Cousin Time

Today Gma, Auntie, and Panchito came over to visit and play with Baby Girl and Baby Dos. Panchito and Baby Dos are two months apart and both look like their dads, meaning, they don't look brown and have blue eyes. When we're out and about with them people think they're brothers, even twins! Auntie and I wonder who they think we must be...their nannies?

Playing with Gma.

Cousin Bath Time!

At one point the attire was diaper and socks only.

Always Wear Clean Underwear...

...and keep your living room clean because you never know who may show up or why they may (or in my case, have to) show up.

Baby Dos arrived on July 24 at 2:49 a.m. - in our living room.

I remember when we first went to the birthing center and we requested a home birth. I also remember when I saw the amazing and beautiful bathtub at the birthing center and completely changed my mind. I'm sure if I had listened closely I would have heard God chuckling to Himself.

The whole thing just went by so dang fast even though I was having contractions for almost two weeks prior, but man! When they were consistent and working contractions it was nothing like I had with Baby Girl. My labor with Baby Girl was a marathon while Baby Dos had me sprinting to the finish line. We skipped the whole 5-1-1 warning and went straight to maybe three minutes apart, at the most. I made it to the front door and waited while Pastor Husband loaded up the car and while that was in progress Baby Dos gave me the clear message that we were now in the pushing stage.

I told Pastor Husband that we were not going to get in the car. Phone calls were made, things were brought back into the house, and midwife, nurse, and doula came to us. For the time that I pushed, I made sounds like Serena Williams on the tennis court. Somehow, by the grace of God, Baby Girl slept through it all! I probably would have lost it if I heard her wake up.

Baby Dos had his - we had a boy! - first doctor's appointment today and came out with a clean bill of health! He has already gained a pound in the two weeks that he has been part of our family. Nursing is 100 times better than it was with Baby Girl, which makes me sad because it was months before I was able to hold Baby Girl close to me without pain; however, I am so thankful that it is going well the second time around.

He is so alert and stays awake during the day and it's not always crying-awake. He also sleeps pretty well throughout the night. We've had a few four hour stretches during the night! I hope this keeps up and just gets better as the nights go by. Baby Girl is adjusting and will pay him some attention and then does her own thing. Baby Girl has had two molars come in last month! She is just growing before our eyes and will be two next month. Unbelievable!

We are now a family of four. I find this fact incredible every time I think about it. We have survived two weeks without losing any limbs along the way. I would say we're doing pretty well. Here's to tomorrow!

My Life.

¡feliz cumpleaños!

To me!

Today was such a special birthday for me..."[l]et me count the ways":

1. It's my second birthday as a wife

1. It's my first birthday as a momma (can you believe Baby Girl didn't get me a present? She already owes me!)
2. My favorite Ohio cousins and Aunt were out here visiting and spent the day with us
3. I got to see a few of my girls from the youth group
4. I got to spend the day at the beach, although we were underneath a pop-up tent so I'm not sure how much sun I really got, but at least my gringo family members were safe
5. I got a $25 Starbucks card! WHOOHOO!

It was a really good day and I'm thanking God for this last year that just overflowed with so much love. Here's to another one!

This morning, just hanging out.

Baby Girl being well protected from sun & sand.

She's going to be just like her daddy...not loving the beach.