The Fit Wife – A Lovable Lifestyle

December 10, 2014

Some Last Minute Gift Ideas for the Ladies

Well. Because I’m a lady I’m starting with gift ideas for us. Specifically chicas like me. The mom, fit person, and who loves fashion but doesn’t like to splurge on herself because she spends her money on everyone else. But if you fit in any of the categories you can find something here.

Right now my inner yogi wants the following which would be a great idea for any Namaste friend you may have:

Beautiful mala prayer beads! You can find these at various prices on Etsy and my lululemon app just told me they have new sets on their site for sale but I’ve had my heart set out on several over at Silver & Sage Jewelry (photo cred below to them):

Open Heart Mala (Silver and Sage Jewelry)

Also for the yogi – a great yoga mat, again my friends at lululemon have a popular yoga mat (the mat) but I love and adore my Manduka Pro mat. It is LOVELY and durable and perfect for my daily practice. I also own their eKO Lite mat which is super easy to travel with but how in love am I with their Limited Ed. metallic mat? Seriously.:

I’m all about workout gear. I like to feel good in what I wear and lately am a little obsessed with the tight pants; loose top look. Again lulu gets a shoutout because they are almost all I own but Onzie has some awesome printed capris that I would love to rock with a loose black top to a yoga class. Check out both sites for awesome gear. I promise fitness people will love the goods 😉

Also nothing says I love you then paying for classes at her favorite local yoga studio. One of my FAVORITE studios – Core Power Yoga has a deal on gift cards 80 for 100.

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Ideas for runners? Buying entrance to races is always fun. Because I live in a big city who has a 5k pretty much every weekend (even in the winter lol) – there are some super fun ones that come to town and the entries can quickly add up$$ so buy friends race entries to some of the popular ones! Rock n Roll series are awesome and CARA’s website has links to tons of others.

Runner’s Road ID – I’ve wanted one of these for sometime, alas have never gotten one but they are super duper popular. You should get there now as they are having an AWESOME sale 😉

I also love the idea of commemorating important things with jewelry – and this Etsy site has some awesome little goodies:

(that site has a lot of cute things, not just running related, check them out! Fantastic reviews too.)

This sweat away bracelet:

Or for the distance runner with lots of medals? A custom medal rack:

Ok, so your gal isn’t into the running/yoga/studio thing. Every girl wants more SHOES. Wintertime deserves new boots. Although I want the dreamy Stuart Weitzman 5050s – they aren’t quiet in my budget hahaha but big stores like Macy’s do have great sales this time of year where you can get some designer goods at somewhat of a discount and your gal will not be upset with a new pair of boots.

I feel like girls are so easy to buy for – except for my sister. lol

For the moms, Moms – the active ones – doesn’t hurt to get some memberships to cool nearby places. Or giftcards to spas.

This year I’m just hoping for a cute family photo & maybe to fit into some of my old clothes hahaha.

Any awesome ideas for gifts this year?

December 8, 2014

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Love & Light

Happy Monday! Another week, unreal. This weekend went by so fast I’m not even sure what I did. I do know that I took an AH-MAZING hot yoga class last night – and I swear each day I get back into the swing of daily practice I feel so much better.

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What I love about yoga is it teaches me to breathe (a stress reliever for me, I breathe through stress, always have – yoga helps me cultivate that breath) and humbles me deeply. I’m proud of where I am right now in my practice even if I can’t do crow again just yet, or if my stretches aren’t as deep as they used to be (my balance in balance poses has never been better though #winning). I will get there. Hot yoga always gets me to sweat it out too – like toxins are just leaving my body. Yoga isn’t all I do fitness-wise but it is an excellent place to start my postpartum journey. I’m definitely a lifter (who wants to add to her “at home gym” collection), and a runner (haven’t started back just yet) and I love to try Pilates & Barre dvds/videos I enjoy challenging myself and am excited to get back into my normal routines but I’m taking my time with it. Good workouts keep me balanced, mentally strong and healthy – they are the most selfish thing I do and makes me a better, happier person. A better wife, mom, employee and a better ME.

I’m constantly on the go, constantly thinking, need to get things done… Stressing myself out relentlessly with lists, to-dos, want-to-dos, etc. I get upset if I don’t make time to pump enough or clean enough or if I’m late to something because I haven’t yet got down how to pack a newborn & two year old (it is a juggling act, I swear). Yoga reminds me – slow down, if you are aware of what you need to do and are doing what you need to do. That’s what recovery and time off is for, figuring everything out again. Also this is TEMPORARY. I’ve done it before with Evan, and then got used to running out of the house with just his hand in my hand (not an extra pair of clothes 5 diapers, wipes, breast pads, blankets, burp cloths oh and 5 pacifiers because those suckers just seem to disappear) and a smile on his face. Life needs to be lived by the day and I need to enjoy these newbie moments because they are fleeting and will be over before I know it…

People ask how I fit it all in – mom, work, fitness. It really is simple I make time for what is important to me. Working out these days has never been easier with the internet, there is no excuse. You can become ultra-fit with just your body and determination – #truestory – you don’t NEED fancy equipment or a personal trainer – you just need you and the will to do it. You don’t need a treadmill, or heavy weights start with pushups and burpies if you have to. For yoga, you really only need a mat and a want to keep yourself happy and healthy.

Be active. Love. Light. My journey to be fit is never ending and my body is ever evolving. If I thought it was amazing above, it is so much better now. It gave life to my beautiful boys. It has a few scars, but they MEAN something now. They won’t hid the fact that I will have killer abs again or that I will set PRs and be able to do crazy inversions once again for now I’ll bask in the the beautiful soreness I missed after a good workout, it means I’m changing.

Because let’s face it… the above is pretty AH-MAZING.

December 6, 2014

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Nurse. Yoga. Play. Sleep. Eat. Repeat.

These are the words of the moment. Six words that I live over and over and over again. I’m cool with it though because, I feel so content right now.

Our lives are absolutely nuts right now. The days are blurred together and I rarely know what day of the week it is. Most days I’m living in yoga stuff because a lot of things still don’t fit me… I’m struggling with my new “right now” body. Change when it comes to my body is and always has been so hard for me, but snuggles and smiles from my boys helps me remember it is worth it and I will get back to where I need to be. But the daily dose of yoga also helps me find contentment, balance and humbles me that I have to take it slow and steady…I was given a special gift yesterday – a trip to the yoga studio special thanks to my husband and medela for making that possible. It was a beautiful Hot Power Fusion class, a mix of hot yoga static postures, glorious heat and short vinyasa flows. I will definitely be easing that back into my regular schedule. BUT Merry early Christmas to me via the Fitnessista is 15 days free to Barre3 which has some postnatal videos as short as 10 minutes long I plan on doing everyday for the next two weeks! Boom. #winning

What else is going on? Christmas Cheer and incomplete trees:

Again, it will get there – it is pretty though – I love the magical Christmas lights 🙂 I put over 700 lights on that tree, it was sappy. But really pretty:

Evan was an amazing little helper:

So our “play” time has been a lot of decorating, and watching “The Santa Clause” over and over. I love that movie and know almost all the words by heart. Evan loves “santa” and “christmas” too. ❤ He also enjoys mixing all his play doh colors together until it is a nice shade of grey. 😉

Today I have a coffee date, and some cleaning to do. It should be crazy. Just the way we like it over here.

December 2, 2014

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Time Bandit & Brain Dump II

Yes. Time, GRRRR! You are insane, the way you steal minutes away from me. My littlest love will be 4 whole weeks young tomorrow. And one MONTH old by the end of the week. I have to plan my “one month” photo shoot, with my little guy- let’s see how successful I am with putting that together haha. I also want to figure out some cute Christmasy photos because I’d like to ATTEMPT to get out Christmas cards this year. But each day flies by and everything just seems – well – harder than it is.

Yesterday my day was filled with cleaning, meditating, hanging with my littles and a wonderful 2.5 hour nap time where I slept about 30 minutes but was able to read for a solid 1.5 hours. I love reading. I tend to start books, not finish, or finish a good book and then be done with reading way longer that I’m ok with. Nursing, cuddling and late nights helps me with reading time – also now that Evan knows what cartoons are – I read during cartoon time 🙂 (yep, my kid watches cartoons, no I’m not the devil, it happens). I’m reading Vanished because my best posted she finished it on Goodreads, because we are so alike, I thought grabbing that one – no thinking required lol. I soak up lots of minutes staring that these faces, but some mental reading exercises are very welcome:

I’m feeling much better these days. I know that very soon I’ll be taking some time away to get in my workouts (where I actually say – here hector – I’m going out with Oso for 45 minutes, or using my yoga groupon I bought 6 months ago) & I welcome this because I miss my workout highs and need some alone time. However, I get a very high amount of anxiety when leaving the boys. Especially Michael, as he is exclusively breast fed and I’m not building my freezer stash as quickly as I’d like. He has had one day where he has had a bottle for a feeding, just to introduce it to him. I’m not the biggest fan because 1) I prefer nursing over pumping and 2) because I will go back to work and pump for him, he will have LOTS of bottle sessions then, so I sorta relish in the time to nurse him now whereas when I go back to work he will be mostly bottle fed.

I’m spending a lot of time behind my camera these days. Michael is fun to photograph because he is usually quiet still, but Evan is still a little difficult. haha 🙂 I think I’m going to take a photography class with my sister in the Spring. That or an excel class because I’d like to hone those skills. Again, time bandit will tell me what I can and cannot do these next few months. I’m feeling very optimistic these days. Nursing happy hormones? Who knows, but I love it.

Don’t mind the mess. It’s real life in the am when we are scrambling, I’ll make my bed soon – I have clean sheets to put on 😉 and a blog to write lol. Right now Michael is comfy in the Moby as I work on my posture and rock him side to side (great core time!)

– Shoulders up and back. –

He is super cute he has his hand in his face, just like when he came into this world. This week we are putting up the tree and finishing up Christmas decorating. We are also going to the city Friday to do some homeowner exemption stuff and check out some lights… get some fresh air. Evan is running around right now saying “I’m dancing right now momma, I’m dancing.” I need to get him outside today. I’ll probably bundle everyone up and take a walk around the block. Venturing out is quiet the ordeal when it is cold out. Gah. ha Or when you are one person with two children and a dog (Oso would HATE ME if he didn’t go out too) – the thought of this adventure is making me slightly tired and scared hahaha.

Yesterday THIS happened:

It was nice to watch the twinkling of the fire in our fireplace. I even helped myself to a cup of hot chocolate 🙂

Oh! Thanksgiving. It was a success. If I can get all my pictures in the same place I’ll happily update and do my “Thankful List” which I’ve done the past two years. I’ve already started it but – it is sitting unfinished. 🙂

Ok, well I have mom duties to attend to. Happy Tuesday!

November 26, 2014

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Time for Thanks

Each year the leaves fall, the weather gets cold and the nights start way too early. The darkness at 4 p.m. reminds me the holidays are near – it is sorta magical once the twinkle lights go up and you see the Christmas trees start to peak out of people’s windows. Add that white powdery stuff I’m NEVER ready for, but looks pretty beneath the lights and yup, it is like the holidays are early in Chicago.

This time of year is great for reflection and after the most challenging year of my life, I am reminded that I’m still so grateful for so many things and nothing tops the list more than my relationships with God and my family, friends, and of course, my beautiful healthy children:

The last 3 weeks (YES 3 WEEKS TODAY, ALREADY!) – have been the most amazing weeks of the year. Even through recovery, temper tantrums, soreness, hormones, change… The list seems endless, so much has fit into these past 3 weeks – I’ve never felt so much love. Your heart does double in size when you have your second child. When you don’t think it can expand more, it just does. I watch Evan with Michael and love him more, I watch Hector with them both – and I love him more, I watch Michael grow in front of my eyes and I just am filled with – thanks. I’m very lucky to have such a beautiful family. My heart couldn’t be more full.

Even though breastfeeding has it challenges, it is amazing to watch your child grow and thrive because of the goodness you are feeding him. Michael has changed so much already. 3 weeks in newborn life is like a year. He is more alert, much fuller and sleeps a bit better already – oh and he nurses better, one trade off for his quick growth is longer sleep stretches and more efficient nursing although they are not unbelievable changes they are changes I can notice more significantly than with Evan. Maybe it is the second time around – who knows, but I’m much more in tune with everything this time around. I’ve been resting as much as possible but am FINALLY starting to feel like myself, I feel a little more energized each day. Even though my days are absolutely full right now.

So what are we up to in week 3, the day(s) before Thanksgiving? Thanksgiving prep, of course. My husband pulled out Christmas decorations on Monday and we started putting them up, Evan woke from a nap and started shouting “DADDY, CHRISTMAS, I LIKE IT, CHRISTMAS, DADDY, LOOK!” – I have a feeling this Christmas will be even better than last as far as Evan’s involvement and excitement. He sees Santa and says “Christmas!” – this kid is too much. He is absolutely hysterical these days. I just sit and stare and am amazed by the conversations he has with people. I can’t wait to sit him down to watch the parade tomorrow, he will be so cute!

What else am I grateful for? My lovely yoga mat, thank you for being my peace, my space for healing, thinking and stretching… You are the best therapist.

Evan is nursing a cold, baby is congested but both are better than yesterday – either way, boys will likely stay in pjs today and I’m sure Michael will be wrapped in the Moby for a good part of the day because I have tons of work – cleaning, cooking, nursing, playing…. A little bit o’shopping (sans boys). So we are going to get moving over here – Just starting the week off with a Thankful post, as it is the season. Hope to be back with updated – what we did today – pictures.

I’m also so grateful for my (still broken) camera. 😀

November 19, 2014

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Holiday Prep

Hello friends.

Yesterday was a very lazy day here at the Villas. I was NOT feeling well. I think I really over-did it this weekend and on Monday so yesterday I was barely able to lift a finger. We had a lot of bedsharing cuddles. Way too much TV and easy eats. Reminded me I really need to go shopping but I’m hoping to make it through today without a trip. Yesterday I read that american families and restaurants throw out on average 40% of the groceries they buy. THAT’S NUTS – you may as well through money out the window. I know we are guilty of throwing away a lot of food, so to combat that I try to – meal plan, and buy little amounts, often. Still there is always some waste. Anyhow, to help our crazy grocery budget, I really plan on being more conscience of the amount of food I buy – it is so terribly wasteful to throw all that away. *sad trombone*

Anywho – Today I’m feeling a bit better and am hoping today is a better day as far as being productive. I’ve spent a good amount of time on Pinterest making lists of things to do with Evan, and planning for Thanksgiving. Last year was awesome. My table was beautiful, food was great and my grandma was here:

I’m so sad Gma won’t be here this year, but Michael will be and our family has lots and lots to celebrate this year. So I plan on doing just as much this year – with Evan’s help and Michael wrapped close to my chest in the Moby. Last year I literally made my own butter and fresh whipped cream for pies. I’m telling you – all out we went. It was glorious.

This year’s menu is not finalized but I think it will go a little something like this:

Apps:

Assorted cheeses & garlic roasted mushrooms
Fresh seasonal fruit

Dinner:

Turkey (I would love to try a fried turkey, but we are going old-school roasted, Hector-Style)
Roasted pork shoulder (Another Hector dish)
Roasted Veggies (Last year’s were awesome)
Pomegranate-cranberry sauce (omg… to die for)
Sweet Potatoes (May ask mom to make her usual)
Steamed green beans
Asparagus and a hollandaise sauce (family tradition)
Pierogis (from Gene’s deli)
Fresh seasonal salad (I’m thinking cranberry walnut?)

Desert:

Pumpkin Pie!
Apple Pie (Hector would never let us not have this)
Spice cake (another Mom request, maybe 😉 )
Turkey Cupcakes (mom and Evan creations!)

You’d think I was cooking for an army but I’m cooking for maybe 8 people lol. The sides might get mixed up a bit again, I’ve pinned a few recipes I might try so instead but at least we are thinking a head this year. I’ll have to grab some fresh flowers but I really can’t wait to pull out grandma’s old china and silver-ware again. Also! Looks like we did pull out some Christmas stuff for last year so I think I’ll have Hector pull some out tomorrow and we can have hot-coco and decorate, slowly.

Evan is excited about Christmas, I am shocked there aren’t too many Christmasy movies on TV for him to watch. I’m going to have to dust of The Santa Clause, my all time favorite, I cannot wait to share it with him! Something else we are looking to do this year? A few “Night before Christmas” boxes! I read this article and was so excited to try it with Evan and Michael! I plan on making it a holiday tradition – what a great way to get some of the Christmas jitters out and I think it is awesome to snuggle and watch a movie with the boys likely in matching pajamas! I will be soaking up these holidays like crazy because next year when I’m back at work – it will be mayhem to fit everything in – so I’m enjoying the time of year with my two sweet love bugs:

I’m sure this will be the first of many “what we are doing for the holidays” posts. Any traditions you have for thanksgiving? Do you host? I’m excited!

November 17, 2014

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Recovery.

Good morning. It’s funny how my mornings simultaneously start earlier and later than usual. I get a morning wake up call from my favorite little nugget consistently around 3:30 am, and change, nurse and snuggle till about 4:00 – back to sleep until about 7 – then up and at it as soon as possible thereafter. Which is a really late start for me, I’m used to waking up around 5:00-5:30 but these days I also go to bed much later around11:30 opposed to like 10 the latest. Sleep is important, and rest is important when you are recovering even though I feel pretty good, when I over do something, I know it. We are head-over-heels in love with this little dude:

He is just a little angel. Very much like Evan. It’s funny, and I know time can change things. But everyone told me “good luck with number two, he will be crazy, unlike Evan.” I got this from all angles, but in my head I just kept positive. If I had a fussy baby, so be it. But once again I have a mellow one, just like daddy Hector. That doesn’t mean my days aren’t crazy though. Between him and Evan, I’m busy. I started this post over two days ago, it could take me all day to write – may never even get published. Two days ago when I started this post I – put the baby who started it with me nursing on the boppy into the rock and play went to touch his sweet sleeping face just to find him spitting up at that exact second. So naturally I dropped whatever I was doing and fixed that. Then my super sweet two year old woke up… He is now happily playing with legos in his room. Then I got side tracked and meant to hop back on here several times, but just never happened.

Like I said, we are recovering. We are finding our new groove, days are flying by and due to the weather I haven’t left the house too much. My babies have lots of warm fuzzy things but I can’t find any of my winter stuff, naturally. Side note, it is weird looking at the two carseats in the back seat.

Physically I feel pretty good. Everyday I daydream about yoga postures, the treadmill, lifting, and putting on a dvd. Each day though I sit down and things still hurt so I say – better hold off. It’s HARD but I just snuggle the little one or the big one and get lost in a book or recording on the DVR. I never get through a whole show, I think I’ve watched shows about 5 times and still not absorbed what happened. Everyone around me will agree – I am a baby hoarder. Sorry I’m not sorry, I cooked him, Evan got lots of snuggles, so this one will too (yesterday I WORE JEANS!! They fit! A bit snug, but ah that’s ok by me for now – today is round two if I can find the dark ones I want to wear or lulu wunder unders it is).

Today we have a bunch of things to accomplish. Groceries, Thanksgiving planning, and cuddling. Thanksgiving this year should be great, we have so much to be thankful for. I think my house might be decked out in Christmas gear by then. The snow and cold has me fast forwarding the season from browns and oranges to reds and greens.

I was chatting with Hector yesterday. We were listening to an awesome Pandora station and I was dancing with the baby because Evan was with Grandma Debbie (he is getting so spoiled over there!) and I felt so full, happy, content. It was a wonderful feeling – it’s been a very long time since I felt like that. Confident, happy, content – unbelievably grateful. I was MEANT to be a mom. I know what I’m doing, especially this time around. With Evan, I felt great but with this one, I know I can juggle both Evan and baby. I’m sure there will be hard days, but right now – I know this is EXACTLY where we should be. I’m so filled by that thought. I’m so happy. I don’t care if I get the stink eye from someone who thinks they know what is best for my baby or family – because I DO know what is best for them. Judgey mom wars, really won’t bother me at all – in fact I’ll stray away from that talk – I’m surrounded by supportive moms and family, and friends – that’s all I need. These boys:

Like I said. Recovery. Mentally, physically, emotionally. Each day is getting a bit better – this year will end on a high note.

Love – the Villas

November 13, 2014

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One Week Brain Dump

Greetings from the home of our family of four humans, one fur big baby, and several fishies. Yesterday my littlest love turned one week old.

(2-3 days?)

He is such a good baby – reminds me of this not so little to me anymore guy:

Thanks to Ms. Shannon, he is all about pictures – “Momma, take my picture!!” my response GLADLY!!! He’s a lot more difficult to take pictures of these days because he is a always on the go dude… I hope to get some good pictures today – but who knows I have a lot of personalities I’m surrounded by and not all of them can help me keep people still for my camera with no focus 😉 – would it be totally wrong to get one an take it back? hahahahaha.

How things have changed so far: no more belly! I’m jiggly everywhere but I just keep reminding myself I’m only a week out. I started gentle yoga stretches to help with my sleepy body aches. Sleep is the same, not happening too much 🙂 – but I just try to get to bed earlier and stay in later until I’m fully healed. Juggling. Hardest part so far is having two who have needs that need to be met right away. With Evan he wasn’t allowed to cry for a millisecond. With this one, if I’m doing something for Evan, I need to finish that first so he cries for a few seconds. Although Evan is understanding a bit more each day that when the baby cries I have to feed him. I know we will find more balance as time goes on. I’m currently trying to think of in house projects to do with Evan to get his energy out when the weather is so sucky. My mom suggested a few things – I need to stock up on some tools – luckily he really does like the high chair so I think I can get him to do some projects from the safety of his chair vs what I envision as markers on my wall. I’m not just yet ready to tackle the store all by myself in the cold – maybe tomorrow, if only to walk around and let Evan look at stuff. My current goal is to get him on a better schedule. Which means wake up at a consistent time, nap at a consistent time, and a consistent bed-time routine – with new baby excitement, time change and various other things, he has been tossed around a bit to much and needs the stability back. Today our plans are to give him an early bath because i think more of his breakfast is ON him at the current moment then in his belly – followed by more photos, nursing, cleaning and cuddling.

Adios for now from the Villas – Let’s hope I can get the “birth story” up today – I can’t seem to get everything together (multiple cameras, a notebook with times, myself and two happy babies *fingers crossed* the stars align at naptime).

November 8, 2014

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Complete.

We are home, safe, warm and hearts full – because look who has arrived:

Michael Alexander Villa (#MAV) has hopped his way into our hearts. Melted my soul and has taken my breath away just about every second I look at him. Evan is an outstanding, loving, caring, kind, excited big brother and we are just quiet blissful and thankful right now.

Labor was great, and I can’t wait to share the [short] birth story with everyone *hopefully* later today – while it is still fresh in my brain. But I’m feeling quiet good – a bit sore and VERY VERY CRAMPY – geez! They warned me cramping would be worse the 2nd time (and even worse with each consecutive pregnancy) but WOWZA! Just when I think I feel good I still get hit with a fresh set of the cramps and man do they curl my toes!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it 100x more, the support around us has been tremendous. My friends have been just the best, and my family too – checking in, sending love and just being so amazing. Life is good. I’m sharing some snuggles and need to grab something to eat (nursing really makes me HUNGRY) haha – so I’m off to do that and hopefully can pop back on with some details on the little dude.

For now – sending love and light to everyone. God bless, chat soon.

Love,

Mommy and Michael (cuddled so perfectly on my chest)

November 5, 2014

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November 5, 2014 – Arrival of Mr. Michael Alexander

So I started writing this the morning of – and am just getting around to finishing it up!

Good morning/noon/night – from November 5th, 2014.

This morning started off early. Me tossing and turning in bed, the impending “induction time” quickly approaching. I remember telling a friend on Facebook “Happy [half hour before your] Birthday” at around 11:25p.m. and then shutting down. I had been on my Amazon app seeing if there was any last minute items I wanted to order – anything that the baby needs, I need, Evan needs. I also text messaged my mom – something along the lines, “Hector is snoring, that is so unfair” – lol.

I woke up around 2:30, went to the bathroom, woke up around 4, 5 and finally rolled out of bed about 5:20. I had showered the night before so I just did a normal get ready routine, ate a banana and thought to myself “I hope they consider this a light breakfast” – clearly I know better but also clearly, I don’t have too much of an appetite and I haven’t gone shopping – shame. on. me. (reminds me I should probably make someone a list to grab a few things for us lol). Evan is still peacefully sleeping and I cannot help but stare at his perfect little face. We cuddled all night long, our last night at home as a family of 3.

I’d nudged Hector about 100x asking him to get up. Hector isn’t the most prompt person on the planet. Makes me nuts. But finally he got up, got dressed and we waited for Grandma Debbie. She decided to stop by and hang with Evan while he was sleeping so we didn’t have to wake him up, get him dressed and get a crabby 2 year old in the car. Grandma Debbie rules. Before I knew it I was scrambling to make sure we had everything we needed. And we were off. This whole time I had some cramping and light spotting (like every morning for the past two weeks). I didn’t think anything of it and didn’t tell anyone about it because of all my “false alarms” – I even deleted the contraction app I downloaded and I’m so glad I didn’t upgrade it. I remember being in the car so annoyed because I felt like we were going to be really late. How come I didn’t account for traffic on Wednesday morning? While on the expressway I was still noticing contractions. Nothing crazy, just a bit painful. We finally arrived at the hospital. As Hector looked for parking, somehow annoying me – I just wanted to get upstairs as we were already late.

The nice thing about our hospital is it is so laid back, Hector and I bantered back and forth, as we always do and I was walking with my heavy bag (naturally) and walking through contractions. We get up stairs and admitted walked in around 7:10 (10 minutes late). They inform me of the usual, have me sign a couple of forms, and walk us to room 5, the same room I delivered Evan in! We walked in and were greeted by two nurses:

Our head nurse was Dawn, a sweet lady who had clearly been there a while. And Ivette, who was doing a rotation on the floor and was clearly new. So Dawn (same nurse that admitted me with Evan!) was talking her through everything she was doing and having her perform everything (IV, blood, etc.) – at first I was slightly annoyed that there was a student but she was so sweet that quickly faded. Both nurses were great. I informed them I was having contractions that morning and they saw them clearly on the monitor. Ivette had never seen a birth from start to finish as babies were highly unpredictable so she had saw bits and pieces but was hoping for a beginning to end experience, so she pretty much begged me to have the baby before 7 p.m., and I told her “that’s the plan!” (I couldn’t imagine having to be in labor for 10+ hours but knew with an induction that could be very possible outcome). Even with my regular contractions they still set it up as an induction so I was given a very small dose of pitocin because they knew from my appointment on Monday, that I was already 3.5CM dilated and likely further a long as I was getting regular contractions (I scoffed at this…lol). After all the admin stuff and IVs it was about 8 a.m. and Dr. San Juan walked in to check me. He told us “she is 4+ and ‘very breakable'” – so he broke my water and said that would speed things up. He also said I could have an epidural if I wanted one – to which I quickly replied – Yep! please. I knew if my friends Nicole and Joanna said that around 8cm it is unbearable pain, I’d rather not get there… lol. Dr. San Juan noticed how low my pit. drip was and said to the nurse “up it every 15 minutes” – Dawn said “honey, I won’t do that to you until you have the epidural, these doctors.” – Clearly I appreciated this, she was hoping I didn’t have to be in crazy pain if I didn’t have to be. PS with Evan, when they broke my water I didn’t feel anything, this time super gross as I felt gushes at every contraction lol.

So it was now about 8:40, my nurses had given me fluids but also came in and said that there was a c-section planned at 9 a.m. and that I’d likely have to wait for the epidural because the doctor on call would have to be there for the c-section. She then checked my contractions and they were super close together (I clearly noticed this) – I could handle that if they would get me up and let me move around but sitting in bed wasn’t pleasant and they were getting stronger and closer together really really quickly. 10 minutes later she walked in and said that she was going to see if the anestesologist could come in before the c-section because she thought it might be too late to get it if I had to wait much longer. Nurse DAWN to the rescue! lol Shortly after Dr. Whitcom popped in and administered the epidural. He was fantastic and Hector got to hold me <3. I also noticed that JUST LIKE Evan, as I sat there, contractions REALLY hurt. The 60 seconds of rest were nice and I felt good but then a really good contraction would set in and I found it hard to sit still. So just like Evan I was getting the Epi just in time. So by 9:30 the epidural was done. The relief you feel is so strange and I sat there while he monitored all the vitals for about 15 minutes, I felt really relaxed, almost too relaxed. I just breathed through it, something about going through this the second time – I knew this was temporary uncomfortableness that would pass – and it did. The doctor told me about getting more with the help of a fancy button, that just like Evan – I never had to press and told the nurse NOT to press for me lol. Dawn had set up to go to that before mentioned c-section and that left me with nurse Ivette, for some reason that section kept getting pushed (can you imagine being that mom?) – I remember nurse Ivette walking in looking slightly nervous sorta like “wait, don’t have this baby YET!” lol – I was perfectly comfortable paying attention to my guests (my mom dad and Evan had walked in JUST after the epidural).

Things progressed so quickly after the epidural. Nurse Dawn came in asking me if I felt pressure around 10:15 and said she was going to check me because at every contraction the baby was saying “my head is being squished” and because of the Epi I didn’t mind lol. So Her and Ivette took turns and Ivette said I would say she is about 8, nurse Dawn corrected and said 7-8 and here is why – I felt like I was learning with Ivette, haha. I couldn’t believe that from 8-10:20 I had gone from 4 to 7-8 and she turned down my pitocin. The nurses left quickly again, I chatted with my parents and Hector and 20 minutes later my nurses walked in asking if I was feeling pressure because she was noticing the pattern of my contractions and his slowed heart were more frequent. So at 10:39 (Hector took notes for me!) I was 8-9 almost complete with just a small lip/GAP left. Nurse Ivette kept telling me – wow the baby is right there! Like right there! Nurse Dawn never did make it to the c-section haha. They called Dr. San Juan and asked my parents to leave – and we were going to try a test push to see where my numbness was (as I hadn’t gotten the epi too long before this). Everyone was really surprised at how quickly this all went. I didn’t even feel like I had been there an hour. Dr. San Juan walked in around 11:15 a.m. and really quickly got dressed, moved the bottom of the bed and they basically said he’d be here soon. After two big pushes and a few smaller ones (Dr. San Juan asked for smaller ones), Mr. Michael was on my chest at 11:32 a.m. just 4ish hours after WALKING into the hospital and 3ish hours after being hooked up to IVs and such.

Michael Alexander – Born 11:32 a.m. 7 lbs 10 oz 19 inches – 7/5/2014

I told them I wanted plenty of skin to skin time so baby was put immediately on my chest and I just held him for about an hour, he nursed and it was perfection as Dr. San Juan stitched me up – got a 2nd degree tear because just like his bro he came out with a fist in his face (I wonder how common this is!). I remember feeling overwhelmed with emotion. The nice thing about this time around was they didn’t rush me out of the room like with Evan. They left Hector, baby and I pretty much alone (short check ins) to bond with the new baby. Hector even got a bit emotional – out of nowhere it was a surreal moment. Super special.

Then Nicole, Mom, Dad and big brother Evan came to visit:

I gave baby to daddy and co. for a short time so that moment could happen. It was so perfect to watch. My sister snapped a couple sweet pictures of the newbie and us:

It was a perfect morning. Followed by a beautiful afternoon with the newest member of our family. Nurse Ivette was so happy she got her start to finish “perfect” birth – and I felt overwhelmed that I had such a wonderful experience once again. I’ve been so lucky. Even though I’ve had to wait until 41 weeks with both my boys, the induction experiences for me have been flawless. Maybe I shouldn’t chance it a 3rd time. lol

They slowly moved us to our postpartum room with a view.

My crazy prompt parents sent flowers (sunflowers remind us of Grandma who we miss dearly <3) and brought beautiful balloons:

Where we cuddled and admired, perfect baby feet, new relationships and my sweet baby Michael A.:

Our beautiful new baby boy. It was a quiet night – Auntie Joanna came by, my parents came back with some dinner and then we were all alone for a night of skin to skin, lots of snoring (Hector), no sleep (for me, I hate hospitals), and LOTS of cramping and “bottom” soreness. lol I did make my request quiet clear – I wanted out ASAP – and they obliged as long as everyone looked good – and we did. So 24 hours later we were setting up to get home:

I wanted to see Evan SO BAD. I missed him so much – what felt like forever… We were finally on our way.

Here is the reaction when I saw Evan:

I kid you not, tears in my eyes. He looked so huge, but was so happy to see us ❤

We visited shortly with grandma and grandpa, and then they left us. Oso behaved beautifully and after all the excitement – we all settled down to cuddle in bed:

I got some more skin to skin time with my little:

Look how hairy!! ❤

So there it is the story of our newest addition. ❤

Love the VILLAS! (Baby stirring Evan about to watch Fire & Rescue) – My life is so sweet right now.