11 Weeks - Weekly Update - The Lime

Your fetus currently enjoys a 1:1 ratio between body and head, and has skin so transparent that blood vessels show right through. But, fingers and toes are no longer webbed, and hair follicles, tooth buds and nail beds are forming -- setting up a significantly more attractive future.

How far along? 11 weeks

Total Weight Gain: None yet but I look big already

Maternity Clothes? I better start buying... the rubber band holding my pants shut is just annoying now.

Stretch Marks? I don't think I'll notice if I get any new ones... my body is covered in them!

Sleep? I cannot sleep at all. I end up being awake until 3 or 4am sometimes.... Ugh.

Best Moment This Week: My first Ultrasound

Movement: I feel lots of flutters... no it's not gas. This is my 4th time... I know the difference.

Food Cravings: Salad with Ranch, Beans, and Eggs. I don't even really like Eggs!

Gender: I am thinking boy boy boy.

Labor Signs: None yet... Way too early

Belly Button - In

What I miss: Good sleep patterns

What I am looking forward to: Actually looking pregnant instead of just fat.

Weekly Wisdom: Drink lots of water! Especially with Arizona heat. My baby is super thirsty.

Milestones: Still no morning sickness... I think I made it past the first trimester and only got sick once! I think I may be in the clear now!

Nichole's AIPX Graduation

So after 3 months of having a diploma my sister got to walk in her Graduation ceremony. She graduated with a Bachelors Degree is Graphic Design from the Art Institute of Phoenix. The first one in our family to go to college and then get a degree. So it was a proud moment and quite an accomplishment. (Just thinking of that... I can't believe I graduated from HS more than 6 years ago! Sheesh!) (Oh and since I am on the path of thinking and remembering... I was pregnant with Alayna on my sister's HS graduation... and now I am pregnant again on her College graduation. Ha!)

The graduation was at the Orpheum Theater downtown. Really nice place! I'd been there once like in 2nd grade so I didn't remember it. But it's really pretty.


Here's my brother-in-law Loyiel waiting for us


We went in early and got some pretty good seats and waited and waited. And of course my kids had to go to the bathroom 5 minutes before it started. So off I went to find the restroom. And while we waited for Alayna... Diego and I posed for pictures.




And after what seemed like HOURS my sister finally made her way down the stage to recieve her diploma. Yay! Oh and the lighting in the theater was HORRIBLE... and I am not equipped yet for that type of situation so I did the best that I could. (Hint Hint Jr: I need some more camera equipment for my birthday in a few weeks)




Once it was over we went out front to wait for Nichole...


And we bombarded her like paparazzi!



Brother and Sisters



Our good sides




The Guys


The Girls




What?

It takes us a lot longer to get organized...

We're not mental or anything...

See?


Priceless


The end. Or is this her beginning. We'll just say... Hasta Luego.

5 Years

Today Jr and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary from the day we became a couple. Seriously it feels like waaaaaay longer. Most of the time I can't remember what it was like without Jr in my life. These past 5 years, as roller coaster-ish as they've been, have been the best 5 years of my life. And I can't imagine living the rest of my life without him. He aggravates me, irritates me, pushes my buttons, makes me say things I don't mean, and brings out the nastiness in me most of the time... but that's what I love about him. He knows how to get under my skin because he knows me better than anyone on Earth. And even with all that... I have NO RIGHT to complain. Jr bends over backwards for me, even if I bug, I nag, and practically make him give me my way all the time. That's one thing I will not deny... no matter what he makes sure I am spoiled to no end. Spoiled with love and anything else he can give me.

This morning after I had walked Diego to the bus stop... he got home from work carrying a pink plastic rose. He didn't forget the date. And that one little plastic rose was like gold to me this morning. He remembered and he picked me up a little something to show me that. He's amazing.

Tonight he took me to dinner at the Olive Garden (my favorite restaurant) and it was JUST him and I. We don't do that often and those 2 hours were awesome. We got to sit and talk. No interruptions. No crying. And I found Pumpkin Cheesecake on the dessert menu and ordered me some to go. I had never heard of it... (I never ever get dessert out at restaurants) but whoever came up with that idea is a pure genius! I don't care for cake at all. On my birthday I usually get cheesecake and I look forward to Thanksgiving just for the pumpkin pie. So to mix them both together and add caramel sauce (I LOVE caramel and prefer that to chocolate anytime!) is genius I tell you! I was in heaven!

It was a good night.

5 years. And I hope we have like 50 more of those to go...

Dad's 50th Birthday Fiesta!

So the long awaited Fiesta was a HUGE success. My Mom and I are great planners if I do say so myself. And my Dad enjoyed himself to no end and that was the whole point.

But instead of me babbling on and on... I will just show you:

My sister and I getting all dolled up


My sister-in-law's Mom was a cake genius once again! Now you know why we use her over and over to make ALL our cakes. Very "on theme"... what's more Mexican than a Sombrero?


My Daddy and his little Mexican Granddaughters...


My Mom hired a Charro to sing for a few hours. He was a good singer, he was funny, he acted well, and everyone liked him.


We had my Dad's favorite food in mind when we hired someone to make us a taquiza... Mmm the tacos were delish! As you can see the line was long for over an hour...


And what made it even better was all the people who made it out. Family, friends from the Harley Club, friends from the Mustang Club, old friends, work friends... My Dad is very loved.


I loved seeing people we haven't seen in a long time! My Mom's friend Madline is crazy, and funny, and one of the best people!


Here I am with my Parentals... Dashing aren't they?


Here I am with my sister... And I'm not fat... I'm pregnant.


And of course the love of my life... who decorated and worked his butt off helping us set up for the party. He's amazing.


We did a surprise dance for my Dad who had NO idea that we had that up our sleeves. A few of the women and girls in our family got together and we learned a simpler version of a "florklorico" dance... with 2 of us prego and three 8 year olds we needed to at least look good. (When I get a hold of the video I will post it as well) Thanks Tia Chely for teaching us all the routine!






My Dad's family. Mom. Sisters. Brother.


Diego got an opportunity to get a dance with Grandpa


The drunkos singing "Happy Birthday"... okay so maybe my Dad was the only drunk one... but at least he's the only one that held his liquor the whole night! Funny cuz my Dad's not a huge drinker.


What can I say... We're Camera Hogs... We can't help it when good looks run in the family...
Oh sisters...


Some Noriega clan


Some Melo Clan



And what Fiesta is complete without Pinatas?!



It was a looooong night. But a great one!

The School Bus Adventures Continue

So this morning like the past 3 mornings before I took Diego to the bus stop. I was pretty lazy and it's my Mom's day off so I took him in the van. Literally like a minute and a half drive once I turn around and park on the side of the street. But hey it was better than walking 6 minutes or so. So we get off and wait for the bus. We hear the bus coming and it turns the corner from the opposite side. His bus usually goes west down our street and makes a left turn to the park. But this bus was coming east on the street and made a right. I found this unusual. So I look at the side of the bus and see the bus is number 45... his bus is 35. So as he starts making his way to get on I say, "Hold on, this isn't your bus..." But all the usual kids jump on it like nothing. A little girl sees my hesitation and turns to me and says, "Oh it's okay... sometimes we have to ride this bus instead because our bus isn't coming." So I let Diego get on.

I get in the car and drive back to my house. As I am pulling into my driveway I see a school bus pass my house behind me and I catch a glimpse of the number... and it says 35... going in the direction of his bus stop. So I put the van into reverse and follow it. It goes to the bus stop and kinda just sits there for a minute. Then it continues on. So I think... "Oh shoot, it did come! Now how will I know if Diego will make it to school in time?" I know the other bus would eventually end up at his school but this made me worried. Again.

So I drive through the neighborhood seeing if I can find bus number 45 again. Nope. I see 41, 42, 25... but not 45. So at this point I decide to just drive to his school. I pull into the parking lot where the busses drop off... and the only bus there is number 35... his original bus. So I drive to the front of the school and park. I get off and I walk towards the cafeteria... and once inside I peek my head through the door and start scanning the room. There are millions of kids. (Well it seemed like it) And then I spot him at the front of the long line grabbing his breakfast. PHEW!

And I ducked out of there quickly so he wouldn't see me.

This bus situation is just making me all wacko! LOL But he made it there and in time to eat.

10 Weeks - Weekly Update - The Prune

With bones and cartilage starting to form and vital organs beginning to function, baby is making major progress. Body length will almost double in the next three weeks, and arm joints are now working. (Soon, legs will too.)

How far along? 10 weeks

Total Weight Gain: Not sure yet... I have an appointment tomorrow and I'll let you know then.

Maternity Clothes? Not yet... never lost baby weight from the last 2 so my clothes all still fit. Sad but true. Although my pants are getting tighter.

Stretch Marks? I don't think I'll notice if I get any new ones... my body is covered in them!

Sleep? I've been sleeping okay as long as I get enough of it. I am talking like I need at least 10 hours at night now and I HAVE to get one nap in during the day (when Arielle naps) or else I get really sick and nauseous... and the headaches start.

Best Moment This Week: Making it through my 2nd camping trip.

Movement: None yet

Food Cravings: This week still chicken noodle soup

Gender: Don't have a feeling either way yet... but I did dream of a boy.

Labor Signs: None yet... Way too early

Belly Button - In

What I miss: Having energy

What I am looking forward to: Getting to the point where I am just tired and achy and not sick and nauseous... although knock on wood... I am glad I have yet to have any morning sickness at all... just feeling nauseated every once in a while.

Weekly Wisdom: Just when you think you're feeling great... don't brag about it to your pregnant friend, pregnant sister-in-law, and anyone else who will listen... becuase you'll spend the next day sicker than a dog and you and the toilet will become best friends.

Milestones: Out of 11 weeks I've only spent one day hugging the toilet!