A Sweet Reminder!

Don't you just love how God always finds a neat way to make every day special and make you smile? Especially when you most needed? A few days ago, I was feeling a little overwhelmed and somewhat tired. Ya know...sometimes you have a million things running through your head and you know that somehow it all has to get done whether you have the energy or not. Well, while I sat across the room I noticed my that my husband had sent me a text message. I totally love hearing from him through the day especially when he works 12 hrs a day. I picked up the phone and this is what I see....



with the message "you sent me this pic the day before Karina was born, 24 hours before she was born crazy. That night we went to the hospital"

WOW...talk about making my day!!!! I immediately glanced at the picture and transported myself to that very moment. The moment I laid in bed with pain that in reality were early contractions hahaha! My reason for sending my hubby this pic via text was to make him smile because I knew how much he loved to see and kiss my belly. Little did I know that our precious baby girl would be in my arms almost 24 hrs later. I sent him this pic at 11:33am and she was born the next day at 12:06pm. Better yet..little did I know that a couple of months later God would be putting in my husband's heart to send this very same pic to me to remind me that I have a gazillion reasons to smile:D My overwhelmed mind immediately forgot about my mental "to-do" list and simply enjoyed the sweet kiss from the Lord. Reminds me of the song, "Simple bareneI love the way God works don't you?!?!?

It's incredible to think that in the picture she was getting ready for the big journey she would take to meet us and forever be part of our lives. What seemed to me like a typical day was a day the Lord had chosen to bless us with our miracle. I look at the picture over and over again and try to imagine what Karina's world must have been like in there, what ran through her mind at that point in time and what it felt like to know that she would be finally meeting her mommy and daddy! Life is precious and such a beautiful miracle. Thank YOU LORD for giving us life!

And thank YOU my Lord for this very special moment...one we will never ever forget..





Now the Lord makes us smile through our baby girl every day<3

We Found Our Treasure!!!

I've been MIA for a lil bit but I am so happy to announce that our beautiful baby girl Karina Rocio is finally with us....she's been part of our lives since we started praying for her and throughout the pregnancy...BUT she's HERE!!!! We are officially mommy and daddy!!!!!!!!! Sorry..I can't contain the joy:D

And now..for the birth story which some of you have requested I share:D

As most of you know, she was due to be born April 4th something we thought was oh so cool since it was Easter Sunday! What a perfect day to welcome our lil girl. Now daddy loved the thought yet deep down he wanted her to be born on April 1...yep...he's definitely my Goofy! He wanted an April Fools baby hahaha! Ever since my 2nd trimester I had been feeling the famous Braxton Hicks....pretty manageable.

* Monday March 22 though I started feeling stronger pain, nothing too crazy but more like medium menstrual cramping in my pelvic area and dull lower backache that wouldn't go away. I didn't think too much about it and felt that since I was already on week 38 it was just my body slowly getting ready for the big event.
* Tuesday...pain got a lil stronger but still nothing crazy, I cleaned, cooked, had a very normal day around here.
* Wednesday - I had my weekly doctor appointment. I was so excited cause my mom would join us this time. We even had my dad and my nephew Isaiah come out to cheer for us. I looked at my mom in the waiting room and told her that with all the discomfort I felt...I must have dilated about 2 cm. We were so excited to find out! We go in, doc checks me and says..."No dilation, cervix is hard". Huh? I asked him if the baby was in the pelvic bone yet...he told us that she was lower but not there yet. Honestly, I was a lil sad because I wanted to be a little closer to meeting her but I had told my Lord that He would be the one to dictate when Karina would make her entrance and I regained my joy and smiled again! I was glad to know that everything was going great! That day, my sister and brother-in-law needed my husband's help since they were moving so we went over to lend a hand. Well, I went more for moral support;D I actually helped watch my nephew while they moved the furniture/loaded the truck. I realized that I was even more uncomfortable by that evening. My back pain had gotten stronger and my pelvic pain was a lil more intensed but I nothing to rush to the hospital for. I noticed I felt exhausted and told my hubby that I wanted to call it a night. I got some much needed rest that night!
*Thursday - Was a very typical day around here...hubby took off to work, I cleaned, cooked, got some scrap booking done (the page where I would put her birth details) and looked forward for my husband to come home so we could enjoy another episode of our fav shows. The entire day I had felt a lil more and more pain but I remained calmed. At one point though for peace of mind I called the Douala that we know and described the pain. She simply told me to relax and that the pain were just my pelvic ligaments stretching preparing for what was to come. Having heard my doc's and the Douala's diagnosis, I figured it was nothing to rush to the hospital for. We watched out shows...which I have to mention one of them was The Office so I was cracking up even through the pain hahaha! Once were ready for a shower...my husband noticed I was in stronger pain and decided he would time it. He realized the pain was coming on closer and closer. I told him laughing and in the middle of pain, "I don't know if we're timing Braxton Hick or real contractions but at least we're getting practice" hahaha! We took a shower which gave me some relieve but not enough to take away the pain. My husband was amazed at how calmed I remained....I even amazed myself! I learned in our birthing class to remain calm, focused and to breath through the pain and it helped so much. Most important though we had the Lord watching over!

After the shower, we laid on the bed and my husband noticed I was still in pain so he offered to take me to the hospital. I thought about it for a bit cause I had a feeling they would only send us home and thought that maybe we could give it some time but I then decided it was best for me to go. We took off at bout 1:30is AM on a rainy morning. We took our time to get to the hospital, we loved that fact that it was raining and enjoyed some delicious combos! We even had a great conversation going and keep bringing up the fact that we'd be sent home for sure. We got to triage and I was in pain but seemed really calm. The nurse that checked me in assumed I wasn't in labor due to the fact that I seemed so at ease. Little did she know that she was completely wrong hahaha....YES....they took me back and checked me. The nurse that checked me was like..."yes, you're 5 CM, CERVIX IS SOFT, YOU'RE IN LABOR SO YOU'RE STAYING" I felt my blood pressure drop and started shaking out of nervous/shock hahaha! My husband was whiter than white and in shock. I thought he was going to pass out lol. We couldn't believe it..we seriously thought we were going to get sent home. It took us quite some time to process it all. Within minutes I was being wheeled into my labor room....ahhh it still gives me the chills. It all happened so quick. Good thing we had taken our bags and car seat with us! I called my mom at 2:30am and told her I was in labor. She thought I was joking...as if I was that cruel to wake her up at 2:30am and joke about being in labor hahaha! That would be cruel huh? She got off the phone and was by my side within minutes! I had already decided not to use an epidural or pitocin (during labor) and made that known in my birthing plan. The anesthesiologist came in and due to protocol had me sign papers anyway. I told him I have a lil scoliosis so he checked me and told me that I wasn't a good candidate for an epidural because my scoliosis would most likely come with a twisted spine and there was a risk they would miss the spot and shoot the meds int he wrong place. I was a lil shock to hear this but didn't matter cause I was determined not to use meds. From 5cm to about 7cm I felt pretty good, got a popsicle, took pics, talked to my hubby and mom, and even got on the birthing ball. Then 8cm came around and yes...I felt that pain. I kept my breathing technique until I got really exhausted and got put on oxygen which helped alot then it was too much oxygen making me hyperventilate which made me vomit really bad TWICE. Try being in the middle of a contraction while vomiting...I thought I was falling apart hahaha! I still did my best to stay focused, as calm as I possibly could and but pain is pain and this baby was ready to meet us. The pain way more intensed and I was very close to 9cm. I couldn't even open my eyes from the pain so I decided to fix my eyes on the Lord literally. I had a beautiful of my Lord looking at me giving me strength while angels held me up. It was so beautiful! That's what I focused on! I had the nurse and my husband telling me I could do it...but I blocked out the nurse's voice and only heard my husband's sweet voice which gave me alot of peace and strength! I loved it! The pain got so intensed that the nurse offered me an epidural. My mom and my husband were about to say no because they saw that I was out of it and were concerned with my twisted spine. I thought about it some and said yes. I won't lie...part of me felt defeated because I wanted to be strong and go all the way...what's one more cm but then again I didn't know how long it was going to take me to get there and felt that I needed to think realistically and humbly. Once they gave me the meds...I was once again relieved. The pain slowly faded and I regained my strength to the point where I was laughing again. Some where amazed that I was on Facebook while in labor with 9cm? This is when that occurred...hahaha! Don't get me wrong....I still do believe that it is best to go without meds and deep down I believe it's very possible to do. It just wasn't possible for me to do this time around. I feel ok with that though because had I not gone through with it..I would have endured much more pain. You see....the baby cut me pretty bad giving me vertical lacerations on both inner labia...they described it as "shredded" ouch. God was in control the entire time and I felt that everything went according to His will!

Karina was born on March 26, 2010 (9 days early) at 12:06 (lunch time and she loves to eat) weighed 5 lbs 14 oz (lil gal) and measured 19 inches. My hubby wasn't able to cut the cord because she had some of the cord wrapped around part of her neck. We also decided to donate the cord blood....what a gift of life that is!!! When they placed her on me..the first thing I grabbed was her tiny arm and I was in love. Daddy got teary! So did I:D We all admired the amount of hair she had and how beautiful she was! We were overwhelmed with joy....our beautiful daughter, our miracle baby was finally here!!! I get teary every time I relieve that moment in my mind and prob always will for as long as I live! It was amazing:D I got to try breastfeeding about an hour later and realized that it would take practice and determination but I was willing to make it happen. Her mouth is so little and that it takes her a lil longer to latch on but this would be and had been a great opportunity for God to show us that perseverance goes a long way! She was borned with a little bit of jaundice, other than that she was perfect. I never thought I'd have a little baby...the doc guesstimated 6 1/2 lbs but I loved it cause she fit in my short arms just right! She is a bundle of joy! My family came to meet her that afternoon and two days later, my hubby's came driving all the way from California to meet her. She was surrounded by so much love. Our families have been more than blessings! We thank Gof for their servant hearts..they've been over to cook, clean and love on us! Our first night at the hospital went pretty well..I'm amazed at how quickly we've caught on! I was in alot of pain though due to the lacerations. Painful burning..the tolilet quickly became my worst enemy. I am slowly starting to warm up to it as I recover hahaha! It's been two weeks and it's been a long road to recovery...percocet (heavy narcotic), lots of bleeding, warm baths, lidocaine, tucks, epifoam, ibuprofen, sulfa cream, ice packs, rest and lots and lots of prayer. I'm feeling alot better now praise God! Regardless of what I've endured as I recover....she's worth it all. I would do it again if I had to..she means that much to me. My love for her grows each time I see her! She's been with us for two weeks and it feels as if she's always been here! We are truly looking forward to experiencng life with her! I want to teach her so much, to show her the world and all it's blessings! Most important though, I want her to see Christ in me and I pray that she knows Him as her Savior one day! I want her to love, serve and honor our Lord because this will bring many blessings to her life and she will then live victoriously!

WE LOVE YOU KARINA ROCIO<3

Thank YOU God for blessing us with this precious gift!!!!!

AND NOW....for some fun pics of our journey in labor....

My mom was right by my side and it gave me alot of comfort..we never stop needing our moms!




My sweet husband never left my side. I can still hear his voice telling me "you can do it, I'm proud of you" while I was in labor!



I wanted to have my grandparents by my side as well. They were part of every important moment in my life and this was not an exception! It was super important that I had my grandfather's pic with me since he passed away last year. He still makes me smile!



I was so hungry...all I had were combos..no dinner so this popsicle tasted like heaven!



So glad my mom caught this very special moment on camera...what an awesome picture..what a great memory! It makes me teary:D



She is a tiny gal..petite like her momma...at least for now!



I was on cloud 9 with our precious gift...I was officially a MOM!!!



Such a wonderful feeling..so serene..so peaceful! Than YOU my God!!!



Daddy was loving it! I will never forget the way he said her name when their eyes met for the first time as she came out. It was something I envisioned for so long!



We are now a family of 3..PRAISE GOD!!!!

Time To Reveal....The Finished Nursery!

I know that some of you have been eagerly awaiting to see pictures of our baby girl's nursery. After much work, time and lots and lots of love..we are finally done! The only two items missing are a lamp and a mobile other than that it's completed!!! I want to thank my beautiful mom who blessed us so much making the crib bedding, painted the mural/wall/rocking chair, and made some of the decorative items for Karina's room. My mom is an angel in my life. I also made our baby several things. It was one way for me to show Karina how much I already love her! I'm glad most of her items were made with our very own hands...she will be able to truly appreciate all the love that went into them! Ready???

The Things That Happen When You're Pregnant!

With our pregnancy almost coming to end I sit back and go down memory lane. We've made it a goal to fully enjoy our pregnancy and this is a snapshot of the wonderful journey the Lord had taken us on. This is a recollection of times when I would stop and say.."so this is what it feels like to be pregnant?" Most of them if not all are times when my husband and I had a good laugh and truly cherish. Who says pregnancy is all about aches, morning sickness and memory loss? You can find the goodness in life as long as you're willing to take a closer look:D Hope you enjoy...maybe you can relate to some of these!

Buckle your seat belts...here we go...

You know you're pregnant when:

They tried to warn us that this could turn into baby making....funny thing is...we were already pregnant in this pic and didn't even know it...we we're about a week.



You must take not one, not too, not three but four (maybe 5,6,7...) pregnancy tests to proof it....even though one was more than enough for you're husband!



You start practicing holding other people's kids and wonder what it will feel like to hold your very own.





You start to get more packages in the mail all of a sudden...so much fun!



You become adventurous and want to experience the world!



You somehow need more space in your closet all of a sudden!



You might even reconsider things a bit and end up relocating.



Any sign of growth on the belly..even if it's a tiny bit means the world to you. Weight gain is now something we long to see.



Certain foods become your ultimate obsession and a must have even if it means having your husband drive around late at night to find them.



You realize that if you're hungry...you're HUNGRY and you do things you never really do like fast food especially when you order a kids meal hahaha! Boy did I feel like a kid all over again.



You start to see visions...either people come back to life or you back in the past.



Your husband's hunting skills are awakened.



Life becomes more practical.



The cry of a baby become music to your ears..it's actually cute!



You become a kid yourself and use your imagination alot more to become part of a great adventure.





You even see children with their very own babies.



Overdoing it is understimated...you splurge and enjoy it even if you're stomach is not going to be too happy.



You start to have child-like thoughts running through your head.



Greasy food is even less attractive now.



You now get the priviledge of special titles.



There now appear to be gifts for someone else underneath the tree?



Holding your belly is now the thing to do.



You want to be around others moms. So you can soak up all the great info. Now you fit right in!



Even loved ones join you and endulge in sinful behaviors...while everyone tells you it's totally ok.



Your special friends want to treat and pamper you something we don't mind.



People long to be around you and make you feel like a queen for a day!





You are caught smiling/laughing quit a bit..just can't contain the joy!



You want more of those awesome family recipes.





You get hit on the head and think it's so cute.



You become a teacher.



A writer.



A drawer.



You even find yourself pushing things around even if they're empty.



You're love for that special someone grows more intensed.





Music becomes an even bigger part of your life.



You like to see yourself glow.



You don't mind having bad hair days.



You keep running into the cutest kids ever.









Some become distant.



Some want to see what it feels like to be you.



Spending time with loved ones becomes even more meaningful.



Your Christmas presents consist of presents for a little someone else.















But you still get loved on.









You're willing to drink lots of sugar (3d ultrasound)



Your husband finds you beautiful in everything.



Some long to be in your shoes some day.



Those around you get creative and make you special things.





You even get creative and make some very delicious things.



You upgrade to accomodate your growing belly who's now taken up most of the room.



You start to see something in your hair...something you've never seen before(husband's)



Some things are left done half way done (my hubby offered to do the other side since it's hard for me to reach now but never got to hahaha!)



You become more determined and take on a good challenge.



You want others to also take time to laugh.



You like to be stuck in the middle.



A doze of extra loving doesn't hurt.






I hope you've enjoy the ride...our journey has been incredibly amazing..I am going to miss my belly but would rather have our baby girl in my arms so I'm really looking forward to meeting her in person very soon! God has truly blessed me with an awesome pregnancy...everything has gone liek it should and for that I thank Him every day! We will always be able to look back and relive this journey..the three of us!

God bless you my sweet friends<3