Advice and Support From a New Mom

When I was pregnant with Emerie, I felt like every single time someone saw me the conversation went something like, "How are you feeling?", "Are you excited?", "Get your sleep now while you can." (Which when your're 30 something weeks pregnant and so uncomfortable and

you haven't had a good nights sleep in weeks, is a joke). I understand that all these people were just trying to be kind. But when I look back at it all the little pieces of advice were definitely helpful. Now that I have gone through that newborn stage and its so fresh in my mind, I feel like I could give some very useful advice and some emotional support to all the ladies I see that are expecting.

This sounds cliche but childbirth and meeting your child for the first time will be the most powerful moment of your life. You will change in a way you didn't think was possible. It is the most overwhelming feeling of love you will most likely ever experience. I heard that a million times before it actually happened to me, but when it actually happened I had no idea how true that actually was.

When Emerie came home with us, I felt discouraged because I had no idea what I was doing. I would break down in tears when she would cry while I was changing her clothes or diaper. I always felt like I was doing something wrong. Jorge would come over and do everything like a pro. She always wanted Jorge at  first and only wanted me when she was hungry. This upset me even more because I felt like I was her mother, she grew inside of my body, she should want me. Now I know that it was just that we needed a little more alone time to bond.  When Jorge went back to work, that's exactly what we got.

After being alone with her as a newborn, there were a lot of things that I learned and experienced that make me feel like I could give some useful advice to women expecting their first baby.

Advice on how to soothe a crying infant

These might not work for every baby, but they were a life-saver for me!

1. Nursing her
If you're nursing your baby, sometimes they just want to soothe themselves while nursing even if they aren't eating.

2. Show them their reflection in the mirror
Sometimes I would just stand in front of the mirror rocking Emerie, letting her stare at herself in the mirror. This usually would help.

3. Colic Calm

This stuff worked miracles for me. It is a hit or miss for everyone, but in my case it was amazing.

4. Sing softly in their ear
I would literally just be singing random stuff into Emeries ear to soothe her.

5. A swing
This method would only work some of the time, but it definitely bought me some time to sit down and actually eat or watch TV with Jorge.

6. The rattle
Shaking a rattle in front of her face to entertain her helped a lot to take her mind off of crying.

7. A car ride
This is super well know trick but it works! She hates going in the car seat, but loves when we are driving.

Words of support to new moms

1. You're a great mom. If you are doing all you can to soothe your crying baby, and still feel like your not doing enough, that is normal. You will learn your baby's cries. You will soon learn whats them just being fussy and what is them seriously upset. In time, you will also learn how to treat both of those cries. It just takes some time and practice getting to know your baby.

2. This too shall pass. I always kept telling myself this the moments when she would just scream about everything. Your baby will eventually stop and flash you that gummy smile. You will be reminded how awesome it is being a parent.

3. Just because they are crying, doesn't always mean something is wrong. After you have done a list of things to help soothe them, including taking their temperature to make sure that they aren't sick, they don't always stop crying. This is normal! I can't tell you how many times I would call the doctor because I was convinced something is wrong.  They would tell me over and over, if her temperature is normal, and she is not vomiting or having excessive diarrhea, that she is mostly likely fine.

4. There is nothing worse then hearing your baby cry, and just feeling helpless.  It is so hard hearing your baby cry and feeling like you don't know how to help. You just wish they could tell you what is wrong so you can fix it. Unfortunately, that's not the case. As long as you are doing everything you can to soothe them, you're doing your job!

5. Take it all in
Seriously, this is something you have probably already heard a thousand times. But its so true.  It does go by fast. Take every moment in. Take lots of pictures and videos. My daughter is only 5 months old, but I already have realized how fast its going by. It feels like yesterday I could just sit there and rock her. Now she is always on the move, playing with her toys, squealing at me, and constantly wanting to learn.

This is such a beautiful stage in our lives. Enjoy it, even when it gets hard.

Vacation to the Bahamas!

Oh my lanta I've been so busy lately. It feels so nice just to sit here and write in my blog.

  This month has been awesome to say the least. I got to spend 11 wonderful days with my husband while he was on vacation from work. I went on my first cruise to the Bahamas for 3 days. We had blast! I sang "Eye of The Tiger" on karaoke night and made a fool of myself, but it was still freaking awesome. The Bahamas were an adventure. We walked around aimlessly for an hour until we found Senor Frogs and had lunch and some drinks. Then walked around aimlessly some more until we took a taxi over to Paradise Island which was beautiful. It was great to have some alone time with Jorgie and to just relax. It went by way to fast, as do all vacations seem to.



Well sorry for the lack of posts. I tried to spend as much time with Jorge on his vacation as I possibly could. I have plenty of topics stirring up in mind and they should be up soon!

Letter to my 5 month old

Hi baby. You are now five months, 1 week, and two days old. You are such a blessing in my life. This month we started you on cereal, and you love it! You are such a messy eater but don't worry, you'll get the hang of it. Well, no promises because Mommy and Daddy are grown-ups and we still are messy eaters. You are getting so close to being able to sit up on your own. I was away from you for 3 days this month while Daddy and I were on vacation. I couldn't wait to have you in my arms again and cuddle you. You love to laugh and are a very vocal baby. I love everything about you, from your gummy smiles, your face covered in cereal, to being to woken up to you touching my face and smiling. 

I love you babygirl.

Back to school

 Almost 2 years after graduating from High School, today is my first day of College. To say the least...I 'm nervous. It has been so long since I've been a student and now I'm a mom. I'm nervous of the upcoming stress of having to complete quality assignments while giving Emerie the time and attention she needs and rightfully deserves, and being the wife Jorge should have. But at the end of the day, I signed up for this. This is the life I chose. I chose to get married at 18. I chose to become a mother at 20. Now I'm choosing to finish school and start my career. I admit, I'm scared of failure. I'm scared of the stress and it being more then I can handle. I just keep telling myself that failure is not option. I can not and will not fail at this. I owe this to myself and my family. Most of my classes are online. That way I can have a bit more freedom to get things done when I can. Luckily, I have a great support system to push me and help me get things done. Aside all the nerves, I'm so stoked to get on track to becoming an English teacher.

In other news...I'M GOING ON A CRUISE THURSDAY! Jorge and I are going to the Bahamas for 3 days and I've never been on a cruise before, so I'm super excited. We definitely need a vacation. He has been working so much and it will be great for me to come back relaxed and refreshed ready to focus on school. We are leaving Emerie with my mother-in-law. I'm so nervous about being away from her. I know she is in great hands though. I'm just going to go crazy missing her though. I'll be sure to take lots of pictures and blog about it when I get back!

Letter to my 4 month old

You're just over 4 months old. It sounds so cliche' but, I can't believe how fast its going. You can officially roll yourself wherever you wanna go. You play with your toys, your favorites are your giraffe and your pink friend on your carseat. You love to talk to people and make everyone laugh. You wake me up with smiles and touching my face. You constantly pull my hair, trying to put it your mouth. You love to chew on your hands and toys. Your favorite shows are Bubble Guppies and Spongebob. You conquered your first cold this month. My favorite memory of you so far this month has to be when the progressive commercial came on and you started bouncing laughing while trying to talk to Flo.

It makes me sad watching you get bigger every month but I love all your changes and watching you grow into your personality.

Mommy loves you babygirl.

Love yourself first

I absolutely love the saying, "Love yourself first" because it is so true. You need to learn how to love yourself before you can fully love anybody else. My entire life I've struggled with the accepting and loving myself and it always brings struggle into my relationship with my husband and others close to me.The root of this problem goes so deep into my past that it's a constant battle inside my soul to accept myself and all of my flaws. The foundation of my recovery starts with my relationship with Jesus.
Through Him, I'm finding peace with my past, healing of my scars, proud of my present and hope for my future. I trust in Him and put it all in His hands. His acceptance of me is not based on my perfection. My value and worth is not based upon what I think of myself, its based on the value He put on me by what he has done for me. Jesus grounds me with his overwhelming love for me even through all my scars and every wrong I've committed in my life.
Through Him I am free to be myself and love myself, through Him I can love others.
I definitely have not mastered this concept. There are days where I find myself back to square one, where I'm feeling like nothing I'm doing is right, being attacked with my own anxiety, but I turn to Him and He brings me peace with myself. Through Him, I am on the road to recovery.  I'm slowly becoming a better mother to my daughter and a better wife to my husband from his restoration of my self worth.
              To wrap things up, if you're seeing that you aren't being the person you want to be, feeling broken, or at constant battle with yourself to the point it effects your relationships with others, don't be afraid to turn to Him. You will find healing, peace, love and self-restoration with Him. 

Homemade Vanilla Chai Tea Lattes!

I got sick and tired of paying 4 dollars for a Vanilla Chai Tea latte from Starbucks, so  I went on a hunt to create my own at home. I found something at Publix that is awesome! It's not quite as sweet as the Starbucks version, but just add some sweetener or more vanilla simple syrup and cinnamon and its pretty dang close.

Here is what I used...

This stuff is awesome and organic, which I love! It was only $4.99 at Publix and makes about 8 lattes. Just pour a half and cup and add equal parts milk. Sweeten and play with the spices until you get your perfect tasting vanilla chai tea latte!