One Week Old!

Tommy is one week old today! I am filled with so much love for my little boy it's sometimes completely overwhelming! He is so amazing to me. I just can't believe he's real. Tony and I could just stare at him for hours and thank god the he gave us such such a special gift. Here's a couple pictures of us with our little boy - it looks like he's playing the air guitar in the first one hahaha.

I love you so much Tommy!!!

Thomas Antonio (Tommy) has arrived!!

For those who have not already heard, I would like to formerly introduce you all to our son, Thomas Antonio, who was born on Monday, April 21st at 10:30 AM. He weighed in at 6lbs 14 ounces, 20 ½ inches long. Tommy arrived after a loooong day & evening of labor, 3 hours of pushing, and eventually a cesarian section.

Thank you for all of the well wishes, gifts, and words of encouragement! We are grateful for everyone’s love. (Sorry if I have not responded to text messages, or phone calls, its been a crazy week.)

Here are some pictures of our little Tommy. We love him so much and are so happy he’s here!

Congratulations to Freddie and Holli

Congratulations to my cousin Freddie and his girlfriend Holli on the birth of their daughter Liberty Lois Burch! She weighed in at 8 lbs and 18 1/2 inches long. Mom and baby are doing great! I am so happy for you both!!

My update: I've been having braxton hicks contractions all day long!! They are more annoying than anything else, and some of them are pretty strong. It's a full moon tonight, so I've had a couple predictions that the baby will be born tonight...we shall see! Meanwhile I've just finished baking a cake for my Mother-in-law Josefa's birthday dinner tonight. (Her birthday is actually tomorrow). It'll be nice to have one more family dinner before the little guy comes...I have a feeling I won't be doing any real cooking or baking for quite some time after he arrives. :)

Your Baby at 37 Weeks

I think I have put up a couple pictures, facts, or cartoons from the weekly emails I receive from BabyCenter.com. Since this may be one of the last ones I receive before the little guy arrives, I thought I would put up the photo diagram they send each week. I think its awesome to see what its like inside the womb. (The links don't work so don't bother trying to roll your curser over them).

3 CM Dilated!!!

I am sooo excited!

Quick back-story: On Monday I went to the hospital – it turned out to be a false alarm – I was sure it was time. I had terrible back aches, belly aches, and contractions. Unfortunately, the contractions were too close and not long enough to do anything to push the labor along (was still 2 cm and 50% effaced)…so back home I went, to rest and wait. The contractions and pains lasted the rest of the day into most of yesterday. I’ve been getting them very sporadically since then.

So Mom took me to the OB this morning for my weekly appointment (I’m not suppose to be driving anymore) where she was able to hear the baby’s heartbeat! It was amazing for me to see the look on her face while she listened to her grandson’s heart beating away. It’s something I won’t soon forget.

While we were at the appointment the doc did another internal. She cleared away the rest of the mucus plug and let me know I was now at 3 cm dilation!! Apparently, the contractions I had on Monday and Tuesday (and the little ones I’ve been having ever since) helped to dilate me further. The doc estimates that the baby will arrive within the next week and a half & that he is right around 8 pounds! (ouch!)

I am super excited. I would jump up and down if I could! I can’t wait to meet Baby G!!

Happy Sunday!

Yesterday was my sister Carrie’s Bridal Shower! I think she was pleasantly surprised by all of the great gifts she received to help furnish the home she shares with her fiancé Brett in Virginia Beach. The shower was a great success. The restaurant, Rosario’s was roomy, had excellent food, and fantastic service. The bridesmaids and I really enjoyed their homemade peppers mix for our bread…it was so good we ate three bowls! Carrie was beautiful, as always. It was so much fun showering her with gifts and showing her just how much she is loved.


Here are a couple pictures so our family in Wisconsin can see. Two more months and we’ll all be together at Carrie and Brett’s Wedding! I can’t wait.

Our Future Bride-To-Be
Carrie cutting her cakes "Showers of Happiness Carrie!"The Steltz FamilyThe Bridal PartyBecca and Me Carrie opening her flute glasses (from me) They say "Carrie's Husband", "Brett's Wife," and have their wedding date on them. Too cute. Carrie opening another gift.
Me and Carrie - I love you sister, thank you for making me your Matron of Honor!!

9 Months Preggers!!!

Oh my goodness, we've made it to the 9th month already! Some days it feels like I have been pregnant for a very long time, others seems like the time has completely flown by! For as uncomfortable as my body is, I could not be happier. The anticipation is building and now I just wonder... when will he get here? I can't wait to meet him, and to kiss his little face.

Last night Tony and I went to Babies R Us to pick up a few more things, and we couldn't help ourselves from going through the clothes racks and picking up a few little pants and onesies. I picked out the cutest onesie that says “My Mom Rocks.” We practically frolicked through the store we were so happy to be there. We are both really looking forward to being parents.

Tony went golfing today with his buddies from college. I encouraged him to go…who knows how many times he’ll get to play this season with a newborn at home…I’m guessing it won’t be much.

I’m sitting at home, and wishing I was sitting down to a giant smorgasbord of Mexican food (and I don’t mean Taco bell either lol). I’m really really craving Mexican.

Carrie comes home tonight!! I can’t wait for her to get here & I can’t wait to show her an amazing time tomorrow! I received her Wedding invitation in the mail today – they are just lovely. I can’t believe my baby sister is getting married. I’m so happy for her. I can’t wait to watch her walk down the aisle and become a bride. I feel so blessed that she asked me to stand beside her as she takes her vows.

So many new and exciting things to look forward to this summer, its wonderful!!

Clearly Boredom Has Set In...

I took this picture of Maverick asleep in my new rocking chair. I love this chair - its sooo comfy. Apparently Mav likes it too. Every time I get up he jumps up & quickly falls alseep. Isn't he cute.Also - Here is the most delicious sugar cookie EVER. Maybe I was just really in the mood for a cookie, I don't know, but this thing was yummy!! Don't know where you got this from Jules, but thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Resting, Resting

We had an OB appointment last night. I’m still 2 cm dilated, and 50% effaced. When I had my internal, the doctor said the baby is in position, and that she could feel the top of his head – which is both amazing and slightly scary. As ready as I am to meet my little guy, I’m very nervous about going through labor. I’ve actually had a hard time sleeping because I’m scared. I know women go through it all the time and all of my girlfriends have been just fine going through it, but as a first time mother I'm guessing its natural to be a bit apprehensive about labor.

Internals are not fun. I’ve been feeling fairly crampy and uncomfortable since yesterday (some spotting too, but that is normal), which is another reason I didn’t sleep well. I took some Tylenol a little bit ago though, so I’m hoping that will help.

I realized in texting a good friend of mine last night that most people do not necessarily understand what dilation and effacement are (and neither did I until recently). Therefore, here is a good explanation I found on the internet:

Both dilation and effacement are terms that relate to the cervix. The cervix basically connects the vagina to the uterus. As labor approaches and progresses, the cervix will dilate (open) and thin (efface.) Dilation merely refers to the diameter of the cervix. Prior to the late stages of pregnancy, the cervix remains fully closed. Sometime during the last trimester, the cervix begins to open and this can represent the beginning of labor or the body preparing itself for labor in the near future.As labor progresses, the cervix should dilate further and further until it reaches full dilation at about 10 cm.Effacement refers to the thinning of the cervix. The cervix becomes thinner and thinner as labor approaches, and is 100% "effaced" or thinned out once labor begins.

So basically, I’m not in labor yet, and it could remain this way for several more weeks before I actually go into labor...or it could happen any moment now. There's no way to say for sure when the exact day will be. I’m feeling a lot of lower pressure and just uncomfortable in my own body. I just hope I don’t end up going later than my due date, because I don't want to have to feel this way for longer than May 8th.

Yesterday was a nice day for Tony. His coworkers threw him a baby shower! They presented him with a nice spread of goodies, and a few very nice gifts. He was very surprised and had a wonderful time. Here are a couple of pictures. I wish I could give them all hugs and say "Thank You."

Gonzalez Family Baby Shower

I had a great time at the baby shower yesterday, which my Mother-in-Law Josefa and my Sister-in-Law Diana threw for me and Tony. Wow, so many nice gifts - I'd say we're pretty much set for the arrival of our little guy! Among other things, we received our high chair, bouncy seat, walker, crib sheets, diapers, lots of bottles, and some really cute outfits – including swim trunks and the cutest little shoes!! One of my favorite things is a bib which our friend Julie made for the baby with a picture of Maverick on it. Below it says “I love my big brother.” It is sooo adorable!! Thank you so much to everyone who brought over the yummy food and baked goods! I especially loved the empanadas and the fruit salad. We are overwhelmed with everyone’s generous gift giving & we thank you all with our whole hearts for helping to get us set for little Baby G.

Tony and Maverick gave me a great gift yesterday. Ever since the beginning of the pregnancy, I had been eyeing up a comfy “rocking” chair for the nursery. They can be expensive, so Tony and I figured we really did not need it… well…to my surprise, the very first gift I opened was my chair! It’s wonderful! It’s going to be great for feeding the baby or just sitting in it and reading to him. It was such a wonderful and sweet gift. Thank you Hubby, I love you!!

I can’t wait to hang up all of the baby’s little clothes and finish getting things set up for him. Today, I am going to clean all of the clothes, blankets, and crib sheets, as well as run all of the bottles through the dishwasher. I just know that after we get everything all set up, Tony and I are going to be really anxious awaiting our son’s arrival.

Unfortunately, we don’t have many pictures from the shower yesterday, but here are a couple that turned out. (Again…if anyone took pictures please email them over to me! Thank you so so much – you know I love my scrapbooking!)

Thank you to everyone (from all three showers, those who sent us gifts, and well...everyone!) for the wonderful presents for the baby and for all the support, advice, and love you have given us throughout this journey. We are so lucky to have such amazing people in our lives.

4D Ultrasound!!

Yesterday, Tony and I had a 4D ultrasound of our son. It was sooo exciting! We weren't sure if they were going to be able to get a picture since we're now in week 35 and they do not typically do the 3D or 4D ultrasound pictures after 32 weeks...but it worked (its just a little cloudy and his nose is a little squished)! I was telling my girlfriend Lauren that it is an amazing feeling to be able to put a face to the movements going on in my belly. I am so happy, I can't stop looking at him now. Here is the best picture of the bunch... and the best part about it is... he's smiling!! Isn't he adorable!!! We are so in love with our little bundle!

Maternity Portraits

Tony & I got a free picture coupon from Babies R Us to use their portrait studios when we registered with them. Tonight we went out to dinner and had our picture taken. We really didn't like most of the pictures that were taken, but there were a couple exceptions. I thought I'd share them with you. I really liked the one of Tony with my belly. (We also had that one to the right taken...it was the only halfway decent one of the bunch with the two of us.)

New Nursery Pictures!

I just wanted to put a couple updated nursery pictures on here, and to Thank Lori and Dano who came over this weekend and helped us continue to get set for Baby!