September 15, 2008 - When I found out I was pregnant with you, I decided to start a journal for you throughout by pregnancy, but obviously by looking at the start date, that didn't happen. :) Everything has been so crazy busy and lots of new changes. Today you are 6 weeks old. All of the important dates are in your baby book, but I knew i was pregnant with you even before i was late on my period. I could just feel my body changing. I was with Auntie Tanya and I waiting in the car with Ava and Celine while she ran in to Rite Aid and grabbed a pregnancy test. I went home and took the test and sure enough I was pregnant. Then it was time to tell Daddy. I sat on the couch with him and my heart was beating so fast and he finally sensed that something was up, so he asked me and then I told him the news. He was shocked, but really happy! I still made a doctors appointment just to confirm the news. On March 11th, Daddy and I had an ultrasound to find out if you were a boy or a girl. As the lady starting taking pictures, she wasn't giving up the info so I told her that we did want to find out the sex and even still she made us wait! Grrrr. Finally as she was taking more pictures, she said "it looks like a Girl"! I had a feeling you were a girl, but Daddy was Sure you were going to be a boy. I asked him if he was disappointed and he said of course not. He couldn't beleive what we got to see in the ultrasound. Pretty amazing stuff. I was so excited to be having another baby girl! Being pregnant with you was much different than being pregnant with your big sister. I felt more tired and I felt it more in my body. You little stinker! It was probably because it was my second pregnacy. Thank goodness this summer wasn't as hot since I was huge and uncomfortable. Your big sister went to Buffalo to visit her Dad and came home on August 4th, only 4 days before you were born. I was so afraid that I was going to go into labor before my scheduled date. I decided to have another C-secion with you since there is a small chance that if I were to have a vaginal birth, my scar from my first C-section could tear which would mean I would have to have an emergency C-sectioin and Hysterectomy. No Thanks! I went to all of my regular doctors appointments and for a few weeks there, I was measuring bigger for how far long I was. For instance, I was 29 weeks, but I was measuring out at 31 weeks. That happened twice so my doctor had us go for a second ultrasound. We went to the ultrasound and you were still a girl and everything was fine. It was getting close to your birthdate, which is super cool by the way. It's 08.08.08. My actual due due was August 23, but since I got to choose the date, I chose the 8th, since it was after when Celine would be home and before my actual due date. I later found out that August 12th is my Dad's birthday. I confirmed the date with my doctors office, but I had to wait until July 7th to see if I got the date at Swedish. Obviously I did. It was the morning of August 8th and my surgery was schedule at 2:30pm with a check-in of 12:30pm. Daddy, Celine and I all drove to the hospital and Nana and Papa were there, then Grandma came. We all waited to be called in and then finally we all went back to my pre-op room to be prepped for surgery. I had to lay on my side in the bed since you didn't like me on my back and since your heart started to slow. Then Uncle Lalo & Auntie Amanda and Kaiya came. Then Auntie Tanya, Susan and Lacey showed up. We had a full room. Finally it was time for me and Daddy and Nana to go in, so we all walked to the operating rooom. I sat on the table while they gave me my spinal block. I immediately felt my legs get warm so I laid down. It was almost time for you to get here! They put the blue sheet up and gave me tests to ensure I was numb. Daddy wasn't going to watch, but the anesthesiologist told him he could watch so he stood up and looked over the blue sheet. I had my eyes on his eyes the entire time and boy did he keep a straight poker face the entire time. Nana stood up and took some great pictures as they were taking you out. Finally you were here! My doctor said that she had to work to get you out! They took you over to the area to clean you up and have Daddy cut the cord. Nana was doing a great job of taking pictures. They were still working on putting me back together which didn't seem like it took too long. The nurse bundled you up and handed you to Daddy and he walked you over to me and my eyes starting to well up, you were so beautiful. I wanted to hold you so bad. Nana went back to the room where everyone was waiting to tell them you were here and nice and healthy. Daddy kissed my forehead while holding you and I was all done. Finally, he walked you back to the room where everyone was waiting to meet you, while they wheeled me behind him. Uncle Taj was there and everyone thought you were perfect and beautiful. Tanya held Celine up to you and you started to cry and Celine said "Oh, I'm not gonna hear that"! I said, you better get used to it sister! It was so funny! Celine kissed you while Daddy was holding you then I finally got to hold my precious beautiful little girl. You had dark dark hair and of course blue eyes, but I figured they would change. Nana said goodbye and left with Celine for the weekend while Daddy and I stayed in the hospital with you. Everyone left and we were taken to our post-partum room where we would stay for the next 3 nights. Daddy did great. He had never held an infant, let alone changed a poopy diaper. I couldn't walk yet, so he was changing your diapers like a champ and learned how to swaddle you. You latched onto my breast right away which was great. The nurses bugged us often to check on our vitals and our room was so hot during the day because the sun was beaming through the windows. But if we didn't open the blinds, the room was so dark, so we had to deal with the hot room. When I tried to continue to breast feed you, you seemed to be having a harder time since my milk hadn't come in all the way yet, and Daddy was trying to help me and I was hot and getting frustrated. Then they let me borrow a breast pump to try and stimulate the milk to come down and it wasn't really working. Then this stinky nurse came in and snatched you out of my hands and said you were losing too much weight (got down as low as 6lbs,6ou--you were born 7lbs) and that they needed to supplement with formula. I would have been fine with all of that, except for the fact that she just took you from me and starting feeding you formula out of a bottle without asking us first. I was furious. Finally I agreed to supplement with formula, but I didn't want you to reject my breast so they gave me this small feeding tube that was in a bottle of formula and then held the small tube near my breast, so you could hopefully latch onto my breast while also sucking the formula out of the tube which we had to do for a few of the feedings. You finally gained two more ounces and they were okay with that. We finally got rid of the tube and you were latching onto my just fine. We tried to introduce a binki to you but I think that was just confusing the matter more, so we did away with it. We had several visitors in the hospital (all the names are in your baby book). Finally it was time to take you home. We snuggled you in your take home outfit and drove home. Nana, Celine and Marissa were there waiting for us and had a banner saying "Its a Girl" and balloons outside waiting for us to come home. It was the day we got home that my milk came in, then you had no problem latching on and getting milk. The first night was intense. Thank goodness Nana was there. Celine was feeling a little left out and wanted to sleep in our bed since she knew you were going to be there. Then you started crying and so I gave you to Daddy. Nana held you while I laid in bed with Celine and I fell asleep. I woke up and walked out into the living rooom where Nana was and you were sleeping on her chest and she was holding you with her hands crossed. I thought she was still awake so I told her I would take you so she could get some sleep, but she wasn't answering me. You two fell asleep so sweetly on the couch. It was really sweet, I wish I would have taken a picture. So I did what any new Mommy (again) would do........and I went to bed!! Nana woke me up with you early in the morning so I could feed you. Nana stayed with us for a couple of days which was very helpful. Then Grandma came andn spent a few days with us. You had your first pediatrician appointment on the Tuesday after we got home with a new pediatrician, Dr. Judith Kuo. Daddy and I both went and it was the first time that we had met her and we both really liked her. You were still at 6lbs, 8ou so at least you hadn't lost any weight since coming home. Plust they measured you as 19 1/2 inches. They said said the hospital does a quick measure, so thats why they had you at 18". She asked me to come back in one week for a weight check and when we did, you still weren't back to your birth weight so I had to go back in one more week and you had finally made it back to your birth weight of 7lbs.. You had gained 14 1/2 ounces by the 3rd visit, which was your one month check up. 7lbs, 14ou. September 19, 2008 - We dropped Celine off at school and we went home to get ready so we could drive to Bellevue to have lunch with Daddy and Auntie Tanya, but at 10:30am, I got a call from Celine's school saying she had a fever and wasn't feeling good. We went to pick her up and all three of us hung out in Mommy's room for the day. She even threw up later in the evening. I really hope that you don't get what she has and that Mommy and Daddy don't get it. We need to be able to take care of our little girls. Daddy got home and made us burgers for dinner. In a way, you will sorta have burgers too, though my milk! Tuesday, Septemer 23, 2008 - Today we woke up when Daddy and Celine left for school/work. Instead of going back to bed, I called Grandma and told her that we were going to come over for a bit to get us out of the house. Today is the first day of Fall. Fall is my most favorite season. I threw on some sweats and then we drove to Seattle. It was nice out today. We hung out with Grandma and Uncle Taj. His friend Nancy drove his truck to Portland for a few days so he was pretty much home bound. Since we don't want to put you in childcare at the YMCA at such a young age, Grandma as agreed to watch you for at least another three months would bring you to at least six months before we have to make a decision on what to do next. we are hoping she will do it for longer. I think it will be great since I can leave all necessary things for you at her house.. The only struggle is having to wake up so early, then drive all the way to Seattle, then drive downtown to Fisher Plaza. Although I like the idea of having you close to me anyway in case of an emergency. Plus it's free and saving us $1,000 per month. Celine is $741 per month. It's crazy expensive. When we got home from Grandma's I was waiting for the autoglass guy so they could replace Daddy's broken window since someone bashed it and stole his laptop :( Then we had to go and pick up Celine, then drove to Bellevue to Daddy's work to pick him up so we could go to Chava and Fanny's house so they could meet you and see Celine. Fanny made us dinner. She held you and you were smiling and cooing at her. She had to work late that night, so we eneded up leaving around 8:00pm and dropping Daddy back off at work so he could drive the truck home. We got home and I fed you, then read Celine a bedtime story and per her to bed. You are in your swing that NeuroVista bought for us. It's a Boppy swing that is very cozy. Wednesday, January 14, 2009. Wow time flies when you have two beautiful girls. I can't believe it, you are already five months old! Your eyes are still a deep steely blue around the edges but you can see some light brown in the middle. It's like the brown is pushing the blue out. If your eye color does change, you will be the first in my family not to have blue eyes. If not they are going to be beautiful. I went back to work full time on November 3, 2008. I wake up each morning, get ready, change your diaper, then leave the house at 6:30am to go to Grandma's house. She absolutley adores watching you. It's truly been a blessing for her and you have given her a purpose. She is an early riser, so the house is always warm and cozy when we get there around 7:30am. She spoils you rotten though, holding you non-stop. She laughs and says she has to talk to you the entire time when she's walking away from you to pee! She says she feels guilty putting you in your swing. She has her own ways of doing things, so she's gotta set herself up for everything. One day after New Years, 2009, I walked in and the lights were dim in the living room and she had put Christmas lights on the top of your small crib and you were laying there just staring at all of them. Grandma and I have an on-going joke that she thinks you are "her baby". For instance, I got to her house from work one evening (5:30) and you needed a bottle and she had alrady made it and it was on the coffee table and she was up doing something, so of course I started to feed you. She came to sit down and she told me she felt weird that I was feeding you and not her. So I said "she's MY baby" and thats how it all started. She's a weirdo :) We had a lot of snow in December, 2008 so I m issed five days of work. I just didn't want to risk driving with you in the car to go to my Mom's, then get stuck. Wasn't worth it to me. Luckily I had my work laptop with me. Your big sister was loving the snow and even made a snowman with Daddy and named him Joey Jones! He melted quickly though. We got a few pictures of us with you and your 1st snow. When we get home each day, typically around 7pm, we are pooped. Now that you are five months, we introduced you to solid food. We have you rice cereal and formula. Daddy videotaped it while CJ watched. You weren't quite sure what i was trying to do so you kept sticking out your tongue every time I tried to put the spoon in there. It was funny. Plus you made a funny face because of the taste. The second day of it, you were struggling to poop since it has so much iron so I started mixing it with sweet potatoes. I found out later that Daddy had fed you about three tablespoons of rice cereal instead of just one, so that is why you were so backed up. He felt terrible. So far you've had rice cereal with sweet potatoes, carrots and recently squash. We'll try the gree stuff tomorrow, peas and green beans! I brought some food over to Grandmas so she could feed you solids forlunch and she was cracking up the first day she fed it to you. She said at one point, there was more food on your bib, than in your mouth and that you kept using your hands to put your bib in your month and you were licking the food off!! Poor Baby. I haven't' seen or hear Grandma laugh so since she's started watching you. At five months you are all smiles and you crack up laughing. Sometimes you'll just look at Justice or Mina and start cracking up. You are hurting your cousin Susan's feelings though cause lately when she tries to talk to you, your bottom lip goes way out and you start to cry! I think its her jet black hair. She's 16 right now. Daddy loves to hang out with you and making you laugh. Tonight when we got home, I put you in your hair chair and began to feed you rice cereal and squash. Everytime I gave you a bite and would put the spoon back int he bowl to get more, you were already sitting there with your mouth wide open! Guess you like squash. Your a pro at this eating stuff now. Today when I picked you up from Grandma's, I walked in the door and she said you were a cry baby today and that she had to rock you to sleep. I told her it was her fault for spoiling you! Plus I yelled at her for calling you names. Everytime Uncle Taj is home and I'm about to leave, he always carries you down for me. At your four month appointment, you were 14lbs and that was just before we started solid foods. Can't wait to see what you'll weigh at your six month appointment. Big sister will be leaving for Buffalo this coming Monday. Her Step Mom Bev is coming to get her. She'll be gone for one week. Celine just adores you now that she's used to you :) She can make you laugh pretty hard and she's very gentle with you and always kisses you on the cheek. You slept in bed with me for the first several months. I know, I know, thats against the rules, but to each their own! But now you sleep in your cradle right next to our bed and you are only waking up once per night usually around 4:30am. We have put you in your crib in your room a few times fora nap during the day, but not at night so far. You are sleeping right now and you look so peaceful. You never took to the binkie which was perfectly fine with us, but when your tired and half asleep, you put your left pointer finger in your mouth and it calms you down. I always take it out though. You can get rid of a binkie, but you can't get rid of a finger! February 10, 2009 - You had your six month check up and were just over 17lbs. For Valentines Day, Ava spent the day with us since Auntie Tanya had a romantic date with Jeff. Mommy had some changes at work. I no longer work for Egis Real Estate, I now work for CP Management. I still work at Fisher Plaza as I have for the last 6 years and have the same duties, just work for a different company. You will be eight months old tomorrow. You are still loving hanging out with Grandma and she loves taking care of you. we put you on the floor and your not quite crawling yet but you scoot around. Plus you push yourself backwards. I got your ears pierced a couple weeks ago. I took you myself to Piercing Pagoda at Alderwood Mall. I was nervous since there was only one lady working since they typically have two people so they can pierce each ear at the same time. I picked our green 14c gold earrings since it was your birthstone. You sat on my lap and she marked your ears. I held you tight while she did the first ear and you jumped then started to whimper, but by that time she already had the second ear done, so I stood up and you were fine. You looked sooooo cute and girly. You still dont have any teeth yet, but you chew on everything. You started to get a little temper on you since you don't like it when we take stuff away from you. You love remote controls and my cell phone. And you think Mina is Hilarious! All you have to do is catch sight of her and you crack up laughing. I mean belly laughing. We can't figure it out, but it's so funny. Celine can make you laugh pretty hard as well. She is so lovey dovey with you. She keeps saying "I love having a baby sister". Last Saturday, we all drove out to Orting to Krista and Rod's house for the Daffodil Parade. It was sunny outside and it was the first time that you actually spend a lot of time outside. A bunch of kids were there. Everyone thought you were so beautiful and a good baby. That was also the day that we all met at St. Burnadette's school since Tony & Kelly Etzkorn won the auction to have the field memorialized for Stevie Bushaw, since he died in 2009. The sign says "In Memory of Steven Ray Bushaw" and it will stay up for one year. April 14th at Safeco Field, Ken Griffy Jr. came back to visit the Mariners and will retire his jersey here. The Mariners haven't been doing well the last few years so hopefully Kenn Griffey will get some more people in the seats. What else is going on.....oh WA state sales tax just went up to 9.5!! It's expensive to live in Seattle, but its so beautiful here! My 32nd birthday is in 2 days and Me, Trisha, Erin & Tanya are all going to the Brittany Spears concert at the Tacoma Dome. She can't sing for beans, but she's a great performer! Right this second you are sound asleep in your crib in your room. You still wake up at least once per night. Time varies depnding on when I lay you down. Plus, I sweawr you've been walking up 10 minutes before my alarm clock goes off! Grrrrr. Wednesday, April 8, 2009 - Today before we left for Grandma's I fed you a bottle while I got ready. Daddy was laying with you and I heard him say "oh no" and he picked you up while you were projectile puking on his chest. He stood in the bathtun while holding you while I made sure you could get a breath in. I got you all cleaned up. You didn't have a fever and you didn't even cry which surprised me. I grabbed tylenal infant drops and we went to Grandma's. I let her know what happened so she was going to keep and even clower eye on you. After work, she said you were fine all days and that you played and ate your normal meals. We got home and you ate a small dinner. April 18, 2010 - After work I came home and starting packing Celine since she was going to see her Dad in Buffalo. Yesterday we woke up real early so you and Daddy could drive us to the airport. Daddy drove you home, then Papa came to pick you up so you could go and spend the night with them. It was Auntie Tanya's 30th Birthday party so Daddy and I got to go out for that. Daddy and I woke up today and drove to Mt. Vernon to see you. It was a beautiful day out, plus Uncle Lalo and Auntie Amanda and the girls were there. We decided to go to the street fair in downtown Mt. Vernon. We walked around and you were in your stoller, but Daddy let you walk with him. we had some lunch then walked back to Nana and Papa's and stayed for a little while but then we drove home. Uncle Carlos was at our house when we pulled up so he could grab his BBQ. Daddy mowed the lawn and I did some laundry. We ate dinner and then watched the Country Music Awards (CMA's). Right this second, Daddy is on the big counch trying to sleep and you are laying on the small couch next to me fighting to fall asleep with your sippy cup clutched under your arm. We are trying to get your comfortable with using your little potty. We took your diaper off today and I told Daddy I would clean it up if you made a mess. I thought it would be a good way to actually show you what needs to go into the potty when you have an accident, rather than trying to explain it to you. BUT.......you must have peed three times on the carpet, so I decided to put your diaper back on!
January 8, 2014 - You are now five years old and you have a little brother named Christian Avila Reynoso.
