The Girl's First Christmas.

Well technically, it was the girls first Christmas. Last year Olivia was too young to understand and we did not make a big deal of it, she just got a few things in her stocking (which she had previously picked out at the store). This year was much more exciting. In fact, I have not seen the need for our video camera until today. I wanted to update the blog while it was fresh in my memory so I sat and watched the videos from today. I am thankful that Albert's tech obsession got us a camera because I will watch the video of Olivia opening gifts over and over again. It is too long to post but Albert is going to try to figure out how to put clips of the highlights on here. This video is a shorter one of after all the presents have been opened. Of course her car was the main attraction. She spent the morning getting in and out of it and telling us all bye. She was very protective of it too. She waved Abuelo away when he tried to touch it.

okay had trouble uploading (video to follow) :(

Izadora did very well for her first Holiday season. We went to Tia's house for dinner on Christmas Eve and were there very late. She slept the entire time and saved the feeding for when we got home and only had 4 hours to sleep :). Today she slept through most of the present opening in Tia Hizel's arms. She loved the attention of visiting family that wanted to hold her because like her older sister she loved being in arms. Her gifts were mostly cloths which is fun so she can have her own style. Oh, she also got several books and a few dolls. I can't wait for next Christmas when Olivia AND Izadora will be ripping the gifts apart.

p.s. some of the photos are from when we went to the Old Mission Candle Lights one evening.

Izadora IS HERE!

So, for those of you who did not get all the details Izadora is here now. On Sunday December 5th I started pre-labor and early in the morning 5:30 am on Monday December 6th Izadora Lavinia Palma was born. She weighed 8lbs 8oz and was 20.2 inches long. The active labor was super quick (4.5 hours) and Izadora came out with only 3 pushes. There are a lot more gory details but of the people who read this I am not sure if I should put them on here. If you would like to know just comment and I'll tell you. 

She has a full head of black hair and looks exactly like Olivia did when she was born. We had a rough first few nights where she did not know it was sleepy time and kept us up, but since we have been home she has been doing really well. She sleeps 3-4 hours through the night, all day, and feeds all day and all night. Her big sister loves her very much and says, "bebe, bebe" whenever she sees her. Olivia likes to pat her head, help burp her, and lay on the bed with her. She is so cute in the morning she comes in mama's room and lays down then pats the bed next to her for Izadora to lay down. 

Well, that is all for now. I have got to get back to playing with these little munchkins.

Halloween!

Well, I am glad to hear that some people actually look at this. :) For Halloween we went to the Base because they have safe and abundant trick or treating at the housing. We went mostly to the Officers housing and cleaned out like bandits. It was fairly busy too. At some points there were lines to get candy. Towards the end of the night all the houses had lines so we decided to pack it in. Besides, I am pregnant and had to pee after an hour and a half. Olivia got the hang of it it after a few houses and would carry her bucket up to the door all by herself. After they gave her candy she would turn and walk down to the sidewalk. It was soo cute!

I had another doctors appointment yesterday. My glucose test for diabetes was a little high but she didn't make me take the next test because I was only over by 2 points. Izzy is kicking and moving like a runner. She has slowed down just a little bit but I think that is just because she is getting bigger and has less space. My belly is huge! I think my belly button might come close to popping out this time. Ollie likes to pat on my tummy and talk to it. Sometimes she wants to lift my shirt at the wrong time, like in the grocery store. Albert and I set the birth plan for Izzy and are going to pack the hospital bag tonight. We are getting ready and are very excited to see Grandma & Grandpa.

Curious

Does anyone even look at this anymore?

La Vida Nueva

Well, I feel super pregnant now. Izzy is squishing my lungs and I started having pain in my pelvis. She moves so much and she's getting so big that I can tell which parts are poking me. I can feel the difference between an arm, leg, and head or bum. Olivia hugs my belly and sometimes lifts up my shirt to pat her hermana.

We have been trying to keep busy here in El Paso. Albert and I picked out Izzy's come home outfit. We are not as in love with it as we were with Ollie's but it seems we just don't like winter clothes as much as summer clothes. I'll try to remember to post a pic of it next time. We had another doctor's appointment and everything is looking good. We are using a midwife this time and I feel really comfortable. She says she just wants to let us do whatever we want and she's just there to make sure all is safe. We also bought a baby doll for Ollie so when Mama & Papa have to take care of Izzy she can take care of her baby.

Ollie really seems to enjoy it here. She loves playing with Jonathan even though he doesn't like to share with her. She follows him around all day. They play on the slide, dance, push toys around, and go through all of the books in the room. We went to a ranch the other day with bisabuela and fed all the different animals. Olivia was fearless and I was scared that all the birds were gonna eat her fingers. Albert and I have been taking the kiddos to the mall to play in the play area and they really love it. This last time we also bought tickets for them to ride a train. Olivia threw a fit when she had to get off. Ollie's eating habits have changed for the worse and it is very frustrating for Albert and I. She won't eat ANY vegetables and only wants carbs or sweets. However her potty training is going awesome. Most days she only has accidents at night, nap time, and for poops. She has even lead me to the bathroom a few times so she could go.

Last week we went to Tia Hizel's house to eat dinner and after we all loaded up onto her bed to play Mario Kart. It's was fun and Ollie fully enjoyed the cat. We also built a house for Weirdo where we could put a heater since it is starting to cool down here. She didn't dig it the first night but the next she went in by herself. I have been very surprised that she hasn't been digging her tunnels here. She has dug in every enclosure we have ever put her in but not here. Weird.

Well, we miss everyone and can't wait to see family soon! We are also squirelling away a little money so we can go to Portland next summer.

Our move completed

Well, we live in Texas now. We are truly blessed to have family to take care of us. Of course it is a little hard for Albert and I, we have been living independently for so long. However, this is an important transition for our family. Olivia is loving living with her primo. Even though they fight on occasion she is very social and follows him around like a puppy.

I had another Ultrasound yesterday. The new baby is definitely a girl. She was hiding her face but as always moved alot. She has found a few spots that she likes to kick and punch the most and has discovered that she can wedge herself under my ribs. I am having heartburn just as I did with Ollie and we saw hair on the ultrasound so I am sure she will have just as much. She weighs 3.7lbs so far and everything looked perfect the doctor said.

We cannot afford a new birthing class, so we bought a book on hypnobirthing. Hopefully with everything we learned from the last classes and the new relaxation techniques this labor will go a little smoother.

Anyways, here are photos from our visit to Phoenix. I miss it there so much. It was really nice to spend so long even if the last week was for such a sad occasion.

Our move to Texas: First phase.

We were in El Paso for about 3 days together before Momma went back to Portland to finish up packing. We went to the zoo and shopping to get out of the heat. Olivia loves other kids and is having a blast with her primo Jonathan. Olivia was fascinated by the seal lions and it was so cute to watch her looking for them.

I miss Olivia so so much. I didn't think it was going to be this hard. Thankfully at this point it is almost over. We video chat everyday but I almost always end up crying and then feel weird that Albert can see me sobbing. She is going to be with her Grandma and Grandpa and Tios in just 2 days! I hope it goes well and they all have fun.

Issy has been keeping me entertained as much as she can. Right now she is doing the samba in my belly. The other morning I was laying on my back and feeling around my stomach for the top of my womb and she started punching my hand and rolling around under it. It felt so strange and exciting. I can tell she has a lot of energy. I really am looking pregnant these days. I'm excited to see everyone in Arizona and spend some time there. Two weeks seems like a lot now but I think it won't be enough by the time I have to leave.

I am so thankful for Mis Suegros and all they are doing for us and for my daughter right now. I feel so loved and protected and a little strange that I am so dependent. I hope that the burden does not become too much. Even though leaving this city is hard on Albert and I, because it really feels like home to us, I am filled with happiness beyond belief that our families will share these memories with Olivia and Isadora. It's so much better with loved ones around.