My Little Honeydew

I feel terrible. I haven't written a single post about Juliette. If I have, I don't remember. And, I don't think there were very many posts about Riley either. I guess when you're waiting for your first child, you have more time to think and more time to write. Also, there's a little less mystery involved. Every pregnancy is different, I'm sure. For the mother and for the father. I really do think that Lindsey and I need to talk about what's on our minds about this baby that's going to be in our life--is already--in our life.

We did get the chance to talk a little about this pregnancy last night. Both of us are surprised that this pregnancy is going by so quickly. I think it's all of the outside distractions. My job changes. Lindsey's job changes. Luke and Riley's antics. We've almost forgotten (at least I have) that we're going to have another human join our family.

I think the fact that we're expecting a girl this time has made me a little freaked out. Baby humans are baby humans. Right? Well, girls are different. It's nature. And I'm a dad and I can't wait to love my little daughter. I mean, I already do. But, I want to see her. I want to hold her. I want to get to know her. This is where I think Lindsey has the advantage. Everywhere she goes, Juliette goes. I know, pregnancy isn't easy. It's hard. I'll never know. And I want to be as supportive as I possibly can to Lindsey as she carries our baby.

According to my baby app, Juliette is the size of a honey dew melon. I'm going to read a bit more about what's going on in there. Some things don't change in pregnancy. Just like when we were expecting Luke, I'm wondering what she'll look like. What's her hair color? Eye color? Who's nose does she have? What's her personality like?

I'm so excited to meet our little girl. I'll try to write a few more posts before she's here. Due date is June 13th. :D

:)

Our little guy is finally here! Riley was born yesterday at 6:05 pm MDT. He weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces. Lindsey and I are still in the hospital, we're waiting for my parents to come visit with big brother, Luke.

Here's a picture.

Love

Luke is fast asleep on his morning nap. That boy is stubborn like is mommy (and me), but he loves to eat and sleep. At what time he naps and when he eats, that is what he'll argue with me about. I'm learning how to be firm and cleaver with the boy. He needs to know that I'm in charge and he needs to know that it's the best idea. Dang, I sure do love that kid!

Mornings have been ours lately. My schedule requires me to work late. We've been making the best of it. We have our routine--exercise/stretch, breakfast, activity then nap. Today's activity was the zoo. We have a year pass, so we do the zoo a lot. Luke loves it and so do I. We saw the crocodiles today. There was a big one and two little ones. Luke said, "there's the daddy crocodile and there's the Lukie crocodile and there's the Riley crocodile". 

We're almost there... Riley will be here before we know it. My pregnancy app says he's the size of a honeydew melon. Just 6 weeks, and 6 days left until the due date. 

I feel a little guilt. I don't feel like I'm as excited about Riley as I was when we were expecting Luke. I think with Luke it was mysterious. We didn't know what to expect. All we knew is that our lives were about to change. Boy, did we have no idea how much our lives would change. Change for the good. Change that's been difficult, but good. And the love that's poured into our lives is immeasurable. This love is about to double. I can't even imagine. It's starting to hit me about now. We're going to be tasked with loving another human. A new life. Luke is already sorting out his toys to give to Riley. He knows who Riley is and it's super cute seeing his excitement. 

His Name is Riley

This blog was started when Lindsey and I found out that we were expecting our first little guy (Luke). Now we're on number two. It was my intention to keep this blog updated with this pregnancy. It's a good (family) historical record. Google's servers are not very soon going to be shut down or fail, so I think this is a good place to record stuff. Plus, it's good to share what's on our minds to our friends and family who care.

Right now, I'm siting on our love seat in the office, watching Planes Fire and Rescue with Luke. Luke's eating some "pop pop" (popcorn). I'm here thinking about what we'll be expecting in May. Luke changed our lives in a huge way. This new little guy, I think, will have an equally huge impact. I haven't written as much in this blog as I have when we were expecting Luke. I think there are a few reasons why, and reasons I don't really feel like exploring. Probably just my selfishness and lack of planning. Whatever.

Here's a picture of what's happening right now:

The little guy is going to be named Riley. We're still thinking about a middle name right now. We're going to do a Spanish middle name. We're thinking Ramon, Mateo, or Miguel. Luke's middle name is Manuel, so we want to keep that trend. Anyway, we're excited. Luke's excited. Luke will sometimes try to give food to Riley via giving it to mommy. He'll say things like, "give this food to Riley, he's hungry". It's cute. I'm not sure if he completely knows what's happening in mommy's tummy, then again, neither do I. Luke does know he has a little brother growing, and that he'll meet Riley soon.

So, in case it wasn't apparent, we have a name for Riley. It's Riley. And we know that he's a baby boy. I can't wait to hold him. I can't wait to see Lindsey hold him. I can't wait for Riley and Luke to meet. I just pray for a healthy pregnancy, and that we know what to do when he gets here.

A Girl?

I haven't written in this blog in a while. I would like to start writing a bit more frequently. I guess I'm being a bit more cautious... This past spring we announced we were expecting. Sadly, we lost the pregnancy.  We were super excited, and then really sad.

We are now full of joy again. Lindsey is not 11 weeks, she'll be 12 weeks on Monday. We've heard the heartbeat and seen the heartbeat on the ultrasound. Our doctor/midwife tells us that this is a good sign. We're praying that the pregnancy is a healthy one.

Listening to the heartbeat brought me back. I remember listening to Luke's heartbeat for the first time. Everything was new then. This time, it's a bit familiar to me, but makes me just as happy.

So, Lindsey thinks it's a girl, and I kinda do to. Luke even thinks it's a girl. This means it's probably a boy. haha! I'm starting to think of names. All of us have "L" names, so I feel a little pressure to look for an "L" name for this new baby.

I'll be posting more often. I'll leave this blog post with our first ultrasound images.

So happy!!!!

They all look the same to me, honestly. They tell me this is a baby. Haha! I trust the professionals. 

Dominguez #2 (sweet pea)

Lindsey is pregnant! She's only 6 weeks, but I thought I would bring this blog back now. The name of this blog is Our Little Rasberry indicating how big Luke was when he was in Lindsey's womb... This little one is the size of a sweet pea. According to my baby apps, this little one's heart is beginning to beat mad his/her internal organs are beginning to develop. 

I'm supper excited! We've got another addition to our family on he way! I'm excited to see Lindsey and I grow as parents and as a married couple. I'm excited to see how Luke reacts to the addition of a baby brother/sister. He's going to be such a grata big brother. 

I feel blessed. Our family is. I complain a lot--about my job and lack of traveling. That's all nothing. Life changes. My jobl'll probably change. I'll have other opportunities to travel.

I'll keep up with this blog and remind Lindsey to write in it, too. 

Bye, for now. 

I Love You!!!!!!!!!!!

Its your birthday! You're 30! Words can't express how much I love you! I hope you feel special on the first day of your 30s. I'm honored to see what changes your 20s have brought--wife, amazing mom, I'm so excited to see what your 30s will bring.

So, its Thanksgiving, it's also your birthday. I'll see you in a few hours! Well sing happy birthday and we'll eat turkey (not in that order). Then heck! We'll even drink a glass of wine. A toast! To you!

Click here _----------> http://bobthehermit.blogspot.com/2013/11/happy-birthday.html

Our Prize Pumpkin

I was looking back at Luke's baby blog, and this post specifically New Ultrasound Images. How things have changed! The post was written on Lindsey's birthday, November 28, in 2011. Two years later my questions about the color of his skin, eyes and hair have been answered. He's now much heavier than a pound. And he's grown from the size of a raspberry to the size of a prize pumpkin. Interestingly enough he loves raspberries and can eat many of them in one sitting. So, just an update, I was correct that he has brown eyes and his hair is curly.

Luke!

Haven't posted anything on this blog since our wonderful Luke was born. He's now 91 days old and he is beautiful! He's napping right next to me at this moment.

This morning I gave Luke a bath. He loves his bath times. I wrapped him up in his baby towel and he gave me the cutest grin.

I love my son so much. He and his mom are my world.

Right now we're trying to introduce the bottle. He's still getting the good stuff (breastmilk). The first day he didn't care for the bottle at all. But the second day was a different story. He took it pretty quick. He still doesn't like formula, but that's fine for now.

Almost There

Less than a month away. We will hold our little son. We have no idea how we're supposed to feel right now. We don't know what to expect.

We've taken one birthing class where our teacher explained to to us when to go to the hospital and what to expect as far as pain during delivery. (Lindsey's pain. I'll be in pain for her.) She also demonstrated what birth is going to be like with a little doll, some fake hip bones and a uterus made of yarn.

Little man, we're ready to meet you. You're going to radically change mine and your mother's lives. We already love you.

Countdown to B Day

Gosh.....Where to even begin?  We went to the midwife's a few weeks ago and we have another appt. this coming Friday and everything seems to be going by so fast!  Luke is growing and kicking harder than ever and although my midwife said I've only gained 6 ibs so far, I think that will be changing very soon, in fact after this week, I think it's safe to say its already in progress.  Just this week he feels like he's so much bigger, wedging himself into my right lunge and kicking me awake at night.  It's been hard but good if that makes any real sense. My hormones are running rampant and I am losing sleep more often, but aside from that, I know Luke is healthy and growing.  This week I have been sending out baby shower invitations and registering at Target, as well as at Babies R Us. Nausea is making a cameo appearance a few days lately which is not cool, but luckily its few and far between and does not last as long, nor is it as bad as it was at the beginning of the pregnancy.  No real crazy cravings right now, lately I've been wanting the usual.....pizza, mac and cheese and no broccoli lol and sometimes I really want fish and chips......odd.  That's pretty much the whole deal right now.  The countdown is on!!

55 More Days

This baby is coming! According to my app on my phone we have only 55 more days til little Luke comes. I'm not ready! I'm freaking out a little, I'm not going to lie. Lindsey emailed me the plan today for delivery date. This is real.

Ultrasound Four

I'm listening to a Jack's Mannequin album I got from Sean a few years ago. It reminds me of playing Starcraft in my bedroom in my basement apartment. That seems like such a long time ago. That was probably 2005 or 2006. It's now 2012. So six or seven years. I would have never dreamed that I would one day be expecting a baby.

But here I am. He's on his way. In thirteen weeks this little guy is going to turn my world upsidedown. I can't help but be filled with emotion right now, mostly joy, but fear too. I want to be my best for him and for Lindsey, too. I want to protect him.

Today we had our fourth ultrasound. Everytime it's an amazing experience. Today he was making faces for us. It was super cute.

The person who runs the ultrasound said that he's a bit smaller than average, which is surprising because Lindsey and I are both taller than average. She said it's nothing to really be concerned about though.

Lindsey's starting to show more and more, too. We're officially in the third trimester. Last night, I was feeling Lindsey's tummy and I felt Luke wiggle a lot. It really makes me happy when he wiggles.

When I get home to my scanner, I'll post some images of the ultrasound today.

Joy!

I want to shout with joy! In fact, I have been all morning. I'm listening to a Christmas song being played on the cello on public radio, it's Christmas Eve, and we have a baby on the way!

This past week, I've been able to feel him move more and more. It's almost like a dream when I feel him wiggle. That's my boy! I thank God for him already!

I think that's all I have to write about for now. It's Christmas Eve! I'm going to enjoy my day.

Luke "no middle name" Dominguez

Hello and Merry Christmas!  Just a quick update on our baby, Luke no middle name Dominguez.  Any suggestions for a middle name?  That has been the hardest part!!!  Well, he is getting bigger and I now have an official "baby bump".  He is also a kicker.  He kicks a lot and is really active.  This morning I am pretty sure I felt an elbow.  It was crazy because it was right there just kind of sticking out and I could feel it really defined.  He also has a pattern, now.  He likes to move a lot first thing in the morning and then after I eat, and again around 7 in the evening.  We have another appointment coming up on January 9th, with another ultrasound, so hopefully we can get some good pictures.  Sleeping is becoming more of a challenge because he likes to move a lot, forcing me to move around a lot to get comfortable, luckily for me, I sleep on my side normally so I haven't had to drastically change anything too much.  Even Lorenzo has gotten to feel him kick.  It feels like he's doing summer salts in there :)  Still no crazy cravings, just things like apples, still, and pizza.  Lately its been Dion's pizza.  We have been going to a small group, too and two of the couples there announced they are pregnant and due in July about a week apart from each other which is really exciting to have people our age to share it with. Lots going on.  Anyways just a quick update, will write more after the appointment in January!

New Ultrasound Images

Tomorrow, Lindsey will be 22 weeks pregnant with Luke. According to my weekly email from babycenter.com, he is about 11 inches long and he weighs almost a pound. The email is also telling me that all of his facial features, including his eyelids, eyebrows and lips are starting to become more distinct.

I can't wait to see this little guy! Is he going to have fair skin like his mom, dark skin like me, or a mix of the two? Will he have brown eyes, or blue, maybe green? More than likely he'll have brown. I remember my genes lesson from back in high school. The blue eye gene that Lindsey carries, is two recessive genes. My brown eye gene is either one recessive blue and a dominant brown, or just two dominant browns. If I carry two dominant browns, then our baby will have brown eyes and carry a recessive blue. But if I carry a recessive blue, then there is a chance that he'll have blue eyes. My dad tells me that his grandfather had blue eyes. So ya never know. Whatever color Luke's eyes are will be perfect. What color of hair will he have? Will it be black like mine, or will he have lighter hair like Lindsey's? Will he have curly hair? I'm  thinking there's a good chance of him having curly hair. Will he have my nose, or Lindsey's nose? Will he have my ears or Lindsey's ears? Will he be left handed like Lindsey, or right handed like me? I hope he's left handed. I just want him to be a healthy baby. That is my prayer. Everything else will be a surprise, and it will be perfect. He's my son and I'm already excited to see his little face. These ultrasound photos are really neat, but I'm sure it's not even close to what we'll experience as parents when we see him in person. I'm excited. I hope I'm a good dad.

Here are the ultrasound images from our last appointment. He looks a bit cranky in some of them.

random 20 week appt

We had our 20 week ultrasound last Friday.  Everything seems to be going well, his heart rate was 154 bpm which is good and I got a shot that hurt for whooping cough, but good thing because everyone at work is really sick.  We got some pretty good pictures of Luke at this last visit, too.  There is one that's really funny where he looks like he's pouting and crossing his arms.  Zo will scan them and put them up soon.  So far everything is looking great except that I need to gain more weight.  I'm working on it, I eat everything but for whatever reason it's taking me a long time.  Anyways more to come later.

Luke.

So Lorenzo and I found out we're having a son and we decided on naming him Luke, after much debate.  Its a name we both really like, and we don;t know any Luke (s) so we don't have any name/face associations with it.  No middle name yet, we're still working on it.  We have an ultrasound next Friday morning at our midwife clinic and i'm excited see how much he's grown already!  The nurse told us tat he will be tall, at the lat ultrasound his spine was already really long.....I don't know how I feel about that, I hope he's not HUGE lol.  I have started to feel him move a little inside my stomach, it's an odd feeling.  He usually moves after I eat or when I drink something cold.  He's the most active at night and early in the morning around 5am when i'm still in bed.  Zo hasn't been able to feel it yet but soon he'll be able to.  I'm starting to show a little too.  I still look like maybe I just drink a lot of beer or something but if I wear some of my normal clothes, I have a baby bulge.  Nothing spectacular, but its there.  It's big enough to cause me a little comical problem when I was trying on 80s prom dresses for a birthday party i'm going to this weekend.  Those 80s dresses aren't mad for pregnant people, lol, back to the drawing board until I come up with something...

We Found Out the Sex of the Baby (85% sure)

As I am typing this right now, I am also scanning out ultra sound images from August 24, 2011 and October 17, 2011. I really can't tell you what the images are saying from August. When the ultrasound was happening we could see a flickering. That was the heartbeat. That was still exciting. It was also just exciting to see the bit of mass on a screen.

This most recent ultrasound, the one we had yesterday, was especially exciting because we were able to find out the sex of the baby. My mom and dad were there and so were Lindsey's parents. They prepared Lindsey while Steve, my parents and I just chatted away in the lobby. Finally after 15 minutes or so they called us back. I walked in first and you could see on the screen images--of exactly what, I couldn't tell you. Then the nurse began to point things out to us and began to explain what she was looking for. It was amazing to see our little baby on that screen! He was moving like crazy. Yes, I said "he". The nurse was able to tell that it's a boy. At least she's 85% sure of that. We were all confused because at first she said it was a girl. Then, oh wait a minute. Yup, it's a boy. She was able to get a measurement of the baby's heartbeat, which is healthy, and we were able to tell the sex.

We sure are proud parents-to-be... To celebrate, we went to Sizzler after. It was fun to just hang out with all the parents and Lindsey. What a great night.

As promised, I finally got my scanner to work. Here are the images.

Random food, happenings and life!

Today I had another appointment after a week of excitement.  We went to Denver to see our friends who were expecting a baby (Avery, a girl) and Jenna was due on Sunday.  Instead, she had it last night so we are really excited for them:)  Then today, I went in for an appointment and we got to hear the heartbeat again, only this time it was louder, stronger, more pronounced!  We have a ultrasound at Care Net on Monday night to hopefully find out the sex of the baby (i'll be 16 weeks next Tuesday). I have my suspicions its a girl but who knows, I could be waaay off, lol.  So far I still haven't had any really odd cravings, but I do have specific cravings now.  These consist of cheese slices and either apples or nectarine slices.  That's the strongest craving of all, and cheesy things in general like grilled cheese, shells and cheese, anything cheese.  Fruit, also, which s funny because i'm not usually a big fruit eater.  Also anything sweet.  I may have stopped at McDonald's (I know, I know, i'm ashamed, too!) for a hot fudge sundae....double fudge....well worth the 1.50 and drive thru stop.  In Denver I might have cheated but I had a decaf latte or two....or three the whole week we were there, which was nice, because the Doctor said I could have up to two small cups of regular coffee a day, but I chose not to have any up until a week ago for vacation, even so, I still will only drink decaf and only once in a while.  Well, that's it for now, Hopefully we can determine the sex on Monday!!!

Here is a picture further down of a baby at 15 weeks, which is what I am right now :)