Holding my bottle

About a couple of weeks ago Erin started to want to hold her bottle.
With some help she is mastering this ability and soon she'll be able to feed herself!

Abejita and Me

Erin found a friend. She loves to play with this colorful bee.
We are amazed to see her play with it,
is really the first toy that she is actually playing with.

Weight Check

After doing all that was recommended (I didn't drink a beer, but had a malt instead) we've learn today that Erin gained 20 gm/day in the last 3 days which is IDEAL! We are very happy and looking forward to her next weight check on Tuesday. In the meantime, I'm in a higher calorie diet, feeding her every time she wants and keeping her warm...we are both resting better as well.

Weight Check

Another weight check today...She lost 1 oz!!! Still the pediatrician (Dr. Delago, this time) wants me to keep breastfeeding and to RELAX. She explained to us that constantly being worried about the baby's weight gain can be somewhat stressful for me and that might impact in the breast milk flow and production. Also recommended to rest better, eat more nutritious meals and to keep Erin warm with double blanket and a hat...and to go have a beer!!! We need to bring her back on Thursday to weight her again.

I'm 3 weeks old today!

Baby Timer Data

Week 3

6.3 diapers/day
11.3 feedings/day
8.1 naps /day
14.1 hours asleep/day
1:43 average sleep duration

My visitors at home: Tio Berny

Weight check

We took Erin to the clinic today to check on her weight. She weighted 7lb, 4oz. She gained 3 oz in the last week. Still not the ideal weight gain for a newborn. Feedings every 1.5-2 hrs was recommended and we'll weight her again in another week.

My visitors at home: Tia Cristina & Tio Ovi

My little princess is growing

Erin is becoming more alert and aware
of her environment every day.
I can tell she recognizes my voice and she likes being held a lot.
She still enjoys short moments on her swing or bassinet by herself.

Baby Timer Data

Week 2

5.6 diapers/day
12.4 feedings/day
8.7 naps/day
16.6 hours asleep/day
1:54 average sleep duration

I'm 2 weeks old today!

Happy tummy

My baby loves to eat. This is how she usually ends her feedings.
I find it so funny...

Big girl crib

Erin still sleeps with us on her bassinet,
but today she took a nap on her crib in her own room!
She woke up in a good mood, I guess she liked it :-)

Out and about with Grandma

My visitors at home: Abuelitos Beatriz & Nelson and Tia Patri

A cozy naptime

It looks like we are skipping fall.
Today was so cold in our house that I had to have her wear hat and mittens for nap.

Hey mommy! Would you stop with that flash now! Trying to get some sleep here!

My visitors at home: Uncle Steve and Tia Miriam

Nacimiento de Erin en detalle

Todo empezo el viernes 18 de Septiembre despues de un largo dia de trabajo en el hospital. Llegue a casa a las 3:30 p.m. con contracciones cada 6-7 minutos, un poco dolorosas. Segui mi dia segun planeado, pues no estaba segura todavia de estar en labor de parto ya que durante el ultimo mes las contracciones eran muy comunes. Paul trabajaba en la emergencia esa noche de 7 p.m a 5 a.m. A eso de las 5:30 p.m. decidi decirle a Paul, su reaccion fue rapida, pues estaba sobrio esta vez. Con el embarazo de Jorel rompi fuente a las 2 horas de terminar su fiesta de cumplenos sorpresa y Paul me preguntaba una y otra vez si estaba segura aun pudiendo ver con sus propios ojos. Nunca se me olvidara ese momento tan comico.

En fin, empezamos a hacer un plan, llamar a hospital y organizarnos para la noche que nos esperaba. Le dijimos a Patricia y a Claudia, nuestra amiga que vive con nosotros, y como era de esperarse empezo la emocion. Despues de un ataque de adrenalina digno de una primeriza Claudia logro clamarse con un instinto incontrollable de limpiar y organizar la casa. Seriamente consideramos darle un valium, pero no fue necesario.

Las contracciones se hacian mas dolorosas y mas frecuentes mientras Paul se iba a su trabajo, yo a alistarme para depositar a Jorel a donde mi amiga Patricia, donde pasaria la noche, y Claudia y Patricia me llevarian al hospital.

Llegue al hospital a las 9:20 p.m. caminando como si nada con contracciones cada 5 minutos. Una residente de primer ano estaba a cargo del area de triaje. Mi primer chequeo revelo que la bebe estaba a -3, el punto mas alto; 60 % de borramiento cervical y un centimetro de dilatacion. Y el dolor en sus buenas! Paul estaba al pendiente ya que estabamos en el mismo hospital. Patricia y Claudia estaban conmigo.

Las contracciones siguieron, ya estaban insoportables a eso de la media noche y yo no estaba ni ingresada ya que mi “magnifica doctora residente de primer ano” opinaba que el area estaba muy concurrida y como yo no estaba en “labor de parto activa” yo solo tenia dos opciones: irme para mi casa a esperar dilatar mas y volver (con la cabeza de la bebe afuera, por lo menos!!!!) o esperar ahi a ver si talvez en la manana me podian hacer una cesarea si la labor no progresaba o de lo contrario podia planificar la cesaria para dentro de 1 o 2 dias. A lo que yo respondi que no me movia de donde estaba y que queria la cesaria lo mas rapido posible…A lo cual debi agregar…y una consulta siquiatrica para ti urgente!

Siguieron pasando las horas y las contracciones estaban seguidas aun a -3, 90% de borramiento y el mismito centimetro de dilatacion.

Le explique a mi “magnifica doctora residente de primer ano” que en mi primera labor cuando nacio Jorel habia tenido fallo en progresar, que sabia lo que venia y por esa razon queria una cesaria de nuevo. A lo cual ella contesto que por el simple hecho que yo hubiera cambiado de decision ahora ella no me podia hacer cesaria antes que a otras pacientes, que si yo hubiera decidido eso antes me hubieran coordinado la cesaria para una semana antes. Solo la mire y gracias a Dios no la insulte!

Mi “magnifica doctora residente de primer ano” insistia en mandarme para mi casa! Yo me negaba a irme y esta vez le pedi una epidural a lo cual mi “magnifica doctora residente de primer ano” se nego ya que para eso habia que ingresarme y segun ella no habia una habitacion para ponermela y monitorear a la bebe. Ohhh, lo que es parir con una “magnifica doctora residente de primer ano”!!!! Muuuuy doloroso!

A eso de las 2 a.m. le dije a Paul que todavia no lograba que me ingresaran pero que viniera ya. Paul estuvo conmigo durante la peor fase de mi labor gracias a Dios. Logre que me inyectaran 2 mg de morfina lo cual no hiso “ni ji”. El dolor seguia casi constantemente, ya yo no tenia nocion de la hora, de quien entraba y salia… solo de que Paul estaba conmigo… A las 3:25 a.m. rompi fuente y “ta-ran!” hubo que ingresarme de inmediato y coordinar cesarea para lo mas rapido posible. Ohh, Dios ES poderoso!

Me costo sufrir un poquito mas pero en cuestion de una hora y media estaba en la sala de cirugia en donde me pusieron un bloqueo espinal que se parecio mucho al paraiso!

A las 5:12 a.m. nacio Erin y el milagro de Dios culmino con una bebe bella y saludable, una mama libre de dolor y sin cargos de homicidio en contra de la “magnifica doctora residente de primer ano” y un papa feliz.

Que eplote!

Swing & music time

Erin is loving music time! She enjoys to sit on her swing and listen to Baby Einstein music.

After a while she is set for another nap!

First visit to the doctor

We took Erin to her 1 week check up visit to Dr. Samuels. She weighted 7 lb, 1 oz
(all babies loose 5-10% of their birth weight on the first week).
She should begin to gain weight now. We need to take her again in a week to check on her weight.
Dr. Samuels said she was in perfect shape!

Angel face

She looks so peaceful...

Visit to mommy's office

Today I visited my mommy's office and met my auntie Kim.

My Birth Announcements

Strolling around the neighborhood

We joined Jorel for a bicycle ride around our neighborhood today.
Paul, Jorel and me ended up getting wet in the rain halfway our walk.
Gladly Erin remained dry inside her stroller.
As you can see it looks like she enjoyed the adventure!

I'm 1 week old today!

My little girl is a cutie.
I loved that she looked like a little old woman with this 2-piece outfit.

First visit to the park

Baby Timer Data

I've been using a very practical application to keep track of my baby's feedings, sleep and diaper changes through out the day. This is what I've gathered on the first week!

Week 1

4.7 diapers/day
13.0 feedings/day
9.4 naps /day
12.7 hours asleep/day
1.20 average sleep duration

My first outing

Today we had to go back to the hospital to have
my staples removed from my c-section incision.
She was such a good girl, she slept the while time.

One BIG explosion!

Ohh! Look at my outfit! I look so beautiful!



oh, oh...I think I might need to....

Oh no! I can't hold it! (a big explosion!)

Ups, I did it again mommy...

So mommy had to change her into a whole different outfit for her first outing.

My first sponge bath at home

She was so peaceful the whole time,
I kept talking to her and she looked like she was enjoying it.

Hanging out on mommy's bed

Big brother in action!

My big brother Jorel helps everyway he can. I'm lucky to have him!

My First Week: Day 5

Daddy & Erin

Erin's videos

My big brother and me

My First Week: Day 3

 

What a cute burrito!

My visitors at the hospital: Grandma Judy

My visitors at the hospital: Tia Patri

Ready to go home today!

A special thanks!

To my nurses and care associates at Einstein that took care of me and my mommy while in the hospital: Regina, Ginger, Shelly, Cheryl, Corina and Sandra.

My favorite place for a nap :-)

My visitors at the hospital: Auntie Michelle

My First Week: Day 2

OOh! This is such a good life!

My visitors at the hospital: Tia Eli

Erin's birth

Movies

My First Week: Day 1

 

With mommy and daddy

My visitors at the hospital: Tia Claudia

First breastfeeding

Just minutes after we met...She's loving it!

Our first pic together

Meeting my mommy...finally!

My daddy was there to welcome me too and cut my umbilical cord!!

My tia Claudia took care of me right away!

My daddy is ready!

A letter from mommy

Sept. 15, 2009

Mi angel,

Ya quiero verte, sostenerte en mis brazos,

besarte y mimarte.
Estos meses que hemos compartido,

mientras creces en mi vientre,
han sido absolutamente magicos.

Sentirte dentro de mi

me llena de esperanzas dia tras dia.


Saber que vienes nos ha alegrado

desde que supimos la noticia.
Aun sin nacer te amamos

y tu hermanito Jorel te canta

y besa desde aqui afuera.

Tu papito te acaricia con frecuencia

y yo te mimo cada dia mas
y te hablo de lo dichosa que me siento

de que seas mi princesa.


Te esperamos para consentirte,
impregnarte de ese amor inmeso

que compartimos en nuestro hogar,
protegerte y guiarte por esta vida maravillosa
esperando que crezcas sana

y feliz de ser parte de nuestra familia.

Te adoro,

Tu mamita.

A glance at mommy's growing belly

My last ultrasound

My room is DONE! Take a look!

My room is almost ready! Daddy and big brother put my furniture together

My shoes collection

Decorating my room

Baby Shower Santo Domingo

Baby Shower SD

Me at 27 weeks

Baby Shower Philadelphia

Baby Shower Philadelphia

Preliminary Nursery Themes

The expensive one

The one that Daddy likes

The one that Mommy likes

Aunties and "More" getting ready for baby Erin!!

Tututu is here to sort out all my clothing!!!


My auntie Pao also helped :-)

"More" and Jorel

Thanks to all my aunties (Tututu, Chiqui, Vivi, Larissa, Kim and many more)
I have plenty of baby clothes

My meassurements...I rock!

Look at me! Smiling at 20 week

Big brother Jorel loved to see me on the ultrasound!

Baby shopping at Times Square NY

 

 

Trip tp SD with baby news!

The next day after our arrival to SD we spread the news on a family reunion. We wanted to see the reaction of our parents in person since we were not able to enjoy that when Jorel was coming. Jorel was the first one to tell his uncles about the baby. These are some of the moments we captured.

Patri knows!

I told Patri today! She was so happy for us. She came over to share our joy and
brought baby's very first gift!

Mommy and Daddy found out about me!

Mommy found out first, and had my big brother give this present to Daddy even though he did not know what it meant...

Inside there were the several pregnancy tests my mommy used.
She could not believe it!

Estimated Date of Conception :-)