More Details, More pictures

Maya and her tiny fist.

The Labor and Delivery
The labor and delivery was a little crazy this time. I pushed back the epidural too long. We checked in at 8 pm and by 8 am the next morning, I was still only dilated to a 1. I was so frustrated and didn't want to get the epidural because I was afraid I'd never progress since some people say epidurals slow down labor. I started strong contractions at 5:30 am and they became unbearable by 10 am. At 11 I requested the epidural, and it was still 45 minutes away. So for 2 hours I suffered the worst pain of my life, it was really bad. I was dilated to a 4 when I got the epidural, and then just 1 hour later she came in to break my water and I was at a 7. And then 25 minutes later I was ready to push. After 2-10 second pushes, Maya was out! It all happened so fast, when they laid Maya on my chest I thought, who's baby is this? I felt like my baby was still in my stomach. 

Adoring Maya
I have quickly remembered how much I adore newborn babies. The first few nights I slept maybe 3 hours, but I didn't get frustrated because the excitement hadn't worn off. I was so excited to see her every time she cried. I do have to say though, last night I got frustrated. Ha! At least the excitement kept me happy for a couple nights. I am living off of very little sleep. But I have so much help. Juan went back to work today, and so my friends took Amelia for the whole morning and Maya and I spent the whole day in bed it seems. It was so nice.

Showing off her hair. She does have dark hair like Amelia did, it's just all around the sides and the back.

Amelia picked out this balloon for her baby sister.

 Amelia
Things have been hard for little Amelia. She adores her sister and every morning when she wakes up, she runs to find Maya and give her kisses. She loves to sit by her and make her dance (move her arms around). She is in love with Maya.

But she is pushing her limits with us. She is throwing many more tantrums, the first 2 days were filled with non-stop tantrums. She is getting better little by little. I am just so happy that she adores Maya so much and that there is no resentment there.

Me
I was prepared for an emotional roller coaster, remembering how I was after Amelia. I have been having multiple meltdowns per day. And a lot of my crying is about Amelia and imagining what she is feeling. My favorite thing that has come out of this: Amelia ripping off a tissue and dramatically fake crying into it. Copying mama. And possibly mocking me. Ha ha, she is the best.

Juan
Juan has exceeded all expectations. We got home from the hospital, Juan went back down to bring in our bags and returned to a house full of crying girls. He fed and bathed Amelia, helped with Maya, went out and picked me up lunch I had been craving, unpacked and cleaned up. He has A LOT on his plate and he has been amazing. My mom gets into town tomorrow, so that should give Juan a week-long break.

She is looking hilarious in this picture. Like she's the coolest kid on the planet. And possibly fake closing her eyes.

Together at home. Finally.

Amelia asks to hold Maya multiple times a day.

Sisters. Amelia just had to hold her hand.

I love how big these binkies look. So far she has hardly used the binky. She can't really keep it in and does well falling asleep without it, so I think I'll hold off and give it to her when she cries more.

I look forward to when things settle down, but as for now I'm enjoying this roller coaster adventure.

Baby Maya is here!

Maya Vera arrived yesterday, January 11 at 1:30 pm. She weighed 8 lbs 2 oz and 20 1/2 inches long. She is such a good eater to my relief, and just the sweetest baby. Enjoy pictures. More details later.

Baby Shower

My friends here spoiled me with a Baby Shower. For my second girl. Everyone is so nice. The decorations were fun, the food was delicious, it was a great reason to get together with all the friends I've made. I am overwhelmed with how welcomed we feel here and I am so grateful for everyone and their generosity. We played a few games, one where you match the celebrity to his/her baby photo. Love celebrity games, Steph knows me so well. Kasee and Steph were just the best of hosts.

 The food. The mini cheesecakes, yum. And the frosting on those cupcakes was delish.

 Look at those cute bows on the ducks.

 Luz, Karina, Darcy, Janssen, Landen, Lindsey, and Ish.

 Kasee, Sherry, Allison, Mary, Liz, and Amanda.

 Amanda, me, Steph, and Luz.

And we have 100% decided on a name, Maya Vera. I am in love with the name. 

In other news, I am being induced on Tuesday, the 10th at 8 pm! My doctor said I won't really get started until the next morning, so most likely this baby will be coming on her due date. Unless I go into labor this weekend! I still have hope. We went out for spicy Thai food last night, went on a 3 mile walk this morning. Either way, I am feeling GREAT for being 4 days away from giving birth and just enjoying every minute with my sweet Amelia. I did have an emotional day yesterday, thinking about how happy Amelia is now and how her life is going to change. But it will ultimately change for the better. The transition may be rough, but she'll pull through just as happy as ever and I LOVE to imagine my two little girls being the best of friends. 

Time for Guessing!

Let me give you an update. I will be 39 weeks tomorrow. At my last doctor's appointment, I was not dilated at all and 30% effaced. And she has not dropped. With Amelia, I was induced at 4 days overdue. And Amelia did not drop until I was dilated 10 centimeters. So let the guessing begin! Will it be the same old story? Or will this baby pave her own way and still come a few days early?! Additional info: my due date is Jan 11, Amelia weighed 8 lbs 12 oz and was 22 1/2 inches long.

And now so you can see how awesomely huge I am these days, a review of the end of our 2011 in pictures.

Juan had the whole week off between Christmas and New Year's. And here in Austin, it got up to 70 degrees most days. Amelia was spoiled with trips to many many parks, sometimes multiple times a day.

 And she finally keeps her cute cute sunglasses on. $6 not wasted afterall.

We celebrated New Year's with Amelia before she went to bed at 9.

 As you can tell, she was super into it.

 And Juan grew out his facial hair once again during break. He looks very handsome here, but inevitably he shaved today, so I didn't get too attached. Let's be honest, I never wanted the mustache to stick around. I really do like this picture though.

 Amelia showing off her painted nails. And Juan and I had a good laugh, her hands look adult-sized in this picture!

After Miss Amelia was down for bed, the second party started! We had a few friends over for games and a jammin' party! Woot woot!

 James, Allison, me, Kasee, Jason.

 I was laughing so hard because Blakely said right before, is this like an Awkward Family Photo? Ha ha, us with Blakely and Lindsey.

It was a fitting celebration for a great year. Juan graduated, I spent most of the year gratefully pregnant, we moved to our new home (meaning Austin, not an actual house), and Juan started his new career. Amelia turned 1 in 2011 and I am already calling her a 2 year old by now. She is such a sweet, easy-going girl. We love her.

Happy New Year!

And don't forget to guess when this baby will come, and how much she will weigh.

Our First Texas Christmas

We spent Christmas Eve with just the 3 of us. We started out the night with Texas Barbeque at Rudy's. Mm mm good.

 In a desperate effort to avoid another picture, Amelia showed off her awesome curls. Such pretty hair, I wish I could take credit. I just wet it down and brush it.

We got home and started our Christmas Eve program. Of course we started out with a dramatic reading and re-enactment of the Nativity. 

 Mary and Joseph on the donkey.

 Mary and Joseph in the stable with Baby Jesus.

 And a tender moment between Mary and Baby Jesus.

 I played the angel/director.

After the Nativity we sang some Christmas carols together. Juan performed a compelling version of You're a Mean One, Mr Grinch. We all sang my family tradition song Jingle Bells/Happy Holidays round. 

 Amelia rocking out to Jingle Bells. She wasn't quite ready to let go of her Mary shawl.

 Opening her new pjs. 

We ended our Christmas Eve by reading books by the tree and watching Mickey's Christmas Carol with Amelia. After Amelia went to bed, Juan and I played Mario Party and watched White Christmas. It was a perfect Christmas Eve.

 The house after Santa came. Before Amelia awoke.

Santa brought Amelia her very own kitchen for Christmas. I would say this is the gift that stole the show of Christmas for her, she LOVED it. Between every present, she would run to her kitchen. And even now when she's not excited to go home, we remind her of her kitchen and she gets excited!

 Her gift from cousin Brooke. She also loved the Minnie Mouse shirt she got.

 Showing off her new apron from The Apron Gal herself. Thank you Kasee!

 Juan got a Texas t-shirt, The Giving Tree, West Wing the full series, and the movie Charly from me. He also got that awesome Texas tie and the Sing-a-ma-jig from my sisters. The Singing doll is his favorite, Juan has always admired them in the stores.

 I got a cool omelet flipping pan from Juan, along with a kite, The Help, earrings, sunglasses, and dah dah dah Wicked tickets!!! We also got a fun game and gift cards from my parents. So nice.

Amelia was a spoiled girl with a new doll, various Minnie Mouse paraphernalia, and her letter fridge magnets. As you can see, she is a happy camper.

The rest of Christmas was spent at church and then to dinner at our dear friends' Blakely and Lindsey's. They have a baby named Charlie and Amelia adores him. Juan made the ham and once again had success! Good food, better company, great Christmas!