2 weeks or so

I went to the doctor with high expectations this past Monday. Expectations to be further along in delivering this baby girl. The doctor wasn't even planning on checking to see where I was, but he said if I was curious, he did not mind checking. So he checked and we are only about 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. Oh the tears that ensued took me by surprise. I could not get a hold of myself. I felt quite silly, but he assured me it was totally normal. I felt like she should be here already. I feel like I am having a baby for the first time. We were induced with Soph, so everything feels brand new. So much anticipation and nervousness. In my mind I was equating all the pain and contractions I had been having with getting somewhere. I know that is where my expectations came from. I am much more at peace with her coming whenever she is ready now that we are full term. I have a lot to look forward to in the next 2 weeks. One fun event being a diaper shower held by my dear friends. I am excited just to get to celebrate the new little miss and her coming. Presents are just a fun bonus. I love a good party. In other news, Jaime surprised me with a new phone and boy do I have a lot of catching up/learning to do.

Soph turns 2

My sweet little girl turned 2 years old this past week. I really cannot believe how quickly the last two years have flown by. We celebrated her birthday several times during her birth weekend and week. Here's a little recap for you, which can then be seen in pictures. On Saturday morning we had a wonderful Sesame Street party for her in our church's colonnade. There were balloons, snacks, cupcakes, play-doh, and presents galore. Oscar the Grouch even made a special appearance. Thanks Kait!! I could not have pulled off this party without my dear family and friends giving of their time and creativity. It really was so much fun. We had tickets to the afternoon rodeo and since Jaime nor Soph had been, we pressed our luck and went. Soph took approximately a 20 minute nap while we were stuck in traffic and looking for a place to park, but she ended up doing very well. Her only concern was food and getting the saddles off of those horses:) I think she thought it was hurting them. My sister and her family came in town to help us celebrate so we spent the rest of the evening with my family. We had a few special lunch dates during the week with friends and then on her actual birthday we met her Daddy at the park for the world's windiest picnic. Our food and treats only blew away a few times. We let her play as long as we could stand the gusts, and she was an incredibly sad little birthday girl when we left. So upset in fact, she would not nap for me. That is not a good thing friends. Her Uncle Blake offered to help her celebrate her evening with a special Baskin Robbins ice cream cake. She even had the privilege of skyping with her bff/cousin Reese while we all sang happy birthday. She had the biggest grin and then blew out her candles. Afterwords, we came home and Jaime made us the most delicious arepas for dinner. It's okay to have dessert first, especially on your birthday. We are so thankful God has blessed us with her precious life. Thank you to everyone who helped make her birthday so very special. We will remember, even if she doesn't. Here are some of the pics.


The special ice cream cake:)

First time on the monkey bars with Daddy.

Enjoying a ladybug birthday cookie at the park.

Opening gifts.

Cheesy grin with Oscar and cousins.

Blowing out birthday candles on Elmo.

Awesome Elmo and Soph cutout, courtesy of the Adams family.

Party extravaganza.

Special birthday outfit.

It has been a LONG time....

I have been wanting to post for weeks, just have not made myself do it. A lot is going on in our world. We are getting ready for S's second birthday party this weekend. I cannot believe my little pumpkin is already turning 2. The time has passed so very quickly. We are also preparing for the arrival of little girl #2. She should be making her appearance within the next five weeks. We are so very anxious to meet her and make the transition from 1 to 2 children and from a family of 3 to 4:) I have been needing to renew my writing outlet for some time, so hopefully this is it. I will leave you with some pics of my almost 2 year old. Be back soon to share more!

Here we are.

She LOVES ice cream, especially when she gets to hold the cone herself.

Headed out for a walk. She looks so big here.

Wearing the "peanut" cap we got her before she was born.

Hanging out, giggling with Mimi.
Easter egg hunt with Daddy and cousin Aidan.

Blogging hiatus is officially over. I am not exactly sure when it began, but I do know it is ending. Life is so busy with an active one year old. I have been busy myself learning to coupon, to sew, and to decorate. Pictures will be forthcoming soon of my latest projects. There are so many inspiring blogs for wherever your interests lie. Soph is about to have a new cousin and we are so excited for my sister and her family. We cannot wait to meet you Miss Finlee. Another baby cousin, Avory, will be making his appearance shortly. Holly our bets are on mid-May. He is going to be a cutie. And speaking of cuties, check out Soph. She is in such a fun stage right now. She loves to play outside, especially when the water hose is turned on. She is trying her hardest to communicate with her words. She can say Da-da, Bubba, Ma-Ma, Na-na, Ap-Pul, Ash-y(outside), Ba (bath, balloon, ball, bird...), Whoppa, and a few others I cannot currently recall. We are having a blast and looking forward to summertime and swimming.

It's February

My little pumpkin is turning one this month. I am having a monkey-themed party for her. We are putting our house on the market. I have never bought or sold a home. I am teaching myself to sew. I currently have two borrowed Bernina's on my dining table. Thanks Nancy and Aunt Lucie. 1 skirt, 1 dress, and a backwards pair of pants are my recent creations. A garage sale will be taking place at my residence for the first time this weekend. Will be glad to have one and get it over with. I made my Great-Grandma Roman's Kreme Puffs for my sweet Grandpa who is recovering from a leg amputation. This evening I did a step class and only after it had begun, did I find out it was a Power Step and Abs class. O.O.S.! (Out of SHAPE) It was awful and ugly on my part. Now it is late and I need to go to sleep. Buenos Noches

First Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving in NJ and CT with family. Soph did so well on the airplanes going and coming home. I was a little nervous, but she mostly nursed and napped.
She had a blast celebrating Thanksgiving "Venezuelan style." My S.I.L. threw a wonderful party filled with families from Venezuela. Spanish was the theme of our trip and I am pretty sure she is bilingual now. She also learned to salsa, courtesy of her Tia and friends. The boys seemed to enjoy her and had fun doting/spoiling her rotten. They were such big helps our whole visit.
We are so grateful to God for ALL His many blessings. Jaime and I both reflected on how blessed we are to have a beautiful, healthy daughter, a loving family, and a wonderful church home. This season we are savoring God's manifold blessings and the gift of His Son Jesus.


Cute outfit Tia picked out for us.




When Mommy let her try to feed herself: the beginning.

The end. Oh, how she cried when I took her bowl away.

My 3 handsome nephews.

My beautiful SIL.

He was totally enamored.

Daddy having fun in Janie and Jack.

First Thanksgiving. She was enjoying dinner.

Daddy's girl

September and October Fun

Aunt Whoppa look down below!


I really like the grass and think it tastes pretty good.

T R O U B L E

I am my Momma's girl

Aunt Whoppa has been missing me, so I wanted to post some pics just for her. I am growing and changing quite a bit these days. I have learned to scream really loudly, mostly just for fun, but sometimes to let Mommy and Daddy know somethings got to give. Poor Mom, she doesn't know what to do with me just yet. I am teaching her though. I also am learning to stand on my own and am getting braver every day. My hair is coming in and I think I am going to like it. Mom keeps making these big bows for me to wear and they are just so-so. I'd rather eat them or throw them on the floor. I am getting more teeth and they really really hurt, but I can eat all kinds of things now. Cheerios are a new favorite, as well as cheese. Yummy! Come see us Aunt Whoppa, so I can play with my cousin(s).
So-So


My cool pumpkin onesie from Aunt Whoppa. See Aunt Whoppa I am saying hello to you.

It's not all bows around here!

Daddy's Birthday

Going for a jog with Mom

Tutu's aren't just for waists:)

Pictorial Review

Super Harvey

Check out her slipper socks. Jaime calls them elf boots.

Me and my super cool bros.


SIL Holly and Aunt Becky

The sweetest girls on the planet.

Aunt Janet and Woogie Bear

My princess wedged between pillows on her big girl bed.

Love her!

Attacking the frozen banana.

Sweet Daddy feeding his girl breakfast.

On my birthday. Not such a great picture, but wanted to document.

Look at her hair.

I am getting so big!

New Business

Be sure to check out and support my sister's new business,
Slap Happy Photography.

She will be travelling between the DFW area and West Texas. She and her husband take wonderful pictures at fantastic prices! Be sure to check them out. Christmas is just around the corner. Thank you.

Birthday Eve

Tonight I had the privilege of dining with some great friends to celebrate my birthday. I was a frazzled mess when I arrived, but like the good friends they are, they were welcoming and loving. The food was slow in coming, I had to step out to feed Soph in the car, and my clothes and hair were just "off." After a quick piece of ice cream cake, we headed to the movies to see Julie and Julia. What I saw of the movie, I really enjoyed and will just have to wait to see the rest. Jaime attempted to feed Soph a breastmilk bottle and she simply said, "no thanks Dad, I am not interested. " She just happened to use an awfully pitiful cry that was breaking my heart over the phone. I felt like a terrible mother, but I rushed home and fed my baby what she has eaten for the last 6 months of her little life. She fell right to sleep, with a full tummy and a consoled heart. As I was holding her, I was just thinking how blessed I truly am. I have an amazing husband, a wonderful daughter, an incredible family, and the best friends a girl could ask for. I am a part of something that is so much bigger than me and I belong. I belong to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and to the family of believers that gather under His name. I "fit" not because of who I am or what I have, but because I have trusted in God's love for me-in His Son, Jesus Christ and His precious atonement for my sin. As I turn another year older, I have been reminded of this work the Lord began in me long before I knew Him. He is not finished with me yet, and the work He began in me, He will complete. Hallelujah, because I feel like a train wreck has occurred here. The school calendar says summer is ending, but I feel like mine is just beginning. Soph and I are working out the kinks of mommying and daughtering together, and we are just getting our footing. I look forward to this new year and pray for wisdom to profit this pilgrim and peace to stay my heart. Thank you to each and every one of my dear friends who have and are enduring my many transitions. Don't give up on me yet, the sun is shining through now! I love ya'll BIG!

Baby Dedication

There are two new posts below this one! We had Sophia's baby dedication at church a few weeks ago. It is where Jaime and I, as her parents, promise to raise her in the knowledge and ways of the Lord, thus publicly dedicating her to Him. Our pastor asked us first if we believed in Christ, His death and resurrection, and had trusted Him for salvation. He then asked is we would raise up Sophia in the fear and instruction of the Lord. The last question was if the Lord saw fit to take her home at an early age, would we abandon the faith. Our answers were yes, yes, and no. Jason then prayed over Jaime, myself, and then Sophia. Lastly he asked the church if they would come alongside us and help raise Sophia in the truth, which was answered by them standing. It was moving to see their response and such a special time for the 3 of us. Almost my entire family was there and in the hustle and bustle of it all, I did not take any pictures. Here are some from after lunch at our home.



During the dedication


My little love bug

Daddy and his princess


Priceless

Awwww!