::::::DRIVING to MIAMI:::::::
We arrived in Miami at 11pm. I thought we would miss Amelie's birth but 30 minutes after we arrived my mom said she was going to the hospital because Christian was 9cm. Audrey and Evan went to bed and I headed out with mom. The baby was born as we parked the car. Christian did AMAZING again. No drugs. Nada. The woman is a champ. Amelie came out with 3 pushes. We hung out with family in the waiting room and received our picture text with her stats "Amelie Marie, 11:43pm, 6 lbs 12oz, 18in". Mando, Abuela Mari, and Tia Tere were her coaches. Mari and Tia Tere came out so that Abuelo Noel and Abuela Marta could go in and see mom and baby. Then they let me go in! I was so excited. I went in and of course Amelie was eating....following in Mandy's hungry footsteps. Christian looked Amazing and GLOWING. She definitely didn't look like she just pushed a baby out and WITHOUT an epidural.
Mando was so happy to have his princess. Then the nurse said it was time to take her away to the nursery. Little Amelie was not happy about being cut off but once she was tightly burrito-ed she was better. I took a couple of family pics (minus Mandy) and then I got to hold her for a second right before they took her away. I was so proud. I got to be the FIRST after her parents. It's amazing how much you can love all your nieces and nephews. How does the love not run out?
A couple of minutes after they took Amelie Marie away Christian stood up! ROCKSTAR
We headed home shortly after.
The next morning Evan, Audrey and I headed over to Kika's house to finally hold Gabrielle Alyse. I saw her the day she was born but wasn't able to carry her. I finally got to carry her. She was so tiny. You forget so quickly. Evan held her too. He looked so at home I think he is ready for number two. We even tested it.
We couldn't stay long because we still had one more stop before Evan had to head back to Winter Haven. We met up with Mami, Tia Ali and Mandy at the hospital and took turns visiting Mando, Christian and Amelie Marie. Audrey couldn't go in so she doesn't have a pic with her prima that day. Good friends of the family Vivi and Mary took care of Audrey in the hallway so that Evan and I could see Amelie. Mandy finally met his baby sister and they took their first Family Photo.
Evan unfortunately had to leave so Audrey and I went back home with Mami. Thanks Baby Cakes Magillicutty for going with us to Miami and driving back the next day.
Later that day Abuelo had promised Mandy he would take him to the park. Audrey and I went too. It was her first time in El Carreton! We had a great time.
As I have mentioned before Audrey is a good sleeper but it doesn't mean she doesn't cry in the middle of the night. I usually just leave her alone because she usually falls right back to sleep. That night Audrey slept in the same room as me and Mandy slept in the next room. I was taking care of Mandy and Audrey that night and on Monday. Well, in the middle of the night, Audrey started to cry. I would have left her alone but I didn't want her to wake Mandy since I didn't know if he was a light sleeper, so I picked her up. Here is the thing if I pick her up she fights her sleep more and boy did she. I decided to change her diaper...BAD IDEA. She SCREAMED bloody murder so bad that Mami and Papi came flying downstairs making sure everything was ok. Tia Ali also woke up and came to the room. Mandy slept through it. Lesson learned: Mandy can sleep through a bloody murder screaming baby. LOL.
Monday it was Mandy, Audrey and me hangout day.
We took a walk in the stroller, we hung out in the pool (well on the steps), I made 3 lasagnas, we colored (pics to come) and we played. Later that day Mando, Christian and Amelie Marie came home. They passed by to pick Mandy up. That night the Chulos and both Cruz families had some lasagna for dinner.
Tuesday Javo took Audrey and me to Kika's house. We hung out with the Chulos, Audrey slept in Gabi's crib, we visited the Cruzes and I was invited back the next day to babysit my boys. Kika lent me her tiny scion for the week. Thank God so I could get around. I don't recommend a tiny 2-door car with a baby seat. lol. It's not easy to get in and out.
The 1st pic of the 3 girls (with their mommies)
Wednesday we were back at the Chulo's in the morning. Once Audrey went down for her nap I borrowed Kika's van loaded the boys in the car, we picked Mandy up at his house, and headed to the park. We had a good time. It was nice to get out of the house and to be able to hang out with my 3 boys that I don't get to see very much.
We drove back home and Audrey was playing with Tia Kika and being a good girl.
The boys ate lunch and went down for a nap so Audrey and I went to visit the Cruzes. It just so happened that Mandy was tired so Tio Mando took Audrey and I took Mandy to his room and read him a book. In true Mandy fashion he went from paying attention and commenting on the book to completely out....There is no in between with the boy. We headed back to the Chulo's so that Christian and Amelie could rest especially with Mandy sleeping. Kika and Roger were getting ready to head out and it was time for Audrey's 2nd nap. I got to hold little Gabi and put her in her carseat for the ride. Once Kika and Roger left Adrian was still tossing and turning in his bed. Kika's video monitor is cool but even cooler are the things that her kids do when they should be asleep. Anyway I ended up in the room rubbing his back until he fell asleep. I was able to watch some of the "Little Fockers" movie before the little Rascals started to wake up. We (Danny, Adrian, Audrey and I) went to pick Mandy up to come hang out at the house. It turned out to be a bit of a mess to get the Chulitos out of the Cruz house since they wanted to play with his train but we made it out with Mando's help. He came back to the house with me so that I could cut up some strawberries for the boys snack. After snack time it was playtime.
I had such a GREAT time with the boys!!!
On the way home mami called to see if I could go to Publix bc she needed 1 green bell pepper. Audrey and I made the stop. I was pretty sure I would see someone I knew....gut feeling plus the odds are in my favor at that publix. I did! I ran into Ala-con-pala her 2 cute boys and Tia Alite. I've been wanting to pass by and see them. My unplanned week ended up being way more busy than I imagined. We got to talk for a little while which was nice. Hopefully I can actually visit for a while one of these days.
Thursday was good but rough for my little Audrey. We headed out to see Tio Javo and Tia Kristen's apt right when her nap was supposed to start. She fought it until we were a minute away and then woke up when we arrived. They have a cute small space. A perfect little first place. I'm looking forward to an invite. ;) Audrey fell asleep in my arms while we were there and in the car on the way home. She woke up when we arrived. I took advantage of Javo and Javo's friend Tom and Laura being home to help me load the car with the things I needed to take to Titi's house and I also thought Audrey might sleep in the car if I gave her some milk and headed out....wrong! She played the whole way to Titi's and then she played with her primito Chris. He is already crawling like a little pro. He uses a combo of techniques: the inchworm and the one-legger. They played together for a while...Chris tried finding toys to eat and Audrey trying to find Chris to eat. Then Audrey finally fell asleep (it only lasted about 40 mins). Sebi woke up and I got to hear all the words he says and he receptively identified: different cars, colors, words, and shapes. Titi, your kiddos are so cute and sweet. I love Sebi the Smarty and Chris the Crawler!
After helping/creating more work for Titi we headed home. Audrey took a tiny power nap in the car and was ready to hit the pool with Laura. We hung out there until my dear friend and ex-coworker arrived to visit us after a long day at Baudhuin. She even brought Audrey a floatie (and she didn't know we would be waiting in the pool). She didn't end up using it that day but she did the next :) It was so good to see you Kendra.
Audrey was already in bed but papa arrived in Miami that night!
Friday we went shopping at Babies R Us for Audrey and her primas. Then we used that as an excuse to go and visit them...so we did. It was brief but we got to see them again. We headed home to let Audrey get a good nap in before a long night at the rehearsal. It all worked out perfectly.
We headed out to the church...I forgot about Miami traffic for a minute and was quickly reminded. I don't miss it. We practiced then we went to Titi and Salvi's house for the rehearsal dinner. It was so nice of them to host it. It was 2 minutes from the church and everything turned out beautifully.
The bride and groom handed out gifts. They were both so creative.
It was so nice to see the friends and family together. Audrey fell asleep for 2 minutes at the dinner and then thought it was party time the rest of the time. She even let Tino and Libertad hold her (she is usually cranky when she is tired). It was nice to see them together.
Saturday, WEDDING DAY, was here! I showered and tried to help with anything Audrey related that I could before I left for the day. Then in true procrastinating Cruz form I got my bridesmaid dress altered right before getting to the hotel to get ready. I had such a nice time getting ready with the other bridesmaid. It gave me a chance to get to know them a little better which was great since they are important to my sis-in-law. Now I know 3 of her good friends and her cousin. The other two hooligans I knew already.
We headed to the wedding in the limo, we walked down the aisle and then the beautiful bride headed down the aisle. The ceremony was beautiful with a great message delivered by Father Willie. After many pics by the funny photographer we headed to the celebration. It was a packed house. We had a great time!
Sunday was back to Winter Haven....ahhh good to be home :)
