eva's new toy

Eva got a new toy - a Baby Einstein play mat. The photo above is her smiling when we first put her on it. She is looking at a star that flashes lights and plays music. The photo below is later that night when she decided to start responding with laughter and cooing. We love to watch her reaction but even more it is great having a babysitter!

joe's first father's day

Here's Joe with his new baby girl. You can see the furry first baby, Oliver, in the background. Joe had a splendid first father's day. He got to surf, had a couple of margaritas at brunch, cuddle time with Eva, nap time and then a nice dinner with wifey while grandmommy watched the baby. He's quite the proud papa. Here's Eva playing after we got back from dinner. She's really starting to understand her world and smiling a lot!

i wonder what she's planning...

eva's first bath

Well, she has technically had many sponge baths but today was her official first bath. We had to wait until her umbilical cord fully healed...I think it took so long to heal because of our strong mother/daughter connection. The bath started out a little scary but by the end, she was content.

eva's first month

Our little girl has had a big first month:

• She met her maternal grandmother and paternal grandparents.
• She attended her first concert with papa on guitar.
• She has taken many strolls along the ocean and pier.
• She is gaining over an ounce per day.
• She is grasping our fingers and skin when we hold her.
• She also loves to squirm and kick when we hold her.
• She loves to pull away from eating with her arms up victoriously.
• She is starting to enjoy tummy time and able to lift her head a bit and turn side to side.
• She has mastered the bottle and pacifier - mama needs a break!
  
• She has already toured Little Italy.
• She looks in our eyes when we hold her.
• She loves constant movement - especially bouncing on the yoga ball.
• She can already sleep up to 5 hours at night.
• She's received tons of well wishes and gifts from adoring fans.
  
• She's starting to smile.
  
• She has the nickname Squeaky "Cheeks" McGrunty - Squeaky because she squeaks when awake; "Cheeks" because she's got pinchin' cheeks; McGrunty in honor of her Irish heritage and grunts while sleeping and stretching.
• Shockingly, she gets cuter by the day!

eva's first concert

Eva joined me in the audience to watch papa play the North Park Arts Festival. You can see how much she enjoyed watching papa rock out.

eva on the hosptial's website

http://www.sharp.com/baby/gallery.cfm?babyID=164512

She's got a silly look on her face but nonetheless, Eva is on another website. She is destined for musical greatness...not only because of her papa but look who shares her birthday!

my first mother's day

Eva has great timing. Only ten days old and she gave me the most wonderful first mother's day. She let me sleep in, I got to take pictures of her napping on papa, we introduced her to Oli's beach, and she was a quiet sleeper while we enjoyed a nice dinner with friends. To top it off, I had great well wishes from friends and family. I am a lucky mama!

making her mark

eva's first five days

Editor's note: I do know proper grammar but the captions won't allow apostrophes ;)

say hello to our daughter!

Evangelina Viola Amato
Evangelina - bringing joy and good news
Viola - lovely, violet, musical instrument
Amato - loved

born May 3, 2007 at 3:15 p.m.
8lbs 5.16 oz & 20 inches


Eva is amazing. She is already teaching us how to deal with last minute changes and be patient. Her facial expressions and chubby cheeks make everything seem ok. We learned how to work as a family during the last four days in the hospital. We are now home and doing wonderful.

We feel blessed to have such great family and friends sending us well wishes. We are on baby time so the responses won't flow as quickly as they did before. However, keep checking this blog for more updates on Baby Eva and lots of photos!

labor of love

My last day of work was Friday, April 27. I originally planned to work up until the due date but I was getting very tired and was hoping to coax Baby Amato out early. My wishes were granted. After my nightly shower on May 1, I started having contractions. They continued steady through the night. Things weren't progressing as I had hoped so we took a walk on the beach. The photo to the left is the last one of Baby Amato in the womb on the morning of May 2.

My contractions continued steady all day on May 2. By the evening, they were getting very strong and it was time to call in help. We went to our doula's birth center to wait out our hospital arrival as much as possible. I wanted to have a natural birth with as little interventions as possible so the best advice is to stay out of the hospital until close to delivery time. After a very long evening of very strong contractions, my water still hadn't broken and the contractions were not getting any closer than 3-5 minutes apart. By 6:00 a.m. and 32 hours of labor, I was getting very frustrated. The doula recommended we go home and rest, then see what is happening later in the day. I reluctantly agreed. We napped for about an hour then woke up to see that my water had broken and we were back on track. I opted to go right to the hospital. We arrived at the hospital around 9:00 a.m. and they checked to see that I was already halfway dilated and well on my way to delivery. When they checked me again at 12:30, I hadn't progressed as they hoped so they did an ultrasound. To our surprise, Baby Amato was breech (butt first) and a Cesarean delivery was required. I was very disappointed that I wasn't going to have my natural delivery but also somewhat relieved that I wouldn't have to deal with labor any longer. From here, it is all kind of a blur... I get a spinal epidural, Joe gets into his fancy scrubs, and then Baby Amato arrives ...

enjoying oli's beach

our first baby - Oliver the Puppy

A year ago this week, we lost our beloved Oliver to cancer. While we are very grateful that he died painlessly in our arms, it is by far the most painful experience we have ever dealt with. In his honor, we will often visit the beach where we scattered his ashes. He loved to swim and play at that beach. Oliver was much more than a dog. He was our best friend and a devoted companion. Check out Oliver's myspace page: www.myspace.com/oliverthepuppy

Long live the puppy!

place your bets!

We are exactly one month away from the due date. It is time to start placing your bets! Is it a girl or a boy? When will s/he be due?

I call a girl on 5/6/07 -- I just like the look of the date!
Joe thinks a boy on 5/1/07 -- in honor of Grandpa Amato.

What do you think? Leave a comment for your bet!

35 weeks down & 35 days to go

Here's Baby Amato rockin' out to latin music. We went to hear a Brazilian jam band and baby really, really liked it... s/he was dancing the whole time!

I think I was bragging about how "easy" this pregnancy has been and then wouldn't you know, the swelling and hugeness is really starting to get to me. I require regular rest now and Joe is great about pampering me. We are going to try to sneak to Baja next week for a little lobster and R&R as one last vacation before baby's arrival. Not long now!

shadow belly

This photo shows a bit of Joe's artistic side. Baby Amato is getting bigger every day. S/he is now anywhere from 3-8 weeks from arrival...I'm hoping for an earlier due date so my body can get some relief! At least I get to enjoy a two week spring break starting today!

more baby classes and another shower!

We completed a baby basics class this week and learned how to change diapers, clothe and bathe baby, as well as comfort baby when crying. Aside from our doll having jaundice and some abuse marks, we were model students. Upcoming classes include: breastfeeding, CPR/first aid and baby bedtime. These last weeks are going to be busy but at least I get to enjoy a two week spring break starting this weekend...nap time!

I'm finishing my last credentialing class before baby arrives. I've been an online student but the university requires some face time and I'm putting in my dues while I can use the pregnancy to my advantage (like finishing the class early). I did a majority of the work on a group project that we aced and my team members rewarded me with a surprise baby shower in class! It was very kind, especially since I just met these folks a month ago. Baby Amato got a few more trinkets and I got to stuff my belly during class - how lucky am I?

surviving childbirth classes

Joe and I completed our childbirth classes this weekend. Aside from him feeling a little nauseous by descriptions and videos, it went well. All our reading has paid off because none of the information was brand new, plus our years of yoga will really come in handy. We were strongly encouraged to have a doula, which we luckily already have. We got to see the delivery room- pretty swanky for a hospital room and apparently we are going to be at the best hospital in the area. Neither of us are really jazzed about the blood and other fluids associated with the delivery but are super excited about seeing Baby Amato in about 50 days! I was very proud of Joe...he's going to be a great coach and papa.

31 weeks and nesting

That's Papa putting together Baby Amato's armoire. We are definitely in the nesting phase. We were concerned that we may need to move but our landlord either smartened up or took pity on us and is finishing the work he promised to do for us; thus, we can stay for a while longer. We are getting ready for baby... cleaned and put away all the baby clothes, got the hospital bags packed, and starting childbirth classes next week. The next photo is my buddha belly this week. If one more person asks if I am having twins, I may cry. I love that my belly is large and baby is healthy but it isn't easy to hear daily how huge I am. Gotta go now, the girl scout cookies are calling me...

surprise baby shower!

I feel so blessed to have a wonderful place to work and amazing people to work with. Today, the ladies at work surprised me with a baby shower! Most importantly, the students were actually able to keep the secret. They all pitched in to provide a scrumptious lunch, a few baby clothes, a diaper bag, changing pad, and a jogging stroller. I feel honored to know these great women and call them friends!

Baby Amato in 3D

We went to the Ultrasound Experience today to get another glimpse at our little angel. Apparently, we have a yoga baby. Baby Amato was folded in half holding his/her leg above the head and resting the head on the knee. While we are grateful for the baby's flexibility, it made it challenging to get descent photos. Nonetheless, the top photo is Baby Amato with his/her eyes open - probably dreaming because s/he slept through the whole ultrasound despite my attempts to jostle. The second photo is Baby Amato yawning and you can see the cute little tongue ready to sass me and Joe. The last photo is Baby Amato passed out with chubby cheeks squished in between the knee and placenta. The photos all show a very healthy baby. After this, we went for the regular checkup and got more good news. Baby Amato is approximately ten weeks away from his/her debut!

just another day at the beach

It is just another gorgeous day at the beach today! Joey snapped this photo of me while we were watching the dogs frolic on Dog Beach. I'm getting quite plump at nearly 29 weeks and Baby Amato is kicking like crazy, especially after enjoying some sweets. We found out that Baby Amato passed another test - no gestational diabetes! That should be the last big test aside from making sure s/he is in a good birthing position. Next on our agenda: another ultrasound and baby classes...let's hope Joey doesn't pass out.

end of the middle - beginning of the end

This week marks the end of the second trimester and beginning of the third. Baby Amato is kicking up a storm and sometimes keeping me awake at night while doing his/her kung-fu moves. I've been scared into mama reality that two of my friends have given birth early (congrats to Jen & Heather!). Plus at my last check-up the doctor encouraged us to get busy building the nursery. So, I think a shopping spree at Babies R Us is pending. Here's what our baby informer shared with us this week (no, that isn't actually Baby Amato but a nice replica!)

Fetal development in pregnancy week 26:
At long last, your little swimmer can see the womb! Your miracle’s little eyelids have finally separated (they were fused closed previously) and they’re probably having their first moments of sight as you read this. In addition to seeing their little studio in your belly, they’ve recently acquired the ability to say “yes” and “no” in rudimentary sign language as they can now move their head back and forth. This is also the time where your little super star’s head hair is starting to grow! A cute little cowlick or two may be springing into position right now, getting ready for years of cute-but-stubborn bed-head. Also, their toenails have grown in and your little raisin continues to slowly pile up fat beneath their still-loose skin. Most importantly, brain tissue and neurons are all developing at a rapid pace, increasing their (genius-level?) brain activity and will continue to function at accelerated levels for the first seven to eight years of childhood!

99 days and counting!

We are nearing the final trimester and out of the triple digit day countdown. I'm still in shock about being pregnant much less able to realize how close we are to the end. Joey got to feel the baby move for the first time this weekend so I think it is becoming more real to him too. I've been told by many people that we are having a girl. When I do the old wives' tales tricks, they almost always show a girl too. I suppose we will put it to the test! This is a photo (with cartoon effects) of me and my crazy kitty enjoying a nap - something I will treasure between now and May!