It's Preparation Time!

It seems as though this pregnancy is on "super speed" ever since we hit the 20 week mark.  So the time has come to start getting the nursery ready.  Here are the before pictures...

We have the color palette picked out, and the paint purchased, and have already started with the priming and trim pieces (covering the black trim was a pain!).  I can't wait to show the finished product!!  We are still waiting for some furniture pieces, so we may need to wait until the very end for the final reveal, but I just know it's going to be perfect for our daughter.  I have also begun pinning and buying sewing and knitting books and patterns of outfits and accessories to make for her, and can't wait to show those finished products as well.  She is going to be the best dressed princess in town!

I have lots of updated photos of my growing belly, and will share those next time.  Right now, I have some knitting to do :)

Feeling Blessed

With Thanksgiving just 2 days away, and people posting and talking about all the things they are thankful for, I have to say, this year I definitely have the most the be thankful for than any year before.  Obviously, I am so excited that we were blessed with getting pregnant with our baby girl.  Words cannot express all the emotions I am going through, how in love I am with her already, how crazy every movement feels.  And I am so thankful to have married the perfect person to enjoy this journey with.  I feel that we are closer and stronger than ever, and it solidifies that we truly belong together. 

I have to admit though, it's easy to be thankful and appreciative when everything is going well or as expected.  But what about when things don't go as planned?  What happens when life throws you a curveball or two?  The people who keep going, or even thrive, in the face of obstacles, they are my heroes.  They are the people who remind me that my "problems" are not really problems after all.  We create our environment, we decide what is going to break us, and what we can overcome. 

When I started this blog, it was sort of my "anti-Facebook" way of sharing our story, so that only the people that truly cared and were interested in our lives would continue to read about it and be a part of it.  But I'm not completely anti-Facebook, and this is one reason why.  I have met a lot of people through school, work, and my many athletic endeavors, from running marathons and triathlons with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, to my time as an amateur kickboxer with Unlimited MMA.  It was through the kickboxing circuit that I became Facebook friends with Gordon.  I would see his occasional posts, "like" or comment on a few, but that was the extent of our communication.  Then recently he posted a link to his family's personal blog, Heart of Maia, and I was forever changed by my relationship with him.  I read the blog from the beginning, and could not stop crying the entire time.  I read how they had a wonderful, healthy boy, and what a great kid he has become.  Then they got pregnant again, only to lose her 47 minutes after being born.  And then they got pregnant with Maia, who has already had open heart procedures done, and she's not even 3 months old yet.  Some were tears of sadness, but mostly they were tears of inspiration, because the strength that this family has with all that they have endured, and continue to go through, is truly inspiring.  I encourage you to read it, and also to donate if you can. 

In this time of being thankful, I am thankful for my baby, for my husband, for our new home, for our families, for our friends, and for everyone we have met along the way, because you never know who will make that kind of impact on your life.  Thank you Gordon, Rizza, Marcus, Marissa (my new angel in heaven), and Maia for showing the world what it truly means to live every moment to it's fullest, and to have strength and love no matter what.

Half Way There!!

We have officially made the 1/2 way point on our journey together, and then some!  In about 18 weeks we get to meet our li'l cupcake.  I think for the first time I am finally feeling the pressure to get everything ready for her arrival.  We are in the process of picking out furniture for the nursery, and have already picked out the paint colors we will need.  Now it's time to get started.

The first half of this pregnancy seemed to take forever!  I guess it was all the nerves of this being my first pregnancy, hoping that nothing goes wrong in those first delicate weeks, waiting for all the prenatal testing to come out okay, waiting to find out if the baby is a boy or a girl.  But now that everything seems to be going smoothly, and we know our princess is on her way, this past month has flown by.  So I know it's time to kick into high gear with the decorating and preparations.  Add that to the holiday season in full swing, and I'm feeling a little anxious that I may not get it all done.  But, I've never been one to back down from a challenge, so I say "bring it on!" :)

We also decided to expand our family even sooner than expected.  Meet Dexter, we adopted him from Animal Rescue Recon on October 27th.  He is a 1 year old Miniature Pinscher, and we think chihuahua mix.  He has some anxiety issues, but has made a lot of progress in our home.  We think he has been a great addition so far, and will be best buddies with our li'l girl.  I'm still trying to convince Kama to let us add one more dog, keep checking back to see what happens.  

Some updates from the last 3 weeks:

• I am feeling baby girl move...a lot.  I actually said on the last post that I hadn't felt her, but I was feeling flutters and didn't realize it was her.  Now that I feel her more often, and know what it is, I think I started feeling her around the 18 week mark.  She is actually moving as I type this :)
• I got my first leg cramp this morning (a common occurrence in pregnancy), and had to wake up Kama to help stretch out my calf.  Oh man did that hurt!  Note to self: may want to reconsider that whole natural birth business 
• 7lbs of baby weight so far.  It's amazing how your body prepares for this miracle.
• Still no food cravings or aversions, I keep counting my blessings that I have had an easy pregnancy.

Well, that is all I have for now.  Until next time!

Sugar and Spice, and Everything Nice

Kama and I are so excited to announce that Baby Alvaro is officially Baby GIRL Alvaro!!  Oh, it was such an exciting appointment!  She is developing well, growing right on target, all her organs are healthy and strong, and yes, she wasn't shy about letting us know that she is a girl.  I think it was my fault, she heard me saying over the past few weeks that I was certain I was having a boy, so she decided to prove me wrong.  Already, our first mommy and daughter face off :)

 

I am so excited to start decorating the nursery, we already have a theme picked out, now it's time to start shopping and getting baby girl ready for her arrival into this world.  It's also time to start my crafting projects.  I have so many plans for knitting and sewing projects, but I'm so slow at doing them, that I need to get started ASAP!  There are so many cute dress and sweater patterns that I have to choose from, because I just know that me being the huge tomboy that I am, I'm going to end up with the girliest girl ever!  My sister-in-law teases me about it all the time, because she is girly and ended up with a tomboy, so it's only fitting that I end up with the cheerleader/ballerina type.  Whatever type of girl she decides to be, we are so excited to meet her and begin this journey called "Parenthood." 

 

The past 19 weeks have been amazing, and in just a few short days, I'll be half way through my pregnancy.  Wow, what a journey it's been so far, and the most exciting moments are yet to come.  Here are some fun facts from the past 19 weeks:

• Pregnancy has been easy so far (my pregnant and mommy friends hate me for that).
• no nausea
• no morning sickness
• lots of fatigue
• gassy (sorry for the TMI)
• some heartburn
• only 5 lbs gained to date
• Cream sweaters are not flattering, ever, even with a pregnant belly (see photo above)
• I am still working out when I have time for it
• Ran a 5K with baby a week and a half ago :)
• Still haven't felt the baby move, but it should happen any day now!

I know we have 21 more weeks to go, but I also know it's going to go by fast and our li'l cupcake will be here before we know it.  Stay tuned for more happenings at the Alvaro home!

Home Sweet Home

4 years ago this week Kama and I got the keys to our very first home. It was such a huge step in both our lives, and a step we made toward our future together. At the time I was preparing for my trip to Thailand where I would represent the USA at the World Championships for Muay Thai. At that time, this was the biggest most memorable event of my life. 

What a difference 4 years makes. Since then, Kama and I got engaged, got married, found out we were going to be parents, and just yesterday got the keys to our second home. And now, I am preparing to bring our precious baby into this world, which will surely be the best thing in my life ever! Right up there with marrying my best friend <3

Wow! It is so amazing to be where we are. It was hard to leave San Jose, it's where we both grew up, where our friends and families still are. But it was a step that we needed to take, to live in a better area, to be in the best position to give our baby the best opportunities we can offer him/her. Brentwood is now our new home. 

Needless to say, there won't be many, if any pictures for the next few posts, as we settle in and get our home set up. We look forward to sharing lots of pictures with you soon!!

Also, baby is now 15 weeks 5 days! I still have not felt any movement, but I'm sure it won't be long now. All of our appointments have been great and baby is growing on schedule :)

Kama and Maris and Baby make 3!!

What a better way to start our new family blog than to announce that we are expecting!!  Baby and I are 13 weeks and 5 days along.  Baby is healthy, measuring on schedule and moves a lot during the ultrasounds.  I can't wait until I can actually feel him/her moving about.  Kama and I are so excited to start our family and can't wait to meet our baby.  We are in amazement at each of the ultrasounds, just seeing how fast the baby has grown in such a short time.  I mean, we've been reading about it, and have heard about it, but there is nothing like getting to see your own baby grow and move.  And the heartbeat!!  Oh what an amazing sound to hear.  I think I've cried each time we've been to the doctor because it is just such an amazing feeling.

So let's see, I guess I should just go ahead and answer all of the usual questions that come with baby announcements:

• It's too early to know if it's a boy or girl.
• No, I haven't had morning sickness.
• Due date is March 21, 2014.
• Of course we're excited.
• No, I haven't had any weird cravings, I've always loved pickles.
• No I haven't felt the baby move, it's too early.

Well those are the usual answers, I'm sure you can guess the questions :)

This is such an exciting time for us and we are just enjoying every moment of it.  I hope you'll continue to follow our blog.  This is where I plan to post family pictures, the latest family news, projects and more.