My iPad!

We have spent weeks researching tablets for our little Cupcake, yes....she is only 5 months old. But she has shown a great interest and we know this can and will help with her education and development. So we have searched, read reviews, scoped out "Cyber Monday" deals, asked other Techy parents. All while she fell in love with our iPads. If it is in sight or reach...she wants it! I however have been determined to buy her a device of her own for Christmas because its my iPad and I'd like to keep it that way.

The decision came when we first decide an Apple product was the only way to go. My thinking - the mini would be a good size. Then I admitted my apprehension to share my iPad with a friend, and was told "Accept that from now on you no longer solely own anything"

So today I admitted defeat and instead of purchasing a pricey new tablet for our baby girl....I got her a baby proof case for "Our iPad"..... *Sigh*

"Do you see the kitty?"

We have two cats, who were my 4 legged babies before having Cupcake. Since we brought her home, the cats have been pretty much neglected and love starved. I do my best, but things are just different and my priorities have changed, to say the least. When the cats are around, I ask the question - "Do you see the kitty?" and "Is that your kitty?"

Up until yesterday, she has been oblivious. Not an ounce of acknowledgement for the 2 cats that so much want to be near us to grab whatever small amount of affection comes their way. But yesterday was different. She starred right at Sweets, our grey tabby, who is also quite ummm....large. Just looking at her and really seeing her for the first time.

I know she will grow to love the cats very much, Sweets more than Asia, mostly because the latter is anti-social. But it makes me giggle that it is only a matter of time before Cupcake is chasing after them both, petting and pulling at them. I would imagine at some point also attempting to ride the larger of the two.

I only wonder how long it will be before I say "Do you see the kitty?" and they both dart out of her line of sight to escape her torment. Heeheehee!

Rolling Over and Other Baby Shennanigans

Just a few days before her 3 month birthday....our Cupcake rolled over! Playing during tummy time as we usually do, she just decided to start pushing herself up extra high and out of no where, rolled over! I thought maybe it was a fluke, but after about 8 times of doing it, I finally believed she had! She wasn't scared...she actually acted as though she did it everyday.

It was a very eventful week when we look at all the little milestones our baby girl made that week --
Rolling over, first time on the Bumbo, grabbing things such as Mommy's hair, and trying to pull herself up with our help from laying down.

The only not so great thing she does is watch TV! Not only does she watch, she gets mad....legitimately mad when we turn her away from watching it. Football is her favorite, it must be something to do with the colors and movement on the field. That or she will actually enjoy a lifetime of watching football with her daddy. But then again, I guess that wouldn't be so bad.

Just Like Mommy

There is a photo of me, at 6 weeks old that I've had in my posession for a long time. from the first moment I saw my sweet little Cupcake, I thought she looked like me. The more features that developed in those first few weeks, the more I was convinced that she looked like that photo. I would just stare at her, and really felt like I was looking at myself. Well, my mini-self that is.

So I dug up the pic, confirmed the age with my mom, and looked at my little one with wonder. How is it possible that she can look so much like me, but like her daddy at the same time?! I love that she looks like me. It makes me feel special, because I think she is the most beautiful thing on this earth. It makes me feel proud, that so much of me is within her. It makes me proud that we created such a beautiful child together and then it makes me feel defensive when anyone else seems to think she looks like her dad! She is gorgeous regardless....but her looking like mommy sounds like a better deal, if you ask me.

Sleep and the Swing

As a Mommy who likes to sleep from 11pm - 8am (if at all possible) the baby sleep schedule just doesn't work for me. Playtime is not from 2am - 7am, as you can see it wouldn't leave much more time for the sleeping part of my 24 hours a day.

So the new schedule has been rolled out, and days one and two went well with day 1 going very very well and day 2 just being so-so. However, day 3 was NO BUENO and resulted in Cupcake sleeping in Mommy's arms more than I would like. Day 4 brought us down to relying on the swing, like "the baby book" said to use as necessary. The swing = God-send!  This might just be the best $$ we spent on any one baby item. If all else fails and baby wont sleep in the bed, the swing wins every time. She might cry a little but she is evetualy reminded of the womb in that swing and goes quiet. Love that swing!!

Dear Cupcake

This is the story of the day that you were born.....your birth story to be exact

7pm June 27th - After giving you all the signs about running my next race and bringing you along with me for the training, you decided to make your grand entrance! You were finally fully baked, and started letting me know. I started having contractions which were nothing new considering I thought they were Braxton Hicks contractions - technically just a tease. But since I was 38.5 weeks along I decided to track them all to be sure. As the contractions got closer and more intense I called your Daddy and let him know we might be heading to the hospital soon. I got everything ready for when he got home, so we could load the car and go.

11pm June 27th - You were a night owl the entire pregnancy so I wasn't surprised. The nurses hooked me up to monitors and Daddy looked....well, sleepy. He had been up since 7:30 and by 2am I was still only at 1.5 centimeters dilated. I'm pretty sure he was hoping we could go home soon. Well, he almost got his wish because the nurse went to call the "on call" doc who was going to send me home. She wanted to send us home, even though I knew you were fully baked and ready to meet us. Plus I was in so much pain, I didn't want to go home! Well apparently you didn't either, because before the nurse even came back I sat up so I could use the restroom and you made sure they didn't send us home - my water broke!

That's right, you were not letting them send us home like this, you were ready! Since my water broke they HAD to keep us there. (great job, baby girl!!) At that point I knew that within 24 hours I would be holding you in my arms. The emotions were almost more intense than the pain. Almost.

3am June 28th - We were checked into our room and texted our families the good news. They were all sleeping, of course. So I called Grama T a few times, but it was Aunt Memy that got the message first! She was working late and made sure to come see us with Grama T, ASAP! The only small problem was that I was still in pain and couldn't get an epidural until I was at 3cm. That seemed like an eternity, especially after they gave me potocin to help "speed things along" but at least they could give me something to help me sleep while I waited for my body to catch up and bring you to us soon.

6am June 28th - I finally got the "ok" for the epidural and they administered it as soon as possible. But it didn't work right away and they had to come back to do it again, but that took until almost 9:30am to finally kick in. Once the helpful medicine was in, Mommy was in heaven. We were finally able to talk to the family that had come including Grama and Grampa M, Uncle Chris and Uncle Todd. So we all hung out in the room and waited for you to finish your journey into the world.

11:30am June 28th - Dr. Novak, whom we LOVE came to see us and was so happy, like Mommy, that the epi was working. We were now at 9cm and getting so close! Doc said she would be back in an hour and we would be helping you make your final exit.

1pm June 28th - Our nurse, who was angel-like in all the care she gave to us, said "It's time to start pushing, Doc will be back soon." So Mommy started pushing like the nurse told us to. The nurse was surprised that Mommy was so good at pushing, so she said we should wait a minute for Doc and sent her a text message saying to hurry! The Cupcake will be out very soon!

1:12pm June 28th - Daddy got to see you first, he had a "better view" than Mommy. He still remembers what your face looked like, just ask him. The Doc handed you to me so we could do what is called "skin to skin" and my eyes filled up with tears. I loved you already and couldn't believe how beautiful you were (and still are!) My Cupcake was fully baked and PERFECT! When Daddy went across the room with them to watch you get weighed, measured, and cleaned up you were yelling at the top of your lungs. But as soon as Daddy started talking to you and telling you it was okay, you were safe with us still, you calmed down and just stared at him. I will never forget how proud that made me feel, he was a great Daddy already!

Then we let the families come in, a few people at a time. They were all so excited to see you! From before you were born, you have been loved by so many. We also made sure that it was Facebook official and we posted your picture with your name, date and time of birth....oh and your real name. But to us, you will always be Cupcake!

If I have to be honest, it wasn't the easiest 18 hours of my life, but it was the most rewarding and I would do it over and over again if it means I get to hug and kiss you every day of my life! You are God's perfect Cupcake recipe and you make this life better, each and every day.

Love, Mommy

June 27th

The day started out like any other while I had been pregnant, and I felt just as great as any other day. Even though people seemed to be concerned about my every step and growing belly, I was calm and kept thinking how everyone was over exaggerating. I was even convinced that our sweet baby girl would be much later than we had hoped, which wouldn't be surprising considering her dad and I are late to everything!

Getting back to the day of topic - I attended a media event for the LLS Hero-thon which we had not received any information on other than it would be a great new winter event. Since the event is in San Antonio in January and that would be approximately 6 months after the baby was expected - I signed up!! I was now looking forward to enjoying the first 13.1 "back" as a Mommy.

My status post of Facebook that day : This race will officially be my first post-baby half marathon!! Come on out Cupcake....Momma needs to start training :)


Later that day I arrived home and my new B.O.B jogging stroller was waiting on the porch for us. That must have been the last thing she was waiting for....because at 7pm that night I went into labor. That's right cupcake fans, the day had come.....but that story will have to be told another day ;-)

Father's Day Weekend

It was the first we'll spend together and more of a pre-Father's day. But special none-the-less. My hubby really has been taking care of our growing child since the day we found out about her. Even more than just that....he's been taking care of me! I am not one to be able to stand not being able to do certain things. Not being able to do normal house hold chores, no lifting or moving things and getting tired easily has not agreed with me. But he has been there to do them all in my while I am not able.

So this past weekend as he got everything moved into her new room, painted and put together furniture I felt a little helpless. I wanted to be right beside him, helping and doing things in preperation. But he did it all while I lounged around and probably got on his nerves a little since I was left with washing and folding tiny clothes. Dont' get me wrong, this task is time consuming and difficult in it's own right. But the bigger stuff looked a lot more fun and I hated that he had to do it all alone. But daddy duties were all his and he owned them on this special weekend.

I hope next year we can celebrate his first "official" Father's Day by letting him relax!

Winding Down

We are in the final weeks of the winding down phase, as I sit pretty at 37 weeks pregnant. Getting all the last minute things done, washing tiny baby clothes, finishing packing the hospital bag, putting the basinet in our bedroom, etc. With just three weeks left I'm trying not to feel overwhelmed! Just focussing on the main goal and finish-line ....seeing our sweet baby girl's face soon!  With every day that gets us closer to her due date, I remind myself she could be here tomorrow!! But we have all the basics, regardless of what's left on the To Do list. The rest will fall into place - we are just excited and ready to be a family of 3

A Few Kicks to the Ribs

Who would have ever thought that getting kicked in the ribs is a little comforting?! At least I think they are my ribs....I'm not too sure where those things ended up when this belly grew to be this big.

Don't get me wrong, the kicks themselves are not always pleasant, they often hurt and I find myself stretching out to give Cupcake more room. But the kicks do tell me she is healthy and doing well. Typically if I dont feel her or notice her moving for 30 mintues or so, I start to panic a little. The kicking, though not always comfortable, is comforting while I can't actually see her.

Since we are down to just 4 weeks to go - I will take the kicks as much and often as possible until she is out, happy and healthy in my arms!

Post Shower

Our Baby Showers thus far (2 of 3) have been wonderful!! We are so blessed to be so loved and already have our sweet Cupcake be so very spoiled. The showers are fun, the hosts and guests are amazing....but once we get home with everything, it's all work and no play!  Unpacking the gifts, organizing the bags, tissue, clothing, toys, bows, cupcake items, etc is overwhelming! It is also very likely more overwhelming because we have not finished the nursery. (eek!) So I am putting things away rather than setting them up in their new homes in drawers or on shelves.  We have received many fantastic gifts that I can't wait for Cupcake to wear - just the thought of her wearing them soon makes me teary eyed. I wouldn't send one thing back....except the duplicates of course. But I sure do wish they would put themselves away!

To All Parents

This has always been a favorite of mine and now has so much more meaning. Most likely the biggest responsibility a human being can have - to be a parent!!

Baking a Cupcake

We have called our growing baby Cupcake so much now, that it has become her nickname. We don't yet have an official name picked out as we plan to name her on her birthday. It will be a surprise for everyone, including us for the most part, with the exception of knowing the name pool.

But what most people don't know, is how the nickname got started. It is actually the way I told Ron that we were pregnant. I had been in a baking mood last October, making and eating cupcakes quite a bit, so that evening I was planning on trying a new flavor. I had not been feeling myself, and just knew something was different. So I took at at-home pregnancy test, and just as I had suspected - I was pregnant! So I flew to the grocery store, got a few baking items I needed and a little onsie gift for the Daddy-to-be.

When he arrived home, I informed him that I had cupcakes in the oven and one very special cupcake that we would be baking for another 9 months. Our eyes both swelled up with tears...it was still very early but we were very excited for the new member of our family that I was now "baking".

We are now fairly certain that the nickname we started that day will stick with her for many years to come. It's almost too bad that it isn't an acceptable "real" name!

Life As We Know It.....

This week I am 34 weeks pregnant and I don't think I can say "I love it" but I do love certain things about it. There are other things I could do without....I will leave it at that.

The hubby and I have been together for almost 10 years and married for 7 of them. He is not only my other half, my best friend and significant other, he is my family. So even though we are expecting our first child, I don't think it's fair to say "We are starting a family" because we have been one for so long as just the two of us.

The thought of the unknown when our baby girl arrives is a little intense. Life as we know it will be forever changed. So for now, we go on dates, have taken a "baby-moon" vacation and sleep in together cuddling every chance we get. I feel as though I am going to miss him when she comes and miss having him all to myself. But I know that seeing him as a dad will fill my heart with pride and happiness.

I know I still can't fully fathom the joy this child will bring to our lives....but I do know that LIFE as we know it, will never be the same. For better or worse we are looking forward to the journey and meeting the newest love of our lives.