1st Christmas

Here are some photos of Elena's first Christmas with the family.  We enjoyed a nice holiday at home! Sorry one of the pictures wouldn't flip accordingly, but it was too cute not to include!!

Elena is 1 month old!

Today marks one of Elena's first milestones...she is 1 month old today!  It is really hard for Juan and I to believe that an entire month has gone by already.  She is growing and changing so much everyday.  Yesterday I came to the realization that she is growing out of her newborn outfits and onesies.  I attempted to put on a onesie yesterday that she hadn't worn yet and I couldn't get it over her head.  I decided to quit trying and put something else on her.  It made me kind of sad knowing she won't be able to wear the cute itty-bitty clothes anymore; but on the flip side, I am SO happy that she continues to be one great eater meaning she is growing and healthy.  Elena continues to marvel all who come and visit her.  She is one amazing girl.  She is getting so strong too.  When on her tummy, she can lift her head up by herself and hold it there for quite some time.  She has strong legs for kicking and her grip is getting good too.  She makes us laugh when she is trying to focus on something and her eyes get crossed.  It is just the cutest thing.

We wish everyone a Happy New Year and the Diaz family is looking forward to all the wonderful things coming in 2012.  We already got the coolest gift in 2011, now we get to enjoy her for years to come.  Happy 1 month, Elena!

This is how she celebrated this afternoon...a nap in mom's arms!!

Homer loves his little sister...I just had to put this with her one month photos!!

3 Weeks Old!

I am 3 whole weeks now!  I like to look at everything!

Me and grandpa fell asleep.

Peyton came to meet me! 

Snuggling with Aunt Michelle

Me and daddy fell asleep!

Elena has graced us with her presence for 3 weeks now.  Life has definitely changed, but boy is she one beautiful change!!  I just wanted to post some pictures of her from the last couple of weeks.  WE LOVE HER!!!!

We've made it 2 weeks!!

I'm 2 whole weeks!  Sorry about the dirty onesie...

Elena Elizabeth turned two weeks old this past Wednesday.  It's hard to believe that two whole weeks have gone by.  She is just the most incredible thing.  We just love her so very much!!  It's been quite the adjustment coming home with her and having a few sleepless nights, but what a blessing she has been to our family.  Juan and I are so thankful that the grandmas and grandpas have been coming over so much to help out or just give us a few hours for a nap. We have gotten so much food from family and friends over the last few weeks that we haven't even had to think about dinner plans.  Let me tell you, that has been wonderful since we've been so busy trying to figure things out around the house!  I TOTALLY thought I had this house ready to go for a newborn, but it's amazing how when you bring one home, things get turned upside down again! I wouldn't trade it for the world.  Elena is our everything.  Below are pictures from right before heading to the hospital to an afternoon nap.  Enjoy!!

An afternoon nap...so peaceful!

I'm going home!

All packed up and ready to go home!

Right before we left for the hospital!

Elena Elizabeth Diaz

 I'm so pretty that I made my Aunt Michelle and Aunt Erin cry when they came to meet me!!

Well, it's been over a week since I've had a chance to actually sit down and write a few words about Juan and I's newest addition to our family.  Elena Elizabeth was born last Wednesday, November 30th at 2:38 pm.  She weighed 7lbs and 15 oz...exactly my birth weight too!  Elena was 20.5 inches long and has a healthy set of lungs for crying!  It was music to our ears when we heard her cry for the first time.  She is truly our little miracle.
I went into the hospital last Wednesday at about 7am.  A nurse called me at about 4:50am to ask if I could come in a little late since the Labor and Delivery floor was SUPER busy already that morning.  Of course we were OK with that and got a little extra rest before heading in to have Elena.  When we arrived at the hospital, Juan and I went straight into a delivery room where I spent most of the day.  My nurse, Maggie, who was just AMAZING got me all hooked up right away.  Juan and I just sat together for awhile as I got some IV fluids in my before being hooked up to Pitocin.  Because I was already dialated 4 cm when I arrived, I was put on a low dose of Pitocin at first.  I didn't have but just a few contractions, so Maggie increased the dosage...not by much, though, because I was making progress.  Finally, my contractions were coming frequently and boy were they intense.  I clenched my fists and held Juan's hand so tightly every time I had one.  I did lots of breathing and tried to relax as much as possible.  It wasn't long before one of my favorite people, the anesthesiologist, came in to give me my epidural.  It was not as scary as I initially thought.  Having contractions while getting the epidural was such a distraction to what he was doing.  But, he made me feel so much better.  My legs and feet got all tingly and I could not feel the contractions anymore.  I really did feel like a new woman.  I highly recommend the epidural to anyone debating on whether or not to get one.  I don't think I could have done all of this without it.  It made the birth process much more doable.  I eventually made it to 10 cm dialated and was ready to push.  Maggie, my nurse, did most of the work until my doctor could come over to finish delivering the baby.  I pushed for about 40 minutes and finally we had a baby girl!!  It was one of the most amazing moments of our lives.  I feel so lucky to have been able to share it not only with my husband, but my mom and mother in law too...all three of these people were so helpful during labor...especially towards the end when I felt like I had no more juice in me to push.  All in all, 11/30/11 will always be one of the most special days in our lives.  Welcome to the world, Elena Elizabeth!!

Possible Elena Plans...

This afternoon I was able to talk with Dr. Boulicault on the phone about our plans for Elena.  Since we were able to chat over the phone, I won't need to go in tomorrow for my weekly Tuesday appointment.  Tomorrow is Elena's official due date.  She has been very cozy in my belly for several weeks now, but according to the doctor, has been ready to be born anytime.  As of last appointment, I was dialated to 3 cm, so I'm progressing for sure.  I think maybe Elena is just being polite and arriving when she's supposed to on the 29th.  :)
After talking with the doctor today, we decided that if she's not here tomorrow, then I will be induced on Wednesday morning. I will have to arrive at the hospital at 5:30am.  Usually the doctors wait a week before inducing, but we decided that because my body has been so favorable for delivery for several weeks now and Elena is a good size and we've been healthy this entire pregnancy, it will be just fine for her to come on Wednesday. She's running out of room quickly and having her out will be safe for her.  Please keep us all in your prayers as we make our way into official parenthood by the middle of the week and that Elena arrives healthy and happy!  We'll be in touch with everyone as things move along!

One Day to Go!

So, here I am at home on maternity leave with no child to take care of yet!  I can't believe it.  I really did think she would be here by now knowing how much things had progressed over the last few weeks.  I can't say that I'm complaining too much because it has been nice this morning cleaning a few things up and enjoying a cup of hot chocolate.  Elena is moving around a lot this morning, so I'm wondering if she's getting herself ready for a grand entrance anytime soon.  Only time will tell.  Juan made his way back to school this morning and I'm glad he was able to go back today since it's the first day back after a long holiday weekend.  Having to start off with a substitute can be hard not only on the kids, but the teacher too!  I know he's super anxious about the baby's arrival just as I am.  It's so hard now since she could be here ANYTIME!!
Last night was the first night I had some trouble sleeping.  My stomach felt like a huge solid basketball throughout the night.  That is what kept me up so much.  Moving positions didn't help, so I got up a few times to walk around or check my e-mail since I had to sit up to do that.  I feel like I tossed and turned from side to side (because those are the only 2 positions I can sleep in now) all night.  I think I saw every hour on the clock.  I don't feel tired today, but I think it's because I didn't have to get up and be somewhere at a specific time.  I could just relax in bed for awhile. 
I'm going to go enjoy the rest of the day getting little things done here and there, but more than anything, I want this baby girl here healthy and safely so mom and dad can cuddle on her forever!!  We'll be sure to keep you posted with any new happenings!  1 DAY TO GO!