Meeting the Greats

I never had a chance to meet my great grandparents, which is why I think Aubriella is so lucky that she still has 4 living!

Jose's maternal grandparents, Nino and Nina, are the greatest people ever! They live nearby and Aubri is able to spend lots of time with them and will have them in her life for many years.

My maternal grandparents live in Colton (4 hours away) and unfourtantely won't get to see her often. My grandpa has been sick for years, but during my pregnancy his health began declining very rapidly. He has been in and out of the hospital the last several months, and we don't think he has much time to live. And while pregnant, my previously healthy grandmother had a brain tumor and we thought we were losing her! I was really scared that either of them would pass away without getting to meet the baby.

A couple of weeks ago, my grandfather was readmitted to the hospital and we were told it was time to say goodbye. I've said my goodbyes to him, but it suddenly became very important for me to introduce Aubriella to them. So the next day we drove to Colton and back! Aubriella did great on the long drive, and was amazing the whole day!

My grandma didn't know we were coming, and it was so nice to see how excited she got when she met her first great grandchild!

We went to the hospital, and I was shocked to see how much worse my grandpa seemed. He was muttering to himself when we walked in, and didn't seem to recognize us. We tried telling him that his great granddaugter was visiting, but he didn't respond. She was falling asleep and made one little cry before she feel asleep. My grandpa heard her and instantly smiled and said "Que Bonita!" and then he fell asleep! I don't think he even saw her, but he acknowledged her. We tried waking him, but he wouldn't wake up.

It's not how I envisioned them meeting, and this picture isn't in the ideal setting, but I can tell Aubriella that she met her great grandpa!

The hospital had a gorgeous garden, so we were able to take a four generations picture!

Aubriella's Dedication

On April 11th, Jose and I dedicated Aubriella to the Lord. We made a public declaration that we acknowledged that she belongs to Jesus and we were committed to raising her to follow Him.

We were SO HONORED that so many of our family and friends joined us at church, and afterwards to celebrate at our home.

She did sooo good during the dedication. I think she liked the attention and even made a few coos (I think she was saying amen!)

It happened to be the windiest day in the history of Santa Maria (I made that up, but I honestly wouldn't be surprised!) and rain was on its way, so our beautiful backyard party was moved inside! Somehow we managed to fit 60 people inside!
There was no shortage of amazing food! Karlos grilled carne asade even in the wind and rain! Everyone was so impressed with the good cooks in our family and all our helpful relatives! Everyone pitched in to make it possible! I think it is safe to say Aubriella is a Velazquez! I joke that she looks more like Emma's daughter than mine!

Aubriella and her Godsister Isabelle! After much thought and prayer, Jose and I asked our friends Joy and Andy to be Aubriella's godparents! Aside from Aubriella sharing Joy's name, and being born on her birthday, Joy and Andy have shown absolute love for her! Even before she was born they were praying for her, and the loooong night when Aubriella could not nurse, Joy sent a text in the wee hours of the morning that she was praying the minute Aubriella latched on! And when Aubriella had not pooped in 2 days (evidence that she wasn't getting enough to eat) Joy prayed over her and she pooped! We are so grateful to have this Godly family in our lives, and are so excited to see the influnce they have in Aubriella's life!

"She has so much hair!"

Everywhere I go people stop me to look at Aubriella. Everyone always says she is so beautiful and "she has so much hair!"

I think she has more strands of hair on her head than I do, and about the same as her Uncle Jesse! These pictures crack me up because their hair style looks the same!

Easter 2010

Aubriella slept 10 hours and 15 min straight last night, and is currently taking a great nap! I am so lucky to have a great sleeper! To take advantage of this time, I thought I would ignore the laundry another day and get caught up blogging!

Easter began for us on Saturday! My parents needed to go out of town at the last minute, and they didn't think they would be back for Easter. On Saturday they came over for a last minute brunch!

My parents like to cover her in kisses and attention!

On Easter morning, before church Aubriella got her first Easter basket from Grammy Silvia! I think she liked it!After church we went to Jose's grandparents! I love watching all the kids together, and am excited for Aubriella to grow up with her cousins. Hopefully next year she will be walking around and gathering eggs herself!

Then we went to Nana and Papa's house where she got another Eater basket (the reason Jose and I felt we didn't need to buy her anything!)

Even the frowns are cute!

I love how smiley Aubriella is, but I can't help thinking her little pouty lips are absolutely adorable too!

Being a Mom

I have now been a mom for 10 1/2 weeks! I honestly can't answer if it has gone by fast or slow. At times I can't believe my baby is 2 1/2 months, but then it feels like she has been here forever! Not being at work has really made the days flow together and I forget what day it is sometimes- and don't even ask me the date!

Just as I knew I would, I love being a mom! I always knew I wanted to have children and thought I would be perfectly fulfilled as a stay at home mom. I envisioned learning to care for a newborn would be a piece of cake, so I was a little surprised to find it is more challenging than I thought!

I prepared and studied for birth, but didn't give much thought to nursing. I figured it was the natural way so it couldn't be that hard... right? Wrong! After learning cup feedings, becoming best friends with the pump, and two infections later I can finally say it is becoming "easy" and enjoyable. I love knowing that I am giving Aubriella the best start possible.

I also didn't fully understand what it means to be a mom. I didn't appreciate that it is a role that I am 24/7! There isn't a minute that I'm not thinking about her and responsible for her. It warms my heart that I can almost always instantly soothe her tears, but at times it is overwhelming that I'm the only one who can! A couple of weeks ago she started only wanting me when she is tired. She will cry with whoever is holding her (even Jose sometimes!) and instantly stop when handed to me. I don't even have to say anything, she just knows! We've tried tricking her with me keeping my face close while someone else grabs her, but she is too smart for that! Because of this I haven't been able to leave her at all.

All the challenges are worth it though! The lack of sleep of Aubriella's first month are now a funny memory (like the time Jose and I woke up sitting up on the edge of the bed, and don't know why or how long we were asleep like that....or the time I woke up patting my heart thinking I was burping the baby!) and are being replaced with 7-10 hours of solid sleep! When she was first born I wondered who made up that babies have different cries for different reasons, but can now distinguish a tired cry from a hungry cry. And every little smile (and there are LOTS throughout the day) makes it so worthwhile!

Dedication revisited

Way back in 2008 after attending an infant baptism I wrote some thoughts here. I can't believe 2 years later our little "Hannah" is Aubriella and we are preparing to dedicate her to the Lord this weekend!

This Sunday, before our family and friends we will be making a public announcement that we are vowing to raise Aubriella unto the Lord, and commit to teaching her to follow His ways. Jose and I will pray everyday that she will one day make the decision to accept Christ as her savior. We know that only she can choose salvation for herself, but we will do everything in our power to point her that way.

As promised in 2008 the big party is planned! We didn't make invitations, but you all are invited (as long as you aren't some crazy stalker and can prove it by calling me and asking for details ;-). There won't be a bounce house (though Aubri's Nana was asking if we should get one), but there will be good food and fun!