Mateo: Week Four

Querido Mateo, 
You are four weeks old today!!! So much has happened in that time.  So much has changed.  
All for the better. 
Your papi and I have always been a great team, but you make us even better together.  
We take turns rocking you to sleep in the middle of the night.  A few nights ago your papi let your mama sleep for 7 hours straight.  You woke up just once at 4am and he took care of you without waking me.  We enjoy our mornings when you lay in bed with us.  We cuddle with you and marvel at how cute you are, and how lucky we are to have you.   

You make us laugh.  All your little sounds and grunts and sighs are so cute. Your papi especially likes all the loud pedos (stinkers) that you make.  Like father like son. 

As a side note:
A couple weeks ago your papi said that these orange striped pants are "clown pants" and he didn't want you to wear them again.  But they matched your Halloween shirt perfectly so he made an exception and dressed you:)

While you slept, I was snapped this picture to send your tia Jenny to show her you were wearing the pants again.


And just then you smirked.  Sometimes you do that when you are sleeping.

We love that....and we love you mijo. 
mama y papi

Mateo: Week Three

Querido Mateo,
You are the sweetest thing ever! You are such a good baby.  Duerme. Come. Popo  (eat. sleep. poop) It's pretty easy to decode your cries when you only have a few needs. Your papi and I love all your little squeals and cute faces.  After three weeks of working together, we finally have the breastfeeding down (although I wish your suction was a little less) and I enjoy seeing you so content while eating.

You love that little pacifier the nurses gave you in the hospital.   I bought one that is supposed to be shaped more like a "mothers nipple" but you have no interest in it.  I was fearful that it would interfere with your learning to breastfeed, but you have proved to be a very smart baby.   Even with your papi feeding you bottles [of my breastmilk] you are happily eating from the breast.   I guess you know where that milk is coming from!

We took you with us to the doctor to show you off to all the ladies who helped us when I was pregnant.  I never got to say thank you to Dr. Lemon for doing such a great job with my c-section.  She delivered you safely and quickly.  We will be eternally grateful.  Even though your were sound asleep, she wanted to hold you for a bit.

She looked at my cut and said it was healing wonderfully.  I agree!  You can barely see it.  (It is still a tiny bit swollen, but Im told this will go away.) Your mama looks almost back to normal, but I know there is still some internal healing that needs to happen, so I will still be taking it easy.  I will continue taking you on walks though, don't worry!

Friday morning when your mama went out to give a lighting estimate, your papi called me and said that you guys had a surprise for me when I got home.  What was it?

Your umbilical cord fell off when your papi was changing your diaper.  So exciting! You can take a bath now. We saved it and will put it in your baby book for you to marvel over when you are older:)

Friday night, your tio Brrrian came from Asheville with his girlfriend Kyia.  He was very excited to meet you and even wore you around the house in the moby wrap. *by the way, all pictures were taken with my phone, so they are not great.

Sunday morning, in what I think will become a weekend tradition for us, we walked over to Grant Park for the local farmers market.  Its so cute!  There are great vendors and so many little kids are there, you are going to make lots of friends in this neighborhood Mateo.

We also walked over to Historic Oakland Cemetery.  This was the first time we had been there and I was pleasantly surprised at how gorgeous it was.   The hills and beautiful landscaping make it feel like a stroll in the park.

You slept the whole time while your papi carried you in the Ergo Carrier, you love that thing! I love how cute your papi looks carrying you too!

You are going to love your tio, he is so much fun, he'll definitely make you laugh a lot.  Here your tio Brrrian walks in the cemetery like a zombie. 

These three weeks have flown by...you consume our day and we love it!  We love YOU Mateo! 
mama y papi

{morning lounging}

{morning cuddles with papi}

Mateo: Week One

Querido Mateo,

Welcome to our world mi amor.  Your papi and I could not be happier.  We are still in disbelief that you are actually ours to keep.  I start crying sometimes just when I look at you.  I may be biased, but  you are the cutest baby I have ever seen.  Your little round head, cute nose and lips are just perfect. 

You are a peaceful baby who sleeps a lot and is very alert when you are awake.  Although it has been difficult learning to breastfeed, you are getting the hang of it.   Any questions of you not eating enough were answered when at your first doctors appointment, they weighed you, and you have gained back the 6 oz you lost after being born. 

Your mama and papi have not had much alone time with you because we had family staying with us all week, but I wouldn't have changed a thing.  They helped us move in our new house and offered much needed moral support.  I know I didn't get as much "rest" as I needed after having surgery either, but I still loved having them here.

It was a crazy, life changing week!

- You had your first stroller ride from hospital to home sweet home

- The first car ride to Grant Park Farmers Market

- You slept in three different houses (our apt, Gene's house and our new house)

- You went out to eat with us at Six Feet Under and Chipotle

- Shopping for a refrigerator at Home Depot and Lowes 

- You watched your first Buckeyes game with your papi, you even wore a OSU onesie

OMG, look at that face!  It's rediculous how cute you are!!

You had lots of visitors your first week too! Of course grandma & grandpa Arnold were in the waiting room the day you were born and came to visit you everyday at the hospital.  Grandma had a sore throat so she made sure to wear a mask to protect you. 

Our friends Lucia and Manuel came to the hospital and brought a bottle of Mezcal for your papi.  He has been sharing it with everyone who comes to visit you.

Tios Scott and Jenny drove down from Ohio and fell in love with you.

Our good friends Gene and Jeanette were the first visitors to the hospital and you had your first night "hanging out" on the deck with a bunch of load people.  You are a good sleeper though and it didn't wake you.

Lucy and Sean were out of town when you were born, but stopped by our apartment the first day you were home with us.  I'm hoping that your cuteness has inspired them to have a baby too:)

Jay and Aileen came over with their son Enzo, with whom Im sure you'll have many play dates.

Smita came to the hospital twice and then brought over her fiance Rashid to meet you. 

You love to keep your legs up in the same position you were in my belly.  

 

Your legs are so strong, you fight us sometimes when we swaddle you, but then you are so calm once you are in that little cacoon.

{lounging in the Mamaroo swing}

You love to be held and you like the "car ride" setting on the Mamaroo swing. 


































I think your favorite thing though is cuddling with your papi.   Somehow he calms you right down.

We are so in love with you and are constantly looking at you smiling...feeling so lucky. Your papi asks you "Why are you so cute? How did you get so cute?"  
Your mama is more emotional than she has ever been.  She cried everyday this week.  Sometimes from the challenges of breastfeeding, but mostly tears of joy.  You complete us!

It's a boy! Es baron!

Bienvenido Mateo Espinoza!  

Born September 20, 2011 at 9:41am.  

7 lbs.  5 oz. 

20.5 inches long

Here just a few minutes old.
Mama and baby are doing fine.   
More pics and birth story to come.

Stroller, Bassinet and Carset: Check!

Just a couple more days before baby arrives! We tried to get the apartment cleared out a bit more this weekend.   It is going to be just fine in our little place.

Remember a while ago, I bought the Arm's Reach Co-sleeper?  Well, I returned it.
Instead, I bought this little bassinet for $50 [on Craigslist]  and put it next to the bed. 

It comes with a moses basket [within the bassinet] and think it will work out great.  It will be nice to have something portable.  When I go to a friends house or for an overnight trip, this will be perfect.  Either bed would only last the baby a few months, so price, size and portability all played a part in my decision.  I am planning to change the fabric and add some memory foam to the bottom for added comfort. 

As far as a full size crib, I am still getting one.  I thought I was decided on the Baby Mod crib but I couldn't get this one out of my head.

I have always liked the Jenny Lind crib classic style.  It has a vintage feel and once I add some modern fabric, I think it is going to look fabulous! As it turns out it's delivery has been delayed until October. (Come on Target!)

Ernesto moved one of our leather chairs into the bedroom where I can relax and feed the baby.  It is not a rocker, but will have to do. 

Between Amazon, Target and Babies R Us, we have been receiving packages with baby supplies in the mail everyday.  We are saving all the boxes in the garage in hopes that we will be moving into a house someday soon.

After the xmas lighting season, we will say goodbye to my trusty Saab and buy a new car.  Dare I say...a "family car?" (Im not talking mini-van folks, because that would be way to practical for me, plus I have made fun of them for years so I just couldn't)  In the mean time, Ernesto cleaned up my car and fixed a few [of the many] things that have been broken for a long time.  He also detailed the inside.  I was flabbergasted by what a difference it made.  Who would've known that a clean car is much more enjoyable to drive. Ha! 

The car seat has been installed.  Ernesto read the manual AND looked up a video online to make sure it is installed correctly.  It is really important to get that double checked and make sure it is secure.  

We also picked up our BOB Revolution Stoller from REI.  How am I so excited about a stroller?!  I could push (and steer) this thing with one finger.  It is the perfect stroller for our walking/running lifestyle.  I plan on taking walks with the baby daily and with the uneven pavement, trails and brick sidewalks outside our door, this will do the trick! 

Because infants are not able to sit in these strollers for several months, we bought the converter piece for our  Chicco KeyFit car seat to sit inside the stroller.

The papi-to-be is very handy and had everything together in a matter of minutes.  Since we plan on walking to the hospital to have the baby, we may even use this to bring baby home.

As soon as I give the word, my  parents are hopping on a plane and coming down to stay with us and meet their newest grandchild.  My sister and brother-in-law will head down a few days after!  Everyone says to accept all the help you can get at the beginning, and I have NEVER been one to turn it down.   It's funny because in my head I am thinking, "Oh yay, my family is coming to visit, we are going to have so much fun."  I know I just can't fathom how tired I am going to be.  I don't think we will be able to sit up late laughing and playing cards every night...or will we**?
** I am not THAT naive.

WEEK 39

Making a Plaster Baby Belly Cast

Remember back in April I bought this belly cast kit at Marshalls?  Well, since we are so close to my due date, we decided to do it the other night.  Plus I had my External Version the next day, so we figured we better do it...just in case I had the baby then.   Ernesto is a paper mache master, so he was in charge of everything and did a great job.

It was quite easy!  It only took us 45 minutes, start to finish. In the kit you will find a few rolls of pre-plastered gauze, jar of petroleum jelly, a pair of rubber gloves, a drop cloth and the directions.

You will need to cut the gauze into strips.  Longer for the belly and shorter for the breast area. 

Mommy needs to rub the jelly all over her belly and breasts so the plaster will easily pop off.  Have a bowl of water handy to dip the strips and start placing them on belly area.  Place the strips in all different directions to make the cast stronger.  Here is our progress after just 15 minutes.

Here we are pretty much finished after 20 minutes.

I sat here for about 10-15 minutes under the fan.  I would recommend that you stand or sit straight up when getting the strips applied to make sure you get the proper shape/hang of your belly and breasts.

I love how it turned out!  What a great memory of my beautiful pregnant belly!!

 

It has been drying now for a few days, and it is ready to be sanded down.... or not.  I haven't decided what I will do with it.  I was thinking gold leaf! Have any of you tried a belly cast?  Did you decorate it or leave it in a rough state?