Santa is coming!

I look tired but we made it to the Nixon Holiday Party!

Big sister and little baby brother

She is going to guide Santa's sleigh

Our friend Kirsten stopped by yesterday.  Crying Joaquin!

Making tamales with Abuela.  So yummy!

It is hard to believe that Christmas is around the corner.  This is the last week before Aaron goes back to work and we are trying to make the most of it but it is going to be a sad day when he goes back to work. We will miss having him home and it will be tough for him as well!  However, we have been preparing for Christmas.  We got our tree and Tallulah has been very excited to help decorate.  Aaron put up lights outside the whole house along with our great neighbors Dave and Becky so our house looks festive!

The other day, Aubuela came over and we made tamales.  I am hoping to make this a Christmas tradition as the kids get older and have everyone involved and make it a big family gathering.
Joaquin is growing like crazy and starting to talk and smile a lot.  It is so amazing to watch them grow.  Today is my birthday and we are attempting to go to Julien and spend the day hanging around town and of course eating pie.

Look for pictures soon!

Love,
The Bravos

Joaquin is 5 weeks old!

One month old

At Sunshine Gardens during Grandma's visit

Our little artist at Art Soup

Thanksgiving Day

First bath

Happy holidays!  It is hard to believe that Joaquin is already 5 weeks old.  It has gone by fast but it has been a bit of a rough month for us.  First, our whole family was sick with colds so no one could come over and help us out during that first week and we really needed it.  It is a huge adjustment with having two children so that first week was pretty crazy for us plus we felt so bad that everyone was sick and no one could see Joaquin.  Then the second week, for the first time, we were all hit with a stomach virus.  First Tallulah, then Aaron was hit really hard then me. Thank goodness it did not hit Joaquin but we had a rough few days of just sitting in bed having Tallulah watch "The Mother Goose Club" on the ipad while we tried to rest.  Breastfeeding and having the stomach flu at the same time is not fun!  Sadly, our family was still sick so we had no one that could come over to help.  Finally, we got past it all.  However, breastfeeding was super painful for me and I was in denial that something was wrong since I had done it before but finally at a month, I went to this amazing lactation consultant and learned that I was feeding Joaquin wrong and his latch was not good so that was a relief.  Things are getting much better now. 

Aaron has to go back to work in two weeks which will be hard and a big adjustment for us all but then it will be Christmas right after so that will be nice.  We hope to spend these last two weeks doing some nice holiday family stuff like getting our tree, going to Julien, visiting Santa and just spending time as a family.

Joaquin is doing great and has grown so much.  He is a very mellow baby but eats a lot and it so strong!  I cannot wait to see what he looks like in 3 months.  Tallulah is doing much better now and is enjoying being big sister and is full of so much love for her baby brother.  We all went to the Encinitas Holiday parade this last Saturday and she was so happy.  We got to ride a school bus and then she got to show off her dance moves during the parade. Nixon was so awesome this year and set up private bleachers out front so we could watch the parade and had hot chocolate, pizza, hot cider, beer and other treats for everyone. It was a great family event and Tallulah loved it all.

We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas holiday. We will be spending it with our family here and look forward for Santa's visit and the joy on Tallulah's face!

Lots of love to you,
The Bravos

Joaquin has arrived!

Thank you Dr. Cap!

Look at that fine boy.

Special big sister gift from mama.

Happy Papa.

Beautiful Auntie Andrea.

Sweet Uncle Jeremy.

Four days old with big sister.

Minutes after Joaquin was born.

Happy cousin Julien!

Happy November to everyone! For us, it brings the amazing birth of our little Joaquin.  We had a very wonderful and successful natural VBAC birth.  I went into labor around 2:00am on Monday night with some contractions and my water breaking and then my body moved fast from there!  Joaquin was born 12 hours later with just one hour of pushing.  We could not have asked for a better birth.  A huge thank you and lots and lots of love to my amazing birthing team.  My constant support, my husband Aaron, our dream doula, Linda Goldsmith, the best nurse ever, Gillian and of course, every women's dream doctor, Dr. Capetanakis.  Without him, this VBAC would not have been possible.  I only wish more women could have a doctor like him.  Thank you all for believing in me especially when there were moments in the birth when I was not sure I would make it!  I am grateful to have shared in it with all of you.

Joaquin was born on October 30 at 1:51am. He was 8 pounds and 3 oz, 20.5 inches long and born with a full head of hair.  We are happily all at home.  Tired but very happy especially our big sister Tallulah.  She has taken her big sister roll very seriously and is an excellent helper with diaper changing.  She is also very protective of her little Joaquin. If he is crying or really upset, she comes running to make sure he is ok. 

Aaron is home for the next seven weeks so we are excited for some wonderful family time filled with trips to the park, pie eating in Julien and Christmas tree shopping.

Many of you were anxious to see Tallulah dressed as Frida for Halloween.  Sadly, Halloween was missed this year since we came home that evening and Tallulah wanted to stay home with her new brother.  We did have a great costume and an amazing pumpkin.  Next year!

We look forward to you all meeting him very soon!

Lots of love,
The Bravos

Final Countdown!

Our one rainy day!

Rocking out.

Tallulah's first time to try Pumpkin Pie.  Loves it like her Papa.

So this week was full of Fall weather but I was laughing as all of us were posting pictures to Instagram about wearing our Fall boots or Fall sweaters and I was posting pictures of making pumpkin pie and using my crock pot since the weather is supposed to jump up to the 80s all next week and be hot again.  Major bummer!!

We hopefully I go into labor after it cools down.  My doula is gone until the 17 so I want Joaquin to wait until then hopefully!  Tallulah's room is finally complete with all her pictures hung and little twinkle purple lights that she picked out.  She was so happy and gave Papa lots of love for his hard work.  I am not sure Aaron has had any break in the last two months of weekends.  Joaquin's room is almost done as well.  Just a few odds and ends.  We are treating every day, like I could go into labor at any moment so we are making sure to keep up on things like vacumming, dusting etc.  So far, so good.

Tallulah seems like she keeps growing taller and her hair longer.  It is crazy how tall and lean she is.  I also cannot believe how much she talks and sometimes the silly things that come out of her mouth.  She is so special.  Her and Papa have been really busy lately with playing music and dancing. Here is a video from this morning. Soon, we will have a full family band!

Happy weekend!

Love,
The Bravos

Hopefully Fall has begun!

The cutest cousins ever!

Little kiss!

New dress from Grandma Milanna.

My sweet sleeping Tallulah.

Remembering our little baby.

Based on the weather outlook for the next week, I am hoping Fall has arrived.  I am 38 weeks pregnant and I am ready for the weather to be cool.  Plus, there is something weird about the idea of going to a pumpkin patch when the weather is 80 degrees so I am looking forward to the change.

As I said, I am just about to start my 38 weeks and things are going good.  We had a quick ultra sound on Friday and Joaquin is ready to go and all smooshed inside my belly.  He is head down, getting ready for his exit.  Now we just wait!

We have been enjoying our time with Tallulah as much as we can since every day could be the last day, it will not be the three of us anymore.  While we are all excited about Joaquin's arrival, it is emotional at times to think it will not just be Tallulah and us anymore.  Big and exciting changes are coming our way!

Tallulah is such an amazing girl and has been dancing and singing up a storm for us.  She is quite the enterntainer.  Soon, she wil be starting a tap and ballet class which I think she will love.  She has been helping get Joaquin's room ready which is somewhat close to being done.  Of course, we will not move the crib and rocking chair into his room until he is older and then Tallulah will get her big girl bed.  For now, he will sleep in our room and she will remain happy and comfy in her crib.

Today, Aaron is taking Tallulah hiking which she has been asking for, while I make a trip to Ikea for a few things for Joaquin's room.  Another weekend already almost over, they go by so fast!

Keep an eye out for a text message when we go into labor!  Stay tuned.

Lots of love,
The Bravos

 

Tallulah's new favorite song "Back in USSR"

35 weeks pregnant and the heat is miserable!

Touching sea stars at Birch Aquarium.

Look at that big fish!

Peyton and Tallulah with happy cupcakes faces.

Yummy!

Super pregnant mama and Tallulah at aquarium!

When Tallulah was born in July of 2010, that was one of the coldest summers in San Diego and with Joaquin being due in October, so far it has been the hottest summer on record for San Diego.  In particular, the coast.  Usually, people escape places like Poway or Chula Vista to come to the coast where it is cooler.  Not this summer!! It has been hot everywhere.  It was actually in the low 90s in Encinitas and Cardiff.  We have never experienced that since we lived here!

The bonus of places like Poway etc., is they usually have air conditioning.  Not in North County Coastal.  It has been rough trying to keep Tallulah busy while not suffering from the heat.  I am so pregnant at this point, that it is getting uncomfortable to walk around or be on my feel a lot which is tough when you have a busy toddler.  Let's hope it cools down soon.  I cannot imagine laboring at home with this heat!

The worse part is that I had a stomach virus from bad food at a party a couple weeks ago. It was mild for Aaron but since I am pregnant, it hit me harder.  Horrible stomach cramps, chills, achy body, all I could do is lie down.  Once I started getting better, we ate at this restaurant we always go to and then I got sick again.  Aaron had it mild but I was hit hard again and then the heat did not help!  With the baby taking up so much room, I also cannot eat as much so I have to take things slow.  Aaron has been a huge help since it was a rough two weeks. Good news is that I am feeling much better and back to normal except for being almost 36 weeks pregnant!

Joaquin's room is still a mess.  We have not painted Tallulah's room or Joaquin's room yet, it seems it has either been too hot or just too busy.  We hope this weekend to get it done!  There are things we still need for Joaquin like more diapers, some baskets for his clothes etc. and maybe a few more random newborn outfits but it will come together.

Tallulah seems to sense that the baby is coming soon. She talks about Joaquin all the time and wants to play with him and feed him milk.  She really is going to be an amazing big sister.  She has been happy painting, playing outside, running errands in the air conditioned stores and just hanging in there with her mama.  In November, she will start a tap and ballet class which I know she will love.  We have to get her shoes!! She loves singing and dancing.  That girl has a natural ear for sound!

Last weekend, we had a great day hanging out at Shelter Island with Uncle Jeremy's parents and all the family was there.  Tallulah loved playing with Jeremy's niece, Peyton, who is 3. It was a special day since she got to eat a cupcake.  Here are some pictures.

This weekend, we are celebrating Uncle Rich's birthday and going to Barrio Star in North Park with the family and Aaron's Tio Julio and Tia Yolanda.  It will be fun!

Stay cool!  Next doctor's appointment is next Friday.

More to come.

The Bravos

September is here but it is hot!

Tallulah and her boats.

Watering the strawberries.

I cannot believe how hot it has been.   Not ideal for a 33 week pregnant lady but it looks like it will cool down later this week.  We had a great labor day weekend.  The weather was great and the waves were pumping.  On Saturday, Tallulah loved digging in the sand and splashing in the ocean with Papa and Mama.  However, I think it may have been one of my last beach days, we will see!

On Sunday, we took Tallulah to one of her favorite places, the gardens and she got to play in the river of boats.  It was pretty warm out so there was no one there so it was nice to be there without the crowns of children.  On Labor Day, we went to Tallulah's friend Jakey's  birthday party.  It was the prefect party with a bunch of kids playing in the back yard, digging dirt, playing with the chickens and eating yummy snacks.  Tallulah must have had a fun weekend because on Monday, she took a super long nap adn woke up like a ball of energy.

Today we have our 33 week doctor appointment and then will meet with our doula Linda to start planning our birth etc.  Joaquin moves all the time.  Last night, he was doing crazy sommersaults or something because my stomach was pushing out in all sorts of places.  He is a busy boy!

We had hoped to paint Tallulah's room this weekend but we could not find the paint anywhere from when we moved so that is on hold until we go to Home Depot. Hopefully, next weekend.

Aaron has been very busy with various bag orders.  He has 16 bags that he needs to complete in the next week or two.  It is hard to fit it in but we love that people want the bags.

We hope you all had a great three day weekend!

Love,
The Bravos

One of Aaron's recent creations for Seapod.

Our little beach girl.

Such a Little Girl

Hiking with Papa. "What is this?"

Breastfeeding her baby Medium

Antique Shopping with Mama and Papa

September is almost here and I am 32 weeks pregnant!  It is hard to believe that Joaquin will be here in less then two months.  His room is still a mess as we are still trying to hang pictures and unpack from the move two months ago.  It is a slow process but we know it will come together.

Aaron and I have been amazed in these last weeks how much Tallulah has become such a little girl.  When did this happen?!  We swear she had another growth spurt and is just forming into the most amazing, smart and beutiful little girl.  She outsmarts us every day!  Tallulah is also growing into quite the big sister and Joaquin is not even here yet.  She keeps asking us to take him out and she wants to have a peek.  It will be such a fun time for her when he arrives.

Tallulah is also in love with music and dance.  We are always amazed with her great rythm and ablittiy to sing any song she hears.  We just got this amazing record player and brought in all my records from when I was little and I am proud to say that she is in love with Annie.  Just like her mama!  Tallulah keeps singing "Tomorrow" and "Its a Hard Knock Life".  Priceless!

Hopefully this labor day weekend, we can paint Tallulah's room and then eventually Joaquin's.  We look forward to getting it all done.

Hope your summer is winding down and is a happy one.

Love,
The Bravos

Third Trimester here we come!

Tallulah driving the van.

Snack time while hiking with Papa.

Dirt is fun.

It is hard to believe that it is August and I have just started my third trimester.  I feel pretty big with my belly sticking out so much in front this time with this little baby boy.  Joaquin is very active and loves to move and kick. He is one busy guy!

His room is not even close to ready but that is ok, we still have time.  The only thing we really need to get is a double stroller so we can go on fun walks with big sister Tallulah.  It is crazy how much they charge for those things!

Tallulah has been busy with loving going to the beach, swim lessons, playing with her new friend Josalyn (our neighbor), they are a perfect sassy match and doing fun things with her family.  We just got home from Abuela's house and celebrated Auntie Sara's birthday.  It was a a wonderful time.

Aaron loves his new job at Nixon and has a few big art/sewing projects he is working on which is he wants to finish before Joaquin is born in October so things are good and busy.

We hope you are all enjoying your summer.

Love,
The Bravos

Auntie Andrea and Uncle Jeremy's Wedding

Amazing Flower Girl

Dancing Queen

Stunning!

Aaron was a natural

Kiss for Auntie

Perfect

Last weekend was Auntie Andrea and Uncle Jeremy's wedding. It was the perfect day.  It was at the South Coast Winery in Temecula.  It was hot but the wedding was in the evening and it was beautiful with a nice breeze.  Aaron officiated the wedding and was very honored to marry them but very nervous as well.  Aaron and I wrote the vows together and everyone was so happy with his loving words.  I have to say that Aaron was a natural up there and looked pretty handsome in his suit but no one looked as stunning as Andrea.  She was so beautiful.  Her and Jeremy were beaming.

Tallulah was the perfect flower girl.  She was so cute and did everything with such joy.  I think she may have stole the show at the reception with her dancing skills as well.

It was a great day filled of family and love and we are so excited for Andrea and Jeremy's future.  They are a wonderful match and his family is such a compliment to ours.  We look forward to all the fun to come.

Thank you to them for a great weekend.

We love them very much.

Love,
The Bravos