Housewarming Party

Wow! What a weekend!

Evan and I had such a great time preparing for our housewarming party. We were excited to show our family and friends our home and how it is coming together. In all reality it was a great excuse to hang out and spend some quality time with so many loved ones.

To prepare Evan and I worked on cleaning, organizing and putting some finishing touches on a few things. Mami, Papi and Tia Ali were coming in on Friday night so I wanted to have as much as possible done before they arrived. I was excited all week but on Thursday morning I woke up even earlier than usual because I knew I would be preparing lots of the food making it that much closer. I had planned to get the groceries after my doctor's appt. at 10:50 but decided to get them done before. I headed to walmart at 8AM and bought all the groceries. After putting everything away when I got home I went to my appointment, had lunch with Evan, and the food preparation began... It was fun to set up platters, trays, and bowls of food. I was able to use many wedding gifts for the first time(We didn't have many people over our one bedroom apartment). Although I knew it would take a while, I didn't realize just how long. Evan came home and I was still going. That night we had our last child birth class and I needed to make a pasta dish for it so I made that right after. My feet weren't as excited as I was so the next day I had orders from Evan to sit and take it easy. I spent most of the day painting. When my parents called saying they were getting close I stopped painting to pick up a few things and shower. To my surprise, as I stood up off the couch I had a contraction!!! It didn't hurt but it felt like my whole belly was tight/ flexed and couldn't be unflexed. It was super exciting and went on pretty much until I laid down that night. Mami, Papi and Tia Ali arrived and got a tour of our home. It was great to catch up and show Mami and Papi the changes since the move.

The next morning we finished preparing for the party. Our guests trickled in EARLY (which was great!) and everyone that came was at our house by 1pm. The time listed on the invite was 12:30pm and every Cuban arrived before 12:30pm!!! I think that a party out of town is all they need to be on time to a party. It was great to have the family over early. We were able to show the house off, talk, play and reminisce. Evan and I were so happy to have everyone over. We had a great time and felt our guests enjoyed themselves too. It felt great and we couldn't have asked for a better party.

It was the first party we have ever thrown. We look forward to future parties and guests. I know there were several friends and family that wanted to come but could not make it. The invitation is still open to everyone.

We love you!!
Audrey will be here in 5 weeks!!!!!!

ps. We truly were excited for people to just come and enjoy themselves so I told everyone who offered not to bring food, that we had everything under control. Instead of food, everyone brought gifts. Evan and I were so surprised. It was so nice of everyone to think of us. The gifts were great and work well with our home. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING!!!

One of our gifts from the Cardentey/ Cruz Fam was a frame with the invite framed and 6 slots for pictures. I tried to sum up the day in 6 pictures by representing the different things going on and by picturing as many of the guests as possible. Well, it was impossible so I cheated.
Kika MADE this special dress for Audrey. I can't wait to see her in it. I have no idea how Kika had time to make this with everything else she has to do (i.e. entertain and take care of twins).
We celebrated the September birthdays that were at the party (the family has more than 3). Kathy, Mel and Tia Tere will be celebrating this month. Mel, I can't believe you are going to be 21!!!!
These are some of our GREAT local friends that were able to make it. Two great families! (someone may have been added to this picture)
We hung out in the living room....talking, and enjoying each other's company and later some watched the little league world series.
This is a combination of 2 pictures that were too good to leave out. Mom helping as usual, my big gut, and papi explaining to Many Pandy what he needed to do. Classic.
This is a combination of 3 pictures. We had such a good time in the pool...how could I pick just one.

things at random...

-i'm super excited to be a tia AGAIN and AGAIN! i'm also excited to be a mommy, but since i know what being a tia feels like (and I LOVE IT), i can relate and i just can't wait for my nieces/nephews to arrive!!!! congrats sisters!! love you!!
-if you have never been to my house, are not a regular visitor, or are not family, you should knock on my front door, NOT my carport door. It's weird and confusing.
-i know that audrey will fit in my belly as nature intended but i just can't fathom it. i've been wondering this since week 20 but it still amazes and scares me.
-i'm pretty sure it's not just a winter haven thing but really, you should call before you come to do any sort of work at my house...don't just show up. also, when you give me a time, stick to it or call.
-audrey takes my breath away...literally. i'm sure it will continue to happen once she's in my arms too.
-i wish we had parks like tallahassee has here.
-i love my hubby, evan, so much!!!
-i haven't been running since about week 28 and with the summer heat walking is not a good option either. this morning, i went for a walk anyway because i just had to move and sweat. i will admit that about 20 minutes in my hands began to swell (especially my right one). it's back to normal. lesson learned....no i told you so's. thank you.
-evan only has one more test to go to receive his florida license!! he passed one today! the last one is this saturday.
-i'm enjoying the little alone time with my hubby before baby arrives. i know that life will be very different. it's nice to have these last few weekends to ourselves.
-i met a pediatrician yesterday and was highly confused when she walked into the room. my appointment was to meet dr. sandoval and in walks an asian lady. i don't think i would have thought twice if she was hispanic, black or white but the asain threw me for a loop. i didn't even realize i was thinking that until she entered.
-evan and i are meeting another pediatrician today. we have heard many good things about her so, we'll see.
-our shower door should be installed today :)ooo they just called. they're on their way.
-speaking of showers...in the past few years i have fallen in love with very hot showers. it just feels so good. evan is now worried that i will burn our child. he insists that i use the little octopus thermometer everytime i bathe her.
-after ordering our bedroom furniture over a month ago it was supposed to arrive last thursday but on tuesday they called to push the date back 2 more weeks. so it should be here in a week.
-it doesn't hurt to ask...so i did. when i heard about the delay on our furniture i called the store and asked to be refunded our shipping fee and they did ....no questions asked. that was a good $150 saved but i still wish it was here.
-we have our 2nd childbirth class today. i look forward to it for a couple of reasons 1) it's interesting and 2) it's nice to see and talk to new faces.
-believe it or not, although i am home these days i don't watch much tv at all but yesterday i decided to turn it on in the middle of the day. i realized the only cooking show i like is Giada's. her food always looks amazing, and fresh, she doesn't annoy me, and i like the way she talks about food.
-i want to go to italy someday.
-i finished making audrey's pillow cover. her bedroom set came with one valence but she has 2 windows and i didn't want to get another valence so i made a pillow cover out of the valence.
-i wish my family lived closer. love you!

growing baby

Two weeks ago Evan and I took a tour of the hospital , The Regency, where Audrey will be born. They did good job answering questions and explaining how the labor and delivery process works in the hospital. The hospital gave us a sheet of paper with different choices that we can check off. It is almost like a birth plan. My doctor signs off on it and I turn it in to the hospital so that when d (delivery)-day arrives it is in my file and the doctors and nurses know what I want and don't want. I am of course excited and nervous.

That weekend was the first (non-moving) weekend that we stayed in Winter Haven. It was nice not traveling (even though I enjoy seeing the family). I was sad that I couldn't be there to celebrate Sebi's 1st Birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEBI!!!!!!!It looked like a lot of fun and a great beach day. Instead, we were able to get things done in the house and Evan, his dad and mom all helped paint the living room!! Painting is almost complete...only Audrey's room and the guest room to go.

After 10 weeks of not seeing our little one, we were able to see her in an ultrasound and find out how much she weighs. The technician got a great profile picture of our little one. At 30 weeks she is weighing 3lbs 4ozs which the doctor said is great because she is supposed to be between 2.5 lbs and 3.5lbs.


Isn't she beautiful?!

I went to the hospital later that week to register and I found out the jaw-dropping price of having a baby naturally (9K) and a c-section (27k). Good thing insurance pays for most of it!

That same day we had a house phone line installed because I don't have good reception at home. I have spots in the house that are pretty good but unreliable. The house line has definitely helped.

Friday morning I headed down to Davie by myself. It was a nice quiet morning ride. I was so excited to see my friends this weekend. As soon as I arrived I met up with a friend from work, Kendra. It is always an adventure with her :) She was unsuccessfully running errands all morning and realized at lunch that she had been without her wallet. It was not her day. And just a few days earlier she was waiting in line at Dunkin Donuts to pick up her food when coffee came flying from behind the counter and burned her arm. She had it wrapped up on Friday but I could see the burns and bllisters :( Hope you feel better! We later visited Krysten and met her newborn baby Rocco. He is so cute!! He was so calm and sweet. It was great to sit and talk with Krysten since we've been pregnant together at work. She would give me heads up on stuff or we would laugh at the things we were going through. She shared her labor story with me and despite everything she went through she paints it as such a positive expirience. Joe, her husband, made the furniture in Rocco's room. It was beautifully made. I had heard about it, but when Papi does a lot of wood work you are critical of other people's work until you see it....and it really was beautiful.

After a long visit I headed down to Miami. I visited Kika and my little Chulo munchkins. They are so funny and talking so much. The second Kika opened the front door they stood there saying "Nanny" "Aye-yo" over and over. Kika and I were able to sit and chat while they ran around talking and playing. I also had the pleasure of babysitting the little guys while Kika and Rog went out to dinner to celebrate baby #3! I'm going to be a Tia again!!!!! I fed my boo-boo-ma-goo-goos, they helped pick up their toys from the floor and I told them that we were leaving to visit Tia Ali, Tia Tere, Tia Meli, Tio Javo and Tia Kristen. They ran to the front door waiting for me to get their diaper bag, my purse, etc. and once I opened the front door Adrian turned around and said "sank you manina". It was very cool to hear. They of course had a blast running around the house.

That evening Evan arrived in Davie with his mom to rest before his Florida Board exam the next morning. His mom was his patient for half the exam and then they make you switch patients. (DISCLAIMER: I was not his patient because (1) I'm pregnant and (2) I'm an awful patient.)Evan and his classmates felt "iffy" on the first part but good about the second part. All he has left are two computerized tests which he takes next week on Thurs and Sat. Then he can OFFICIALLY practice as a DOCTOR in Florida.

On Saturday morning I headed back to Davie to pick Evan up from his test so that his mom could head home and enjoy the rest of her weekend. We had a nice brunch together and parted ways. Before arriving home we stopped at Michael's and Art Express to see if we could get the painting from NC that was an engagement gift from my parents framed. Well, let me tell you Art Express was not just better than Michael's it was GREAT! It came out beautiful!


We went home and Evan took a nap while I had lunch with two great friends from high school Sarah and Krysten. It was great to catch up and talk about our lives. It's amazing how things have changed in a year.

I picked Evan up after my girls lunch date and we went to Ben and Meli's house to pick up baby stuff :) Meli, Titi, Kika and Jenny donated so many things. We left with a bassinet, a co-sleeper, 2 swings, a baby carrier, a baby bag and tub. It, of course, barely fit. Thank you so much ladies!!

That night we passed by the Chulo's house so that Evan could see how much the boys were talking and how funny they are. We also got to see the Mata family. Meli is looking great at 20 weeks. Halfway there! It was so hard to say goodbye to my little Danny because he was crying for ME. It felt good but it was heartbreaking to hear him scream.

3 prego sisters!

The boys kissing Audrey

We finished off the night with a Tuscany Themed Dinner for Krysten's belated Birthday. As usually everyone was late and Evan and I were told to come late (because we're always on time) and we were still the first ones there. Either way we enjoyed talking to Krysten and her parents. They are always so nice and inviting. Later that night we had a lovely Italian dnner. Krysten had her backyard decorated beatifully!


AND HERE WE ARE WEEK 31!!! Only 9 Weeks to go!! Audrey has definitely grown these last 2 weeks. I can feel my skin pulling and itching so much (yes, I'm putting cream). It bothers quite a bit because at times the pulling stings. In addition to the pulling I think she is running out of room as she booty dances near my rib cage. It was cute at first but not as much when my insides didn't like getting bullied. Needless to say it was my first semi-difficult night to sleep but it was ok.

Look at my Soccer Ball!!

Earlier that day I visited The Cottage, which is an art gallery that a sweet older woman owns. I've been thinking about taking painting classes and selling some of my paintings so Evan's mom told me to check if they offer painting classes. They don't but Velma (the owner) was so nice and encouraging. I showed her what I made for Audrey from may camera and she was so encouraging and loved that I did stuff for kids. All in all it was more than anything very encouraging. We'll see what happens.


After living in Winter Haven for a month I was finally able to make it to Orlando. I met Megan and Lauren at Traci's house. We were able to meet tiny baby Taylor. She is so cute and looks just like her daddy, Joe. It was nice to sit and chat with Traci and take turns holding Taylor. After our visit, Megan, Lauren and I went out to dinner and did some more catching up. On the drive back home I spoke with Jess Wells. We talked about how weird it is to have a baby in your belly and her wedding!!! Evan and I are so excited!

It's been a GREAT last few days catching up and visiting with friends.