Acevedo Family

Cora's Christmas Photoshoot

2008-12-16T20:01:00.006-05:00

Thank you Jamie for the beautiful pictures. It is amazing how talented you are. I absolutely loved all of them. I will recommend you to everyone. Thanks again!!

birthday pics

2008-11-15T16:58:00.018-05:00

Oh, how time dwindles. It seems I never have enough time or energy to get things done (like this blog). I have been meaning to update but just never get to it. Fortunately, my lil' one is taking a nap so I better upload some pictures before she wakes and demands my attention. Of course, I'm multi-tasking by watching the Gator game and updating our blog. :) Here is a variety of pictures from her birthday, trip to VA (for wedding planning), Halloween, and random pics.

Cora update

2008-09-13T11:13:00.008-04:00

Cora is almost a year old now. I keep looking at her wondering where the time has gone. She is moving around so much and I can't keep my eyes off of her. Never would I have thought a child would bring such joy and warmth into my heart. She keeps me laughing and smiling (even when I'm cleaning up vomit and poop). Yesterday she had tubes put into her ears. We have been dealing with chronic ear infections since April. Hopefully, this will help her. The doctor advised that the smell of the stuff draining would be foul. Boy, was he right. Of course, Cora has been sick all this week. Sunday she was throwing up and had diarrhea all week long. Our poor carpet has seen better days. I'm going to have to bomb the whole house with Lysol. Cora is finally starting to come around though. We are hoping with the tubes she can recover more quickly from colds and it doesn't automatically lead to an ear infection. Ahhh, the wonderful world of motherhood. They don't talk about this in the books. :)

vacation

2008-06-15T15:57:00.009-04:00

We just returned from a wonderful vacation. We took a cruise to Nassau, Bahamas, St. Thomas, and St. Martin. For 7 days we relaxed and enjoyed being waited on. Ace definitely needed this vacation. Cora loved touring the islands and enjoyed being in the ocean for the first time. You will see pics later of Cora enjoying herself (sorry I'm exhausted and wanted to get pics up that Carnival took). Ace's parents came along and it was wonderful having them. They allowed us to have alone time. All in all we had a blast.

update

2008-04-29T14:26:00.005-04:00

Here is a picture of our last visit with Gram Gram and Grandpa. Cora enjoyed seeing all her family members at the reunion and spending quality time with her grandparents.

She is at a great age right now. I love it when she feels and analyzes my face. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful daughter. She has discovered that she can roll to wherever she wants to go. I'll put her down and she'll be across the room by the time I turn back around.

Right now she has a double ear infection. We've been battling this for a month now and she has gone through 2 antibiotics. We are trying one more antibiotic and if that doesn't work the shots. The last resort will be tubes in the ears. Cora is such a trooper too. You wouldn't know she is sick until you see the stuff running out of her eyes and nose. Poor thing.

Updated Pics

2008-04-09T22:45:00.001-04:00

CONGRATS

2008-02-02T12:22:00.000-05:00

CONGRATULATIONS BRAD & JENNA!!

ON THE BIRTH OF

LANDON DALE MARTIN

ON JANUARY 29TH, 2008

6 LBS 7 OZS

19 1/4 IN LONG

HE IS ADORABLE AND WE CAN'T WAIT TO MEET HIM!

LOVE YOU GUYS!

3 months and 2 weeks

2008-02-02T11:58:00.000-05:00

Sorry for slacking on posting pictures. Life has been a little chaotic lately. I went back to work on the 7th of January and it was not a good day for me. Luckily, Cora is with a good friend of mine who has a son 2 weeks older than her. So, Cora is getting the best of both worlds. I struggled with the fact that I'm not going to see her every little development. That was the only thing that made me upset. God was looking out for me though, because Cora rolled over for the first time in my presence. I happened to pick her up early from my friend's and while we were chatting she rolled over from her stomach to back. I was ecstatic that I was able to see it for the first time. It is amazing how fast time flies. It seems like yesterday I held a 6lb little baby. Now Cora is rolling over, smiling and focusing on the world around her. I love watching her figure out her surroundings and scrunching up her forehead when she does so. Being a Mom is wonderful and it amazes me how I could love someone so much right from the start. Everyday is a blessing and I look forward to watching Cora develop with each stage.

Cora about to roll over

Play hard or go home

Christmas 2007

2008-01-03T10:22:00.001-05:00

Christmas Dress

2007-11-30T15:56:00.000-05:00

My sweet baby girl in her 1st Christmas dress courtesy of Gram Gram.

One month old

2007-11-17T13:30:00.000-05:00

I am this big.

Almost captured a smile

Mommy and Cora hanging out

2007-10-26T11:08:00.000-04:00

Abuelita & Abuelito with Cora

The new family

Cora and Papi taking a nap

more pics

2007-10-23T15:50:00.001-04:00

Cora ready to go home

Cora's going home outfit (I was expecting a bigger baby)

The grandparents, Aunt Melinda (Tia), and the proud parents

The new family

Devin & Minnie looking at Cora

Mommy and Cora

1st Visit to the Doctor

2007-10-23T15:32:00.001-04:00

My sweet baby girl

Cora visited the doctor for the first time today. She has put on 4 oz since Sunday morning when we were discharged from the hospital. I guess Mommy's milk is doing the body good. Cora received a good bill of health and is progressing nicely.

Welcome Cora Isabella Acevedo

2007-10-21T19:53:00.000-04:00

Cora Isabella Acevedo

Born Oct. 18th 2007 @ 8:42 pm
6lbs 15 oz - 20 inches long

Ace and I had the unexpected surprise of a baby girl on Thursday the 18th at 8:42 pm. We were shocked to hear "it's a girl". I could have sworn that I was having a boy. We were so happy to finally see her. Labor was pretty difficult to say the least. The experts say that is usually the case with your first. Contractions started at 3:00 am Thursday morning. We called the hospital and the doctor on call and they recommended us to come in. Well, at 5:00 am they sent us home claiming that it was uterine irritability because I was only 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. Now, I'm not a doctor but I knew something was not right but since this is something I never experienced before I took the RNs word for it. We came home exhausted (I didn't sleep at all b/c everything started at 10:00 pm Wednesday night) and I still couldn't sleep because of the "uterine irritability". At 9:00 am I finally had given up on sleep and decided to read in the other room. I sat down on the couch and pulled out some baby material to read. Funny enough I started reading about the rupturing of the membrane and at 9:05 am I felt a big rush of fluid. I ran to the hall closet to fetch a towel. Well, I soaked the towel, my underwear, and the pad I happened to put on earlier. A little bit before that I felt trickling but didn't know that my water was breaking. I just thought that the extreme cramping was causing me not to control my bladder. So, needless to say Ace and I went back to the hospital and we were admitted. Of course, I wasn't contracting enough so they put me on Pitocin. Holy moly, I have never felt such pain in my life. I was having contractions 1 minute apart lasting for 1 minute. I had made the decision early in the pregancy that I wanted an epidural. Thank the Lord for that invention. I think I would have passed out if I didn't have that. Around the time I received the epidural, it was lunch time and I advised Ace to grab some lunch since we both knew it was going to be a long process. Besides I was feeling wonderful after the epidural. Well, as soon as Ace left the baby started to experience the hardship of labor and her heartbeat was dropping. They took me off of the Pitocin but I stopped contracting and her heartbeat was still slow. They immediately gave me oxygen and started to flip me to different sides to help her. Supposedly there wasn't much fluid left in uterus and she was laying on her umbilical cord. Ace came back from getting some lunch and was met in the hallway with the concerns of the nurse and doctor. The doctor immediately suggested c-section but wanted to wait a little bit longer to see if the baby would respond in the next few minutes. Poor thing was pooped just like mommy and didn't want to come out since I was technically in labor the night before, you know the "uterine irritability". As soon as we said we just wanted the baby to be safe and to do whatever it took they started to prep me for a c-section and gave Ace his gear. I think it only took 10 minutes for them to get me ready and about 5 staff members participated. I have to say I was really nervous since this was the first major surgery I have ever had. It was quite scary to not be able to feel or move your legs. I was completely numb from the stomach down. I hate feeling helpless. Ace stayed by my side until her gender was announced and she could be moved to the nursery for her APGAR test. Everything went well. Cora was given a good bill of health. Once I saw her I immediately broke down. I was so scared and nervous about the c-section and her health that I just let all the emotions go. Plus, to find out that she was a girl was surprising. I guess my instincts were off. :) What an experience though. Nothing can top that feeling of seeing your child for the first time. As the hospital staff were cleaning and measuring her vitals they finished everything with me. They did let me hold her for a moment but had to put me back together again. Ace went with Cora to the nursery and got to carry her there. After an hour of recovery, they brought Cora to the room with me. I still can't believe she is here. I was right with one thing. She did come early at 38 weeks. My doctor didn't believe me at my last visit that she was going to be early. Funny enough we were actually scheduled for a checkup for Thursday at 4:00 pm.

We were discharged today. Thank goodness! I was going stir crazy being in the hospital 24-7. Ace was trying to sleep on uncomfortable chairs and couches so that he could be with his girls. I tried to get him to go home last night but he refused. Poor thing slept on the most uncomfortable pull out chair/sofa I have ever seen. I was tired of being poked and prodded and I think Cora felt the same way. She is enjoying continuous sleep in her bassinet. I just can't stop staring at our little miracle. We are blessed to have such a healthy baby.

My parents just left Florida on Wednesday at 2:00 pm. Ace and I tried to convince them to stay a little bit longer. I just had a feeling that it was going to happen this week. Unfortunately, they had to drive from Virginia Thursday night and got in first thing Friday morning. They ended up leaving today to drive back to VA. I know they are going to be exhausted tomorrow. Good thing they have off. Ace's parents will be here to visit tomorrow and his Mom will stay till Friday while his Dad will leave on Tuesday. It is nice to have family to help out. My Mom made lasagna for us to eat (which was excellent) and they helped with laundry.

Victor and Riann came with their kids to visit Friday night. They ended up staying at our house with my parents and drove back to Orlando Saturday afternoon. It is great having friends who have already had kids. Riann brought me a bunch of girls clothes ranging in sizes. She had already given me all of the neutral items which have filled Cora's drawers already. This little girl is going to be so spoiled. My Mom went shopping as soon as she got here. She loved the fact that the hospital is across the street from the mall. I know Ace's Mom went out today to do some shopping and his Dad had already bought a bag of girly items on Friday when they visited. Being the first grandchild is going to be wonderful for Cora. I'm just glad we have closet space now. :)

Cora is finally breastfeeding well now. We had issues initially but are now doing well. I have to encourage her since she is enjoying sleep. I don't blame her. I love to sleep too. We were concerned though because I didn't want her to lose weight. Our pediatrician assured us that she is doing very well and that she had only lost a couple of ounces. As of today she weighs 6lbs 6 oz. My milk has come in so she is going to be gaining plenty of weight.

I have to say the only thing that stinks right now is the swelling of the feet, ankles, and hands. My ankles and feet didn't look this bad when I was pregnant. It is really gross. The nurses assured me it is just because of all the fluids they pumped in me Thursday. I also don't like the fact that my belly feels like jello and I look 5 months pregnant. I wasn't expecting to look normal again but jeez I still look pregnant. It is all worth it and needless to say I would do it again not anytime soon though. Give me at least 3 years. :)

The irony of Cora's birth--My only grandma (NaNa) passed away a year ago on the 19th of October and it was a Thursday. I mentioned to my Mom when I was told that my due date was Oct. 29th how ironic it would be if I delivered on the day NaNa passed. Well, we were one day off as far as the date goes but it was on a Thursday. Furthermore, when I was a teenager and NaNa was telling me about her family I decided then and there that I loved the name of my NaNa's mother (Great grandma Cora) . I even told NaNa that if and when I have a girl that she was going to be named Cora. God works in mysterious ways. I wonder if she will have the Native American features of my NaNa. We can already tell she will have an olive complexion. I think the mixture of Native American and Puerto Rican helped in that department. I can't wait to see her personality and facial features develop.

Mom holding Cora for the 1st time

I had been up for 2 days straight so please excuse how rough I look. :)

Gram Gram holding Cora

Grandpa and Cora

My girls from work

Tia and Cora

More pics to come--need sleep to feed. :)

BABY SHOWER

2007-09-23T21:08:00.000-04:00

The baby shower was absolutely wonderful. Milly (Mike's mom) and Riann (my best friend) did a beautiful job. It was more than I expected. As soon as I arrived I was shocked, surprised, and flabbergasted because my parents were there. I had no idea that they were going to make it. My mom from the get go had stated that they would not be able to attend due to work obligations. It was an amazing surprise. Everyone who was there to see the moment got choked up.

Mike and I are extremely lucky to have such great friends and family. Even those who could not make it were there in spirit. I appreciate all the hard work and effort that was put in to making this event a success.

Below are the pictures that were taken with my camera. Hopefully, I will be able to get everyone else's pictures as well.

By the way, I am now entering my 9 month!! Only a few more weeks.

Baby's cake

The proud parents to be getting ready to cut the cake
Who's belly is bigger?

Mis Amigos, Natalie & Victor ole' high school pals of Mike's (Victor really isn't grabbing Mike-optical illusion) :)

The future grandparents

My parents

Thank Goodness for the Girls at Work (Brenda, Devin, and Minnie)

Minnie and me :)

Trying to reach the gifts and of course Mike is just watching.

Notice I'm not really listening to him- I wonder if I do that often. :)

On your mark, get set, GO! Beer drinking games at a baby shower? Oh yeah! Who can drink out of a baby bottle the quickest.

Simon (Mike's fraternity brother) chugging along

Look at Vic, my Dad, and Natalie go

Natalie, Minnie, and Papi to be doing their best

And the winner is.....Minnie

The Winnie the Pooh decorations

Mommy's special chair

Decorations

The gift table

Pooh painting

2007-09-07T20:13:00.001-04:00

I just finished this painting last weekend for the baby's nursery. I ended up putting it over the dresser. 8 more weeks!!

CONGRATS RORY & KIM

2007-07-26T10:03:00.000-04:00

Welcome Dylan Rory Fredrick
The newest baby Gator!

Update on Baby Shower

2007-07-25T21:34:00.001-04:00

So, the baby shower will be September 22nd. Mike's Mom and my good friend Riann will be hosting it in Orlando, FL. Riann was hoping for it to be a surprise that's why everyone was being so secretive. It is really sweet what they tried to do. I think I would have gone nuts though not knowing about the baby shower. So, pencil in that date on your calendars. Don't worry Gator fans it is an away game that weekend and it's Mississippi. :)

6 Months Pregnant and Tired

2007-07-23T14:44:00.001-04:00

Okay, I finally have a picture of myself. I had one of my friends take it with my cell phone. As you can see, I'm tired. I guess I should have went to bed early last night instead of reading the new Harry Potter book. It is absolutely addicting. Anyhoo, I will be going to the beach this weekend with the girls from work so I will have better pics to post afterwards. But, at least everyone can finally see my buddha belly. 15 more weeks.

Baby's Nursery

2007-07-23T13:16:00.000-04:00

Well, I finally have semi-finished the baby's nursery. Pretty much the only thing left is the rocking chair which will be to the left of the crib. Ace was out playing golf after he put the crib together so I started to wash the bedding and clothes that we have received and put everything together. I have to say that once I put everything together it was pretty emotional. I guess because it makes it more real. Once Mike got home from golf I had him go into the baby's room. It was the most memorable experience to see his reaction and to see the same expression I had once I looked around at the finished product.

Here is the baby's dresser with my shadow posing. Cassius rarely leaves me alone anymore.

Our first child watching my every move.

Here is the Gator painting that I did for Mike a couple of years ago. Of course it had to go in the baby's room. I found this cross at a Partylite party and fell in love with it.

The baby is already starting a collection of toys.

Here is the Winnie the Pooh painting I did a couple of months ago.

The cute Classic Winne the Pooh mobile that plays the theme song.

Update

2007-07-20T11:13:00.000-04:00

Our last doctor's visit on July 16th went very well. We finally heard the baby's heart beat and I had to do the wonderful glucose test. I had been dreading this since everyone said that the drink was horrible. In all actuality it wasn't as bad as I expected. Yes, it was like drinking Mountain Dew times five but I have had worse. Nothing compares to when I turned 21 and took a shot of Aftershock. I will never forget that moment. Kim, I'm sure you remember that lovely flashback.

We are starting to plan the baby shower. Mike's Mom will be hosting it in Orlando. I think it will be September 22nd. For some reason Mike and his Mom are trying to keep it somewhat of a secret. I advised that I will need to know so that I can give his Mom a list of people to invite and to give others a heads up. But for now, I think that will be the date.

We have moved into our other house. It is much bigger, has lots more closet space and is overall a better house. Plenty of room for us to grow. I finished painting the baby's room and we finally received the piece to the crib that was defective. We plan on putting the crib together this weekend and getting the nursery set up. Yeah! It is starting to feel like we have a baby coming. Of course, the movement in my belly was another tell tale sign. I don't think it felt real until I felt the kicks. Only 3 more months. Man, time is flying! Hard to believe Ace and I will be parents very soon. Wasn't I just 16 yesterday and getting my first car. I never believed my parents when they said time speeds up when you get older and just keeps getting faster. Nevertheless, I can't wait to hold this little person inside me.

Doctor's Visit

2007-06-20T19:21:00.000-04:00

Hello all,

I am so sorry I fell off the blog truck. Wasn't much to update on except my belly growing. We went for our sonogram today. I never imagined how anything could be as wonderful as watching your child grow inside you. It is truly amazing.

I'm experiencing the baby moving inside me with little taps here and there. The technician noted that the baby has long legs. Hmmmm.....I wonder what side of the family he/she gets it from. The baby now weighs 14 oz and is growing at a perfect rate. We received a DVD and pictures today. I just have to figure out how to get the video on here (if it is even possible). I also want Ace to take a picture of me. Many are requesting to see my belly. :) Hopefully, I will be able to do that soon.

More to come soon.

Today's doctor visit

2007-04-27T20:03:00.000-04:00

So, today I went to the doctor and was absolutely mesmerized by Baby Acevedo. The doctor performed an ultrasound and the baby was moving around like crazy kicking its legs and moving its arms. I could have laid there all day and watched the baby. It is amazing what technology can do. Here is a picture of the baby facing us and he/she laying on its back.

Also, here is a pic from the night Ace proposed on the cruise ship.

Baby's first pic

2007-04-26T20:08:00.000-04:00

Hello all,

After getting some encouragement from my best friend Kim, I decided to take some time and start a blog as well. I have to agree with her, it is a great way for all of us to keep in touch and know what is going on in our lives.

Baby Acevedo at the time of this picture gave me a scare. I had started bleeding and frantically woke Ace up and called the doctor. After waiting 30 minutes, the doctor arrived and assured me after some poking (the pregnant ladies know what I'm talking about) that everything is fine. Thank the Lord!

Right now I am 12 weeks and 5 days. Almost out of the 1st trimester and pratically out of most of my wardrobe. I have to say being in between normal clothes and maternity wear is very frustrating. By the way, thank you Jenna & Jamie for your donation of clothes. I greatly appreciate it. I am going to the doctor tomorrow, so I will have an updated picture posted soon.

Ace and I just got back from a cruise. It was my birthday gift and little did I know a proposal was in store as well. Yes, Ace finally proposed! He did an excellent job. He took me to the front of the ship at night time where we were overlooking the Bahamas. It was very romantic. Once I find/obtain a USB cord I'll take a picture of the ring. It is much too complicated to explain.

That's it for now. More to come in the future.