You, Me and Baby makes THREE

Survival of the fittest is now what I imagine whenever I think of a mother. My Nana's nostalgic words strike again as she couldn't have put motherhood any better, "Mothers are martyrs." Yes, now as I AM  a mother those words couldn't be any more true because being a mother is giving every bit of yourself for another being. This February I was blessed to deliver, my first child, a healthy and handsome baby boy. And to think,  I thought five months of morning sickness was brutal. Well, let's just say these first four weeks of my son's life have been both a mental and physical uphill marathon. I won't deny the joy that his quirky faces and sleepy milk smiles have brought me. But boy oh boy learning how to be a mother is a complete full-time event. I'm not one to sugar coat situations so here it goes, from my personal to everyday duties, here are the facts.

After twenty hours of labor but only a good half an hour of pushing I naturally delivered my sweet son. Unfortunately, the labor and delivery were probably the easiest part of the beginning of this motherhood adventure. The first few days I was home my body was in shambles. I could barely walk and I was so sore down there I was using the Boppy as a type of hemorrhoid pillow instead of baby accessory. I know it was that bad. Then there was bloody Friday. My paranoid self thought I was hemorrhaging so I went to the ER. Turns out my cervix wasn't contracting the right way but all I needed was some pill poppin' action. Throughout all of this chaos I was trying to learn how to boobie feed. Yes, my 'lil guy wanted milk and he wanted it  fast. He was sucking so vigorously I thought I was going to run out of this liquid gold. All I can say is I was sore for the first two weeks of his sucking life. Finally, I made it through the rain, both literally and figuratively. Because four weeks and five days later I feel a little back to normal. I've still had some occasional postpartum anxiety meltdowns from sleepless nights, fear of SIDS and plain 'ole cabin fever but things are s-l-o-w-l-y getting better. Now whenever I think of my past life, before my beautiful Bebe, I resist to complain because nothing could be sweeter than looking at his face and these tootsies.

Galindo Bros and Sweet Sister

So have you ever had someone, lets say your husband, want to copy you all the time? Well, I have! And yes it's my husband…lol Actually we are so competitive we love stealing ideas from one another and making them better. I know, right?. Except this is a healthy copycat relationship. We DO confess that we stole the idea from the other, so no biggie. I know, kinda strange especially when some of the things we like to do involve crafting, baking and photography. I don't mind though. Like my mommy always told me, "Copying is a form of flattery." But I swear if Mr. G knew how to sew he would try to beat me at every creative idea I possess. That little rascal! 


So this brings me to photography. Last year my sisters and I had a gorgeous family photo shoot with the adorable and talented Ala from loveala. She produced some very special memories for us and my mother. But of course, this year, my husband wanted to do the same for his dad…See what I mean:) Except, I volunteered to take the photos for them. I love photography but seriously it ain't easy peezy! Hail to all professional photographers because it is definitely harder than it looks. After capturing the photos, editing and printing them out I realized that I need to practice litterally every day, to come even a smidge close to the pros. I think the creative aspect of photography comes a lot easier to me than pushing all the bells and whistles on the camera. So please don't judge my work as legit but instead look at it, for now, as a "Monet" in progress! (Like in Clueless where Cher says, "You see, it's like the painting. Seen from far away, it's okay; but up close, it's a big ol' mess.") LOL!


Below is my husband and the in-laws-enjoy:) These are a few of my favorites!

Nine Months and Counting

I'm officially nine months and no, today is not my due date. Women are actually pregnant for 40 weeks (which I didn't know:) and so that would equal 10 months of being pregnant. I like to count it this way. Technically I still have a few weeks left until my due date. This journey, emotionally, physically and creatively has been a whirl wind of surprises both positive and lets say interesting. Now, I'm looking forward to the next part of this journey, LIFE. The life of my new little bundle of boy! God willing our next photo update will be of our healthy baby boy and his own journey in this world.

Shower of Blessings

Dear little baby G's shower was held on the most beautiful day. On Saturday, January 15, 2011 the sun was shinning, friends were smiling and excitement was radiating underneath the tule shaded canopy. What can I say besides, I was blessed to have a perfect baby shower. Honestly, I was terrified that the recent rainy days were going to strike again and we would all end up in our winter boots covered with mud. Surprisingly, the day was gorgeous and actually a bit hot. I believe it was a gift from my sweet little Nana looking down on us and letting her love shine through for her great-grand son. The great grand son she knew and already loved at only three and half months but would never get to hold. So, thank you Nana, for your warmth that surrounded our family, friends and our baby boy that will be named after you.

Since my Nana was such a special woman and had an enormous part in raising me, this baby shower was truly dedicated to her. From the 1900's antique transportation theme to the photos of her holding me when I was a baby. Our colors were after my recent discovery that I love to love turquoise-all shades. Now, I'm a pink girl all the way but for some reason, maybe it's because I'm gonna have a boy, I just can't get enough of this jeweled color. It's a color that makes me want to reach out and touch it...then buy it…whatever it may be. From a luxurious throw, to a crisp new notepad for work, turquoise literally fills up three-fourths of my home's decor. And so for the baby shower we worked in the turquoise with black and white accents to create a boyish yet bit of 1940's glam. Here are the results…

B is for Boy! Yes, you are knockin' at the right house. Below are the silhouettes of myself, our first baby girls and Mr. G (another antique touch).

Antique transportation vehicles filled the rooms. My sister found this garden bike which we painted black, giving it just the right feel for our vintage theme. The packages were the gifts for the games.

I was also inspired by Disney's Lady and the Tramp movie. So, like the movie, the men were separated from the women and given cigars-chocolate cigars that is…they were placed in these vintage cigar boxes. The silhouettes below were our name badges and the "B-A-B-Y" sign was hung outside where guests signed a little note of love or advice for the parents to be:)

Our favors were lots and gobs of turquoise colored sweets for everyone to enjoy. 

Outside the guests were surrounded by hues of blue, white and simple winter centerpieces. One of my favorite details were the flying vintage airplanes. Mr. G and I were just speechless and filled with love because we have such sweet as sugar friends and family. 

The old fashion appies, made with love from my mommy, included scones, cucumber sandwiches and donuts. The picture perfect cake was created by my talented friend Nancy. 

 The grand finale was of course my "fauxto" booth. This time I wanted to mimic an antique silhouette frame. So- ta da! 

Week 33-36

Technically this week I am supposed to hold a honeydew but I think the squash from weeks 29-32 looks bigger. I switched it around a bit:) Here I am at 33 weeks-eekk, it's getting closer.

Simply Positive for 2011

Good ridden 2010. You have caused me pain, heartache, stress and an overabundant amount of tears. You have created a bah, humbug 2010 monster within me. I am really not usually a pessimist but this year has been the most difficult year, for not only myself but my family as well. And I am not going to blog about trying to find the good in 2010 because that was too difficult.  There was only one good that came out of this year, our pregnancy. Other than that I would like to say an official goodbye to:

teacher pink slips

those that dwell on the past

morning sickness
dementia
crazy family members
overspending
my Nana's struggle in her last breaths of life and her death

So, goodbye to you and Hello to happier days in 2011. I want to make this new year simply positive! In every event, thought, reaction and relationship I want to simply start with positiveness. Through this positiveness I will say hello to:

feeling secure 

having more faith

better thoughts

creative ideas

honest family relationships

sincere friendships

our son

Smart Shopping

Here is some fun shopping advice for all the pregger or soon-to-be pregnant mommies, start shopping! After each holiday is actually the best time to go out and hunt. Hunt, like a warrior! My family and I have been on the look out, for simple but adorable items that will fit Baby G next year. All you have to do is figure out the size your baby might be, what style you would like them to wear and most importantly, you have to know the gender. I know this might sound like common sense but some people get so wrapped up in the holidays they forget about their future baby. And who wants to spend full price on the items you could have gotten in advanced, for less, this year?

My favorite hunting grounds:

Nordstrom
Jack and Janie
Kohl's (they have really cute Carter's clothing)
Macy's

Here are some of my finds for the top holidays next year. My last mission, Valentine's Day and Easter. Baby G will already be born by Easter so I'll just have to find some fantastic threads for the following year!

The classic jack-o-lantern onsie and reindeer booties were purchased at Nordstrom. I found the Baby's First Thanksgiving bib at Kohl's but I also so it for more at Macy's.

Helping Hands

It's has been a three year tradition…and counting, that we make our ultra buttery Mini Linzer Cookies. Mr. G and I whip up a batch every year on the day before Christmas Eve for our family and friends. This year one of my besties, Edith came to learn how to make some for her family. Since they are so popular with the sugaraholics I want to share them with everyone else. Now you can make your family a batch of these scrumptious sweets.

We use the Food Network's Eli Zabar's variation recipe.

3/4 pound unsalted butter at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup good raspberry preserves
Confectioner's sugar, for dusting

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the butter and sugar until they are just combined, Add the vanilla. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt, then add them to the butter-and-sugar mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Dump onto a surface dusted with flour and shape into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.

Roll the dough 1/4-inch thick and cut 2 3/4-inch rounds with a plain or fluted cutter. With 1/2 of the rounds, cut a hole from the middle of each round with a heart or spade shaped cutter. Place all the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and chill for 15 minutes.

Bake the cookies for 20-25 minutes, until the edges begin to brown. Allow to cool to room temperature. Spread raspberry preserves on the flat side of each solid cookie. Dust the top of the cut-out cookies with confectioners' sugar and press the flat sides together, with the raspberry preserves in the middle and the confectioners' sugar on the top.

Here is how we make ours.

And these babies are the final products. Thanks for all your help Edith and Mr. G:)

Teachers are craft machines

Teachers are the most creative people I know. And I'm not just saying that because I'm a teacher, but because it's totally true. Each holiday, especially during Christmas, my colleagues amaze me. They come up with some crafty homemade gifts and treats to share. Let's see I've received delicious and colorful white chocolate bark, homemade personalized note cards, personalized magnets (which all teachers love for their white boards) and many more I can't remember. Last year I sewed together some felt gingerbread ornaments all dazzled up in Martha Stewart glitter. This year, I have tons to do so I just made some Snow Man Stew, curtsy of my sister Gens. So now it's my mission to share all of their fabulously crafty gifts with you so maybe you can replicate them. The first teachers to make it to my craft wall of fame are my friends;

La Monica= made the lovely hot pink scarf
Yadira, =made the decadent chocolate spoons
Stephanie=gave me a bag of Snowman poop
Inger  (picture not included, because I scarfed down her present)= made Pumpkin Cream Cake.

Pink & Green

This year I decided to wrap my Christmas gifts in two colors I love together, pink and green. Last year me, my husband and his family went to Utah for some snow boarding adventures. I'm not a big snow boarding fan so while they were hitting the slopes I decided to take advantage of the day after Christmas sales. I love me some Target so that's where I headed first. As I was searching through the isles my heart pounded with joy as I came across this adorable pink and green Hello Kitty, yes Hello Kitty, wrapping paper. I grabbed that sucker, along with many other treats, and called it a day! So, viola! My pink and green color scheme came to life with a few extra added details. My friend Svea, also gave me some wrapping pointers; she said tulle would be inexpensive and look great as a ribbon. It sure does! Now my new addiction-tulle!:)

The Ortiz Family

I haven't done a friend's family photo shoot since the summer. I'm so excited that I'm up and about taking photos again. I just love it! And although this is just a hobby, I love getting all this practice in! It is so much fun to hang out with family and friends, take snaps and make some memories.

Michelle is one of my long time elementary school friends. She is all grown up now with the most adorable family. Her, her hubby and two children are just plain cuteness. The kids were just ready to have a day of fun at the perfect-picture taking location, Heritage Park, in Santa Fe Springs. Here are some of my faves!

Looks like he is ready to play the day away!

She is all sunshine!

Okay this one is all personality, he was so funny!

Sweetness:)

Just hanging around and having a blast.

This reminds me of a Gap add, if I must say so myself:)

Big brother and 'lil sister

Michelle's hubby's VW is picture worthy for sure!

Just adorable!

A few of my favorite homemade ideas for this WEEK!

Here are some sweet homemade ideas for your last minute craft or bake-a-thon!

This is from Hostess with the Mostess blog. If I had more time I would totally do this…guess ya know what I'm thinking about baking for next year:)

Super cute ornament for all ya'll baking addicts:) See how they glitter at Prudent Bay.

Too simple but oh so sweet! Again, if I only had time….try it at eighteen 25 blog.

Lucky number 7

Yay, 7 months down! How many more to go? Well, I am officially in my third trimester and feeling not too shabby. Today, I had my monthly doctor's appointment and one of the nurses said, "You sure are all baby." I guess those extra seventeen pounds that I have gained are all going to baby G's muscles! Now it's crunch time. No more messin' around! I need to get down to business!! We have finally finished the baby shower invites. Next, on the agenda is to finish painting, crafting and ordering all the the details for the baby shower decorations. Oh ya, and we need to finish painting the trim, order the interior shutters, pick out a rug and install a closet organization system for the nursery. Jeez Louise, I…I mean Mr. G (hehehe) has a ton of things on his plate. Well, here is how I look before all the madness begins.
(p.s. don't mind all the blurriness; I'm practicing and trying to figure out how to use my new wide angle lens)

Eggplant= 25 to 28 months

Me at 7 months!

The invitations!:)

Gotta show the envelope:)