger. I have to tell Briana to always have her hand on his back since he'll jerk back when we're burping him.

Sleep:
He's sleeping a good 3-4-5 hours.  It depends on if i just lay him down or burp him because he'll wake up pissed if I didn't burp him. O_o

Best Moment:
We went to a Korean Tofu Restaurant and he did soooo good.  I gave him a bottle and he just looked around and hung out.  I was actually able to eat and enjoy my meal.


Looking Forward to:
Not having to burp him anymore.  I think when he starts sitting up is when he can burp himself. 

Lessons Learned:
To find and make time for Mommy and Daddy.  I miss that guy I used to call my hubby.  I need to start planning a monthly Date Night!

Pregnancy Weight Loss: 
I've lost another 10 lbs! Just 10 more to be at my pre-preggo weight and back into my jeans!  Woo Hoo! I haven't been going to the gym since their childcare starts at 3 months old. I'm just focusing on eating more greens.  Oh and continue breastfeeding, you know that alone burns 200-500 cals a day!

What's been on my mind:
I've been feeling guilty of not being able to spend as much time with Briana as I used to.  For example, Softball season is here and I used to be like her coach.  Now I can't even go outside and catch with her. It's hard having a new-teen and a newborn.

6 weeks old

So far Maximus has been a fussy one.  Don't let that adorable smile fool you.  I know babies don't cry for no reason but I feel he is just being particular (a trait his dad passed along).  But I think I've got him figured out.  Hopefully it's all smiles from here.  Weird thing happened, him and Briana must of woke up that morning and both planned to be better kids as their new year's resolution.  Max slept in for two 5 hour increments and Briana woke up early to help me around the house o_O I know crazy! let's see how long it lasts. 

How old is baby:
6 weeks 4 days

Baby's Weight:
10 lbs 7oz, 50th Percentile
 
Baby's Height:
23in, 75th Percentile

Milestones: 
Smiling, coos, turns his head to see me.  Way more interactive.

Sleep:
Well up until now he would wake up every 2 hours to nurse and fuss. I'm guilty of keeping him in my bed. I know! it's wrong but oh so easy to do.  Not anymore! back into the bassinet you go. We both sleep better now because of it.

Best Moment:
When I took the pictures above.  We both slept good and Max woke up so happy!


Looking Forward to:
Some sort of routine. I need to get me a 2012 planner.  I know that would help me jot down his schedule so I can work around it.


Lessons Learned:
Two boobs are better than one. :) Filling him up even if he looks content with one. This was a Duh! moment, but I get a pass since It's been so long.

Pregnancy Weight Loss: 
I've lost 20 lbs without doing anything, other than have a baby. Now I guess I have to work on the remaining 20.  Not very motivated right now.  I'll start Monday ;)





     

Becoming Debt Free

I love this time of year.  Just last week it was Jesus' Birthday a time of rebirth and new life.  Feels like you've just pressed the reset button for your new beginning.

2012 for me will be becoming debt free.  That is one of the few goals I have for myself.  Here's an update from my last post about my debt. In the last 3 months we've been able to pay off $1,550.  That's about $500 a month towards debt reduction.  That's not bad considering we're living off of Jaime's income plus my unemployment, for now. Below are a list of lifestyle changes to not only accommodate for the income loss, but also lean into paying off as much debt as possible. Every dollar counts.

• Match coupons with sale items for groceries
• Thrift stores for only good quality clothes (like blouses or Jeans)
• Buy accent furniture or home decor at Moving Sales / Garage Sales
• No restaurants
• Take care of what we already own
• read labels before washing clothes
• Use the sewing machine to repair or hem clothes
• Spray stains immediately
• Accept hand-me-downs
• Don't upgrade cell phone, rather do a phone swap with someone who is upgrading. (Make sure you add insurance to your line before swapping to repair, if needed, then cancel insurance after swap)
• Wear old glasses, Don't buy contact lenses  :(
• Stay healthy and brush teeth :) (Doctor or Dentist visits aren't cheap)
• Drive with caution (Tickets suck!)
• Pay all bills on time (late fee's add up)
• No cable (Television is targeted to consumers, meaning you will feel the need to buy)
• Try to DIY as much as possible
• Live below our means
• Don't use credit cards, have at least $1,000 in savings for emergencies 
• Give myself a weekly allowance of Gas, Groceries & Misc.

I'm sure there are a lot more things I can list off, but these were the ones off the top of my head. To stay motivated, I have to remind myself that this is only temporary.  Later on I will be able to vacation and spend like it was my business.  Can't wait to break the chains and become debt free. 

Christmas in Maryland

We're back from our Christmas vacation in MD.  We drove up that Friday before Christmas Eve and drove back home Friday before New Years. 7 days was plenty (fun fact: 7 represents completion in the bible :)  It was nice to see my family and all the kids but there's no place like home.

Sometimes I weigh the pros and cons to moving back and ultimately I feel GA is where God has placed me.  I can't explain how I ended up here in a GA suburb where the people are predominately white and southern, far from DC suburbs where Latin Americans are taking over and everyone is, northern, to sum it up.  Has to be God's plan.

As humans I feel we want to stay where we feel comfortable, but growth comes from our differences.  This probably explains why opposites attract.  So we can learn and grow from one another.  So get uncomfortable and see how God will use it to bless you abundantly like He has me and my family.
 

Christmas present I painted for my Mom

Maximus and Briana with their Aunts

Just hanging out

Most of the kids

Bella :)

Cousins

busy tattooing all the boys

Sleepover

Thanksgiving

I know we're well into December, but I wanted to post these Thanksgiving pictures before Christmas.  I forgot how much time a baby consumes.  Maximus is now 2 weeks and Briana is 134 months old. Ha!  I have to give props to those women with multiply little ones, because my life definitely has revolved around Maximus.  Jaime and Briana has had to fend for themselves.

Mom decorated the table

Maximus was sick of taking pictures.

Proud Grandparents

Both fake sleeping

Playing with his toys

My skinny guy saying Hi!

So crazy, I have a boy

Birth Story

Jaime watching Maximus get his first bath

First of all WOW what a miracle.  All the credit goes to the Lord!  Childbearing can not be possible without God's presence and I definitely felt His presence that night.

Tuesday - At my 39th week check up, I was 2cm dilated.  I was getting antsy so I started googling, things/foods that induce labor and this is the first thing that came up, an Eggplant Parmesan recipe.  That was a Bust! but at least we had an awesome dinner on Thursday. 

Friday - Next was the Castor Oil, but before trying it I wanted to ask my midwife about it first. I had the appointment with my midwife and I was 3cm dilated. woo hoo!  She asked me if I would like to schedule an induction but I told her I would rather begin labor at home and what her thoughts were on taking Castor Oil?  She said it is completely safe for mommy and baby and if my body was ready, it would indeed induce labor, If not I'd be cleaned out with no harm to baby. O_o

Saturday - At 9am I drank 2oz of Castor Oil mixed with 2oz of Orange Juice, showered and curled my hair, just as prescribed, then waited......and waited.....nothing happened, so my midwife told me to repeat dosage after 2 hours.  Still nothing. 

6pm - I felt my first contraction.  So I began getting ready.  I cleaned the kitchen, washed the dishes, finished packing my hospital bag then called the doctor's office to let them know I was coming. 

7:30pm -We were out the door to drop Briana off a family friends house.  Then we came back home because we forgot to pack sandwiches and snacks for Jaime. (I'm all about saving a few bucks)

9pm -We finally got to the hospital and I was 6cm dilated!  They had to monitor me and the baby for the first 20mins, so i was stuck laboring in the bed.  Meanwhile the nurse asked me questions and had me sign papers in between contractions.  Paper work took like an hour or that's what it felt like.

10pm - Luckily I brought my own yoga ball to the hospital because it worked great.  I bounced on that while me and Jaime watched the Ray Charles movie.  Then with each contraction I would clench over on the bed and humm.  The nurse would tell me to breath a certain way, but I liked humming instead. 

11pm -Once the contractions felt unbearable I knew it would be over soon.  I felt the baby coming down with the last couple contractions and told the nurse I had the urge to push.  Jaime was so supportive and surprisingly calm. Which is exactly what i needed.  When the doctor and nurses would tell me to push I would push but resist at the same time.  I think it was because I was too scared to really push.  I prayed to God to give me strength and to just take over because I could not do it.  Right after, the fear of pushing went away and I gave it my all.  Not even 10 minutes later, at

11:59pm - the doctor places my sweet baby boy in my arms.  Jaime kisses me and tells me what a great job I did.  It couldn't of been more perfect. :)