Prenatal Home Visit

Catherine made her home visit with us last week. Like Regina, she confirmed baby is head down and ready to go. She even predicted a weight of about 6 1/2 lbs, and gaining. It's usually just Esperanza and I at the appointments, but this time both Armando & my sister Mary were around. I got Mary to snap a few photos. It didn't occur to us until it was too late that we should have done a video recording to record the hearbeat - darn it! Maybe next time if we make it two more weeks.

Esperanza got to put the gooey stuff on my bellyShe also got to help Catherine measure my belly

When Catherine walked into our home that day for the first time, she commented on how warm & inviting the house felt to her. Though I don't recall the exact words she used to describe it, she got a very positive sense of family and warm energy from the home. I explained to her that indeed it is and has been a family home for many years. Armando grew up in this house with all his siblings. Over the years, many of those siblings have returned (like us) and lived with their kids in the home as well. It truly is a family home! I was humbled by the fact that my midwife who will be here for our son's birth, felt and appreciated the history & warm welcoming our home has to offer. If only I could pick it up and move it out of the neighborhood.

Showered With Love

With the help of my mom and sister, my best friend Val threw me a baby shower this past weekend. It was short and sweet with just a few friends and family, some yummy snacks and fun games.

Val and her kids baked the cake

Mom made Blue a blue quilt I didn't look at any of the pictures being taken throughout the day to make sure my camera was set right. I was playing with the flash features a day or two before, completely forgot about it and had failed to set it back to the one I know works best. So, with the exception of this picture, none of the pictures taken of me with people turned out clear enough to share.
A huge thank you to those who came to celebrate the upcoming birth of our new baby!

A Froggy Tale

At some point during The Flood (this past mid-October through mid-May in the NW), a frog made it's way into my back yard. Like the rest of us, it must have just believed the rain and water would never go away, and that my back yard would forever be a puddle of water. Unfortunately for him though, it dried up. Last week we heard the frog for the first time. Very loud, right outside my kitchen. Esperanza and I spent several days looking for what we thought was a toad. Each time we tip-toed out the back door to look for him, it stopped talkin and we couldn't find it. I actually thought it sounded more like a toad with it's loud, deep voice. And the very little I think I know about frogs & toads is that frogs live near water, toads not necessarily.

We were eventually suprised to find this little frog, far from a toad, hanging out in a little plastic table contraption of Esperanza's that had collected rain water in it. For two days it was there. Water supply was good and so were all the little tiny bugs for it to eat. On one of those days, my friend Alisha tried to convince Esperanza to kiss the frog so it so it would turn into a prince. There was definately a look of consideration on her face, but no kiss or prince.

Then one day, the frog was gone. Good, it found it's way home, away from the torture from Esperanza, I thought. Then it was back a few hours later. It soon occured to me that this was possibly the only pool of water that it could find. And it was quickly drying up since the rain had been replaced with the sun. I waited one more day thinking he'd at least find the storm drain that would take him out to the river. He did disappear once more, but then reappeared again. He kept talking too. He was asking for help. Seriously, I kinda believe that the frog began to cry out for help when the rainy days turned dry and he didn't know what to do. Yes, thats me getting all froggy sentimental and assuming a frog actually cried out for me to help him.

So, we packed the frog up and took a walk to the river to set him free...

See him? Here's there, hard to find, which is a true sign that this is his home.
Then we ran around the park and enjoyed the sunny day...

I seriously despise this picture of me! Not sure why I'm even making it public. I've never described myself with this word, but I really look fat here. A rare moment that we must remember.

Baby's First Outfit

I haven't bought a single thing for this kid until now. Haven't had to, thank you to all who have gifted me with so many new and handy-down baby clothes and other baby items. I truly am blessed with the best friends & family! So even though I really don't need anything more for this baby, I couldn't pass this up at the thrift store today and decided it'll be the first outfit he'll be dressed in after he's born. I love it so much, I just had to share.

Pregnancy Update

I lost my pregnancy journal! It'll show up one day I am sure, but not without some major gaps. I have Esperanza's pregnancy journaled in the same book and it's been really neat to compare every little feeling, prenatal appointment, weight gain, emotional & physical changes, life happenings and so on that I had while pregnant with her to this pregnancy. Not any more though. So, though I'll leave out some of the more personal details & I'll probably ramble more than I would if I was writting with a pen and paper, here's my pregnancy update for my record, and for all your enjoyment... I am somewhere around 37 & 38 weeks along. The later due date is based on an ultrasound at around 9 weeks. The earlier due date is based on my LMP & an ultrasound done at 18 weeks along. My midwives are going off of the later date because apparently babies develop at the same rate early in pregnancy while later on, development & growth varies much more among babies. So, the measurements of the early ultrasound are more accurate when determining a due date than using the measurements from the later ultrasound. If you ask me though, I still think the earlier due date is more accurate. Time will tell. Esperanza was born 40 weeks to the day according to when I knew she was conceived...not based on anyones predicted due date. I also didn't have ultrasounds with her so there wasn't a machine predicted due date to argue with.

Esperanza's last day of nursing was 5/11/11. Nursing for nap time was the last nursing 'session' we consistenly had. It was the only way Esperanza would take a nap, and worth every suckle. Then, on that final day, she didn't fall asleep after nursing, so I said 'we're done', we got up, and that was that. I had no intentions of tandem nursing, so it was something that needed to happen soon, and did at exactly the right time. She still has an obsession with my boobs, but it's not as big a deal as I had anticipated. She will not however nap at all & our sleeping schedule is completely out of whack without a nap. I still attempt to put her down for naps, but it's usually a kicking & screaming match that ends with me giving up and getting up. I do still have a positive attitude that she will get back into a nap routine at sometime soon. I really miss napping myself.
Blue gets the hiccups at least once a day. It took me awhile to figure out that it was hiccups. Esperanza never got them while she was in my belly, so there was no familiarity with it. Another one of those strange and amazing things about having a human inside of you...hiccuping.

As of about a month ago, baby has been head down and kicking my ribs instead of my bladder. He's been in basically the same position now for several weeks. He's very active, yet has very little room left to move. I think my belly has stretched to it's fullest! His little body parts poke out of my belly at times and it's just the most surreal feeling and expereince. When his hand or foot moves quickly across the right side of my belly, it tickles and kinda feels like a little ball rolling around in there. I'll push back a little at a foot or a hand sometimes, expecting him to do it again, but he doesn't seem to want to play that game and he'll just withdrawl and be still. With Esperanza, she would kick back and play with me, sometimes a little rougher than expected. Different personalities even in the womb.

I'm not sure if it's because everyone I see tells me I look like I'm ready to pop, but I am beginning to feel like I'm ready to pop too. I never felt this way with Esperanza. I wanted to be pregnant forever & never really felt like it was going to happen until it did happen. I do still enjoy pregnancy this time around, maybe just a tad less. So, I'm ready!

Regina came to my house for my first home prenatal visit a couple of weeks ago. Prenatals are ever two weeks now. She confirmed all is well. When the midwives get ready to use their little device (I don't know what it's called) to listen to the hearbeat, Esperanza gets interested. She calls the gooey stuff they put on my belly soap, and her anticipation of the entire visit centers around that 'soap' and not necessarily hearing the heart beat. Tomorrow I have a home visit with Catherine & I expect it'll be quick and sweet with another confirmation that baby & mama are both healthy. She'll be bringing my birth kit with her, as I forgot to get it from the office the last time I was there...and to be honest, I'm hoping I'll have a baby rather than an appointment in two weeks.

The State finally agreed to accept my midwife under the health plan I'm under and pay her for her services. They said the exception was only situational & made primarily because of my 'advanced gestation' and them not wanting to cause stress by switching my providers. They never did suggest or give advice on who they would have preferred be my home birth midwife based on who is in their network. It took me roughly 7 months (but 6 weeks of full time intense, daily calls/emails/messages/appointments) to get my situation looked at by the right person. I now have a name and direct phone number for the person who makes these decisions and exceptions. For a state that is actually more advanced than the majority of the country in recognizing home birth as a safe birthing option, Washington State sure does have a ways to go still in figuring out how women will access the health care benefits that are offered. I had hoped to get more specific answers and information to share with other women in the same situation, but have decided to drop the research for now and focus on myself, my family and the upcoming birth. For those that are interested, I'll do a follow-up blog post at some point in the near future so share more specific info I do have and hope to obtain.

I know I've said it wouldn't happen, but don't be suprised if the name Blue (in some form or language) shows up somewhere on the birth certificate. We have a name picked out, but we'll probably wait to announce it until baby is born. I'm a little indecisive anyways, with a couple other options lingering around. I won't make up my mind for sure until I meet him. And, you never know, he could be a she.

I weigh about 155 pounds. I was 113 before I got pregnant. Hopefully I can keep on a few of those extra pounds this time.

I can't sleep! Haven't been able to for some time now but it just keeps getting worse and worse. Would love to blame it on Esperanza as I have for so long, but now it's really just me, my big belly and hormones that keep me from getting any Zzz's. Skullcap to the rescue! Catherine should be bringing me some tomorrow.

Occassionally I have some aches and pains in my pelvic area as well as my back. When I remember, or when it's expecially bothersome, I'll add some calcium/magnesium powder to a glass of water. It works! For the most part though, I feel wonderful and healthier than ever.

Though I am in full 'nesting' mode with organizing & cleaning, I've got the basics and am ready for the baby to arrive, which is when what I consider the real 'nesting' phase begins.

The pantry and freezer are stocked with snacks and some home cooked prepared meals, some store bought frozen meals/snacks, and various canned soups and beans. Every day this week when I've cooked, I've put part of it in the freezer to have for after baby is born. I don't plan on leaving the house or cooking any time soon after birth. I've made more lists than necessary outlining meal & snack ideas for Esperanza as well as myself. Food is clearly a necessity, but for me it's also a little bit of an obsession. Both Esperanza and I are gradually going dairy free also which makes meal planning a little different. I'll eliminate it completely when I have the baby and Esperanza just needs to have her dairy intake balanced and reduced, but not completely. I've spent more time worrying about that change in our lives than I have about labor & birth. Oh how I will miss butter & yogurt.

I think Esperanza knows something earth shattering is about to happen. Her world is about to be flipped upside down, and she senses it. Her attitude and personality has shifted dramatically in a very challenging direction. Part of me thinks it's because she's approaching 3, an age where half of all parents I know say young children are most difficult (the other half say it's 2). But then I realize that she's pretty smart and just knows that her days of being an only child, and the baby are numbered. Though I sure hope I am wrong, I don't see her welcoming this new baby with warm, open arms at first. With that being said, I do still believe there is a lot of love Esperanza has for her brother already. She has claimed him as her own, stating several times to various people while wrapping her body around my belly that 'this is MY baby'. Sometimes she'll ask him to come out, then other times she'll say he's not ready to come out, that 'he's still cookin'.

Armando's Graduation

Armando graduated with his Bachelor degree this past weekend and is now officially a Cougar! He double majored, both degrees having something to do with business, with a minor in Human Resources. The graduation ceremony was held at the Clark County Amphitheater. I was shocked to see that the entire place was packed. I don't know how many people it seats, but I'd guess several thousand. Esperanza and I headed toward the back, far away from everyone. I really feared loosing her in the crowd. It was just me, my big belly waddle and her, alone among thousands and thousands of people! Fortunately, Armando's brother Chili and his family showed up. Their youngest son Zeke kept Esperanza entertained for a good part of the ceremony. After about an hour of playing, Esperanza began to loose it and screamed her head off for the last hour 'WHERE'S MY DADDY' 'WHERE'S MY BIG DADDY'. Thats all she cried, over and over and over. Somehow we survived the entire thing and away we went with Esperanza's newly graduated 'big daddy' to the after party at his moms house.

My camera and I aren't designed to take this distant of a picture, but here's Armando accepting his diploma

Zeke & Esperanza had fun running and rolling in the field

I love this picture of Jason and Mandokids waiting for cake
Kids playing ring-around-the-rosiesArmando with his aunt & uncle
2 cougs with our 2 cubs
Armando, 4 nieces & Esperanza

Now, it's time for Armando to get a job and put all that diploma to work!

Valencia Baby Shower

My mother in law Angelina had a baby shower for me a couple of weeks ago. Mando's side of the family & friends came and packed the house. It was a fun day full of food, friends, family, gifts, games & kids running around laughing.

The difference between a traditional white girls baby shower and a Mexican baby shower, is that it's a party for the entire family when you have a Mexican baby on the way. The kids come, the husbands and boyfriends come, usually theres a few cases of Bud Light & all sorts of random unfamiliar people & friends of extended family friends that the pregnant woman doesn't even know show up to celebrate. Good thing we decided to do 2 showers this time around. My 'traditional white girl' baby shower will happen in a couple more weeks (so long as Blue doesn't show up early).

If anyone is overpopulating the world, it is us, the Valencia family. Here's me at thirty-something weeks pregnant & Mando's sister Cathy at about 20 weeks (it's a boy too!).

Brothers Kiko and Rafa (Sergio Jr. & Rafael)
Baby food eating contestLucy's daughter got the left over baby food & loved itVicki & her son LazzySisters Esmeralda, Marticella (with Emmanuel) & Becky Esperanza had a great time opening gifts with me

She has even claimed a stuffed animal gift of Blue's as her ownMando's brother Tony is the only sibling of his that doesn't have his own kids. That means that he actually plays with all of his nieces & nephews. Here he is playing 'kick the ball into the rain barrel' with a few of the toddlers.
My friend Andreah & her daughter Bianca Our new nephew Estevan - Born April 19th Family PhotoI can't even begin to express the thanks I have for this family! White girl & all, they showered me with love and I'm so grateful to have them in my life and call them my family!

Mothers Day 2011

My mom and sister came over for dinner this past Sunday for Mothers Day I made enchiladas

We saw some pretty birds hanging out in my front yard. I think we decided they were a type of finch...ones I'd never seen before

Esperanza and I made a loaf of bread for my mom. She hung out on the floor for awhile watching the bread spin around in the bread maker.
When my family left, we got in the car and headed over to Mando's moms house to spend some time with her for Mothers Day too.

Here's Mando with his brother Tony, his mom Angelina and Esperanza