Hablo Espanol

For the last couple months, Jacob has been taking Spanish Classes at Language Stars. He really loves it. It is an hour a week - for parent and tot. His teacher's name is Diego (I swear!) Jacob loves him. And, his teacher really believes he is excelling. The entire class in in Espanol...absolutely NO English. (I am struggling a bit, but my son seems to be picking things up quite nicely) There are 2 other kids in the class besides Jacob. He seems to understand everything being said to him, and is able to answer most questions back in Spanish. Olivia (Rocky's mom) visited one day and Daddy came another...they both really loved the class as well. Our "semester" ends December 16th, and we hope to continue again this Summer. Here is a little "clip" of our Little nino speaking Espanol.

Day 5: What is in a Name

Emerson's Arrival Countdown...Day 5

What is in a Name? I remember hearing the name Emerson a few years ago. I heard it as someone's last name (and LOVED it) and also, Actress, Terri Hatcher (Desperate Housewives) has a daughter named Emerson (and I LOVED it). I shared the name with Rocky a couple years ago, and he too loved it (but it was only after we found out we were having a boy with Baby #1 that we thought of it and decided to "save" it for another day...IF we ever had a girl). Though it is more historically a male name (Ralph Waldo Emerson), within the decade it has become more popular, and in 2008, Emerson was used 2x more often as a Girl's name then a Boy's name. Once we found out Baby #2 was a Girl, there was NO question on what her name would be. No baby name books were opened, nothing. I can honestly say this is the one thing that Rocky and I agreed on immediately. We are very fond of such a beautiful name.

The meaning of the name Emerson (which I literally just looked up last night): work; rich, powerful ruler (I guess it kind of describes a Princess- hehehehe!)

I have been very emotional these past few weeks as well. I did a little searching to find words that would make me feel good and excited to share with my Baby Girl. I wanted to share these sweet words that really describe how I want to raise my daughter. I know I had a difficult time as a girl growing up. Constantly struggling with self-esteem and sometimes feeling alone...it is both an honor and a challenge to be a girl...and I want my daughter to Believe in magic and wish on stars and know that in her heart she is strong and beautiful and she can do anything she puts her mind to- even her own mother struggles with this at times, (I am STILL learning) but being true to yourself will eventually allow your dreams to come true.

Daughter~

Be Strong. Be intelligent. Smile.

Know that beauty has everything to do with how you feel about yourself and nothing to do with other people's opinions. Never do anything just because everyone else is. Always be true to yourself. Expect the best from life and that's what you'll get.

Believe in magic and wish on stars.

Love and trust and be compassionate, make faces, play in mud puddles. Take bubble baths. Turn off the lights and watch lightning storms. Dance, laugh, cry, and sing when you want to. Read everything you can get your hands on. Stand up for what is right especially if you stand alone. Don't allow yourself or people around you to tolerate prejudice of any kind.

Don't be afraid to try something new. Run through snow drifts. Spin in circles and roll down hills. Pet puppies, hold kittens, and talk to babies. Stay up to watch the sunrise. Never apologize for being a woman or for being yourself.

Never forget that I love you always and forever. You will always be my daughter.

(Writer, unknown)

Day 6 : A Peak at the Completed Nursery

Emerson's Countdown: Day 6

A final look at her Nursery. All set for a Princess. I am very happy with how it has turned out. Her closet is full of clothes until she turns atleast 18-months- she will be dressed very fabulously thanks to all of our family and friends and some beautiful hand-me-downs too!!! 6 more days...

1 Week and Counting...

Counting Down until Emerson's Arrival...

7 days until D-Day. A week from today, we will be checking into the hospital at 7:30 AM for our 9:30 scheduled C-section to welcome our daughter, Emerson into this world. Physically, I am ready!!!! I never realized how truly HUMONGOUS my stomach was until I saw these pictures...holy s***! I mean, I know my stomach is HUGE...but these final belly pics really do it justice. This baby is just hanging out in my HUMONGOUS pouch of a stomach- literally, just laying "out there" as if she was snuggled up in a hamock, not tucked nicely in...but out as far as my stomach and skin will stretch...oh my poor skin! I am going to try to do a daily post this week as we count down the hours to Emerson's birth...here are my FINAL belly pictures. Thank Goodness:) Count Down Begin....Day 7.

Preparing Big Brother

As the final leaves fall from the trees, it is obvious there is no turning back...the Holidays are almost here and Old Man Winter is right around the corner. With that, comes a case of the "Stir Crazies"- just in time for a new Baby at home, but not so fun for her Big Brother who is already starting to "stir." So with that said, besides a few bad colds (one that we are fighting again currently- the 2nd time Jacob has been sick in 4-weeks and it is only November 10th- just the beginning of flu season) this kid is starting to get B-O-R-E-D. So with my "nesting ability" in full swing right now, I have decided to prepare a few new, upcoming projects that should keep Jacob busy the first few weeks of Emerson's homecoming. We have decided to "make" a "Good Boy" chart- which is mommy's craft #1- the chart consists of really creative pictures I either drew or glued on, and a list of "Good Deeds" Jacob is to be practicing. Some examples: Pee Pee on the Potty, Listening to Mommy, washing hands regularly, getting dressed (with my help, of course) without throwing fits, Helping with Baby, Brushing teeth, putting on coat, shoes, hat when we go outside, picking up toys, asking for help- NOT Whining...etc.etc. Each day, he gets a sticker by each "good deed" if he has successfully completed it. By the end of the week, with enough stickers, Jacob gets an ice cream cone! So far, it is a little early to tell, he is still getting the hang of it...but he LOVES to put the stickers on each night.

Recently, I made a trip to Michael's....where I picked up a bunch of craft ideas- one of those was a little white cardboard box- which I have made "Jacob's craft box" (to get him excited about more crafts to come, etc. - today, we spent a nice hour decorating it with fun stickers and his name.) He seems to be enjoying these "crafty ideas". Some upcoming projects to fill up the next many weeks: an Indian headband with feathers (THANKSGIVING CRAFT), cardboard traced ornaments to decorate, cardboard gingerbread men to decorate (Holiday Crafts), and some "stick" guys to decorate. Just a few ideas....Hopefully, this will help keep him busy!

Baby Emerson Update

It is 15 days and counting until we meet our long-awaited Little Girl. (I just love how that sounds!) We are now officially excited as her arrival is right around the corner. Nerves and anxiety were my big emotions most of this pregnancy, but as we get closer to meeting her, all I can do is day dream about her, and cannot wait to hold and kiss her...we cannot wait for our family to be together and for our son and daughter to meet his sister and her brother. Some recent updates about Baby Girl and myself...

• She is SUCH a mover that it took the doctor a couple minutes to keep up with her to finally get her heart rate (150 bpm)
• My weight gain thus far has been 22 lbs. Expected Birth Weight of Emerson: 8lbs "ish"
• No change with me- (no dilation thus far)- not that it really matters, my scheduled c-section is still set for 11/22- unless she decides to make an early appearance...
• The doctor has said that I have "dropped"- so we will just wait to see what happens

Next Appointment- Wednesday (11/10)

Scheduled Delivery Date- November 22, 2010

How I have been feeling- Well, my bladder needs to be emptied everytime I stand up or walk. I have been taking regular naps (while Jacob is napping) for the last few weeks - for (2) reasons- #1- Jacob has decided that 6:30-7am is a nice time to wake up now (ahhhhh!) #2- I haven't been sleeping the best at night. Yet, my energy level has been increasing- making sure things are getting organized and crossed off my lists. Pack and Play is officially set up in our living room, swing set up in our family room, all clothes, blankets, etc have been washed, room is FINALLY complete...(Rocky finally hung the "E" for Emerson above her bed- which is the last thing I wanted done) Bassinet all set to go (thanks St.Legers!), Breast pump polished and ready to go (yeah! breastfeeding- totally giving me anxiety just thinking about it) My stomach is so big that I feel like the rest of me looks smaller...but once I deliver, I know I will see where all the "fat" remains...uggh! A few more things around the house to be done...but, otherwise, we are ready for our Princess to come home. Okay, I'm going to say it..."Bring it On!" Ahhhhhhh....what did I just say?! Oh, well no turning back....ready or not, here we come- Rojas Family: (Soon-to-Be) New Family of 4.

This Baby has been "Showered!"

My Mother-In-Law was planning to surprise me with a Baby Shower, but she wanted to have it at my house, so she did tell me a few days before. I was not expecting any showers this time around, let alone another shower...but I was informed that in the Mexican culture, every baby gets a baby shower...pretty awesome! Also, Emerson will be the 1st Granddaughter in the Rojas Family, so she is already quite a Princess. October 23rd, the Rojas Family threw me a nice little shower at my house. Some fantastic Mexican Food (Homemade Tostadas- my absolute favorite in the world!) and a very Sweet, yet lovely cake. A few relatives and close family friends joined in the festivities, and Emerson was showered with more clothes, a new bouncy (girly) seat, a personalized Piggy Bank, more diapers (!!!!), and accessories. It was a very PINK afternoon.