Elena's Room

 This is the design above her bed.

 A better look at the crib and designs!

 Closet and wall decor...will add more to this!

 Her custom made book shelf and huge window...curtains to come soon!

 Dresser/changing table...this was my dresser when I was young and my sister refinished it with an antique look.  I absolutely love it.

SO many people have been asking to see some pictures of Elena's nursery, so now that it's almost complete, I figured it was time to put some up.  My sister Michelle did the design and my dad did the painting, etc.  We still need to get up some curtains, which will be brown and make the room really "pop".  We will also have a rocking chair that my mom used when my sisters and I were little.  My parents will be bringing that very soon too.  I feel like her room will always be a work in progress.  Always something to add.  But, for now, it looks absolutely amazing and who knew that pink could be so gorgeous.  I've never been big on pink, but it has totally grown on me with good accent colors.  Juan and I just can't seem to stay out of her room!  :)

Childbirth in a Day!

Juan and I spent our Saturday learning all about childbirth and how to care for a newborn.  It was a class that lasted all day (9am-5pm), but we got some good information out of the class.  For me, one of the greatest parts was being able to go visit Labor and Delivery as well as post-pardum. Knowing what the rooms looked like and what to expect when delievering the baby helped me become more informed about the whole process and a bit more relaxed.  I know it's going to be an uncomfortable experience, but being "in the know" about what will happen makes me feel more comfortable about everything.  Just being there made me realize how I just cannot wait for our bundle of joy to come.  There is going to be a lot of crying when she gets here!  I don't know how Juan and I are going to be able to control ourselves.  She is going to be SO loved.  At the end of our class yesterday, we watched an awesome video on how to help your baby stop crying.  Juan and I absolutely loved this part of the day.  We got VALUABLE information about what your baby needs and how to meet its needs when the baby is unhappy.  The 5 S's are sure to help your baby calm down: swaddling, side/stomach position, shushing, swinging, and sucking.  We have our handout on the refridgerator for future reference! 

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone!!  We had a great Halloween night full of trick or treaters.  We, as usual, ran out of candy.  I had to turn our light off a little after 8:00.  Bummer.  The pictures above are of Homer with his wizard hat on and me giving it a try as well.  When I saw the picture of me, I realized how huge I was!  Geez!  Good thing I was back and forth all night handing out candy to get my exercise.  It was fun to think that next year we'll have our own little one to dress up.  We can't wait!
Juan and I had another doctor's appointment on Tuesday, November 1st.  The doctor checked Elena's heartbeat and it sounded strong.  Dr. Boulicault checked to see if she was still head down and she definitely is!  She's been like that for awhile now.  The doctor also checked me to see if I was dialated at all and it turns out I'm 1 cm!  I know this can mean that she's on her way or I may stay at 1cm for weeks.  I guess since this is my first pregnancy, we'll just have to sit back and wait to see what Elena wants to do.  I don't know if she's going to want to wait all the way until the 29th!  I haven't felt any contractions yet, so I'm just enjoying my last month of pregnancy.  What a journey it's been.
Tonight, Juan and I put together our bouncer/swing combo.  It was so comforting to put it together.  Just knowing we're in the home stretch is exciting.  I absolutely love the swing and can't wait to put baby girl in for a ride.  It plays music and everything!  I'm in love already.  I hope she loves the swing because I want her to spend lots of time in it...apparently when I was a baby, I LOVED the swing, so hopefully mom will rub off on daughter.
So, here we are at week 36...I wonder how many more she'll spend in my belly.  I am really going to miss having her in there.  It's been just the coolest experience.  Having her to hold in our arms will be a dream come true for both Juan and I.  We'll be sure to keep you posted on any progress...back to the doctor on Tuesday!

One month to go!

Here we are...October 29, 2011...Exactly ONE month until baby Elena is due.  Will she be early?  Will she be late?  Or...will she make her grand entrance on time?  I'm sure everyone has their predictions.  What's mine?  I just think she'll be a November baby...I have no hunch on early or late.  Juan definitely thinks she'll be here to see us earlier than expected.  He's been right about her all along, so she'll probably come early just to see her daddy.  I have been feeling good, just rather large and a bit lethargic lately.  Strangers that I see at the stores are asking me how much longer I have to go and when I tell them about a month, I usually get a gasp of, "Wow, you look wonderful for only having one month to go" or "When I had only about a month to go, I was a swelled up mess!"  or "You just look like you have a basketball hiding under your shirt!"  I have taken all of these as a compliment.  I am not swollen, YET, which has been wonderful.  I have put on the lbs, but nothing that the doctor has made any comment about, so all has been OK in that department too.  We go to the doctor again on Tuesday for a check up.  Then, it's on to WEEKLY appointments until her arrival.  I just can't believe we've made it here already.  In March when we read the pregnancy test, November seemed so far away and here we are.  It's been one hell of a journey and I wouldn't trade it for anything.  The feeling of a human being moving around in my belly has been nothing short of a miracle.  It's amazing what the human body can do...and I know I'll learn that even more in just a few more weeks when I have to deliver!  Attached is my October belly picture...no makeup, but it will do ;)  My November picture will hopefully be the one I get Juan to take before we head to the hospital...I hope I can get one...even if it is in the middle of the night and I look like ****.  :) Keep checking back for updates as I will do my best to post when I can after we see the doctor over the next few weeks.  Looking forward to a final baby shower tomorrow and to put the finishing touches on all of our baby stuff around the house.  Thank you for all the prayers and just continue praying that Elena comes to us a healthy and happy baby girl!!

Week 35 Clumsiness

Earlier this week when I got up from the couch, I apparently wasn't paying much attention when I was walking because I totally hooked my pinky toe on the coffee table.  Let me tell you, it hurt SO bad.  I mean, profanity was just spilling out of my mouth!  I couldn't help it.  The stinging sensation that followed the "hooking" was almost bad enough to bring a tear to my eye.  Needless to say, it turned purple right away and I sat for most of the rest of the night with my foot up on ice.  When I woke up the next day, my foot looked like a purple sausage.  It was so swollen.  I was limping around school all day...I figured everyone would just start wondering if my limping was me just waddling around at this point since the belly is a bit out of control these days.  I showed my foot to our school nurse and she taped me up.  I've been keeping it taped up throughout the last few days and it's finally feeling better.  It was never broken, but boy was it bruised.  I attached a picture of my foot from the other day...enjoy!!  :)

34 Weeks!

Sorry I have been a bit behind on my posts lately, but October has been a VERY busy month!  I'm currently sitting here at Parent-Teacher Conferences since I have some time between talking with parents. 
I made it to the doctor again yesterday and the trend continues...Elena is doing just fine.  My stomach is measuring on point and her heartbeat sounds strong and healthy.  All music to Juan and I's ears.  It's hard to believe that she'll be here next month.  This pregnancy has gone by so fast and I thank God everyday for this miracle. 
A little over a week ago, my friend Meagan Dalton from True Life Images took some maternity pictures of Juan and I.  I was able to attach some of them.  She did an amazing job and I cannot wait to have her take Elena's newborn photos too.
I will post my October belly photo this weekend if I can remember to make time to take the picture!!

32 Weeks Strong!

This week marks week 32 for baby girl.  We made it to the doctor again this morning for a quick check up!  I'm still at a healthy weight and Elena is measuring on target and has a healthy heartbeat.  I asked the doctor today if she could tell what position the baby is in and Dr. Boulicault really dug into my stomach to check on how she was laying.  Great news was that Elena's head was down where it needed to be meaning all those pokes and large bulges coming out my side are her little butt and legs.  She really does like to remind me that she's in there ALL THE TIME.  Having to count kicks has never been a problem for us!  I have found that the right side of my back gets a pain sometimes and I feel like it's due to her sitting on my right side most often, making it heavier, meaning I'm leaning in ways I wasn't before.  I have to change positions often whether I'm sitting, laying down, or standing.  It seems like I need to be in motion more than still.  I shouldn't complain, though.  I need to keep moving!  I have not had any swelling...yet.  I hope that phase stays away for awhile. 

Juan reminded me last night before we fell asleep that this is the last month of "just the 2 of us".  When he said this, it really hit me that we are going to be a family.  I mean, I knew the day we found out I was pregnant that we were going to be a family of three, but it is getting all too real now.  In less than two months, we'll be a mom and dad taking care of something bigger and more wonderful than either of us can ever understand at this point.  We get more and more excited each day.

I also had my first baby shower on Monday, October 3rd with the JC reading teachers.  I feel so blessed to work with such caring people.  I don't think I'll ever be able to say thank you enough for the gifts and kind words.  Elena is already spoiled!!

Week 33...here we come!