The Nursery

I get a lot of questions on the baby and Jayden and the nursery and what we’re planning on doing. Well, the truth is, not much. Jayden and the baby are going to share the nursery. It's going to stay mostly the same except I'm going to get rid of some of the blue and add in more sage green and yellow. Plus, not to mention we have to get J's big boy bed. What a hoot! I’m almost starting to wonder where all his toys will go. That room is so cramped right now. Oh well, time to de-clutter. No time to keep up two nurseries.

Sleepless in Clermont

I can't sleep all the time. I’ve had lots of insomnia this pregnancy, plus the bed just isn’t comfortable at all to me anymore. This morning, I was feeling especially sleepy and Mr. Jayden woke up at 3:45am. I took him to bed with me and he lay still for about 10 minutes, but then he started to get up and look out other window every time a car went past. So I put him back in his crib and he fell asleep, but I was done. I couldn’t get back to sleep again. I didn’t fall asleep again until around 5am.

I'll be getting a new bed for Jayden soon too. When the baby comes in the spring, she’ll stay with me in my room for the first 3 months or so in her basinet. Then she'll move into the crib and Jayden will move into his big boy bed. Wow, can you imagine?

Christmas Eyes

Little by little, I've been wrapping presents and putting them under the tree. Today, we got a couple of packages in the mail full of presents from Dad and Lele. I opened them and put all the presents under the tree and Jayden's eyes were all lit up. That crazy fool. I think he knows he gets to open presents soon. Anyway, he kept climbing up on my back when I was on the floor trying to get the presents to go under the tree which is a challenge since the tree is so darn huge. He's so funny. The first gift under the tree was Caitlin's. He actually tried to open them. So far, he's been really good. I hope that he doesn't go nuts and tries to make a mad dash towards the presents!

Jayden's Latest Tricks

I try very hard not to hit Jayden. I rarely do, but I do threaten him with my slipper which usually does the trick. So he usually stops whatever bad behavior he’s partaking in and smiles. Then he makes smiley faces at me and inches closer, clapping or doing something else equally cute until he gets close enough to grab my slipper. Then he tries to spank himself with it (very funny, you have to see this one day). Other times, he comes close and takes my slippers off my feet, one at a time. He tries to walk around in them and then runs off with them. Whatever he does, his final trick is to take the slipper and puts them away in my closet. Isn’t he helpful? And smart. I realized this when I went to threaten him with my slipper later that day and I couldn't. It was gone, tucked away in my closet.

He also learned how to flush the toilet so you can imagine how much flushing is going on here. Any opportunity is a good opportunity to follow Mommy or Daddy to the restroom to help flush the toilet. Even if no one has gone, he wants to flush the toilet. Sometimes, he flushes it several times in a row. That’s my personal favorite. He lowers the seat, flushes the toilet and then quickly raises the lid so he can make sure that the toilet has actually flushed. This could go on forever.

In Love With My Baby

I think the baby looks precious already and she's not even born yet. Everyone says they hope she's blessed with the same curls and eyelashes as Jayden. We were at the bank this morning and the lady said she thought he should be in modeling because he was "flawless". Can you imagine? His sister will be just as lovely and of course, I feel instant love and admiration for God and the whole process/miracle of life. I wonder if they will look alike, or will she take to Daddy or Mommy? I wonder if she will have a head full of hair, curly or straight, or have long lashes? Time will tell of course. I know she will be stunning though. How could she be anything else? She was created out of love.

It's a Girl!

We had our ultrasound and wouldn't you know that as much as I thoght it would be a boy, turns out it was a girl. My heart was giddy with love and excitement. Daddy's little girl. Jayden's little sister. She would have them both wrapped around her little fingers. The ultrasound pictures were so clear. She almost seemed to be smiling. She was sleeping and sucking her thumb and moving quite a bit. I fell in love with her instantly. I think her face is shaped just like Caitlin's. Now there will be two girls and two boys. It's going to be so fun. I'm so happy my family is growing.

Cutie Pie

Jayden is my cutie pie. We had such a nice day yesterday. Do you think it was because he took a four hour nap? Ha-ha. Anyway, he LOVES being outside and I really wish we had a fence. Jayden loves to walk around and pick up sticks and leaves. He's such an adventurer. He has such a wild spirit. Lately, though he wants me to hold him while he's drinking his bottle. Awwww. I do miss that and love holding him of course. I cradle him in my arms and he drinks his bottle and we're both completely happy.

Party of Two?

I wonder how I will keep up with two kids when Jayden is enough to make me want to choke myself sometimes, but I really want him to experience what it's like having siblings. I wouldn't trade my childhood memories for anything in the world and I want him to know what it's like. Plus, sometimes I think, the more, the merrier. Jayden is going to be a great older brother and he's a helper. I think two kids will be awesome. Four would be even more awesome, but I would die. Ha-ha.

The Worries Begin

I know they usually don't do this, but I asked to have my HcG tested. I wanted some peace of mind. I wanted a small bit of assurance that all was going well with this pregnancy. The doctor's office agreed and ordered the testing. Now, I have more cause to worry. I had my HcG tested, but the numbers did not double like they were supposed to. They went from 7480 to 10,800 which is still good, I think, depending on the research I have done. I have an ultrasound in 2 weeks. Keep my little bean in your prayers.

BFP!

I was due for my period on Wednesday. I decided to talk to Esteban again about the possibility of a sibling for Jayden. Maybe we could start trying after I got my period. Esteban was in total agreement. I was thrilled. He said, let’s wait until you start your next menstrual cycle and we’ll try again, like we did with Jayden. So, the wait was on. The rest of the week passed without signs of my period. I was cramping, but nothing else. What’s going on? What’s taking so long. I don’t know why, but I felt anxious to get started. The weekend comes and goes and nothing. Did I mess up with my count? We were using the rhythm method. I know it’s not reliable, but it was working great so far.

Now it’s Monday morning and I’m several days late. The thought is in the back of my head. Could I be pregnant? Esteban and I had made love several times before my trip to NJ but I could have sworn that we had missed he window of opportunity because of the timing of my trip. While I was in NJ with Jayden, there were a few times that I felt a bit odd. I didn’t know what it was, but towards the end of my trip I would feel these small waves of nausea. It was crazy. It couldn’t be. I had a left over pregnancy test from when we were trying to conceive Jayden. Take the test. Get it over with. I got up and walked to the bathroom. I took the test. I sat on the toilet bowl afraid to even look at the test until the 3 minute mark. POSITIVE! OMG! Thrill, excitement, scared! What should I do? I can’t believe it. It’s positive! We’re having a baby. Jayden is going to be a big brother.

A Sibling for Jayden?

We had really hoped that Esteban’s kids would be able to come join us in Florida, but it didn’t work out that way. Our requests were denied so it will be a long time until green card requests are processed. I hoped the kids would join us and that Jayden would know what it was like to grow up with siblings. Now, that the plans have changed I asked Esteban, “Now that we know that the kids won’t be coming any time soon, don't you think we should give Jayden a sibling?” He wasn't for the idea, but he wasn't against it. I gently reminded him that we don't have the luxury of time. I'm 34 now and I don't want to go through a pregnancy after the age of 35. There are too many risks and tests and doctors prognosis’. He’s coming around. If we start trying now, Jayden would be 2 - 2 1/2 years old at the birth, which would be perfect.

Lots of Kids and Even More Cousins!

It would be nice to have more children. I've been thinking of that lately since my clock is ticking louder and louder. If we decide to have another, I hope for it to happen before I hit 36. I am 34 now. I told Esteban we have one more year to kick the idea around. I visited a girlfriend recently who said, “What's the point of having more? All brothers and sisters do is fight.” This may be true, but I think there is so much more you learn when there is more than one child. I fought with my sisters my whole life, but I love them to pieces and I love being with them and now I especially love that our children will grow up together. I think back to all of our adventures growing up with all of our cousins and I wish the same for my kids.

Jayden Is Not Himself. Please Believe Me!

Yesterday, I called Esteban to tell him I was on my way home. He starts bragging about how good Jayden has been. (What is he saying? Jayden only misbehaves with me? Or that I over exagerate?) Grrr.

As soon as I get home there he is looking crazy and Jayden is screaming his head off having one of his moments. And Esteban goes, "I don't know what happened. He woke up like that." Finally, he sees what I was talking about.

Then last night, Jayden had another bad night. He fell asleep with no problems, but then kept waking up screaming for no reason at all. Do you think Esteban accepts that Jayden is not behaving normally? No. Now, he tries to convince me that Jayden is sick because his nose is running. Of course, it can't be because everybody's nose runs when they are crying that loud.

Esteban just won't believe me and insists that he must be sick. He wants me to give Jayden Tylenol. Hello? For what? I didn't know Tylenol cures temper tantrums!

Bad Mother

I am going crazy here, alone with Jayden. I am constantly losing my patience, screaming (sometimes at the top of my lungs), desperate for Jayden to stop whining or throwing temper tantrums. I think God knows this because he's been trying to help me along. I think I'm just plain tired. I long to go to work and I fear being home with him on the weekends. Isn't that awful? I am such a bad mother and even still God blessed me with a son. Little Jayden is so sweet. When I picked him up from daycare today, he was just precious. He didn't know that I was there and he was playing with an abacus. When he finally saw me, he froze for just a second. He threw the toy aside with such force, as if to say to heck with that. He came right over to me. I picked him up in my arms and just hugged him and smelled him and kissed him. Right before we left, he slowly bent his face to mine and kissed me on my lips. That makes it all worth it! That’s what I have to remember when I lose my patience with him.

My First Scare

Esteban left yesterday to Honduras. I was home alone with Jayden and it was my first night. He gave me quite a scare. Last night, he got really cranky, but it was unusual. Not his normal, I'm sleepy cranky. I decided to give him some Tylenol and then I took his temp because he felt a little warm. Rectally, it was 100.7. Good thing for Tylenol. Then when I fell asleep, he kept crying through the night. I would go to his room, rub his back and then he would drift back to sleep. Around 3am, I went to his room and he was burning up. Whoa! Red flag! It was my first time finding him with a burning fever. My radar went off! How could this happen? Esteban isn't even home to help me with this.

At first, I thought what should I do? What should I do? Ok, slow down. Think. He couldn't breathe through his nose so I tried the aspirator, which he was not having. He hates that thing. Then I reached for the Tylenol, but decided to give him Motrin instead. I remembered when my girlfriend's son got sick she was told to alternate Motrin and Tylenol to break the fever. I brought him to my room with me and sat up with him till around 4:30. He still had a fever but it was down slightly. I didn't re-temp, but I could feel that he wasn't as warm. Thank goodness for those baby books. I have the "What to Expect" book for the 1st year and I have the "What to Expect from Birth to 5 Years" book from the National Academy of Pediatrics. I turned to fever and said keep the baby hydrated so I got him some juice. It also said to sponge the baby if you can't get the fever to break in an hour with Tylenol or Motrin. I didn't wait the hour. I got a towel and moistened it with warm water and put it on his forehead and his neck. I had thought about alcohol since that's what mom used to do with us, but the book said NO alcohol. It makes the fever worse and the smell can be harmful to infants. It also made me more relaxed when I started to read and see that most of the hype around high grade fevers is for babies under 2 months or babies less than 6 months. Since Jayden is one year old, I was able to relax and try to take care of it instead of thinking, OMG, I have to rush him to the hospital.

He eventually fell asleep, thank you God and I just checked him and his fever is gone. Thank Goodness I have a doctor appt for him today. It is supposed to be his 12 month appt. Right now, I'm happy that Esteban wasn't home or he would have been freaking' out and driving me crazy.

Lockdown for Jayden

I bought a baby gate over the weekend to keep Jayden in his room. Is that bad? He drives me bonkers which his toys all over. I feel like all the cleaning and picking up I do is for nothing because he's close on my heels with a new trail of toys behind him. Not only does me make messes all over, but he falls down and hurts himself all the time. (He's still learning how to walk and there's no carpet, only tiles. Ouch!) Plus he tries to put everything he finds in his mouth, including Rio's dog hairs! His room is childproof, but he always follows me to wherever I go. Now with the gate, I am able to keep him safe, he makes all the mess he wants in his room and I can get some chores done around the house. Golly, never thought that day would come where I would lock my son in his room at the age of ONE! Hehe

From Bottles to Sippy Cups

I got Jayden the Avent sippy cups and all it took was 2 tries. Boom! He got the hang of it. Now, he's been using them for a week or so. I pulled out a Gerber sippy cup that I had bought a while back and he actually drank from it. Yeah!

PS He's really getting the hang of the push and ride Jeep Wrangler. He looks so funny pushing it around. I put him on it, but he only goes backwards. But he likes to push it round the house. This morning, he was pushing it around the living room and he did a wonderful job of parallel parking right next to Rio's crate. I was impressed.

Cranky Baby turns into Angel Baby

Jayden was being so cranky and wouldn't fall asleep. He was crying and it was so unlike him. I was tired myself and already in bed so I told Esteban to bring him to me in my room. Jayden lay next to me under the covers and we both fell asleep together. It was such a peaceful feeling. I mean, this never happens. It was so great!

Jayden's Milestones and Memories of My Angel

Jayden is taking steps. All he does is take 5 steps here and 5 steps there and 5 steps here and five steps there. This could go on forever. He's so cute when he does it.

Memorial Day weekend is just around the corner. It's always a sad time for me. I lost my first baby two years ago during Memorial Day weekend. I know I have Jayden now, but I always remember that special little baby that is in heaven now. Nobody else does. Some people look at me like I'm crazy if I mention it, but I don't care. It was my child. I love you little angel.

Emergency at 11785 Constance Way

Emergency vehicles arrived at 11785 Constance Way on Sunday, May 21, 2006 after a Jeep Wrangler had a head on head collision with a wall. The driver, Jayden Valerio, was rushed off to the nearest crib with minor injuries. He was charged with a DUI. Investigations concluded that he was driving under the influence of a cake rush, which cause him to lose control of the vehicle. The Jeep Wrangler rolled on its side and Jayden's nose came in contact with the bumper. Ouch! Little Valerio's driving privileges have been suspended. Poor Baby!

1st Mother's Day

Esteban called to say he was on his way home from work and I think he could tell by my voice that I wasn't too happy. He wished me a happy mother's day and when he came home, he brought me a balloon (de parte de Jayden). It was cute. It looked like a Valentine’s Day balloon. It was a red heart with a teddy bear and it said I Love Mom. He got me a card and then we went to Carrabbas for dinner. I love that place. The wait wasn't bad at all either. We had a great dinner and had a few too many drinks. Esteban was a little happy. I was too. It was such a great night. When we got home, Jayden went straight to bed with no fuss so it was a happy day after all. I loved it.

Spoon Feed vs. National Disaster

I still spoon feed Jayden. I can't even imagine the mess if I let him try on his own. Some other ladies I know with children his age let them explore. I think, I'll be like my sister. I'll feed him for as long as I can. I am adventurious from time to time. Yesterday, I sliced some bananas and put them on a plate and put him in his high chair with it and he ate it all by himself without making too much of a disaster. I was thrilled and encouraged.

Transitions from Baby to Toddler

Jayden's newest trick is to put all his fingers in his mouth and gag! Very fun. He does it when he's trying to get attention. I am starting to brush his teeth. I'm trying to get into the habit myself so I can teach him right. Brush in the morning and before bed. I checked his mouth this morning and discovered two more teeth bringing the total to 8 teeth. We took away the bobo since yesterday and he hasn't even noticed. I just hid it in a drawer. I'm working on sippy cups and he's getting it now. Soon I will take away all the bottles and go to sippy cups.

Nighttime Reading and Prayers

I am starting to read to Jayden every night and he is so much happier when I do it. I noticed that he stays much calmer in his crib and falls asleep faster. I also started our tradition with him of praying the Lord's Prayer with him every night. I love it and I think he does too.

God makes miracles happen everyday. We just have to look for them. He gave me a miracle today. When I put Jayden to bed, he blew me a kiss. Now if that's not one of God's precious miracles, I don't know what is!