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. 

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.

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.

 

  

  

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 ;)

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