Thursday, June 26, 2008

Philip's Gift

After Philip died, my good friend Mandy brought me an orchid plant. Her mom saw it at a store and bought it for me because it reminded her of Philip. For those of you that did not meet Philip, here is a picture.



As you can see his cleft was quite severe. However, that is exactly what my friend's mom thought reminded her of an orchid flower. The plant was quite beautiful (with several blooms) and (luckily) it came with a set of instructions. Let's be honest, I am so the "killer of plants". Even my "unkillable" monkey grass by the front walk has died. So, I followed the instructions perfectly to try and reverse my bad fortune with the orchid. I wanted so badly for it to live. Well, it has been over a year and the plant leaves have grown. About a month before Cristian was born, a new stem began to sprout from the base. I was so excited that I had not killed it! A week before Cristian was born the first flower bloomed. Now, one week after Cristian's birth the orchid has four beautiful blooms. We have decided that it is Philip's welcome home to Cristian. Four blooms for our now family of four.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

On week old

Cristian is one week old today. This morning my mom took us to HEB for Cristian's first shopping trip. I figured if we went early the place would be empty and no one would try to touch him or anything. It was fun, too bad he slept through the whole thing! We also weighed him...well we weighed us while holding him...anyway he is back up to his birth weight and that made me feel good. I guess the breastfeeding is working. Cristian will have his first doctors appointment tomorrow. We are really happy with our pediatrician so I am excited to see him tomorrow. I guess he will confirm Cristian's weight and hopefully make me feel better about his health. Yep, I am still feeling uneasy. I guess it is a combo of the baby blues, lack of sleep, and overwelmingness of it all. I have cried more than a few times...mostly just because I am constantly worried. Worried that something bad will happen or Cristian will get sick and I won't see it until he is really sick etc. etc. Just silly worries that I should not be wasting my time with, but I can't help it.

When I was pregnant I kept telling my boss that I would be returning to work, because I have to. And yes, that hasn't changed, but I am now understanding what she meant when she said it would be harder than I thought. I am now looking 7 weeks from now when I have to leave him behind to return to work and I am already freaking out. I can not imagine how I am going to get through that. I now get what my boss was trying to tell me. One more thing I am worrying about. Can't I just win the lotto or something?

This was supposed to be positive, sorry. So the baby is cuter every day and makes these really funny faces when he sleeps and you can hear his farts from across the room. He is calm and sweet (except when you wipe his jewels during a diaper change...he doesn't like anyone near the jewels). When he is hungry and I can't get my shirt off quick enough, he moves his arms up and down with fists of fury (I call them angry arms) and barks at me (no cries, just little yells for me to move it along). He falls asleep when he eats and drools milk...it is really cute and makes me laugh everytime. Here is a picture of him in his visor. We added the cards, we thought the visor made him look like an old-fashioned card dealer from the wild wild west. I love this kid. What a cutie pie.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Welcome Home Booba!

Our little Cristian was born on Tuesday. We weighed in at 8 pounds 2 ounces and is 19 inches long. He has blue eyes and light brown hair. I meant to post sooner, but...we were busy! Anyway, here are some pictures!

And Baby Makes 3


Granny Named GoGo


Grammie D and her Sugar Booger


Mommy and baby


Smiling at Daddy


Homeward Bound


There are also pictures that the hospital took and posted online.
Go to www.our365.com and fill out the blanks. Cristian's pics will pop up. They are really cute!

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Today is the Day!!!

It is 6:05 am and I have been up since 3:30. I couldn't sleep...can you blame me? Today is the day. In just a few short hours Cristian will be here and in my arms. I can not believe that one very short year ago I was just beginning my jouney of grief after losing Philip. What a turn of events...to celebrate another birth in just over a year! Yes, we really are over achievers...buying a house, two kids and a wedding all in just 22 months! How truly blessed we are. Please keep us in your prayers as we go into the hospital this morning to have a surgery (just me :-( ) and a new baby (both of us :-0 ). One of us will post pictures later today, so keep checking for those!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

New Date, New Time, Same Place

I guess someone was taking pity on me today because my doctor called to reschedule my cesarean...one day sooner! Yippee, 24 less hours Cristian can continue kicking the air out of me! Just kidding! We have rescheduled for Tuesday, June 17th at 9am. That gives me a little extra time to sleep in the morning, so that's good...even though I don't really anticipate sleeping on Monday night. In addition to just being uncomfortable, I think I might be just a bit too excited and nervous to sleep. So, after I got the call I spent the afternoon on a cloud. I only have three more days of work before 8 weeks away! This time next week, I'll be holding my boy!

BTW- Carlos starts his new job tomorrow...well, his second job. He is going to wait tables at Pappasitos! I am so excited for him. In addition to just bringing in some extra money, I think it will give him something to do that is right up his alley. He is such a people person, his day job just doesn't give him an outlet for that. I think he is going to do great! He gets to be out and about and making money all at the same time! Yeah!

Saturday, June 7, 2008

New Pictures

Sorry it has taken me so long to post new pictures. These are from various special occasions that have taken place over the past few months. NOTE: Although I am quite large and in charge in these photos, I am even bigger now. The most recent one was taken almost a month ago...you can imagine the belly by now. When Carlos gets home later, I will have him take new belly shots so you can see. BTW- We found out that Cristian's birthday (6-18-06) is also our good friend Rodney's birthday! Rodney was one of my brother's best friends growing up. He battled cancer several years ago before he passed away. His wife and children moved to San Antonio after he passed and it has been so wonderful seeing his kids grow-up. So, I guess, even though I didn't pick the date, it was fate. Cristian will share his birthday with an Angel (just like his brother)!

The Nursery



Work Shower
"The Girls"...My wonderful team that put together this amazing shower for Cristian!



Kelli and Braden
Braden is 3 weeks younger than Philip, so everytime I see him I think about what Philip might be doing up in heaven. Currently Braden is busy running away from grown-ups and grabbing for cameras!!

New Pictures Continued

East Texas Shower



My family is full of strong, cajun women. Here are just a few of them!



My Aunt Carol totally scored with Carlos...a Longhorn tricycle and a cool t-shirt for the little guy!


Wednesday, June 4, 2008

False Labor 101

I spent 3 hours last night laying on the couch enjoying contractions, seven minutes apart. They weren't very uncomfortable and they never intensified or got closer together, so I wasn't too worried. Although, I really did not enjoy being tied to the couch...even with cable, there was nothing on TV. I ended up watching Shrek 3 on HBO and some HGTV. It was a good thing though, as it reminded me that I had yet to register with my short term disability provider. Duh! I was supposed to do that 2 weeks ago, but I forgot. Luckily the guy on the phnone was really sweet when I called this morning. I had to get that done or I would really be missing my paychecks over my leave...

Cristian is really getting big. Although I lost 2 pounds at my appt. last week, he continues to grow and boy do I feel the difference. Every move he makes is a bit painful. 14 more days. 14 more days. I feel bad counting down. My pregnancy has been rather enjoyable and I do appreciate the miracle of it all...but...I guess I am just getting tired of being tired from fat. I am ready to be tired from a crying baby instead.

You know, it must be the pregnancy brain, because I am really unorganized lately. First the short term and now this...I haven't found a pediatrician! Duh, again! Tomorrow I am on a mission...to find a baby doc. Mandy gave me the number of hers, but I kind of wanted to go with a man...just because I think that it would be better for a man to do Cristian's circumcission (don't think I spelled that right, but you get it). I guess it doesn't really matter, as long as I am comfortable with him/her. Dr. S recommended a practice that is affiliated with the hospital. I will probably try them first, I trust Dr. S. Hopefully I can get a meeting with one soon...as I don't have much time left.

Alright, I am having more contractions tonight, so sitting in this chair is becoming increasingly uncomfortable...I gotta go now. Hope everyone is well.
Love,
Stacey