Fourth Trimester

3 months! Today my little boy is 3 months!

A friend once described the first three months after a baby is born as the "fourth trimester" because of all the developmental changes still happening. I agree. Mateo has transformed from a squishy little baby mouse into a chunky playful infant. 

He is the sweetest little ham that ever did live. I am having so much fun getting to see his personality develop. The first time I heard him "talking" I was so overjoyed. Lately he has been squealing with delight at the most random of things. For example, I was throwing away a plastic bag and he thought the crinkling it made was the funniest thing, he couldn't stop laughing!

My boy, the little man who now weighs over 15 lbs. 

(His sister was 16 lbs. at her 6 month check up!)

He has been wearing 3-6 month clothes (some 6 month)for a couple weeks now.

He doesn't particularly like tummy time, only about five minutes pass before he is screaming with frustration. 

Recently he started with those terrible diaper blow-outs. The other day I literally cut off a onsie when I couldn't figure out how to clean a blow-out that was up to his neck.

But above all this little cutie has filled our lives with so much joy. 

Mateo: my prayer for you is that you will grow up to be a man of integrity, respectful towards humanity, and loving, especially during times of trial. 

Family Fall Photos

In mid-October we ventured out to a nature preserve and had a delightful photo shoot. 

Last year, with the help of a tripod and the timer on the shutter release of my camera we did our on family photos. It was quite the difficult task, but we still got so many memorable moments. This year, while Mr. M. was at a Habitat for Humanity charity event he bid for a photography package from King and I Photography during the silent auction. We won the bid, and I can't even begin to tell you what a blessing this was for us. The photographer is a very sweet and genuine woman, who I fell in love with the minute I met her. She is the sweetest, most genuine person and her husband (who helps her during the photo session) is also such a gem. She captured so many amazing moments, and I hope we are blessed with the ability to work with her in the future. 

 

2013 is coming to a close and these images remind me that this year has been a really good year. There are always so many lessons to be learned from our experiences, but I can say without a doubt that it has been the best year yet. 

A Baby Story (or two)

It's been seven weeks since we welcomed the Tiny Mr. into our family. It has been a whirl wind of a time for us, especially for me, as I get used to life at home with two littles.

Just last night I was telling the hubby that I don't really know what happened to October. I am almost certain someone erased it from the calendar. Ha! Someone is out to get me, I'm sure of it :) 

All silliness aside, I have been doing ok with the whole transition. I think the lack of sleep and other "little" issues have made me kind of cranky, but all-in-all I think I have been getting used to life as a family of four in a rather healthy way.

Tiny Mr. M. is getting better at sleeping, he slept four hours last night! Which means I got about 3 hours of uninterrupted sleep! What a dream! 

So now that I'm getting so much "more" sleep, I can think clearly, and am finally sharing my thoughts on this space again. 

 

(On a side note, I think baby #2 has made me even more sarcastic! if that is possible). 

So back to sharing, I was thinking going into baby #2 that there were so many things I would do differently from what I did with baby #1. I thought, I am going to enjoy the pregnancy and not complain so much about all the discomforts (because after all, this is such a miracle that not everyone gets to experience). I still complained, I still wanted it to be over so I would be able to breath again, eat without feeling like my lunch was sitting on my throat all day, and not be 40 lbs. from my pre-pre preggers weight (oh and so I could start loving on my little bundle too). I thought: once the baby is born, I won't take the first weeks so hard, I will try to remember that its just a short period of time, and the sleeplessness passes, and the uncertainty about EVERYTHING also passes. But NO, I still freaked out when he got jaundice, I still wished I could get more than 1.5 hours of uninterrupted sleep, I still wished he would smile at me and give me some love the way I wished with baby #1. 

But now as I sit here at week #7, I realize that many things are very different. There is a certain pressure that I don't feel. I can't really put it into a tangible example, but things are very different. I'd like to think that maybe it's maturity, maybe its experience. But in all reality I think it's all that and some mercy from our Creator. I've heard a whisper in my ear: don't be so hard on yourself, it's ok to expect a lot (from yourself, others, and situations) but you are going to need a lot of grace. So I've been much more forgiving, I've cut myself and others more slack, and I've napped while they nap (sometimes). And all of this, and the occasional cup of coffee, has helped me enjoy the process. 

Don't get me wrong, I've felt isolated, alone, and stressed. BUT, I've also felt sure of myself, hopeful about my parenting, and encouraged about the future.  

Being a Mami to two Littles has been hard for me, but the truth is that I've found freedom in not pretending its always this amazing, glamorous experience.

 "We are always this happy-go-lucky bunch over here. I'm always creating amazing experiences for my Littles, and in all the IG photos you see we are picture perfect". 

No, we are a mess most of the time, I'm cranky and I yell at my 2 year old from time to time, but I also get down on the ground and do tummy time/play together.

Little Mama sometimes gets up all of a sudden and almost steps on her brother, and I have to be quick to grab her so she doesn't smash is head, but we continue to gather and be together. Most of the time we laugh, we learn and we grow. 

All three of us together. 

Tiny Mr. M

Our little Mr. is here! Born Sept. 17th at 4:05am!

Showers of Blessing

Two weeks from yesterday I approached Delivery-Day! But we all know that only 5% of little bundles arrive on their designated day, so I don't have too much hope that it will actually happen on that one specific day. But who knows, maybe it will happen sooner. All I know is that since my clinic doesn't let you go over 41 weeks I will definitely have a Little in my arms in no more than 3 weeks! Praise Jesus! I have been so uncomfortable this pregnancy, I don't know how anyone has been able to deal with all my moodiness. Especially these last few weeks! I have been so cranky, unable to sleep at night, and getting bigger by the minute. I can hardly stand myself. But in the midst of this roller coaster of emotions and physical change we have been so blessed. Being able to stay home and spend time with Little Mama has been hard, but oh so good. We wake up early, watch some Curious George, go to the gym, play some, lunch together, clean house, nap, and play some more. It has been so fun! 

 

All of these photos are from my iPhone camera so they are a bit grainy, but they are such good memories.

So as baby week approaches I can kind of tell you that I'm ready. Physically and emotionally. Maybe not prepared but definitely ready. 

A few weeks back we were very fortunate to travel south for a great time with my parents and sisters. My sisters planned a baby shower, that my mom hosted at her house. It was a small affair, with close friends and family members. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

       

These last few weeks of out pour into my family have been so good to experience.

Our church also organized a shower for us and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Its at times like these that I realize how much God loves us, and that I need to love others as well. I feel like I've been reminded these last few weeks of how important it is to truly care for others. I've been reminded of how important it is to be a good friend, and to genuinely think of others and their needs. Its a beautiful thing to find a community of people who share this vision, who care for others knowing fully well that our Creator, through different means, will also take care of them.