Belly Picture: 35.5 Weeks

35 weeks, 3 days pregnant

I know it's not my usual belly picture outfit, but I finally remembered to take one and I just went with it! :)

Seriously, and I have 4 more weeks to go?? Where is this kid going to grow into?? I will tell you this, my belly button - do you see it popping out? - hurts sooooo bad! G2 is constantly pushing out right into that area and my skin feels like it's going to tear open! Ahhhh! Drives me insane! Even my shirt hurts when it rubs on it. And, of course, she moves around so much. I'm scared to think that Mila is actually the tame kid in the family! 

Baby This Week: 35 Weeks

Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that she's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew). Because it's so snug in your womb, she isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times she kicks should remain about the same. Her kidneys are fully developed now, and her liver can process some waste products. Most of her basic physical development is now complete — she'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

Bella!

Blanca came over today, and of course, Mila was thrilled! She was fascinated by her necklace and took it off her. She put it on herself and Blanca tells her, "Que bella!" ("So pretty!") And now Mila says, "Bella!" whenever she puts it on. So cute!

Cindy's Pregnant!

I'm going to be an aunt!!!!! My sister Cindy is pregnant!!!!

This is how she told me! She came over and was so good about being nonchalant about it. We chatted for a bit and, knowing how much I love ice-cream, says, "Oh, I went to Coldstone the other day and they're coming out with a new flavor. " And she handed me this.

I glanced it over, and I didn't get it! At first I thought she was showing it to me because the flavor was called "JuCi" - JuCi is the abbreviation of Justin (her husband) and her name, Cindy. I was looking for what this flavor consisted of... and I even said, "I don't get it. I need to see a picture..." I honestly thought this was what she said it was... until I saw the words "mommy" and "daddy" at the bottom. I totally flipped!!! I couldn't believe it! Mila and G2 are going to have a cousin!!! 

And I'm going to be an aunt! So excited to meet Baby Mini Cooper! :)

Toddler This Week: 20 Months, Week 3

The average 20-month-old can learn ten or more words a day, but don't expect your toddler to utter all these words just yet. Now she's working on her ability to understand. To help her along, keep reading and talking to her. Freshen up your book routine by taking her to storytime at your local library (she'll love hearing someone new read to her). When running errands, narrate your activities and ask her to point out objects you spot, such as an umbrella or flower.

If you're expecting again, the last trimester – when you can point to your big belly – is an ideal time to share the news with your toddler. Take advantage of this time to help your toddler get prepared. Talk about the baby to get him used to the idea. Even though kids this age don't really understand the concept, hearing you talk about it does lays the groundwork for what's to come. If you plan to move your toddler out of the nursery or have him share a room with the baby, make the switch or add a crib well in advance of your due date.

Visit friends with newborns, if you can. Check into a sibling-preparation class at your hospital. Many toddlers find babies interesting, and you can help yours interact safely with babies he meets in public by showing him safe places to touch a baby (the feet are good) and how to be gentle. Above all, enjoy these waning weeks of your family as it is.

If washing your toddler's hair is always a struggle, consider cutting his locks short so there's less to fuss with. Wet his hair for shampooing with a wet washcloth rather than pouring water on his head. Use only a small dab of a shampoo formulated not to sting if it gets in the eyes.

Rinsing is likely to be the trickiest part, because getting even a few drops of water in the eyes bothers many small children. Try holding a folded washcloth over his eyes during rinsing. Depending on how much hair your child has, you may be able to get away with rinsing with a wet washcloth instead of pouring water. Develop some sort of ritual for distracting him during the rinsing, such as singing a silly song or having him look in a hand mirror while you do it.

There's no rule that says your child needs a daily shampoo, either. For most kids, once a week is plenty. In fact, hair that tends to be dry – such as African American or biracial hair – is much better off if it's not shampooed too often.

-BabyCenter.com

Ultrasound: 34 Weeks

We had an ultrasound today! We went to the perinatologist to see if the baby was positioned correctly and looks like she's doing well! She's in position and ready to go! :)

Oh, my little family! How I love you!! :)

Playdate at Heike's

Playdate at Audrey's crib! Literally!!

Sept. 11th - 10 Year Anniversary

34 weeks, 3 days pregnant

Today is the 10 year anniversary of that terrible day on September 11th, 2001. I remember where I was day... I was a 20 year old college student doing the morning shift at the ice-cream store I worked at. I was listening to the radio as I prepared to open the store and that's when I heard the news. I didn't see any of the footage until 6 hours later when I got home from work. That's when I really was able to somewhat grasp the devastation of what had happened. There were so many people that really felt like they were a part of it since they saw it all happening live, but I always felt a bit more detached since I saw only bits of it so much time afterwards. This year, however, being that it was the 10 year anniversary, CNN and other channels created video retrospectives with interviews of the survivors. It was absolutely incredible. I was so moved by the bravery of so many people. I came across a Facebook page called Treat A Hero where I read,

"September 11th is a day we will never forget. Because our children are too young to share the details with about that tragic day, we have decided that the best way to honor the heroes of 9/11 is to teach our kids about real heroes. Not spiderman, or superman, or Buzz Lightyear but everyday heroes like firefighters, police, first responders, soldiers, sailors and airmen. On September 11th we will be taking our children around town to meet these heroes. We will be bringing them gifts of wrapped store bought baked goods as a simple, but hopefully meaningful token of our appreciation."

I thought it was such a wonderful way to commemorate the day. I told Jorge my idea and he suggested perhaps it might not be allowed. Or maybe it would be crowded? Was there an organized event for something like this? So I looked up the phone number for the fire station near our apartment and I gave them a call. I was a bit nervous, but I told them my name and I told them that my family and I were so grateful for what they do everyday, and in honor of September 11th, we would like to stop by and drop off some goodies for the firefighters. The man who answered (I'm assuming was a fire fighter) excitedly replied, "Sure! What time are you coming by?" I said we could be there in a couple of hours. I was so happy! I thought it was such a small gesture, but it was the very least we could do. We went to Publix, picked up some fruit (they're fire fighters right, they like to eat healthy I'm sure!) as well as some pie and other yummy goodies (cuz I'm sure they'd like some of the really good stuff too!). We went to the fire station, but surprisingly, there was no parking area. We had to park across the street and we walked to the fire station. We got to the door and we had to knock. We waited until someone came to the door. I don't know why, but I was really nervous! Seemed like we were the only ones there. For some reason, I thought other people would be going there too, but it didn't look like it. A man opened the door and I explained who we were. Everyone was so nice and welcoming! It was lunchtime and the fire fighters were all gathered in the kitchen area. We were just there briefly, but it was nice to meet them and to say hello. Mila was a bit shy but I'm hoping next year we can really get into it and bake something from scratch together to bring to them. On our way out, they asked if Mila would like to see the firetruck. We said sure! Jorge and I were more excited to see the truck than she was though, haha! I got a picture of Mila and Jorge in front of it and then one of the fire fighters asked if she'd like to go in it? So exciting!

And then asked if I wanted to get in! Hell yeah! 

They had to help me and my 8 month pregnant ass up there, but I made it in! Haha!!

I'm so happy to be able to start a tradition with my family - especially with Mila and with the new baby to express gratitude for the work they do. God forbid we ever require their services, but it's nice to meet them and thank them for what they do every day. Thank God for our everyday heroes!!

Baby This Week: 34 Weeks

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which she'll need to regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

Toddler This Week: 20 Months, Week 2

Your toddler won't be able to carry on a conversation just yet, but don't be surprised if he starts mimicking your telephone style with his toy phone. You may also catch him imitating the way you act behind the wheel of the car, preparing meals, or cleaning the house. This copycat behavior can be charming or potentially embarrassing. Now's a good time to pay extra attention to your own language and behavior.

At 20 months, your child may be able to run. She may also go up stairs by herself but need some help on the way down. She's probably still working on throwing a ball overhand, kicking a ball forward, and jumping – skills she's likely to master by age 2. She's active in less desirable ways as well. Small children frequently resort to hitting, pushing, biting, tugging, and other frowned-on actions to feel more important but also to experiment: What happens when I hit Emma? Will the same thing happen when I hit Jacob? Don't overreact to your toddler's behavior. If you retaliate by hitting, it teaches that hitting is okay. Calmly make clear that such actions are never acceptable – no matter how intense your child's feelings.

-BabyCenter.com

"Lluvia, Mimi!" ("Rain, Mimi!")

"Lluvia, Doh!" ("Rain, Doh!") 

"Doh" is what she calls Dolly.

Maternity Session Part II

My sister, Cathy, was awesome enough to help me take some maternity pictures of me with Jorge and Mila.

Lunch!

We eat a lot of rice and beans, LOL! Mila's been doing so well at feeding herself!

Baby This Week: 33 Weeks

By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.