Happy 3 Months

Mommy and Daddy wake up to a cuddly, smiling and cooing baby everyday. You are currently sleeping in your crib till the 3/4 am feeding then somehow magically you slip into bed between mommy and daddy...how that happens we do not know. ;p. Speaking of feeding at night you go about every 3-4 hours..12,3/4 and then I wake you up at 6 to feed before Mommy goes to work.
According to our home scale you are 16.5 lbs and 25 in long, in 9 mo clothing because 6 mo is too short for you. Baby G you are slowly getting accustomed to sleeping without being swaddled but sometimes you need it and self soothing involves those little hands of yours that you cannot stop sucking on...sometimes you get crazy and make yourself gag...lol. OMG the other day I was holding you as you fell asleep and you started sucking on your thumb...it was so cute!

Daily activities:
6am- feed, sometimes you stay asleep or we play
8-9-play and talk with grandmas
9/10-feed and naptime
12-feed a little, nap or stay up and wait for mommy to get home
1-feed with mommy and then family naptime with mommy and daddy
3/4-wake-up, play, go for a walk, tummytime, sing and dance
6-feed sometimes then bath-time
730/8-feed then off to bed
12am-feed
3/4 am-feed

Currently your legs go wild and kick during your bath time and while playing. You are trying to turn on to your side but not there yet, cute smiles cover your face but when a camera gets near it's mr. serious face, but daddy and i are able to sneak some in....hahhaaha!

The abuelita's claim that your teeth are coming in due to "scientific facts" such as my hair is falling out and your increase in drooling and sucking of your hands. Those 3 signs are clear evidence, hey for all we know they might be right..time will tell.

We are getting ready for your baptism next month and can't wait!


talking to my octopus buddy in my activity mat








Why hello there? I am Gio, who are u?











Mommy caught a smile!!




Mr. Serious Gio

Swaddling Habits

Yea so Baby G is not having it...He sometimes fights me when he is being swaddled, so I figured lets stop doing this..cold turkey...he will sleep better. Yea 2.5 hours later, several attempts to put baby to sleep and several wake-ups and a cranky exhausted baby later...we ended up swaddling him with one arm out and guess what..the minute he felt being swaddled he instantly fell asleep..jeez. He obviously is not ready to be unswaddled. I was reading swaddling undo techniques and some parents comments mentioned that some are still swaddling their babies to 12 months. Yea no...the Moro (Startle) Reflex is active till 3-5 months...I suppose when that finally disappears we can start to unswaddle him. Night 2 we did one arm out again...yea he lasted 45 minutes..woke up..resettled him...15 min later..woke up...resettled him...10 min later...woke up...swaddled both arms...3 hours later...feeding time.

So we are just going to work on those habits...Oh yea naps he is in his swing or when we go for walks he is just fine...but movement is involved. I keep him is his crib till the 4 am feeding then he stays with us in bed...unswaddled...he is just fine no problem with those arms...he is sneaky...and cute and spoiled. Yes habits are forming...aggh can't stop...I will pay for this later..oh well.

Night 3 he was so exhausted from previous play time and was slowly dozing off during his diaper change and bath time, that when I placed him in his crib unswaddled...no problem! Woohoo He slept great for his usual 4 hours. Feeding time...put him back...45 min later...yea woke up...resettled him and the cycle started over again. Night 4 once again did great for the first half then he at his 3/4 am feeding time he got cranky and there was no more sleeping after that. Night 5 -last night..he was mr grumpy pants but I do believe I am at fault for this..we were out running errands, missed his bath time and regular routine..and it was chaos after that..Usually when he wakes up from his sleep he is cooing..this was not the case..it was pick me up or I will wake up the whole neighborhood, lol. ok not funny at the time but funny now. He is finally taking a nap since he has been up since 530 this morning...in his swing.. aggh bad habit.poor kid..but he is getting some rest that is how I justify my actions. lol. ok time to go someone is up and ready to go!

11 weeks

Gio, if mommy could slow down time she would!

Today I ran into a former student and her 4 month old baby girl. We caught up and shared mommy stories while I cuddled with her little girl. Her little girl is 11 lbs and probably half the size of Gio...it's crazy...she was so lightweight and all I could think was wow..last time gio was this size was probably at 3 weeks...lol...

So you are currently at 16.5 lbs (home scale) and 25 in long...crazy!

Gio you are all smiles and cooing and this morning you woke up at 5 am ready to play and start your day....mommy and daddy had to catch up with you..lol

We bought you all these new pjs this weekend in 6 mo size, Mommy was really sure they would fit just right...yea too short..so off to exchange we went and the 9 mo fit perfect in length and hopefully stay that way at least for a month or two...hopefully I said.

You are trying to roll over but get stuck half way..you are almost there keep trying..you are tolerating tummy time a little bit more and enjoy your activity mat for a little bit longer everyday. By the way activity mats are great..but they are all full of sensory overload, the first day we had you on there too long and you made sure we knew...not anymore that's for sure. Daddy was making fun of you the other day while you played and when he would get close to your face, you would turn away from him over and over again.. he didn't learn his lesson...he laughed it off and then covered you in kisses..which you fought by facing away until you cooed and laughed back!

Like I said you are all smiles, but when you see that camera pop up its all serious expressions...you little stinker..man u are sneaky with those smiles!

Today we are attempting all night sleep without being swaddled, so please bare with us, your arms awaken you from your slumber, but slowly you will get accustomed to it. As much as I like you being swaddled, it is time for you to stretch and relax and it will also help you take naps when grandma takes care of you, because she refuses to swaddle you. Grandma carries you all day because you fight your naps with her, even though she made sure to tell mommy and daddy not to spoil a baby by carrying them all the time...yea she learned quick...good job Gio! We attended our first baptismal class tonight and have one more, I can't wait for your baptism.

Daddy also picked up a copy of your birth certificate and mommy finally printed out all your 1 month pics...all 840 of them, i couldn't delete any...I will learn, but for now..We are good!

This week we are continue our walks, play and cuddle as much as possible. Nite my little baby boy...see you soon under the coconut tree!

To breathe again..

9:30 AM-appt for prebaptismal meeting to fill out paperwork...needless to say that took us 5 minutes...and frustratingly annoying..regardless...we were out and about and took the opportunity to run errands. Well we were initially going to return and exchange some previous purchases but...well....it turned into a Gio shopping spree. From pjs, crib light projector, stroller accessories to an activity mat. Yea this baby budget went out the window today..lol..it used to be we would go shopping every weekend for ourselves, now its all about Gio...as it should be and not every weekend thankfully. His symptoms have decreased except for a slight occasional cough and it was slightly sprinkling, but we still went...I made myself go otherwise we would be at home chilling. Well after a long day out, we finally arrived home exhausted, but I was determined to take Louie out for a walk...so off to Rice I went which led me to think....It is Time!!!

Time for me to kick this working out business into full gear! Pre Gio I was jogging 3-6 miles...now yea lets not go there....I was doing prenatal yoga consistently towards the end, which I totally recommend, it helps with endurance and mobility!!=p Post Gio we have gone walking and I went to those two yoga classes which felt amazing! When we do go walking, I am being passed up left and right by everyone and of every age level. Hey I have no problem with people passing me up, the issue here is that my speed is not where it used to be and I need to get back to my power-walking speed. I finally made myself start jogging today off and on during my 3 mile trek with Louie. Boy was I huffing and puffing..my lungs burned and presently my calves and thighs are mad at me. Therefore, it is time!!!

I kept thinking..do i want to reach a certain weight goal or just how my clothes fit? I am usually fixated on a certain number, but this time..my goal is to get back into a pair of white jeans..that I waited so long to get into and I can't wait to get back into. I used to hate jeans because plus size jeans are so heavy and I was not comfortable at all. Well once I lost weight..I finally understood when people would say how comfortable jeans are. But this one pair of jeans that I so covet are my favorite...they hug my nonexistent butt so nicely and make my legs look great! So I am not going to fixate on the scale, but rather my clothing that is neatly folded and stored awaiting my return. Last year around March...I was sad because I wasn't pregnant and everyone around me was either popping kids out or announcing their pregnancies. I shared my feelings with Denise when I went to visit her for a much needed girl's weekend and to distract me from my pregnancy obsession. During that visit, I wore my white jeans last and finally allowed myself to relax! Two months later I was happily pregnant and packed away my small clothing because I lived in scrubs due to work. Well scrubs are very forgiving and comfy, so there went any worries of tight fitting clothes. Present day...scrubs are still comfy but I want to be able to fit into my clothes again. When Denise and Danny came last, they bought me my first pair of post baby jeans..size 18. Aaggh! 16 was to tight around the waist and now these 18 jeans are too loose around the waist, any 17 jeans out there for me?

So I am writing this so I can read this over and over again, to motivate myself to get on it! I need to do this for myself so that i can run after Gio, who will soon be mobile and to be able to breathe again. I was overweight for the majority of my life and the last 2.5 years, I finally lost weight and realized that I was not breathing properly. Well I have seen the light and I will soon be back, no crazy fads this time..just plain sweat and work! I found a new Bikram Yoga studio in Sugarland that has great class hours, so I am signing up! Will continue my walking/jogging with Baby G, but the Yoga is for me. Luan has been pushing me to get out and run errands or to go workout, so I can have some Tanya time, but I have refused. Well I finally realized that I need to have some away time, but I will only take it, if it involves cocktails and manicures..jk! No time limits or deadlines, I gained the weight during the 9 month pregnancy and then some and I will slowly shed the pounds away over time!

White jeans we will meet again soon!!!

Happy Easter!

Hope everyone had a great Easter!!!

I survived my first week back at work, yea! It wasn't hard to get back into a routine, although now this routine includes two pump sessions with in a 4.5 hr period. lol. Gio handled me going back to work like a champ, unlike his mother...who did not...I am way better now...Thank You! It also didn't help that when I returned to work, Gio also started getting sick, started with a runny nose..which led to congestion...then easter weekend...the dreaded cough...all I kept thinking do not get into lungs! I refreshed myself with allergy vs cold symptoms. Thankfully, he did not get a fever and nose drainage stayed clear, also helped that we sucked his poor nose free of all crap periodically, poor baby. Luan took over that job, I couldn't handle hearing him cry anymore, it worked and he slept alot better afterwards.

Saturday morning, we were cleaning up and I got it in me that we had to take Easter pics with the Easter bunny, we found one close by and off we went to the mall. I think I handled it well...really trying my hardest to avoid the malls with Gio, he is too young for all that crowded mess especially on a Saturday. Jeez, I was shocked to see so many babies younger than Gio just out and exposed, but I suppose everyone is different. As Luan pointed out, all the "protecting" I have tried to do..obviously hasn't worked since Gio is currently sick..thanks loving hubby...=/ Although I am certain Gio has more allergies than a cold, the pollen here has everyone in Houston sniffling and coughing...great! Anyhoo, we finally arrive to the Bunny area and they are about to go on their lunch break, but we were able to get in line, sweet no long waiting. Gio wakes up from his nap just in time for pictures and does pretty well with the Bunny. Since he is not at the point of looking back as to whom is holding him, he had no clue...just chilling with the bunny..=p. We had some time to spare so I put Gio in the sling and we perused the mall and I even got my eyebrows threaded finally, woohoo! Luan said wow you look like a lady again...thanks loving hubby..he can say the most loving things...boo! We were greeted by Denise and Danielle when we arrived home, who had come into town for the Alicia Keys concert. Gio received cute presents from Auntie Denise and Uncle Dan, John and Deanna Sanchez and Lindsay and Jeremy. He is so loved and blessed by our family and friends.

Sunday-I woke up not feeling well at all, I barely slept since Gio was not feeling well, he was up every 2 hours or going thru a growth spurt who knows... I was drowsy and dizzy, not a good combo. The day started off dark and gloomy and finally the sun came out. Mom and Luan BBQ'd while Gio and I slept off and on. Luan hid the eggs around the backyard and off Gio and I went in search of them. I need more practice, I couldn't find all of them...next year I will be better, lol. Gio could care less but everyone was so excited to celebrate Gio's first Easter. Every time I tried to eat or get some rest, Gio was ready to eat or probably just needed some time to quietly rest. I think poor Baby G had over stimulation on Sunday! He did not rest well and Mommy ended up not resting at all sun/mon...which led me to crash hard Monday evening..yikes! I had a fever, body aches and just felt horrible, thankfully I did not pass this fever on to baby G. I overloaded on all my vitamins, garlic and slept every minute I could between feedings...Tuesday I was a whole new woman. (Note to new moms: Try to get some sleep! Note to myself: GET SOME SLEEP!!)

This week has been ok, Gio is finally sounding alot better and the weather has finally calmed down thankfully. We are slowly returning to our routine and Mommy is going to bed at 10 every nite which has helped alot. Baby G is waking up currently at 12, 4 and 6ish. woohoo, some progress. Last week I would leave my mom a sleeping baby, currently he stays awake while I get ready for work..=p I was leaving for work on time...but it is hard not to play with Baby G in the morning...he is awake and I am free...so we play and talk...what? He was eating two bottles while I was gone the first week..but he only takes one now from my mom and waits till I get home to eat...lol..little man is learning my schedule...let's see what he does next week. He is changing daily and when I get home...I let everything else go and dedicate every minute to him...but I need to start getting back on track and focus,,eggh who am i kidding...love those cheeks!

Hope everyone is having a great week, my little one is 2.5 mo this Sunday he will be 11 weeks....crazy! We are starting his baptism classes this Monday and the actual Baptism is scheduled for Saturday, May 15th. I just got a call from an organizer that I have to go on Saturday at 9AM (crazy) to fill out paperwork so that we don't take time from the actual class....r u kidding me...jeez..I am supposed to bring a copy of his birth certificate with me...yea bout that..I still haven't gotten a copy...woops! Hey it took me almost a year to change my last name...lol...must get that ASAP!! I am also determined to print out all of Gio's pics and put them in photo albums and to make a photo book. Hubby is fighting the printing bc he wants to keep everything on a DVD, yes I understand that...but I loved looking through photo albums as I grew up and with everything being digital..you kind of lose that..so guess what I am going to print it out anyways...LOL. Like he stood a chance on that issue...=p