Thursday, October 7, 2010

Wes - 4 months old

It is hard to believe that as of last week, Wes is already 4 months old. He is such a laid back, easy going baby. He sleeps on average 11 hours a night. He really only fusses when he is hungry or occassionally when he needs a diaper change. His latest thing is in the evening when he is sleepy and wants to be left alone he will fuss. I was trying to read him a book the other night and he wasn't having anything to do with it. I put him in bed and he was out. Today he was actually having an off day. Not sure why. He has been drooling a bit more and constantly chewing on his fist or anything else he can get in his mouth. I would say that there is a possibility that he could be getting a tooth, however I remember saything that with Alex and that kid didn't get a tooth for months. So who knows. It didn't help that we went to the doctor today for his checkup and he got 2 shots. So here are his stats: Wt. 16 pounds 5 oz (75th percentile), Ht. 26.25 inches (90th percentile), and head circumfrence 16 inches (50th percentile). Doctor gave him a clean bill of health. He was so funny too, he loved looking at himself in the mirror in the room and really enjoyed grabbing and kicking the paper on the table.
Here he is at Marisa's soccer game in Louisville, KY last weekend. He is so sweet!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Destin 2010

This August we went on our traditional family vacay to Destin FL. As usual, we found ourselves by the pool a LOT! Maybe even more so with baby Wes. This year, we actually didn't stay exactly in Destin, but about 15 minutes away at Blue Mountain Beach. It was a little off of the beaten path, but you could still get to all of the favorite restaurants and outlet mall within 15-20 minutes. The house we rented was awesome ane HUGE! At times, it was actual work to find someone inside the place. Aunt Bethie was able to join us this year as well as all of the dogs. Never a dull moment. Here are a few pictures from the trip. Wes enjoyed the pool some and was still only 8 weeks old so napping a lot was in his schedule. However, the week before we left for the trip he started sleeping through the night!!! So while in Florida it was nice to get some extra much needed sleep. I even read a book and got some runs in.

The family pic - this was the best one I could get of Alex. He was just so eager to get back to swimming. He actually learned how to swim on this trip! He abondonded his swim ring and just took to the water. The kid has NO fear!



Baby Wes!


The kiddos!


Overall, the trip was great. I always look forward to this trip every year. Usually I start counting down the months starting in about February. Can't wait til next year!!


Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Welcome baby Wes!

Wanted to update everyone - Baby Wes is finally here! We welcomed Wesley Edward Ballesteros on May 30, 2010 at 10:10 pm. He weighted 8 pounds and 1/2 ounce and was 19 inches long. He was my smallest baby, I keep calling him the runt. So our Memorial Day weekend was very special this year, and to think that that Sunday night I thought I was going to grill out burgers =) So that Saturday, I was pretty miserable. It has gotten hot here and I am limited on summer maternity clothes. That afternoon I laid out on the couch and watched tv and napped. For lunch I was wanting some pizza, so Carlos went to Jonathon's and got us one of our favorites - spicy cajun pepporini pizza! I was ready to just call it a day however both Carlos and my mom kept telling me that I should go for a walk, that it might make me feel better. I was very doubtful of this, however that evening it had cooled off and Carlos and I set off for a walk. We walked the trails by my mom's house for atleast 30 minutes. I even threw in a few little "jogs" which I am sure was a sight to see. Anyways, that night mom took Marisa and Alex to the fair and then Carlos and I headed home. We watched a movie and I called it a night by 10:30. At 3:45 Sunday morning I woke up to what I now know was my water breaking. We made it to the hospital by 9:oo, I was still pain free and was just hoping that my water had broken, I did NOT want to have to go back home. So I was checked and indeed my water had broken and was 2 cm dilated. The previous Thursday at my doctor's appointment I was not even dilated. So I was admitted and planned on having a baby by that afternoon. My previous pregnancies I delivered after 6 hours of having arrived at the hospital. This however was a bit different. Baby was still high and I remained at 2 cm for several hours. I eventually got my epidural and dozed off a little. The afternoon came and went. By the evening I was making slow progress, I had gotten to about 5 cm. By 9:30, I was 7 cm and the nurse said she would check me again in an hour, however about 15 minutes later I was feeling strong pressure and even pain. I figured this was normal, but Carlos was determined that I should call the nurse, so he did it for me. She checked me again and I was 10 cm and she said she could feel the baby's head. So I was ready to have my baby! I pushed about 3 times, and he was born. He came out crying! Although it was a VERY long day, it was a good day. Finally by 1:15 in the morning, Carlos and I had moved to our postpartum room and were ready for some sleep. Here he is not even one day old!! This is the picture from my phone. I have many more on my camera, however have been having some problems uploading. Wanted to let everyone know he was here and we are doing so well. He is eating well. Last night I fed him at 11:00 and he slept until 4:00. He is not too thrilled to sleep in his crib just yet. He loves to be held. I would let him sleep in my arms all the time but I know he needs to get used to his crib, so we continue to work on that. Although I am not too worried yet, he is only 11 days old.

Already he has been a baby on the go! At three days old, we were at the softball field for Marisa's game. And now he has been to 5 games totoal. We went out to dinner last night for our first restaurant experience to celebrate mom's birthday. He slept the whole time.

Marisa and Alex love their baby! Marisa is the little mother and Alex just wants to love on him all the time! I think baby Wes will have a great big sister and brother.

Our first doctor's check-up is next Monday. I will update with his new stats and get some other pictures up soon.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Spring happenings and our newest member of the family

To start all of this off as I typically do with any of my blog entries, we have been very busy! Lots going on around here. Both Marisa and Alex are playing soccer, Marisa is also playing softball, we continue to try and sell the condo, I just completed my spring term of graduate school, Carlos is still playing kickball (even with a broken wrist...don't even ask me), and we are now only weeks away from meeting our new little man! My last doctor's appointment, my doctor told me he will not let me go full term because that makes the chances of me having a 10 pound baby greater, so at the VERY latest it will be June 4th! My last day of work will be May 21st, which is also the kids' last day of school. So I hope to spend some time with them before this guy gets here. However, if I went into labor by then that would be ok with me as well =)

For Easter this year, I actually had to work but was able to get off of work in time to join our family's Easter brunch and egg hunt. We went to our friend forever, Vicki's house. She brought the kids out in the golf cart which they love!! As you will notice Marisa is missing from this picture, but for a good reason. She and mom went to Disney World for Spring Break and missed our Easter celebration, however I think they had a great time and I wouldn't say that "missed" anything!
We have attended lots of birthday parties this spring! I feel like they get invited to the same parties OVER and OVER (Pump It Up, Jump Zone, Let It Shine gymnastics), however Alex got to do something that he has never done before...ride a pony! He was great and really had a good time. Other than he told us repeatedly how it smelt like horse poop!
Two weekends ago we were in Knoxville for Marisa's soccer team. We missed the bad weather here in Nashville that weekend which was also the Country Music Marathon. Made me realize glad I hadn't been able to run it this year anyways. Well the whole family went, even Aunt Beth met us in Knoxville. The girls on Marisa's team had a great time, especially hanging out at the hotel. They swam, had a pizza party, straightened their hair, and painted nails. Wish I had a good report about the actual games, let's just say it was a fun trip and a learning experience on the field. Alex just loves the girls on the team as well as they think he "is so cute!" I caught this picture of him with a few of them...I have no idea what he is saying to them but they are very interested in whatever it is he has to say. What a ladies man! His father is so proud.

In Knoxville they had this really neat covered turf field which Marisa played several of her games on. Ok so not the best action photo, but there she is #8!

Now onto some exciting news...our newest member of the family! Here he is - Huck! Our new 9 week old puppy. Go ahead and say it, everyone else has...I'm crazy, hormonal and totally lost my mind! He is so sweet! And Gretel needed a playmate. They are so funny together. Tonight they were chasing each other around the house. We have had a few accidents in the house, but for the first night, he didn't cry at all and slept great! Hope this keeps up.







He is just so stinking cute!!!
That's all for now. Chances are my next post will be welcoming another member of our family, so stay tuned!


Sunday, February 28, 2010

Fall Recap

I don't even have to say it...I'm so behing on blogging! In fact, I am not even going to apologize for it at this time. We have been so BUSY!! Lots going on around here.

We will start with Alex, he started YMCA soccer this past fall and Carlos was the asst. coach. Alex seemed to enjoy it and even scored a few goals when he was actually engaged in the game. However, there were times when he wandered towards the woods or decided that he would pretend to shoot spider webs at the opposing team members, either way he was fun to watch and he said he had a good time and plans on playing this spring. In fact, our first practice will be next Saturday.

Marisa joined the Brentwood Soccer Club girls 2001 travel team this past fall. We didn't travel too far away. We had a tournament in Clarksville, Goodlettsville and Murfreesboro as well as other more local games. This has been a big time committment. She had and will contine to have practices this spring for an hour and half on Monday and Wednesdays as well as a foot skills session on Friday evenings. The season went on into the winter where she played indoor. She has REALLY enjoyed playing and has not seemed to mind how much time is involved. We are on board to play this spring, in fact her first practice will be tomorrow. Most of the tournaments are similiar in location as the fall, however at the end of April we will be going to Knoxville. The girls are so excited about this tournament. I have to admit I am excited as well. I always enjoyed traveling to play soccer. She also decided she wanted to try basketball this year. So we signed up with the YMCA and are just about done with season. Another success! She has loved going to practice and games as well for this. I hope she grows up to be my athlete!

Carlos has not had anything fun going on for him ever since he blew out his hamstring playing old man softball last summer. He had plans of doing the Country Music half marathon, but looks like that will be post poned until next year.

As for myself...I started graduate school at Lipscomb University last fall and am continuing this spring. I am working on my masters in exercise science and nutrition. Not entirely sure, but I hope to graduate etiher in December or next Spring. I also found out last October, that Carlos and I will be expecting #3! For most of the fall, I felt ok and continued to run which then turned into walking. I am due in June but really hope it is more like May. It is another boy and no we don't have a name yet. This has been probably the hardest one for me to decide on a name. For the most part I am doing Ok, just ready to not be pregnant anymore. So the Country Music marathon will have to wait until next year for me as well.

This last October, Carlos and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary! We went to Destin for a long weekend. As you can tell by my picture, it was a bit chilly. We had a good time none the less. Restaurants and traffic were lighter than what we are use to in August. We ate good food, enjoyed some nice walks, and enjoyed not being at work and being able to relax some.

Halloween this year was fun. It was the first time Alex really was able to enjoy running from house to house collecting candy. Gretel was sure to dress the part as well!
My favorite little chef and power ranger!! Trick or Treat!


In November, Alex celebrated his 4th birthday with family and friends at Pump It Up!! You may not be able to tell, but he is so sweaty from running and jumping! Here he is blowing out his candle on his Spiderman cake.


Christmas was fun as always. I was able to take a good break from work to spend time with the kids. We made all kinds of dishes and sweets. They both really enjoy helping me in the kitchen, which I love. Alex had his school program where he sang and danced up a storm. He really is quite the entertainer!


This was a quick recap of about 4 months. I have some more pictures already from January and February that I plan on getting on here either later tonight or later this week. I am being questioned as to what is for dinner so gotta go for now. We have lots of exciting things going on and will need to fill you in soon enough!