Thursday, November 27, 2014

Grateful


Today is Thanksgiving...a day that I am so filled with gratitude! This year I have SO much to be thankful for. I have the greatest love there is: the love of Jesus, who saved me many years ago, and I am eternally grateful and blessed as a result. I have the love of a family, and next to that, there really is nothing that compares on this earth. I have the love of my husband, my daughter Eliana and our unborn little angel. I have the love of my big, rambunctious family. I just have so much love and kindness in my life. I am so very thankful for everything I've been blessed with...but this year, most of all its, for my family.

In my 27 years of life, my family has always been there for me. I'm so grateful for my wonderful, selfless parents who raised me to know and love Jesus. They taught me to work hard, to give and expect nothing in return. To be kind, loving and caring; to always put myself in someone elses shoes. They instilled in me an amazing work ethic too. I pray I can be half the mom my mama has been to me and my siblings. I am so blessed to have the most diverse, talented, fun and wonderful 6 sisters and the coolest little brother. 3.5 years ago I was blessed to get another incredible, caring and strong mama; along with two more brothers and a stunning little sister. They have brought so much laughter and joy into my life. They love and spoil Eliana and are always there for us. I have the best 4 brother-in-laws, who are all such Godly men and incredible husbands to my sisters! I am thankful for each member of my amazing family.

This day and forever more, I will continue to thank our Heavenly Father for blessing me with the most incredible husband! For those that know my hubby, they all can easily say, he is so hilarious! Always bringing a bit of humor into our lives. Willing to lend a hand and thoughtful. Very courteous and kind. I truly cannot say enough about how wonderful he is. He knows how to lift me up when I'm going through a tough time; he is my rock and my comfort when I need it. I just know that only because of the grace of our Father was I blessed to be by his side forever more. He provides for our family. Keeps a roof over our heads, food in our bellies and joy in our lives. He helps me with every chore around the house. Always letting me rest and giving me a break every chance he gets, especially in these last weeks of pregnancy. He is the best daddy too! Seeing how loving he is towards our Eliana fills me with the deepest love and joy. Words cannot even describe the feeling I have when I see them together. Just pure happiness is all. And how blessed am I to watch their relationship blossom and deepen with every day that passes?

Lastly I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the little people in my life. For my Eliana, my sweet angelic little daughter. If I had to describe her character, I would compare her to a sweet little bird. Shy, observant, loves music, forgiving, patient, full of happiness and peace. She has so much love to give, and shares her sweetness with everyone around. Kisses her reflection in the mirror or in pictures. Gives her baby cousins and stuffed animals kisses all the time. She has the sweetest character, I never imagined I could be blessed with such a  calm and caring little child. I myself had grown up a little tomboy, who had to experience everything for herself: I expected my children to be this way as well. I am just so grateful to be a mommy and to call Eliana mine. My little angel child. I am so blessed indeed! And as if that were not enough, this year in March, we found out we were expecting another little angel this fall. We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of a little sister for Eliana to play with and adore. She has brought so much joy into our lives even while in my belly. We already have so much love for her. We feel immeasurably blessed to have had such a healthy and long pregnancy, this second time around. She has been strong from the get go. Always on the move and just so full of life! We are so grateful for our two little girls and are so excited to introduce them one of these days :).

I hope that you all have a very blessed Thanksgiving day, and lets all try to find something to be grateful for not just today, but every day this year.

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

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.