34 Weeks

This pregancy I feel like I haven't gone to the doctor nearly as much as I did with Sofia. Which is a good thing! All my check ups he measures right on time and his heart is nice and strong! Here's a pic of us from his baby sprinkle this past Sunday.At my last doctor visit I had gained 13 pounds, but this past week we were in South Dakota and my diet and exercise plan went out the front door so I am sure I have gained more by now, which is to be expected. We go to the doctor again next Tuesday and I am anxious to see what she says. Hopefully my body is getting ready!

Happy Birthday to Sofia!!!

My baby girl is one year old today!She is so loved. Erik and I had a party for her here in San Antonio with all her kid friends, pizza, cake, and a pinata ( I was too busy playing hostess to get any pics). But she had a great turn out, our house was full of babies and big kids too, and of course parents.
My parents also had a "pretty in pink" party for her, and everyone came dressed in pink, even my 73 year old grandpa!She was really cute opening her gifts and eating cake like a big girl!
We will be traveling to South Dakota this weekend for one week and Grandma Hanson is having something for her up there too!Like I said she sure is loved!
SOfia at 12 months:
*VERY talkative
*Doesn't use a soft voice
* 4 teeth :D two on top two on bottom
* Still likes all electronics (laptops, cameras, cell phones, etc)
* Still like to play with her baby, she got a new one for her bday!
* learning to share
* learning to get along with the other babies at our play dates (we are out and about with the other moms and babies at least once a week, so she's doing better)
* uses a sippy cup, just water, she does not like juice
* She still will not try many foods.
* Her favorite food is still green beans, and yogurt is a close second
* She still takes a bottle to go to bed and nap.not sure when this is supposed to end
* She sleeps in her pack n play in our room. I know she should be in her own room now, I'm just so paranoid, and we still don't have a baby monitor.
* She is very attached to me. But I know she will adjust to Hektor well.
* She weighs 18 pounds, shes still pretty small, I really want her to be tall, but I am not sure, as long as she's healthy though!
*SHe is very healthy, now that the weather is done changing she has no runny nose or cough, and its so great to see her feeling well.
But over all shes a doll and a one of a kind! Happy Birthday Sofia!

Happy Mother's Day

Well Sunday May 7th was officially my first Mother's Day. Last year Sofia was born the day after Mother's Day. We went to mass and then dinner last night, just the three of us. It was nice. Then today the plan was Erik was going to take me shopping then, SOfia and I would hit the road to Corpus because my parents had a birthday party planned for Sofia. But of course EVERYTHING revolves around Sofia and she was too tired to shop, so we just headed straight for Corpus.It ended up being a nice day since I got to see lots of my relatives that are mommies, so I got to wish them a Happy Mothers Day in person... mommy 2 mommy :) Here are a few pics of Sofia's Pretty in Pink Birthday party.
Being a mom has been the most rewarding and educational part of my life.What I have learned so far
* Patience, which I am still trying to perfect ;) and this is the most difficult for me
* I am not always right
* That its ok if dinner isn't that tasty, or my cake isn't the cutest
* Time management
* Everything is easier if I'm organized
* I might not get to brush my teeth or shower right when I would like, but as long as it happens, we are good for the day!
* Keep a spare of EVERYTHING in your car (pampers, outfit, spoons, food, etc)
* The importance of "mom" friends
* Its ok to feel like running away
* That there is no greater love than a Mother's love
* My wants and sometimes needs no longer come first
* how fast time goes (especially with Sofia's first birthday already here )
* remember to breath
* not to take life too seriously
* Image really isn't important, things usually aren't what they seem
* Its ok to show up at play dates already dirty since shes just gonna get more dirty.
There is more, but these are the big ones!
I am so blessed to have a husband that can provide for us so that I can stay home with Sofia. I love staying home with her.She is such a joy to be around! I love watching her grow and develop into her own little person, she is so amazing.
I am also very blessed to have such a wonderful mother who has lead by example what being a mom is all about.I am forever greatful for all of the sacrifices she has made and continues to make for me and our family!

Hoppy Easter/30 weeks!

Well I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter Sunday. We spent Easter Sunday morning at mass and then brunch downtown. Sofia had her Easter basket filled with some goodies. I think she could really care less. The Easter bunny visited Erik too, I guess he's been a good boy!

On another note,Whohooo! 30 weeks down 10 to go as of last Sunday. I still feel pretty energetic about 70% of the time, or at least Sofia pushes me to think I feel energetic. I really don't have a choice with her. But she is so fun. She is so happy all the time. We have some good times!I had my 30 week check up last week and Hektor is measuring perfectly.I am very anxious to see what he weighs at birth. Sofia measured small during my pregnancy and she was 6.15, so I'm hoping he's not much bigger, although daddy wants a monster. Time will tell. Less than 10 weeks to go!

Fiesta!

Well San Antonio has "Fiesta" every year, so Sofia had her own Baby Fiesta. We had about 10 baby friends come over to play. They were so cute, as always!

Sofia 11 months, Hektor 7 months... a little late.

Well time has flown by! I can't believe this time next month Sofia will be one year old!
Sofia at 11 months:

*She is talking aka babbling, A LOT!

*She is constantly on the move, crawling from one thing to another.

*She can climb up all the stairs in our home and fast. She knows she isn't allowed but she can't help herself. She sits at the bottom and smiles at me and then takes off. We just got gates last night so thats the end of her stair fun.

*She has 2 little teeth, the bottom ones. I know Jeanne said Hansons got teeth later than most but I am so surprised she was right on! Most babies her age have at least 4or more. This is really limiting what she can eat, still everything in puree form.

*She does not like new food. And does not like anything with texture. I'm just being patient on this one. I don't see the need to rush her into the chunky stuff. She eats well and is gaining weight well so I think its fine. I don't think she will want to eat any birthday cake. Maybe I'll give her ice cream instead. Everyone has to have a treat on their birthday!

*She still has a bottle for nap times and bed.

*She likes to dance to music.

*Her hair is getting long, you just can't tell because its curly and it curls up.

*She is currently sleeping well through the night. She naps about 1.5 hrs in the am and again around 4 pm.

* SHe is really independent. She will play for a good while by herself and then come looking for me. Not to worry I keep my eye on her at all times, she just doesn't realize it.

* She has been eating food I make in the food processor. This was a transition because I couldn't get it as smooth as baby food so she had to get used to some texture. PLus I leave the skin on all the veggies so that makes it a bit thicker. Most nutrients are found in the skin of veggies so I thought it was important to leave them on.

* She has had NO vaccinations and shes doing well. She has had one stomach virus, one ear infection, and runny nose and congestion so far. But her immune system is strong and shes doing fine now.

* She is very affectionate. She loves to cuddle with her teddy bear and her baby, and mom and dad of course!

* She says bbbbb when she sees her baby and pppppp when she plays with my make up. The PPPP sound is because I always say oh pretty when we play with make up. LOL

* She enjoys having her hair brushed and watching in the mirror. Its so cute.

* She has had more interaction with little ones her age, and shes developing better social skills. Its not so much that shes shy it seems she just likes to observe for a while, then she will join in.

* She is pretty dramatic. Erik has already said shes too dramatic for him. HAHA! When she doesn't get her way she has this fake cry and she puts her chin down to her chest and pretends to sob. I've noticed its worse when shes tired.

*She has stood alone total of 3 times. I think shes perfectly happy crawling, don't know when she will want to walk.

*She is in 12 month clothes and they seem to fit her perfect for now.

*She wakes up grumpy 50% of the time and 50% of the time she wakes up happy. I just never know. But she does enjoy her sesame street in the mornings while laying on a pillow until shes fully awake.

* Her appetite still comes and goes depending on her teething situation.

As far as Hektor goes, he is getting stronger and bigger. I can def feel his movements...and I can see my clothes move.He is very active. We have a check up on the 19th to monior progress. From here on I will begin check ups every two weeks.
I beleive he is now around 14.5 inches weighing over 2 pounds, the size of chinese cabbage!
As for myself I can tell we are into the third trimester. I'm a lot more tired than usual. I am not sleeping well at night due to discomfort. I have aweful heart burn. I remember heartburn with Sofia but not til the very end and not this bad. I can't even eat mustard! Which is really a bummer for me since I LOVE spicy food. So the countdown is on! As of today I've gained a total of 13 pounds and I think I am expected to gain 10-11 more in this last trimester. So good thing the gym has a daycare.
Erik's doing well. He took his PE exam last Friday, won't know any results until June. But he stays pretty busy with work, work around the house, and all his reading.
Overall we are all very healthy and happy (when we are rested, lol) :)

Encouragement for Today

I recieve these daily emails titled Encouragement for Today. Some days are better than others. I liked this one for some reason....
Shocked by My Own Advice
Lysa TerKeurst

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)

Devotion:
The choice is mine. If I want to be a sold out somebody for God, I have to break away from the everybody crowd.

Today's key verses are not easy for a girl who wanted nothing more growing up than to fit in. Don't cause waves. Don't stand out. Don't stand up. Don't rock the boat of norm in anyway. Just go with the flow in the same direction as everyone else.

But somewhere along my Christian journey, going with the flow started to bother me.

Verses like the one above in Matthew 7 and Romans 12:2, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind," started to mess with my status quo existence.

Conformed or transformed? The choice is mine. If I want to be a sold out somebody for God, I have to break away from the everybody crowd.

This is a message I shared with my son one day when he came to me scared. He admitted things had gone a little too far with his girlfriend and wanted help processing what to do. They hadn't crossed every line but enough that he knew they were headed in a dangerous direction.

We sat on the back deck and processed the situation together. We read a list of empowering Scripture verses seeking to filter every part of this situation through God's truth. In the end, he and his girlfriend came to the realization they needed to break up. It's really hard to put things in reverse after certain lines have been crossed.

I walked back into the house after that conversation with two things running through my brain. I was thrilled my son came to me to talk about such a sensitive issue. What an honor to breathe Truth into his physical struggle.

But, I was also feeling a little panicked at the realities of parenting older teenagers. And that feeling led me straight to the pantry, convinced I needed some chocolate. I deserved some chips! As I loaded my arms full of treats, I was suddenly struck by a gut wrenching question. How can I expect my son to apply Truth to his area of physical struggle but refuse to apply it to my area of physical struggle?

Ouch. I was shocked by my own advice.

If I wanted to model what it looks like to live out truth in my physical struggles, I would have to break up with unhealthy choices. God made me to consume food, but food was never supposed to consume me.

Making healthy choices with my food would have to be part of my breaking away. I would have to distance myself from my distraction if I wanted to become truly transformed.

What's your distraction? What's the one way you can start to break away from the everybody crowd?

The everybody crowd says, "if it feels good it is good." The everybody crowd says, "don't deny yourself... that's so old school." The everybody crowd says, "everybody's living it up – so should you."

Conformed or transformed? The choice is ours. If we want to be a sold out somebody for God, we have to break away from the everybody crowd.Dear Lord, I want and need to live apart from the everybody crowd. Free me of my distractions. Remove my insecurities. Help me to follow You with my whole heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.