I'm Still Here; An Update

Update on Ignacio:

Despite the many requests for a nickname, we are sticking with Ignacio. I have actually been quite surprised at how many people can't say his name or have never heard it before. If you find his first name strange, then I am not about to tell you what his middle name is.

I love this little man's disposition. He is sweet and gentle, smiles a bunch, and loves being around all of the commotion. 

I have also been peed on about 25 times since his arrival.

Update on Luisa:

Luisa has loved Ignacio since the day he was brought home. I love how she smothers him and kisses him. The first person she looks for in the morning is for "baby." The first couple days took some adjusting for her. She took out any frustration on her parents, mostly her dad, but never on Ignacio, which I prefer.

Whenever, Ignacio is around, she brings her toys to play beside him, or she will stop watching the movie to come over and kiss him and then return. 

Luisa has also perfected the temper tantrum. I am constantly telling myself that its her age. Maybe she is advanced and getting through the terrible twos before she actually turns two...

Update on mothering two:

The first two weeks were pretty insane, mostly due to the lack of sleep. The following two weeks were easier but still tough. But I would say that once that first month was over, it has been pretty smooth sailing. 

More laundry and even more diapers.

Update on upcoming events:

We will be moving into another dorm and another apartment. I am most excited about having laundry in the unit and having a master bathroom. We will be going from one bathroom to 2.5, two bedrooms to three, and one floor to three. I'm wondering if we have enough furniture...

WORLD CUP!!!! Need I say more? This is perhaps the best and worse time of my life determined by the outcome. Vamos Argentina!!

The four of us, along with my parents, 10 siblings, spouses and kids, will all be in Argentina for my sister's wedding. We are going for two weeks and cannot wait! *This trip will also be affected by the outcome of the World Cup*

Baby is Here!

Ignacio was born at 1:10 AM 

18 March 2014

8.3 lbs, 21 inches

It was a crazy birth but we are all happy and healthy and just getting to know each other.

As of late...

Despite the long, long space between posts, no baby yet!

My due date is on Saturday. The students finish up their exams on Thursday and the last of them will be gone by Friday. I think at that point, I will be ready to have the baby. With my last pregnancy (which I am meaning to post about) I was ten days overdue and the students were gone which was great because I utilized the many staircases in the dorm to work through my labor. I imagine it would be only slightly awkward if I labored through the hallways while the girls were all around to witness. Might not be the most pleasant experience for them.

Here I am this morning:

Part of me still can't believe that another baby will be here any day/week. Heck, a part of me can't believe that I have one already that is almost TWO YEARS OLD!

Another part of me can't believe that I was ever not pregnant.

Another part of me can't believe my due date is in 4 days.

But mostly, I am pumped to hold a little newborn and call him my own. Not so pumped about labor but oh well. Its all part of the game I guess.

So what else is new with this Cow clan?

Luisa is still not really talking. At least in any language I know. She has an extensive range of sounds and gestures but who knows what she is saying or in what world she is living. Its frustrating at times but overall, we just sit back and enjoy this season of her life. 

Speaking of seasons, we are ready for spring! The winter has been long and hard. And we are so excited to have nice weather and no afternoon sports!

We are also looking forward to an exciting summer! We are going to Argentina!!!

What have all of you been up to?

A January Post

I seriously need to post since it's almost February and my last post was a Christmas post!

So what has been on my mind lately?

Pregnancy for sure!

Up until now, the pregnancy has gone by much unnoticed by me. I mean, the first time I went in to the doctor, I was already done with my first trimester, which was a shock, albeit pleasant. But with school and Luisa and Einkorn and everything in between, this pregnancy has flown by! It has also been a completely different pregnancy than with Luisa's. I felt all of her emotions all the time. It was like she had a response to everything I was going through. I know this now because the moment she was born I stopped feeling those emotions and I see her experience all of said emotions now, in her daily encounters. It's so weird how I understand her because I felt it all with her when she was just a wee one in my belly. This baby has been so calm and relaxed. What I can say is that he has certainly allowed me to be myself. Maybe he will be more like me. Luisa is certainly just like Donny. I had all of Donny's habits with Luisa like waking up early, going to bed early, sleeping extremely well, being more of a homebody. We'll just have to wait and see with number 2.

But now, this baby is all that's on my mind lately. I have started reading birthing stories again. I have even started organizing and cleaning some things around the house. With Luisa's pregnancy, I was completely consumed with preparing for her arrival. She was due in June so Donny and I made it a point to exercise every day as soon as the winter sports season was done and we had the afternoons off. We walked/hiked 3-5 miles of campus. It was so nice! I loved that. But as you all know, the weather has been less than accommodating and Luisa definitely would not be up for being in the backpack or stroller for more than 2 minutes, let alone an hour. There is a fitness center on campus but thats not really my cup of tea, especially when its filled with students. My labor with Luisa was pretty good so I'm worried that this time around will not be since I have yet to do real exercise. I have been thinking of posting Luisa's birth story but is a year and a half too late?

Other than baby stuff, we have been boring, consumed in all that is boarding school.

Here's a nice blurry photo of Luisa:

And here I am in my 35th week: