Baby Sweet Potato & Mango, Weeks 18 & 19!

The little one is growing more & more every week and it's exciting to know all the movements he/she is doing.

Week 18

• 5.6 inches long and around 6.7 ounces
• Baby Sweet Potato can yawn, suck his/her fingers, swallow and has hiccups

Week 19

• 6.0 inches long and about 8.5 ounces
• Working on her/his 5 senses and developing a protective coat around his/her skin

Special Cravings: Fruits, string cheese (OMG! so good) & Chick-Fil-a chicken biscuit with honey.

Symptoms: Pregnancy brain fog, leg cramps (no fun + they are in the middle of the night) & the use of the restroom 24/7

Belly Button: Still in the process of becoming an outie

Books: What to expect when you are expecting

Baby Movements: YES! He/she is an active baby, just like his/her daddy!

Queasy: Soy milk & raw chicken

Best Moments: Feeling the baby move, next week I have my prenatal anatomy ultrasound & I started reading 'Mi Libro De Historias Biblicas' to the baby. My parents got me the book a week after I was born (almost 28 years ago) & it has a beautiful message inside so I felt it was appropriate for me to use the same book.

As I mentioned, I have my prenatal anatomy ultrasound next Wednesday and I'm feeling anxious and excited to see the baby.  For this ultrasoundt they will do the following:

• Your baby will be measured from crown to rump (and what a cute rump it is!), around his/her middle, around his/her head — and that's just for starters.
• The four chambers of the heart will be viewed, as well as the kidneys, bladder, stomach, brain, spine, and sex organs
• Measurements are taken from this special ultrasound during pregnancy to make sure your baby is growing appropriately
• A survey of the organs, including the umbilical cord, ensures that they are developing normally
• The sonographer will also be looking at your amniotic fluid levels, the location of the placenta, and the fetal heart rate.

Everything sounds so exciting! I was told the ultrasound would take about an hour but to be prepared and stay an extra one, just in case.

*Information was obtained here *

Baby Sweet Potato

Baby Mango

 

 

Wish List/Must Have

Pregnancy has been a happy time for me, but in all honesty, my meltdowns have not been! I've become a bit emotional over even the smallest things. For example, I find myself crying whenever a baby commercial comes on the television...any baby commercial! I'm emotional about what to wear, what to eat, etc. I think the biggest issue for me has been figuring out what to wear because nothing in my closet fits me anymore. It's a wonderful excuse to go shopping so I will definitely focus on the positive side. Since the last few months of my pregnancy will be during the Summer, I've been searching for maxi dresses and sandals. Besides being comfortable, I also want to look cute!

I've compiled a list of things that are currently on my 'Wish List' along with 'Must Have' during my pregnancy.

Love them all!

Wish List

 

I used the Polyvore app!

Must Have

1. Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm

2. Bio-Oil 

3. Neutrogena Naturals 

4. Exotic Coconut 

5. Cocoa Butter 

Baby Bump

My baby bump progress between weeks 15-17! I'm amazed to see how much the belly has grown in the last couple of weeks. It has become a bit difficult to find clothes that fit and sleeping has become a challenge as well, but I'm honestly loving every minute of my pregnancy.

I'll make sure to take more images this weekend.

Maternity/Newborn Photo Session

When I found out I was pregnant I knew right away that a maternity and a newborn photo session was a must! I started doing some research as to what images/styles I would like to use, the type of scenery, clothes I can wear, what can ‘Baby Sweet Potato’ wear and so on. I had one photographer in mind, Liz Saldaña, our wedding photographer. Knowing her style and how she works made the decision so much easier and Daniel & I knew that we wanted her to capture this special moment. So I’m happy to say that we will be working with her once more and I'm beyond ecstatic. I have so many ideas and I can’t wait to see how my dear “Baby Sweet Potato” will look. It’s official, we are spoiling my little one already & I'm loving it!

I've been using Pinterest to see what images I can use and so far these are melting my heart <3

Just an update on 'Baby Sweet Potato':

• Week 18 has arrived and I can honestly say that the baby is moving more & more.
• He/She is about 5.6 inches & around 6.7 ounces
• He/She is yawning, hiccuping, sucking & swallowing

*I TAKE ZERO CREDIT FOR THE IMAGES BELOW. THEY WERE FOUND ON PINTEREST*

 

Boy or Girl?

Today I made an appointment at the Perinatal Center to schedule a 18-22 week fetal survey scan. This scan will be for about an hour & we will be able to see the baby's anatomy & whether if it's a beautiful little girl or a handsome little boy. Aside from knowing that my baby is healthy and everything looks normal I can't lie when I say that knowing the gender really excites me. The other day Daniel told me that if it's a girl he's a bit scared. I asked him "Why are you scare babe?" & his reply truly made me smile & laugh a little. He said "Because boys are mean and I don't want my baby girl to suffer over some dumb guy" As I smiled and look at him I told him "This is part of life and I'm sure if we have a girl whatever guy comes to our home will have to go through you first. That's why you go to the gym & you have big muscles!" But hopefully the baby cooperates and we are able to know by the end of the month what we are having!

Week 17!

I'm so happy to say that I have reached 17 weeks! I had my 2nd trimester appointment last Friday and 'Baby Onion' is looking healthy. The heartbeat is 145 and my blood test come out great! I'm hoping that by the end of the month we will know the sex of the baby.

I have felt movements as well and I got extremely emotional, I cried I'm not going to lie. It was so beautiful! 

Special Cravings: Apples (still), Cheerios, & watermelon

Maternity Clothes: YES! I gave in and bought my first maternity dress by Liz Lange at Target.

Symptoms: Headaches, constant use of the restroom, sleepiness and pregnancy brain fog!

Belly Button: In the process of becoming an outie.

Books: What to Expect When You Are Expecting

Baby Movements: Yes! Small flutters & they are amazing.

Queasy: Soy Milk & cooking chicken!

Best Moments: Feeling the baby!

I must thank my dear friends for getting me the best gift a pregnant lady can receive, aside from food of course, a body pillow. I love it!

Week 16!

Week 16 has finally arrived and changes in my body are more noticeable. The baby is the size of an avocado; around 4.6 inches and 3.5 oz. I have an appointment this Friday to see the progress and I'm hoping I get to find out the gender of Baby Avocado. Daniel and I were talking about finding out the sex of the baby & it was sweet to hear him say how nervous he is about this step. I know he would love to have a little boy (that way he can take him everywhere and be a mini-him version of muscles, gym gear, Dodger games & all that great stuff Daniel loves) But either if it's a girl or a boy I'm 100% sure Daniel will be an amazing father, I have no doubt about that.

Special Cravings: Fruits especially apples.

Maternity Clothes: I haven't bought any, yet!

Symptoms: Pregnancy Fog Brain--I've been extremely forgetful lately; I honestly scare myself at times. Tired, the constant use of the restroom even at night time and not being able to find the right spot when I sit down. 

Books I'm Reading: What To Expect When You Are Expecting & The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.

Baby Movements: As of right now I haven't felt anything 

Queasy: Chocolate & Soy milk, yuck!

Best Moments: Being pregnant has been a blissful experience; aside from the strange symptoms, it makes me very happy + I have a 24/7 companion who I love to talk to <3 

 



The fruit of the week is..

When I decided to share the news with family & friends I wanted them to be involved somehow in the baby's progress. Every week I send them the "fruit of the week". I get to share with them the baby's growth, fun facts, & what he/she is doing. It started as 'Baby Raspberry' and now we are in week 15 & he/she is Baby Orange. I love sharing this with them because they are going to be amazing parent, grandparents, aunts & great-grandparents. The cutest thing is that every week I get to hear: "How is Baby (fruit of the week) doing today?" 

With much love,

Naeli + Baby Orange (as of week 15)

Baby On Board?!

.Please have in mind that this is how I felt at the beginning of my pregnancy; however my feelings and thoughts have changed and now I'm extremely happy to welcome my new bundle.

As far as I can remember I knew I didn’t want kids. Aside from the responsibility that it entitles I felt that motherhood would not be a good role for me. To be honest I knew something was different weeks before I took the pregnancy test. I was extremely tired, I had some strange cravings and I felt that my body was changing in ways I have never experienced before. I honestly thought it was just pre-lady days symptoms. I finally decided to take a test just to take the doubt out of my mind. During my lunch hour I bought a test and the results was blank, believe it or not the pregnancy test did not give me a Yes or No answer. I decided to take it once more once I got home and there it was, two horizontal lines which meant only one thing ‘positive’. Daniel was on the phone with me and all I did was cry. I bundle myself up in his recliner and I cried until he got home (I made him buy another pregnancy test because I needed to be 100% sure). I took it once more and it was positive again. I honestly did not know that a human being can experience so many emotions at once. Aside from crying I felt anger, confusion, stress, happiness, back to crying, anxiety, sadness, distress; well you name it, I felt them all! No one prepares you for this, especially if it’s not a planned pregnancy.  At that point in time only two people knew, Daniel & Jessica and I must thank them from the bottom of my heart for all their support, love and unconditional patience. The same week I found out about my pregnancy I started bleeding and it was then when an enormous amount of guilt took over me and I felt as if I had provoked this! I decided to make a doctor’s appointment (which was going to be 2 weeks away!!!) The day finally came and Jessica went with me, upon arrival they give you all sorts of paper work to fill out and once you are done they take you inside. I saw a big monitor, a rope, three chairs and a very big scary room (at least from my point of view). The doctor arrived and she was extremely sweet, I told her about my medical history (cysts) the bleeding, my anxiety and everything and anything that I could think of. She prep me emotionally and mentally for two things 1)seeing the baby 2)hearing the heartbeat. As soon as she began the examination it took less than a minute to find the baby (which by the way was the tiniest thing I have ever seen in my life) sadly enough I didn’t express any emotions. She warned me before taking the 2^nd step, which was the heartbeat. It was right then and there when I broke down into tears. This emotion, which I can’t describe, took over me and all I could do was cry, not out of sadness but because the baby had such a strong and powerful heartbeat. Jessica and I cried together (even on our drive home we were crying like little girls, it was a perfect bonding moment) Going back to the heartbeat, as soon as I heard that fast beat I knew right then and there that I was going to become a mom. My anxiety, sadness, anger, everything went away and I felt a sudden amount of ease take over my body. Telling the story to Daniel was a great experience because he cried as well. Is the first time I see him get teary eye, it was perfection! I eventually told my parents, I bought them a postcard that read CONGRATS, I’M SO HAPPY FOR YOU and I wrote “Yes, happy that for the 1^st time in your life you are going to become a grandpa/grandma” and I put a pair of baby booties inside. It was sweet, my dad celebrated by giving me a hug and drinking a beer and my mom cried out of happiness. We told our friends once we had seen the doctor for a 2^nd time and she told us everything looked healthy.  To say the least it was a very emotional month but I thank Jehovah, my husband and my family for their unconditional support and we are patiently waiting for the little pea to arrive. I know for a fact that the baby will be loved & spoiled by our families and friends and that makes me very happy.

Our Wedding

I have never met someone so persistent like my husband. He pursue me for almost 3 years before I finally said "Yes, I'll be your girlfriend". It was his sense of humor that swept me of my feet. He has a way of making me feel so calm, special & loved. We dated for a little over 8 years, we experienced some ups & downs, given that we were so young when we started dating. In a way I'm happy we went through those trials because we have grown as a couple.

The day he proposed I knew right then and there that he will always be there for me, there was never a doubt in my mind. After 2 years of being engaged we decided to set a date, 12/18/2011. We opted for a small wedding, less than 100 guest, because the idea of sharing our special day with family & close friends was something we really wanted to cherish.

Due to the fact that the sun sets early in December we did a first look. I cried, we smiled, made jokes..it was the perfect time for us to feel at ease moments before the ceremony.

Here are some images that our lovely photographer, Liz Saldaña captured on our special day.

If you'd like to see more images please visit Liz's website here