ULV Graduation

I can't believe my graduation has already passed! I received my B.A. in Communications/Journalism in August 2008, but had to wait for the Winter Commencement to actually walk. It took place last week at the University of La Verne.

It was definitely a bittersweet experience. I was so excited to close a chapter in my life, yet kind-of sad at the same time. Even though I plan on going back to visit, it was weird saying "goodbye" to my old work study boss, Shane Rodrigues and adviser, Eric Bishop. I was also disappointed that I didn't get to talk with any of my professors, since it was impossible to find them afterward.

Even though Ethan is only 25-months-old, I could tell how happy he was for me by the way he was glowing and how he squeezed me tightly, grinning from ear to ear. Then there was my proud husband who kept taking pictures of me. All of my family members who came to cheer me on seemed very proud. I am so blessed to have family and friends that have supported me all throughout my college years. Thank you so much! I love you all!

Motherhood Survey - First Born

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? No, but not unwanted!

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes, a newlywed.

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? I was overwhelmed with joy!

4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? Absolutely not!!!

5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 24-25

6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? I had pre-menstrual symptoms all week long and didn't start my period, so I took a pregnancy test in the morning and another one in the evening (just to make sure...LOL).

7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? My husband, who was in shock!

8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? Yes...I don't like secrets.

9. DUE DATE? It got changed several times...but my last due date was December 25, 2006.

10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? Off & on...I had more nausea and dry heaving than vomiting.

11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Carls Jr. Santa Fe Chicken Sandwiches, regular coffee (that I had to give up), frozen yogurt, and fruit.

12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? I wanted to get the nursery ready right away, but since my husband changed jobs and we had to move I had to patiently wait.

13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? *Boy*

14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? No way...I wanted a boy to be the first born!

15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? 40 lbs.

16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes, a couple's shower.

17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? I knew about it. Again, I don't like surprises.

18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? No, praise the Lord!

19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Wildomar, CA

20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? I was admitted at 6:00 a.m. I was scheduled for an induction, which took place at 8:10 a.m. and went well, since I was contracting on my own. When the doctor went to break my bag of waters at 10:15 a.m. it already had a slow leak. I was 10 cm at 3:00 p.m. and Ethan was born at 4:05 p.m.

21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? My husband drove me, my mom, and mother-in-law.

22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? My husband, mom, and mother-in-law were all my labor & delivery coaches. :)

23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? Natural

24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? I had a low dose of Pitocin to help induce labor and a low dose of Nubain (which I was told is similar to Tylonel). By the time I had to push the medication had completely worn off, but once I saw my precious baby the pain went away. <3

27. WHAT WAS YOUR CHILD'S WEIGHT/HEIGHT? 8 lbs. 3 oz. 19 in.

28. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ? December 29, 2006

30. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Ethan Thomas

31. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? He is 25-months-old. Where did the past two years go?!

Need potty training advice

I am 25 weeks pregnant and dread the thought of having two kids both in diapers. I introduced Ethan, my recent 2-year-old son to his potty chair when he was 18-months-old. I feel like it is successful one day, and not so successful the next.

I started off having him occasionally wear "big boy" underwear, but went back to diapers when he kept having accidents in them. Then I tried taking him to his potty chair occasionally (alternating diapers & pull-ups).

Recently this week, I have only put pull-ups or underwear on him when he is awake (diapers when he sleeps). He's been doing really well at telling me when he has to go potty or going when I take him in the bathroom. He only had a couple of accidents in his pull-up today. One problem is that he doesn't care to go poop in his potty chair. He did it once a couple months ago, but since then refuses. He hides in a corner or behind his table and squats. When I ask him if he went poop, he tells me "no". When I ask him again he tells me "yes".

I have been thinking about buying some cotton potty training pants that are semi-waterproof to use instead of expensive pull-ups, but am not sure if they are a waste of money. If anyone has some advice regarding potty training a recent 2-year-old that doesn't mind the feel of poop in his pants, I would really appreciate it! I'm starting to kind-of get frustrated with the whole idea of potty training, but am determined to free my son of diapers soon!

Ethan's bedtime song

I always sing to Ethan before he goes to bed. Lately I've been having to set a limit to how many songs I'll sing, because if I don't he will have me singing all night long. Now that he's better at comprehending and trying to put together sentences, I've been asking him what songs he wants me to sing.

For the past two nights (including tonight - about five minutes ago) he has requested that I sing the "Chargers" song, "Shamu" song, and "Eeyore" song. When he first asked me I looked at him funny and thought to myself, "What on earth am I going to sing?" As words came to me and began to rhyme, he smiled and contently laid his head down on my shoulder.

Tonight, after I finished singing all three of his favorite songs he threw in a new request. He asked me to sing the "Dodgers" song. This time I asked him to sing it to me and he surprisingly came up with the following lyrics: "Run the base...run the base...Dodgers hit...get a home run." It was the cutest song ever. :) He is always good at keeping me entertained with something new.

Tears of Joy

Ethan’s naptime routine regularly consists of reading him books, and singing him a song while rocking him for a couple of minutes. Then I kiss him and put him in his crib while he’s still awake.

Today was different for some reason. I could blame it on my pregnancy hormones. :) As I started to sing, “Jesus Loves Me” to him he began to hum along. It was the cutest thing. Then he gently caressed my face and looked directly into my eyes with a look of complete bliss and happiness. It melted my heart and made me cry tears of joy. I had so many emotions overcome me.

My first thought was that my baby is growing up quickly and I have been so blessed to be the one to rock him and sing to him before his naps. My second thought (that made me kind-of sad) was that soon I will have another baby and won’t be able to rock Ethan as often. I wondered how that is going to affect both of us. I’m going to want to have both of my babies (since Ethan will always be my baby in my eyes) in my arms every time I’m in the rocking chair. I realize I just need to cherish this time we have together, since he won't be little forever.

Getting ready...

*This is a stock photo from eBay

We recently purchased this "JoJo Ladybug Polka Dot 9 pc Crib Bedding Set" on eBay. It retails for over $600 in boutiques, but I bid on it and won it for $96! It includes a crib quilt, crib bumper, fitted sheet, crib skirt (dust ruffle), 2 window valances, a diaper stacker, a toy bag, and decorative pillow. It's even cuter in person and I'm thrilled about the deal I got! The only other item I want now is the crib mobile, which is also on eBay.

Now I have to patiently wait for Ryan to stain Ethan's bunk beds that someone gave us, before I can move his baby furniture into Emily's room. I will post another picture once I get it all set-up. It's going to be so much fun to decorate a baby girl's room! :)

It's official!

Definitely girl parts

Profile

My baby bump

Most of you know already, but on November 17, 2008 (at 15 weeks) I went to Westcoast Ultrasound and found out that most likely I'm having a girl! On January 2, 2009 (at 22 weeks) I had an ultrasound at my doctor's office and found out that I'm officially having a girl! :)

I immediately went out to buy my first baby girl outfit that I have been so patiently waiting to buy. It's absolutely adorable! Ryan and Ethan are very excited to have another female addition to our family to even it out. Ethan kisses my belly often and says, "Mama, baby out!" I have to explain to him that we have to wait for the baby to come out in the spring. He now calls his baby "sissy" by her first name, which we have decided to be Emily. Her full name will be Emily Grace.

Here's a pregnancy questionnaire I decided to fill out:

How far along? 23 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 12 lb. gain
Maternity clothes? Some
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Tired off and on throughout the day/Have trouble getting myself to lay down for bed, but sleep well through the night
Best moment this week: Hearing Ethan for the 2nd time at my doctor's appt. look at the Female Reproductive System poster on the wall and say, "Mama, fish!" while doing fish lips. I almost wet my pants I was laughing so hard! :)
Have you told family and friends: Yes, I had to right away
Movement: Yes, lots
Food cravings: Nothing unusual...fruit, cheese, sushi, frozen yogurt, chocolate, OJ, coffee (but now I drink decaf), etc.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Meats that are undercooked or have fat on them make me want to gag, toothpaste, and the nasty smell of nicotine
Have you started to show yet: Yes
Gender prediction: I knew it was a girl all along
Labor Signs: No, hopefully not until the end of April
Belly Button in or out? It's pushed out now :(
Wedding rings on or off? Always on
Happy or Moody most of the time: For the most part happy, but I have my moments
Daily Prayer: Good health & safety
Milestones: Reaching for week 24!