Paloma Meets Sus Hermanos

Even though little Paloma was born close to 8pm, we didn't call the boys that night because it was late once we were settled in our room. We did send pictures to our neighbors and they shared the news with the boys. They had a baby sister! Carolyn broke the news and took this cute little video.

The next morning, Ernesto left the hospital to pick up the boys from their sleepover and bring them to meet their baby sister. They were soooooo excited when they arrived. I cried as soon as they walked in the room, and continued crying while I watched their faces. They were in such awe.

And so sweet. "Mami, is this our baby? Is she coming to our house?"

Lots of kisses, soft touches, toe tickling and umbilical cord questions ensued.

My boys didn't come empty handed. They bought their little sister a few cute shirts and their mami black licorice.  "I miss you.  You come to my house now!" said Marcelo.

 All the boys are very happy with the new edition.  I think they do understand that she is part of our family and is going to live with us.   It makes it easier that Marcelo can talk.  Mateo was not talking when Marcelo was born, and it took about a week for him to adjust and finally understand that the baby was here to stay.  We will see what happens this time!  I am very excited to take my baby home and finally be with my family.  It has been a long couple weeks! 

It's a Girl! Es Niña!!

MEET PALOMA ESPINOZA!

Born October 3,2015 at 7:48 pm

5lbs 10oz and 18 inches

Last night we received the biggest surprise of our lives....a perfect baby girl. I cried so hard with tears of joy when Ernesto announced "It's a girll!" WHAT A SURPRISE!! I thought for sure she was a he. Also music to my ears was the sound of this early bird crying the minute she was born -whew!- no lung problems.

This is one happy papi....

And mami is just in desbelief. I'm crying happy tears just looking at her. Delivering 4 weeks and 2 days early was very scary, however this tough little baby is absolutely perfect, and I'm recovering just fine. In fact the doctor said I can probably go home after two nights in the hospital instead of the standard three after a c-section.

Just like Mateo, Paloma was breech, so her legs just want to stay in this position for a bit.

She is soooooooo sleepy. Like extra sleepy, which is typical of being born so early. She did take to nursing right away, although they have been very short feedings because it is hard to keep her awake. In fact, last night she slept from 2 am to 10 am. (I did try to wake her up to feed her at 6am, but to no avail)

We haven't even really gotten a good looks at her eyes yet.

Her little face is so beautiful though. And just like her brothers, she has a full head of dark hair.

I did not sleep as well as she did. After having a spinal block, I was itching all night, plus just the excitement of having this little beauty next to me was too much. Ernesto stayed with me overnight while the boys had an impromtu sleepover at our neighbors. (thanks Carolyn and Mark!)

We are so happy...our family of five is complete! Let the games begin!

Ps. Birth story and a lot more pics coming soon!

 

Baby #3 - 34 WEEK Update

 

Well guys, I was finally released from the hospital last Tuesday morning (after 5 days). My amniotic fluid had gone above 7 and that was the minimum to go home. (i was 7.3)

My boys picked me up and we went straight to Decatur for lunch at Taqueria del Sol and some time at the 'toy playground.' We were happy to be together again. Boy did I miss these guys.

After laying in a hospital bed for 5 days, once I was up and walking around I was really aware of just how much water I had drank. I felt like my tummy was going to explode.

The next few days I relaxed as much as possible. Super Papi (his new name) even took the boys with him to fix some landscape lighting, so I wasn't home alone with them. I drank water like it was going out of style and we did fun things that were not too active. (for me) The boys flew a kite at Piedmont Park while i relaxed on a blanket. #fakesleepers

I wish I could say I was relieved to be home, but I was pretty worried. Especially that first night home, I didn't sleep good at all. In fact, at 4am I was sitting up in bed scared and crying. It sucked. I felt the baby kicking around though, and was able to get a couple more hours of sleep and felt better in the morning. Sleep always makes things better.

Being at the hospital was reassuring. I was hooked up to a monitor so baby's heartbeat was constantly heard. Regular ultrasounds were given, so I knew that if something was going to change quickly, at least I was in the right spot to get help!

Before I went to the hospital, I was very unobservant of how my belly felt, the baby's movements and any tightness I was feeling, but all of a sudden I was super observant and felt so much....was this new? I didn't know if it was normal or not because I couldn't remember if that's how I felt the week before. ugh!

My follow up appointment was Friday at Atlanta Perinatal and I was anxious to hear the results.

I started crying immediately when the tech told me my fluid had gone down to 6.2 -----NOOOOOOOOO!

I sat down for a NST (non stress test) which records the baby's movement, heartbeat and contractions. It last 20 minutes and baby scored an 8 out of 8. Baby is active.

I sat down with the doctor and he recommended that I go back to the hospital for more fluids/IV. He said it was up to me though...if I wanted to go home and come back Monday to see where I was I could do that.

NO! Tell me what to do...you can't leave that up to me. Obviously I would rather stay home, but I will do anything to keep this baby happy and cooking to term (at least 37 weeks!).

 

I went home and played with my babies a little bit. We all sat down for dinner together and then I packed a bag (with my own nightgown) and my boys dropped me off at......

Once I got stuck with the IV and settled in my bed, I let my family know where I was by texting this pic.

I joked with them that I'm on vacation again-not having any responsibilities besides drinking water. I am writing, reading blogs, watching tv and movies and taking naps.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday and now it's Monday and I am still sitting here...totally relaxed...and you know what? I'm bored, sick of hospital food, my butt is sore and I miss the craziness at my house. I miss my husband. I miss my babies.

We Facetime a lot. Super Papi says everything is good at home. "Don't worry our babies are just fine. Learning new ways!" He said in a text. I was scared to ask him what these "new ways" are. You never know with Crazy Nester. I know they are fine though and they do come visit. (short visits!)

Ernesto is keeping me updated with pictures.

They went to The Greek Festival over the weekend, and of course our GP Farmers Market. (they even brought me my coveted ginger-apricot scone)

They are running around outside and taking naps.

...and they are watching videos on the ipad! Papi might go crazy without this downtime. Mami understands.

SO..... I have ANOTHER ultrasound tomorrow and if my fluid is not up past the magic number 7....I will stay here for another 48 hours until my next ultrasound...and so on. I am not very optimistic because the two ultrasounds I have had while here have not shown an increase in fluid. In fact is is pretty much the same as it was Friday. (Friday 6.1, Saturday 5.8 and Sunday 5.9)

 

Today I am 35 weeks. At 36 weeks my doctor is comfortable delivering if needed. (providing the baby's lungs are mature enough-which they determine with an amniocentesis) However, I am not ok with that. In fact, that sounds way to scary, doesn't it? Can any women weigh in here?

My thinking is that every day counts and if baby is happy I would like to wait as long as we can.

 

I'll keep you guys posted!

 

 

Mateo's 4th Birthday Party

Well, Mateo's party was a success...and although I missed it, between a couple friends, it was all captured on camera. (Thanks Smita and Carolyn!)

I've always known Ernesto is a good party host, so I wasn't worried about him making it special for Mateo. I think he ran around town that morning getting it together (in true Nester style), but in the end he had all the details covered. Luckily my parents were there to help out, but more importantly be there for Mateo. He loves his grandparents!

The birthday boy requested a Paw Patrol party. Paw patrol is a cute little cartoon on Nick jr. where 6 pups help someone in trouble and always save the day.

I didn't have a plan for food, cake, piñata before going to the hospital. However, I did order this cute invitation from this etsy shop.

Ernesto went to Party City and ended up finding a whole slew of Paw Patrol decor, including the piñata.

He ordered pizza and bought an ice cream cake. Ernesto told me this is the easy way to throw a kids party and Mateo was excited to say the least. (Hmm...maybe I need to take a few lessons)

Everything looked great....just how a little four year old would like!

The kids kept themselves busy. Mateo's new Hot Wheels racetrack was a hit.

When it was time to sing I was there via Facetime - gotta love technology!

Per the usual piñata rules, the birthday boy went first, and everyone lined up for their turn.

 

It held out just long enough for everyone to get a turn. The candy went flying and the kids scrambled.

From what I heard, everyone had a great time at the party. (the proof is in the pictures!) I know the birthday boy did, because he went on and on about it, telling me all the details. I love this boy so much!

Thanks so all our friends and family who made this birthday a special one! I know I will never forget it, and I hope it is the only one I ever have to miss!

Although I was not able to get it done for his birthday (which was my plan) I have an "Interview with a Four Year Old" in the works and I will be sharing it soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mateo Turns Four!!

My little boy is 4 today. My beautiful, energetic, loving baby Mateo.

If not for this blog, he might not remember that his mami was in the hospital and missed his birthday party. I don't think it was a huge deal for him, but it broke my heart.

This post is "my view" of his birthday, which you will see was kind of blury. (there will be another post with the REAL pictures later this week) No the pictures didn't turn out great, but I was involved as much as possible, thanks to FaceTime...

...Starting with my 715 am wake up call. We sang happy birthday and Ernesto followed him down the stairs with the phone so I could see everything.

He was very excited when he saw this.

He got right to tearing open the box as I took pictures through Facetime. (not very good ones)

Oooh mami! A Hot Wheels racetrack!

I even "sat with them" in the living room while papi helped put it together.

I felt like I was there. The kids were talking to me like they couldn't tell the differrence "watch mami, watch."

A couple hours later and I got to kiss and hug the birthday boy because everyone came for a bedside "pre-party."

My wonderful nurse Eileen (who is coincedentally a wonderful singer as well) sang to Mateo and joined in the party.

Lego and Legos and more Legos!

I popped in for a few swings of the pinata at the party...

and joined in for singing and candles.

Mateo had a great birthday party and was very happy when I spoke with him at the end of the day...and that made me happy. Ernesto did a great jobthrowing together this special day for our special boy. More details and REAL pictures coming soon!!