Hello Canada!

Emma did great during her first flight and also during take off and landing. Having 4 adults for one kid was a great idea! I'll write more updates later. 

Capture the Colour

I found out about this contest on my friend's Andi's blog. I decided not to enter since I don't really have that much time to read other blogs and keep track on who was nominated or even have 5 bloggers to nominate. I still wanted to look at my old pictures and remember some of my previous trips. Here are some of my favorite pictures. 

WHITE

Kalapaki Beach, Kauai.

Every time I go to the beach I take pictures of the water bubbles. I do it as a way to remember what it felt like to have my toes in the sand. Kauai was our honeymoon destination in 2011. I have been thinking about it a lot since we spent 10 days in paradise exactly 2 years ago. Our second anniversary was in August and when I was there, I said that I wanted to go every 3 years to Hawaii. I went to Oahu in 2008 and at the time, it seemed reasonable to return in 2014. We have a few trips planned for the following year. Unfortunately, Hawaii will have to wait a little longer. 

BLUE

Kauai, Napali Coast

I'm obsessed with the beauty of Hawaii. The Napali coast is best seen from the air or from a boat. We did that, but we also drove to the end of the road and went hiking. I took this picture while we were doing one of the easy trails. The picture doesn't show how impressive the mountains are. I love how the horizon gets lost because the color of the ocean is almost the same as the sky. 

GREEN

Quito, Ecuador

This woman was selling scarfs in downtown Quito on a sunny Sunday afternoon. I got a few scarfs to help her and also because I wanted to ask her for a picture. She kindly agreed. I love how her daughter also smiled for the camera.

YELLOW

Tampa, Fl

One of the best things about living in Florida is watching beautiful sunsets. My favorite place in Tampa to watch the sun go down is near the Davis Island Yatch Club. The pictures that I've taken here are never the same because of the clouds and the boats.

RED

Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay

I had the hardest time finding the perfect "red" picture. This old car was parked on one of the main streets in historical side of Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay. Last year we went to Uruguay as a day trip from Buenos Aires. I loved the town. We took hundreds of pictures that day.

FYI: You don't have to be nominated so feel free to participate and spread the word. 

How to Survive Pregnancy (According to me)

One of the most surprising things that happen after having a baby is that you forget how miserable you felt while you were pregnant. When I talk about my 39 weeks of pregnancy I feel like I'm telling a story about someone else. Before I completely forget, I wanted to create this list for my friends who want to become mothers. 

• Maternity clothes are extremely comfortable. Accept your new body and love stretchy pants since early in the pregnancy. There is no need to be tight and uncomfortable. Some of them can be fashionable if you are willing to spend money on a pair of designer jeans. I never got a pair because I didn't know how big my butt was going to get. However, after the 3rd or 4th month the part of my body that really grew was my belly. 

• Buy comfortable shoes, I never thought I was going to love crocs. Your feet will get swollen. I never got a pair of crocs before. I wore them everyday the last month when the weather got too cold for flip flops. There are some prettier ballet flat like styles. They are really comfortable and wide enough to fit your new elephant size feet. My feet were 1.5 sizes larger while I was pregnant and now I'm a permanent half size larger. 

• Watch your weight. Its normal to gain a good amount of weight. However, the heavier you get, the more miserable you will be at the end. Try to gain what the doctor says its healthy. I gained 30 lbs and it was "normal" (up to 40 it's ok). I didn't have any cravings but I ate what I wanted!! I can't imagine how many pounds you can get if you get cravings. Many women lose weight at the first months because of morning sickness. It wasn't my case. 

• Morning sickness can happen at any time of the day. Mine was every day until I was 14 weeks, after 6:00 pm. At least I could work all day and come home to lay on the couch until I fell asleep. Iced lemonade and crackers helped a lot. I should have said no to many visitors or late dinners while I was pregnant and I didn't. All I wanted was to take it slow. You shouldn't feel guilty to say no. Pregnancy is exhausting and people should understand and respect that. 

• Get many pedicures and manicures because you will miss having time for yourself and I don't mean time to take a shower. After the baby arrives, you will barely have time to take a shower and that's if you are lucky. My first manicure was when Emma was 6 months old. Take as much time for YOU as you can. Go out to dinner with your friends, watch movies, go out of town often, and even take a babymoon. You can still do those things with kids but it takes a lot more time and effort. 

• The really restrictive diet begins when you are nursing because there so many foods can make the baby get gas (even if it never gives you gas). Enjoy everything you like now. It's a long list. I gave up dairy fro months just in case Emma's colics were my fault. I didn't have broccoli, cabbage, onions, or citrus just to name a few. 

• The pregnancy "glow" is a lie. I had acne the first months and I haven't had acne since I was 15!! 

• Get as many used baby items as you can from your friends and family. It will save you a lot of money. I will be eternally grateful to my friend who mailed huge boxes from Houston filled with her boys stuff. Most things are animal themed and can be used for boys and girls. I have tons of burp cloths that have cars or are blue. Really, who cares if you don't have a girly design if it will be used to clean up spit ups. Use the baby shower to get the most useful items. Don't add clothes to your registry. Most people buy the baby clothes that they like. Also, don't be shy about adding the most expensive items since many people like to buy one big gift as a group. If you don't get them as a gift, most stores will give you a discount on the items from your list. 

• Read the book "what to expect when you are expecting" in the month that you are. It's a LONG book but if you read it by chapters you will actually remember it. The movie doesn't count. 

• The nursery won't be used for a while after the baby is born. If you don't have it ready before the baby comes, you will not have enough time to do it. Also, it's fun to prepare for the new member of your family and to get dad involved. 

• Keep extra clothes (pants and underwear) with you and a few pads at all times. Nobody tells you this but sometimes accidents do happen. When you are pregnant you need to pee A LOT. At the beginning because of hormones and the baby pressures the bladder as it gets bigger. When you think it's bad, it will get worse. The accidents are not a lot but enough to be uncomfortable. Besides you can't really run anymore and sometimes there are lines for the restroom and nobody ever offers to let you go first. 

• It's a really good idea to take a birthing class and tour the hospital. You will be happy you did when the time comes. I had to go 3 times to the hospital because of my high blood pressure and it was easy to get in alone. I drove and waited until someone met me there.  This leads to the next item... 

• Pack your hospital bag, breast pump, and baby bag ahead of time and put everything in your car. The day of the first false alarm I had left my bags ready on the stairs. Emma decided not to arrive that day, but I also learned that at least someone other than your partner needs to have keys to your house. I never took a breastfeeding class and I wish I did. Breastfeeding is really challenging. There is a whole post about that coming. 

• Have a plan B. Ideally, contractions start when you are at home, but knowing that my sister's water broke at work I was terrified that it would happen to me as well. I thought of the many things that could happen and tried to have someone at work ready to call Andre, drive me to the hospital, and call someone to clean up in case my water broke. This never happened, but it gave me peace of mind knowing that someone was in charge while I was panicking or in pain.  

Last but not least, get dad involved. If you are single, get your friends and family involved. Don't try to do everything yourself including all the nesting at the end. I went to a lot of doctors appointments alone but there are some good ones that its nice to have someone with you. I went with my mom or sisters several times. They loved to come and see the baby or just knowing that they can help. The day you confirm the pregnancy, the first ultrasound, the day they check for the sex and when you hear the heart beat for the first time are special moments to share as a couple. I had 2 urgent appointments so there will be some scary moments too. Sadly i was alone during those. Also, you will get blood taken sooooo many times that it's nice to have someone for moral support. It's hard to believe that there is a human being growing inside of you. It's even harder for men, so help them out by making them feel important.

I thought I didn't remember but it looks like I did. If anyone wants to add anything to the list please do. When you are pregnant you can't get enough tips and advise from other mothers. Just for the record, you should always listen to your doctor. Every pregnancy is different and you should always follow their advise. 

Coming up: Canada

After months of staying at home we finally have a trip coming up. Andre, Emma, my parents and I will be flying to Buffalo, NY and driving to Niagara Falls (Canada) and Toronto. Canada will be a new Country for all of us and the first international trip for Emma. 

I'm a little nervous about traveling with a 7 month old, but I'm so excited about seeing a new Country. I need to do some research and find out how everything works. I only know that Emma will fly on my lap and that I need to give her a bottle to help with the ear pressure at take off and landing. 

Can anyone give me some advise? I know that everyone does this but I'm new to traveling with kids. I don't even know what are the rules about liquids or how many personal items I can take with me. Other than that, we are ready to go!!!! 

My baby girl is 7 months

As a working mom, I am away from my daughter so much that leaving her even for an hour a day to go to the gym makes me feel like a horrible mother. Going away for longer, like a weekend without her is not even a possibility right now. I enjoy every second that I have with her. I have been back at work longer than what I stayed at home during my maternity leave. I don't pump during the day anymore. I'm only breastfeeding in the morning and at night. Emma finally likes formula and I don't feel like a cow 24/7. I still don't sleep the whole night and I don't know what to do so I gave up and now Emma and I share a bed after she wakes up at midnight. I know, I know I shouldn't do that but I need my sleep. I never thought that I was going to be so attached to Emma. I knew I was going to love her but its more than what I ever imagined.

Tomorrow, I will start going for one hour to the gym after work twice a week. Andre will pick Emma up and I will get home just in time to bathe her and put her to sleep. I still have several pregnancy pounds to lose and I will be a bridesmaid in a month. I have some extra pressure to look good. I have been working out but without a routine I end up skipping workouts and losing my motivation too often. 

I have a few posts that I'm writing to help my friends with their future pregnancies and babies. One of my closest friends had a baby last month and giving her advise has given me some ideas of things that every new mom should know and that nobody tells you! Hopefully I can help by sharing my experience. 

Emma at the beach

Last Sunday, we took Emma to the beach for the first time. She LOVED it. She was a happy baby playing in the water. We went to Treasure Island, our favorite beach in St Pete. 

                               

                               

I got a tent to protect her from the heat and the sun. The 3 of us ended up spending most of the day under it. I also used baby sunblock for her delicate skin! (my mom asked if I did). We were lucky to find a few trees and a nice shade. It was a hot summer day and this tent was the best way to enjoy it.

                     

It was an "adventure" to get all set up but once we got comfortable it was probably the best Sunday of the year. I worked many hours for 2 weeks and it was our anniversary weekend. I really needed a break from the routine and I'm sure that Andre felt the same way. I can't wait to be back to the beach and I'm sure that Emma will continue to enjoy it more as she learns how to play with sand. 

I'm going to follow a good friend's advice and keep this blog open as a way to keep some of the activities that I enjoyed before becoming a mother. Motherhood is amazing but one thing that also happens is that the list of your priorities is endless. First comes the baby and your partner, your job, house work, and some social life to make you feel normal and after all that there is time for you and what you like to do. Please forgive my typos and lack of formatting since I will be using the blogger mobile app and I will have very little time to edit.