Let's Pretend, or not.

This week, I turned 30 weeks pregnant.  30!! where has the time gone?  How do I feel? Well...

Let's pretend I feel as put together as I look in these photographs.

Let's pretend I'm totally ready for Jason to arrive.

Let's not pretend that I was freaking out this week, and my sister in law had to give me a pep talk.

Let's not pretend I completely forgot what I need to pack in my hospital bag. 

Let's  pretend I am mentally prepared to go through the process of giving birth again.

Or... let's not, I mean, can you ever REALLY be prepared for a new baby? 

Sunglasses: Forever21,   Dress: sister,    Shoes: Aldo,   Handbag: H&M

Thanks for my sister Jaz for the photos, and also the Babyshower & Nursery Photo's coming soon. 

Moments and Reminders

Last year one of our favourite summer outings was having rented a small motor boat in one of resident lakes.  On that small boat we journeyed to the center of the lake. That day we discovered the peace and serenity of the waters, and it was the greatest thing ever.  Even Benjamin was quietly sitting there gazing out into the graceful waters, so serenely.  It was one of those times in our lives when we were so overwhelmed by all the things occurring around us, that we needed to be reminded that God was still with us.  Even pastors have moments where sometimes they need to be reminded that God will get them through the trial.  God led us to this little tranquil place and we were, indeed, reminded of this.  I remember that exact feeling as if it were yesterday. That in a spur-of-the-moment decision we found ourselves in a little boat surrounded by water, and it was the little escape we needed to be encouraged.  (1 Peter 5:10)

This year, the experience was quite different. We are definitely not at the place we were the previous year.  This time it was about a family of almost 4.   It was about gentle movements inside of my womb. It was about relaxation. 

It was about a bond between father and son.  It was about fishing, and first time catching of small fish. It was about proud-dad moments.

 It was about a luminous warm afternoon off full of laughter, stories and even singing. It was about the strong bond of a small family.  It was a happy time, and even so, we were reminded once again that everything belongs to God.  That our lives are not our own, and to Him we belong! (John 1:3)

Photographs were taken with the LG g3

On the Perfect Day...

I wake up feeling great with energy. 

I know what I want for breakfast, and I find all the ingredients in my fridge. 

Benjamin eat's all his breakfast. 

I am cool and refreshed all day long. 

Laundry was done yesterday. 

My hair is not a frizz ball. 

Benjamin is happy all day long. 

My house is still clean from yesterday. 

I find something cute and comfortable to wear. 

There is absolutely no need to try and bend over for any reason at all.

I take a nap. 

Grocery shopping was done yesterday. 

Dinner is delivered to the door. 

I go to church. 

My husband offers to give me a foot massage.

My child requests bath time and bed time.

I knock out when my head hits the pillow.

Baby Jay doesn't decide practice karate in my belly at three in the morning. 

So... One day?
What would your perfect day be like?

          Top: Winners, Skirt: Old Navy Maternity, Shoes: Old from F21, Bag: Indigo Chapters. (cool eh? I know) 


Thank you Eunice for these photos.

Fort Building

Since Benjamin and I have been spending so much time together, we have found some creative ways to keep entertained. Since I am in the lookout for a tee-pee or tent for the kid's room, and felt inspired, I decided to make a fort with Benji.

This is our very first fort. 

When Benji woke up that morning, we moved the dining tables chairs and built a simple little fort. It was very plain and basic, but Benjamin had so much fun with that simple fort, that the next day he requested another fort.  This time, however, we were a bit more creative.  I say we are getting good at this fort building business.

Things that happen in the fort: 

There is, of course, your basic fort usages. For example: Movie watching, lounging, nap times, snack times and story times.  These moments are wonderful & tender for every mama. (and dadas too) 

Then, at moments, it becomes a home owned by Mrs. Mama. She is pregnant and makes a living selling Pupusas and Tamales.  Her number one customer is a gentleman by the name of Benjamin, who always stops by after work. She only speaks Spanish, but he understand every word she says. He seems to always responds in English, though, and As you may have imagined, there is a slight communication error in this scenario, and orders often incorrect. Oops. 

When Miss Mama is not living there, the home belongs to Mr. Benj.  I'm not sure what this young man does in his home... I only know he is ALWAYS in need of repairs.  He pretty much spends all his time calling the plumber for overflowing toilets, or the roofer because his roof has flown off or electrician because his house was hit by lightning and is now out of power.  Mr. Benj is also quite popular. Many door-to-door sales people come knocking to offer supplies and fixed hydro rates, and he also gets many visits from faithful evangelists delivering the good news of salvation. Halleluyer! 

It is also place to hold wrestling matches. Personally, I think these matches are rigged because one of the contestants is a giant compared to the other, and the little one always wins. Hmm..

Oh and lastly, I must not forget, it is also a war shelter...where one can hide and spy on enemies with awesome green binoculars. We must not forget we are living at war here, people!!!

These photographs were taken with the smart phone LG G3. 

Right before the move

Dress: Forever21,   Top: H&M,   Shoes: Aldo,  Bag: Danier   Sunglasses: Forever21

We moved. We need more space now that we will be a family of four. Before the dreaded process, however, I took my little man out for a celebration. "Mom, i would like a coffee, and a cookie, please" he requested. It's not coffee, it's hot chocolate. He calls it coffee because it looks like the one mama drinks. I said to him "go sit down and I will bring it to you", he did so very obediently, and chose a small round table for two.

So there we were just him and me chit chatting. He was telling about all his friends, and why they were his friends, and very few selected best friends, besides his mom and dad, of course. He then pointed out the bird across the street, and explained to me how it was trying to find something to eat. If you know my son, you know that he is a chatterbox.

After he was done chatting, He looked at me and said "mom, we should go", and while he packed his cookie he stated "This is for my brother."

I'm not really sure when this growing up happened, but it makes me a little bit more confident that Benjamin is going to be an excellent brother, and the quite the photographer, as he took all the photographs of me. (with a little instruction, of course)

Photographs taken with the Smart Phone LG G3

It's a ...

About two weeks ago, we headed to the "ultrasound of revelation", or so I called it. We were finally going to find out whether it was would a beautiful little girl with amazingly long hair, or a handsome little fellow with good ol'charm. At least that's what one expects.

After what seemed like an eternity of rubbing on my stomach, the nurse finally called my husband in and said "ok let me show you!"  We saw the little angel sucking it's little thumb, the little legs moving around, and then we saw proof of gender...and indeed... It's a BOY!!  

Yes we are having another little boy. Soon we will be having another little one running around and we couldn't be more excited.  We love him already!!  

They days couldn't come faster to meet our Baby Jason. 

There is hope for the future

Being a parent has presented itself to be quite the challenge. Even though you try and do everything right children have a mind of their own, as I am beginning to realize. I’m not exactly sure when my lovely sweet little boy turned into an over-exaggerating-tantrum-throwing-“I’m not your friend anymore”-rude-child-"I threw out everything you have taught me out the window-person-thing .  It may be a phase or the fact that he is three and a half, but I am not too fond of it, and I can only wonder how this child will as he gets older, and if we are actually being fit parents. 

Even though… there are many times when this child sheds some sort of light to our parenting skills.  For example when this above-mentioned-child who has said we are no longer friends walks up to me and says, proceeded with a hug and kiss, “I’m sorry mama, I will never do it again” and “Can we be best friends again?”  :) 

Or the times like the time when he pretends to take the baby out of my belly and takes the baby to the room to play together, and as we head to the laundry room he remembers he forgot the baby in the room, but he’s not worried because the baby is safely in his/her bed playing on the iPad, and we will be right back.

Or like when we were sitting in the balcony and he asks me where outer space is, and I say way past all those clouds and then he asks me if I could buy him a telescope so he can look into outer space.

When the nice man from my building got down from his car to open the door for us Benji was so surprised and said “THANK YOU! Wow mama, he so nice he opened the door for us.  He is a nice boy!”

When are about to eat he says “I will pray by myself… Thank you Jesus for the Food, Amen” or when he extend his arms out as far as he can and says “Jesus loves you this much”

When he forms the church band in our living room and says “Dad you be Isa (pianist), Mom you be Dada (guitarist), and I’ll be Danny (drummer), and proceeds to sing a church song”

When he talks to the people riding the elevator.  NO…actually he talks to everyone in general not just the elevator. He is quite friendly.

When without me having to asks he says "Here mom, have some, I want to share with you" and if I decline he says "I want to share with the baby" 

When he hugs Ruben and me and says we are his best friends and his favorites.
                     
So, I guess this child has more good in him, then I acknowledge.  I guess we are good parents after all!

Ps. Do you see the bandage of his leg? That is a battle wound. 

Benji vs. the ground.