Three Hearts Become One

A lovely letter that Daddy wrote to you Aleena.

Dear Aleena Rosalie,

Hi my little pumpkin! I just wanted you to know how much you've changed my life for the better, and It's only been three months! These three months have been the greatest time in my life and I can't imagine how much more of an adventure it's going to be watching you grow up. Your mother and I are very blessed to have you in our lives.

You look just like I did when I was a newborn; it makes me wonder if you're going to grow to look more like your mama than me. The day you were born was the proudest day of my life, I knew the second you came out; you would change my life forever! I cried when the doctor put you on your mothers chest, we were finally able to stop imagining who you were going to look like. All I can say is that you looked like my twin! So beautiful you were, and still are, you were already sucking your thumb! February 22, 2012 is a day I shall never forget.

When I am lying near you and placing your pacifier in your mouth, you always hold onto my fingers, you never let go. I love the feeling of comfort that I give you, you know when I am by your side. When I carry you, you always put your head up against mine, it's so adorable, it's the little things you do that mean the world to me. It lets me know that you feel my love and you are aware of the love that you are sharing with us! You may not understand it now, but once you do, I hope that you never stop this indescribable feeling of joy that you bring into my life.

The advice that we were given before and after you were born was unfortunately true. We were told, "enjoy every second of her because she will grow fast!" It's already been a little over three months and you've grown so much, I don't know where my tiny seven pound, eleven ounce baby girl went. I love your smiles and smirks, they are the same facial expressions that I have always made. The smile on your face let's your mother and I know that we are doing an amazing job as being your parents. While we watch you grow day by day, we are always wondering what type of person you're going to be; your sweet and loving personality is showing so much. 


Whether you decide to be a doctor or a construction worker, I just want you to know that we will be here to support every decision you make in life. You will have an enormous impact in every possible aspect, whether that be good or bad. Whichever it is, it was meant to happen and you just need to take life one step at a time. Though times may get tough, you will have us there to keep you positive and keep you moving forward from the negative things in life. Your mother and I have such a strong relationship, we have always been there for one another, just like we will always be there for you. I can already tell that the three of us are going to have so many adventures together! I love you!

Love,

Daddy

           

      

A Nap Time Blunder

Aleena is at the age where she is aware of everything around her, constantly wanting to see what's going on, curious about this new world she is in. I love it! I love to see her big eyes marvel at the little things, the things that I tend to overlook, the simple pleasures of life that need to be recognized. She appreciates everything!

During nap time, she is aware of me. She knows where I am on the bed, if I'm too far from her, if she's not comfy...etc. It amazes me, she is too young to have tendencies like this, it's a little scary! I have a feeling that she is going to know what she likes, what she doesn't like, and will speak her mind when she wants something to go her way (I hope this is far in the future.)

Ever since my summer break started I have gotten into the habit of staying in the room with Aleena while she naps. I love watching her sleep, taking a nap beside her, and updating my blog while being lazy in bed. Again, I am lazy!

Instead of these nap time bonding sessions turning out for the good, they have put me in a sort of blunder. Aleena is now a light sleeper, waking up as soon as she hears me leave the room, senses when my body heat is no longer beside her, and waking up if her pacifier isn't in her mouth (this is my fault, I never let her self soothe back to sleep.)

Do you see her toes? Relaxed.

They tense up when she knows I'm about to leave!

I don't know what to do, my summer isn't going to last forever, and soon I'll have to leave the room again in order to return to homework duty. I don't know if I should try to correct the problem now, or wait. If I wait, I know it's just going to get worse, and turn into a nap time disaster routine. I've been reading up on sleep training, and they say to wait until 4 months, that's two weeks away. I don't know if this is what is needed to correct our BIG little issue, or if I just need to approach it another way.

Don't get me wrong, I love being next to my little lady all day, she is my cuddle buddy! I enjoy our plentiful time together, but I'm not sure if it will be best for me or Aleena's sleep habits in the future.

HELP!

Have any of you ever had experience with sleep training? If so, what method did you use, and how was your experience? I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject!

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Anxiety

Have you ever left your little one alone, while they were still so tiny, for a couple of hours and had anxiety the entire time you were away?

That was me tonight, I hated it! Though I knew Aleena was safe with her daddy while I snuck away to my brother-in-laws birthday dinner, I still had the feeling that it was wrong for me to leave her. I need to get over this, but I know it will be a while! The funny part about it all is that she was asleep for the night when I left and she didn't even take notice of my absence! Oh the joys of being a mother! Overreacting when it's obviously unneeded!

I came home, checked on my sleeping beauty, then came to the computer to watch slideshows of her! I just can't get enough of her! I love that girl to death, I'm addicted to everything about her, her love, smell, smile, dimple (right under her right eye!) If their was therapy to fix my overpowering addiction to her, I would stay far far away! 

My two loves are fast asleep right now, taking up the entire bed! I know I'll have to scoot her over in a little so I can get some shut eye, but for now, I'll let her be! 

I found these pictures of my little love while she slept as a newborn!

 So sad! She's grown so much!

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Our Birthday Boy!

Aleena,

Raising you is a blessing that has been given to your Daddy and I, it is a life long journey that consists of love, love, love, and tons of hugs and kisses! Each day with you that passes gets added to our long and meaningful book of memories that will forever stay locked in our hearts. Your dad and I love every moment of every day with you, more than we ever thought possible.

I can't imagine venturing down this wonderful path of raising you without the help of your Daddy, I know that I will never have to worry about that because your dad is unlike any other man I know. I've known that he was someone special since the day I laid eyes on him, the way he looked at me made me feel loved even before I knew his name. I never knew what love really was until I met him, I knew that we would forever be together. Starting a family together was always the plan, though we were young, we knew that we were ready to bring you into this world and smother you with love for all the years to come.

Though you are only three months old, you are already so deeply in love with your dad and I, we see it in your everyday happiness. The sight of love in your eyes is breath taking when you look at me, I try my hardest to show you the same love back, I hope you can see it. It warms my heart to see how in love you are with your daddy, whenever he comes in the room he has your attention. You sit in his lap so calmly, I can tell you feel so safe on his chest. The way he holds you in his arms so delicately, kisses your head when you're sleeping, holds your hands while you are eating, and hugs you tight whenever you are crying, is such a wonderful sight to see. Your Daddy is the greatest dad ever, and I mean EVER!

Today is your Daddy's birthday, he turned 23, and we were able to spend this special day with him!

You woke him up with your cute baby sounds, which he says was your way of singing happy birthday to him! He loves the card that you made, your handprint and toes are so tiny on the card, it's the best card ever! 

We spent all day at BBQs with your daddy, when we finally got home we were able to sing to him by ourselves with the yummy cheesecake that we made for him! Though it's not the end of the night just yet, and your Daddy hasn't said it, yet, I know that this has been the best birthday for him, I can see it in his eyes, more than he could have ever imagined, all because you were here to spend this day with your Daddy the birthday boy!

Happy Birthday Love, I hope your day was amazingly amazing!

Giving your Daddy some birthday Love!

Oh, and do you see this frostingless cake? That's your Daddy's favorite!

Your Daddy is a cheesecake lover!

Today was your first time in a sprinkler! You loved it until your cousin accidentally sprayed you in the face! You took a nap after that "trauma"!

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So Quickly You Grow

Growth: Your our big/little lady that seems to be sprouting over night! Every time we look at you it amazes us with how much bigger you have grown since the previous day. I send your daddy pictures of you throughout the day, and his number one reply is, "Wow, she is so beautiful and getting so big!" I don't know what it's like to be away from you for an entire day like your daddy, but I know that if I was then your growth would stand out to me far much more than it already does. The doctor asks me every time we go for a visit, (your last one was a month ago) who has the height in the family, our reply; your daddy's side. Your height is 25 inches, that's the 98th percentile! Your current weight is 12 lbs. 13 oz., putting you in the 85th percentile, and your head measures 15 and 3/4 inches, 80 percentile! Your growing so fast, the majority of it in length! It makes me so sad when I am rocking you to sleep and your feet are always dangling down and touching either the rocker or the bed. Soon, very soon, I know that its going to be uncomfortable for me to continue holding you like a newborn, wrapped tight and secure in my arms. When that day comes I plan on crying my eyes out, (happy tears of course!) It will be too much for me to see you grow so quickly.

Obstacles: You have been able to turn from your tummy to your back for a little over a month now which blows our minds! Its so cute to see such an adorably small little woman moving so much at such a young age! Your new challenge is to go from your back to your stomach, which frustrates you so much. You kick and scream, trying your hardest to get to your tummy, if only you would know that it's your chunky little arm that's blocking your way! I have a feeling that you'll master that task in the next couple of weeks as long as you keep trying daily. Its funny to see that once you give up you quickly find your hands, while you lay on your side, and begin to devour them with slobber! You are trying to crawl, your at the stage where your arms stay at your side most of the time, while your little legs scoot your straight forward or around in a circle! I love it, except for the fact that you always end it with a shrieking cry because your not satisfied with your progress. You sat up for the first time yesterday, if thats what its even called. You put all of your weight on your legs, sitting at an angle, after I squared you off to make sure you had balance. It was funny to see you look around for me, curious as to how you were sitting on your own without me by your side. We love how much you take in and learn everyday, your such a fast learner!

Talking: You have been able to hold a conversation for quite some time now. Always looking to see if we are around to respond, even that doesn't stop you! My favorite time is when I am putting you down for a nap, right when your about to fall asleep you lift your head, look me straight in the eyes and start goo-gooing away! I know I need to keep quiet in order to let you get your rest, but an occasional laugh comes out and we get lost in our secret language with one another! Your daddy talks to you often, always wanting to make sure he's not missing out on anything while he is away at work during the day. I love watching you two together, it shows me more and more just how loved you truly are!

Sleeping: You're a pro, and have been since you were a month and a half! You're on a routine to where you fall asleep an hour after your daily feedings, and twenty minutes after your night time feedings. You're asleep for the night by 8 or 9, and you don't wake again until 4-5. It's so thoughtful of you, it's as if you want mommy to catch up on sleep! You're a tummy sleeper and I'm okay with this because I'm by your side making sure your okay throughout the entire night. We co-sleep and have since your birth, I wouldn't have it any other way, I love being by your side while you dream of milkshakes, mommy, and daddy, you sleep so peacefully, with an occasional fart that we smirk at! I'm usually the one who puts you asleep, but daddy is working on finding a way to help out. You see his problem is that he wants to talk to you the entire time, not realizing that you wont fall asleep because you're being stimulated, daddy's a dork!

(Your Aunt Lala isn't going to like this picture!)

(You sat away from me the entire time, I was lonely.)

Social Life: You love our outings! Your curious little eyes wonder from color to color, soaking in all the wonderful things that are around you. We take walks to the park, visit your cousins, go to baseball games, have picnics, go to BBQs, and recently you explored IKEA! You are such a happy baby no matter where we are, never fussy, always smiling, and letting all who want to, hold you. At times you look for me, but once we meet eyes, you are right back at socializing with all! You have been sick a couple of times since birth which makes me wonder if I should risk you being exposed to so many germs, I've learned to calm down a bit. Our best friend is the hand sanitizer, which gets applied before anyone can hold you, so far so good!

Your Loves: Daddy bought you your first love at the hospital the day you were born. He is a colorful giraffe named Moose, and you love him so dearly! Mommy and daddy wanted you to have a soft friend that is always near you to comfort you and put you at ease. Mommy bought you your blue elephant, which you seem to have replaced Moose with. Daddy wants you to go back to Moose, but I know you only like your elephant because its easier for you to hold, you see its a lot smaller than Moose! By the way, his name is Moose because your Aunt Eia suggested it, I fell in love, and your daddy thinks it's weird! Though I feel you're a mommy's girl, and your daddy thinks you love him more, (jokingly of course) I can see the truth in your eyes whenever you see either of us. You love us dearly, you always will, you can see that we both love you with all of our hearts, and that's all we will ever need to know!

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3 Month Birthday Girl!

Aleena is 3 months today! Wow time sure does fly, but we had an amazing day and she was full of smiles... almost all day!

 Here is our day via Instagram!

Up and ready to go at 6:30am!

Adorable crochet flip flops from Nonie!

Tummy Time!

Cousin Love! She couldn't handle all his hugs and kisses!

LOVE!

Daddy and his girl!

Reading Amelia Bedelia!

Part Three..The Last Part!

After the epidural, I slept for two hours. I just passed out as soon as the pain was gone, everyone left us alone because they knew we had a long day ahead of us.I wish that I had slept longer than two hours though, I was exhausted!

I woke up with the sudden urge to start pushing. At first it wasn't anything crazy, but then it started to get very uncomfortable, as if Aleena was about to fall out of me on her own if I didn't start soon! The nurse came to check me and said that I was fully dilated but Aleena needed to come down a little further before I could start pushing. Thirty minutes later, at 6:00am I started to push.

Fernando was so nervous that he sat the entire time in the corner. I could tell he was hyperventilating but I didn't have time to worry about him.I had a lot of my family in the room, I knew that I didn't want them to miss her birth. My Nonie, Mom, sisters Elesha, Raquel, and Abriam, as well as Fernando obviously! My mom and sister Elesha held my legs and they really gave me the confidence I needed, although I had planned on Fernando holding one of them, it didn't quite happen. About halfway through, the nurses shift change started (thank goodness). That rude nurse was out of my life finally, and I was blessed with another one! Which I loved! She helped reposition me to make every push count, guided my breathing, and helped me in the best way possible!

I guess because I was counting in my head so often, that the time flew by. Pushing didn't hurt me, it was a sort of pain and pressure relief. I wanted to keep pushing right through the contractions so I could finally meet out baby girl. Two hours passed and thats when the ring of fire kicked in! Ouch, they really weren't joking about that either. I almost got her out when the ring kicked in, but I didn't push hard enough. I had to sit there in the worst pain ever for a few minutes waiting for another contraction. Finally,I was able to push my last push.

Aleena was born at 8:16am. A healthy 7lbs. 11 oz., stretching 21 in. long! Her head was 13 3/4 in. around, and her first scream was so precious! When she came out she just laid in my arms with her big eyes looking around, so curious as to what was around her! She didn't make a sound after that! The first words I spoke to our darling daughter were, "hi baby!"

Fernando cut the cord, cried while looking at her, and fell in love that very moment all over again! We were both proud parents and have been ever since!

3 Things I Can't Live Without..Or Should I Say We!

My sleep deprivation has been tested, my fast shower skills have been empowered, and my ability to multitask has somewhat vanished for the past two weeks! In the time that I have been trying to be the best mom that I am possibly capable of being, I have learned to except the fact that I cannot do everything to make Aleena as comfortable as she needs to be. Therefore, I have come to LOVE a few objects that help me get through the nights! The first one is the lovely pacifier! At first, I thought that if Aleena was crying, her diaper was clean, and she was being held and she was still fussy, then that must mean that she is hungry! Well my nipples are paying for the hourly feeding that I thought she so desperately needed! Now if nothing else calms her, I then turn to our trustworthy pacifier. Thank you, you beautiful invention, the ones from the hospital are the best if I say so myself!

The next item on the list of top favorites it the wonderful Cloud B Lamb that Aleena's Aunty Lala gave us as a gift! For some reason, which I am not complaining, the soothing sound of a whale helps Aleena fall asleep, and stay asleep for her 2 hour naps! I honestly don't know what I (we) would do without it during the night... it's a lifesaver! 

Now lastly, one of our favorite things that we have come to adore over the past two weeks is the time that seems to stand still for a few minutes and allows us to soak up all the love that Aleena has brought into our lives when we didn't think it was possible! We love you baby girl, we always will, and you are forever our little Love Bug!