Special Visitors

A few days after she was born, Estella got a special visit from her Abu Ta ta and Po po from Puerto Rico.  They had been talking about their sweet grandchild since Jorge and I got married...long before she was even created!  They shared in our excitement as we prepared to welcome Estella, and it was so special to finally see them together. 

 

 

  

 

 

Newborn Photo Shoot

At just four days of age, I thought it would be a great idea to have Estella's newborn photos taken.  Kristin from Kristin Leigh Photography came to our house with props in hand, and our sweet girl did great!  She slept the entire time...as you'll see there are no pictures with her eyes open!  Her big brother was the real model, though.  He loved every minute of our photo shoot, and the pictures definately convey the love he has for his little sister.  These are just a few of my favorites.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our First Doctor's Appointment

August 31, 2012

 



Waiting to see the doctor at our first appointment.

 

We had our first doctors appointment with Dr. Loventhal the Friday after we were discharged.  First order of business...weight.  It's normal for babies to lose some weight following birth, though there is a certain percentage that they shouldn't drop below.  She weighed 7 pounds and 3 ounces (from 7 pounds 15 ounces at birth).  Estella didn't go below the weight that would have been concerning, but she came a little too close for Mommy! The doctor suggested we suppliment with formula until my milk came in. 

Judging by her face, she's already sharing her disapproval of being on the scale.

 

Suppliment I did...I was determined to make sure my baby's belly was happy!  Add that to the fact that her food from Mommy made a strong appearance and we were working on a quality comeback!  Of course, not having a scale to weigh her, I worried all weekend (It was a 3 day weekend due to labor day).  When I placed her on the scale the following Tuesday she weighed 7 lbs, 13oz.  For a little perspective, it's normal for a baby to gain an ounce a day in the beginning weeks.  She gained 10 ounces in 4 days.  When Dr. Loventhal walked in the first thing he said was, "Wow.  That's impressive."  Perhaps I was a bit overzealous.

 

So needless to say I was able to stop supplimenting, and most importantly I could stop worrying (so much).  

 

 

 

 

Meet Estella Catherine Fabregas

On Tuesday August 28, 2012 at 4:17 pm, we proudly welcomed our daughter Estella Catherine Fabregas into the world.  She weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces and was 20 and 1/2 inches long.  With a head full of jet black hair and cheeks for days(!), she was more perfect than I ever imagined she would be.  I'm the Mom...I can say that, right? :)

We arrived at the hospital the night before for our scheduled induction, and the process couldn't have gone smoother.  I started the necessary medications to jump-start labor early Tuesday morning, and by that afternoon I was holding my sweet baby girl in my arms.  Though Jorge and my family don't seem to think so, to me the day went by very fast.  I remember having some moderate pain for a short time before I received pain medication, and then...drumroll please...the Epidural. Aahhhh.  It. was. fabulous.  (As a PACU nurse, I'm a firm believer that you shouldn't hurt if you don't have to!)

For the most of the day, it was smooth sailing.  I vaguely remember talking with my husband and family, laughing at times, dozing off at others.  Before I knew it, however, I was yelling at my sister to "put the camera down!" (sorry!) and my Dad to "get the phone away from me!" (really sorry!).  My wonderful nurse then made the wise decision that it was time to get that baby out!  With my husband by my side giving kisses and encouragement, we soon welcomed our sweet girl into the world. 

Love at first sight. 



A full head of hair and cheeks to match!

Snug as a bug!

 

 Papi's Girl.

Sleepyhead!

 

 

 

Little Jorge couldn't wait to meet the baby sister he'd been waiting so long for.  

 Such a proud big brother!

  

She already has the boys wrapped around her finger.

But to be fair, how could they not be?

 

So many people wanted to meet sweet Estella...

Especially Nana

and Papa

Aunt Cathy

Uncle Duke

and her sweet cousins Taylor and Clay.

I love this picture of all the girls.

Emily and Lindy also came to visit!

 

 

We had many other hospital visitors as well.  I hate that I wasn't ready with my camera when they came, but know that we appreciated each special visit!

 

On Thursday, two days after Estella was born, we both got the all clear to go home.  Somehow they felt we were capable of taking care of this tiny munchkin on our own, and we were discharged from the hospital.  As we were putting on her "home from the hospital" outfit, she just cried and cried.  All I could do was laugh and wonder, "Can I really do this?" 

 

Deep breath...here we go! 



 

 Rolling out...crying. 

 First time in the car...seriously crying!

 "OK," she's thinking, "Maybe this isn't so bad!  Not great...but not so bad."

(Note the cheeks)

She was all tuckered out by the time we got home. She didn't even get to see her cute sign from Papi.

Welcome to your home sweet baby girl!  We're so happy to have you here!

 

Pregnancy...The Condensed Version

I started this entry in August, but didn't get around to posting until today...

So here we are...a mere two days before our scheduled induction...the day when we will finally meet our sweet baby girl!  What are the chances that I will be able to recap the entire pregnancy before she arrives? 

I'll give it a try...
I first suspected I was pregnant on Christmas Day 2011.  I actually took a test when we got home from celebrating that night and it was...positive! I told Jorge that I thought I had one more gift for him, but it wouldn't arrive for another 9 months. :) It was still very early on, however, and I was hesitant about sharing the news before getting confirmation from my OB/GYN.  We were leaving the next day for Colorado and then Las Vegas (see pictures below), but the second we got home I called for an appointment.  By my calculations I wasn't very far along, so they wouldn't see me until the end of the (very long) month. 

I think this may be my first pregnant picture.  Baby bump?

Skiing with the Boys in Beaver Creek

(I was very careful!)
 

What a cute little snowboarder!

 

The Family at Hoover Dam

 



On January 23, at our appointment with Dr. Sun, we got official confirmation that we were pregnant.  We were so excited to tell our family and friends! We also got the most adorable ultrasound picture of our "Baby Bean!"  This very first ultrasound picture is still my favorite. 



The first few months of pregnancy were rough!   I was sick well past the first trimester. No fun! I definately wasn't one of those shiny, happy pregnant women, and it took several months before I was able to understand what all those women were talking about when they said they "love being pregnant."

My "Bump" at 15 Weeks. 

 

In March, we had another ultrasound and found out we were having...A Girl!  As you can see, I couldn't wait to start with the bows.  :)  Though we both would have been perfectly fine with either a boy or a girl, the news that a little girl was on the way seemed to complete my husband's world.  I've witnessed what an amazing father Jorge is to his son, and I cannot wait to see  how quickly he becomes wrapped around our little girl's finger! 

 



I got to travel quite a bit during this pregnancy (trying to get it all in while I could!).  In April, I went with Jorge to Banff, Canada.  While he attended a work conference, I took it easy getting a facial and a massage, going shopping, and just enjoying the beautiful surroundings.

Enjoying dinner as two! (and 1/2)

 This is actually a beautiful frozen lake between two mountains outside of Banff. 

We were able to walk on it.  Well...I walked on it.

 



Soon, it was back to Atlanta and back to reality.  Even though the pregnancy started out rough, it didn't stay that way.  I soon knew what all those "shiny, happy" people were talking about. All she had to do was kick me!  With just a few of those tiny, flittery, butterfly kicks I was sold.  Head over heels In Love!  Even today, as those little flutters have evolved to absolute Kung Fu attacks to my most ticklish spots, I can't help but smile. 

 



The "Bump" at 23 Weeks

In May, I was able to take a long-awaited Girls Trip to Cancun with my "Lindas."  I believe the trip went something like...resting, eating, laying out, eating, doing nothing, eating, etc.  It was pre-baby perfect!

 



 

 "Cancun Bump" at 24 Weeks

 

Just a few weeks later, we took a trip to Puerto Rico to visit Jorge's family.  While we were there, we had our first baby shower!  The "perfectly pink" shower was so sweet, and it was wonderful seeing all of Jorge's family and friends.

 

 

Love these boys! 

"Puerto Rico Bump" at 26 Weeks

 

 Jorge's long-time friends.

My favorite little man with Titi Christie.

 



During all of this, while I'm "training" to become a mother, Jorge decided to train to become a tri-athlete.  I'm so proud of all he has accomplished. 

 

 

 

 

And the summer of pregnancy continues...

Many people made comments about how the summer must have been miserable for me, but honestly I barely even noticed.  Of course the air conditioner helped, and without summer I wouldn't have had a neverending supply of my biggest craving...Watermelon!

 

 



The "Bump" at 28 Weeks

 

On July14th, my friends and family in Carrollton threw us a wonderful baby shower. 

 

Love these girls.

 

It was so great seeing my long-time besties.

 

 

The very next day, July 15th, my cousin Jami and I had a co-shower given by my mom's side of the family.  It was so much fun comparing pregnancy stories with my sweet cousin.

 

Getting Bigger and Bigger...

 

Starting to really grow at 33 Weeks

 

On July 22 my awesome PACU co-workers gave us a shower.  So much fun!

 

 

 

My sweet sorority sisters showered us in August...

I loved all the pink, and my favorite part was that the guests were asked to bring a book for the baby's library.  It was so special to see what book each friend chose.

 

 

There must be something in the water...

 

 

Jorge's sweet office hosted a shower for us also.

 

 

Our last wonderful shower was given by my Dad's side of the family. 

 

 

  

 

We are so fortunate to have so many people who want to help us welcome Baby Girl Fabregas!

Little Jorge has been so excited about having a baby sister. He constantly talks about what she's going to look like, what he's going to teach her, and what's she's going to like.   ("Kari, Do you think she'll like pizza?" "Absolutely!" "Kari, do you think she'll like Phineas and Ferb?"  "Sure!")   He saves anything he can find related to babies, and he's the one who suggested we clean up the playroom so she doesn't swallow any of his lego's! He is going to be an amazing big brother!

 Sweet boy...Flying kites in PR

 Like Papi, Like Son

 

 

Some Papi time in the last days before he has to share!

Last Pic as Three!

 

 

We're Almost There! 

Ready to Pop at almost 39 weeks

 



 

I'm so excited to meet the sweet baby girl I've fallen so in love with.  I know I'm going to miss feeling those twists and turns in my belly, but it's going to be so much better holding her in my arms.  I can't wait!

 

 

 

Now to get just one more good night's sleep...