6-months old

Happy six months Gabriela!

Wow, I really didn't think its been six months! I am the mother of a 6 month old. That's crazy. Looking back I knew time would pass, but I didn't think it would be like this. My little girl has changed so much. Here are some interesting changes

• From being, basically a rag doll to someone who can hold themselves up, my baby girl is strong. She showed her strength early on by being able to hold her head up. Now she can sit for quite awhile. She will eventually tumble over. Its a bit strange watching them fall over. They don't quite realize what's going on. They just sort of stare with this dumbfounded look on their face as they go over. She also lunges for her toys and rakes them into herself to grab.
• What a talker. I only heard cries in the early days. Now its cries, squeals, squawks, screeches, babble, and bubbles. She can certainly entertain herself and her mommy and papa.
• She loves looking at her hands these days. She stares at them, twisting them around like she just newly discovered them. She's so fascinated by this. Its followed by a quick chop in her mouth and then she flaps them around like a bird taking flight.
  
• Her facial expressions have also changed. Before I was so eager to see her first smile, but all I got was a gassy grin. Now anything will put a smile on her face. She also pierces her lips out in a funny fashion and blows raspberries while stretching out both of her arms. She makes a lot of funny faces.

These are just of few of the things that is our Gabriela. Her personality is starting to shine through and she's growing into a little person. She's amazing and everyday she is changing. Mommy and Papa love you very much our darling baby girl. Its been a great six months!

Diez del Domingo

1) Well, I was on vacation the last week, so I was a little worried to step on the scale this morning. But the good news is, basically I stayed the same!!! Who-hoo!! (Juan, on the other hand, gained 4 pounds)
My weight today: 145.0 lbs
My weight loss this week: 0.2 lbs
Pounds to go: 20.0
My goal weight: 125 lbs

Wow, I've lost a total of 5 pounds. That's pretty good. Slow and steady wins the race.

2) Juan and I were in Orlando this past week. It was a great trip. We basically did nothing. I know I said that we would go to one of the parks, but that didn't happen. We did some shopping and sight-seeing and basically lounged around the house. It was fantastic. A much needed break for Juan and I and I chance for my Mom and Gary to see their grand-daughter.

3) The plane ride wasn't that bad. Bela is actually a pretty good traveler, which is good because we are going to be doing plenty of that in the years to come with family all over the globe. The plane ride down there, she basically slept the whole time. And on the way back she slept the majority of it but when she was awake, she was talkative and happy. She also didn't even say a word when we were ascending or descending. No crying! Awesome! And she is such a happy baby. Everyone who saw her instantly smiled and said hello. She promptly smiled back at them.

4) While we were there Bela had her first dip in the pool. She started out well just sitting around waiting to go in. But, she did not like the cool water. She only got her feet wet. We will try here one of these days in one of the indoor swimming pools. Hopefully she will like that better since the water will be warmer.

5) So I have pictures of Bela in her bathing suit and almost in the pool, but they are on Juan's computer. Now when we were leaving, Juan forgot his laptop in the Orlando Airport Security ... Whoops! When you travel with a baby with formula, you will understand. Its craziness - you have to take out all the liquids, get the bottles and formula wiped and checked for trace explosives, pack up the stroller, take off your shoes, sweater, etc. Basically you unpack everything and then pack it up on the other side of the scanner. So in the chaos Juan forgot his laptop. The good news is that it was at the Lost and Found and my Mom picked it up and its on its way to meet Juan in Pittsburgh on Monday. Whew. Juan's life is in that thing.

6) So by now you've figured out that Juan is going to Pittsburgh tomorrow. Yep, another business trip. He's leaving Monday morning and coming back Thursday morning at 1AM. So Bela and I are on our own for a few days.

7) Bela's new trick - blowing raspberries. She really enjoys it. And she is constantly doing it. Its pretty funny.

I'm going to cut it short this Sunday, I'm trying to finish up the post this Monday morning and my mind is a little blank. I think its mostly because I'm missing Juan. It really is not fun when he leaves. But Bela and I survive. I'm thinking of what we are going to do over the next few days to pass the time. I think we'll hit the mall a couple of times. Mostly just walk around because we spent all of our money in Orlando (HeHe). And then maybe go to a movie on Wednesday?? And definitely go out for a couple of walks. Its nice out today so I think we will go for a walk today and pick up some movies at the video store.

Being a Mom

Being a Mom is so much different than what I expected. Don't get me wrong, there are things that I thought would be, but they weren't 100% true. I knew at the beginning it would be hard. And sure enough it was hard. But I didn't think it would be that hard. Bela's first couple of months were exhausting. Sleep deprivation was the key word. Juan and I were just going on fumes. It was tough, the long nights especially when I was trying to breastfeed were tough. I would be up for almost 2 hours with the whole ordeal and as soon as my head hit the pillow and I drifted off to sleep, I would have to get up and start the process all over again.
I also didn't expect how much I would just get it done. There have been plenty of nights that I wish I didn't have to get up or didn't think I could drag myself out of bed and then *poof* up I got, alert and ready to be by her side. This was especially true when Juan was away. I just did it. I don't know, I guess its just quite extraordinary when you look back and realize that you got through some of those difficult times and it didn't hurt you, it made you all the more stronger and confident to move forward.
I didn't expect her to be so ... so alive. I can't pick a better word but I mean more than a beating heart, more than blood pumping and oxygen flowing, but a real person. I wasn't around babies a lot growing up, so I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. But her personality is coming through and she's already showing me her amazing life. Through every laugh, giggle, frown, smile, quizzical look, squawk and squeak I can really see her.
And she changes every day, telling me what she likes and what she doesn't. This keeps me on my toes. I have to keep adjusting to her behavior. This also makes me question my ability as a Mom. Just the other day I was questioning whether or not I was reading her signals right. But sure enough I was. She was fine and we were fine.
Overall, motherhood has really shown me a different side of myself. One that I didn't think I had. One that motivates me. One that has me growing as a person, but keeps me grounded all at the same time. One that inspires me.

To my own Mother: You are a strong and independent women who has always been there for me through thick and thin, even when you thought you weren't. Your everyday strength and love inspires me.

To my Grandma Schollen who passed away this past Christmas: You were one unique lady. You allowed me to cheat at crib and to wear matching clothes even if you had to wash everything I owned. I will always remember the aroma and taste of your linguine, pork chops and gravy, banana cream pie and banana bread. You made me the baker that I am today.

To my Grandma Kendall: You are also one of the strong women in my life. Your love of nature and the simplicity of things grounds me.

To my Step Mother Olwyn: You are another one of the independent women in my life. Your drive and confidence in who you are encourages me.

A mi suegra Carmenza: Tu eres la mujer mas amorosa y comprensiva que conozco. Tu vida es un ejemplo para guiar mi vida.

To all the mothers in my life: Have a Happy Mother's Day, knowing that you are strong, confident and inspiring. You are what makes this world go around.

Congratulations!

Shaun and Kristy are getting married today! Yea! We hope your day was wonderful and we look forward to seeing all the pictures when you get back. Congratulations you two!

Diez del Domingo

1) Weight loss update (I'm sure you are all dying to know this)
My weight today: 145.2 lbs
My weight loss this week: 1.2 lbs
Pounds to go: 20.2
My goal weight: 125 lbs
Yea! A whole pound! At this rate I'll hit my goal wait in 20 more weeks ... October! Well, that will be ok. At least I'll be down to my goal week by the time I go back to work. They say 9 months to put it on, 9 months to take it off!

2) Bela is going through a bit of a change. She has adjusted her sleeping pattern here and there which is keeping me on my toes. I have to admit I had a bit of a "oh my god I don't know what I'm doing anymore" moment. But it elapsed quite quickly when Juan pointed out that she hadn't changed as drastically as I was thinking and that I was doing great. I can always count on him to perk me up.

3) What's adding to the sleeping change is the fact that she's distracted by EVERYTHING! When she made this sleeping change it was almost impossible to see her signals that she was getting tired. It was like she went from 0 to 60 in zero seconds flat. But now I'm getting more used to her new signals and I can catch her before she gets too tired which makes it really difficult to get her to sleep. She strains her head trying to look around the room which does not lend itself nicely to closing your eyes and falling asleep. So you see my difficulties. But the last few days I've gotten better. So I'm adjusting/adapting to her needs. I guess this is what being a mother is!

4) The distractions are also affecting her meals, but not that much. Sometimes she doesn't finish her bottle as quickly as she normally would have. But then you just give her a bit of a rest and she will finish it (or not, depends on the day).
Does this phase pass? Or do I just have to get used to her getting distracted easily??

5) The weather was retarded this week. We went through a crazy winter snow storm which started on Tuesday morning. This sucked because I had a vaccination appointment for myself to get the Hepatitis A and B vaccine that afternoon. So I had to take Gabriela out into the wind and the slushy mush that was falling from the sky. It was a bit of an adventure but I had her bundled up nice and toasty and snuggled away from the wet stuff. When we woke up on Wednesday it was to about a foot of snow. Throughout the night is snowed and wind gusted up to 93 km/hr! Yikes! That's classified as a hurricane I believe. So yep, nasty weather. But the snow was almost melted by the end of the day and no trace of it was found on Thursday.
This was Wednesday morning ... gross


6) Juan and I picked up Gabriela's passport on Friday. The picture is so cute. Baby passport pictures are awesome. They could be anyone really.

7) Juan is now teaching in the Spring session (which starts May 17th) instead of the Summer session. So now we are going to Colombia at the beginning of August and staying until after the long weekend in September. I think Juan has teaching plans in the Fall semester ... I think. I can't remember exactly. So we will be there for Juan's Grandma's 90th birthday party! Our trip is going to be so special, especially the fact that Bela is going to meet the rest of her family.

8) Juan is still working hard. He's hoping to have one of his papers drafted before we head to Orlando on Friday.

9) My brother is getting married in 2 days!! I'm so happy. I really wish we could have been there to celebrate with them. But I hope they allow us to see their ceremony here in Canada. I hope, no, I know they are having an awesome time. Congrats you two!

10) Gabriela is sitting almost on her own. She does fall a bit but she's getting sturdier every day! She likes to sit more than she likes lying down because she can play with her toys better.

Bela looking drunk - she feel asleep in the car like this.

Sitting on Mommy's lap