New babies in the family

"FABIO Born @ 3:40 am on Saturday 15 May 2010. Weighing in @ 5 lbs 6 oz and measuring 17 in. Mum and baby are fine and proud father Simao is so very happy.

All our love Gary and Linda"




Doesn't cousin Leah look beautiful!?



And baby number 2.....

Begin forwarded message:

From: Alma Villa
Hello all,

"Rick and Danielle had their baby boy, Cruz Kenneth Villa!!!

Cruz was born yesterday, May 17th at 4:30 p.m...........it was a long day for all..........he weighed in at 5 lbs. 6 oz, and is 18 inches long...........of course he is a cutie..........as you see he has a lot of hair.........Cruz, mom and dad are all doing real well.

we Villa's are all very excited that he is here.........love to all, Alma and Rich"









Small babies! With tons of hair!! I have a feeling we'll be the opposite. Big chubby baby that is lazy and won't come out for a week after he's due! :-)

-23weeks5daysandcounting

Jumping jellyfish

This weekend was nice. We spent Friday evening at Gayle and flo's helping them get ready for their trip to Paris. They're going to have such a good time! :) gabe was showing them where the metro stops they needed were on their map. Gabe was really great at that when we were there.

Saturday Julie came up and we ran around west palm. Ate, indie craft show, then had a cupcake.

We made our way down to boca to celebrate our friend dave's birthday. We went to a place called the funky Buddha and listened to a surprisingly decent band. Baby was kicking away. He likes music.

I've learned that I can't sit in chairs for too long or my back goes nuts and hurts realllly bad.

By the time we got home my back was seriously hurting. Gayle had told me a tip that rolling a tennis ball on your back helps. We didn't have a tennis ball but a racket ball did the trick. I was able to get enough relief to fall asleep. And sleep I did. I was so tired!! I just can't hang anymore!

Sunday we ran some errands in the morning and by the afternoon I was wiped out. Didn't do a thing. But!!! We got some great news.

Leah had her baby!! A little boy (5lbs7oz.) named Fabio. I can't wait to hear more and see photos!! :) apparently he has LOTS of hair. Healthy little boy 3 weeks early. So great, all these babies!

-23weeks4daysandcounting

23 weeks!

I ordered the invitations for our shower last night!! Weeeeee!

How far along? 23 weeks!


Development:
• Your baby boy has again gained another 2-3 ounces since last week. His body and head are now at the same relative proportions as a full-term newborn. Nevertheless, he is still quite frail and wrinkled in appearance, given that he hasn't gained much body fat yet.

• His eyes are formed but still lack pigment and thus eye color.

• Your baby boy is quite active and is practicing breathing more frequently, which can sometimes lead to hiccups.

• Your baby boy's fingernails are almost completely formed.

• Meconium, a dark, tarry substance, which will be his first stool, is developing in the intestines.

• You are doing a great job so far. By the end of the month, the baby will double his weight!

Size of Santos? An ear of corn! 11.4 inches and 1lb 3oz

Weight/inches? The dumb scale said I lost 4 pounds. That can't be right. My inches around stayed the same.

Weird foods? I changed it from cravings because I have none, but there have been times I ended up eating weird stuff. This week I went to look for something sweet like a cupcake, came out with a bowl of easymac. Yup...

Sleep? Eh. Notsomuch. I flip flop a lot and just turning from one side to the other is such a hassle, I am awake. Add in the bladder issues and sleeping isn't so much sleeping anymore. It's napping.

Movement? Gabe has had a really bad tooth ache the past 2 weeks (I'm begging him to schedule an appt but he just won't...it's a wisdom tooth and it needs to be pulled and he just won't) and he woke up the other night and said he felt the baby kicking while I was sleeping. Lol we have a night owl :-) I dream about him kicking a lot I'm sure I feel it and dream about him. :)

Milestones? I now have that funny line on my tummy to tell me this is a pregnant belly, not just a fat belly. Worst thing was, I can't see it. Gabe had to tell me it was there and then take a photo to show me. Lol soon I'll loose sight of my feet too.

Also, I made my first baby purchase. I got one of those nursing aprons from uddercovers.com. :) still haven't gone crazy and bought clothes or anything yet. I figure I'll have time after the shower. People like to get outfits as gifts :) I'll see what we get and then go nuts!

What I miss... Steak rare. Sleeping the night through. Super strong caffeinated coffee. Sushi. 3 out of 4 are food. I'm a porker. Lol

Looking forward to next? Seeing my Jessie and Ella. The boys were talking about memorial weekend. I'm waiting to talk to Jess to see if she'll be ready for company by then. I would hate to overwhelm her.

Oh and this! We ran into someone who worked at the airport (not really gabe's coworker but everyone knows him because he's in the training dept) anyway I think she was high. Lol after gabe introduced me she asked what we were doing. Registering... (we were at babies r us afterall...with a scanner in hand) then she looked at me and said:
"for a baby??"
"yes..."
"you're pregnant? Or future??"
"I'm 5 1/2 months pregnant :-)"
"oh"

LOL!!! Strangest 2 minutes ever. I'm feeling pretty big these days and just figured I looked as big as I felt... Guess not! :) I'll take it, even if she was smokin somethin!


-23weeks0daysandcounting

Happy mother's day!

Happy moms day to the best moms ever, Trish and Gayle! (soon to be the best grandmothers ever) :-) as we get closer to our due date, I grow more thankful with each day that I'm lucky enough to have them both so close. It's comforting knowing I have 2 amazing women to help us... And I'm sure we'll need the help!

My mom, dad, and Gayle met up with us at cityplace today. We saw the babies movie (which was really great! It really reinforced my thoughts about babies NOT needing everything that us americans think is "necessary" - we did not register for items such as a wipe warmer. Lol) and then we all went for lunch.

It was a really nice day! When we got home i was bummed I forgot to get a photo of all of us. Oh well.

After we said goodbye, we went to register at another store simply for the $20 gift card that comes with new registries. When we get closer to the shower, we'll go through them both and decide which we'll make official.

I was totally surprised at how many people wished me a happy moms day. I didn't consider myself a mom yet, but it was nice to feel the love. :-) so thank you!!

When we got home, we did what we do best. We took a nap. :-) better get them in now while we can...

-22weeks3daysandcounting

Ella Rosson is here!!

When Ryan sent gabe the first text with a photo announcing her arrival, I cried. Cried my eyes out! Gabe said it was because I am pregnant but I think I would have regardless. I am just so happy for them.

My best friend just had a beautiful, healthy baby girl and I cannot wait to go visit and smother them all with love.

It was also kind of a reality check for me. Santos will be here in 4 months. If you would have told me 10 years ago would all of these things would be happening, that jess and i would be married to best friends and having babies within months of each other, I don't think I would have been able to process it. But now that they are happening, it's the best time of our lives and I'm so grateful to be able to share these amazing moments with amazing family and friends.

-22weeks2daysandcounting

22 weeks!

This week has been very full. Funeral, anniversaries, birthday. A mix of highs and lows for sure. Throughout the week though whenever I got sad, the baby was there to give me a little nudge (often literally) to make me remember my precious gift and to lift my spirits.

I was worried at first about being respectful to the family and not bringing attention to the belly. (I must have asked gabe if I should change or if I was dressed ok a million times) And although i didn't bring the baby up, it seemed as though people were happy to have something positive to take their minds off of the sad reason we were all gathered. And I was happy that Santos was able to do that :)

Here are a few things from the baby sites about the development this week:

• Your baby boy is still growing and has probably put on another three ounces since last week.

• His hearing is becoming more acute and his almost constant movements may be quieted by your talking, singing, or reading to him.

• His skin is becoming more opaque and his face looks more natural, since eyebrows and eyelashes have developed completely.

• His sweat glands have now developed.

I hope they're not Richko sweat glands...

How far along? 22 weeks!



Baby size? A papaya (or a small doll as one of the sites said. That's a weird way to measure the baby!)

Weight? +3 pounds - I think I'll start measuring inches around. :-)

Craving? I guess I'm not a normal pregnant lady. I don't have a single craving.

Movement? Last night I had a box of cookies on my belly as we were watching tv and he kicked it so hard I thought it was going to flip off. :)

Milestones? I got my first mothers day card in the mail today from Gayle :) very sweet.

Jessie went back to the doctor this morning and they sent her to the hospital to be induced! It sounds like they'll have baby Ella this weekend! So exciting!! We'll know more later today. Jess will be a mom on mothers day! Aweeee :-)

Bare tummy....




-22weeks1daysandcounting

Happy 5th anniversary

Today is our 5th wedding anniversary. :-)


I wasn't feeling much like celebrating after a really long and emotional day at the funeral, (which was absolutely beautiful by the way) but gee convinced me to go out and get some foods. :)

(We're at the restaurant here, but you can't really see Santos...)

We went to dinner and then gabe got himself an anniversary gift (a video game) and told me mine was the baby. Lol I have such a romantic man don't I?

Funny thing is, the baby really is the best gift he could have ever given me. So thank you papa. Thank you for my Santos :)

I'm grateful for my husband. I couldn't ask for a better partner and friend. I think about how it will be when the baby is here and we don't go out and just hang out at home all the time, and honestly, I couldn't pick a better person to be cooped up with. :-) I look forward to it! Just you, me, and the baby, baby!


Thank you for being you, geegee. I love you so much.


(Better bump photo) :-)

-21weeks6daysandcounting

Sad post

Grandma Ann passed away yesterday. We'll be going to the viewing tonight and then I'll go to the funeral tomorrow. (gabe is teaching a class at work and can't get out of it)

My heart is very heavy. :-(


-21weeks5daysandcounting

we set up the crib

Yesterday we set up the bedding set in the crib. Here's what the nursery looks like so far:








Can't believe there will be a baby in there in a few months....

Spaghetti squash

I found one while we were getting groceries. A lady told us they were delicious so we got one to try. I know, weird.


Hey, I need to eat my veggies don't I? :-)

-21weeks3daysandcounting

Crazy thoughts

Gabe thinks I'm slightly mad for some of the thoughts I have about the baby or labor... Or just in general really.

I think I'll start posting them. I like when you guys comment so feel free please :)

This morning I woke up and though, I wonder if we can dim the lights so the baby's eyes won't hurt when he comes out. I just imagine being in a really dark room and then someone turning on super bright lights (ouch).

I just want him to be as comfortable as possible when he gets here.

Anyway - here's a cool photo I stole from my iPhone app.



Yesterday I went to visit my old office. They were extrememly sweet and said I looked well. It was nice to catch up.

-21weeks2daysandcounting

21 weeks!

This week has been nothing but walking the dog and taking care of animals. Very boring. Now I'm at jiffy lube. Fun.

How far along? 21 weeks!!

How big is baby? As big as a spaghetti squash. Whatever that is...

Weight? +3 pounds. I asked the doc on Tuesday how she felt about my weight and she had no complaints. :)

Craving? Nope. I do LOVE smoothies though. I'm drinking one now. I figured there are way worse things to be addicted to :)


Movement? So much. It's so great. We play games. I push a little and he kicks back.


Milestones? Gabe can feel the kicks! He put his face against my belly and the baby kicked his cheek. I laughed so hard I cried.


Looking forward to next? We're starting to set up the nursery. Mom got us the mattress and bedding set. I want to wash the sheets to make them all soft. Plus, we have to adjust the height so that the bumpy pads fit nicely. Once we do all that I'll post a photo. It's cute. :) really, really cute.

I'm really looking forward to this weekend. The girls are coming up for a concert on Sunday and we're going to have dinner and catch up.

No photo right now. Sorry, like I said, I'm at jiffy lube. Lol :)

-21weeks1daysandcounting

Monthly Check-up

Today was our monthly check up and everything was great :-) simple. no problems no questions no worries. Thank God.

Here's a little snippit of the heartbeat. (it gets louder after 20 seconds) and at the very end you can her the swish of him moving around.




This weekend was nice and mellow. We're watching the doggie again so I'm getting some good baby walks in :-) I'm going to try to keep it going. I need to keep active throughout the pregnancy.

Sunday we saw my parents and Julie. It was really nice to catch up. We had a multicultural dinner. Whitefish for the jewish side, and stew for the irish side. It was so yummmmy. oh and my favorite, Kugel for dessert.

OOOOOOOOHHHHH Stuff my mom bought us just got here!!!!!!! She bought the mattress for the crib, the bedding set, and a mobile. I ripped open the boxes like it was christmas... I was yelling like the nintendo 64 kid. LOL




Ok, maybe not JUST like him... but I was pretty excited. Thank you Granny!!! :-)

20 weeks, 5 months, half way there!!!!

I can't believe we're already at the midpoint. It's insane. I feel like we just told everyone!

Yesterday was so exciting. I didn't stop smiling all day. Not because I preferred boy over girl, but now i'm so much more connected. I know that sounds weird but it's true. I'm having a little boy! Now I can plan and day dream and really get excited about specific things :)

As the day went on yesterday, gabe found more and more reasons to be super excited about having a boy. "I'll have an ally...we can watch dune and star trek together" and by the end of the night it was "oh thank God we're having a boy"

I'm relieved. I was kind of worried that he was a little disappointed that we are having a boy, and I think initially he was a tiny bit, but I can see the excitement now :) it makes me feel awesome.

Ok weekly question time:

How far along? 5 months, baby!!

Size of baby? Yesterday in the sonogram, they said he weighed 11 ounces. Using the wand thingie we could see that his feet were just above my right hip area and his head was just to the left of my belly button. I thought that was pretty long! Fruit-wise, it says he's the length of a banana. :)

Weight? I think we're up 4 pounds this week. I need to get batteries for the wii board so I used the boring old scale.

Craving? Aside from my crazy bloomin onion brownie combo the other night I've been doing pretty good. I'm definitely eating more now. My portions aren't getting much bigger but I'm eating more frequently. Like every 2 hours! I guess that's ok. I just have to make sure I have snacks. Gayle always gets me goldfish crackers :) those are great. Thanks nani!


Movement? Righ now, he's practicing for soccer. Sometimes it's non stop, and other times I feel nothing. Yesterday at the sonogram we learned that once he's comfy he won't move. We were trying to get a profile picture and he was facing my back and kept giving us the butt. A very cute butt! Lol we kept jiggling the belly and trying to move him around. Nope. Necio (stubborn) already.

Milestones? Yeah :-) I think we hit the big one.

Looking forward to next? I think we're going to try to plan a road trip to Gainesville to see the beckala. That will be awesome. I'd also like to plan to have one of those 3d ultrasounds whenever we can get Becky and Julie together. I really want them to be able to see the baby moving around and kicking his little frog legs. Plus, we don't have any more scheduled with the doctor and I'll probably be jonesing to see my little toast before birth!! Lol

I feel SO blessed. Thank you, whoever you are, for giving such a precious gift. I know now that we appreciate this even more after experiencing the loss in July. This July, we'll be preparing for the shower and getting ready for our little miracle. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Oh! Funny thing... I think my mom is still in shock. Not that it really mattered to her what the gender was... She was simply prepared for a girl. Lol she's too funny. Totally threw her off!! I think she's really going to enjoy a little boy!

-20weeks0daysandcounting

Hello Santos Guillermo Zavala

yesterday we took 2 photos, one with the boy ribbon and one with the girl :-)



Full body shot

face profile

holding the pelingi.... yes, he was. the sonogram lady said she'd never seen that before. Leave it to our baby to shock the professionals. Cochino!

It's a boy! From left to right there's the forehead, elbows, a bit of tummy and the pelingi with an arrow pointing to it and then the legs curled under. Kind of hard to see but it's alllllll there :-)

hand in mouth (looks like he's blowing a bubble!)

there you have it! we're having a little boy! Santos Guillermo Zavala. Or toast for short. LOL

A note to baby

Dear baby,

I just want you to know that tomorrow when we find out what kind of parts you have, we'll still love you just as much (no matter what). In fact, I think we'll love you more and more each day for the rest of our lives. You just have a very, very impatient mommy.

Love you big as dinosaurs,
Your very anxious and excited mommy

Update

Over the weekend we did nothing really. It was miserable rainy.

Our friends, however, went and got married in new orleans! We got a call from Julie the day of telling us that her and jay were in new Orleans because bobby and Nichole were eloping! I got on the computer to see if we could get a flight but the next one out would have been too late :( we were bummed we couldn't be there to celebrate with them but I'm so happy for them to be married! They are an awesome couple and I know they will be happy for years to come! :) when I saw the photos I got all teary eyed. Awe :) congratulations mr. & mrs. adamson!!

The rest of the weekend was so uneventful. We watched the puppy and chilled.

My parents came up Sunday afternoon and we went to eat and discuss yet another shower location (we weren't having luck booking one) but our luck changed yesterday and we got a place! I'm excited about it. More details to follow....

Today I have to keep busy. Tomorrow is the big day. Boy or girl?!? I'll have to go on a walk tonight to tire myself out so I sleep :)


-19weeks5daysandcounting

Binge

So last night I just had to have a hot brownie with fudge. I remembered that the outback steakhouse (within walking distance from our house) has a really good one with pecans. Yum. Then I start thinking... Outback........... Bloomin onion.

And there it was: I needed both.

I called and placed my order and the lady on the phone kind of laughed when I said those were the only things I wanted. I jumped in the car.. In my pjs... And picked it up.


Absolutely worth it at the time. I ate and watched the shining and life was good.

Until I woke up this morning with a terrible tummy. :-( no more binging Liz. Baby didn't like that.

(ps- don't you love that vitamin water was included in this meal?that was the healthy bit.). :)

-19weeks2daysandcounting

19 weeks!

How far along? 19 weeks! yay!!!

Baby Size: about the size of a large heirloom tomato.

Weight: Yay! I'm up 2.4 pounds!! LOL never thought I'd be happy about gaining but this is good.

Craving: Nope! still nothing! I guess that means I'm getting everything I need? Who knows...

Movement: Much. :-) I feel the little one almost every day now. Sometimes on the outside. The other night I made Gabe sit and wait to see if he could feel it... He said "I think I did." LOL awe. I think it will be really strong soon :) I can also feel when he shifts positions. Sometimes it feels like he's using my bladder as a pillow.

Milestones: We have picked names. but I'm keeping them a secret. :-) maybe I'll post the name next week as a way to announce the gender? I'll give you a hint though... Girl's initials will be K.M.Z and Boy's initials will be S.G.Z. hehe... you'll never guess though, they're not really common. If you already have heard rumors, please don't spill the beans!!! :-)

Overall, this week was pretty uneventful. I'll take it though. I'd rather it be that way and relaxed than worry.

UGH!! I'm watching the news as I'm writing and they listed under "sea pests to look out for: SHARKS" seriously??? Sharks??? Sea PESTS? (sorry, If you know me even slightly well, I'm terrified of sharks, and would never consider them just pests......)

Ok, Belly Photos...

Shameful isn't it? that's actually a really scary top view photo, but it's what I see. I'm so not embarassed or worried about my appearance right now. I'm thrilled to be getting bigger (weird, I know.) but it just means baby is getting bigger!! I want a nice HEALTHY big baby in September. ;-) I'm workin' on it.

How do you like my belly band? :-) I love it! it's so comfortable. all my pants still fit everywhere else I just unzip and cover with the band and presto! makeshift preggo pants. :)

how big is baby?

this website has a cool slide show to see how big baby is week by week.... This is us right now :-)

today I'm searching for sample menus for pregnancy. I've always had trouble with food. I need to eat better. Any suggestions or healthy (but still yummy) recipes you'd like to share? I need help!! :)

If you'd prefer not to leave it in the comments, email me - necializ@gmail.com