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.