Farewell 2013

Boy, this year had been a crazy, amazing, jam packed year filled with lots of ups and some downs. As I reflect back on this past year, I remember how grateful I am for all of my blessings. My health, my husband, my son, and we can't forget about Tank. Living far from our family and friends is sometimes hard especially around the holidays, however we could not be happier with our life together.

This year by far has been the most eventful for me in a longtime. I was laid off  and rehired by my company in the span of a month, we spent weekends in Vegas, brought Tank into our lives, found out I was pregnant, and welcomed our son Easton. I still cannot believe all that has happened and I cannot wait for what's in store in 2014. I will definitely be making 2014 count. 

Hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year's and I will see you all in 2014.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!
Hope everyone is enjoying their time with family and loved ones. We went down to Laguna Beach to watch the sunset after such a wonderful day. So today was not only Easton's first Christmas but also his first time at the beach (even though he was sleeping the whole time). And what made it even more special was that where we were was the same spot where we took my maternity photos. I am so grateful for my beautiful family. Xo

Merry Christmas Eve!

Hope everyone is enjoying time with their loved ones and getting ready for Santa to come!

We took Easton to meet Santa for the first time, it was so precious. We first went to The Grove but it was a FIVE HOUR wait to see Santa (No way in hell were we waiting!), so we went to another mall closer to home today. I can't wait until he is old enough to be excited about going to see Santa.

My mother-in-law has been an angel this past week and letting me and my husband catch up on sleep, and boy did I need it. Plus, she's been doing all the cooking, I am going to be so spoiled by time she leaves that I'm going to beg her to stay.

There are so many gifts under the tree for our little Easton from our family. We are all so blessed.

Easton's Birth Story

Today was Easton's due date if he didn't end up coming a month early, so I thought today was a good day to share Easton's birth story.

The morning of Saturday, November 23rd seemed just like any other day during the last trimester of my pregnancy. I had been waking up more frequently to go to the bathroom (he definitely was down on my bladder) and at around 8:30am that morning I jumped out of bed because I had the sudden urge to pee and... bam! (did I just pee myself?) I ran into the bathroom sat down and it seemed like I did. My heart skips a beat.. my water did not just break?! it's not even December yet!? I panicked. I was scared to wake up my husband and I was scared to go back to bed. I didn't believe it until I started having contractions right there in the bathroom. (I also called my mom freaking out) I woke up my husband and told him not to freak out but that my water broke and it's time.

The night before we went out to dinner since it was my first official week of maternity leave at work (last day was on Tuesday) and we talked about how we planned on getting everything ready for baby on Saturday including packing hospital bags (that's right NOTHING was ready yet) So while we were waiting for my doctor to call us back I franticly ran around pulling out clothes and stuff that I thought we would need right away at the hostipal and put other stuff aside for my husband to grab later.

We got to the hospital and checked in. Yes, in fact my water broke and it was time. "I'm not ready" is all I kept saying to my husband and we laughed how that day was supposed to be the day we set up everything for baby. Well, it seemed like the baby had other plans.

Since my water broke on it's own, I was more prone to infection so they had to give me antibiotics and speed up my contractions and get me dilated faster. My body must have been ready because my body took over the medicine they gave me and my contractions started coming really fast and intense. I received an epidural and I could not have been happier about that decision. I understand some woman want to give birth naturally with no drugs, and I give them credit. (If you are able to and have the option, I highly recommend having the epidural done.) Once I had the epidural, I was finally calm. I jumped from being 1cm at 10am to 4cm at 1pm to 6cm at 4pm  to 10cm at 7pm. It had happened so quickly, I was going to be meeting my son soon! The nurses had me wait an hour before I started pushing, so that the baby's head would come down even lower and make it easier to push him out. When it came time to push I started freaking out because I was able to feel my left leg again and I DID NOT want to feel any pain. Luckily, my leg was the only body part from the waist down that I felt. I pushed for 50 mins and at 8:51 pm, (after 12 hrs and 21 mins of labor) I welcomed my first child Easton James at 6lbs 11oz and 20.5 inches long. He was perfect. 

My husband and I were filled with a mix of emotions. I just couldn't believe he was finally here. The first time he was on my chest I instantly fell in love. 

Easton's birth was the most incredible experience in my life, I will never forget the first moments with him.

Mommy & Me Cozy Holiday Style

Mommies are always excited when they find out that they are having a girl that they can dress up and match with. Well, why can't mommy to that with her little man? I've noticed that baby boy fashion is almost none existent and you really need to search for adorable outfits and/or make it up on your own. This of course is my first holiday with Easton so I couldn't help but look around to find outfits for us both.

Since this Christmas we aren't seeing any family and just staying home (besides my mother-in-law coming to town), I didn't see the need to get fancy outfits for us to wear. Also, I have been so exhausted these past 3 weeks, I can't even think about wearing something other than sweats. I may talk myself into wearing jeans and look somewhat presentable for some pictures. I have just been so overwhelmed and in love with my son that I haven't even thought about what we would be wearing for our Christmas outfits. I think that staying comfortable and relaxed is how it's going to be this year. (Secretly hoping that I just stay in my PJ's all day) I thought that these outfits are perfect for getting some of the festive colors of the holiday in, but staying relaxed and not too dressed up (we will wait until next year to get all fancy).

With 10 days left until Christmas, I am just excited to finish wrapping little man's gifts and getting our apartment ready for my mother-in-law. I will be spending the next week listening to Christmas music and making some festive treats!

Easton's Christmas List

All though Easton is only going to be a month old by time Christmas rolls around (two weeks to be exact), we still wanted him to have presents to open under the tree for his first Christmas. It's hard to shop for a newborn when you want to buy toys when you know he will have no use for them right now. Who cares!? I still want to create these memories for him. So I thought of things that we still wanted to get him that we didn't receive as gifts from our registry.

1. Vulli Sophie the Giraffe Teether, even though baby won't be teething for a couple months, I still think that this teether is a great value. It helps baby's senses and gives stimulation as a toy but also helps with soothing baby's gums while teething. I have searched around and read reviews and I've only heard good things about it. 

2. Fisher-Price Rainforest Melodies & Lights Deluxe Gym, I cannot wait until I can get little man on this play mat and get his mind going. This gym mat is great for tummy time and for him to get all of his senses active, learning from all the toys and sounds. He is a very alert baby to begin with and I think that every baby should start having play time as early as you can. I do already have a "tummy time" play mat but I think this gym makes your baby more stimulated and active.

3. Fisher-Price Nemo's Soothing Seas Soother, I've noticed that since I don't have a mobile or music for the baby to go to bed at night, it seems hard to get him to stay asleep. I know that he is only two weeks old, however I want to start getting him on a sleep schedule as soon as I can. I've noticed from the swing we have for him that the "ocean" sounds sooth him, and I love Finding Nemo, so of course I found this music soother that would be perfect for bedtime.

4. The World of Eric Carle Activity Caterpillar Toy, We received some play toys at my baby shower but I want him to have a range of toys both educational and plush. This toy is both for a young baby, again another toy for mind stimulation.

5. Lambs & Ivy Bow Wow Mobile, Our little man's crib would not be complete without a sports mobile. I've noticed as the days go by that he loves looking around especially while laying down before it's time to sleep. I know that newborns can't see that far away yet, I think it's only 8-12 inches that he can see right now as his eyes develop, so I want to give him as much eye stimulation as possible to aid in his development.

6. LeapFrog My Puppy Pal, This plush toy is probably not going to be used until he is 5-6 months old, but I think it can be a great investment toy wise. He will be able to interact with this toy on a personal level. You can plug in this toy to the computer to customize it to know your baby's name and favorite things. You can teach your child first words, about numbers, as well as play music and sounds the baby likes.

We of course will probably also get him some stocking stuffers and adorable clothes (I can't stop surfing the web for deals) but these are some of the "big" gifts that we would like to get for him. I am of course a last minute shopper (or should I say Santa is a last minute shopper..hehe)

Merry December!

I am so excited that the holiday season is finally here! Even though I am a little bummed that Easton came early and wasn't born in my favorite month, but it just means less stress about going into labor on Christmas. Now it's time to get in the holiday spirit!

I of course have been watching ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas already and feel like a kid again! Here is the link to the schedule of shows/movies. I can't wait until Easton is old enough to start watching all the movies that I grew up with.
We put up our tree and decorations around the apartment today and  I'm so excited for us to start our family traditions. There is something about this time of year that is just so heart warming to me (and it could also be my hormones out of whack since giving birth).

I cannot wait for Christmas this year since it is Easton's first! It is upsetting that we can't be in New York with the rest of our family but at least we have each other, and that's all that matters right now.