6/10/16 – 6/11/16 Arrived at normal scheduled doctor appointment (1 day past due). As doctor checked me for dilation (I was at 3cm), she noticed quite a bit of fluid. Tested that fluid and discovered it was amniotic fluid. Immediately, she sent me to labor and delivery to get admitted. David rushed home to grab the hospital bag and some food for himself. I was started on Pitocin around 3:30pm (already at 3cm) and had some rough contractions until approximately 6:30am. Received epidural around 6:45pm–boy oh boy was that a relief. At 9pm I was checked again, and was still at 6cm. They increased the Pitocin and checked me again at 3am. Surprisingly, I was at 10cm and doctor said I’d start pushing at 4am allowing time for baby to “labor down.” At 4:15am the pushing began. Tears, moans, and even quick yells were all part of my process. Finally, 2 hours and 25 minutes later, Giuliana made her official debut.

6/11/16 – my precious daughter was born at 6:40am. Recovering after pushing out an 8 lb baby is no joke. Nobody warns you about the aftermath of pain. But it’s all worth it for the little human that’s created. Night one with our baby girl was tiresome. Her spitting up amniotic fluid in the middle of the night caught us both off guard and wouldn’t allow us to sleep much after that. She fussed off and on as well. David cared for her while I napped and then I did the same for him. Teamwork at its finest.

6/12/16 – Giuliana did great with breastfeeding today. She was a champ with her shots (daddy says), she had photos taken was cooperative, she passed her hearing test, and cuddled with mommy and daddy. Getting discharged today. Excited and nervous to take her home.

6/13/16 – So it’s night two at home. 4:15am, exhausted and delirious at this point. Giuliana is trying to figure out her sleep pattern, as we try to function around it. My mom will be helping out during the day to allow me to shower and try and sneek in a few hours of sleep. Will be so helpful.

6/14/16 – Today Giuliana had her first doctors appt. She did excellent! Only lost 5% weight since leaving the hospital which means my milk supply is going well and providing her with everything she needs. She has a rash that is called “newborn rash” all over her body, which should go away on its own in time. Anyways, she did great and I was so proud.

6/15/16 – David and I make a great team. Last night I fed Giuliana and then crashed out for a few hours. Woke up the again, and did the same again–until 2:30am. At that time, I let David go to bed, and I was on duty the rest of the early morning hours.

6/16/16- Woke up feeling refreshed! Felt like I was able to get plenty of sleep. Giuliana seemed pretty tired herself. We woke up at 6am, I fed her and then placed her in a swing my neighbor let us borrow. For the next two hours she slept comfortably while being swayed back and forth in the swing. I got an extra two hours of relaxation myself. Today is my mom’s last day helping out since she has to return to work tomorrow. It’s been so nice having her here with us and not to mention, incredibly helpful.

6/21/16 – Giuliana had her newborn photos taken today. She did well with the exception of peeing in one of the photographer’s outfits and pooping in another one. Keeping it classy 🙈

6/28/16 – Giuliana had her 2 week follow up appointment today. All looks good. Her weight is 8 lbs 13.06 ounces. She left the hospital weighing 7.5 lbs so the doctor was quite pleased with her weight gain. She is also following the growth curve just fine. Happy mommy : )

7/1/16 – Daddy fed Giuliana for the first time. Waited 3 weeks to give her a breast milk bottle. She devoured it within seconds. 3 ounces down the hatchet super quick.

7/13/16 – Grammy and Grandpa watched Giuliana while David and I enjoyed our first date night since her birth. Breaking away for a few short hours was really nice.

7/15/16 – It was a rough night. Giuliana was fussy for most of the night. Nothing worked. We swaddled her, fed her, burped her, rocked her, gave her gripe water, and put on the Baby Hush Hush white noise app…like nothing worked. Naturally, she’s fast asleep now at 2pm in the afternoon. I’m sure she’s exhausted from being up all night. Haha me too but I’m just not sleeping. So much to do around the house. #newbornlife

7/26/16 – she slept 6 hours for the last 3 nights in a row! Daddy and I are so thankful! I heard there is a sleep regression around 4-6 months but I think we have a little pattern/routine for now. Grateful for the extra sleep we are getting lately.

7/27/16 – Giuliana laid on my chest for 2 1/2 hours. She doesn’t always like to be snuggled so it was extra special to me. I could have gone on holding her all day if she had Let me.

7/28/16 – She did it again–slept for 6 hours straight! Feeling refreshed!

8/7/16 – First (full) day spent outside the house. Went to Aunt Carolyn’s for a BBQ and Giuliana did great.

8/9/16 – 2 month doctor visit and weighing in at 11 lbs 12 oz and 23.5 inches long. Giuliana received her first round of shots and mommy was a mess about it. Daddy held Giuliana down while a nurse gave her shots. Hearing that loud cry broke my heart. I think I cried just as much as she did. At home, Giuliana slept on and off for a few hours but the scream cried for hours. I felt awful because there was nothing I could do to soothe her. Daddy got home from work and saw me in tears, he took Giuliana in his arms, and stepped out for a walk to give me a few minutes to eat and calm down. When they returned, she was sleepy, so we swaddled her, gave her some infant Tylenol and down she went. Can’t remember the last time I cried so much. Eyes are puffy, heart felt broken, and my idea of motherhood changed. This mommy stuff is hard, and like a family friend said, “hormones are no joke!”

8/12/16 – Giuliana saw the beach and ocean for the first time (from afar). We went to Pacific City in Huntington Beach and ate lunch on a patio across the street from the beach. She was such a good girl. Fussed a little bit but not enough to make us leave. All in all, it was a great Friday afternoon.

10/30/16 – rolled from front to back for Daddy.

11/3/16 – Giuliana got her very first cold.

11/8/16 – mommy finally witnessed Giuliana roll over from her tummy to her back. On this day Donald Trump was also elected president.

12/2/16 – 9 days shy of 6 months, G tried baby oatmeal for the first time. She spit most of it out and then had 3 huge smelly poops after!

12/11/16 – Giuliana is sitting up all by herself!

1/22/17 – scooting backwards. Kind of like the army crawl.

2/1/17 – incredibly constipated after a week of new solid food. It was awful. Easing back into solids now. Oh and able to say mama!

3/3/17 – Began crawling for the first time! Mommy was home to witness it.

5/5/17 – Giuliana was really sick. 103.1 temperature and diarrhea. Poor baby was sick for 3 solid days. Spent tons of time cuddling her as much as possible. No appetite for food. Took her to the doctor’s and found out she had lost some weight due to not eating. 20 lbs and 27 1/2 inches long at 11 months old.

5/14/17 – My first mother’s day was wonderful. Went to brunch at Steven’s Steakhouse with Mejia family. Then came home and walked to Unsung Brewery and enjoyed a beer. David bought me spa treatments at Burke Williams and is planning on taking me to one of our favorite restaurants and the Winery in Newport Beach.

5/16/17 – Crawling around everywhere and pulling herself up on almost anything! My little one is fearless. We have witnessed her standing and balancing on her own. Any day, she’ll be walking. I’m guessing before her first bday. Sleeps in her crib (in our room) for the majority of the night. Mommy gives in though when she wakes in the middle of the night. I love cuddling with her, what can I say? Still only has two teeth (came in around 8 months). Babbling like crazy. Grunting like a gremlin and loves screaming when excited and of course upset.

5/24/17 – discovered Giuliana is allergic to eggs! Whole body rash and swollen eyes minutes after consuming scrambled eggs.

6/7/17 – Giuliana took her very first steps today. She is now able to crawl up the stairs at Grammy and grandpa’s house too!

11/9/17 – Obsessed with Minnie Mouse and the movie Frozen. Talking so much! Says “let’s go” to leave the house, get out of stroller etc. Excelling in swim class. This will be her second week in the intermediate class. Words she says now, mama, daddy, gigi, pa, Miah, Avery, Minnie, cow, pig, let’s go, okay, yeah, si, arbol, bird, I love you, num num, nana, mine, I know, agua, baba, towel, puffs, flor, car, buddy, Oliver, dog. Running around everywhere and loves playing at the park!

12/1/17 – First day without papi aka pacifier. Also, first day not to use a bottle for milk. Giuliana is also telling us when she’s going potty in her diaper. Is potty training in our near future?

12/2/17 – Heading to Crystal Cove today to visit Santa on the beach. Giuliana is watching Frozen this morning for the 7,000 time. She is obsessed with this movie and Minnie Mouse right now. Pooped in the potty for the first time. She was in the bathtub, gave me that look like she was going to start pushing, said “poo poo” I quickly dried her off and placed her on the potty. Proud mama!

12/8/17 – First hair cut. Since Her bangs were hanging over her eyes, went to get a bang trim. Specifically asked for bangs not to be straight across and welp, that’s what we got. She still looks absolutely adorable and Mama was proud she was so well behaved. Sat on my lap and not a peep out of her. Even thanked the woman who cut her hair when we left!

5/7/18 – Just returned from a family trip to Yosemite. Giuliana was obsessed with Auntie Cole all weekend and came home calling her Cole Baby as that was my Mom’s nickname for her. We also found out that Giuliana will be a big cousin this January as Nicole and Jack are expecting! So excited!

5/8/18 – As I was singing to Giuliana today, she walked over, held up her pointer finger, and commanded me to stop. Apparently, she was over my singing. Haha She is mimicking many actions and words these days so we need to be careful with what we say and do because she pays close attention. Her favorite thing to say/ask is “Where did it go?” She is playful, social, and is living up the terrible two’s with mama at home. Due to this, David and I decided to take a solo trip to Cabo. I’m beyond nervous to leave her for 5 days but it will be our first time away from her and I am thinking it will be great for our marriage as a couple.

12/25/18 – Last Christmas as a family of 3. Baby #2 is onboard but Giuliana still doesn’t know. Poor thing started with a cough yesterday, runny nose and congested today. She was in good spirits. Cuddled her much of the day and relaxed as much as possible.