Adrian's big boy haircut!

Adrian got his big boy haircut yesterday and he did so good!  It helps that there were buttons to push and a tv to watch while he got it done too.  Our little boy is growing up so fast and will be 2 in 2 days!! And this haircut just makes him look even more grown up...Not going to lie, I shed a few tears yesterday as his beautiful little curls were cut off by the trimmer...it was just a moment where I saw him being transformed before my eyes from my little baby to my little toddler and I couldn't help but just want to hold onto his "babyness" just a little longer.  I'm glad we had it done though and he is as handsome as can be and is ready for his 2nd birthday party tomorrow :)

 

 This (below) is the point when tears started to come from my eyes...no turning back from here!

 Such a big boy!  And so good!

 hehehehe tickle, tickle, tickle

 Proud moment for Dadda! :)

 All done and SO handsome!!!! Such a great little kid!

 All that hair...gone...

 What do little boys get for being good?  A balloon of course!!

 And a sucker too!  Love this little guy!

Ultrasound: Baby Pena #2s debut!

Just want to say before I get started that you will not see any gender pictures here, so don't get your hopes up lol

Anyway, the ultrasound went great and baby is perfect as can be!  Such a relief to not get scary news like we did with Adrian!  Although I haven't felt a lot of movement like I did with Adrian, this baby was on the move!!  I think the pressing of the ultrasound wand made baby pissed off because he/she was moving everywhere, flipping in circles and kept turning his/her back towards the screen LOL  oh and then the kicks too like stop it, leave me alone! I was sleeping just fine in here! haha

Measurements were all great and the estimated due date the computer projected was Feb 5th, so looks like we were almost on the money with the date...but of course they are still estimated dates and doesn't mean baby couldn't come sooner or later.  Heart, stomach, bladder & umbilical cord all look good, so we couldn't be more pleased :)  Baby's estimated weight right now is 362 grams which is almost 13 ounces, not quite a lb yet :)  Also, baby was head down at the moment (good baby, stay that way) but with all the flipping that we saw on the ultrasound that could change several times I'm sure between now and birth day!  I'll be praying toward the end that baby stays head down and that we don't have to try crazy acrobatics to flip him/her LOL

When it came time for the gender determination, we closed our eyes while the tech fought with the baby to get a picture...he said that it was not hard to see what baby was (I took that as girl, manny took that as boy lol), but getting the picture was difficult because baby would not stay still and kept flipping away from him LOL  He finally got the picture though and put in into a paper bag for me which I put in a box in the car trunk 1) so that it wouldn't get smooshed, and 2) so that Manny wouldn't be tempted to peek in the bag while I was driving haha

I was so anxious for the ultrasound itself because I just wanted to hear everything is okay and now that we've heard that our baby is perfect and healthy, I am SO SO SO excited to find out "mystery baby's" (as the tech referred to him/her) gender!  I wonder if these next 2.5 days will fly by or go really slow now? :)

So as the title of this post says, making his/her debut, I introduce our little baby Pena #2 :)

 

Baby's profile

 Baby's face

 Baby's leg

 Baby's arm & top of head

 Baby's spine

 Another profile pic (though not as good as the first)

 

Come back this weekend for the gender reveal! :)

20 weeks down, 20 weeks to go!!

How far along? 20 weeks today!!

Maternity clothes? I bought my first ever maternity pants (2 pairs) the other day. They're pretty comfortable, and I saw it as a necessity to get them because unfortunately I can't live in capris and dresses this entire pregnancy :). They are pretty stylish too as far as maternity pants go, so that's a plus :)

Stretch marks? No new ones that I know of

Sleep: Alright...I wake up too much at night that I still feel tired in the morning. Right now it is 4am and I've been trying to get back to sleep for an hour...since that didn't seem to be happening, I decided I'd update this :) (I think I'm just really excited about Wednesday and Adrian's party)

Best moment this week: So far: Manny feeling the baby kick for the first time last night :) I loved seeing the smile on his face and I think it became just a little more real to him. Best moment to come will have to be the ultrasound! It's funny because people have commented that I have a lot of strong will for not wanting to know at the ultrasound what gender baby is and choosing to wait until Saturday to find out with everyone else. The way I see it is that the most important thing to me is making sure that the baby is growing healthy & strong. That is my #1 priority...I've waited this long not knowing the gender that 3 days won't kill me, but knowing that baby is healthy has been my concern the entire time, so I am extremely anxious to confirm that everything is great!

Movement: I've FINALLY been feeling movement every day for the past week I'd say. It is so sporadic that I can't anticipate when it might happen, and its not for long that he/she kicks, so I try to enjoy it while it lasts. Adrian was like an acrobat at this point constantly flipping, kicking, and moving around. I knew that I'd have my hands full with him, so this gives me hope that this one will be very mellow and laid back ;)

Cravings: My cravings are highly influenced by talk of or seeing pictures of certain foods...for instance, last night someone pinned something about cookies and cream popcorn (yuck) but I instantly started craving cookies & cream ice cream (it was delicious by the way lol) other than that, I'm eating normal :)

Gender: 6 days and we will know for sure! I'm so looking forward to it! Here's our guess game if you want to play along. http://www.expectnet.com/games/BabyPena2

Labor Signs: None, and lets keep it that way for 20 more weeks!

Belly Button in or out? Still in

Rings on or off? Still on

What I miss: My energy...most days I feel too tired to do much, but on Saturday I'd have to say I had a burst if energy & the downstairs benefited greatly and looks wonderful! Haha

What I am looking forward to: Definitely, without a doubt, the ultrasound on Wednesday. Seeing the baby and confirming everything is great will be such a relief for me. Also, I am SO looking forward to celebrating Adrian's 2nd birthday! I can't believe that in less than a week he will be 2 already! He is our world and such a sweet, loving, stubborn, crazy, caring, and perfect little man and we are so blessed to have such a wonderful kid in our lives :)

Weekly Wisdom: Patience is key in any aspect if your life, and trusting that God's plan is greater than anything you may plan for yourself is essential. I strive to have more patience with my son, and I continue to try and have more patience when it comes to the anticipation of many expectations that pregnancy brings up. I love my family, I love my life, and I am thankful every day for having one more day to spend time with those I love. I think that having children makes you more thankful in life, even when they drive you crazy, there is nothing like the feeling of infinite love you can only experience by having a child.  We watched a movie this weekend called "The Backup Plan," and a quote that I thought was so funny but so true was this:  The male main character asks a dad at a playground, "What's it like, the whole kid thing?" Playground dad responds, "It's awful, awful, awful. Then a small moment happens, that's so magical that makes it all worthwhile."  Now while I wouldn't exactly describe the harder times as awful, I'd descibe them as trying, tough and honestly just living real life moments, but it's so true that there will be moments (sometimes several in a day) that you forget everything hard that has happened, your heart melts and it's almost as if life is renewed in your heart.  It's hard to put into words, but to some up the feeling of having children in your life in one word: Wonderful!

Milestone: We are halfway there! Woo hoo! I swear that this pregnancy has flown by 10Xs faster than last time! February is quickly approaching! I'm glad we finally will know the gender so I can begin to get everything in order & ready for baby to come (now if only my bank account would allow me to buy everything at once LOL)!

20 Weeks!!

 

 

Updates and pictures SOON to follow (maybe Saturday, definitely Sunday) regarding Adrian's Birthday party & baby gender reveal!!  Stay tuned!! ;)

 

17 Weeks and counting!

How far along? 17 weeks and 3 days Total weight gain/loss: According to my scale, 7.8 lbs

Maternity clothes? Not yet, but some of my capris are getting tight, so much so that I'm down to 2 that I wear because I don't think I'll stretch them out yet and 2 pairs of shorts. I've been wearing dresses more often these days too haha I will try and go as long as possible to avoid maternity clothes shopping just because I know I will need a nice winter wardrobe, so I'll save the spending for that.

Stretch marks? No new ones that I know of

Sleep: Okay...I've been having some strange dreams lately, so that wakes me up and I can't seem to sleep for an hr or so after waking...I haven't had to make the frequent trips to the restroom though, so that's nice haha

Best moment this week: Scheduling the ultrasound appointment! Woo hoo! We get to see baby #2 on Sept. 19th, but are waiting to reveal the gender (ourselves included) until Adrian's party on the 22nd :) So no bugging me on the 19th because I will not know! ;)

Movement: I think I lied last time about movement (not on purpose, maybe just wishful thinking). I don't think I've felt anything definite that I can say, "oh yeah that's the baby and not gas" LOL. Kind of a bummer because I thought I'd feel something by now :( Just makes the wait between appts seem much longer.

Cravings: Pizza, but I haven't indulged in my craving because I know its not healthy & I'm sure Manny would not appreciate me buying pizza several times a week haha. Yesterday and today though I am craving some Olive Garden salad! Just the salad haha. I may make a trip to sweet tomatoes today for lunch ;)

Gender: 23 days until the big reveal!! By the way, if you haven't already, visit my guessing game page and add your entry of your guesses: http://www.expectnet.com/games/BabyPena2

Labor Signs: None, and lets keep it that way for 23 more weeks! Belly Button in or out? Still in Rings on or off? Still on

What I miss: Not being hungry all the time LOL. After doing anything around the house (dishes, picking up, laundry, etc) I have to sit down and eat something and relax for a bit because I just get run down so easily now

What I am looking forward to: Finding out the gender!! I have things I want to do for baby but I NEED to know boy or girl! Haha, those 3 days between the ultrasound & party will be torture! (but I think very worth the surprise) Before that though, I just look forward to hearing baby's little heartbeat at my appt on the 11th :)

Weekly Wisdom: You can't expect your pregnancy to be similar to the last. Just because you experience something in the first, doesn't mean it'll happen the same with the next. This whole not being able to feel the baby thing has really taken a toll on me because I expected to feel by now, with certainty, the baby's kicks & movements. I know that it was a rarity to feel Adrian so soon, but that's honestly just his personality...he is an active little guy now and was when he was growing inside me as well. Which gives me hope that this next little one will be more calm and laid back after birth as well. But my growing waistline and one time hearing the heartbeat, doesn't give me the comfort that everything is alright like the flutters and kicks do. I feel like by this time with Adrian I had bonded more with him as well because the kicks were more frequent and I felt kind of his way of saying "here I am mommy, I'm just fine and growing healthy and strong." All I can do is pray that everything is going well, that the ultrasound will be just perfect without concerns and that eventually baby will big enough that there won't be a doubt in my mind that baby is moving & doing well. (so please just keep us in your prayers for health and for patience for me) :)

Milestone: According to my pregnancy journal book, today is my 102nd day of pregnancy with 164 days left to go! Our baby is adding to his or her list of reflex behaviors including blinking, sucking and swallowing right now. By birth our baby will display 70 different reflex behaviors! :) Grow baby grow!

17 WEEKS :)

 

Goofy big brother!

 

Adrian says this picture is "cute"

45 days and our baby boy will be 2!

How does time fly so fast?  I remember being in school or work, and some days would just seem to drag on so slowly.  Now it seems, every time I blink another month has gone by and now my baby will be 2 next month!  Not to mention, Manny and I will be celebrating 6 years together in less than 2 weeks!! When you learn from the troubling times and give thanks for the blessings you have received, you can enjoy life to the fullest extent and I think that makes the time fly so much faster.  When you're having fun, you never want it to end, but when you're not having fun, you can't wait for it to be over.  What joy and love these two have brought into my life, and I wish time could just move a little slower at times because it all seems to be moving so fast and I want to soak up everything I can.

I am excited for Adrian's birthday though and looking forward to him getting a "big boy" haircut for his bday.  Manny has been dying to get Adrian a short haircut instead of just a trim...there's something about cutting his hair too much that has made me feel like he'd be growing up too fast.  I think I'm okay with it now though much more so than 6 months ago haha  We have decided that his birthday will be Thomas the Train themed because he LOVES Thomas & choo choos.  It'll be fun to watch him actually open presents this time, and hopefully singing the birthday song won't frighten him this time since we plan on doing the party at the park so everyone won't be so crowded around him :)

He is such an awesome kid and his energy is picking up speed every day it seems!  I am definately a mom to a BOY! LOL  Yesterday he decided it would be fun to jump off the couch into Manny's lap, and he wouldn't take no for an answer!  I'm so afraid what that means for when he's a teenager if he's already doing daredevil stuff now! yikes!  He has such a great personality and is quite the talker...he picks up on just about any word now, and although he doesn't speak much Spanish, he definitely understands it and takes great direction.  He always wants to help and like putting stuff in the trash or putting shoes away.  He also thinks that he needs to be very independent and tries to put on his own pants, shirt and shoes (he's put on his sandals successfully a couple times now), but then he'll get super mad when he can't get it on fast enough and will conceed and ask for help (or sometimes demand help) haha.  One pet peeve that I have with him right now is that since he hears me call Manny by his name, he thinks that thats okay for him to call him Manny too...I have noticed recently that he will do it if Manny doesn't give him attention fast enough, which is kind of funny.  Manny isn't hurt by it, so thats good, but there's something about Adrian calling him that, that makes me a little sad and I just don't like it at all.   Anyway, I could go on and on about how great Adrian is, and I feel like the luckiest mom in the world...he is a handful at times and terrible 2s are not the most fun stage to go through, but nothing makes me happier than cuddling, hugging, and kissing my little man and waking up to his happy face in the morning. 

Nothing is more fulfilling in life than to be a parent...it's hands-down, the best "job" I have done or will ever do in my life.

Fourteen weeks!

How far along? 14 weeks, 3 days today

Total weight gain/loss:  5 lbs, but that's been consistent for the past month

Maternity clothes? Not yet, I did wear a pair of capri pants on tuesday that I wore throughout my pregnancy last time (and stretched out in the process)...the legs were still pretty baggy, but they fit in the stomach again lol

Stretch marks? No new ones

Sleep: Pretty good...since I got over the sinus infection, I have actually been sleeping much better and only get up once during the night

Best moment this week: Well last week I'm pretty sure I felt movement from little one, but havent felt any more movement in the past couple of days...it's still early though, but makes me anxious to hear the heartbeat next Tuesday

Movement: Just a little bit, but nothing consistent

Cravings: Fruits...I've been eating a lot of peaches and apples. 

Gender: 6 more weeks until we find out...so exciting!!!

Labor Signs: None, and lets keep it that way for 26 more weeks!

Belly Button in or out? Still in, but getting closer to the surface

Rings on or off? Still on, but they have felt a little tighter in the mornings

What I miss: Not having excess saliva all the time...its so annoying and discusting to be swallowing every 2 minutes :(

What I am looking forward to: I am looking forward to listening to the heartbeat next week to subside my anxiety that everything is okay...it's just so hard when you can't feel them move all the time yet.  I am also looking forward to our family vacation/anniversary trip next week to San Diego...I am excited to see how Adrian reacts to all the fish & things at Sea World (besides just being excited myself to see everything).

Weekly Wisdom: Each and every baby is a miracle and a blessing, and I am so blessed to have the chance to raise 2 beautiful children.  I continuously pray for those families that are struggling to get pregnant because I know how much they want it and how much joy and happiness a baby can bring to their lives.  I sometimes feel a little guilt at how easily pregnancy has happened for Manny & I, and how a couple I know has been trying for almost 2 years now and I could see some disappointment in her eyes when she found out I was pregnant again.  I know everything is in God's timing, but sometimes it seems unfair...I am not saying that I'm enjoying my pregnancy any less, but I so desperately want others to be able to experience what I have been fortunately able to, twice now.  I truly live a blessed life and I don't take it for granted.

Milestones:  14 weeks...a little movement...over the sinus infection, and the nausea for the most part (minus the excess saliva).  I think I'm getting some energy back too which is great because Adrian needs me to be more energetic haha...but then we walk outside and the heat just sucks any extra energy I may have had haha...I love the summer, but it's brutal when you're pregnant (I'm just glad I'm not at the ending of my pregnancy this time again).

Here's 14 weeks!  Strange thing is, I look bigger in the 13 week picture I took of myself haha

Me & little man...he thought he needed no PJs, but needed 1 shoe on lol

10 weeks today :) and A Happy Birthday greeting!

I'm starting up the pregnancy questionaire again for baby #2, so here we go :)

How far along? 10 weeks today

Total weight gain/loss:  I think a couple lbs...I haven't weighed myself recently lol

Maternity clothes?  Not yet, I hope to avoid them again this time...I fortunately have normal clothes that are pretty flowy and when I get bigger, they still fit just fine (just not as flowy) lol  I have a feeling that I'm going to have to cave in when the weather gets colder though because I don't really have warm pregnancy friendly clothing

Stretch marks? Just the ones from Adrian...I hope that he stretched me out enough that I won't get any new ones ;)

Sleep: Sleep is pretty good still.  I have been getting some hip pain if I'm laying on one side too long.  Also, I get up I think twice a night to use the restroom...baby already pushing on the bladder lol

Best moment this week: I'd have to say that tomorrow will probably be the best moment because we finally get to go to our first prenatal visit and hear the baby's heartbeat, so I am really looking forward to that :)

Movement: None yet, but I'm hoping that by 14 weeks I'll be able to feel something...that's when I felt Adrian moving, so we'll see

Cravings: I think my biggest craving has been pizza...not sure why, but it always sounds good LOL 

Gender: Won't know for another 10 weeks, but I'm hoping the nausea & face breakouts are signs pointing towards a girl :)

Labor Signs:  None, and lets keep it that way for 30 more weeks!

Belly Button in or out? Still in, but my belly sure looks different at this point than when I was pregnant with Adrian

Rings on or off? Still on...I have a feeling that I may have to take them off at some point this time because my engagement ring is smaller than my promise ring.

What I miss: I miss feeling normal, and not so nauseous most of the time :P  and I guess the occassional summer-time drink haha, but I've gladly given that up for a healthy baby :)

What I am looking forward to: I am looking forward to listening to the heartbeat for sure!  I'm also looking forward to our family reunion coming up on Thursday...we're going to Montana :)  Hoping that the weather is a little more friendly outside than here haha

Weekly Wisdom: Manny and I went to the Bodies exhibit, and seeing the fetal development exhibit was pretty cool in that we got to see where our baby is in development, and at this stage, the baby actually looks like a baby and not so alien anymore :) And it is bigger than I thought at this point too!  Below is a picture I found that shows the size of a 10 week baby

Milestones: 10 weeks...almost the end of the 1st trimester and hopefully the end of nausea goes along with it!  Can't believe it's already been 5 weeks since we announced our pregnancy!  Time flies!

Here's the newest pic of my "baby bump"...we're growing :)

I also wanted to wish Ava Kathryn a very Happy (Belated) Birthday!  Since she was born when I was in Oregon (June 26th!!), I didn't get to make a special post for her.  She is such a sweet little baby :)  She wasn't too happy the first day we met her, but she was a pretty hungry girl with an upset tummy too.  I'm so glad we were able to spend some time with her a couple days later though!  Congrats Jessica & Justin, you have a beautiful baby and a beautiful family!