Antonella Week 1

 

Antonella had the most amazing first week. She is so beautiful and so strong and so sweet. I know all parents say their kids are awesome, and it is because they are! 

She likes to sleep with her hand by her face, it's really cute and a habit she imitates from grandpa Willie, if she is going to look so much like her daddy's side of the family it is only fair her mannerisms and habits are from my side, right?

In her first week Antonella got shots, learned to breastfeed, pooped on Mamma, had a couple nights of cluster feeding, smiled a lot, got hundreds of pictures taken and then peed on Mamma. It was quite the eventful week for the little one. And Caleb and I are head over heels, we really cannot get enough of her. 

She likes:
Eating, sleeping, daddy's voice, music. 

She doesn't like:
When mommy wakes her up, having her hands constrained, being held for too long. 

Batman induces labor

We haven't been writing much because we had our baby!! Last Thursday she came and I am writing bits and pieces of the birth story to share here, it was quite the experience. 

But here is the fun beginning. Wednesday we decided to go to the movies looking for a cool place where I could sit and relax (the weather in San Diego has been crazy and going all the way up to 90 with humidity which is so unlike our beautiful city). So we decide on the Dark Knight rises. 

I was having contractions throughout but I had been having contractions for the last 3 days and they weren't strong enough or close enough, so I didn't think much of them. 3/4 through the movie the contractions were 4 and 1/2 minutes apart and really intense, tears would stream down my face with each one and Caleb asked me if we should go. I said we should probably stay as they still weren't close enough (we were supposed to call the midwife at 4 minutes apart, lasting a minute for an entire hour). 

So we stayed, and we watched the entire movie, and I don't remember everything about it. But I learned that Batman induces labor. 

My belly's progression

 

 

And here is my belly progression. It's surreal to see them all together. I can't believe I carried her for over 41 weeks. And she grew inside of me, and we became best friends as we felt each other move. We learned about each other; she learned I dance with daddy often, I learned she wakes up at 4am. She learned I don't eat spicy food, I learned she gets the hiccups with cold water. She learned I will push myself and work more than I should, I learned she likes to slow down, and will make me slow down with her when necessary. She learned I love strawberries, I learned she loves them too! We just learned each other, we knew each other even before we laid eyes on each other, we just knew.

I will miss her kicks in my belly, and I will miss knowing I get to protect her from everything, no matter what. I will miss the anticipation, not knowing what she looks like and dreaming about her while rubbing my belly and talking to her. I will miss her daddy singing to her and the long crazy stories he told my belly. I will miss him praying for her while he massaged my back, every night he just massaged my back and prayed for her, every night, every night! I will miss that weird connection he seemed to have with her and how she just kicked like crazy when she heard his voice, I will miss her humor (yes my daughter showed us her humor from the belly).

Antonella, my daughter, I've loved carrying you, even the days I was so hot I really thought I was going to pass out, I've felt so honored I got to be your first home. I am so honored God chose me to be your mom. These 41+ weeks have been unreal, they have been the most incredible experience and I know they are just the beginning of the most exciting life with you. I cannot wait to see you with your daddy, the thought of you two together kept me going the days I thought I couldn't, during the contractions I thought were unbearable, and I know seeing you together will be the most amazing gift I could be given. I love you!


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Aca esta el progreso de mi barriga. Es increible ver todas las fotos juntas. No puedo creer que la cargue por un poco mas de 41 semanas. Y ella crecio adentro mio, y nos volvimos mejores amigas mientras sentiamos a la otra moverse. Y aprendimos cosas de la otra; ella sabe que yo bailo con su papa seguido, y yo aprendi que ella se despierta a las 4am. Ella aprendio que yo no como comida picante, y yo aprendi que a ella le da hipo con el agua fria. Ella aprendio que yo aveces trabajo mas de lo que deberia, y yo aprendi que a ella le gusta ir mas despacio, y me va a hacer ir mas despacio si es necesario. Ella aprendio que a mi me encantan las fresas, y yo aprendi que a ella tambien le encantan. Las dos aprendimos sobre la otra, nos conocimos antes de vernos, las dos sencillamente sabiamos.

Voy a extrañar sus patadas en mi barriga, y voy a extrañar el saber que puedo protejerla de todas las cosas, sin importar que sea. Voy a extrañar la anticipacion, no saber como se ve y soñar como se va a ver mientras me toco la barriga y le hablo. Y voy a extranar ver a su papa cantarle y contarle las historias locas que le contaba a mi barriga. Voy a extrañar oirlo orar por mi y por ella mientras me masajeaba la espada todas las noches, porque el me masajeo todas las noches, todas las noches! Voy a extrañar esa coneccion extraña que parecian tener Caleb y Antonella, cada vez que el hablaba ella saltaba con emocion. Voy a extrañar el humor de Antonella (si, mi hija nos mostro su humor desde la barriga).

Antonella, mi hija, me encanto cargarte, inclusive en esos dias que tenia tanto calor que sentia que me iba a desmayar jaja. Ha sido un honor ser tu primera casa. Me siento tan honrada porque Dios me escogio para ser tu mama. Estas 41+ semanas han sido surreales, han sido la experiencia mas increible y yo se que es solo el principio de la vida mas emocionante contigo. Ya quiero verte pasar mas tiempo con tu papa, la idea de ustedes juntos me ayudo a seguir con una buena actitud en esos dias que sentia que no podia cargarte mas, me ayudo durante las contracciones que parecian insoportables, yo se que verlos juntos va a ser el mejor regalo que yo podria haber recibido. Te amo.

Baby Luehmann Week 40

 

Week 40

Weight +28.5 Pounds 

Waist +15 Inches 

Cravings: Nothing

Dislikes: The heat and the fact that I don't have a baby!

So against all bets we made it another week Antonella and I. She seriously is waiting as long as she possibly can. With the temperature rising in San Diego there are days I really think I can't do it one more day, but then I do it, and I am fine and I amaze myself haha.  

This past week we had a doctor's appointment and it was really fun. My midwife made us laugh, she was so sweet to my mom and grandma speaking in Spanish and she just made me feel really calm by letting me know baby is doing great and so am I, and babies that are overdue are completely normal. I really love her, she's absolutely the best. 

Aside from the doctor's appointment nothing much happened as I went to school the whole week. Every day I walked into class my teachers and fellow students looked at me with sad eyes, it was as though they were watching a really really terrible scene. I am glad I went to school though, it was great being there and being entertained and learning so many amazing things. The week went by so fast, it was amazing. 

Just like last week I haven't been the most patient, it's been funny though so it's all good. One night my mom offered us these Colombian corn pies, I said yes and Caleb said no. When the pies were done Caleb asked for a bite of mine and it was as though he had hit me or something. I could not believe he was asking for a bite of my PIE jaja. He just started laughing and laughing, he just couldn't stop so I went to the room and ate my pie alone in peace, it made a great story jaja.

At the doctor's appointment I was told I will be induced on the 19th if baby doesn't come on her own, so this will definitely be the last picture but I will update you all on the story on week 41 with a picture of my baby woo hoo! 

Semana 40

Peso +28.5 libras

Cintura +15 pulgadas

Antojos: Nada

No me gusta: El calor y no tener mi bebe todavia!!!

En contra de todas las apuestas Antonella y yo seguimos aqui. Ella esta esperando lo mas que pueda. Con la temperatura en San Diego subiendo en estos dias, la mayoria de los dias yo pienso que no puedo seguir cargandola, pero despues el dia pasa y seguimos bien, y yo me impresiono conmigo misma jaja. 

Esta semana pasada tuvimos nuestra cita con el doctor y fue divertida. Mi partera nos hizo reir mucho, se porto super bien con mi mami y mi abuelita hablandoles en el Español que podia, y despues me hizo sentir mucho mas tranquila hablando del bebe y como todo esta bien con ella y conmigo. Me dijo que es normal que los bebes se pasen de la fecha de parto, y me hizo sentir comoda. Me encanta mi partera, es la mejor!

Ademas de la cita al medico no paso mucho esta semana porque estuve en la universidad toda la semana. Cada mañana cuando entraba a clase mi profesor y los estudiantes me miraban con tristeza, como si estuvieran viendo una escena terrible jaja. Ir a la universidad fue buena idea, estuve alla, ocupada, entretenida y aprendiendo cosas increibles. La semana se paso super rapido, fue increible. 

Como la semana pasada esta semana no he tenido mucha paciencia, pero es chistoso para todos entonces esta bien. Una noche mi mami nos ofrecio arepas, yo le dije que si, Caleb dijo que no. Cuando las arepas ya estaban Caleb me pidio un mordico de mi arepa y fue como si me hubiese pegado, yo no podia creer que me estuviera pidiendo un mordisco de MI AREPA jaja. El solo se empezo a reir de mi, y no podia parar de reirse y yo me fui a comerme mi arepa sola a mi cuarto, es una buena historia jaja.

En la cita del medico nos dijeron que voy a tener una induccion el 19 si Antonella no llega sola, entonces esta es definitivamente la ultima foto, pero yo pongo la historia de la semana 41 con una foto de mi bebe woo hoo!

Walking around

People keep asking me if I am walking. At 41+ weeks I want to be a little sarcastic and almost rude and say "no, I am not trying every possible thing to get this baby out, I want her to stay in, tell me about walking!" but I don't say that, I just smile and let them know I have been walking plenty, I know everyone has the best intentions, I am just seriously not patient at all right now.

We went to the beach last Saturday to walk around and I walked for about a mile and a half which felt great with the ocean breeze. Grandma came along but she decided not to walk with us so she didn't make the pictures, she just stayed behind, sat down and was people watching.

I am still walking around as much as I can, trying to avoid being out during the day as it is too hot, but walking regardless.

Baby Luehmann Week 39

Week 39

Weight +28 Pounds 

Waist +14.5 Inches 

Cravings: My body back haha

Dislikes: The heat

This week was good, challenging as I went to bed every night thinking "well, she didn't come today either", but good. My patience level has diminished greatly, and I feel like I am mean to people all the time, but Caleb assures me I am only mean to him haha. We were driving around running errands and I could hear him breathe so I told him he was breathing too loud and asked him to please stop. He just started laughing, he's such a sweet husband, he tries really hard to be empathetic and take all my crazy.

Our doctor's appointment this week went well also. As usual I am measuring small but everything is going well. I didn't gain any weight this week, which the midwife said was normal, but my belly did grow by half an inch, which brought my first stretch mark with it. I got a small inch and a half stretch mark on my left upper hip. Yes it was a meltdown moment, but I got over it and I am now ok with the new addition to my body. 

For the first time ever I got a cervix check, it wasn't bad, didn't hurt, I was just uncomfortable. I was expecting to hear I was a little dilated, but it turns out I am not all, or at least I wasn't up until last Thursday. The midwife said it was ok, and not to worry. I was 20% effaced though.

I am hoping we don't have a 41 weeks picture, but at the rate this baby is coming we just might. 

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Semana 39

Peso +28 libras

Cintura +14.5 pulgadas

Antojos: Mi cuerpo normal jaja

No me gusta: El calor

Esta semana nos fue bien, tuvo sus desafios, espcialmente cada noche mientras yo pensaba "ok, hoy no llego mi hija tampoco", pero en general nos fue bien. Mis niveles de paciencia han cambiado, yo siento que no soy muy amable con la gente, pero Caleb me ha asegurado es solo con el jaja. Estabamos manejando la semana pasada, haciendo vueltas y yo podia oirlo respirar entonces le dije que por favor dejara de respirar tan duro jaja. Mi esposo es divino y muy paciente asi que solo se rio, pero yo se que debe ser dificil ser empatico y aceptar toda mi locura con estas hormonas.

Nuestra cita con el doctor esta semana fue un poco diferente. Como siempre estoy midiendo un poco pequeña (aunque no me vea pequeña!), pero todo sigue en orden. No subi de peso esta semana, y mi doctora dijo que eso era normal, pero mi barriga crecio 1/2 pulgada, lo que trajo mi primera estria. Me salio una estria de mas o menos pulgada y media en la parte alta de mi cadera al lado izquierdo, si casi lloro y me puse triste, pero despues lo supere y ya estoy bien con la nueva adicion a mi cuerpo.

Pero lo que fue diferente de mi cita al doctor fue que me revisaron el cuello del utero por primera vez. No fue terrible, no me dolio, fue simplemente incomodo. Yo pense que iba a estar un poco dilatada pero no he dilatado nada, al menos hasta el jueves pasado no habia dilatado nada, pero si estoy 20% effaced (no se como traducir eso). 

Estoy esperando no tener foto de 41 semanas, pero a la velocidad que este bebe esta llegando puede que tengamos una fotos mas.

Walking around

 

Since baby girl was due Sunday, we have been doing everything everybody says to try and encourage her to join the outside of my belly. Walking has been a constant activity, so Saturday we went to the Farmer's Market in Little Italy and then to the mall. We walked quite a bit but she is still inside of me. We'll see when she comes.

August wedding

 

Our friends Lemec and Tara got married last Friday in a beautiful ceremony here in San Diego right by the water overlooking downtown. 

We had the honor to do their pre-marital counseling and let me tell you it was an absolute joy to meet with them and discuss marriage. They are both so centered in Christ that we have no doubt the Lord will an amazing work through their marriage. We still have two post-martial sessions to do with them and we cannot wait to have them back in our couch after their honeymoon to chat further. 

Congrats Lemec and Tara, may this be the beginning of a very very very long and God-like marriage.

July in pictures

 July was a month of big bellies and getting A's room ready. No baby yet in July, we'll have to wait to meet her in August.

 June here

Baby Luehmann Week 38

Week 38

Weight +28 Pounds 

Waist +14 Inches 

Cravings: Strawberries

Dislikes: The heat

 

This past week we kept pretty busy. I walked so much and did so much stuff I am not even sure why I am still pregnant, I guess Antonella is comfortable with busyness like her mom. We had our doctors appointment this week and I didn't gain any weight, the midwife said that was pretty normal, she also gave me an ultrasound to make sure baby was definitely head down and amniotic fluid was fine, and yes everything is still in order. I also started feeling irregular contractions, braxton hicks I believe, I guess they are getting my body ready so that's great!

 

This week we discussed further whether we want to give Antonella a Vitamin K shot and whether we want them to put the erythromycin ointment on her eyes. They are both pretty common practices from what the midwife said, but we can refuse them if we want to. We are leaning toward no erythromycin ointment and maybe Vitamin K shot. We will make final decisions on that soon since she is coming!

 

We also have been discussing vaccines and how we want to go about them. We are reading a whole bunch on it. I believe the key is to inform yourself and then make the decision that gives you the most peace. There are some vaccines we want Antonella to receive, there are some others we don't want her to receive. It's been an interesting journey reading about all this things. 

People have been asking me if I put on extensions, 3 different people have asked me, I found the question crazy, I am too hot to put on makeup right now, extensions are definitely not something I would want to deal with at 38 weeks pregnant but my hair has gotten so long I know why they are asking. It is also thicker and it gets less dirty. It is very different than my non-pregnant hair. I like it, I like the fact that it doesn't fall so much even though it will fall by the handfuls after Baby A is born.I have a feeling I'll miss it once I am not pregnant anymore.

Well here we are, ready for week 39 and for Miss Antonella. We'll see how punctual she is. 

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Semana 38

Peso +28 libras

Cintura +14 pulgadas

Antojos: Fresas

No me gusta:El calor

Esta semana pasada estuvimos ocupados. Camine tanto e hice tantas cosas que no entiendo porque sigo embarazada jaja, parece que Antonella es como la mama y no le molesta estar ocupada y corriendo. Tuvimos nuestra cita semanal al medico y no subi de peso esta semana, la doctora dijo que era normal, tambien revisaron si Antonella seguia boca abajo y si el liquido amniotico estaba bien de niveles y todo esta en orden. Esta semana empece a sentir contracciones irregulares, braxton hicks me imagino, lo que quiere decir que mi cuerpo se esta preparando. 

 

Esta semana discutimos un poco mas si queremos que le denla Vitamina K a Antnella cuando nazca y si queremos que le pongan erythromycina en los ojos. Ambas son practicas comunes por lo que nos dijo la doctora, pero tambien nos dijo que podemos pedir que no lo hagan. Por ahora queremos que le den la vitamina K pero no la erythromycina.

 

Tambien hemos discutido las vacunas y que queremos hacer al respecto. Hemos estado leyendo mucho al respecto. Yo creo que lo importante es informarmos y despues tomar decisiones con las que nos sintamos a gusto y con las que sintamos paz. Hay unas vacunas que queremos que Antonella reciba, pero hay otras que definitavemente no queremos. Ha sido interesante leer al respecto y empezar a informarnos. 

 

La gente me ha estado preguntando si tengo extensiones en el pelo, 3 personas diferentes me han preguntado, y yo pienso phew, no tengo energia para maquillarme con este calor, ponerme extensiones no es algo con lo que quiera lidiar a estas alturas. Pero yo entiendo porque preguntan, tengo el pelo larguisimo y esta mas grueso y se cae mucho menos, se ensucia menos tambien. Es muy diferente a mi pelo antes del embarazo. A mi me gusta, me gusta como se ve a pesar de que se que se va a caer muchisimo despues de que nazca Antonella.

Y aqui estamos en la semana 39 listos para recibir a Antonella, vamos a ver que tan puntual es.