July Belly

Well, Elena continues to grow each month and so does my belly.  I am really starting to feel the growth now!  My stomach is starting to poke out further and further, it's getting very firm, and I have found that stretch capris are now my best clothing friend.  They are SO comfortable!  I can't believe in less than a month I have to start actually looking nice again, including wearing make-up, each day for school. Thank goodness for my cousin and her tubs and tubs of maternity clothes full of things I'll soon be wearing...it will really help me ease into having to wear "school-worthy" clothes yet again.  As you can see in my photo above, on these lazy summer days, the hair goes up and make-up is sparse.  I LOVE summer!!

I have been feeling Elena moving several times a day.  She was most active in the evenings for awhile, but now she's not on any kind of schedule.  I just get a jab every now and then.  We've been reading to her and I know Juan's hoping to turn her into a Harry Potter fan right away. I wouldn't mind...they are amazing books!

I've also realized that when I'm on the floor playing with the pets that it's not so easy to get back up right away.  I have to be more careful with my movements.  I have to remind myself of this everyday! I'm not used to not being able to shoot right back up after playing on the floor.

My sleep habits have gotten weirder as well.  I REALLY miss sleeping on my stomach, but sleeping on my sides has become an OK alternative.  I haven't slept through the night in a VERY long time due to my bladder waking me up at least ever 2-3 hours.  I suppose it's my body's way of getting me ready for what's to come, huh?!!

Well, the next doctor's appointment isn't until the middle of August, but it will just be a typical visit to check on the heartbeat and that my growth is progressing normally.  I know I'm gaining weight now, but it's all for that baby girl!!

Diaz Generations!

Juan's grandmother is here from Mexico for the summer.  His mom and dad brought her to our house for a visit on Sunday, July 17th. Had to have a picture with grandma and great grandma!

July Belly

This was my photo the morning we found out we were having our little girl-20 weeks pregnant!  I still need to get a photo up with my white tank top that I've taken each month since we found out we were having a baby.  Photo coming soon!

No Hips

I felt compelled to complain a bit this morning as I put on my clothes to get ready to head out to tutor students for a few hours.  I HAVE LOST MY HIPS.  I have no idea where they went ;)  Another pair of shorts that I regularly have worn are going to the tub of my "no longer fit for now" pile. 
My belly continues to grow, which has been wonderful.  I've been feeling lots of jabs this week from Elena.  I think she really likes it when I eat because afterwards is when I feel her the most.  Juan has been able to feel some of her movements too and that has been so much fun.
I hope my hips plan to come back after the baby is born, but the fact that she is supposed to be here just a month before Christmas won't help me much because it's one of my most favorite times of year to EAT!!!  Guess there will need to be a New Year's resolution for next year, huh??!!

Baby Elena- "Hi Everyone!"

On July 12, 2011, Juan and I were introduced to our daughter, Elena.  She was very active during the ultrasound and here are two of the coolest pictures of her waving at us and sucking on her fingers.  How is it possible to love someone so much you've never even met?  I guess this is what it feels like to be a mom and dad now.
I have officially started to feel Elena moving around in my belly.  She does not like it when I lay flat on my back.  I think that's why she was so active during the ultrasound.  She moves a lot.  Last night was the first time Juan actually felt her kick.  It was one of the coolest moments so far.  We had just laid down to go to bed and I was laying on my back, attempting to irritate her enough to move for me.  Well, it worked and I told Juan to come and feel and after a few seconds, she gave him a kick.  INCREDIBLE!

It's a GIRL!

Well, Mittens, Homer, and I were all wrong on our predictions!  Daddy was the only one who has been right all along in this Diaz household!  We were SO pleased to find out this morning that we are going to be parents to a beautiful baby girl.  We have already decided on her name, Elena.  A middle name is still in the works.  It was AMAZING to see her on the ultrasound screen this morning sucking on her fingers, putting her hands up over her face and head, and waving to us.  It was an incredible experience.  We got some amazing pictures thanks to our ultrasound tech.  She was great.  We were able to see all parts of the body and found out as we looked at each part that it was ALL forming normally.  Everything appears to be the right size and shape.  What a blessing!  More belly pictures to come!!

Boy or Girl?

We're down to less than 24 hours and we will know if our little critter is a boy or girl!  We get butterflies every time we think about knowing.  It's all going to become so real tomorrow!  I can't stand to wait any longer.  Juan and I did a little experiment with our pets this afternoon in predicting boy or girl.  As many of you know, I have been predicting boy and Juan has been predicting girl.  We decided to leave it up to Homer and Mittens this afternoon and they both chose boy.  I laid two pieces of paper on the floor, one marked girl and one marked boy.  Both Homer and Mittens walked on the boy paper and literally stepped over the girl paper.  The only thing that touched the girl paper was Homer's tail when he was sitting and wagging it.  As for Mittens, we put two of the exact same treats on each paper to see where he would go...he immediately went to the boy paper and completely ignored the treat on the girl paper.  We laughed so hard!  He didn't even go to the treat on the girl paper until Juan directed him to it.  I got a picture of the two of them by the papers after our experiment and as you can see, both are leaning towards boy.  I guess we'll all know in less than 24 hours who is right!  No matter what, it's going to be incredible to know.  We'll keep you posted!

More of the belly...

My brother-in-law, Ross, decided he needed to get in on a belly shot with me.  I LOVE this picture!!

Summer 2011

Funnel Cakes!

I just had to brag on Juan's funnel cake making skills.  We decided to make a batch to celebrate Fourth of July and they turned out great. It will be even greater next year having the baby to celebrate with.  Hopefully he or she likes fireworks because we have a terrific show in our neighborhood!  And, yes, we ate ALL of the funnel cakes!  I mean, I am eating for 2, right?!

Summer Weddings

Juan and I have been attending lots of weddings this spring and summer and I thought I'd share my favorite picture of the two of us at one of the weddings this past June.  Mom and Dad-to-be have been really enjoying themselves!

Independence Day!

4th of July Weekend!

Juan and I were able to have a great weekend celebrating with family and friends.  Here are a few photos taken from our BBQ on Saturday night at my sister's house in St. Louis.  It was very steamy outside, but we enjoyed our time with some cold drinks and sitting in the shade. First, my sister lives in South St. Louis close to Ted Drewes and bought this PERFECT summer onesie!!  We CANNOT wait to get our baby in this for some delicious ice cream next summer!!  Isn't it adorable?!  As you can tell, Grandpa is pretty excited about the baby growing in my belly and grandma is just as content as ever.  My "niece" Elaine was enjoying a belly rub and giving me lots of kisses after dinner when my sister took that picture.  She's an awesome puppy...what's not to love?! Homer enjoyed his time visiting with his cousin Elaine being able to run free in their fenced in yard.  It was a great night!