My Girls

 01/03/2015

These last two months have passed in a whirlwind for me. We have been adjusting and loving life with our two precious little girls. Life has taken on a new meaning. We are so busy all the time; feeding, eating, diaper changing, playing, napping, bathing, doing loads of laundry etc. There have been moments of craziness where I felt I couldn't make it another moment. Isabelle has finally become a calm happy little baby. We have finally been able to enjoy life with our girls instead of simply surviving. 
The first two months were quite the struggle. Not only was I busy with my toddler who wants to explore and be played with, I had my hands full with Isabelle. If it wasn't one thing it was another. Poor girl had the worst reflux, spitting up constantly. So I spent day and night feeding her then changing her and trying to keep her clean from all the spit up. After the reflux started passing she came down with a stomach bug and had diarrhea for two weeks. Before this passed, poor girl became colicky. Really bad. We tried everything, even Colic Calm didn't help. And that stuff is magical I tell you! I finally figured out that she is very sensitive to certain foods or drinks I have; unlike her sister. With Eliana, I was able to eat or drink anything and she was happy and calm as a clam.  Lets just say I couldn't WAIT till hubby came home from work and gave me a slight reprieve. 
Don't get me wrong, I am absolutely LOVING being a mommy to my angels. But life isn't always perfect. Sometimes there are struggles. But amidst it all we have to find and focus on those moments of pure joy and sweetness where ever we can find it. When my girls smile at me or look at me with love filled eyes, I just melt. Isabelle's delicious scent. Her strong tiny arms and legs, always on the move. Her smiles and baby agoos. Her curiosity and joy when she sees people, especially mommy and daddy. Her little voice, so much deeper then her older sisters. Her little genius-ness...I'm preparing to have my hands full with this one and so excited to see her learn things quickly. At 3 days old she understood that she preferred being held and for nearly 2 months I was barely able to set her down. This only meant I got loads and loads of cuddles from Isabelle. Eliana's laughter, slobbery kisses and bright excited eyes. Her helpful nature. Her love for music. Her love for her cousin Nate, which may as well be her brother. I love everything about my girls. They are worth every second of discomfort I may experience. 
Somehow a month after Isabelle was born, amidst all the craziness, we found time to snap these sweet photos with my girls. These photos capture us in the raw. Playing with Eliana while carrying for Isabelle. Just life with a newborn and toddler. Eliana had just woken from her nap and was so happy. She quickly became serious though. When she hears someone crying she gets hurt too. She tries to calm her sister with kisses and rough pats of love and comfort. I could tell she wants to help her feel better. She takes all the diapers to the trash, already mamas helper. She is truly the sweetest most sensitive little girl. Rarely demanding anything. Always patiently waiting while I feed her sister and always lighting up the moment she sees her awake. Eliana is already a book worm like her mama. She reads her books every day. This was a beautiful book my sister Julez bought my girls for Christmas. Its the "big girl" book of stories. So we rarely pull this one out yet. Even though Eliana is very careful, we only read this one together. She has hard page books for now that she can read on her own or read with me on a daily basis :).  I love my girls and would not trade them and my life with them for the world!  

Chunky Braid and Bump

 

11/22/2014

This sweet baby girl of mine sure has gotten herself nice and comfy inside mama's belly. She must love listening to my heart and snuggling mommy...because she is refusing to evacuate the premises. I was 38 1/2 weeks here already and SO ready to meet her. She has her own plans apparently. Week 38 was full of many false alarms. Many times we contacted family to line up a babysitter for Eliana. Kept us anxious all week thinking that every time we had contractions and extra pressure, that was it. Every morning I wake up and my sisters and mom text me asking if there's any news, any progress. Waiting honestly is the worst!

I know that its best for the baby to stay in as long as she needs. But, this last week has been chalk full of contractions, stretching and major aches and pains. There were several days where I had contractions that got pretty close together, but never stayed consistent enough or got stronger. She has been stretching like crazy, my stomach being pushed and prodded every which way. My doctor was just amazed and shocked that she hasn't broken my water yet. We were sure she would be here by now. If not for the discomfort, we would just wait patiently. Although honestly at this point, we have given in. We decided to just take it easy and let her decide when its time.

My body is definitely ready to have her though. She's already measuring in at 40 weeks. I continue dilating and now at 4cm. Cervix still fully thinned and head engaged and very low. Everything is ready for her arrival, accept her. I am even emotionally more settled and ready for whenever she decides to come. A week ago I was so anxious, felt so much nervousness. But after waiting for two weeks now, with no success, I am just ready to hold her already. Ready to get this birth over with and ready to enjoy her warm and sweet little body snuggled up against me.

She is growing by the day, and my curiosity with her. How big will she be...how will she look? I love her so much already. Every day I just sit looking down at my belly, as it rolls around with her movements, and I try to guess if its her knees pushing at me or her little booty, or maybe a foot stretched out to the far recesses of my belly (always the right side). She is such an active little one. I want to meet this little wiggle bug already! And at the rate she's growing, I hope I'll be able to deliver her. Seems shes getting pretty big, and because we had Eliana early, we don't even know what size our full term babies can be. Eek! Pray for my delivery, I sense the end is near and I hope all this pre-labor will make me have her very quickly. 

Bumpin' A Green Dress

 

 10/16/2014

 Dress: Forever 21 / Opaque Black Tights: find here / Clutch: Forever 21 / Black Pumps: by Miss Me

When you find yourself amongst such glorious bursts of color, what to do accept twirl? And twirl some more. The cool refreshing wind rustling the leaves, sunshine warming the skin and gloomy clouds floating past in the sky...once again, this is proving to be my favorite season yet! I'm even more excited for this cooler weather because I can transition my summer clothes right into fall by simply adding tights or sweaters. Makes it so much easier to dress this ever growing bump. 

Whenever I shop for my bump, I always look for non-maternity clothing, so I could wear it after my pregnancies as well. I simply fell in love with this green dress when I found it at Forever21. Girly and pretty with just a touch of sexy thanks to the deep V in the back. With a flowey skirt and soft material, its definitely a favorite. I simply paired it with a colorful clutch, black tights, platform heels, and braided up my hair - letting the dress and bump have center stage.

 PREGNANCY UPDATE:

On this glorious day I am blessed to have made it to 33 weeks and counting...Just over 6 weeks to go, if that. Third trimester we just both grow. My baby girl is approximately 19 inches long and topping out at a whopping 4 1/2 pounds. Imagine a honeydew curled up inside a watermelon and you can know what I'm dealing with here. My baby girl is consistently active and SO strong! 24/7 she is nudging, kicking and tapping away. She is getting cramped in there, I can feel every movement and can see my stomach rocking whenever she moves to get comfortable. She already brings me so much joy and I keep imaging how she will look, smell, feel...simply holding her tiny little body in my arms, close to me.

While she is comfy as can be, this mama is having quite the time. Constant and strong braxton hicks contractions, which at times make me feel like my stomach will burst as it hardens my abdomen! Itchy skin as it stretches. The worst car sickness and my never leaving friend morning/ day sickness.  Painful round ligament pains also have been kicking my booty. Cant seem to get comfortable especially while staying busy and keeping up with my 18 month old toddler. I've tried laying down, getting comfy but that only serves to make me feel even stiffer when I get up; making me waddle and limp at times, feeling like an old lady. If any of you mamas have any tips I would greatly welcome the suggestions! 

Most importantly though, I am yet to experience any contractions as I had with Eliana. With my first pregnancy, they started at 20 weeks and would occasionally happen and made me and my family worry. I ended up having her at only 34 1/2 weeks, and we still don't know what caused her to arrive early. We are praying and hoping I carry to full term this time around. It will be so magical to hold my baby the same day I deliver her and not have to wait a whole day... Getting to bring my baby home the next day and not spend any time driving day after day to the NICU is something we are yet to experience and are so excited for! So far I feel strong, baby feels high and we are doing great! Praise God! We are heading in for our weekly check ups with the doctor, so we will be keeping a close eye on this little one. 

Fall at the Farmstead Festival

What a perfect day to be outside. Sun warm on our faces and a fresh fall wind welcomed us, as we arrived for a little family adventure at The Farmstead Corn Maze and Pumpkin Festival. So much to do. We tried to pack in as much as we could before the sun started setting.

Eliana was in heaven! We were outside, which is her favorite thing right now. Kids everywhere, which she loves and wants to touch immediately. So much to see and take in everywhere you look. We headed straight for all the animals. Eliana loved the petite cows best; kept touching their noses as they stretched their heads through the gate. To be perfectly honest, I was scared to touch all the animals myself. Its amazing the fearlessness in such a little person!

We headed for the corn maze next. Last year it was so huge and difficult we wandered around for over 3 hours, lost. We braved the maze again, with my hubby leading the way, determined he knew where to go. I suspect all men are like that. Haha. He led us through perfectly though. We touched upon every checkpoint and were all done in under one and a half hours. 

The hayride after the maze was such a great idea! It was long, bumpy and fun; made even sweeter since we got to rest our tired feet. The rest of the time we explored. Everything was beautiful as the sun was nearing the horizon and everything was cast in its golden glow. My sister and I convinced my man to ride the mechanical bull. He was such a great sport, even got nudged around by the bull after he fell off. Gave us a good laugh. The most delicious part were these amaaaaazing caramel apples. Warm, gooey caramel that got stuck in our teeth, but was oh so delicious! This truly was the most perfect way to welcome Autumn, my new favorite season.

I hope you enjoy our photos and all go out and adventure asap!

The smile on this Llama never fails to make us laugh :)

 I borrowed this loose dress from one of my sisters and sure was glad I wore it. Cinched with a simple belt and paired with my favorite scuffed-up, old pair of boots: I was comfortable to play with my daughter and wander around in it all day. I think it made my 32 week bump appear bigger than it is...but Oh! the comfort! :)

As  you may have noticed, she guarded her corn with her life...never left her little hands.

10/9/2014

Location: Farmstead Corn maze and Pumpkin Festival // Photography: Nikon D5100 and Samsung S5, thanks to my sis, Julez // Blue Dress: Gap // Boots: Wanted, a wonderful gift // (Eliana) Chambray Shirt, Cardigan, Leggings: Carters // (Hubby) Tshirt & Jeans: Gap