Swim Class

He's been in "swim" class since he was 5 weeks old.  He's so comfortable in the water. And, he sleeps SOO good after class.  Such a sweet little man!

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Liam 3 Months

Gettin' so big, and such a happy boy!

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All About Liam, so far...

Asleep on his Aunt Stacy. She make it look so easy and effortless.

 Xenises como su papi! Already a Boca fan?

 His first playdate, with little Andrew.

One of Liam's favorite places at one of his favorite times of day - his late afternoon, post-feeding daddytime cat nap. I personally think he's crankier when he doesn't get it!

 The obligatory bath time photo complete with light blue washcloth sarong.

 More daddytime - Pata Sucia! I love that little head safely cradled by those giant hands!

This is my favorite hug. When I'm holding Liam and Diego hugs the two of us together. That man loves this kid so much I have to make sure he kisses me every time he kisses him so I don't get jealous.  I'm not kidding.

 There were no pictures of me so I've been making Diego take some. I guess I should give a little leeway. I've got my boob out half the time.

 Seriously people!!!  What's not to love???  He loves to smile. And I love that he loves to smile.

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Easter 2012

This is the only article of clothing that I actually bought for him.  I think it was an excellent purchase...  His hair looks a tad red here, mostly it's just dirty blonde. He's so freakin' cute!

 We went to a baby blessing of a friend of ours on Easter Sunday. Next year Liam might be big enough for an Easter Egg Hunt. We shall see. Seriously though, how do you not love little baby vests!?

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Liam, month 2

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Stretchy Faces

My favorite part of the day is when I "unleash the Krackin" as my father calls it. He still like to be swaddled when he sleeps so when we let him loose this is what we get. This isn't even the best at showing how awesome his stretchy faces are and probably only family will enjoy them but here it is anyway.

He makes the BEST faces. And I just LOVE when he throws both of this arms up in the air,points his finger,  arches his back, tilts his head and makes his stretchy face.

Ah. Life is good.

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Family Who Visited

We were so lucky to have to much family come visit and help out. First there was Diego's mother.  She came from Argentina the week before Liam was born. Gracias a Abuelita Gladis por tu ayuda!

Then my little sister came to get her baby fix.  She was a super help when I needed a shower or a nap or to generally keep sane.

Then my parents came for Liam's blessing. My mother taught me to play and sing with Liam (something I had been too stressed to think about doing).

My father pampered me with cooking, cookware and extra food for the freezer!

He claims he was pretty hands off when we were kids.  I think he likes being a grandpa though.  Here he is keeping Liam happy while mommy finishes pumping her milk.

Thanks to everyone who helped and visited during that very difficult beginning! I have the best family!

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Blessing Day

Little Liam's amazingly cute blessing outfit lovingly made by his adopted grandma Jolene! How doesn't love a little tiny vest and bow tie!? AND... she stitched his name and blessing date on the cuff of one of his pant legs! She's pretty amazing!

 The proud parents!!!

 4 generations. Liam's mom, grandma and great-grandma from his momma's side!

 The Argentines - what I consider to be Diego's family here in Arizona.

I gotta say it was nice to finally return to church. I was surprised by a flood of emotion as I walked the hall to take Liam to the Mother's Lounge.  I was a welcomed manifestation of the Spirit!

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Newborn Pics (or the lack thereof)

This is the closest I came to getting newborn pictures.  Being a photographer I had so many ideas in my head but being a new mom I never could find a time when he was calm enough to implement them. They aren't so bad there just isn't alot of variety or pizzazz to them.  

To be honest, I look back at that time (the first month) and I am amazed I even got these pictures.  I guess the guilt of not having anything (coupled with the shame of actually being a photographer) outweighed the depression. It was pretty rough in the beginning.  That was supposed to be the happiest time of my life and it wasn't.  I mean, Liam took his sweet time coming to us! I should have been ecstatic. But, I wasn't. I bet everyone feels this way but it was all SOOO overwhelming to me.  Most people talk about the exhaustion but for me it was more about the lack of schedule/control and the permanent butt print I was leaving on the couch while I was nursing this child. They tell you that they need to eat every 2-3 hours. What they don't tell you is that it can take that long to get a feeding done! I know my only job was to love that baby but it was a shock to my system not to get anything else done.  Plus, we had our share of breastfeeding issues... And, holy hell, if one more person tells me just to stop and enjoy this time, I'm gonna punch them in the face!!! That first month was nearly impossible to enjoy and my husband will attest to how completely irrational I was.  There were times when I felt like Diego and Liam were better off without me. Then there was the utter meltdown about breastfeeding. With everything combined, I decided I needed some help. I got some medication, I saw a counselor, I went to support groups and I continued to try everything I could to help breastfeeding. I don't know if any of those things were individually or cumulatively helpful or if it's just that Liam got older and I have figured some more things out but things are SOOO much better now. He smiles, we go for walks, he takes a good 3 hour nap in the middle of the day. I am pleased to say that we are still breastfeeding.  Of course, we are still supplementing and pumping as well. But I can, with confidence, say that I tried everything to be exclusively breastfeeding. Teas, capsules, tinctures, lactation consultants galore, support groups (plural), regular pumping...  We even had a posterior tongue tie clipped. I have finally reached a happy place.  I don't feel guilty if I forget to pump. I don't feel guilty if I give him formula. I am finally able to sit with my child and enjoy.  Don't judge me for not relishing that first month. Maybe I'm just not into newborns.  Maybe I'll be like that next time or maybe I'll be wiser for the journey. Doesn't matter.  It brought me to where I am now. And this is a good place to be!

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Liam, month 1

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Welcome Little Liam!!!

Liam David Lista. Born via scheduled c-section on Monday February 6, 2012 at 7:41am. He weighed 7 pounds 9 ounces and was 20 inches long. Welcome to the world and welcome to our family. We waited a long time for you to come!

Diego couldn't "officially" cut the umbilical cord because of the sterile field but they left a length of it so he could cut that.  He says it was like cutting though a hose.

Our first family photo - in the operating room.

Our second - in recovery.

Con su abuela de Argentina.

Proud Papi.

Like Father, Like Son - our little rock n roll baby!

Ready to go home in his little AC/DC onesie.

He looks so small!!!He looks like a dwarf in that carseat.  If fact they kept us an extra day in the hospital cause he kept loosing weight.  I know they are supposed to loose weight but he hit the 10% mark and that set of the proverbial flashing red light.

1 week old.  There are alot more of these cute yawning and stretching shots on my Facebook page.

To be  honest, I had no idea just how much attachment was involved.  I mean, I love this little man to death so emotionally I am that attached.  Physically it seems that he could spend days just nursing and then sleeping by my side.  It wouldn't be so much of a problem except that I am, in fact, not making enough milk to nourish my little guy so he is never satisfied.  I feel like a failure.  My one responsibility at the moment and I cannot fulfill it. It's taking quite the emotional toll on me...  So, we are now parents who were set on solely breastfeeding that are now breastfeeding, pumping and supplementing with formula.  And still trying to figure out the balance at that.

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Maternity Pictures and Update

So this is me on Christmas Eve at about 33 weeks.  It's kinda difficult to take your own maternity pictures but we did the best we could. I might have perfected the posing and changed up the background but this will suffice. But why did no one tell me my face was getting so puffy!?

Most everything is done.  The crib is built.  The dresser is build and stocked with washed clothes and a few diapers. The stroller is together.  The car seats will get installed in a week or so. I have just about everything I want/need for my hospital bag - I just have to pack it.  I've been so fixated on this c-section and coming to terms with it that it finally dawned on me a few weeks ago that this child may not actually come when I schedule it.  I mean it won't come later but it might actually come earlier!  Silly me!

I've had a really easy pregnancy but here in the last 6 weeks a bunch of mild problems have kicked in and some have already subsided.  None are worrisome but a few are mildly irritating and/or painful.  Still I can't complain.  I make a lot more noise these days, like when I try to bend over to tie my shoes or when he "kicks" me somewhere not so comfortable.  Diego says I'm snoring from time to time too... Bother.

I ADORE this picture below.  Diego's face is so content and happy.  He makes me lift my shirt and he kisses my belly usually when he leaves for work and then again some time in the evening.  He's gonna be a great father! I love that man.  I'm gonna keep him!

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Boy Oh Boy!

As you've probably seen or heard by now, we are expecting our first child at the beginning of next year. His c-section is schedule for Feb 6th. It's been a long and fraught-filled journey for us.

We've been waiting for this for 2 and 1/2 years. In between, we've had a miscarriage, a tumor removed and a couple of months of Clomid. Personally I think it's because we were finally set. We bought a house in March and we find out we are pregnant in June. Not that we were waiting or wanting to be "set" but I think Heavenly Father knows us well enough to give us what we need when we need it. Of course, I'm sure the Clomid helped!

We already know it's a c-section because of the tumor I had removed from my uterus a year ago.  It was so deep and in a part of the uterus that it would be unsafe for me to attempt a traditional vaginal birth.  I'm coming to terms with it. 

For my age, I am at a much higher risk for chromosomal defects. But after my ultrasound, the doctor reduced my risk to 1 in 750 because they liked what they saw. He was all curled up in a ball so it took a bit for the tech to actually see that it was going to be a boy. After we found out what we were having, she tried to get a picture of his face but he had his hands in front of his face.  So she jiggled him around a bit and he moved his hands to the side of his head but stuck his foot up in his face!  He's already giving us a hard time!

The first question people ask me is if we are excited. Yes, of course we are but it's taken some time.  We spent the first 3 months worrying that it wouldn't stay, that we would have another miscarriage and keeping the wonderful secret to ourselves.  Nobody tells you that the first few months you don't actually seem or feel pregnant.  I suppose I'm naive.  My biggest complaint at first was cramps, then headaches and now my feet hurt and I pee a little when I sneeze sometimes.  You don't need to know that, but there it is.  Time to do some Kegels. Altogether I've been very blessed.  No morning sickness, no extreme tiredness, no frequent urination...

Now, I must love you people to post this next picture... But in the spirit of full disclosure (and because people are asking me)...

This is me at 22 weeks.  Not sure I really look pregnant. I just look like I've gained weight.  What looks like baby is just my fat roll being pushed up. For the most part, the baby is below my belly button. I have officially given up on any kind on pants with a button on them but I'm not quite fitting into maternity clothes yet. Bother.

I guess I should back up.  When I said we were "set" I guess I meant that we had a home with an extra room to put a nursery.  As far as what a baby would need, we've got nothing!  So if any of you long lost friends out there want to contribute to the cause, PLEASE DO!!!  Here are the links to our registries.
Amazon.com
Target.com

Little Liam thanks you in adavance!!!

I am currently 23 weeks. I've been able to feel the baby move for a few weeks now.  Diego has been able to feel him from time to time.  The other day, he made me roll on my side on the couch so he could sit next to me and put his hand on my belly.  Another time he rolled over in the middle of the night and put his hand on my stomach and startled me awake.  I've read that pretty soon he'll be able to put his ear to my belly and hear the heartbeat.  I've read about the flashlight thing too but we're not going to do that.  It seems mean.

Anyway.  Wish us luck. And if you want to shower us with advice or presents we are totally willing...

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