6 months and counting!

Hey loved ones! It's been a while since I've written. Things got hard for the past 6-8 weeks. 2 things: sleep regression and teething. At about four and a half months, he went from only waking once per night to waking every 2 hours consistently. We're on week 6 of him going down between 9-10:30, then waking at 12:30, 2:30, 4:30, and then up for the day at 6:30. It's SO brutal. It's been just so tough, I am perpetually exhausted. He has also been teething; very fussy the majority of the time, and in a lot of pain. His bottom 2 front teeth just came in and you can see them when he smiles, soooo cute! He is definitely less fussy now and smiles a lot. He gets really excited when he sees one of us and loves to laugh and explore everything. He is now in the 80th percentile of height and weight for his age. He's a big boy! He is six and a half months but wear clothing for 12-18 months. Hehe. We have gone through so many little rompers and onsies that no longer fit anymore. But we have been getting lots of cute hand me downs! I am just taking things one day at a time and it should get easier soon. We're trying different things to help with sleeping too. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, we should hear back tomorrow about an offer we submitted for a house we LOVE in Burbank, CA. It's just perfect and we're really hoping it works out. We will keep everyone posted. Things have been good for us. We are so lucky to all be healthy. Jesse came to visit a few weeks ago and we had an awesome time together! He spoiled us! Took us to a Dodgers game, took great care of Levi, and made so much delicious home cooked food. He even brought herbs and veggies from his garden in NY! My favorite thing that he made was well, everything! Pesto, blueberry pancakes, apple crisp, and granola, using my Mom's old recipe. Such good times. I cherish those days! Work is going good for both Marcelo and I. We are struggling a lot with not getting sick since we are both so exhausted all the time, and this is all with his Mom's regular help to us. Can't imagine life without her! So we count our blessings. Love to all!

blogs

Ummmmm, omg, ok. So apprently I have 2 "mamas journey" blogs!!! What the hec. I've noticed that posting to these blogs has given me so much trouble in the past months...posting from my phone usually gives me difficulties with the pics and trying to post just now from my computer, is also giving me trouble. Not to mention the formatting. I type them in niced formed paragraphs with spaces and such and then when they publish, they turn into a blob. Frustration! I will try posting a link to my other blog. Looks like all the posts I have made in the past months (since I got my new phone) have been posting to my other blog. Meh. I'm confused, and frustrated! and yes, gah! just tried to insert a pic here and wont work :-( boo

5 months and counting!

Big boy! Levi is now 17+ pounds and 24 inches long. And as cute as ever, I might add :-) Phew, a moment of calm has finally appeared. And the house is clean! Clean clean clean clean! And that makes me so happy. I have to say, I have never ever worked as hard in my life as I have the past 5 months. Ha! Most, if not all days, both Marcelo and I just don't stop moving. On Saturday we took turns sleeping cuz we we're both so drained. But I am so glad, cuz we are doing it. We're already 5 months in and Levi is thriving and happy! I feel like we are really getting into a groove with life as a family. It is getting a bit easier too! The big challenge these days is teething, and lots of teething pain and "scream-crying" which visits on most nights. It's hard to see him in so much pain. Some frozen teethers seem to help, but the pain seems very consistent. I wish there was more we could do but it often boils down to just holding and soothing him while he cries. He is also much more mobile! He rolls a lot! If I put him on the floor in one place, he can end up on the other side of the blanket in no time! And he loves it, he loves hanging out on his tummy and putting anything and everything into his mouth. Hehe. He also loves to grab anything he can. We always wear him facing out in the baby carrier (wearing baby on our chest) and he will grab with and play with anything. He's also vocal often squealing with joy and saying "meh meh meh meh." Its pretty darn cute. He plays upright in his bouncer and can almost sit without assistance. Also, it is so exciting that he has started his "Shrimp" category swimming lessons. He has already had two of them and has a 30 minute lesson on Sunday mornings at the YMCA with like 8 other babies. We are in the water with him and we practice kicking and paddling, jumping, blowing bubbles, water-snake, and use kick boards and noodles as well. And we sing. It is pretty darn cute! The YMCA is awesome, I got him a very inexpensive membership and so it includes 90 minutes of child care so I can work out too! I took advantage this morning, for the first time, and got to lift some weights and go for a swim and a dip in the hot tub. It was heavenly! He cried a bit when I left but I think he was OK. It is hard to leave him, but I have good faith in the staff there, they are great. And besides, he's only a room or two away from me. I hope to do yoga on Thursday. I have been walking a lot with him in the park at night, but I really need and want to get back to more intense working out in addition to the walking. I also took him to the car wash today (and wore him in the carrier as I washed and vacuumed), and to a couple of grocery stores. It's good to be able to be more mobile with him. But wow it's a lot of work, lol. Part of my mission with weight training, besides balanced fitness, is because I NEED muscle strength to carry him around as well as the million bags I always seem to have with me. But I also look at every day life as weight lifting, so I like how it keeps me in shape. Exercise is so important to me. Swimming has been wonderful, I seriously feel like a million bucks after and it totally boosts my energy! Work has been good, I am seriously blessed to have a job I love that constantly challenges me, a great part time schedule that totally allows for a work-life-parenting balance and great pay and benefits to boot! I will try to post more pics. wish I could insert them into the body of the blog, but I've been having trouble uploading pics from my phone. I'll keep trying. SO glad to have had this moment to write and keep in touch. :-)

darn...

I got a new phone recently and just realized the pics I have supposedly posted to this blog have not been coming up. ....stay tuned...

update!

I am glad to be able to post now, have been meaning to keep folks up to date! The past few weeks has honestly been one of the most challenging periods of my life. Its mainly the lack of sleep that has made me craaaazy. Like honestly depressed and very moody. I am just not myself when I don't sleep enough and it has been soooo long since Ive gotten a good nights rest. The past week Levi has been waking up to feed more in the night and is now getting up for the day at 5:30. Gah! I am also going today to buy cereal/formula for him as I'm no longer producing enough milk to keep up with his growing body! I am still pumping and what not but think my supply may have dwindled b/c of work but mainly stress. I had a really rough day yesterday and got backed up (engorged) despite pumping for the first time in a long time. He's also had a diaper rash that got so bad that we've been bathing him 2X per day and letting him sleep and hang out naked. Hehe, it's actually really cute, but also lots of work! Great news that Marcelo got a new job with another non profit (more on that later) He starts his new job next week! He's there for one week, then goes back to his old job the following week, then returns to the new job for good. So needless to say he has been super busy trying to tie loose ends and what not, working extra hours and weekends and coming home completely spent. Marcelo and I literally arrive each day so exhausted we just constantly negotiate and take turns so the other can rest. We did have a nice Fathers Day at the Arboretum and above all, are truly enjoying the hec out of Levi. He is sooooo adorable and each day truly brings something new. He's been really into squealing with joy, grabbing stuff, and now doing a lot of kicking and moving with his legs and feet. Its all so amazing. The days of going to the gym whenever I want are so over, lol. But I'm learning to be OK with it. I have been trying to make it once a week for a yoga/hot tub session which I love so much. It has been also really fun walking at a local park with a lake and tons of people with levi in the stroller. I want to start incorporating him into my activities! We usually walk between 1-4 miles and its great. SO to sum it up its been as equally amazing as it has been challenging. And, like always, onward we go!

sunday

well here I am lying in bed and I mostly feel exhausted. For those parents that told me that my life would change forever after having a baby, well you were right!

Each day brings something new and for now I am just lying here letting it all sink in a bit more. Both Marcelo and I, and his Mom too have been working incredibly hard taking care of this little guy and I want to recognize that. It is truly a labor of love, and of joy, and definitively a labor. I have been pondering too, on how physically intensive the labor is as he is getting much bigger and much heavier. I generally love exercise, but it is a challenge when I am physically exhausted.

Indeed I want to just take a moment to recognize my own efforts and feel proud and happy about all the good mothering Ive been doing. Go me! I have inevidbly been pushed to my limits in these past months, and I am still going. Tired, but trucking along.

Levi generally wakes up several times per night and almost always somewhere in the 5 o clock (am) hour, and goes back to sleep (yay!), but many times I am already too awake by then to be able to go back. I have been dealing with pretty consistent levels of fatigue I never dreamt possible. (mmmmm dreaming..lol). And imagine, I still haven't slept more than 5 hours in a row since he was born! I truly have a new respect for all parents :-)

Its really incredible how 24-7 this job is. When Marcelo or Came are watching him, I am often scrambling like a mad woman to get things done, cleaning, bills, and your general to-do list type stuff. But I do it with a sense of urgency as I know the time is limited. There is some loss inherent in becoming a parent which I want to acknowledge and honor. The days of my indepent agenda are over, gone, bye bye, see you in about 15-20 years. The three things I miss most are; sleeping, my daily breathing/meditation exercises, and cooking. These are all great self care practices that I love and enjoy so much that really just different now, with the latter two barely in existence.
Of course I love my child and and am growing to love being a parent too. I think most of the big things in life are like a ying-yang...you have pros and cons and ups and downs. Raising a child is amazing and full of moments that take my breath away, and its also incredibly hard and demanding. Another example- the losses in my life have been extremely painful, but have also taught me a lot and humbled me so. Also, imagine how much physical pain a woman goes through in her body breaking open to give birth to a miracle!

So yes here I lay with my little angel peacefully breathing beside me and I thank God, as I do every night. I want to be the best parent and partner and person I can be. Its truly a miraculous journey, this thing called life. Onward we go!

pics

a lil update

I went back to work myself, 2 weeks ago now and so far, so good. It's amazing to have a part time schedule! My coworkers have been awesome and my boss too. She let me be really flexile with my schedule which has been amazing. The first day back was the hardest (I had an awesome day)but I was gone for 10 hours and apparently Levi had one of the hardest days of his life, according to Marcelo, who reported that he cried inconsolably for 3 hours that evening :-(It was super hard to hear. I haven't had to work such a long day since. I am so blessed that I like my job and it feels great to be back. I'm lucky to have such a great balance. Over the next 2 weeks I'll be going to a 4 day training to teach a new class. It's a 6 week course called "Healthy Living with Chronic Condtions." So excited! Other than that I've been making it to the gym for yoga about once per week which is awesome! I also walk about 2 days per week. I am also VERY tired a lot of the time. I usually only sleep about 6 hours per night and Levi is getting so big that he is heavy to carry! Levi is doing awesome, we are so blessed. He is getting very chunky. Every single day is a miracle before our eyes watching him grow and change. He can roll over from back to front, hold his head up, hold onto toys and coos with delight constantly! He also laughed for the very first time today when I was playing with him! It is so fun and exciting and so much hard work too. Probably the most challenging thing about returning to work has been pumping (my breast milk to feed him later.) It is very time consuming and requires a lot of supplies, but I'm happy to be able to do it! We are still looking for houses too, which has been exciting, but the inventory for duplexes that are part of the first time home buyers program is low. Also, Marcelo's brother, Tito, who arrived here in LA a few weeks ago with his daughter Paola told us tonight that they're moving on to Minnesota to live with Marcelo's sister. Work prospects and housing affordability look a bit brighter for them over there. We're sad but, of course, want the best for them as well. OK, well I better g to bed. Levi has been waking up at 6:30 these days! Will try to post more too. My phone has been broken but I should have the replacement up and running soon to post more pics :-)

first week back at work!

all went well! i have the good fortune of really liking what I do, my coworkers, and I have an awesome boss.

I was nervous about how it would be for me, returning to work as Levi is just 3 months old and I am still exclusively breast feeding. As far as my mental health goes, working and having daily contact with other adults does wonders for me. Again, I have the fortune of having an absolutely awesome team at work so I love seeing them and being there! I enjoyed the classes I taught and returning to a service role with the clients we work with. Somehow I even feel stronger and more confident in my role there. Even though my leave was incredibly difficult in taking care of Levi, its amazing what a sabatical from work did for me. I feel refreshed and renewed in my professional role. (as an aside, I think all workers deserve periods of extended absence as preventitive medicine and as a general standard for good mental health and improved performance). Really.

So Monday was just the hardest...not really for me but Marcelo reported that Levi was crying unconsolably for 3 hours in the evening, whichbis very unlike him. I guess he missed me a lot and was even refusing the bottle. Hearing this broke my heart. I was gone for 10 hours Mon, and the most I had been away from him prior to that was 5 hours. Luckily my boss is very flexible and let me adjust my schedule so I could work shorter shifts! The rest of the week went smoothly. I am hoping he continues to adjust well. And now we have a 4 day weekend!

I am utterly exhausted right down to my bones. Each day getting home from work I only have enough time to put my keys down and wash my hands before I start feeding him and get back on Mommy duty. Im talkin like dont even have time to change my clothes, use the restroom, eat, or unwind in any way. It is work upon work. I am glad I love what I do and have a good team at home and work...but a girl gets tired. Same with Marcelo. But coming home to his cute chubby cheeks is pretty much the best.

Ok, too tired to write more. love to all. xo

i thank god every day for gifting me with a child, for the health of my child and the health of my family. our time here is so precious.

fun day

spent it at Venice Beach! Always one of my favorite places. Levi is getting bigger and less fragile as he is now 3 months old and has a little more meat on his bones. However, it was a bit tricky today as the wind by the water was very cold and we passed by several speakers that were playing really loud music and the sun was very bright when we took him out of the stroller. It was such a fun day but I think it was just a bit too much exposure for him. Ive just ordered some noise cancelling head phones for babies so hopefully those will help.
Marcelos Mom is seriously so cute, she brought cut up watermelon and a sandwich for each of us. We had diner at their house after and she showed my Auntie how to make her famous roasted tomatillo salsa!

a gift

Today was a really really really special day with my Aunt. We did fun stuff like going shopping, and giving Levi a bath, and eating guacamole. But mostly we spent the day talking and bonding. She shared so much about my Dad and we looked at a scrapbook that I made. She told me so many stories and things about him and his life. I am forever curious. We laughed and we cried. Together.

family

I know I am blessed in this world when presented with a list of fun touristy things to do, my Auntie, who is visitng for a week, proceeds to tell me she is here to support and help me as a new Mom and suggests we spend the day deep cleaning my kitchen.

As a team, we managed to clean out and rearrange every cupboard amd drawer in the kitchen. We got rid of so much stuff in the process and have bags for goodwill! The woman scrubbed my silverware trays! And as a team, we managed to care for the baby as well for the whole day. I could not have done it without her.

I cant tell you what this means to me! I got rid of food from 2012! Its hard to even tell how much has built up when it happens gradually from day to day.

What a selfless act on her behalf. So grateful right now. An organized silverware drawer is like having a new lease on life!

cuddles

baby: "Mooom, why you gotta cuddle me so much?"

me: "a baby so cute and chunky should never be left uncuddled!"

what a day

omg what a daaay. i have honestly never been so sleep deprived in my entire life. its so hard waking from a deep sleep (that good juicy REM sleep) constantly. Like every night. It gets to a point where I am just a crabby depressed zombie who can barely function. It really effects my mood. Luckily today I napped from 4pm-7pm, not without interruption but I got some well needed rest.

Then for some reason little man was sooo fussy all night. Crying hard and loud. Babies can cry soo loud. We bathed him hoping that would help, and it did, a little. He only wanted to be held standing up so we took turns for several hours.

When he finally fell asleep M and I embraced in a victory hug and he said "we did it!" Lol.

We're praying hes asleep for the night. I desperately need to clean. At least I am well rested and feeling human again!

We hiked close to the Hollywood sign this weekend with the family. It was so fun and beautiful in the rolling hills of Hollywood. Nature is great. Levi felt wind for the first time and it kind of took his breath away....so cute! We also saw a 4 foot long snake! I jumped back so fast, saw it curled under a pipe on the side of the trail, and had no idea what kind it was. Being a Mom has made me more cautious. I am not playing around anymore lol. Marcelo and I didn't go as high as the others due to slippery terrain but had a great day.

The first pic of Marcelo and Levi is my most favorite! So many precious moments...like 1000 per day!

snoring! - Video!

lots of new developments!

 

 

Ooooohhh weeeeee, so many exiting things are happening! Levi is coming to life right before our very eyes! They say 3 months is when babies "hatch" and start interacting with the world around them. Little Levi is 2 months and 3 weeks and so much is changing n our world!

 

He is able to hold is head up!

 

He loves story time! 

 

Here he is in his Bumbo chair, sitting like a big boy!  

 

He is very excited to bat around at toys in front of him! And...the play gym in the pic below is another one of Mommy's DIY (do it yourself) creations! This was made by cutting 2 kids size hula hops from the .99 store and taping them together at the top. Just attach a dangle toy and viola! Save yourself $60! The mat below was a lovely gift from my co-workers. Its perfect for tummy time and play time!

 

He's so interactive, look at him grabbing onto things!! 

 

Awwww! 

 

We also went walking at the park again. Levi loves to be outside and just look around. We saw a Mama duck and her 10 little ducklings there too, soooo cute!  

 

Little angel!

 

exhausted!

I have been so tired for so long! Today was just one of those days where I really felt the acumulation of the whole not getting enough sleep ever thing. Heh.

I  am laying in bed with little Levi in a rocker next to me and love hearing the sound of his little snores. :-) It occurs to me how fast this is all going as he's already outgrown all of his 0-3months clothes! He is only 2 and 1/2 months but wears all 6-9 month clothes! I seriously want to savor every moment. I love when he falls asleep on me and I stare and him and feel so much love. I am so glad to be stopping and savoring it all as I know it won't last.

No pics today but just a thought that are truly lucky, every day that we are gifted with those we love.

goodnight.

echo park!

 

Beautiful evening to be out strolling around Echo Park Lake! Here is Daddy being silly!

 

Cruisin' in the stroller! 

 

Could this little face be any more precious? I love these moments!

 

Family. Chito, Tito, Paola, and Grandma!

 

 Enjoying some Elote! (Corn on a stick with butter, cheese, and spice. Yuuum. It's a California thang!

 

Worn out and sleeping on Mommy's lap after a long day! 

cute

Grandma watched the baby for the day and we went on a tour of The Brewery Artist Lofts in Downtown Los Angeles. A much needed adult fun day!  

 

new

 

I got more memory for my camera. So be ready for a barrage of cuteness!

 

Hot day! It's been in the90's tis week. Still, he heat doesn't prevent Mom and baby from cuddling :-)

 

 

My first other's Day card! It's still sinking in that I'm a Mama. And it's pretty much the coolest thing ever. Thank you Auntie Marilyn and Uncle Tim!

 

 Snuggle time with Abuelita (Grandma)! They are so in love. Also, can you believe this babies only 10 weeks old? He's so big for his age. He's already outgrown mot of his 3 month old clothes and is wearing 6-9month sizes!

 

 Closer view

 

Sweetest of the sweet! 

massage

Today was cute! The highlight was doing infant massage with Levi for the first time. I had been hearing lots about massage for babies and thought I would finally try it via Youtube video.

It was so cute, he seemed to really like it. I think its a great practice to promote the release of Oxytocin (feel good hormone), and just to help Levi get into his body and get to know his body. He really liked it during the face/head portion and got really vocal. It was soooo cute.

Today was hard in the sense that there was a lot of crying and fussiness. Not sure why but I was relieved when he fell asleep for the night around 8:30 and I finally got some down time. Phew. I am so tired and very excited about sleeping soon.

My phones memory has been full for a few days so hope to clear it out and get some pics up soon as well.

Cheers!

sunday funday

We had a great day today! I am telling you, it is getting easier, and CUTER, and more FUN every day with this little guy!

My new mantra is "Mommy can't take the cuteness!" I seriously vibrate with cuteness at times when I am around him and I feel like I'm going to EXPLODE with joy!

In the morning he is so talkative and will have a straight up conversation with me. Today we spent the entire day together (yay!). We went to the park all afternoon to play Bocce Ball with friends and he was the star of the show. The best was getting home and giving him a bath. Marcelo and I decided we have to take turns holding his head and taking the "lead bather" position b/c I is highly coveted by the both of us. We both fawn over him and his little body. He now smiles and coos in the tub too!

Bathing tonight I literally said "well we have to stretch him out so we can clean between his FAT ROLLS!" Sooooo cute I could explode. Simply explode.

And yes we had to stretch him to get between the rolls of fat. Just amazing.

LEVI!!

riding in da car!

hehe!

4th time....

I know the saying is "third time's a charm," but let's hope the fourth time is for me! Yes I finally went to the doctor yesterday for this red, tender lump I've had in my breast for about 10 days now. I was hoping it would go away on its own hehe. I actually went to see a lactation specialist and she encouraged me to go to urgent care. Even though I haven't had a fever with this bout, she said its still a form or mastitis or cellulitis. I guess some bacteria got in under my skin and caused this infection.

So alas, I am on another course of antibiotics. I am not thrilled, but, zoom out....birds eye perspective...if having to take meds for 10 days to cure a small infection is the least of my health concerns...I am lucky! Really no big deal. I am so grateful for my overall health and the health of my family! Also grateful I didn't get a fever this time too. :-)

That being said...still lets hope that this fourth times a charm! All the docs at Kaiser have been SO nice. I showed her a pic of Levi and she commented on his chubby cheeks and how he must be a good eater..hehe!

Ok well Happy Friday!

hello

Hey everyone...just a quick update here. Things are going well, I swear Levi is getting cuter by the day, by the second actually! He keeps growing amd growing and getting chubbier and sturdier, which means more little body to love and cover with kisses!

I think waking up in the morning is my favorite...he is usually very excited and talkative. His little coos are adorable and make me melt with joy.

Marcelo and I are still very exhausted. Par for the course, I know. In addition to parenting and hanging out with the family, we have started house hunting! I am so grateful thay we have been pre-qualified for a loan (after much preparation and credit building etc). Woot woot! It is awesome but has made us all the more busier. Ill keep folks updated. Its hard to say how long the process will take. Levi has been crying much less the past few weeks, which has made things so much easier, but can still get pretty stressed when were in the car. Once we get moving though, he relaxes.

OK, well thats all for now. Ill be sure to stay in touch :-) This face is too cute not to share!

Im goin mobile!

Last week I was admiring some mobiles I saw at a consignment shop. I like how creative and different they all were and was thinking " wow, that wouldnt be that hard to make!" I ended up buying one at Target for $23 but will return it as I made a couple cute ones at home. Live long D.I.Y. (do it yourself)!

kitty cats

somebody got cozy on the couch with us, lol!

day

Oh my gosh what a day, what a day! You know you are exhausted when, given the opportunity, you lay down for a nap and end up sleeping for 5 hours! I was sooo tired and am so grateful Marcelo spent a lot of time with Levi today.

Its been wonderful that he has been sleeping through the night (mostly) now. Yess! He wakes up to feed 2 times. I usually manage to get 5-6 hrs sleep per night, but after a while it catches up with me and I literally feel like a zombie. I couldnt even think straight this morning and was just spent. Good thing Levi is so darn cute cuz it really makes up for it.

He is usually so talkative and happy in the mornings. Some days he naps a lot, but today, he didnt sleep for more than 25 min and that was only twice so we were just 'on' all day long (6am-11pm). Im so glad Marcelo was home and available to help out. We are both just so exhausted.

I also have my fingers crossed that I am back to good health soon. I had a 3rd bout of mastitis last week, which luckily went away on its own. My fever was less than 24 hours. I did see a doc and got some meds but didnt have to take since I got better. However I developed what I think is a plugged milk duct as Ive had a hard, sore, red lump on my breast for over a week now. I was hoping it would work itself out but it seems to be worsening. I hope its not an abcess. I also feel I may be getting mastitis again but am trying to rest and pump as much as possible to avoid! Lets hope this is the last of the boobie complications I have!

I do want to add in, on this note, what a great appreciation I have for breast milk. At first it kind of grossed me out but it is such a cool thing! It is very natural and healthy and nutritious. I am grateful to have it and to be able to provide this perfect 'liquid gold' to my baby. He seems so big and healthy and that is a beautiful thing. You can see in the photo below how we are taking chunkiness to the next level!

That being said, breast feeding and pumping and the whole shebang is soo much work. Not to mention how having to pump every 4 hours completely effects sleep and daily outings and activities. Wow!

Ok, Ill stop here cuz I need sleep now!

ps - I love just staring at my baby when he sleeps and listening to him breathe.

This angel

is sleeping in the bed next to me right now.

"There are two graces in breathing: drawing air in and discharging it. The former constrains, the latter refreshes: so marvellously is life mixed. Thank God when he presses you, and thank him again when he lets you go." - Johann von Goethe

I have known great loss in my life and now I experience the 'letting go' as I marvel daily at this precious gift bestowed upon me. My heart is so full!

Thank you to the heavens, my angels, and god.

cool day!

Yesterday was fun! I took Levi up to work to meet my friends/co workers there and everybody loved him! It was so exciting. They had all seen me throughout my pregnancy and threw a suprise shower for me and it was cool to bring him. They all said "he is sooo cute!" Hehe. We ate good food as it was a retirement party for a 25 years of service coworker. Fun times. I go back in a month!

Then I came home and took a much needed nap. We quickly clean up our place then Marcelo's family came over for the evening. After waiting 16 years, Marcelo's brother Tito and his daughter Paola finally got permissio to move here fro Mexico. They arrived last week and it has been so so sooo fun seeing them everyday. They are living with Marcelo's parents. Last night we made crepes and played games and laughed a lot. So glad to have more family around!

in the quiet hours of the night

In the quiet hours of the night...
his little body lays next to mine and I hear him breathing
I stare at his sweet angelic face and feel that God has given us the greatest gift in the world.

question...

I know they say "sleep when the baby sleeps, get your stuff done while the baby's asleep, etc." BUT these are the most precious moments! Yes I could use a nap and our place is a mess...but I adore holding him while he sleeps! So how is this supposed to work exactly? lol. I am smitten.

Griffith Park

Sunday afternoons have been spent in Griffit Park playing Bocce Ball with friends. It gets pretty serious. This day, Pyari and I took the championship. Each winner(s) get special pics taken at the end!

Love