4 Month Update

4 whole months already! Things are easier now; and by easier I mean I don't freak out over every little thing. Maybe I am starting to get the hang of this motherhood thing. Right when I typed that, no joke, she woke up from her nap. I had to take a  break from writing until next nap time to finish this post. I guess there are always things that will come up with every day, month and year that will make me "freak out" a little and interrupt whatever kind of routine I am on. It is how I am handling those things that I'm getting used to.

It is amazing to see how Olivia is developing. Now it is not just about eating, sleeping, pooping and crying. There is definitely more awake time, which I love. She loves to play with little toys and look at herself in the mirror. When I have something to do I put her in a little play seat with toys and put a mirror in front of her. That keeps her entertained for a while.

We follow a schedule, well we try to. I am not a very big fan of reading parenting books. I prefer to ask moms and dads that I know about things that have worked for them. One thing that everyone has told me is: start a schedule with her. So I did, ever since she was a baby we started developing a routine for her. It got easier once she started sleeping thru the night. So hang in there if you are still waking up every 2-3 hours.

Olivia started sleeping 12 hours at night when she turned 2 months old. Night time routine for us is warm bath time, night time lotion and pajamas; reading a book and a feeding. I would rock her to sleep, and then I would lay her down. When she turned 3 months, I started just laying her down when she was somewhat sleepy so she would learn how to fall asleep on her own. That was actually recommended to me by my doctor, and it has worked for us so far.

She loves to smile. She is figuring out how to laugh out loud, and it is hilarious. It's like a combination of trying to laugh, scream, and cry. It's amazing. She stares at me and laughs when I speak to her in spanish, and she loves to look at Collin and Ginger (Miniature Schnauzers).

Another thing that has worked for us is: when she naps during the day, if she starts crying I let her cry for a bit. I check on her to make sure she is ok, but I don't immediately pick her up anymore. She goes back to sleep 99% of the time. This is something I am still trying to teach Daddy, not to pick her up immediately. I think next month I will work on Daddy's schedule.

She loves to stare at her dad when he talks and sings to her. She can now hold her head up, and is learning how to sit on her own. She hates tummy time, and now has a love/hate relationship with the car seat. We are still working on that, although it has gotten better since we started hanging toys and a mirror so she can entertain herself.

As for me, it has been officially 1 year since I had an alcoholic drink. Believe me, I am keeping track. I have been exclusively breastfeeding so it was my choice not to drink. I think I am about ready to get a taste of a huge margarita; now that feedings are not so often. I'm sure one or even half of a margarita will be all I need after not drinking for a year.

I love that I get to spend all my days watching Olivia grow. I am thankful for Tim that works extremely hard so I can stay at home with Olivia. I wouldn't trade my non-shower, spit up covered shirts, same clothes as yesterday days for anything else. I love being Olivia's mom.

Thanks for reading,

Happy Thanksgiving!

I started celebrating Thanksgiving a few years ago. Obviously we don't celebrate Thanksgiving in El Salvador. So, I didn't really know what to do during this holiday. I knew I wanted to start making some of our own traditions when Tim and I got married.

We both celebrate the holidays very differently. I wanted to merge some of our favorite things that we are used to doing and then incorporate some new ones.
Putting up our Christmas tree is one of them. Every year since we got married, we decided that Thanksgiving would be the start to our holiday season by decorating our Christmas tree together.

Usually we would go celebrate Thanksgiving with my in-laws, or friends around the area. Last year we had 3 Thanksgiving dinners. I mean who can say no to sweet potatoes? We always had way too much to eat, way too much to drink, and then nap the day away before I had to be up and ready for Black Friday. This is the first time in about 8 years that I have not worked a Black Friday and let me tell you I couldn't be happier. I felt like I could really enjoyed the day without worrying if everything was ready for the biggest sale of the year. Or having to go to sleep super early so I could be at work before midnight.

Once again, things have definitely change around here. We decided this time it would be Thanksgiving at our place so we were not going anywhere. We went to church early in the morning, and then got back to start prepping for Thanksgiving dinner. First time cooking everything on my own. (Scary thought). Not really, everything turned out really great! (THANK GOD FOR E-RECIPES)

Our Christmas tree was done, we were stuffed and exhausted so now time for a nap. WRONG! Olivia was not ready to nap. Luckily, she is still young enough that gets entertained by pretty much anything. Looking at every single ornament in the Christmas tree and describing its shape and color did it. 45 minutes later and she was out. Just in time for me to do all the other things I needed to do around the house. Well, I decided those things can wait. I am learning to do that. You know, not everything has to be done at that exact time. You know what they say..nap when the baby naps. So, when am I supposed to clean..when the baby cleans?

I love Christmas time but it always makes me a little sad not to be able to be with my family. My mom was is a pro at celebrating the holidays. We were always the house that everyone came to. Some of my favorite childhood memories are around Christmas, because there were always so many people at home celebrating with us. I always felt a sense of unity.

We are making our own traditions as a family of three now. Cannot wait to see how every holiday changes as Olivia grows; and the things she will learn about this time of the year. Lastly, I want to say that today and everyday I am truly thankful for my family. My parents, my siblings, my sweet daughter and my husband.

I hope y'all had a great Thanksgiving

Family of Three

Yesterday was such a nice day! It was sunny and 61 degrees. The weather cooperated with my weekly prayers. I wanted to get pictures done when I got pregnant. Well, back then when I was fully pregnant and it was the middle of summer let's just say: I was not up for it. (To put it nicely) 

Later I wanted to get newborn pictures done when Olivia was born. Well, then the whole caring for a baby, no time to sleep, no time to shower, and hormones up the roof happened and I was not up for it. (To put it nicely). 

Finally before winter hits (it did this morning) we decided to take family pictures. Kasie did an amazing job. This is just a little preview, more to come later. She was great and made us feel super comfortable. We went to college together so it was nice that we already knew her. She is such a caring and genuine person. I feel like even if that was the first time that we were meeting, it would have still gone amazing like it did because of her personality.

The weather here in Arkansas had been a little crazy lately. Lots of rain, lots of wind, and cold. I was a little worried (ok a lot) about taking pictures outside with Olivia. Thank goodness it was such a nice day yesterday and we were able to finish the shoot with no problems. 

If you would have asked me a month ago if this was a good idea; I would have definitely said no. I used to get so worried about long trips, or any trips really outside the house with Olivia. It always makes me feel better when Tim comes along. It's like you have your army with you, made me feel more secure. 

Those days are slowly becoming a memory. I am able to come and go with her...get ready....BY MYSELF! I no longer worry about taking her out. I remember the first time I had to drive with Olivia by myself I was a wreck. I prayed, and cried, and laughed and prayed again for her not to wake up. Now I know she is ok, and like the lady at the Starbucks drive-thru told me: Babies cry....that's is something they do. 

I thought: well I know that, but thinking a little deeper, it was a re-assurance of I am not the only one going thru this, and I won't be the last one. So far, I haven't gotten the side eye if I am out with Olivia and she starts crying. On the contrary, I have gotten compassion. A lot of helpful people opening doors for me, and asking if i need help carrying things to the car. 

A lady at Walgreens the other day greeted me and immediately offered her assistance to quickly locate what I needed and carry the items to the register. I was so thankful to her. I thought wow she knows, she probably has been in my shoes. But then, she told me she hadn't been blessed with children yet. Sometimes you don't even have to be in other's people's shoes to be empathetic. That is a little of what we all need. 

"A kind of gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal". Steve Maraboli

Thanks for reading, 

Of all places....Arkansas

                            
 

 




If someone had told me that I was going to be living in Arkansas; I would have laughed. No way, not me. Why would I end up living in a state that I had never been before or had any interest in visiting. Well, you know what they say: Never say never!

I have been calling Arkansas home for about 8 years now. Four of those were spent getting my bachelor's degree at the University of the Ozarks. We moved out of state shortly after graduating and somehow managed to come back. I do feel like sometimes the state gets a bad rep.

The first time I came to Arkansas, was when I was on my way to the University. I remember at the Houston airport when they asked me: What is your final destination? I said: Arkansas. The guy looked at me and said: What can you possibly be doing in Arkansas? I replied: School, and his response, with a big smile: They have schools in Arkansas? HA-HA.

I have heard all the "jokes" about life in Arkansas. It doesn't bother me. I am used to people asking all types of dumb questions. Don't even get me started with questions about El Salvador. Do you have running water? Where do you shop for clothes? Have you ever eaten at McDonald's? Ayyyy Dios Mio! that is another blog post for another day.

Arkansas is a beautiful state. It has so much to offer. It forced me to re-discover my love for being outdoors. Tim and I have visited 25 of the 52 (or so) state parks Arkansas has. Our goal is to visit them all.
We love going on hikes (yes I do own a pair of tennis shoes). It is one of the best things to do; to be out surrounded by nature and conversation. We usually pack some snacks; so we can just sit somewhere and enjoy the amazing views Arkansas has to offer.

The winter months are coming, so there won't be many opportunities to be out. We decided to go on a road trip to see all the beautiful fall colors. I absolutely love this time of the year. Seriously, Arkansas is the best for tree-watching.
We ended up at the Cliff House in Jasper; thanks to a Facebook friend (Erin Hagar). I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day out with my family.

I think what I love the most about being outside, is that you can hear your thoughts so clearly. Nothing interrupts you except for nature. Take some time to go outside and enjoy the sunlight, or the rain, or the wind. Spend time alone with your thoughts, or take someone and enjoy a conversation.

I love this quote from John Muir (Author: My first Summer in Sierra: look it up and read it!) “The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.” 
This quote really does remind me of my time here in Arkansas. That is the way I feel every time we are out in nature.


Thanks for reading,