Photo Shoot!

I don't know what it is about me and pictures, but what I do know is that I'm falling into a slippery slope of delayed reaction, (just like my mother) when it comes to passing out Aleena's current and up to date photos! Ahh I need to stop!

No one has received the pictures of Aleena that were taken when she was a week old, (ignore the fact that she has a pacifier in her mouth, she was twenty minutes passed starving!) 

Aleena with her two cousins Gabby and Ace!

I haven't even printed out the one month photos my sister did of her, which were all amazingly adorable, because I keep forgetting the memory card whenever I make a trip to Target. Even my brother, who lives in Sweden I might add, already has that session printed, blown up, and framed. Talk about being an amazing uncle! 

Then I took Aleena's two month pictures at Target, received them three weeks later because when I was supposed to pick them up Aleena was in the hospital, (that post is coming within the next week.) Now she's already going to be 13 weeks and I have yet to divide, cut, and pass out those pictures to anyone! I don't know what it is with me and pictures, I feel bad I really do. I want everyone to be able to enjoy the print outs when they are current, not 3 months old, this is going to end I promise, I blame this on my mother. I know I need to pick a day to divide and conquer this problem of mine, but I just haven't found the time, story of a mothers life right! 

For now, scanning them onto my blog seems to be a step in the right direction. I'm viewing it as semi-accomplishing this picture mess of mine because if I dont do it soon, I know I never will! I hope you enjoy, it brings tears to my eyes to see how fast she is growing.

 Aleena stop okay, you just can't be a big girl, mommy said so!

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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!

Part Two

The next day I was miserable. I was trying to keep myself busy with organizing our new apartment but the pain kept getting more intense as every minute went by. I felt as though I should keep my emotions under control because we had house guests (nobody wants to see their sister-in-law freak out over pain!) I know that Valerie (Fernando's sister) wouldn't have cared, if anything she would have done all that she could to help, (I even remember her massaging my back to ease the pain) I wish I would have let her.

 I had promised to make dinner for everyone that night, I was wishing that I hadn't though! It took me two hours to cook and it was only chicken stir-fry! Every few minutes I would have to stop, try to breath, and try not to sit down because I wanted to get dinner done! It was such a relief when I finished, everyone sat down to eat while I jumped in a hot shower to try to ease the pain. My sister Elesha kept calling to see if I needed any help because she was concerned with me not getting any sleep due to the pain. She told me that it was best if I went to the hospital to at least get some sleeping pills, but I didn't want to drag Fernando to the hospital so late at night when I knew that he had work the next morning. Finally at 12 I woke Fernando up and told him I was leaving. Elesha was already on her way, and I would be back soon. He insisted on taking me but I convinced him to stay home and get some rest.

The drive to the hospital was hell. I cried every time we hit a speed bump or crossed over a railroad track (there were 3 along the way)! We finally arrived and the nurse, which happened to be the same rude one from the night before, informed us that my cervix had to be checked before they could give me some sleeping pills. I couldnt' believe that she was still there, I thought for sure that she would have been gone. I guess she didn't believe my cervix that Aleena was on her way, so she told me that in order to be admitted I had to walk for an hour to see if my contractions were moving along. I was filled with so many emotions when she told me that, once she left the room I started balling. I couldn't imagine myself even getting out of the bed, let alone walk for an hour. Well the walking lasted maybe 15 minutes before they had to come find me and tote me back in a wheelchair. Im pretty sure that convinced her.

Once we were back in the room, my entire family showed up, followed by Fernando. I remember keeping my eyes closed the majority of the time, just concentrating on breathing while everyone took turns massaging my back, arms and legs. It helped to soothe me, calm my nerves, and let me feel something other then my spine being ripped out! Finally, I couldn't take it any more. I needed drugs, lots of drugs, I couldn't sleep, I couldn't think clearly, I was afraid. Afraid of the next contraction, afraid of the pain. The epidural was my decision and my family supported me 100%. Though it wasn't what I had planned, it was my new plan. The plan that would get me through the night, the next hour, the next contraction. I needed help and I was not afraid to ask for it! Fernando stayed in the room while they administered the epidural, he was nervous, I could tell, but he stayed strong for me, he made me feel safe. I love you Fernando with all of my heart! You were a trooper!

As a side note: I don't know how some mothers give birth naturally, I wasn't that strong, even though I planned on being strong. So to all of you natural birth, baby making machines out there, I salute you. For the pain relief mamas, I know how you feel, it truly does really hurt! I finally believe you!

( I know I said this would be a two post part, but I think that three would be better. It's a long and meaningful story and I don't want to leave anything out!)  

Simply Beautiful!

A few pictures of our princess that her Aunty Lala took of her yesterday! She was the Belle of the Ball!

I dont know if I've mentioned this, but Aleena is Navajo, her daddy is 1/2, so she is 1/4! Love our little lady!

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!