52 WOBWAP: 5 Years from Now

Five years from now I'll be 31. It'll be the beginning of what I hope will be another amazing decade. 

I hope to be completely done with school and have my career started. No matter what that career is by then. 

I hope to have my third and final child. Or my twins ;) 

I hope to be more in love with my husband and vice versa. To be living the happy marriage I had envision. Or at least something similar. To have had continued with our weekly date nights and that we dedicate time to just us and our marriage. 

I hope to be in our dream house or the very least in the one before our dream home. 

I hope to have traveled to Europe or be getting ready to do so. 

My boys will be 12 and 5. Holy mother! In just 5 short years we'll be saying goodbye to the childhood and welcoming the teenage years. Yea, I don't want to think that far ahead just yet. 

I hope my family is in great health and content with we're we are and who we are. 

I hope to be debt free. 

I hope I've learned from my mistakes and that I'll be a better person. Better wife. Better mother. Better daughter. Better sister. Better cousin. Better friend. 

I hope that no matter what destiny has prepared for me that I do not lose myself and that I'm still the same good hearted girl I am today. That I put my family first and cater to their every need. 

An Easter Theme Gender Reveal

Back in March I helped a dear cousin plan a gender reveal. But not just a gender reveal. An Easter Themed gender reveal. And it was Awesome! The food. The games. The people. The anticipation. She did an amazing job with her ideas. I just have to document it here.

 
the beautiful set up and creative ideas. The basket containing the eggs is a game. Inside the eggs you will find 2 "winners" ticket which no ones knows about. The winners will move on to another battle of eating fruits covered in whip cream. The other tickets say things like "you're a loser, tricked you, sorry next time, etc etc". This set up was fun because it had several ways to tell the gender. this include the cake, cupcakes, eggs, and the large golden egg by the cupcakes. Little did anyone know what really contained the gender hahaha.


   
brothers, sister, nephew, parents


   
the  dirty diaper guess game. They look too  excited don't they lol


   
part of the crew expresing their guesses


   
mi beautiful prima



 
best friend, sister and mom/grandma-to-be




 
the winners of the egg reveal game moving on to the final part of the game who will determine who opens the envelope containing the gender.


 
a very nosy and surprised mom-to-be.


   
some very excited family


  
the happy momma-to-be


 

and of course hat I had to throw in a picture of my peanut at almost 3mos.

You see. The reason why I decided to blog about it today is not only because this post got lost in the list of drafts I have. But because tomorrow will be the day that she meets her precious baby girl. She's not due for a couple of weeks still but her baby is stubborn. And by no means wants to get out of her mommy's belly so other measures had to be taken. Meaning that baby is breech and my cousin needs a C-section as method of delivery. 

I'm confident that things will be just fine. So to my dear cousin, relax Chica. You're in great hands. 

We can't wait to meet you Hermione! You are so loved and you're not even here yet. 

Love,

Your favorite Titi ;) 

Happy Birthday Wilberto!

What an eventful weekend this has been.

I spent my Friday cleaning, doing laundry, catching up with old friends, reading blogs, and getting pretty for our first of many Friday Date Nights to come. More on this later this week. Today lets focus on a special person in our lives. My husband father. My kids grandfather. My father-in-law. 

 

This man is amazing. I get where my husband gets his parental qualities from. His mother is not far behind either. But that's a post for another day. 

This was my half weekend to work followed by a 10 days stretch. Woot woot. Just had to throw that in here. These weekends get me very giddy every month. I look forward to that stretch like you wouldn't believe. 

Anyways the hubby wanted to do something nice for his father and decided to roast a pig. He spent   Saturday prepping the pig for cooking the next day. While I watched the boys and attended a kids party with Steven jr. Then Sunday was the day. We celebrated his birthday with lots of food, a delicious cake, and what better than those closest to him.

Willy, your an amazing person, great father, and awesome grandfather. I'm sure that if my father would have been alive you two would have gotten along perfectly. I thank God for allowing you to be in my boys life. I wish he grants you many more years of health, wealth, and happiness. You take up a very special place in my heart. Thanks for accepting me into your family from the very beginning. I promise to respect and wear your last name proudly. XOXO

 

 

52 WOBWAP: 10 things I can't live without

In no specific order these are the top 10 things in life that makes my life complete. 

 

My Mother ~ I was your typical teenager. Everyone was against me and my mother just didn't understand me. She just wanted to ruin my life and thought I was her maid lol. Thinking back now I couldn't have been more wrong. This lady has got to be the most important person in my life. After becoming a mother myself that's when I realized how strong was my mothers love for me. She's an amazing woman, and although a bit on the old fashion side, I wouldn't trade her for the world. Even if we still don't see eye to eye on some things. I dread the day I'll have to say goodbye to her which hopefully will be many many years from now. She's more than my rock. She's my backbone. Every year that passes I convince myself more and more that I wouldn't know what to do without this lady in my life. I love you Mami!

My Husband ~ my love. My other half. My growing old partner in life. His presence in my life has made many changes from the very beginning. I've learned so much from him and from us. I look forward to the life that we are making together, mistakes and all. 

My Boys ~ God could not have granted me a greater gift than that of motherhood. It has been a sweet sweet journey. I never imagined that being responsible for another human being's life would be so challenging and yet so exciting and inspiring at the same time. I love these boys more then life itself and being given the opportunity to call them, them specifically, my sons is beyond amazing. 

Seasons ~ Oh quarterly seasons. You couldn't be more beautiful. As much As I love the beach and warm weather I honestly don't think I could live in a state that's only summer all year round. I love the fall and spring with all that it brings. The changing leaves, outfit change, the food, and activities to do. Oh there's just so many. Even winter I don't mind much. Is my least favorite but when that white soft, fluffy snow is falling on Christmas Eve you really can't ask for anything better. 

Camera ~ I love taking pictures. Now, I don't know if I prefer to be in front or behind the lens. is it just me?  ;). I seriously do need to start using my Nikon more for pictures though, I kind of have it neglected. it's just so bulky compare to my lightweight iPhone. Either way, is no lie that a picture is worth a thousand words and that behind every picture lies a story so a camera is right up there with what I need in life.

Making Memories ~ One of my top priority in life. I live for this. Whether is a nice vacation or as simple as a new meal I love documenting it all. One of my favorite things in life is looking back though old pictures or letters even more videos. Watching my kids growth and even my very own. It's all priceless, nothing can compare. 

The Bible & Prayer ~this is my to go to in my time of need, joy, frustration, happiness, you name it. Nothing can make me feel complete like this can. Knowing that I can spill my guts out and not be judge on top of being loved unconditionally even after my sins is the greatest feeling in the world. 

Music ~ my stress reliever. I can listen to any type of music. In English or Spanish. Or Syrian for that matter. If it has a beat that can make me bounce I'm all for it jajaja. But more so are the lyrics. I feel that there are some songs out there that were simply meant for you as an individual. It can easily just describe a point in your life that you recently dealt with or are dealing with and it somehow makes
you feel better. While other songs are just so uplifting and/or romantic. Those are my faves.

(They might be weird but I love them lol)

Family ~ I love my family, including my hubby's family too. Spending time together, catching up, making memories, laughing, dancing, eating, and simply enjoying life. Both families are so different from each other. But that's the beauty of it all, I get to be a part of them both :) 

Friends ~ I have a handful of friends. Ok maybe two handful. They're all spread all over the United States and just a few are within driving distance yet it's like if we are a continent apart. Adult life does that to you you know. We hardly see each other or even talk on the phone. I can honestly say that there are 2 girlfriends I have that I talk to on a daily basis. And even with that there are times we go weeks without a single phone or text conversation. The horror! Yet when we talk again we pick up right where we left off. There's no better friendship than those. I also have my knottie friends which I met "online" while planning our wedding. Those friends I do talk to more on a daily basis, online. Usually via Facebook. There's 14 of them and I've prob met half IRL. But its like if I've known them my entire life. I don't think I can never let go of their friendship. Friends like them are hard to find. For sure!

Breastfeeding Frustration

I have no idea what's going on with my body but it needs to get its act together. Now!

Ever since 4 months postpartum, after resolving my low supply issue not even a month had passed when my low supply started up again. Great. Just great! 

Since then I've been struggling beyond your imagination trying to keep up my supply. Now, I'm proud to have made it this far with AJ compare to Steven but I'm not ready to call it quits. Not yet. I'm just not ready. Still, no matter what I try it just doesn't work. Between eating oatmeal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, eating more fish, going back and forth between Fenugreek, Brewers Yeast, and Flex Seed Oil I'm really running out of options here. I feed as often as I can possible feed for as long as my very nosy growing child wishes. I try to keep hydrated and pump when I'm not around for a feeding. Okay. I admit that I'm not so great with that. I dislike pumping very much but I do my best to keep up with it and I don't think that skipping a pumping session here and there would decrease my supply this much. Will it?

Another factor that I'm without a doubt sure that is affecting me is feeding AJ solids. I know that your milk supply decreases after starting baby on solids but really? More then what it had already decrease? Really? Ugh! I'm so frustrated! I honestly don't know what else to do. To try. 

Ok. Lets calm down. Is not that bad. Thinking back to the first low supply episode I encountered this on is actually decent. Back then I barely made it to an ounce. At least now I'm still at 1.5-3 ounces. So it could be worse. And it will be worse if I don't get this supply up before we go on our vacation later in September. Oh Jesus what am I to do? 

I feel as if I produce a lot more over night. However I can't be producing much more over night because I only work two nights a week. I need to shift that to more during the day. I actually worry that my child is being under fed because of my supply. Yet I can't even confirm that because he has enough wet and soil diapers. And it doesn't help that he's gained 1lb in 2 weeks. But I'm certain that that's due to eating solids more then anything. Could it be that I'm overreacting? Maybe my supply is right where it needs to be and I'm worrying for nothing? Is a possibility. 

So then what do I do to have enough milk saved for when I work or go out on my date nights? 

I am freaking out here! I still have 5 months to go. I need to get this breastfeeding back on track. So far today is day two of Fenugreek. I had stopped it because it had my baby very irritable. And I couldn't bare watching him cry uncontrollably. Now that his digestive system is more developed maybe he won't be as irritable to it as before. So I'm starting slow. 4 days of 1 capsule 3x a day. 4 days of 2 capsule 3x a day. Then 4 days of 3 capsule 3x a day. Lets see how this does for him and my supply. If there's no change in my supply and AJ seems irritable again that'll definitely be the end to our breastfeeding journey. I'm going to have to start thinking about substituting with formula. Nooo! :**( 

Update to follow! 

Restoring My Marriage

Is no secret that the hubby and I have had a rough beginning to our marriage. It's also no secret that we have pull through. I'm not going to lie. It has taken  Some arguing. Alot of tears (from my part that is). And putting pride to the side. A marriage requires a lot of work and love to maintain. Especially after a rough beginning. But if love is real and genuine there's always a happy ending. 

At first I was embarrassed to talk about my issues in my marriage but I see this as a learning experience and possibly even my testimony. I have learned so much and I've decided that it is only fitting that I talk more about how my marriage is being restore. Not only will I be able to look back at this journey and take pride in what we've accomplished together and how we accomplished it. I also hope that it will also help other women and couples out there. Just because the road is bumpy doesn't mind you have to stop driving. 

I love my husband with all my heart and I cannot imagine living my life with anyone else or growing old with anyone else besides him. He has given me the best years of my life. As well as my two precious sons.  He is such a hard worker and knows how to care and provide for his family. I have no doubt that we are meant to be. That we are soul mates. So what that we've had some rough patches. I'm sure were not the only ones. How many can say they made it pass the finish line? We can! And that's nothing to be ashame of, rather that's something to be proud of :) 

I'm starting to think that this phase of my life is God giving me the opportunity to set my priorities straight and focus on my marriage and family. I had too much going on to give it 100% and I feel this is the way of God telling me that things are now going to be done his way and I accept. I'm ready lord. Let your will be done. 

I have to admit though that I'm a little sad to be putting my education on hold. I thought that in a few years I would have my degree and would be able to shop more help the hubby around the house etc. I guess I should be thankful and feel blessed that my husband's job can support us all. Not many can say that or have the opportunity to do so and I should be taking this opportunity to help him in other ways and really try my hand at what would be SAHM & Wife since the times I'm not home is when they're all sleeping. 

Introducing Solids

A few weeks ago I wrote about starting AJ on solids. This was a topic that I wasn't sure how to handle. I didn't have any particular way of how I wanted to go about it. Should I exclusively breastfeed until six months without offering any type of solids? Should I introduce them at 4 months like doctors recommend? I had no idea what to do but it was a decision only the hubby and I could have made and after many many many thoughts on it we finally decided to introduce solids at four months.

This decision was not just a personal choice. It was also sort of forced on us since we had encounter some constipation issues with AJ. We weren't sure if the constipation was due to my diet or (thinking back to when it started) to the cereal we had started giving him and honestly I feel that it was a combination of the two. And that's how introducing solids came about. 

I started giving AJ oatmeal cereal at almost 5 months. About 1Tb mixed with 1/2 oz of breast milk once daily, usually for dinner. Then I would breastfeed shortly after. He seemed to like it and enjoy it but deep down I wasn't really sure that I was doing right. My biggest fear was that my milk supply would decrease. And trust me it did, which was scary. It's still scary because I have awhile to go till the first year and I don't want to stop before I'm ready he's ready. 

Either way what was done was done and there was no turning back. Some say and even recommend starting with rice cereal but we went with oatmeal since rice can cause constipation and he was already suffering from that. We did that for almost 2 weeks. Then at 5 months we started with the stage 1 baby food. Since they come 2 in a pack I bought 2 of each of the following: apple sauce, bananas, sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, and peas. Again, rule of thumb is to give the veggies first because if they taste the sweetness of the fruits they won't be too thrill about the veggies but being that the doctor recommended giving applesauce for the constipation and he had already started with fruits we continued on with it. He had 4 days of applesauce then 4 days of bananas. I tried to make the transition as smooth as possible so I then gave 4 days of sweet potatoes and 4 days of carrots. Notice how there's a color pattern going on there too. After that we moved on to the green beans and peas. He did just fine with all these foods, no rash or allergies thank God. He had a harder time with the taste of the greens but he is his brothers brother, meaning he loves to eat regardless of what it is ;) I personally don't think that it'll make a big difference if you start with fruits or veggies because us as adults would prefer a fruit rather thank a veggie, in most case anyways. A baby that is just starting to eat will eat whatever you give him/her (well my baby did lol) and if tehy don't like it the first time then just take  break and try again.

Towards the end of the 5th month we introduced juice to his diet starting with just 2 ounces instead of the 4 and not diluting with water because the purpose of it was for it to help with the constipation (I do however recall we did dilute juices, half and half, with water for Steven Jr.). We started substituting an entire feeding of breast milk for either cereal (now 2 Tbs instead of 1Tbs mixed with about 1oz of milk) and juice or water.  We had pear, apple, and white grape on hand. He has definitely not had a problem with that. And he does get water at least once a day in a bottle as well. 

After starting solids I realized that the point of it is to introduce something other then milk to him, to get him ready for eating real food, and to become aware of any allergies from foods. Hence giving the same kind of fruit or veggie only one at a time for several weeks. Now for his 6 months appointment the doctor gave the OK to start giving him table foods since he reacted just fine with the baby foods. This is where things get exciting! So far he's had bread (for this we give him very small pieces and at times, depending on the kind of bread, we pre-chew it for him first. It may sound gross but is not as bad while you're doing it. I think), mashed potatoes, mashed yucca, few sips of orange juice, rice and beans. Kid Loves.It.All! 

Confession: also at five months we gave him watermelon. *gasp* Watermelon is so refreshing and we went through a phase of eating it almost daily at our house during the month of June and OMG watching AJ eat it was priceless. I just had to record it. Being able to have table food during the summer months will be like heaven to him. He'll be able to try almost everything! Expect lots of videos :)

In regards to his constipation he has gotten much better. He haven't had another episode in a couple of weeks now. Yaayyy! 

This is it. This it how we did it.
And honestly whether or not you decide to do solids before the 6th month is no biggie. Is a personal preference that doesn't really have any negative effects on the child. It'll just define how early your child start eating table foods.

52 Weeks of Blogging with a Purpose: Who I Am

Who am I? 

I'm sweet. 

Or at least that's what everyone says I am. I didn't realized this until recently when I had sent out a message, or was it a comment to another blogger? Can't remember. Either way that's what every one says to me. "Awe thanks. You're so sweet." It never fails. I guess that's just my personality. I'm a caring person and when I sent out messages or talk to someone they see me as this timid (in person) yet sweet and genuine person that speaks from the heart and actually cares. Which brings me to who I really am and who I aim to be. 

Relationships are very important to me, more specifically my role in them.. Whether is with my friends, brother, sisters, mother, husband, or my own kids. I care for them all and I try my hardest to be there for each and every one of them to the best of my ability. Of course that as an adult sometimes our desire to do more for those around us come in conflict with real life and we tend to focus more on just certain relationships. In my case is that of my family and mother. Needless to say that as women, our roles are endless. 

However, my most favorite and important role is that of wife and mother. I live for my family. To cater to them, to love them, to protect them, to be there for them, to teach them and learn from them. I'm not perfect and I'm definitely learning and growing more with each passing day. If only all aspect of my life would be where they need to be I can show more of who I can really be to them. For now though I guess I have to settle for what I can do for them until someday in the not so distant future.

So who am I really?

I'm a homemaker. I thrive to be the best that I can be for my family.

 

  

Adrian 5 & 6 Months

  

Sweet Adrián, it brings me so much joy to be the mother of such a wonderful boy like you. When I imagined my role as a mother and what my children would be like I never would have imagined boys could be this much fun. Seeing you smile just by looking at your brother and seeing how much he loves you and helps me out with you when is only us three at home fills my heart with so much happiness that I never thought possible. I know there's a six and a half years age difference between the two of you but I promise to try my best so that that difference will not define what your relationship will be like. I trust that you both will be so close with one another regardless of any age or other factors. You and your brother are my everything. 

You entered your fifth month with a cold that started a four month and lasted exactly one month. On top of the you end up with a double ear infection which required your second round of antibiotics. Luckily the antibiotics worked well and you were cleared from everything within the week. I have a feeling that you are going to be my bubble baby. 

As if that wasn't enough you started suffering from constipation after we had introduced oatmeal cereal.  We had some pretty rough weeks there but thankfully we pulled through, yes WE because it hurt me bad to see you strain yourself so hard. A change in you bowel movement after starting solids was what I worried about most with the cloth diapers. I didn't know what to expect but having you go through that phase of constipation was sort of a transition for what was to come next because I was able to just flush it down the toilet without making a mess and although it's not as hard anymore it is certainly not as soft as a breastfed only baby. I guess this is all kinda gross to be talking about hey, this is motherhood ;)

 

Six months already my sweet child. I cannot believe how fast time is passing by. The past two months have been fun with all of your development. From starting solids, to sitting up without support I just can't believe that any day know your first teeth will be making an appearance. Your gums are so swollen and I know it bothers you so much by the way you act and try to put everything at reach in your mouth for relief.

Your sleeping was so awesome just a few months ago. You would sleep anytime between 8-9p until 5am nurse for a bit then back to bed till about 7a or until I got up. However now you wake up anytime between 6-7a and usually wake up once throughout the night for a snack.  Is either your way or no way. geez kid, work with me won't you. But just look at those big round brown eyes. How can I can be mad at you. You surely have me and everyone else wrapped around your tiny fingers. 

 

Nursing is still going strong. You feed every three hours faithfully even when you have a fruit or veggie in between. I love how you reach for my face when nursing. Like if you're trying to make out my facial features with your hands. Those sweet round brown eyes staring at me with those long lashes. And those little legs just kicking away. But boy are you nosey. When you are nursing any sound you hear makes you turn your head to the direction of it. You either pull my poor boob with you because you don't want to let go or you let it go as you turn your head but as soon as you realize us no longer in your mouth you turn quickly to grab it again. Is the cutest thing although I don't know how I'm going to deal with this when your teeth come in. Oh boy.

You've been eating solids since 4.5 months now and let me just say that you are your brother's brother. You just love that stuff. You could eat two and possibly three servings if I let you. 

You haven't mastered rolling over yet, though you've rolled a few times front to back and back to front. You do love to half roll tho and you just love to watch "my baby can read". Is like your favorite time of day and that's my lifesaver because that's when I get all my chores done. I can totally see an improvement in your speech. I know I know is not like you are talking just yet but you babble so much, and scream and yell. And when your watching "My Baby Can Read" you make mimic noises as if you were repeating the words after them. And don't get me started on the songs lol, Priceless! I'm going to have to post a little video next month. You'd swear your having a conversation jajaja, I.Love.It!

You are able to grab your toys and of course right to your mouth they go. I'm sure is because of the teething more then anything. You just love to work out those arms. Anything at reach will end up in your tiny little hands whether it be a toy, food, or my nose lol. And those little legs are not far behind. You'd think you're either running a race or in a swimming competition that way they move all day long. You're going to be an active one, that's def daddy's trait ;)

At 5.5 months we had your christening. It was such a special day. The words and prayer of the pastor had my heart overflowing with so much joy. It was like a direct message from heaven to us. You are one loved little boy. Your daddy and I could have not chosen better godparents and god couldn't have picked any one else to be our second son. We love you so much AJ. You are a dream come true. Our life would be so different without you. You mean everything to us. To all of us.

Love,

Mommy