Full House

My brother Carlos is visiting from México (he is currently going to school down there) and so my family came to visit us. They were hoping baby Addison would be here by now, but still no baby. We had a good time together and they got to feel Addison plenty of times.
While they were here we were able to celebrate my sister Maura's birthday, as well as Marcos'. They requested smoked ribs and so smoked ribs they got. I also baked a cake, that we all decorated with the left over fondant from Maya's birthday cake.
Their visit went by fast, but I am glad they came.
Thanks for coming familia!

When I was a little girl

I looked like this:

You really are 18

It is hard to believe my little sister turned 18 years old today! It feels like yesterday when Carlos and I were watching her and playing with her in the back of dad's truck. I don't remember how old she was, but she was really tiny. This is not the greatest of memories, but thought it was good to share. One day we were supposed to be taking care of her while mom did laundry in the back patio. We decided it was funner to watch a parade that was going on just around the corner, than to watch a baby. We left my little sister unattended and took off for a few minutes, when we came back she had fallen and cut open her little cheek. Her little white and blue dress was covered in blood and my heart ached. We called mom and she came running to get her. Mom took her to the local clinic where they gave her a few stitches. This incident left her a scar that is still there to this day (it is very little and hardly noticeable). Now she is 18 and has turned into a beautiful woman! Time goes by so fast.
I love you sister!

When Papi Goes Running

Maya gets a treat. Phillip likes to have frozen fruit shakes after his runs. He usually shares with Maya and she loves it!

My First Time

Today was my first time using Hot Rollers and I loved them. They are so easy to use. I think using hot rollers will become a Sunday morning ritual.

While Having Dinner

Maya copied every movement of mine. I was feeling really tired and sleepy. I didn't realize how much I was yawning, but Maya certainly did. She rested her right elbow on the table and put her hand on her right cheek, just like me. Then, she proceeded to do a fake and overly exaggerated yawn, and said, "Mommy, I so tired." I busted out laughing, and my sleepiness went away (at least for a few minutes). Oh, how I love motherhood!

Maya Visits the Dr. and Mommy Gets an Ultrasound

Yesterday we went to Maya's 2 year check-up. She is doing great!
Head circumference: 19 1/2 in.
Height: 2 ft 11 in.
Weight: 36 lbs.
They asked me a few questions about her progress of learning, such as "does she say more than 50 words?" Heck, I don't know. I didn't know I had to be counting all the words she is learning :) Lets just say, she is a chatter box and she knows LOTS of words. She also says full sentences and ask questions like, where are you?, I want milk (no longer I want milky), I want food, I want outside, I want to go, I want to shower or I wanna showee (one of her favorites) and many more.
I guess I should do a better job at documenting her progress. Now, I feel like a slacker :)
She also got her first dose of the Hepatitis vaccine and I won't have to take her back for another 6 months.
I AM GRATEFUL FOR A HEALTHY DAUGHTER, WHO IS FULL OF ENERGY AND BRINGS HAPPINESS TO MANY PEOPLE.

After Maya's appointment we went grocery shopping and then headed home. We needed to pick- up Phillip, because I was having a ultrasound done. During the ultrasound they confirmed us that she is in breech presentation, feet first. She was being stubborn and didn't let us see her face very well, she kept hiding behind her little hands. No big deal, we will see her really soon.
Now, the next step is to have the version or ECV done. I hope it works and if not I think we will just do C-section :(

What if my baby is still breech near term?

Babies who are still breech near term are unlikely to turn on their own. So if your baby is still bottom down at 37 weeks, your caregiver should offer to try to turn your baby to the more favorable head-down position, assuming you're an appropriate candidate.

This procedure is known as an external cephalic version (ECV). It's done by applying pressure to your abdomen and manually manipulating the baby into a head-down position. (If your caregiver is not experienced in this procedure, she may refer you to someone who is.)

ECV has about a 58 percent success rate in turning breech babies (and a 90 percent success rate if the baby is in a transverse lie.) But sometimes a baby refuses to budge or rotates back into a breech position after a successful version. ECV is more likely to work if this isn't your first baby.

Not all women can have ECV. If you're carrying twins or your pregnancy is complicated by bleeding or too little amniotic fluid, you won't be able to have the procedure. And, of course, you won't have a version if you're going to deliver by cesarean anyway — for example, if you have a placenta previa, triplets, or have had more than one previous c-section.

What is an ECV like?

Having a version isn't entirely risk-free and some women find it very uncomfortable. You'll want to discuss the pros and cons with your caregiver.

Severe complications, while relatively rare, can occur. For example, an ECV may cause the placenta to separate from the uterine wall so that your baby has to be delivered right away by c-section. The procedure may also cause a drop in your baby's heart rate, which, if it doesn't resolve quickly on its own, will require an immediate delivery.

For these reasons, a doctor should do the procedure in a hospital with facilities and staff available for an emergency c-section in case any complications arise. You'll be told not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the procedure, in case you end up needing surgery.

When you go in, you'll have blood drawn and an IV will be started. Women who are Rh-negative should get an injection of Rh immune globulin for the procedure unless the baby's father is also Rh-negative. Your baby's heart rate will be monitored for a time before and after the procedure.

You'll have an ultrasound beforehand to check your baby's position, the location of the placenta, and the amount of amniotic fluid. The ultrasound will be repeated after the maneuvers are performed. (Some doctors also use ultrasound during the procedure.)

Some studies show higher success rates for ECV when uterus-relaxing drugs are used.

I am starting to get nervous about this whole version procedure. I hope it goes well. Have you or somebody you know have this done before? Please, share your thoughts with me.

Can I just say...

I love you Maya!!! You make me HAPPY, SUPER HAPPY!

Still in Breech Presentation

(37 weeks)

Addison's favorite position is head up. I can understand her, I guess (how uncomfortable would it be to be head down for weeks). But, come on Addison mommy doesn't want a c-section. I will have an ultrasound tomorrow morning and the doctor will go from there. She is going to try to turn her by performing an ECV on the 25th. I am a little scared because it sounds uncomfortable, but I will do anything for this little one. She was also telling me that she would deliver my breech baby if the ECV is unsuccessful. I don't know how I feel about that one, I just want whatever is safest for Addison. I guess we will find out soon!I will soon see my toes again :)

2010 in Review

I had been wanting to do this post for the past couple of weeks and today I finally get to sit down and do it.We ran our first half marathon in Bakersfield.

We camped in Malibu and ran the Pacific Half Marathon.
Phillip and I saw Sugarland in concert.
P and E went to The Wizard of Oz.

We went to Jalisco, México.

We went camping with our dear friends Gladys, Fernando and Caleb.

We went camping to Huntington Lake.

We didn't miss the Kern County Fair. Maya loved riding the pony and watching the turkey races.We spent Halloween in Hollister.Maya met Santa at CALM.

Still Deeply in Love

Each and everyday I wake up and feel extremely blessed. I have a hard time imagining where I would be if I had not joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My life has been amazing ever since I decided to follow my Savior. Having my own family is a reminder to me that the Lord loves me. I am so very grateful for my dear husband who never gives up on me and loves everything about me.

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to celebrate our 4 year anniversary. We went to Frugatti's an Italian restaurant here in Bakersfield, definitely one of my favorites. The food was delicious, but the company was even better. The whole time I just kept thinking how lucky I am to have a husband like Phillip. He is the perfect man for me, he is a righteous man who always tries to do what is right, he is a worthy priesthood holder and he loves us, his family. Everything he does, he does for us and never complains. He is always trying to do better and is a great example to me. Can I say again, I JUST LOVE THIS MAN! I still remember our first date, and then I knew he was the one for me. I can't wait for all the years to come that we will get to spend together. I look forward to all those experiences that will strengthen our relationship. Thanks honey for the wonderful 4 years of marriage!When our love was first flourishing.

At Frugatti'sMy lovely husband, feeling really stuffed after a loaf of bread and half a plate of yummy pasta (and most of my potatoes).

After lunch, we went for a little walk and Phillip took some pictures of me with my expanding belly.

I had a hard time picking my favorite, so you get to see all of them.I love my belly. I just don't like her being right under my ribs :)

36 Weeks

4 more to go! I can't believe is almost time to meet little Addison. I have been working all week, trying to get all her things ready. I washed all of her clothes, blankets, folded everything and put everything away. I also, washed the car seat cover, her bouncer, and cleaned her bath tub.Today I went shopping and got all the things we needed (what I could think of). I packed Addison's hospital bag and I still need to put mine together.

Phillip started working on her room, we want to have it all painted before she gets here. Maya has been my little helper too and she keeps lifting my shirt and tries to play with my belly button. She thinks is funny, but I think it feels weird.36 weeks

Happy Birthday Little Maya

We celebrated Maya's birthday this past Saturday, the 8th because Phillip worked the 1st. I was so excited to have a party for her because I knew she would enjoy playing with her little friends. We didn't know what theme to pick for her party because she likes so many different things, but we ended up going with Dora. We had Dora decorations, a Dora Cake (which I take all the credit for :) ), a Dora piñata and Dora goodie bags. For lunch we had barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs (thanks honey for cooking), frog eye salad and chips.

Maya was so excited and had so much fun with all her friends. She was a little sick, but that didn't stop her from enjoying herself and those around her.

I baked the Tomlinson strawberry cake and used cream cheese frosting. I made marshmallow fondant to make all the balls and stars. Here are all the kids having lunch.

The little ones and not so little ones had fun braking the piñata!

After the piñata we had cake and ice cream.

Then we opened presents :)

Thanks everyone for coming to our little girl's fiesta.