Getting to see Lili in 3D!

The highlight of my week was being able to see Liliana in 3D. Back when I was pregnant with Evey the 3D ultrasounds were about $400, needless to say I didn't have one done. Since then they have drastically declined in price and I was able to have one done! I was so happy Amy was able to go with me, she has been such a great friend throughout everything! I'm so lucky to have her here! Liliana was awake and moving around when we started, then she yawned and decided to get comfy lol. She put her hands up around her head and stayed curled up, she was so adorable I want to hold her already. It was so neat being able to see her grab her feet and cross them. We managed to get a couple of good pictures!

First time Ice Skating!

Evelyn did great her first time ice skating! Her dad took her out on the ice and was hunched over struggling to teach her, I went and asked if they had any of those kid type walkers for the ice and lo and behold they did not. I understand, with so many people on the ice they can get in the way. I use to love to ice skate and its kind of like riding a bike, you get going and it just comes back to you. I was VERY careful and took it extremely slow, if I didn't go out there there is no way she would have done so well.... not just bc of me, but because she had an adult on either side of her to hold her up and give her the opportunity to learn. By the end she could skate a short distance by herself! I was so proud of my big girl!

Halloween

This year we opted to go to Sea World rather than go trick or treating. Both myself and Evelyn's dad D had the day off. We try to do things together when we can for Evey's sake. We have put what has happened in the past behind us and are able to be friends. It makes me sad that some parents have to miss out on their child's life because its the others Holiday to get the child. I understand though that sometimes that is life. Evey had a blast and we avoided all the candy! I know I'm biased bc I'm her mommy but I think she is the cutest Minnie Mouse EVER!

NSII- Night shift induced insomnia

Thats my new term to add to the medical dictionaries, think I can get some money for it? lol I want to upload some pictures and blog but its close to 5 am and I need to get a nap in before I have to wake the munchkin up and get ready for my 3D ultrasound! After the US I will post Halloween pics and Evey pics and of course ultrasound pics! I worked the night shift, slept during the day, took Evey ice skating for the first time ever and then came home went to sleep and promptly woke up a few hours later. I've facebooked and caught up on some blogs, now I have to go back to sleep, hopefully I can post this evening!

Tiff's baby shower in pictures

Me, Tiff, Amy n Meg

The girls got in on the relay action

I won! woo hoo

Tiff becoming increasingly frustrated she was losing to Amy, I think the only reason Amy didn't win was because Tiff was making her laugh!

Guess that candy bar, Isa was so grossed out people were smelling diapers!

Glowing mommy to be Tiffanie.

28

My best friend Tiff was coming into town to have her baby shower and another one of our good friends Meg was also coming into town. It just so happens I have the best friends ever, they decided to throw me a birthday party that weekend since everyone would be in town. It was a crazy weekend but I had so much fun. I wish all my friends still lived in town. Here's some pictures from the party. It was so nice to have everyone get together, it was just like the old days.... minus the hangover and plus a few kiddos lol.

Evey turned FOUR!

My little girl is growing up, I know that sounds cliche' but I want her to be this age forever. With the time that has passed my ex and I are friendly now, we try to do things every once in a while together so Evey can have both her parents around. For her birthday we had a nice day out, we made an appointment to get her hair cut.... for the first time. I would trim her bangs, which didn't always come out well lol, but as far as a professional hair cut, this would be her first. We didn't go crazy, just trimmed a few inches off and added layers. She got to pick out a new nail polish color and some nail art stickers. She wanted a pink hair extension (clip on of course) so she got that. We went out to dinner afterwards and had a wonderful day with Evelyn. That weekend we had a party at my moms house, it was a blast. I've always been a party person and the more the merrier. We rented an inflatable water slide that we will most definitely be renting again next year. Last year we had a moon bounce and while it was a hit with the kids, it was entirely too hot here in south Texas. Along with my family, Nomi and Amy showed up with their girls! Isa is Evey's age and they loved playing with each other, they were so cute holding hands going up the slide, it made me incredible nervous that they would fall though. Watching two four year olds trying to fill water balloons was quite amusing too. Katie was cute as ever and Evey is always asking about her! Evey had a wonderful birthday and is still talking about it.

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Catching Up

The past couple months have been super busy, Evey turned four and with that comes a party! I helped host my best friends baby shower. I had a birthday myself. I decided to take a last minute trip to Vegas for some R&R, after all it won't happen again for a LONG time. All while working overtime night shift at the hospital. I wish I was a stay at home mom but thats just not in the cards for me. Liliana is due January 23rd and I'm sure with the holidays approaching she will be here before we know it! In the process of posting the past couple of months, stay tuned.

19 weeks- It's a GIRL!

How Far Along: 19 Weeks
Size of baby: 9 oz, 6 inches
Total Weight Gain/Loss: According to MY scale, up 4lbs. According to the Dr.'s, up 6lbs
Maternity Clothes: Pretty much all I wear now with the exception of regular non maternity shirts.

Gender: It's a GIRL!
Movement: Yes, around week 12 I started to feel the fluttering. Now I feel her everyday.
What I miss: Massive amounts of caffeine.
Sleep: Normally don't get more than 4 hrs at a time.
Symptoms: Nausea is slightly improving, haven't lost my lunch in over a week!
Best Moment this past week: Finding out the gender and watching her play on the ultrasound. She was grabbing her feet and moving all around.
What I am looking forward to: Seeing Evey play with her little sister.

Name: Liliana

Lake House

This happened a while back but I want to remember how cute and innocent my little girl is. I can't believe she is almost four. The other day we were out on my dads boat and Evey was going on and on about the lake houses. Later she finds a dime and hands it to me, she's very serious when she says "Mamma, here, I want you to buy me a lake house" HA! If only it was that easy, she's such a cutie.

What's the baby's name?

I found the gender out early. The official ultrasound will be this week when Carlos is in town. Evey has been very curious and excited about the baby. She knows more than I give her credit for. She kisses my tummy without being prompted n things like that, she loves telling ppl there is a baby in my tummy and that it's a girl. One of my best friends Amy has an ADORABLE little girl named Katie. The other day she asks, "mommy, is the baby in your tummy named Katie too?" I just smiled and told her no, I think her name is going to be Liliana. She paused and looked at me. She says I'm Evelyn ARIanna, she's going to be LILIana. I said is that okay? She responded sure! n went about her day. It was adorable! She's going to be such a loving big sister, I can't wait. <3

Swim Lessons!

I never realized that Evey was not a very strong swimmer until we started swim lessons! Partly my fault because I always have a hand on her or put floaties on her when we are at the pool and when we are at the lake she's in her life jacket. We did two weeks, four days each week of swim lessons. Not going to lie I'm glad this session is over so I can sleep, I'd have to wake up early to take her then go home and work all night, wash, rinse and repeat lol. We were in the parent/tot class so I was in the pool with her. Once they get three stickers the parent is no longer needed. The very last day she got her third sticker and tear, she doesn't need me anymore. The last day of her swim class they were taught to jump in alone, float to the top face up yell for help. So she jumps in, floats to the top. I tell her okay Evey, yell for help. She looks at me and says, but I don't need help. LOL. I know Evey, but we have to practice in case you do need it, yell for help. Evey looks at me frustrated, but I don't! SIGH. She cracks me up, I love how matter of fact kids are.

My little cone head!

10 things tuesday

Saw this on another blog and decided to give it a shot. Things have been stressful lately and I've been trying really hard to stay positive.... key word trying. I'm going to give this a shot and write about 10 things that made me happy recently.

1. Taking Evey for her very first swim lessons, she looks so darn cute in her swim america swimsuit and swim cap.

2. Looking at the picture of the baby's ultrasound, can't explain the joy that brings to my heart.

3. Feeling the baby move after a long night of work, she.... or he normally moves around right before I fall asleep in the morning after a long night at work. I'll be exhausted and when I hit that comfy bed and things are quiet she seems to move around just to remind me of whats important.

4. Seeing Evey get excited to see me today, theres nothing like seeing your child happy to see you, it makes you feel so loved and wanted. Watching them run to you and give you a huge hug is awesome.

5............maybe next tuesday I can come up with more.............................

Baby Update

How Far Along: 13 Weeks
Size of baby: 0.9 oz, 3 inches long
Total Weight Gain/Loss: According to MY scale, down 1lb
Maternity Clothes: Bought my first mommy swimsuit, with Evey I was so tiny I just wore my bikini....now not so much. Had to get some maternity bottoms too. Even though I'm about the same weight I'm starting to show.

Gender: Not sure yet!
Movement: Yes, around week 12 I started to feel the fluttering. Now I feel it almost everyday.
What I miss: Massive amounts of caffiene
Sleep: Ha! What's that? I work nights and "sleep" during the day.
Symptoms: My boobs are bigger! woo hoo haha. My nausea is getting worse unfortunately.
Best Moment this past week: Having Carlos there for the ultrasound and seeing our baby move all over the place!
What I am looking forward to: My next day off.

Big News!

Evey is going to be a big sister! Today marks my 2nd trimester. Carlos and I are expecting at the end of January. The 1st trimester has been a whirlwind, wondering how things will work out with him living so far away, I've been working so much, trying to figure out a way to stay at home for as long as possible, being so darn tired all the time, being nauseated.... I'm ready for a break! The first trimester flew by, I'm hoping the next two are slower, I need more time to prepare. I'm looking forward to tomorrow, Carlos flys in for a week. Its always so nice to have him home. I'm showing a little, haven't gained any weight yet but feel as big as a house. I've got the normal pregnancy issues, indegestion, nausea, extreme fatigue. I know some of it will subside. We have told family and friends as of now, still haven't posted anything on facebook there are some things I need to get in order first. I'm going to tell Evey once I really start showing, I'm sure she will be excited. She loves babies and thinks they are so cute, she is going to be a great big sister. I'm very excited, it seems to be sinking in now. At the same time I'm concerned about the pregnancy. This time around I'm 30 lbs heavier and under a lot more stress. With Evelyn I didn't even THINK about complications, now I worry and hope everything goes well. I'm a little sad I won't get to set up a nursery, I'm still and probably will remain in our one br apt. I didn't get to have one for Evelyn either. I know the baby won't know the difference, but it still makes me sad. I know I will have to make a lot of sacrifices for our baby, they will all be worth it though.

Missing my baby girl

I work too much and I'm missing Evelyn terribly. I always say it will get better and eventually things will slow down. I'm beginning to think there is no end in site. I will always have to work a lot and I will always be missing the ones that are dearest to me.

Elliot

I've always been closest to my brother Elliot, I remember crying as he left for bootcamp. This was oh, maybe 20 years ago. He has always been there for me and I love him dearly. He is a police officer and always been tough, of course I know his more gentle side but he fits the part. Last friday I was still asleep when my phone rang, it was about 0720. My brother Elliot was on the other end of the line, he asked if I was working. (I work nights in an ICU). Me being half asleep I say no, I have Evelyn. He says, oh okay I'll call you later. So we hang up and as I'm thinking thats weird that he called this early the phone rings again, its Elliot again. He asks what are the symptoms of a heart attack? At this point I'm wide awake. I ask him why do you think you're having one? He says he's not sure and proceeds to tell me his symptoms. Nothing definitive just generalized left elbow/arm aches and back pain yesterday. He's recently started working out so I wasn't too concerned and thought it might just be musculoskeletal pain. But knowing the alternative I tell him its WORTH it to go get checked out. I give him some instructions and he tells me his gf is already on the way to pick him up, he says they are going to my hospital which is about 5 minutes from where I live. I tell him to keep me updated but don't expect to hear much more from him. At about 0800 his gf calls me and says they did an EKG and it shows he's having a heart attack. FUCK. Evey is watching Dora and when I tell her lets go she starts to whine. I knelt down and in my most serious calm voice said Uncle Elliot is sick and mommy needs to go help him get your shoes on NOW. She didn't question me and went and got her shoes on. I was so proud of her! I threw her in the car and called her dad telling him I was on the way to drop her off. I made it to the hospital in record time. My brother actually knew one of the ER techs from work whom I had gone to school with and he took care of him. I knew the day shift crew in the ER and knew they were awesome nurses and I knew he was in good hands. The cardiologist walked in who I also am familiar with, I was very pleased to see he was on call. He was a little skeptical at first and said we needed lab work to confirm a heart attack. Its understandable, my brother had NO medical history. He says we'll probably admit you overnight and schedule a stress test for tomorrow. He walks out and the primary doctor who I am also familiar with walks in and is assessing my brother. The nurse walks in and shows him a piece of paper and says this is his troponin, lab verified it twice. In the back of my mind I'm panicking and thinking this isn't good. He tells her to start a Heparin drip and call the cardiologist back. I'm trying to keep my calm as I don't want to panick my brother. I ask the Dr. what his troponin was and he says 2.7 holy fuck my 38 year old brother is having a full blown heart attack. Normal troponin levels are less than 0.01 and his was 2.7 they order a stat 2D echo which gives a better picture of heart function. His EF was 35% which is about half of what his heart should be pumping. They rush him to cath lab and we wait. We wait and wait and wait. Turns out there was no blockage, he had a stress induced heart attack. I was scheduled to work that night. I wait to make sure he is all settled into his room and then head home to nap. I sleep two hours and then head back to the hospital. I work my shift which was probably a bad idea, my head wasn't there. I worked three nights and that monday he was discharged. Things were going well till the next time I was at work three days later he calls and asks if I'm working. He says he doesn't feel right and is coming back to the hospital. Long story short nothing was wrong with his heart this time and his EF was back to normal! The second hospital stay Carlos was in town. It was so wonderful to have his support through this stressful time. I have been a wreck worrying about my brother. Seeing him in a hospital bed having a heart attack really scared the shit out of me. I was panicked, its totally different when its your own family member. He is doing better, we are making him rest which he is hating. I've tried to be there but not be too overbearing as I know that in itself can be stressful enough. I would be crushed if I lost him as would his two children. I hope this is a wake up call to make some life changes. I love my brother dearly and hope everything continues to go smoothly. As a side note, I was extremely pleased with all the staff at the hospital! Everyone was amazing!

LOOK AT THIS SAD FACE!

Now I'm not really sure what it was about... but I had told Evelyn no. I'm standing in the kitchen and proceeds to give me a guilt trip! She says mamma, look at this sad face! and dramatically points to her face... It took everything I had not to laugh! She's such a cutie!

Another awesome app!

I love my iPhone. Just downloaded macjournal app so now I can blog from my iPhone! Woohoo.

We don't say shit!

The other day I let shit slip out with Evey present.... her response, "mamma, we don't say shit!" ugh. Not my finest moment as a mom, I need to watch what I say! She's been so rambunctious lately! All I want to do is love and cuddle her but most times I am swiftly met with a stiff arm and a mischievious laugh! I hope my baby isn't growing out of her loving I wanna be with mommy stage :-(