tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58008665215748193552024-03-21T23:10:27.032-04:00The Newest VazquezWife, New Yorker, Christian. Documenting (mis)adventures in the kitchen, our winding road towards parenthood, and learning how to be married.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969348344454522760noreply@blogger.comBlogger236125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800866521574819355.post-90626568539352659992017-01-18T13:23:00.000-05:002017-01-18T21:51:26.254-05:00Flexibility 101, as taught by my 1 year oldWith my cold leftover pizza on my left, coffee on my right and my son snoozing across the hall at grandmas house- I am sitting down and get to work.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ppq-aHhcC9Y/WH-p7mIjMVI/AAAAAAAAJGE/KJGE8gdPTTcFaGesHNEagNDlMkydyY7jwCLcB/s1600/WQ94UTP6A6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ppq-aHhcC9Y/WH-p7mIjMVI/AAAAAAAAJGE/KJGE8gdPTTcFaGesHNEagNDlMkydyY7jwCLcB/s640/WQ94UTP6A6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Most likely I'm making notes, things like looking out for a package to arrive today. Appointments to be scheduled for Daniel and myself. Planning what needs to be done this week outside the house- and how leaving the house coincides with the weather and if it's worth the effort of bringing my baby outside at all. Do I need to go to the fruit stand? If I go, bring the overdue library books and pay the $3.30 fine.<br />
<br />
Because when he comes back from grandmas, I'll be on the floor with him, letting him climb me like a jungle gym, putting on some music or the news to play in the background and fill the quiet. I'll bring the heater from his room and place it beyond the baby gate, to heat the floor and keep our feet warm since my feet are always cold when on the floor so I'm sure his are too. I'll bring out some blocks and his loud musical walker and then try to sneak in the kitchen to put things away or cut some pears to snack on. Then Danny will realize that I snuck into the dreaded kitchen out of his grasp. He'll bang on the baby gate with whatever toy he's carrying around, much like a prisoner with a tin cup and he'll let me know that I did not have his blessing to do something without him.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n1FJOvp_2X8/WH-x76IPiyI/AAAAAAAAJGU/FLaectVnenAOouMGwJoT6aQgWZz16oe0gCLcB/s1600/_rainy_day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n1FJOvp_2X8/WH-x76IPiyI/AAAAAAAAJGU/FLaectVnenAOouMGwJoT6aQgWZz16oe0gCLcB/s400/_rainy_day.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I'll give him the love and attention he demands, usually a cuddle on the couch with Cheerios, until he scoots down and toddles off to play again. Then I cut up the pear, pour something to drink, and go to the bathroom. Of course, out of his eyesight. If he sees, he acts as though he thinks that the bathroom is eating me alive. He'll stand at the overturned coffee table and yell, imploring me to show my face. I dread the day that he learns how to move this barricade aside because that will be the beginning of the end of solo bathroom breaks. I will never pee alone again.<br />
<br />
He's a very tenacious baby. But then again I'm the same way. I want things to go my way and plan on the future, and here he is teaching me to put him before myself. Motherhood has taught me a lot, but I'm always relearning how to yield to others through his demands. And I'm so thankful that this important lesson is being taught by such a cute professor, through an immersion course designed to teach me to be flexible after all.<br />
<br />
<b>So tell me...</b><br />
What lessons have you been learning lately?<br />
Did you find yourself with an unexpectedly cute professor?<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<center>
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Blogger icon photo facebook_zpseef9d1da.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/facebook_zpsn4glahhw.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108169886220104218433/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Google+ icon photo gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez/" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/twitter_zps7dbdef1e.png" /></a><br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+FarinVazquez1/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Google+</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Twitter</a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</center>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969348344454522760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800866521574819355.post-18652287640792449982017-01-07T16:36:00.001-05:002017-01-07T16:36:11.331-05:00Neglecting my Blog BabyBefore I had my son Daniel, this blog was my baby. Outside my relationship with Christ and my husband, The Newest Vazquez is where I focused all my creative energy and time, trying to raise this blog up to something that could, eventually, connect me with others around the world (and sure, be a possible source of income).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-28DRxYd7quY/WHFV0fAE2FI/AAAAAAAAI1E/RI9GGTIdV-MVQYPIv2Uh4nONI9M6ea-wgCLcB/s1600/sick%2Bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-28DRxYd7quY/WHFV0fAE2FI/AAAAAAAAI1E/RI9GGTIdV-MVQYPIv2Uh4nONI9M6ea-wgCLcB/s640/sick%2Bday.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Well, I dropped my baby a long time ago. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I picked it up a few times after Daniel was born, but at this point I haven't even looked at it in half a year. Mostly because I was ashamed of all the work I invested in it, only to let it slowly die. But it still exists, and while I have toyed with the idea of starting another from scratch, it saddens me that all the posts, photos and work I've invested would be lost and displaced. I love everything I've written, and want to keep it all in one place, even if it means it's combined in with a new kind of concept. I want to revive my blog baby.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I don't think that concept here (as it exists in Jan 2017) fits me anymore. I've outgrown it. In this phase of life, I am less interested in exploring NYC, traveling and writing about my "learning" how to be married (though I still am, marriage is hard sometimes). I'm no longer a newlywed trying to keep my pregnancies viable, still shell-shocked at living in a busy city after my country upbringing.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">I've made an astounding switch to a MOM.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I finally- for possibly the first time in my life- feel in control of my choices, location, and I care little about creating structured and topical posts on here. Life for me right now is full of sweet, stressful and rewarding moments of insight..... so I likely won't be doing any more of the highly formatted, researched and planned topics like I have in the past. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
No more "<a href="http://farinvazquez.blogspot.com/2015/08/5-tips-to-great-posture.html">5 Tips to Great Posture</a>" or "<a href="http://farinvazquez.blogspot.com/2015/04/coney-island-polar-bears.html"><span id="goog_1483862451"></span>Coney Island Polar Bears<span id="goog_1483862452"></span></a>". Even "<a href="http://farinvazquez.blogspot.com/2016/02/first-week-as-mom.html">First Week as "Mom</a>"' requires a more effort than I am able to invest at this point in life- so while I love those posts, things will be much more casual and conversational.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
An overhaul is in the works, I hope to see you soon!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>So tell me... </b></div>
<div>
Is anyone still reading this?</div>
<div>
Are you ready to hear some big news? Come back in a few days!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969348344454522760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800866521574819355.post-44214359426237200102016-05-24T14:23:00.002-04:002016-05-24T14:26:47.384-04:00Daniel at 5 MonthsDaniel at 5 months old is very different that him even a few weeks ago. I look at the photos taken when he was <a href="http://farinvazquez.blogspot.com/2016/03/daniel-at-3-months.html">3 months</a> and 4 months old and can't even believe the change. Yep, I forgot to write a 4 month update.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kaLadM1zPA8/V0SFb_N2XvI/AAAAAAAAGDQ/RXc88PlxED4EW_pzSpUh8s_7QGx9SO3dwCLcB/s1600/4_Months_old_17lb_10oz__Chatting_like_crazy__blowing_tons_of_bubbles_and_still_working_on_getting_that_first_tooth_out.__.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kaLadM1zPA8/V0SFb_N2XvI/AAAAAAAAGDQ/RXc88PlxED4EW_pzSpUh8s_7QGx9SO3dwCLcB/s400/4_Months_old_17lb_10oz__Chatting_like_crazy__blowing_tons_of_bubbles_and_still_working_on_getting_that_first_tooth_out.__.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KWjKS1Xb2Vc/V0SBL7LCqFI/AAAAAAAAGCk/0QKyLuf2d-IpUGvYB-_U0caF6Nz3kHSGwCKgB/s1600/Daniel_is_5_months_old__He_loves_to_grab_his_feet__has_learned_how_to_laugh__scream_and_how_to_put_toys_in_and_out__and_in_and_out_and_in_and_out__of_his_mouth..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KWjKS1Xb2Vc/V0SBL7LCqFI/AAAAAAAAGCk/0QKyLuf2d-IpUGvYB-_U0caF6Nz3kHSGwCKgB/s400/Daniel_is_5_months_old__He_loves_to_grab_his_feet__has_learned_how_to_laugh__scream_and_how_to_put_toys_in_and_out__and_in_and_out_and_in_and_out__of_his_mouth..jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
He's been a little ham for a while now, laughing and smiling at anyone who gives him a smile, and this month it seems like he's become a little people-pleaser. When he wakes up is when he is happiest, often waking up instead of crying with an "AH!" or babbling until he decides that he wants company and gets worked up. He also has learned how to laugh this month, or the very beginning of it where he makes the "huh-huh" sound.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dY6WW_dwfG4/V0SEonr6zTI/AAAAAAAAGDI/SJsfkqWCeF4EOm0kutVcET6HT3O331tOQCLcB/s1600/20160515_155316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dY6WW_dwfG4/V0SEonr6zTI/AAAAAAAAGDI/SJsfkqWCeF4EOm0kutVcET6HT3O331tOQCLcB/s640/20160515_155316.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
And he has found his feet! And, they are his favorite toy, not counting the attention of anyone around him. Since pants sometimes keep his legs down and make it harder to get them up, the minute they are off his feet are in his hands. Other times, like when I put him down to bed or when he is nursing he will sneak his left foot up and try to grab it. Which is hilarious, but not exactly helpful at those times.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AiuptZVy5YA/V0SBjPBZwdI/AAAAAAAAGCo/CJmJ9ioHmooXgAQvz7Ue-KD8ggURlYongCKgB/s1600/20160509_201642_LLS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AiuptZVy5YA/V0SBjPBZwdI/AAAAAAAAGCo/CJmJ9ioHmooXgAQvz7Ue-KD8ggURlYongCKgB/s640/20160509_201642_LLS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XwS6PdbVfV0/V0SBLzm7UsI/AAAAAAAAGCc/BjO4KmI7_4EXKiK5CVsboRVf4D1QFUUsACKgB/s1600/Fun_with_feet..._Oh_hey_there_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XwS6PdbVfV0/V0SBLzm7UsI/AAAAAAAAGCc/BjO4KmI7_4EXKiK5CVsboRVf4D1QFUUsACKgB/s400/Fun_with_feet..._Oh_hey_there_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
He has learned that tummy time is not the enemy, and can actually be enjoyed... but still not for very long. And all the conditions have to be right, such as no tummy problems, intriguing toys, I have to be there and engaging him. But, this from a month ago is a huge improvement. He used to scream when on his tummy for more than a few seconds.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gGvqPgrxzd8/V0SEovwVNeI/AAAAAAAAGDE/SGLZyVxj5l4PM9E-xu_EhWtA5KACw-1agCLcB/s1600/20160512_162721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gGvqPgrxzd8/V0SEovwVNeI/AAAAAAAAGDE/SGLZyVxj5l4PM9E-xu_EhWtA5KACw-1agCLcB/s640/20160512_162721.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
He's still getting mixed reviews as to who he resembles more. He has gone back and forth, but since birth he has started to get some more of my features. He has a lighter version of his fathers color and also has his fathers mouth- but has my eyes, nose and eyebrows. His eyes started out grey but are now hazel like mine. I'm betting they will settle on brown as he ages. And he has one eye different than the other, like his father.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5epPIYbT7O0/V0SBjododeI/AAAAAAAAGCs/Mnt_zLU6aX0rqRNsLG6l4DND8ZF65QJlACKgB/s1600/20160513_094846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5epPIYbT7O0/V0SBjododeI/AAAAAAAAGCs/Mnt_zLU6aX0rqRNsLG6l4DND8ZF65QJlACKgB/s640/20160513_094846.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Let's talk about his teeth. They still haven't popped out, despite him crying out about them for months now. Perhaps he's just touchy about mouth pain and being a 'big baby' but a two month old should never have to teethe, in my opinion. He likely has learned to handle it better but I did notice that this month was a lot easier, perhaps they took some time off of coming in or he might have learned how to handle the pain better. He is still putting everything in his mouth, and he gets really angry when he can't- the photo above is a perfect example. He get so frustrated and upset that this oball won't go in his mouth. But it's hilarious to watch his try to get it in there :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a6-wWSw0UeE/V0SBkYq8tEI/AAAAAAAAGCw/-0bCU4XtrtwW26t9sH7IslohuMB20wGAACKgB/s1600/20160520_140600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a6-wWSw0UeE/V0SBkYq8tEI/AAAAAAAAGCw/-0bCU4XtrtwW26t9sH7IslohuMB20wGAACKgB/s640/20160520_140600.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
While Daniel's favorite time of they day is when he wakes up and we play (or perhaps at mealtime?)- mine is when we leave the house for a stroll.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nib62BCMiqI/V0SKDnpHRfI/AAAAAAAAGDc/mvsyMBE376wgUHlZedwUlR1jhTyzDgeqQCLcB/s1600/20160516_181447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nib62BCMiqI/V0SKDnpHRfI/AAAAAAAAGDc/mvsyMBE376wgUHlZedwUlR1jhTyzDgeqQCLcB/s320/20160516_181447.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZydxO1rAgnc/V0SKEMEE-LI/AAAAAAAAGDk/tX9ZbfqPb1M-thvCSCHu3cILwHqY2Mn9ACLcB/s1600/20160518_172208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZydxO1rAgnc/V0SKEMEE-LI/AAAAAAAAGDk/tX9ZbfqPb1M-thvCSCHu3cILwHqY2Mn9ACLcB/s320/20160518_172208.jpg" width="240" /></a>And finally, the weather is cooperating and he can actually leave the stroller and look around. Until it warmed up, I had his carseat covered and he generally napped. When he woke up he would soon after get upset about being strapped in, and we'd have to go home.<br />
<br />
Now that it's warmer, I can walk to the park, and when he wakes up actually take him out, play with him, nurse him and even change a diaper if needed. <br />
<br />
<br />
When he gets sleepy I can just put him back in the stroller and cover him with his sunshade and he'll fall asleep in a few minutes. If I'm being honest, this is the only way I can help him fall asleep consistently without crying. Ok, sometimes with crying, but usually a nice stroll will help him drift off after 5 or 10 minutes of being drowsy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EnxuK34kSH0/V0SBL8s-3nI/AAAAAAAAGCg/j77cNQSV_3A1Mue9qpDLHAEig2rLz0wigCKgB/s1600/Loving_this_warm_baby__asleep_on_me__.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EnxuK34kSH0/V0SBL8s-3nI/AAAAAAAAGCg/j77cNQSV_3A1Mue9qpDLHAEig2rLz0wigCKgB/s400/Loving_this_warm_baby__asleep_on_me__.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Since I'm on the topic of sleep, I'll just say that I appear to be he favorite place to snooze, especially when away from home. He doesn't cosleep with us and does sleep in his crib... until he wakes and it's daylight (anytime after 5:30am). At which point he comes in bed with me and Tom moves to the couch. He was at 2 months old sleeping through the night (which means more than 6 hours straight) but hasn't since. We occasionally get a 5 or 6 hour stretch, but most of the time he sleeps at night for 2 hours. Naptime varies, but can be anywhere from 30 minutes up to 2 hours. It really depends on the day and if he's overtired because of fighting naps.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TQ21DMd7AJg/V0SBjcUgoLI/AAAAAAAAGC0/8jAnwOU8x6ARG4mqrhICPPdjuKzMQC0gQCKgB/s1600/20160510_184911_LLS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TQ21DMd7AJg/V0SBjcUgoLI/AAAAAAAAGC0/8jAnwOU8x6ARG4mqrhICPPdjuKzMQC0gQCKgB/s640/20160510_184911_LLS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<center>
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Blogger icon photo facebook_zpseef9d1da.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/facebook_zpsn4glahhw.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108169886220104218433/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Google+ icon photo gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez/" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/twitter_zps7dbdef1e.png" /></a><br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+FarinVazquez1/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Google+</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Twitter</a> </center>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969348344454522760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800866521574819355.post-85617943102594979422016-04-08T23:38:00.000-04:002016-04-08T23:38:31.024-04:00Get Me Out of Here!I'm going a bit stir crazy this week, and have what might be considered cabin fever. I haven't been out for a walk (with Daniel) in a week, and I'm missing the wonderful weather we had. I mistakenly said to Tom 'we can put away the heaters, it's springtime!" And then this week happened and I haven't heard the end of it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ib3cgqPLlc/Vwh1zXTgxyI/AAAAAAAAGAc/cUSg2u55sZsupjwtFkDeLxEOx0w3QjBLA/s1600/ASJL0UIGOR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ib3cgqPLlc/Vwh1zXTgxyI/AAAAAAAAGAc/cUSg2u55sZsupjwtFkDeLxEOx0w3QjBLA/s640/ASJL0UIGOR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
What have I done to stay occupied (and keep my mind off the cold rainy weather outside?<br />
<br />
-Mended our spare comforter, which had ripped open on one corner.<br />
-Taken an inventory of all the food in our kitchen.<br />
-Organized our entire kitchen.<br />
-Updated Rosetta Stone and started lessons again.Well, okay. One lesson... four days ago.<br />
<br />
<br />
All these things because otherwise I'm just sitting indoors, looking outside. And I really want to get outside again.<br />
<br />
<b>So tell me...</b><br />
Where do you live?<br />
How about you?<br />
What do you do to keep occupied?<br />
<br />
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.4px;">Here's what I wrote for the letter "G" in 2014:</span><br />
<a href="http://farinvazquez.blogspot.com/2014/04/goals-in-blogging.html">Goals in Blogging</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: helvetica, arial, droid sans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I'm just starting to tell people that I blog, and I know that for most people it's kind of something you raise your eyebrows at.</span></span><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "droid sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">.. </span><i>Click the link to read the rest...</i></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This post was brought to you by the A-Z Challenge:</div>
<span style="text-align: center;">
</span><span style="text-align: center;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n547/Jeremy-iZombie/A2Z-BADGE%202016-smaller_zpslstazvib.jpg" title="Blogging from A to Z April Challenge" /></a></span></div>
<center>
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Blogger icon photo facebook_zpseef9d1da.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/facebook_zpsn4glahhw.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108169886220104218433/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Google+ icon photo gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez/" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/twitter_zps7dbdef1e.png" /></a><br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+FarinVazquez1/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Google+</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Twitter</a> </center>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969348344454522760noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800866521574819355.post-33691519588463127532016-04-07T22:51:00.000-04:002016-04-08T22:57:16.224-04:00Finding the TimeReally.... do any of you know where it is? I'm serious, have you seen it anywhere?<br />
<br />
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.4px;">Here's what I wrote for the letter "F" in 2014:</span><br />
<a href="http://farinvazquez.blogspot.com/2014/04/farina.html">Farina</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: helvetica, arial, droid sans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">When Tom and I were dating for about 2 months, he asked his parents if his girlfriend from Pennsylvania could come for a visit and stay over the New Years 2010 weekend.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: helvetica, arial, droid sans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: helvetica, arial, droid sans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Up to that point heard about a girl who their son met online. But never caught her name every-time it was mentioned. So they asked, "what's her name?" and Tom said "Farin". And then they said this gem "Oh, like Farina?"</span><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "droid sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"> </span><i>Click the link to read the rest...</i></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This post was brought to you by the A-Z Challenge:</div>
<span style="text-align: center;">
</span><span style="text-align: center;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n547/Jeremy-iZombie/A2Z-BADGE%202016-smaller_zpslstazvib.jpg" title="Blogging from A to Z April Challenge" /></a></span></div>
<center>
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Blogger icon photo facebook_zpseef9d1da.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/facebook_zpsn4glahhw.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108169886220104218433/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Google+ icon photo gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez/" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/twitter_zps7dbdef1e.png" /></a><br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+FarinVazquez1/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Google+</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Twitter</a> </center>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969348344454522760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800866521574819355.post-77020953612561958352016-04-06T11:38:00.000-04:002016-04-07T11:43:25.831-04:00Exercises for Babies!One thing that I enjoy (and Daniel loves!) is the baby exercises we do every day. These are some simple moves that have a few different benefits. They calm a potentially fussy baby, relieve some gas, strengthen his neck, leg and arm musciles and aim to teach him to roll, crawl and balance. Plus, he absolutely loves them!<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Leg Strength and Gas Relief</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<u>RunRunRun! (or Bicycle).</u></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
This is usually where we start, especially if he's being fussy and we want to make him smile. Taking an ankle in each hand, we help him "run". He might keep his legs locked at first, so you can lift tap his knees and they will usually bend. Then "runrunrun!" </blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R_3LuPNTJeM/VwZ8n40Lp_I/AAAAAAAAF_w/8mWTyEE21Y4EApn8aUVjWpjJ8nN7Z0cNQ/s1600/20160406_211556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R_3LuPNTJeM/VwZ8n40Lp_I/AAAAAAAAF_w/8mWTyEE21Y4EApn8aUVjWpjJ8nN7Z0cNQ/s640/20160406_211556.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
<u>Eat Your Toes</u></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
It's exactly what it sounds like. After running, we bring his legs together and by the calves guide his feet to his mouth. Babies are so flexible, so this is something that he'll do on his own eventually anyway. But, in addition to giving him a bit of exercise, it is Very Effective at producing a toot. And, when you get a toot every time you bring his feet up to his mouth, it's quite hilarious.</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UcSekgjHF0Y/VwZ8oN3bVVI/AAAAAAAAF_4/_K1ITMJHu7o13fkJFZ8t6arovzPkHzeGg/s1600/20160406_211548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UcSekgjHF0Y/VwZ8oN3bVVI/AAAAAAAAF_4/_K1ITMJHu7o13fkJFZ8t6arovzPkHzeGg/s640/20160406_211548.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
<u>Kick-Kick!</u></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
With his feet back down on the bed, tap the bottoms and make him kick or stomp up and down on your hands. This is another crowd pleaser, as he loves it and smiles like crazy, which pleases us to no end. </blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l8PMHjs2n-w/VwZ8osElUPI/AAAAAAAAF_8/RNn0EdFtVLwCBniIIiua21GF_qlZ02Hug/s1600/20160406_211626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l8PMHjs2n-w/VwZ8osElUPI/AAAAAAAAF_8/RNn0EdFtVLwCBniIIiua21GF_qlZ02Hug/s640/20160406_211626.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Sitting Up</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<u>Sit-Ups</u></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Honestly, these are sit ups. You hold his hands in your hands, and help slowly pull himself up into a sitting position. You can either hold it for a few seconds, do a few more sit-ups the same way... or have him try his hand at balancing himself. You will likely have to help him balance by holding his hands, but we've found that he's gotten increasingly better at holding his frame by himself for a few seconds to a half minute. </blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UJwiWlnvGZI/VwZ8pXkVzrI/AAAAAAAAGAI/XCpoap5IYB8dXugpMWLv4qdBc0WlYEblg/s1600/20160406_211800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UJwiWlnvGZI/VwZ8pXkVzrI/AAAAAAAAGAI/XCpoap5IYB8dXugpMWLv4qdBc0WlYEblg/s640/20160406_211800.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br /></blockquote>
<b>Rolling and Crawling</b><br />
-I don't know if this is common, but our son has very strong legs but hasn't even attempted to roll yet. He outright hates tummytime, but that's mostly our fault because we didn't want to anger him more during the colic days and ignored it for a spell. But, the next exercise kind of tricks him onto his tummy, and helps him learn how to crawl and propel himself forward.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<u>Jab-Jab</u></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
While on his back, take each forearm in your hands and act as though he is in a boxing match. Gently doing this will help him roll back and forth along his back, and at a certain point you take one arm and roll him over, keeping his arms up in front of his head (so he is now in the crawling position).</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
At this point, if he isn't like ours and hasn't figured out that he is on his tummy against his will, you put his hands up in front of his face, and then put your hands behind his tucked in legs. Encourage him to push against your hands by tapping the bottoms of his feet. He should push them out, and therefore propel himself forward. </blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HcevATV31dE/VwZ8oNIN6zI/AAAAAAAAF_0/6_oPS3_6qZIuR0dvHBVGcrsD7OMO0r-qg/s1600/20160406_211612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HcevATV31dE/VwZ8oNIN6zI/AAAAAAAAF_0/6_oPS3_6qZIuR0dvHBVGcrsD7OMO0r-qg/s640/20160406_211612.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<i>Whatever you do, be sure you are gentle and err or the side of caution. </i><br />
Take the exercises slow and the strengths and weaknesses of your baby into consideration. And of course you can take these to your babies doctor and ask what they would recommend or change for your baby.<br />
<br />
<b>So tell me...</b><br />
Did you have an exercise regimen for you baby?<br />
Are there any other 'moves' that you would recommend?<br />
<br />
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.4px;">Here's what I wrote for the letter "E" in 2014:</span><br />
<a href="http://farinvazquez.blogspot.com/2014/04/entertaining-guests.html">Entertaining Guests</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "droid sans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I have always admired people who throw extravagant dinner parties. Creating a beautiful menu, with the plates matching the tablecloth, and everyone having a grand old time.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "droid sans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "droid sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Not always reality, am I right?</span><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "droid sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">... </span><i>Click the link to read the rest...</i></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This post was brought to you by the A-Z Challenge:</div>
<span style="text-align: center;">
</span><span style="text-align: center;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n547/Jeremy-iZombie/A2Z-BADGE%202016-smaller_zpslstazvib.jpg" title="Blogging from A to Z April Challenge" /></a></span></div>
<center>
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Blogger icon photo facebook_zpseef9d1da.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/facebook_zpsn4glahhw.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108169886220104218433/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Google+ icon photo gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez/" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/twitter_zps7dbdef1e.png" /></a><br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+FarinVazquez1/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Google+</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Twitter</a> </center>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969348344454522760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800866521574819355.post-61619485910342401892016-04-05T23:55:00.001-04:002016-04-05T23:55:21.934-04:00DecongestantD is for decongestant and allergy medicine. Because I'm participating in the A-Z Challenge and simultaneously sick, I'm merging the two.<br />
<br />
See you tomorrow for the letter E.<br />
<br />
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.4px;">Here's what I wrote for the letter "D" in 2014:</span><br />
<a href="http://farinvazquez.blogspot.com/2014/04/dream-vacation.html">Dream Vacation</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "droid sans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Recently, my co-workers created one of their office lottery pools. They were having a conversion about what they would do if they won the lottery, and although I never opt in with them, someone asked me what I would do. </span></span><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "droid sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">... </span><i>Click the link above to read the rest...</i></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This post was brought to you by the A-Z Challenge:</div>
<span style="text-align: center;"></span><span style="text-align: center;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n547/Jeremy-iZombie/A2Z-BADGE%202016-smaller_zpslstazvib.jpg" title="Blogging from A to Z April Challenge" /></a></span></div>
<center>
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Blogger icon photo facebook_zpseef9d1da.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/facebook_zpsn4glahhw.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108169886220104218433/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Google+ icon photo gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez/" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/twitter_zps7dbdef1e.png" /></a><br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+FarinVazquez1/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Google+</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Twitter</a></center>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969348344454522760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800866521574819355.post-53774148429065420482016-04-03T23:53:00.002-04:002016-04-04T00:03:43.239-04:00Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C.The cherry blossoms that bloom around Washington D.C. are fairly well-known... for good reason.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QAOpVOl3l_E/VwHXsTerfNI/AAAAAAAAF8Q/L3jnYOaCtw4Pqa-KUmBuQSyOfvMMwSWVg/s1600/Cherry%2BBlossom%2BFestival%2BDC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QAOpVOl3l_E/VwHXsTerfNI/AAAAAAAAF8Q/L3jnYOaCtw4Pqa-KUmBuQSyOfvMMwSWVg/s640/Cherry%2BBlossom%2BFestival%2BDC.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The National Cherry Blossom Festival happens every spring, in Washington D.C. It is to commemorate the Japanese cherry trees that Japan gave to the United States in 1912.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TvdRjGVftSU/VwHYDG8Sn_I/AAAAAAAAF8w/5aZXRl-hvwcMmh-oWyyxKs_ZsO0tPalRg/s1600/2015-04-11%2B16.21.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TvdRjGVftSU/VwHYDG8Sn_I/AAAAAAAAF8w/5aZXRl-hvwcMmh-oWyyxKs_ZsO0tPalRg/s640/2015-04-11%2B16.21.16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xtpVgcbaQX0/VwHYB-fhz_I/AAAAAAAAF8s/C9AC3oFiI-AyldTzcEputi50R3UyaQ-wA/s1600/2015-04-11%2B16.30.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xtpVgcbaQX0/VwHYB-fhz_I/AAAAAAAAF8s/C9AC3oFiI-AyldTzcEputi50R3UyaQ-wA/s640/2015-04-11%2B16.30.23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The entire Tidal Basin area is laid out so that as you walk among the blooms you find yourself passing several monuments and statues.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ij8xhAz4Wk/VwHYBmPiBzI/AAAAAAAAF8o/dNzldBpPdXg_L_HGtgC2BPC_kBSE_i1_A/s1600/2015-04-11%2B16.26.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ij8xhAz4Wk/VwHYBmPiBzI/AAAAAAAAF8o/dNzldBpPdXg_L_HGtgC2BPC_kBSE_i1_A/s640/2015-04-11%2B16.26.34.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
There is a 300 year old stone statue, placed to commemorate the signing of the Japan-US Treaty of Amity and Friendship in 1854. One year later, a stone pagoda was gifted as well.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bPMn-PxUdAw/VwHYHWnKI4I/AAAAAAAAF9E/u33AtmxZZV0X3646LgRCvBDLiIj5RJFlw/s1600/2015-04-11%2B16.43.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bPMn-PxUdAw/VwHYHWnKI4I/AAAAAAAAF9E/u33AtmxZZV0X3646LgRCvBDLiIj5RJFlw/s640/2015-04-11%2B16.43.40.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WNHcGl4Yg9E/VwHYHEzeBeI/AAAAAAAAF9A/rDaS8vqyNSYWkHfkwzlJTaT-x_AWtuliw/s1600/2015-04-11%2B16.43.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WNHcGl4Yg9E/VwHYHEzeBeI/AAAAAAAAF9A/rDaS8vqyNSYWkHfkwzlJTaT-x_AWtuliw/s640/2015-04-11%2B16.43.46.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tQQR-0Jx-mA/VwHYE1nbqgI/AAAAAAAAF84/Y8UGLBB7IpMbukMRSL2JLi5g3dbOpI2JA/s1600/2015-04-11%2B16.31.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tQQR-0Jx-mA/VwHYE1nbqgI/AAAAAAAAF84/Y8UGLBB7IpMbukMRSL2JLi5g3dbOpI2JA/s640/2015-04-11%2B16.31.06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e52fd1gu9vg/VwHYE3R66OI/AAAAAAAAF88/ftVXTldEOfs4q2qozSwoG3VL0eI3Vrtxg/s1600/2015-04-11%2B16.32.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e52fd1gu9vg/VwHYE3R66OI/AAAAAAAAF88/ftVXTldEOfs4q2qozSwoG3VL0eI3Vrtxg/s640/2015-04-11%2B16.32.14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YZfZFduzIWo/VwHYEBokD4I/AAAAAAAAF80/UPJDWRE3YAkY1c_BN_ug0FZxkuRELQdcg/s1600/2015-04-11%2B16.31.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YZfZFduzIWo/VwHYEBokD4I/AAAAAAAAF80/UPJDWRE3YAkY1c_BN_ug0FZxkuRELQdcg/s640/2015-04-11%2B16.31.43.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While the best views in my opinion are from the Tidal Basin, you can make your way in a loop around to the museums, various monuments and even to the White House and Capitol. But... expect crowds. </div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-large;">A few tips:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Try to attend during the Kite Festival, which is scheduled and posted <a href="http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/">here</a>. You will see kites being flown in the National Mall and at the Washington Monument. </li>
<ul>
<li>You can bring your own kite, or buy one while there from the many kite sellers. Great activity for kids!</li>
</ul>
<li>If there were ever a moment I wanted a 'selfie-stick', it was at the White House. </li>
<ul>
<li>I just stayed away from the mass of people and sent in my tall husband. And don't even bother trying if you are bringing a stroller or anything other than your own body. </li>
</ul>
<li>Do what we did when it comes to parking..... don't drive to Washington D.C. </li>
<ul>
<li>Drive to a nearby metro station and park there. Then enjoy the very clean and quick ride into the center of the city. We drove to the Branch Avenue station and it was a half hour ride. It will be a bit more crowded than usual, but I definitely recommend considering it. Parking is free at Metro-operated lots on weekends and federal holidays.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lf0Lz6va040/VwHX_ngAcJI/AAAAAAAAF8k/kz6B05IrY-Md7dXq_V_cQNXWA2WBlJ-xg/s1600/2015-04-11%2B16.10.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lf0Lz6va040/VwHX_ngAcJI/AAAAAAAAF8k/kz6B05IrY-Md7dXq_V_cQNXWA2WBlJ-xg/s640/2015-04-11%2B16.10.02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uXY3fwwMHMo/VwHX96sxFUI/AAAAAAAAF8Y/xN4yODU7zzkkKtHGent0Jll0WxfoNZALw/s1600/2015-04-11%2B16.08.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uXY3fwwMHMo/VwHX96sxFUI/AAAAAAAAF8Y/xN4yODU7zzkkKtHGent0Jll0WxfoNZALw/s640/2015-04-11%2B16.08.16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sccfAkUsyQE/VwHX-zyCXZI/AAAAAAAAF8g/EFbna-g6TqU_VvVV2omnmen1B3KvJOPaw/s1600/2015-04-11%2B15.48.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sccfAkUsyQE/VwHX-zyCXZI/AAAAAAAAF8g/EFbna-g6TqU_VvVV2omnmen1B3KvJOPaw/s640/2015-04-11%2B15.48.34.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Resources:</i><br />
National Park Service- Cherry Blossom Festival<br />
-<a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom/index.htm">https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom/index.htm</a><br />
Wikipedia- History of the National Cherry Blossom Festival<br />
-<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Cherry_Blossom_Festival">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Cherry_Blossom_Festival</a><br />
<b> </b> Cherry Blossom Peak Bloom Forecasts<br />
-<a href="http://cherryblossomwatch.com/peak-bloom-forecast/">http://cherryblossomwatch.com/peak-bloom-forecast/</a><br />
National Cherry Blossom Festival website<br />
-<a href="http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/">http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/</a><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>So tell me...</b><br />
Have you visited Washington DC for the Cherry Blossom Festival?<br />
Where do you live, and is there a place near you that showcases these trees?<br />
<br />
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.4px;">Here's what I wrote for the letter "C" in 2014:</span><br />
<a href="http://farinvazquez.blogspot.com/2014/04/candid-camera-nyc-subway.html">Candid Camera- NYC Subway</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "droid sans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">"Some people travel to and from work and never look up from their iPhone. Today I'm posting all the photos I've taken on the NYC Subway, that you might've missed otherwise.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "droid sans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "droid sans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I have a long commute, so grab a coffee and get comfy.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "droid sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Also, Tom kind of photobombed one of the below photos. Do you see him?"</span><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "droid sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Click the link to read the rest...</i></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This post was brought to you by the A-Z Challenge:</div>
<span style="text-align: center;">
</span><span style="text-align: center;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n547/Jeremy-iZombie/A2Z-BADGE%202016-smaller_zpslstazvib.jpg" title="Blogging from A to Z April Challenge" /></a></span></div>
<center>
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Blogger icon photo facebook_zpseef9d1da.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/facebook_zpsn4glahhw.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108169886220104218433/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Google+ icon photo gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez/" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/twitter_zps7dbdef1e.png" /></a><br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+FarinVazquez1/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Google+</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Twitter</a> </center>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969348344454522760noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800866521574819355.post-88005698221891676262016-04-02T00:22:00.003-04:002016-04-02T00:46:13.650-04:00Baby Shower Advice (From a New Mom)You get a lot of advice given when you are pregnant... sometimes too much advice or even unwanted advice. But the one time you are likely hoping to get a lot of good, practical advice is during your baby shower.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BJHALTFE4fw/Vv9CfX2ONkI/AAAAAAAAF6Y/3Js60N6oR8wIKDmemxY10M_mwJqJkbPZg/s1600/Baby%2BShower%2BAdvice%2Bfrom%2Ba%2BNew%2BMom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BJHALTFE4fw/Vv9CfX2ONkI/AAAAAAAAF6Y/3Js60N6oR8wIKDmemxY10M_mwJqJkbPZg/s640/Baby%2BShower%2BAdvice%2Bfrom%2Ba%2BNew%2BMom.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Since I only had my baby a few months ago, I've said "I wish I knew that" more than a handful of times. So when I received an invite to an upcoming baby shower, I started thinking about what I would write in the card. I'm sure a simple "congrats, can't wait to meet him!" would be appreciated, but I decided that it would be fun to list some of the things I've found to be true in these first few months.<br />
<br />
I remember that I actually went up to several people at my baby shower(s) and asked for any tips they might have. Since that they had all exhausted their bank of anecdotes and tips in the months prior, it was funny that they were coming up empty by the time I was asking for it.<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-large;">Tips for the First Few Months</span><br />
<br />
-Don't stock up on diapers, you might have a fast grower.<br />
-Have photos taken of you and Richard with your son- not just of him alone.<br />
-Wait to buy any baby clothes until he needs them as you will likely be gifted a lot of 0-3 and 3-6 month clothes.<br />
-Every two weeks will be different. Your baby will grow and learn new skills so quickly.<br />
-Don't listen to other people's birth "horror stories" and if they start telling one kindly ask them to stop.<br />
-Make sure there is some specific daddy-baby activity such as reading at night, playing before work or even nighttime diaper changes.<br />
-Expect to use diaper rash cream a lot (in underarms, his neck, behind knees even) if he becomes a chubby little guy.<br />
-Utilize the experts around you- family, friends and church family. There is someone who can help or has gone through it!<br />
<br />
And most importantly... remember that regardless of how clueless you might feel as a new mom- your baby will ADORE you. He will be completely over-the-moon, in love with you.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">So tell me...</span></b><br />
Which piece of advice do you agree (or disagree) with?<br />
What would you add?<br />
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: 'courier new', courier, monospace; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.4px;">Here's what I wrote for the letter "B" in 2014:</span><br />
<a href="http://farinvazquez.blogspot.com/2014/04/bad-habits.html">Bad Habits</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">I have an unconscious habit of biting my lip, which Tom hates. When nervous, I pick at my cuticles. When falling asleep, I tend to fidget and move around. </span><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">I also have a stubborn streak, which... </span><i>Click the link to read the rest...</i></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This post was brought to you by the A-Z Challenge:</div>
<span style="text-align: center;">
</span><span style="text-align: center;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n547/Jeremy-iZombie/A2Z-BADGE%202016-smaller_zpslstazvib.jpg" title="Blogging from A to Z April Challenge" /></a></span></div>
<center>
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Blogger icon photo facebook_zpseef9d1da.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/facebook_zpsn4glahhw.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108169886220104218433/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Google+ icon photo gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez/" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/twitter_zps7dbdef1e.png" /></a><br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+FarinVazquez1/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Google+</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Twitter</a> </center>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969348344454522760noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800866521574819355.post-46081208105958953312016-04-01T00:01:00.000-04:002016-04-02T00:54:06.177-04:00Asking for HelpOne of my biggest fears is having to asking for help from others. I've always tried to be self-sufficient, so when I married into my husband's family I quickly found that this was a family all about involvement and "how can I help?"... which is not what I was used to at all.<br />
<br />
Ever since the colic days, I've realized how needy I am and how blessed I am with the family I married into. When Daniel reached the height of his shrieking and was crying until he was purple, I spent nearly all day with my mother in law, which consisted of us passing him back and forth so the other could take a rest from trying to console him.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8WVMEc9pkq8/Vv3tDnziylI/AAAAAAAAF50/ActfBndFOusfVuVC14dapP97tgbbTQMKA/s1600/20160206_163836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8WVMEc9pkq8/Vv3tDnziylI/AAAAAAAAF50/ActfBndFOusfVuVC14dapP97tgbbTQMKA/s640/20160206_163836.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div>
And up to that point, I had been trying to do everything all on my own, without bringing him over for much more than a hour or so to visit. When he started to act less and less like a sweet sleepy newborn (as the colic set in) I tried to bring him only when they would 'enjoy' him. Of course when he started to slip into the screaming and crying, I realized that I needed help and that I would have to suck it up and ask for it.<br />
<br />
During the colicky days, my formerly relaxed baby required constant walking around, swaying and trying to soothe him. Or else he would scream his little head off. When he turned 3 weeks old, all of his daytime naps stopped... which meant that all my sleep also stopped. I asked my mother in law if she could watch him for a few hours, and she happily accepted. Thank God for her, because without her help, I'm not sure how I would have functioned. I would have been sleep-deprived, in a disastrous house with no time to even think straight.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-COJB8XDkVT8/Vv3tDpoXaEI/AAAAAAAAF54/VXnJ7yXii9gaSB2BiI7mCb9ZliWbQniNw/s1600/20160206_170449_LLS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-COJB8XDkVT8/Vv3tDpoXaEI/AAAAAAAAF54/VXnJ7yXii9gaSB2BiI7mCb9ZliWbQniNw/s640/20160206_170449_LLS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Since my in laws live in the same apartment building as us, it felt like I could easily be asking for too much help and possibly imposing. But my husband reminded me that I have been receiving help from her in the same way that she received help from her mother in law and sister in law when she had her two babies. And to quit overthinking it.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">This entire parenting experience has been very humbling. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>So tell me...</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
When you had children, did you find yourself asking for help?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Are you a independent person, or embrace assistance?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Were you blessed by a great family of in-laws, or did you go through this experience solo?<br />
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.4px;">-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Here's what I wrote for the letter "A" in 2014:</span><br />
<a href="http://farinvazquez.blogspot.com/2014/04/april-fools.html">April Fools</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Growing up, I was basically an only child. My parents were both married before each other, and had kids with their first spouses. When they got married and had me, I was the only kid I knew for a large chunk of my childhood. Needless to say I did my fair share of pranking my poor mother... <i>Click the link to read the rest...</i></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This post was brought to you by the A-Z Challenge:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n547/Jeremy-iZombie/A2Z-BADGE%202016-smaller_zpslstazvib.jpg" title="Blogging from A to Z April Challenge" /></a></div>
<center>
<br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Blogger icon photo facebook_zpseef9d1da.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/facebook_zpsn4glahhw.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108169886220104218433/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Google+ icon photo gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez/" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/twitter_zps7dbdef1e.png" /></a><br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+FarinVazquez1/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Google+</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Twitter</a> </center>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969348344454522760noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800866521574819355.post-47100377563666259682016-03-30T13:23:00.000-04:002016-03-30T13:27:01.849-04:00Getting Outside and a Cute Baby<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">1. What are two or three expectations you have of yourself?</span><br />
Okay.... To get outside for a walk whenever possible, and to keep adding more content to this blog and get to posting more frequently. Shouldn't be too difficult to achieve.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">2. In what way does your outdoor space need sprucing up this spring?</span><br />
My outdoor space is currently a park in my neighborhood, and the streets around it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2asVU0Y47ac/VvwJuz3-bBI/AAAAAAAAF5c/6dUTTMn6U_EAUnD12hnRCzBPySl_OsEGA/s1600/Looking_forward_to_the_park_with_some_buds_in_these_trees._Few_more_weeks_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2asVU0Y47ac/VvwJuz3-bBI/AAAAAAAAF5c/6dUTTMn6U_EAUnD12hnRCzBPySl_OsEGA/s640/Looking_forward_to_the_park_with_some_buds_in_these_trees._Few_more_weeks_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I do however have a bird feeder that we put up on our fire escape last year that really needs to be taken down.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">3. According to this site (<a href="https://roadtrippers.com/stories/6-best-waterfalls-in-the-us?lat=40.80972&lng=-96.67528&z=5">Roadtrippers</a>), six of North America's most wondrous waterfalls are-Webster's Falls in Ontario, Upper Whitewater Falls in North Carolina, Havasu Falls in the Grand Canyon, Multnomah Falls in Oregon, The Lower Yellowstone Falls, and Niagara. Have you seen any on the list? Which one on the list would you most like to visit? Prettiest waterfall not on the list that you've seen in person?</span><br />
I've been to the Grand Canyon, but cannot recall the falls. And I've also been to Niagara, but honestly wasn't all that impressed. I prefer a secluded area with falls to a crowded attraction. But, if you are going to Niagara Falls, I recommend going to the Cave of the Winds. You might even find a pot of gold if you hop over the fence.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tg4hsqPHm7o/VvwDfu6-hfI/AAAAAAAAF5I/zGAbgAABc2k-Om5d9Y0VzV2JZLsuzLZfg/s1600/Niagara%2BFalls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tg4hsqPHm7o/VvwDfu6-hfI/AAAAAAAAF5I/zGAbgAABc2k-Om5d9Y0VzV2JZLsuzLZfg/s640/Niagara%2BFalls.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">4. Looking back, what's something you wish you'd done as a teenager?</span><br />
<div>
I would have gone to prom I guess. I remember working that evening at Wendys, and serving my classmates who thought it would be ironic to come dressed up and order burgers :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">5. Ham...yes please or no thank you? If you said yes please which of the following do you like best-baked ham with all the trimmings, a ham and cheese sandwich, prosciutto with melon, a ham biscuit, a bowl of split pea and ham soup, or a slice of pizza topped with ham and pineapple?</span><br />
Okay.... ham isn't my favorite, but I do love Hawaiian pizza.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">6. Are you typical of your generation? How so?</span><br />
<div>
No. I was one of the first of my friends to get married, and now I'm a mother with everyone still dating around and climbing the corporate ladder- which means there aren't many who I can relate with. The world seems to glorify putting yourself first, and then when you achieve everything, you can "settle" down and do all the boring stuff. I always knew that I'd want to be staying at home with children, and that raising them would be an incredible privilege and joy. That doesn't seem typical of my generation.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">7. April rolls in at the end of the week, and in keeping with that theme...'act the fool', nobody's fool', a fool's errand', 'could have fooled me'...which foolish idiom most recently applies to you? Explain.</span></div>
<div>
I would hope that I am nobody's fool, the other seems like ones I would prefer to avoid.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">8. Insert your own random thought here.</span></div>
<div>
Daniel is teething. And he has little white bumps where they are starting to push up through the gums. I'm going to miss my baby with his gummy smile. And, would you just look a this little guy? I hate to see him uncomfortable.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j3su0sE-ZIw/VvwJduTOWqI/AAAAAAAAF5Y/yDUSPxLO8a4qaSXjDJ5rpJ2CqjuiYsJEw/s1600/Who_s_personality_is_starting_to_emerge__This_guy__Such_a_ham_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j3su0sE-ZIw/VvwJduTOWqI/AAAAAAAAF5Y/yDUSPxLO8a4qaSXjDJ5rpJ2CqjuiYsJEw/s640/Who_s_personality_is_starting_to_emerge__This_guy__Such_a_ham_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<center>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>So tell me...</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Do you feel like you fit into your generation?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
How do you help soothe a teething baby?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Blogger icon photo facebook_zpseef9d1da.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/facebook_zpsn4glahhw.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108169886220104218433/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Google+ icon photo gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez/" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/twitter_zps7dbdef1e.png" /></a><br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+FarinVazquez1/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Google+</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Twitter</a></center>
<center>
<div style="color: #353535; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.4px;">
----------<br />
This post brought to you by:</div>
<div style="color: #353535; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.4px;">
<a href="http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/" style="color: #0b5394; text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab305/SincerelyShannon-designs/Blog%20Buttons/Hodgepodgebutton.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></a></div>
</center>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969348344454522760noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800866521574819355.post-20361309943161809712016-03-23T11:19:00.002-04:002016-03-23T11:21:41.448-04:00Daniel at 3 MonthsDaniel turned 3 months old this morning, at 4:39am. So this morning we sat down and struck up an agreement with him that he can learn, walk talk and all those things, but he can't keep growing. He has to stay this size forever. Which is 25 1/4 inches long, and 15 lbs and 11 oz.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qJLDDJjubhA/VvKdB1QQLiI/AAAAAAAAF4M/UVvi9yBNnEIRdT1jnI7hK5spDII4Mcb0A/s1600/Today_Daniel_is_3_months_old_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qJLDDJjubhA/VvKdB1QQLiI/AAAAAAAAF4M/UVvi9yBNnEIRdT1jnI7hK5spDII4Mcb0A/s400/Today_Daniel_is_3_months_old_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This month he's been working on using his hands to grab things he wants, block or swipe at objects when he's unhappy with them and has been putting them in his mouth constantly. His feet have been used to kick toys, the air and people. I've been assaulted with his razor nails (that I swear grow an inch overnight) and currently have 4 large scratches on my chest from a hungry baby that woke at 5 this morning, frantic for some food.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ly_91vKV2qg/VvKvRL-s5CI/AAAAAAAAF40/Zmmrn4SMjGUWAmk9ZILb7Jsb21UY4dS4w/s1600/12750107_260964164242170_1900770464_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ly_91vKV2qg/VvKvRL-s5CI/AAAAAAAAF40/Zmmrn4SMjGUWAmk9ZILb7Jsb21UY4dS4w/s400/12750107_260964164242170_1900770464_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
He's learned how to smile not just because he's happy, but because he wants to entertain others and get us to smile. Of course I spend most of my day trying to extract smiles from him, but it's time well spent. He's very good at answering a smile for a smile, and has started to do other things like smirk, huh-yuk (laughing soon, maybe?) and howling like a coyote. WoooOoo!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gmk_URixujE/VvKeSqGZzkI/AAAAAAAAF4g/u12M_NPA-zMMS0zy2P73KhtBvJe5ajRBQ/s1600/Good_morning_world__Time_to_wake_up_daddy__.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gmk_URixujE/VvKeSqGZzkI/AAAAAAAAF4g/u12M_NPA-zMMS0zy2P73KhtBvJe5ajRBQ/s400/Good_morning_world__Time_to_wake_up_daddy__.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
We've gotten into a routine, one that starts with him sleeping in his nursery and then around 7am when he wakes up, coming into bed with mom. Of course, sometimes dad hasn't yet woken and I get photos like this, of Daniel trying to wake dad with his cooing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wZS5lN32Hyc/VvKeTD_MiRI/AAAAAAAAF4k/bJi-vx6hRawpcwhsQlusDm_qtu0D4OFIw/s1600/Perfect_day_for_a_stroll_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wZS5lN32Hyc/VvKeTD_MiRI/AAAAAAAAF4k/bJi-vx6hRawpcwhsQlusDm_qtu0D4OFIw/s400/Perfect_day_for_a_stroll_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
We've been blessed with some amazing weather this month, and have taken several walks around to nearby parks. Daniel always sleeps through them (and generally sleeps for an hour or more after coming home), so we go whenever possible.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qEF4oesl8nA/VvKeSniSdSI/AAAAAAAAF4Y/ol-XyuJ03h40C4VXDIuN8kR2UPf2etvOw/s1600/Making_friends..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qEF4oesl8nA/VvKeSniSdSI/AAAAAAAAF4Y/ol-XyuJ03h40C4VXDIuN8kR2UPf2etvOw/s400/Making_friends..jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<center style="text-align: left;">
Staring at that baby in the mirror has been a real thing this month. He seems to understand that this baby moves when he moves and Daniel has great fun provoking this baby to bounce around or scream along with him. Trying to understand just how that other baby in the mirror got there and looks just like him. It's been a busy month.</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zYpkSnEe5ps/VvKeSgkVTNI/AAAAAAAAF4c/-dzqVJOD_jsIqfN0zoAKmZlRndy6WsaeQ/s1600/Pediatrician_confirmed_suspicions..._Daniel_has_begun_teething._Seems_that_all_he_really_wanted_was_a_nice_gum_massage..__.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zYpkSnEe5ps/VvKeSgkVTNI/AAAAAAAAF4c/-dzqVJOD_jsIqfN0zoAKmZlRndy6WsaeQ/s400/Pediatrician_confirmed_suspicions..._Daniel_has_begun_teething._Seems_that_all_he_really_wanted_was_a_nice_gum_massage..__.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<center style="text-align: left;">
And lets not forget to mention that he is teething. I've no clue what to look for but his doctor after feeling around inside his mouth said 'yep, I feel some buds coming up!'. Wish I had thought to ask where and what to look for, because the only thing that seems different is his gums are less gummy, he's gnawing on his hand and seems miserable and pulls at his face and ear. Poor guy. </center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
I'm excited to see what new things he'll learn this month, but don't want him to grow up any more. <br />I'm guessing that's a common thing for moms to say. </center>
<center>
<br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Blogger icon photo facebook_zpseef9d1da.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/facebook_zpsn4glahhw.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108169886220104218433/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Google+ icon photo gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez/" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/twitter_zps7dbdef1e.png" /></a><br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+FarinVazquez1/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Google+</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Twitter</a> </center>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969348344454522760noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800866521574819355.post-61640043431824385382016-03-11T06:14:00.000-05:002016-03-11T09:51:52.001-05:00Crazy Colic DaysI've made it no secret to those around us that Daniel has colic, among the other five-letter words such as 'reflux' and 'gassy'. We found out around 3 weeks that the unexpected fussiness and general discomfort was due to reflux, which our doctor said is likely causing part of his colic.<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3Dv3YZrV08/Vt9tOp7m3uI/AAAAAAAAF14/IRzj3rSXu1o/s1600/It_s_been_a_long_morning..._He_s_not_happy_unless_worn_on_mom._What_a_compliment_though_-_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3Dv3YZrV08/Vt9tOp7m3uI/AAAAAAAAF14/IRzj3rSXu1o/s320/It_s_been_a_long_morning..._He_s_not_happy_unless_worn_on_mom._What_a_compliment_though_-_.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Needless to say, following a blissful two weeks, it has been a <i>rough </i>two months.<br />
<br />
I never expected to have a colicky baby. Since it was not even on my radar, learning how to cope with a sad and uncomfortable baby was a long journey, one that I can say <i>seems</i> to be nearing its end. And, while all the baby books and internet searching has helped, my pediatrician has been the one to teach me how to keep him comfortable and happy.<br />
<br />
Basically, I've been keeping him sitting upright (for the acid), telling myself this will pass eventually, and doing lot of a lot of babywearing/cuddling.<br />
<br />
<b>But I can tell that the end is near!</b> So here are some general truths that I've found to be pretty much accurate.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<ol>
<li> <b>Colic generally shows up around 2-3 weeks of age, and goes away around 3 months.</b> It peeks around 6-8 weeks of age, and of course, every baby is different and these numbers are general guidelines.<br /><br />I have to say though, that his colic did show up at 2.5 weeks, peeked at 8 weeks exactly, and most people who I've spoken with said their baby seemed to 'miraculously' get better at 3 months old. I sure hope so. 11 weeks today, so we're almost there!</li>
<br />
<li><b>Colicky babies tend to be more miserable in the evening hours. </b>This was true to some degree for us. In the beginning weeks, we noticed that he was fussy after 5pm, until bedtime and that he was always a happy baby in the mornings. Then around 6 weeks, his fussy time expanded, and anytime after noon you could expect him to start fussing and then <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3GChkIAe0A/Vt92DOXue0I/AAAAAAAAF2M/4j6SXiv_Utc/s1600/IMG_20160114_192353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3GChkIAe0A/Vt92DOXue0I/AAAAAAAAF2M/4j6SXiv_Utc/s320/IMG_20160114_192353.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
eventually the relentless crying would begin. But always happy in the mornings. <br /><br />From weeks 6-8, he found a entirely new level of colic, where he screamed nonstop from noon until bedtime. Oddly enough he kept going to bed at his regular time. He never had colic at night, which was a huge blessing. At least we could get some sleep. And, since he was exerting so much energy crying he started sleeping longer period of time. On Feb 9th, he slept 6.5 hours and then 2.5 hours. And, we ordered Hyland's Colic Tabs, which seems to soothe his tummy and calm him down even more. Of course, it took us until he was screaming bloody murder to find something that helped, and by that point he was getting better. Figures, right?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zqjldHhiz_M/Vt9tOnna3dI/AAAAAAAAF1w/I2BG-IVsp2A/s1600/This_polar_bear_behind_had_a_rough_day_but_found_his_new_favorite_place_to_snooze.__.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zqjldHhiz_M/Vt9tOnna3dI/AAAAAAAAF1w/I2BG-IVsp2A/s320/This_polar_bear_behind_had_a_rough_day_but_found_his_new_favorite_place_to_snooze.__.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</li>
<li><b>Gas is a certainty with colic.</b> When a baby cries, they suck in air and get very gassy. Which is uncomfortable, and means that they will cry more and become even gassier. So one of the best tricks that the pediatrician taught me was to give him TONS of tummy time (as much as he would permit) and to massage his lower abdomen whenever I held him. She also said not to bounce or jiggle him but to sway him instead. Would you like to be bounced around when you have an upset stomach? Neither would I.</li>
<br />
<li><b>Colic is unexplained crying, and nothing you do caused it.</b> My pediatrician said that she and her father (also a pediatrician) were talking about colic one evening, and thought that it could very likely be something as obscure as infant growing pains. If teenagers grow several inches in a short period of time, imagine the insane amount of growth that newborns do in their first few months. Granted, she said, we'll never quite know what is tormenting them.<br /><br />Daniel is a big baby, no question. But he's a pretty long baby too, and at 10 weeks he measured 25 inches long and at the 97th percentile for length. He was born at 19.5. Maybe there's something to this theory, but more importantly, it shows that we'll never be able to ask the baby what's wrong and where it hurts, if anything hurts.</li>
</ol>
<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KIjqFgeDCig/Vt93mRUQ-7I/AAAAAAAAF2Y/hP5MbuDnxhM/s1600/This_little_guy_slept_6.5_and_then_2.5_hours_last_night___And_he_still_couldn_t_stay_awake_long_enough_to_help_me_figure_out_his_new_insurance_paperwork._Slacker..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KIjqFgeDCig/Vt93mRUQ-7I/AAAAAAAAF2Y/hP5MbuDnxhM/s320/This_little_guy_slept_6.5_and_then_2.5_hours_last_night___And_he_still_couldn_t_stay_awake_long_enough_to_help_me_figure_out_his_new_insurance_paperwork._Slacker..jpg" width="320" /></a>I might be back at a later date with another post written on colic... but I sure hope not. We seem to be leaving these crazy colicky days behind us (but then again, don't ask me how yesterday went...) so pending future babies who suffer from it as well, I hope that I never have to think about this again.<br />
<br />
And... I hope that as Daniel keeps growing towards a <ahem> less clingy, more comfortable baby that he'll allow me to use the computer to write here more often :)</ahem><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>So tell me...</b><br />
Did you (or anyone you knew) have a colicky baby?<br />
How did you handle those early days?<br />
Did it disappear by the 3-month old mark, or stick around longer?<br />
<br />
<center>
<br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Blogger icon photo facebook_zpseef9d1da.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/facebook_zpsn4glahhw.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108169886220104218433/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Google+ icon photo gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez/" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/twitter_zps7dbdef1e.png" /></a><br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+FarinVazquez1/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Google+</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Twitter</a> </center>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969348344454522760noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800866521574819355.post-75668162877376303812016-03-09T06:00:00.000-05:002016-03-09T09:42:19.103-05:00The First Two Weeks
<br />
I wish I knew then what I know now.... despite the pain of recovering from childbirth and the new sleep deprivation..... the first two weeks of motherhood were EASY.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uCPz5jIVB5E/Vt950ENSJOI/AAAAAAAAF2k/er7eyDz7fQY/s1600/IMG_0149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uCPz5jIVB5E/Vt950ENSJOI/AAAAAAAAF2k/er7eyDz7fQY/s320/IMG_0149.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a><br />
I say this because I had a perfectly happy, comfortably and healthy baby. Had... meaning that immediately after those two weeks, he started to whine, wince, cry inconsolably.<br />
<br />
You are probably thinking "Oh no, that sounds like colic...", and you would be right. But not just colic, reflux induced colic which is a whole other brand of miserable. And then of course came along the GI problems and then the early teething.<br />
<br />
But, those first two weeks were bliss.<br />
<br />
<b>Both Daniel and I were on the same schedule.</b> <i>We did all the same things.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pfRrYZKQO_c/Vt950k72tMI/AAAAAAAAF20/8BkTkbfLHJg/s1600/IMG_0192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pfRrYZKQO_c/Vt950k72tMI/AAAAAAAAF20/8BkTkbfLHJg/s320/IMG_0192.jpg" width="240" /></a><b>Sleep</b>. a lot. It took me until the New Year to finally feel rested up from the birth, and Daniel seemed to get sleepy from just being cute.<br />
<br />
<b>Eat.</b> I was ravenous due to breastfeeding. Would raid the fridge after every feeding at night! I found myself one night eating hamburger buns because we were low on quick foods and I needed something I could eat without cooking.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vWe0a5Bk1BE/Vt97QnltkDI/AAAAAAAAF3Y/Scf9HQMzbUg/s1600/20151225_154044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vWe0a5Bk1BE/Vt97QnltkDI/AAAAAAAAF3Y/Scf9HQMzbUg/s320/20151225_154044.jpg" width="240" /></a><b>Swaddle.</b> I became a swaddle expert. I could swaddle you, if I had a big enough blanket. But as Daniel kept growing rounder, he just kept getting longer! It was insane, and he outgrew the pink-blue striped hospital blankets too fast, which I preferred to the velcro easy swaddles. And then he was too long for those as well.<br />
<br />
It's obvious that he loved it as well, since now that he's on the verge of rolling over and swaddling is out of the picture, he flails around like he's trying to hail a cab. It's pretty drastic, and I wish that I could still swaddle him up. I used to call him my little burrito.<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dM9hhPATQv8/Vt97Rnts21I/AAAAAAAAF3k/5zY98hRyaxY/s1600/IMG_20160106_200711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dM9hhPATQv8/Vt97Rnts21I/AAAAAAAAF3k/5zY98hRyaxY/s320/IMG_20160106_200711.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<b>Cuddle.</b> at every opportunity. I loved bonding with this little guy, and loved that he seemed to know I was more that just another set of arms.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IBdR62U2M2I/Vt97SCKvDbI/AAAAAAAAF3s/_l60LsJMkLw/s1600/IMG_20160112_180300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IBdR62U2M2I/Vt97SCKvDbI/AAAAAAAAF3s/_l60LsJMkLw/s320/IMG_20160112_180300.jpg" width="320" /></a>One regret I have is that I do wish I had done more skin to skin with him. I love holding him in just a diaper and feeling his soft, warm baby skin.<br />
<br />
But, I was pretty terrified of breaking a limb every time I changed his onesies... so I gave up the idea of skin to skin. I doubt my blood pressure could have handled the stress of his screaming through getting changed more than he already was. He hated it, but maybe it was because it took me 10 minutes to get him changed. He was probably just telling me to hurry up already, and not be such a pansy. Tom was much better at it.<br />
<br />
<b>Play.</b> I loved talking with him, trying to get any reaction he could manage in those early days. We'd wake up and I'd prop him back against my bent knees and I'd make faces at him. An hour or more would pass before we'd stop, when he was obviously sleepy and then we'd both go back to bed.<br />
<br />
<b>Pose for the camera.</b> I became one of those people that you either love or hate. I took a ton of photos, of every phase and of course shared many to Instagram and Facebook. To the delight of family and most friends and likely the dismay of some of my still single friends. Oh well, it's the price you pay when you lead the pack towards marriage, then parenthood.<br />
<br />
<b>Learn our new roles.</b> Granted, in the beginning I was pretty slow moving and concentrated on eating well and healing, but eventually I started to put away the items, organize some things brought home from the hospital and even cooked a meal. I really didn't utilize my in-laws during the first few weeks, and weren't called on to babysit.<br />
<br />
I would feed him, diaper him and as he was drowsy I would deliver a calm happy baby into the arms as I came back to my apartment to do some cleaning, etc. Then Tom would arrive home and we'd go pick Daniel up an hour or so after he went over to visit his grandparents.<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-THWled6hP-w/Vt950q0QgOI/AAAAAAAAF2w/SINSBRSrqCs/s1600/IMG_0188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-THWled6hP-w/Vt950q0QgOI/AAAAAAAAF2w/SINSBRSrqCs/s320/IMG_0188.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Little did I know how much I would come to rely on them in the coming months once the colic started.<br />
<br />
<b>Wait for daddy to get home.</b> I loved when Tom got home, because then I got to take a shower, ask how life was outside our building, and get some actual conversation. Daniel likely didn't have much an opinion about it, other than perhaps noting that the diaper master had returned.<br />
<br />
Of all the things we were learning to do, I was learning how to nurse, and Tom was doing every diaper when he was home (that is at nights too. Yep, he woke for every nightime feeding. What a guy).<br />
<br />
It was a transitional period for me in learning how to be a new mom, but also for Tom in becoming a dad. It already feels like so long ago that Daniel was such a tiny thing, with his tiny arms and legs, wrinkly skin and little newborn cry of "El-La!".<br />
<br />
Many things have changed but even though I look back and miss the first few weeks, I can't wait until he is able to interact with us and learn more about his world.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>So tell me...</b><br />
What do you remember about the first few weeks with your child(ren)?<br />
Did you document those days, or are they as I've heard a lot of, forgotten?<br />
<br />
<center>
<br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Blogger icon photo facebook_zpseef9d1da.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/facebook_zpsn4glahhw.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108169886220104218433/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Google+ icon photo gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez/" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/twitter_zps7dbdef1e.png" /></a><br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+FarinVazquez1/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Google+</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Twitter</a> </center>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969348344454522760noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800866521574819355.post-76270811751114469452016-02-05T05:46:00.000-05:002016-02-05T11:44:53.735-05:00First Week as "Mom"<span style="font-size: x-large;">First Day Home- Christmas Day</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After being surrounded by nurses for two days, we were sent home with our wriggly little human on Christmas.... right into the onslaught of family dinner, gifts and an overwhelming amount of baby love.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u6jvtDQPUw4/Vq2EOpOESVI/AAAAAAAAFzU/qJvW9mkdSQg/s1600/20151225_150342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u6jvtDQPUw4/Vq2EOpOESVI/AAAAAAAAFzU/qJvW9mkdSQg/s320/20151225_150342.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2b8-fyC_zVU/Vq2E78XPqgI/AAAAAAAAFz4/P-VUyRAhOT8/s1600/20151228_124819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2b8-fyC_zVU/Vq2E78XPqgI/AAAAAAAAFz4/P-VUyRAhOT8/s320/20151228_124819.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I made my way upstairs, and when I arrived at our apartment everyone was in the nursery, surrounding the crib, where they had placed him. He was this tiny thing, freshly swaddled, and he was staring up at everyone. He soon started crying for his own Christmas dinner, and I shooed everyone out of the room. The festivities had started out in the living room, dinner was served, and neighbors were stopping in to see the new member of our building.</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Day Two- What Do We Do Now?</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ioLTw0b98Q0/Vq2EPH1xt_I/AAAAAAAAFzk/TQakr65EY8w/s1600/IMG_20151226_231615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ioLTw0b98Q0/Vq2EPH1xt_I/AAAAAAAAFzk/TQakr65EY8w/s320/IMG_20151226_231615.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--GAQ096TnJo/Vq2EOXYeniI/AAAAAAAAFzs/zEfY8uPTgts/s1600/20151226_184815_LLS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--GAQ096TnJo/Vq2EOXYeniI/AAAAAAAAFzs/zEfY8uPTgts/s320/20151226_184815_LLS.jpg" width="240" /></a>We really had no clue how to care for this crying newborn. I knew how to feed him, and Tom had already taken over diaper duty with gusto. Other than that- we had no clue how to burp, dress him (in less than 10 minutes), or get him anywhere.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br />The doctors had told us that since it was a long weekend, and they wanted to check his jaundice levels (again), we needed to bring him back to the hospital Saturday evening for another blood test. We made the trip with Daniel riding along on Tom's chest in a baby carrier. It took us about 20 minutes to walk two blocks to the bus since Tom was sure that the carrier was either too loose, too tight or not letting him breathe. All of course were wrong, he was fine in there, but we kept stopping to readjust the carrier and so Tom could check that he was breathing. We all arrived there in one piece, were told his levels were still borderline, and to return the next day.</span><span style="text-align: justify;"><br />That evening we returned home to find my parents had cooked us dinner and the entire family came to eat and see Daniel get his first bath.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Day Three- First Day of Church</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3FsDrDkt0aU/Vq2FhQOYwpI/AAAAAAAAF0Q/UaVU2tzTyhg/s1600/Modelling.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3FsDrDkt0aU/Vq2FhQOYwpI/AAAAAAAAF0Q/UaVU2tzTyhg/s320/Modelling.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After a night of no sleep, we woke early to shower and get everyone ready for church. When we arrived, Daniel was screaming and needed to eat and be changed. Everyone we passed followed and wanted to see him, but seeing as how he was pretty miserable I told them I'd bring him around later. After changing him and nursing, he fell asleep and I was able to creep upstairs with him and listen to the sermon from the back of the church. He slept the entire time cuddled up on my chest, and it was nice to know that for the first few weeks, he should be pretty content to sleep through pretty much anything.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My parents said their goodbyes to everyone after church and took a few last photos of Daniel before Tom took them back to NJ so they could drive home. He came home only to return to the hospital with Daniel and get the jaundice test taken again. I stayed home, realizing that I really should not have taken the journey the day before and that staying in was important in healing.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was odd, the first time that I didn't have my baby with me, on purpose. Tom came home later with Daniel, and told me that he had received a clean bill of health. That I didn't need to pump instead of breastfeeding, and that I didn't have to keep feeding him formula.</div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tCEV7_G3P9I/Vq2FhQGu9vI/AAAAAAAAF0I/mCv3I5WP5YM/s1600/Sleep%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tCEV7_G3P9I/Vq2FhQGu9vI/AAAAAAAAF0I/mCv3I5WP5YM/s320/Sleep%2B2.JPG" width="318" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Day Four- Nursing isn't Easy</span><br />
Despite having my in-laws living in the same apartment building, when Tom left for work on Monday I felt suddenly on my own with this little baby. Now that we no longer were told to feed him formula, we spent the day learning how to latch and nurse correctly.<br />
<br />
When Tom returned that evening, I was thrilled to see him so I could hand him his son, take a shower, and eat dinner. I had no idea at the time, but learning to do things 'one handed' was not as easy as I had imagined. The rest of the week I would be happy if I ate breakfast before 3pm.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BZ2YX17O5cs/Vq2E7zIkW7I/AAAAAAAAFz0/_dxi0LTzUVY/s1600/20160108_234446_LLS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BZ2YX17O5cs/Vq2E7zIkW7I/AAAAAAAAFz0/_dxi0LTzUVY/s320/20160108_234446_LLS.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;">Day Five- First Checkup</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today my mother-in-law and I took Daniel to the pediatrician to see how he was doing. He had already gained back most of his baby weight. The pediatrician made sure to ask how breastfeeding and sleep was going, and made sure to tell me to not shake the baby. Apparently you should definitely not do that.</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Day Six- Life Continues</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">Sleep is elusive, but I get the hours necessary to function. Daniel seems to be sleepy today, which scares me because I can only assume that means he will be up tonight. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I take advantage of having both my arms free to make my first dinner since being a stay at home mom, and while I wouldn't say it was ruined, it was not good. Tom was gracious and ate the whole thing without comment. What a keeper.</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Day Seven- New Year's Eve <br />
</span>Today I spent much of the day trying to keep Daniel happy and fed. I'm wishing for breakfast, the opportunity to clean up our crazy house as it's mess from Christmas. I bring Daniel back to the pediatrician today, and learn that is officially over his birth weight, and his jaundice looks as though it's gone.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wBazSHsAgBs/Vq2FhQ_mdqI/AAAAAAAAF0M/nlHaLs0LVTc/s1600/New%2BYears%2BKiss.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wBazSHsAgBs/Vq2FhQ_mdqI/AAAAAAAAF0M/nlHaLs0LVTc/s320/New%2BYears%2BKiss.JPG" width="318" /></a><br />
Daniel continues to nurse all the time, and when walking the few blocks to the pediatrician, I find myself nursing him while babywearing and covering up with a scarf. My first public and mobile breastfeeding experience, and I'd say it was an unexpected success.<br />
<br />
Tom gets home early from work because of it being New Years Eve, and I hand him Daniel and take a breather. The family comes over and we spend New Year's Eve eating homemade Indian food and watching one of the Mission Impossible movies. This entire holiday season has flown by, and definitely not been what I expected. It's circled around this newborn taking all our love and attention. It feels like we skipped Christmas and New Years this year, but that's fine. Just odd.<br />
<br />
<br />
I gave Daniel my first kiss of the New Year, and Tom my second. Things have changed so much since the year before, and I've no idea where it's going to take us but I'm excited to see what comes.<br />
<br />
<br />
I hear that the first few months of your child's life is a blur... whether due to sleep deprivation, emotions or amnesia- who knows. But this is my written record of the first week anyway. It wasn't what I expected, but then again I'm not sure what I expected.<br />
<br />
<b>So tell me...</b><br />
Do you remember your first week (months?) as a new mother (or father)?<br />
Did you know what to do or were you kind of shocked with the new responsibility?<br />
<br />
<center>
<br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Blogger icon photo facebook_zpseef9d1da.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/facebook_zpsn4glahhw.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108169886220104218433/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Google+ icon photo gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez/" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/twitter_zps7dbdef1e.png" /></a><br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+FarinVazquez1/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Google+</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Twitter</a> </center>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969348344454522760noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800866521574819355.post-32406863302468016722016-02-01T09:17:00.004-05:002016-02-01T09:23:12.867-05:00Introducing..... Meet Daniel.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LSMKT0O0wns/Vq2QOLjaXoI/AAAAAAAAF0o/gEjHVKviTEI/s1600/Announcement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LSMKT0O0wns/Vq2QOLjaXoI/AAAAAAAAF0o/gEjHVKviTEI/s400/Announcement.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
He arrived on December 23, 2015.<br />
He weighed in at 7 lbs 14 ounces, and was 19.5 inches long.<br />
<br />
I am writing this as he is 6 weeks old, and he now weights appreciate least 13 lbs and is likely 24 inches long. He's definitely a growing boy. Yesterday we found ourselves buying 6-9 month onesies, because he's outgrowing some of his 3-6 month outfits already. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uuBOTT2ITfI/Vq9n24ggdHI/AAAAAAAAF1M/a9kVVQD5PHU/s1600/20151223_183259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uuBOTT2ITfI/Vq9n24ggdHI/AAAAAAAAF1M/a9kVVQD5PHU/s400/20151223_183259.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
He was born with so much long brown hair that I joke that he came out needing a haircut. Also, the term 'wolverine' may have been used, since his eyebrows connected to his hairline for a few days. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVLYUWPoW1M/Vq9nGKvGxAI/AAAAAAAAF1I/9OObIj5Dezc/s1600/20160111_002130_LLS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVLYUWPoW1M/Vq9nGKvGxAI/AAAAAAAAF1I/9OObIj5Dezc/s400/20160111_002130_LLS.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Mom and Dad are still getting acclimated to caring for this little guy, and while we did all the research and have waited a long time to be parents... nothing could've prepared us for the amount of love we have for him.</div>
<center>
<br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Blogger icon photo facebook_zpseef9d1da.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/facebook_zpsn4glahhw.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108169886220104218433/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Google+ icon photo gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez/" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/twitter_zps7dbdef1e.png" /></a><br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+FarinVazquez1/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Google+</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Twitter</a></div>
</center>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969348344454522760noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800866521574819355.post-21663582730562624122016-01-29T05:46:00.000-05:002016-01-29T10:34:52.879-05:00I'm Back... and I Brought a Baby with Me<span style="font-size: x-large;">Hey there!</span><br />
I took a few months off of writing, to relax and enjoy life before baby arrived. He's here and I'm back!<br />
<br />
I was finishing up my old life- of work, training a replacement, trying to spend quality time with my husband all before our baby came. While I've missed writing on here and keeping in touch with blogging friends made in the past few years, it was all for the best.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jD6siD58kvw/VqrSaaWIy9I/AAAAAAAAFy0/W1kX3GHpbU8/s1600/WQ94UTP6A6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jD6siD58kvw/VqrSaaWIy9I/AAAAAAAAFy0/W1kX3GHpbU8/s640/WQ94UTP6A6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
But now I'm back, and I plan on publishing and posting all the things that have been going through my mind in the past few months, weeks and days. <i>You can't turn off of the mind of a blogger it seems.</i> Posts about our baby-moon in September, Daniel's birth story, and how I handled being a mom for the first few days of his life are in the works and will be up shortly.<br />
<br />
This space, while it will continue having content about the same things- travels, NYC centered tours and travel ideas, and posts on being a Christian woman- it will likely focus more on my learning how to be a new mom, especially in these first few months. I'm not one for scrapbooking, so what better way to record the blur that is the sleep-deprived days that I am currently living.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>It's a complete shock that I am finally a mom, and that he is here. </b><br />
I look at photos from when he was born, and can't believe how much he's grown. And I listen to his cries and my heart breaks knowing how much they've changed from his little newborn cries. I cheer when he smiled his first smile and cooed his first baby babble words.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Knowing that he is growing older quickly and that this season of life is soon to be the past...</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It's time to start doing what I love, and write it all out. </i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<br />
<b>So tell me....</b><br />
Did you miss me? :)<br />
Now that I'm back, how is the new year treating you?<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<center>
<br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Blogger icon photo facebook_zpseef9d1da.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/facebook_zpsn4glahhw.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108169886220104218433/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Google+ icon photo gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez/" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/twitter_zps7dbdef1e.png" /></a><br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+FarinVazquez1/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Google+</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Twitter</a> </center>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969348344454522760noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800866521574819355.post-23163940810167472912015-11-11T10:05:00.000-05:002016-01-05T22:06:00.752-05:00Until 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Life has been busy, hard, and incredibly uncomfortable lately.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_5ZaZFDCljM/VoyEBVInE6I/AAAAAAAAFxg/35d63cym8_c/s1600/YF7YOYCMKN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_5ZaZFDCljM/VoyEBVInE6I/AAAAAAAAFxg/35d63cym8_c/s640/YF7YOYCMKN.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I've wanted to do nothing but sleep lately, and blogging has not been on my to-do list in a long time. It breaks my heart to stop partway through the pregnancy updates, and while I love to write on here, I've been so overrun with life that I feel that I need to take a break until the new year.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure when in 2016 I'll be writing on here again, but when I return I'll be back with more updates about being a new mom, travel in NYC (... and possibly a new direction for the blog) and whatever else comes to my sleep-deprived mind in the still of the night.<br />
<br />
See you in 2016!<br />
<center>
<br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Blogger icon photo facebook_zpseef9d1da.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/facebook_zpsn4glahhw.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108169886220104218433/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Google+ icon photo gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez/" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/twitter_zps7dbdef1e.png" /></a><br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+FarinVazquez1/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Google+</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Twitter</a> </center>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969348344454522760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800866521574819355.post-82417681260260239592015-11-05T14:56:00.002-05:002016-01-05T21:53:58.090-05:0032 weeks<center>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">How far along:</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
32 weeks</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b; font-size: large;">Gender:</span><span style="color: #00c65b; font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Baby Boy!</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">What's the protocol:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Asking others for their seat. I've yet to purchase an 'over the top' I'M PREGNANT shirt (you know, the ones that have 'baby on board' among other sayings).... but I am wondering what I can do so that I get a seat on the train. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
People are mostly kind when they notice, but if there are delays where the train is stalled underground, no one will make eye contact or acknowledge that there's an obviously pregnant woman glaring at them, standing 2 feet in front of their face. It's as though the world is ending and they can't imagine giving up their last cup of water. Or their flint. Or their seat. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Sleep:</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Great. It seems that it alternates ever other week between sound sleep or good sleep with insane dreams. This week I've been able to sleep well, except for when I try to get out of bed or rotate from one side to another. Some serious hip pain, mainly when I'm sleeping or are waking from being on my (mainly) left side to roll onto my back. </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Best moment this week: </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Having things taken away from me! My work load and responsibilities are being divvied out to all my coworkers (as I am still waiting on my replacement to be hired. Tom has also been incredibly helpful in bringing things up the stairs, offering his hand when I get up from sitting and walking at my pace (I guess saying 'slow down' all the time finally stuck!). And, while he's been really interested in belly movements, different things that have been going on with the pregnancy, I think he's getting used to the idea that a baby will be coming soon and that it's feeling more real for him.<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Worst moment this week:</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm not sure what is going on with my hips, but it feels like they are dislodged from where they are meant to be. Which, my doc said was normal and unfortunate. I equated it to the jaws of life and how a snake unhinges his mouth to eat the antelope. But, in reverse. I guess he didn't expect to hear it like that, so I'm glad I made him laugh.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Miss anything:</span><b style="font-size: xx-large;"> </b></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Long walks! This week has been pretty beautiful and going back up into the 70s.... which makes me want to just walk around. But of course, I know that might start out well but 15 minutes into it I'd be tired and hurting. Since commuting and stairs have brought on some breathlessness and occasionally they trigger some Braxton Hicks contractions, I'll just have to wait until spring for nice walks I suppose. At least I'll have company :)</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Movement:</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
At my 32nd week appointment with my doc, he was poking my belly and said 'I don't feel the head'. Which sounded horrifying, but I realized he meant that the baby hasn't relocated to the head-down position and moved towards the exit just yet. Then, 2 days later, I swear he flipped around twice, both times cramming his head as far towards the exit as possible. And then, I believe, he decided that it wasn't as cozy as his normal spot on my left and came back up. But, for the few minutes he was relocated down there, I could actually feel the curve of his head. It was insane and I can't imagine walking around with him being flipped head down. Not that I want to wait until the last minute for him to engage he feels much more comfortable where he is, wedged under my ribs. Which I should mention is not incredibly comfy either.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cravings:</span><b style="font-size: xx-large;"> </b></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cinnamon. I've been putting it in anything that makes sense, which is great because it helps those with diabetes (gestational and I'm assuming otherwise as well) keep their number low. </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Medicine:</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Lovenox injections nightly at 0.40mL, ferrous sulfate (iron pills for anemia) at 325mg 3x daily.... and morning prenatal vitamins.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
I keep forgetting about the iron pills. Then last week I read about why they were so important (especially during delivery-- at this point they are not really impacting my day to day- which is why I keep treating them as though they aren't as important as the Lovenox (which, being honest- they really aren't). But, if I have the low iron count and am anemic at the time of delivery, that's a big risk for me and I'd rather have as few complications or concerns as possible. </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Queasy or sick:</span><b style="font-size: xx-large;"> </b></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
No appetite whatsoever. Tom has noticed that I force down dinners and most meals when around him, and hears me when I say I need a snack an hour later. I explain that my stomach fills quickly, and goes through food just as fast. So, he's insisted that whenever we're near a store we stock up on some healthy snacks- so I don't resort to peanut butter from the jar or a can of whatever is left in our cupboard (canned peaches or pears can only do so much).</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Looking forward to:</span><b style="font-size: xx-large;"> </b></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Signing up for childbirth classes and the breastfeeding course a the hospital. I'm excited to learn about what will happen when Daniel makes his great escape, and how to feed/bond with him after that.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<center>
<br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Blogger icon photo facebook_zpseef9d1da.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/facebook_zpsn4glahhw.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108169886220104218433/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Google+ icon photo gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez/" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/twitter_zps7dbdef1e.png" /></a><br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+FarinVazquez1/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Google+</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Twitter</a></center>
</center>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969348344454522760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800866521574819355.post-49343586104453068972015-10-23T07:27:00.001-04:002015-10-23T07:32:20.530-04:0030 weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7EEPeXTah5E/VioWsSBIbjI/AAAAAAAAFw0/v3y3r7rybMc/s1600/30%2Bweeks.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7EEPeXTah5E/VioWsSBIbjI/AAAAAAAAFw0/v3y3r7rybMc/s640/30%2Bweeks.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">How far along:</span><br />
30 weeks<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b; font-size: large;">Gender:</span><span style="color: #00c65b; font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><br />
Baby Boy!<br />
<br />
<div>
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">What's the protocol:</span><br />
Baby showers in general. We had two amazing baby showers (at 29 weeks and 30 weeks) and both were Amazing. So much love and support and generosity- and seeing everyone show up made us both feel like we had so many people to lean on and gather encouragement. But, before the thank you notes make their way out I've heard from those who weren't invited either because it was understood they couldn't come because of distance or busyness- but upset they didn't get an invite or the link to our registry.<br />
<br />
I never thought I would have to make invites for my own baby shower, and send them to someone as a gesture. Neither baby showers had actual invites, but I guess I understand why people are worried about being left behind. Anyway, if you ever don't get invited to a baby shower, remember to not call the mother to be when she's already having an emotional day and telling her how your feelings were hurt. </div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Sleep:</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
Vivid dreams are back. This week I've dreamt that I:<br />
<br />
----Had the baby on a commuter train, it was completely painless and was a girl. I was up and walking around with her, and thought "I should be in pain. This is not my baby".<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>What does it mean?!?</b>I'm can't believe that I actually have a baby inside of me that will be out in approx. 2 months. My baby. Mine (and Toms too).</blockquote>
<br />
----Had the baby at a resort, again it was a girl, and while lounging by the pool was having trouble breastfeeding. I remember wondering why I had the wrong baby and why I was at a resort after giving birth.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>What does it mean?!?</b>Anxiety over breastfeeding, and not knowing anything more than Google can tell.</blockquote>
<br />
----I went to work and was told by my boss that I needed to count a huge bag of M&Ms on my train ride home. But, because I shouldn't count the M&Ms too much (since they were not for me!) I could only spend one second counting each M&M.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>What does it mean?!? </b>Diagnosed with GD (gestational diabetes) last week means that I've been missing my sweets-- but M&Ms? Should've been counting Skittles!</blockquote>
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Best moment this week: </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Having our baby showers, filled with friends, family, food and a bit of baby gear. Our nursery is coming to life, and everytime we walk in it's a shock to see that we just need to insert a baby (and um, organize).</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OiaYol4oZBA/VioYteokbBI/AAAAAAAAFxI/d2UPKdyY4vY/s1600/20151023_072231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OiaYol4oZBA/VioYteokbBI/AAAAAAAAFxI/d2UPKdyY4vY/s640/20151023_072231.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Worst moment this week:</span><br />
I've really been achey at the end of the day- and I know it's just because of the weight of my belly. My feet and ankles have FINALLY reduced down to (near) normal- after being sunburned at week 20 (and taking 10 weeks to return to a new normal). And, the light jogging I did at week 26 and the pain it has brought has subsided. I can roll over and get out of bed without strain and feel almost normal for the first part of the day. But, after 5pm, things really start aching and I know it's only my big belly weighing everything down.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Miss anything:</span><b style="font-size: xx-large;"> </b></span></span><br />
Sweets! I have learned I have Gestational Diabetes, but luckily, after baby is born it will go away. When pregnant my pancreas is supposed to produce 3x as much insulin and 3x as much sugar. It seems my pancreas never got the memo about the insulin- so whenever I have anything sugary (i.e. a small spoonful of raisins on my oatmeal) it skyrockets. So I'm being mindful about avoiding sweets, mostly in the morning hours as it's always touchier then. At least it's been easily controlled!<br />
<br />
On the flipside, my fasting (not eating) glucose numbers get really low, and sometimes dip below 60 (which is really bad, but in the opposite direction). So I've taken to bringing a Glucerna drink with me on my commute to work, and a power bar with me on the train ride home. And when I feel hungry, I know my totals are somewhere in the 60s.<br />
<br />
What an experiment- figuring all this out has been.<br />
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Movement:</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></span><br />
He moves all the time, and at times, he seems to be angry with me! He's moved in small bumps in the same spot on the left side so much that it must be numb. I can't even feel on the inside unless it's a Big Move- only when my hand is resting on my stomach and jumps off when he kicks- or when I'm actually looking at my belly can I tell.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxkuo2GQWIHaVAujn17HKiJNRverGIu4K6W-MRxRitjEzRxjwE8IePyXQ5AsLz1dzFp_J00k6m5DxqG9kbAGA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Also, Braxton Hicks contractions (normal, 'practice' contractions) have begun and already picked up this week. Which aren't painful but are a fun reminder of that things are finishing up baking in there!</div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cravings:</span><b style="font-size: xx-large;"> </b></span></span><br />
Peanut butter is still a favorite but I also am loving V8 and cheese. Which, is great, since cheese has no sugar and no carbs, and V8 is so nutritious that it's worth the few carbs it does have :)<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Medicine:</span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
Lovenox injections nightly at 0.40mL, ferrous sulfate (iron pills for anemia) at 325mg 3x daily.... and morning prenatal vitamins.<br />
<br />
The injections still give me some trouble, but only because I've poked every piece of skin on my belly and am running out of real estate where my skin is not going to be super painful. I 'test poke' about 10 different spots before I find the 'sweet spot' where it doesn't hurt going in.<br />
<br />
I also was diagnosed as anemic this week, which was a <i>huge</i> SURPRISE. I think being on blood thinners since April has something to so with that haha. So, another pill to take, 3x daily.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Queasy or sick:</span><b style="font-size: xx-large;"> </b></span></span><br />
I'm not a fan of any food right now, which is really not great timing since I have to regulate when I eat and not eat what I want just to eat. Meat never interests me, and I've just had a constant nausea around bedtime.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Looking forward to:</span><b style="font-size: xx-large;"> </b></span></span><br />
The nursery has a crib in it! Along with a bunch of clothes, a stroller and other necessities. I have it about as organized as I can until we get the dresser/changing table bought and set up, but this is now an exciting room to walk into :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center>
<br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Blogger icon photo facebook_zpseef9d1da.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/facebook_zpsn4glahhw.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108169886220104218433/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Google+ icon photo gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez/" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/twitter_zps7dbdef1e.png" /></a><br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+FarinVazquez1/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Google+</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Twitter</a> </center>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969348344454522760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800866521574819355.post-61986708826522237802015-09-25T06:00:00.000-04:002015-09-25T14:27:58.243-04:0026 weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YaVNehLxM8c/VgS5cXQ0c-I/AAAAAAAAFv8/lVJ6Cv5RhN8/s1600/26%2Bweeks.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YaVNehLxM8c/VgS5cXQ0c-I/AAAAAAAAFv8/lVJ6Cv5RhN8/s640/26%2Bweeks.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">How far along:</span><br />
26 weeks<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b; font-size: large;">Gender:</span><span style="color: #00c65b; font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><br />
Baby Boy!<br />
<br />
<div>
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">What's the protocol:</span><br />
"How are you feeling?" When this question is asked, how do you respond- especially when it's been asked all the time and it's becoming obvious that the best answer to that question is "Great!" ?<br />
<br />
I've usually defaulted to "Pretty good- a little tired/achey/swollen feet- but that's to be expected". Which usually makes everyone say "Yep- you're going to feel that way for awhile- just wait until you don't get any sleep on top of it!"<br />
<br />
Not exactly encouraging. </div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Sleep:</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
Like a rock. Or, like a baby- which could mean that I get up every 2 hours to pee (versus eat), when I'm not sleeping like a rock.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Best moment this week: </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
I SAW THE BABY MOVE FROM THE OUTSIDE!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q0O6NsWgLTI/VgPSfrw-a8I/AAAAAAAAFvo/OGX_xYLjri0/s1600/2015-09-10%2B15.28.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q0O6NsWgLTI/VgPSfrw-a8I/AAAAAAAAFvo/OGX_xYLjri0/s320/2015-09-10%2B15.28.52.jpg" width="240" /></a>He migrated his movements off of my bladder, and I saw two pushes up by my bellybutton!</div>
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Worst moment this week:</span></span></span><br />
We went on our 'babymoon' as Tom has taken to calling it- and we ran from a deer that spooked us- a <br />
lighthouse at night on Hatteras Island. I should really take the time to explain how exactly that happened, but we basically saw glowing eyes and ran.<br />
<br />
The rest of the week, it became apparent that I pulled all sorts of muscles on both sides of my body, and could hardly get in/out of the car/bed/walk at all. It's finally better, and I can get out of bed like a regular person.<br />
<br />
It seems really important now to Take It Easy.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Miss anything:</span><b style="font-size: xx-large;"> </b></span></span><br />
I don't feel like I own and operate my body anymore, and that Daniel is in there either with little levers he uses to operate me, or perhaps a high-tech switchboard. At least I've learned this early on and admitted defeat.<br />
<br />
I need to take an acid pill every evening at 7pm as I'm leaving work, or I'll definitely not be able to eat when I get home after 830. I have to schedule my water intake so I can even make it to and from work without having to get off the train and find a bathroom (... and a public one at that). And, of course, my feel swell up if I don't walk ever half hour- to the point of painful hobbling.<br />
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Movement:</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></span><br />
I already mentioned seeing his movements from the outside, which seems like one of the last <i>new</i> things I will experience, until labor pains begin. (Am I wrong? What other mile-markers will come?)<br />
<br />
<br />
But also, yesterday he decided to FINALLY squirm on over to my right side, which he has never done. I have never felt him over there, but while sitting at my desk working yesterday, he decided to be an acrobat and flip all over the place, and jabbed me hard in my upper right part of my belly.<br />
<br />
I sat up, probably looked concerned, and grasped my belly. He then moved to the other side and kicked me like crazy there too.<br />
<br />
And, Dora seems especially interested in my growing belly, and he likes to kick when he feels any pressure, including her leaning on him!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyZ5CEuyEVpQ1q6x0uAVUrGCXbkcvZOaK26uyS7Gq8tZ91Mku_sd_QwFWhX3Ga2FF5dsj7Sa2ptvEnIJ7KlvA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cravings:</span><b style="font-size: xx-large;"> </b></span></span><br />
Oh, how I am loving Nutter Butters. Every day on the way to work, I get a snack of some sort- and while Nutter Butters are technically cookies..... they are peanut buttery goodness and I feel no remorse at all.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Medicine:</span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
Lovenox injections nightly at 0.40mL and morning prenatal vitamins.<br />
<br />
I'm sucking it up and dealing with some more bruising, which usually means that I've gone a bit too far in and hit muscle. But, the injections, while it takes some time to find that 'sweet spot' that won't hurt like crazy, or bleed a ton, then they are fine.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VMR8ng2U2MU/VgPSfglpP9I/AAAAAAAAFvk/nGbeq8ccMrQ/s1600/2015-09-04%2B10.38.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VMR8ng2U2MU/VgPSfglpP9I/AAAAAAAAFvk/nGbeq8ccMrQ/s320/2015-09-04%2B10.38.49.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Queasy or sick:</span><b style="font-size: xx-large;"> </b></span></span><br />
I'm not interested in any food at all. Except Nutter Butters. If you ever find that you have too many<br />
Nutter Butters, send them my way. I'll sending you my shipping address.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Looking forward to:</span><b style="font-size: xx-large;"> </b></span></span><br />
We moved the living room to the old dining room! Our apartment has three rooms, which were the Dining Room when you walk in, the 1st bedroom that we've used as a living room, and then our room. Well, dining room is now the living room, and while I was worried it would be cramped I love it! Nice to make some headway towards moving the bed out of the nursery and into the old living room.<br />
<br />
I guess that would only make sense if you've seen our apartment.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center>
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Blogger icon photo facebook_zpseef9d1da.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/facebook_zpsn4glahhw.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108169886220104218433/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Google+ icon photo gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez/" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/twitter_zps7dbdef1e.png" /></a><br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+FarinVazquez1/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Google+</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Twitter</a> </center>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969348344454522760noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800866521574819355.post-81843239746075791622015-09-07T06:00:00.000-04:002015-09-07T06:00:05.196-04:0024 weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PQ2YU0MIUVs/VekVIezhIWI/AAAAAAAAFuw/IsVSRv60Rqo/s1600/24%2Bweeks.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PQ2YU0MIUVs/VekVIezhIWI/AAAAAAAAFuw/IsVSRv60Rqo/s640/24%2Bweeks.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">How far along:</span><br />
24 weeks<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b; font-size: large;">Gender:</span><span style="color: #00c65b; font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><br />
Baby Boy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div>
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">What's the protocol:</span><br />
Baby showers. To be honest, I've wanted as little involvement as possible from the beginning. I understand that many to-be moms want to help plan, but really, I'm still recovering from planning our wedding over 2 years ago. I want to be told where to show up, when, and perhaps give over some names for the guest list.<br />
<br />
But, we have two different showers, with dates set, cars rented (for the PA one) and roles assigned. But then everything starts changing.<br />
<br />
<br />
The PA shower has to happen on a specific weekend, and they asked today to move it to another weekend- but we can't. The NY shower was supposed to be thrown exclusively by the three women I'm closest with here- my mother and sister in law, and my good church friend. Well, to make the story short, things have changed there as well and more hands are now in the pot. I just wanted (especially) my mother and sister in law to have fun and do the whole thing. Guess I'll have to cook something else up for them to partake in... maybe I can put them to work painting the nursery.... I'm sure they'd love that :)<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Sleep:</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Cp5cdLf7p8/VekW5iH6CPI/AAAAAAAAFu8/OYR3Xf8-jeI/s1600/20150903_235546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Cp5cdLf7p8/VekW5iH6CPI/AAAAAAAAFu8/OYR3Xf8-jeI/s400/20150903_235546.jpg" width="400" /></a>Well, I've been waking relatively refreshed so I can't say much there! Except, it takes a full 8 hours plus 3 hours in my mid-day gap to achieve this. Whatever works!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Best moment this week: </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Tom is talking to the baby more when he moves at night, and we're able to call him by his name! I went and purchased a few baby clothes this week, courtesy of JCPenney and the awesome coupons that they've been sending our way. </div>
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Worst moment this week:</span></span></span><br />
I hate climbing stairs. I know I've been less active than before the pregnancy (but let's be fair- I'm achey, swollen and exhausted). But I can climb stairs! I used to be a StairMaster! But whenever I scale one flight to face another, I want to collapse. It's amazing how our body compensates for a growing baby but it definitely does take your breath (and lung capacity) away.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Miss anything:</span><b style="font-size: xx-large;"> </b></span></span><br />
I'd love to feel regular sized again. I was never a small woman, but when shopping, I resolve that I have to shop with the frame of mind that all my clothes have to be baggy. That is, until spring rolls around again. <br />
<br />
I'm bumping my bump into door frames when turning (which is funny) and getting my shirt soaking wet when washing dishes (which is really annoying). I do miss feeling 'regular sized'.<br />
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Movement:</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></span><br />
These last two weeks Daniel hasn't been moving as dramatically, but it is consistent and more frequent. I guess he is done rearranging furniture (?) since things seem to have settled down a bit. But then, a day after I think that he's enjoying his new environment, I get a ridiculously painful movement in the same spot he loves to move around in (my left side). I guess he was being considerate before, since I'm either stretching or bruised on that spot- his favorite place to start turning and flipping around.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FQq9Ul0Y4zc/VekXYsvPJcI/AAAAAAAAFvE/5HMHhdr9axQ/s1600/10295735_10152328653411112_3095402869753124122_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FQq9Ul0Y4zc/VekXYsvPJcI/AAAAAAAAFvE/5HMHhdr9axQ/s320/10295735_10152328653411112_3095402869753124122_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cravings:</span><b style="font-size: xx-large;"> </b></span></span><br />
I have a McDonalds Oreo Frappe in front of me now, so I'm pretty content. Tacos are my favorite meal right now, and raw bell peppers are a favorite snack.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Medicine:</span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
Lovenox injections nightly at 0.40mL and morning prenatal vitamins.<br />
<br />
I never mentioned that my doctor was considering upping my Lovenox shots to twice daily (at the anatomy scan)- but thankfully she decided 0.40mL a day was adequate. I don't hate them, and have honestly begun to enjoy the routine and the dedication involved in taking them everynight. But I'm glad I don't have to do them in the daytime too!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Queasy or sick:</span><b style="font-size: xx-large;"> </b></span></span><br />
I think I'm going to stop saying toothpaste (and toothbrushing) and just say Gag Reflex. I can't eat anything that requires more than a handful of bites without swallowing. We had steak last Sunday and I had to stop. It made me gag, just having to work so hard at getting it down.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Looking forward to:</span><b style="font-size: xx-large;"> </b></span></span><br />
Getting the apartment rearranged and the nursery to be painted! This will happen when we return from our trip, which we are on right NOW! We left Brooklyn on Sunday and won't be returning until Saturday. A roadtrip to South Carolina, up the Outer Banks and along the beaches- one last vacation before Daniel arrives :)<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<center>
<br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Blogger icon photo facebook_zpseef9d1da.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/facebook_zpsn4glahhw.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108169886220104218433/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Google+ icon photo gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez/" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/twitter_zps7dbdef1e.png" /></a><br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+FarinVazquez1/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Google+</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Twitter</a> </center>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969348344454522760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800866521574819355.post-58868532585997358172015-08-28T05:47:00.000-04:002015-08-28T05:47:00.269-04:005 Tips to Great PostureNot that I have great posture... yet. But, I've been going to the chiropractor often for a few weeks now have been told that nothing will help me more than getting into a habit of maintaining a good posture.<br />
<br />
But when you've been a sloucher for years, how do you do that?<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1. Helium Balloons</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MsWhMa58fiw/VdeggdL3spI/AAAAAAAAFso/jug2AsppbYg/s1600/8ZCTTWTHS0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MsWhMa58fiw/VdeggdL3spI/AAAAAAAAFso/jug2AsppbYg/s640/8ZCTTWTHS0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The first thing I was told to do (by my doctor, when he caught me slouching) was to pretend there were 3 helium balloons tied to me. One tied to the top of my head, one to my nose and one to my bellybutton. If you just imagined this happening to you, you probably sat tall with your nose pointing straight out and you pushed your belly out and created the natural curve in your spine (that slouching eliminates).<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Make Bed Angels</span><br />
I used to do all sorts of stretches every morning by bending side to side on the floor, putting one leg on top of a dresser while reaching to the other on the floor. While these were my imagined 'wake up' stretches in my early 20s, I would probably tip over or pull something if I tried that now. One exercise which I still do and that feels amazing is to make snow angels... in bed. I imagine you could do this on the floor as well, but I like waking up the muscles along my spine while waking up the rest of. Less likely to hit the snooze button! Plus, who doesn't love taking over the bed, in an act of rebellion against your spouse :)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. Uncross Legs</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qTazAfQce9g/VdehQoQc7ZI/AAAAAAAAFs4/JYuQxZv4lTs/s1600/converse-fields.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qTazAfQce9g/VdehQoQc7ZI/AAAAAAAAFs4/JYuQxZv4lTs/s640/converse-fields.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I read somewhere that while it might be ladylike to sit with crossed legs, that it can actually misalign your posture. On my first doctors appointment (ever, yep. I'm a recent convert) he found my right leg was 1.5 inches shorter than my left (and my left was doing most of the work)! The best way to sit in a chair is to have your ankles directly underneath your knees, and an inch or so between your knees and the end of your seat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">4. Ears Over Shoulders</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
Another easy to remember trick is make sure your ears are over your shoulders. Not your collarbone or your chest. This is the quickest way to remember that good posture includes your neck as well as your back!</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. Use Props</span><br />
There are lots of reasons why you might still have to lean forward or sit awkwardly at work. Raise or lower your work screen/monitor to sit at eye level. Raise or lower your chair to the best position for you. And if still find yourself slouching forward, consider a footrest or portable lumbar back support that you can affix to your office chair. At the very least, it will remind you to lean back and keep that good posture going, even when hard at work!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>So tell me...</b><br />
What have you done to improve your posture?<br />
Do you have certain habits that you always find yourself doing?<br />
Have you ever visited a chiropractor, or had a doctor tell you how to improve your posture?<br />
<br />
<center>
<br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Blogger icon photo facebook_zpseef9d1da.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/facebook_zpsn4glahhw.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108169886220104218433/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Google+ icon photo gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez/" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/twitter_zps7dbdef1e.png" /></a><br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+FarinVazquez1/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Google+</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Twitter</a> </center>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969348344454522760noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800866521574819355.post-70992584513615522382015-08-27T07:00:00.000-04:002015-08-27T07:10:53.925-04:0022 weeks- Gender Reveal!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_8L_adpnW7o/Vd7nhcO5C1I/AAAAAAAAFto/VjEHi9nFdWQ/s1600/22%2Bweeks.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_8L_adpnW7o/Vd7nhcO5C1I/AAAAAAAAFto/VjEHi9nFdWQ/s640/22%2Bweeks.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">How far along:</span><br />
22 weeks<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b; font-size: large;">Gender:</span><span style="color: #00c65b; font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><br />
Baby Boy!<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" scrolling="yes" src="https://www.wevideo.com/embed/#452293530" style="border-style: none; border-width: initial;" width="640 "></iframe><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kA_JJsuDq5w/Vd7oRE8dUJI/AAAAAAAAFuA/jhRb5OkJi0s/s1600/11898628_10153514115442480_5129931000622942099_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kA_JJsuDq5w/Vd7oRE8dUJI/AAAAAAAAFuA/jhRb5OkJi0s/s320/11898628_10153514115442480_5129931000622942099_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">What's the protocol:</span>
<br />
The great coffee debate. Oh yes, I do still have coffee. Usually when on roadtrips I'll get a small or have some from Tom's cup. Today I was eating at the window (staring at the pedestrians outside) at Pret and this guy walks by with a huge beautiful iced coffee. I told Tom I missed coffee. We went to Dunkin' Donuts and I debated asking for something else because I knew people would stare and judge the pregnant lady with a cup of coffee.</div>
<br />
<br />
Forget that it could possibly be decaf, but whatever.<br />
<br />
I'm just getting fed up (already?) with people telling me to not eat this, be careful of high blood sugar, high blood pressure and falling down. I guess if someone ever approaches me and 'just wants me to know' that I shouldn't have any caffeine, I can 'just let them know' that there is such a thing as decaf coffee.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CO6Zf2SoEQc/Vd7oRMU35LI/AAAAAAAAFt8/vXTLlZ9Nkh4/s1600/11951768_10206758497108366_6827318162137442497_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CO6Zf2SoEQc/Vd7oRMU35LI/AAAAAAAAFt8/vXTLlZ9Nkh4/s400/11951768_10206758497108366_6827318162137442497_n.jpg" width="220" /></a>I'm also not against having a sandwich from the deli if it's all that is available for lunch and I will probably oversee and do most of the nursery painting (with many breaks and proper ventilation).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Sleep:</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
Amazing! I went to the chiropractor and after he fixed 28 years of bad habits, I am sleeping like a rock and able to bend all the way over without shooting pain. And here I thought the only reason people went to the chiropractor was if they were in an accident or got whiplash.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Best moment this week: </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
SLEEP! And finding out the gender, of course!!</div>
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Worst moment this week:</span></span></span><br />
Um, loosing control. I had a weekend away set up for the entire family to learn the gender of our baby, and everything went wrong with scheduling. I felt like the weekend I set up was hijacked, and got grumpy. Guess it also has something to do with missing my mom and only being in town about 16 hours to see her, versus the 2-3 days as originally planned. And, I am a control freak who will need to get over that. But, it was a great weekend away and worked out perfectly. So, the worry was really for nothing.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Miss anything:</span><b style="font-size: xx-large;"> </b></span></span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JVJ6r85dHhI/Vd7oRBDyhzI/AAAAAAAAFuE/GkXI6cHN6PU/s1600/11260499_10206758497508376_6928693566365913818_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JVJ6r85dHhI/Vd7oRBDyhzI/AAAAAAAAFuE/GkXI6cHN6PU/s400/11260499_10206758497508376_6928693566365913818_n.jpg" width="220" /></a>I miss slender ankles. I never had those beautiful svelt ankles that look amazing, but well, they are monsters and holding water like crazy. I have imprints from all my shoes at the end of the day, even flip flops. Since I got the massive swelling from being burned 3 weeks ago, I assume my body thought "well, lets just keep those. She's going to have them swell up later in the pregnancy anyway, it'll save us some paperwork'. Pft.<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Movement:</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></span><br />
I've been shocked at how drastic (?) the movements are suddenly becoming. And how I can predict when baby is going to move. It feels like baby is putting his feet on my left side and, as though pushing off the side of an Olympic size pool. He then pushes off to swims to the center of my belly in a big powerful (?) motion. I told Tom that baby was winding up to move, and he didn't believe me. And it ended up being the most intense baby movement we felt yet. And, oddly enough, I've never felt baby or heard baby's heartbeat on my right side- always the left and the center. Guess that's where the placenta is located, like a big airbag absorbing the impact or something.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cravings:</span><b style="font-size: xx-large;"> </b></span></span><br />
Pineapple, and strawberry rhubarb pie!<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="color: #00c65b; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Medicine:</span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
Lovenox injections nightly at 0.40mL and morning prenatal vitamins.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k59Eik7jQKA/Vd7srULNDoI/AAAAAAAAFuQ/FevQo1A3FNk/s1600/11880367_10153514115617480_1564790683577293661_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k59Eik7jQKA/Vd7srULNDoI/AAAAAAAAFuQ/FevQo1A3FNk/s320/11880367_10153514115617480_1564790683577293661_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>Remember how I was 'coaching' Tom to give me the shots? Well, I've forgotten and need to get back on that again. My injections are migrating north as I grow, and to get them back towards the lower side of my bump, I will soon need his help.<br />
<br />
<b>Any suggestions on how I get over this?</b> How do I hand the needle over to another person? When I get bigger, will it be necessary for help?<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Queasy or sick:</span><b style="font-size: xx-large;"> </b></span></span><br />
Toothpaste. Well, I should be honest and say toothbrush here. The gag reflex is horrible!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #00c65b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Looking forward to:</span><b style="font-size: xx-large;"> </b></span></span><br />
More movement! And getting the nursery painted and starting to work on getting the house organized (so we don't have to worry about it in the last trimester.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<center>
</center>
<center>
<br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Blogger icon photo facebook_zpseef9d1da.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/facebook_zpsn4glahhw.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108169886220104218433/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Google+ icon photo gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/gplus_zpsa51d23ec.png" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez/" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag222/farinvazquez/twitter_zps7dbdef1e.png" /></a><br style="text-align: -webkit-center;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewestvazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+FarinVazquez1/posts" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Google+</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FarinVazquez" style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Twitter</a> </center>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969348344454522760noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800866521574819355.post-68674312974034213382015-08-21T05:45:00.000-04:002015-08-21T06:46:20.888-04:00Yellow Cabs in NYC<br />
Why Yellow?<br />
<br />
In 1915, Chicago entrepreneur John Hertz (of future rental-car-company fame) opened the first Yellow Cab Company in his city. To unify his fleet, Hertz had commissioned a local university study to “scientifically ascertain which color would stand out strongest at a distance,” per his biographer—and yellow won. With a consistent color and make, “official” taxicabs signal to wary riders that they’re duly regulated by city government.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u4b-XhNVvZA/VdYhBdGjviI/AAAAAAAAFrw/v5fd494qGGo/s1600/cruising%2Bby%2Bthe%2Bcabs%2Binny.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="636" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u4b-XhNVvZA/VdYhBdGjviI/AAAAAAAAFrw/v5fd494qGGo/s640/cruising%2Bby%2Bthe%2Bcabs%2Binny.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://instagram.com/innyworld/" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">innyworld</a><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> on Instagram</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The logic of visual standardization became fully entrenched with a 1967 ruling that all “official” New York taxicabs be painted yellow.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ab-fn6T0bM/VdYhSzxDNNI/AAAAAAAAFsA/2uBqnCpHyxo/s1600/Grand%2BCentral%2BTaxis-%2BMidnight.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ab-fn6T0bM/VdYhSzxDNNI/AAAAAAAAFsA/2uBqnCpHyxo/s640/Grand%2BCentral%2BTaxis-%2BMidnight.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://instagram.com/midnight.xpress/" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">midnight.xpress</a><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> on Instagram</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
NYC has long been regarded as the home of the yellow cab (although there are yellow cabs all over the place, any major city seems to have them, if only because of their eye catching color). When we have visitors, they sometimes mention that they want to take their first taxi cab ride. And while there are many types of cab and car services available- they really mean a yellow cab.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ngu3au8qBMg/VdYhKoPGdyI/AAAAAAAAFr4/ZBfCVrZ78ww/s1600/Taxi%2BTraffic%2Bin%2BNYC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ngu3au8qBMg/VdYhKoPGdyI/AAAAAAAAFr4/ZBfCVrZ78ww/s640/Taxi%2BTraffic%2Bin%2BNYC.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://instagram.com/innyworld/" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">innyworld</a><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> on Instagram</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In addition to yellow cabs (which pick up in Manhattan ONLY below West 110th Street/East 96th Street), you can hail green cabs (from anywhere above the 110th St/96th St line, or while in the other boroughs) or call a local car service and requested a car to pick you up.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-INywQvQOwTQ/VdYoBE2zAFI/AAAAAAAAFsM/M7axF4ZaZg0/s1600/Taxicabs_of_New_York_City.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-INywQvQOwTQ/VdYoBE2zAFI/AAAAAAAAFsM/M7axF4ZaZg0/s640/Taxicabs_of_New_York_City.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By Z22 (Own work) [<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0">CC BY-SA 3.0</a>], <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ATaxicabs_of_New_York_City.jpg">via Wikimedia Commons</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>So tell me...</b><br />
Have you ever visited NYC and ridden in a yellow (or green or car service) taxi cab?<br />
Does your city have a yellow cab service as well?<br />
Did you find the drivers are crazy drivers, or that it's the only way to get around all the traffic?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
---</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
***The above text is from the below cited sources. Please feel free to click over to the original articles, which you can do by visiting the following links: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_eye/2013/10/25/taxis_who_decided_they_should_be_yellow.html">Why Are There So Many Yellow Taxis in the World?</a></div>
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxicabs_of_New_York_City">Taxicabs of New York City</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969348344454522760noreply@blogger.com16