TreSoto Update

Well assuming, I don't go into labor in the next 24 hours, tomorrow morning baby boy is getting evicted! That's right. We are scheduled for yet again, another induction. So the plan includes dropping the girls off at Mimi & Bapa's this evening, enjoying a nice, peaceful coffee/dessert date with the hubby, get a good night's rest try to get a few hours of sleep, wake up at 4am, check in to the hospital at 5am, start some pitocin action around 6am, and from there, I have no expectations other than to get Soren the heck out!

It's been quite the physical, emotional and mental roller-coaster for the past couple several weeks. I would probably be an absolute wreck and wallow in self pity (at least a whole lot more than I do) if it weren't for these precious angels:

 Innocent, joyful, full of life and love who stop me dead in my tracks of irritability and frustration and force an unexpected,  spontaneous laugh out of my mouth when I'm on the verge of tears.

It's amazing.
God's timing, that is. 

I've been so worried during this pregnancy wondering how I would will do it...envisioning 3 little individuals all vying for mommy's attention simultaneously, which I know is inevitable at times, but witnessing these 2 play, interact, cooperate and blossom lately sure has put me in a more peaceful state about the transition we are all about to embark on.

I've noticed a significant shift in the bond of these 2 recently. Which means a closeness that includes a lot of whining fighting working things out, but ultimately, lots of hugs, kisses, snuggles, squeals, and belly laughs.

 Here's to an ordinary, wonderful, warm, glorious, uncomfortable and final day as a mommy of 2 and to a smooth labor & delivery of baby boy Soto!

Soren's Starry Night Nursery

His room is complete! 

And 2 whole weeks before his due date. Phew! 

This is what Genevieve's tropical botanical nursery looked like before:

And now, with a much more masculine take:

 The cozy corner alcove where much time is spent rocking and nursing. 

Before:

And After:

(I may add a little bling to those lamp shades. We'll just have to see how much time he gives me)

 The crib quilt turned wall art...

 ...To the classic Creation of Man painting. 

  This was the inspiration behind the whole room's theme. Since baby boy's namesake is one of daddy's favorite philosophers and I knew I didn't particularly want a room that was too baby-ish but rather one he could grow into so I wouldn't have to worry about doing much work for awhile (I know, totally goes against my obsession with change & opportunities to re-decorate), I thought the artwork would be a perfect way to introduce a starry night theme with hints of the love of wisdom, which both daddy and I share. I've had this artwork in 3 different walls in the house and it never felt right. I love it in here. It's the first thing I see turning the corner to go to any of the bedrooms and I find myself smiling often. Now that's decorating success! Woohoo!

The crib bedding Before (so feminine):

 After: (I love the simplicity)

 Mimi was such an incredible help in the whole process of bouncing ideas off of her, then hunting for fabric and volunteering to help me make the bumper and bedskirt. Well, somewhere along the process, (probably when she saw there was no way I would be able to undertake this project with 2 active little ones and pregnant), she took over the responsibility and her help turned into becoming the sole creator of a beautiful crib set! She even sewed a matching blanket, several pillows and a mobile which we just need to locate the misplaced rods for.

Thanks Mom! You're amazing!

This is where we started:

 To this.
I found the "Sweet Dreams" metal art at Big Lots for $5 and the knobs simply got a coat of warm yellow paint.

 And then the window panels. Oh. My. goodness. You are not going to believe the deal I got. I was thinking I could handle attacking some shorter, simple curtains if I could ever find the time to get out and look for the fabric. Well, I was at Ross for something completely different and bam! There they were. Done. With grommets. Longer than I had planned, (which was my preference anyway) and a complete steal! Way cheaper than the fabric would have cost me. I was sure when I got home to check the color, the shade would be completely off because it was just too good to be true but they were perfect! That never happens to me (hehe)

I had to take a picture for proof. This was for both panels people!!!

Don't you love finding amazing deals at just the right time?

The wall art was about the only thing I actually made (besides a lot of spray painting). It was simple but time consuming because I refused to spend a dime so I worked with my existing scrapbook paper collection to come up with something simple that didn't clash. I added a  couple quotes from baby boy's name sake, Mr. Kierkegaard.
Daddy is very  happy :)

Here's the before (these were from Micheal's and I never finished the ideas I had for the shelf):

And the After:

And that's it! 

Well....I've got a whole bunch of plastic star ornaments that I was thinking might look neat hanging from the ceiling at different heights but we'll see if I have the energy and motivation Either way, I'm really happy with the way it turned out.

It's better than I had envisioned in my mind which is always a good thing and since baby boy could care less what it looks like, I better like it! :)

Barbies and Boyish Blue

Two weekends ago, Bapa came over to paint the nursery a more masculine shade of the rainbow. Although the color we had was gender neutral, after 4 years, momma was getting pretty tired of the bright green. What he didn't know was that his mission would be slightly delayed by an inability to refuse his first granddaughter's pleas to play. He didn't seem to mind that the 'play' involved dressing Barbie dolls. 

  This grandpa can do it all, I tell you. He can build a home and with the same two hands entertain a 31/2 year old with talk of ballroom gowns and fairy tale endings. He's got a really cute high-pitched female voice too... 

Oh yeah, and the room....
Once the paint was bought and I knew it was going up on the walls, I got a little scared terrified that I would hate it mainly because the color scheme I chose would remind me too much of my high school and college days practicing living in the gym of my gold and blue Alma maters. But, I was so relieved and thrilled to see it up and actually looooove it!

Thanks Dad for giving up your Saturday and lending your professional painting skillz.
Now it just needs those special touches. 

Be back soon with the finished before and afters...

Celebrating with the onesies you love

(If the title has you chuckling or smiling, I can't take the credit. That would be my better half, Mr. Soto)

This past weekend, I gathered with my nearest and dearest friends to create some homemade, special onesies for the littlest Soto coming next month (uh, hopefully next month!) It was such a neat celebration from the days weeks prior of preparing all the details: gathering fabric and decorations and dying and washing dishes, cutting stencils, making name tags and the like, to the actual day of being with such incredible women whom God has blessed me immeasurably with their friendship and life example. From the moment the doorbell rang and the first guest arrived, the time. flew. by.  

And the day began. This was my speech attempt to express my appreciation and love for each one of my friends who come from varying stages and places in my journey but equally fill my life with such immense fulfillment and richness... What a dream come true to have them all in the same home sharing food, each other's company and crafting!!!!

Then we prayed and ate our heart out! The lovely spread...

This was Station 2: Choose your onesie color/style, fabric and applique stencil... 

(with some professional examples for inspiration)

Station 3: The sweatshop craft room with a lovely view of the Emde Resort...

 & the slave laborers ladies hard at work producing some awesomely creative onesies:

 They definitely surpassed any and all expectations I had with their intensity and excitement.

Hands down, Julianna had the most creative, hillarious idea for 1 of her creations...Can you guess what it is? Not a jelly bean or a jumping bean....

 It's Soren's missing left kidney!!! It still has me busting up every time I see it! Yes, child, we are already laughing at your expense before you even enter the world :)

(& you better believe he will be seen sporting that proudly)

And this super momma,  in the land of sleep deprivation, cracked nipples and a healing crotch (sorry Care), having pushed out a 9 pounder 10 days prior, shows up beautifully glowing, passes up the pre-made stencils and busts out a onesie using a hand drawn original! What a treat not only to see her but to also meet and hold baby Tyler!

 Some more highlights of the beautiful afternoon...

I'll need to update the "after" picture since several more were added after working into the evening (not to mention the backsides of some which have some really cute bum embellishments) but a very impressive transformation...

Thank you Mom (Dad, Miranda & Ita) for your incredible labor of love, countless hours of shopping, prepping, cleaning, dying, washing, ironing, gift wrapping, knitting, crocheting, decorating and much more to create such a warm, welcoming and loving environment for everyone. It was such a special time, absolutely perfect, and I am so blessed to have had such a memorable celebration in honor of our 3rd miracle.

 And a special thanks to Mr. Soto for taking over as Mr. Mom giving our girls a full day of fun memories with daddy (& some adorable video to prove it) so mommy could take a day "off" and get spoiled!

The Case of the Missing Kidney

This morning, I went for a follow up ultrasound to check on the kidneys of our little guy. In our 20 week u/s, the tech didn't see the left kidney and Doc confirmed it wasn't in the usual spot (your abdomen) but that sometimes it can be found in the lower pelvic area which we would have to wait a few weeks to check on. After patiently answering many a question, assuring me that a) baby was totally healthy and would be absolutely fine b) there was nothing I did that caused the possible missing kidney, c) that it is not linked to any other abnormalities nor syndromes and d) that it does not mean anything about his life expectancy,  I resolved not to worry about it or even think (too much) about it until we knew for more certain. 

Which brings us back to today. The drive to St Joseph's Medical Plaza was surprisingly peaceful. I turned on my Christian radio station and began to sing along with praises to my King. Immediately, I was overcome. It was one of those moments. I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit surrounding me, refreshing my soul and strengthening me from inside out. I was captivated by the beautiful sunshine, the striking clouds and blue skies that were filled with thunder, lightning and a downpour just a couple hours prior. I was even unaffected by the horrible traffic and Dean can tell you that if that were the case, it had to be the Holy Spirit at work! ha.

Totally unexpectedly I could feel my eyes well up with tears as I felt completely overwhelmed by His goodness and His love.  I felt joyful, humbled and simply grateful to be alive, to be in His grace and to have a precious life within me, the beautiful, miraculous outcome of Dean and my complete self-giving & life-giving love to one other. I turned my nervousness over to Him and committed every day of his life, every organ, every hair on my baby boy's head to His Creator. Then I got to the waiting room. That spiritual "high" feeling wore off a tad... The 15 minute wait seemed like an eternity. I felt nervous again. I wasn't worried. Honestly, I wasn't expecting to hear anything different. I guess it was just that impulse of  wanting needing to know. To be in control again. It was a very detailed ultrasound, much more in depth than the standard check in the Dr's office, or at least it seemed to be. She took her time measuring every major bone and checking blood flow from here and there. I'm sure she left the "kidney search" to the very end purposely, for her sake, as to not have some basket-case uncooperative mom on her hands. 

But I was fine. She did only see 1 kidney but apparently he's got some damn long legs and an adorably cute profile!  :) She asked if my husband was tall because compared to the other measurements, I guess his femur measured very long. Hmm, future track star?! We shall see.

I'm still not worried. Really. None of the medical professionals are so why should I be? And worrying isn't from the Lord anyway. He has put us in this situation for a reason and He wants us to trust Him evermore. All I'm called to do as a mother is to love and teach my children in the ways of the Lord, and through my example, striving every day for holiness and oneness with Him and He will take care of the rest. 

That simplifies everything.

And in the words of my wise, awesome, pro-life Dr., "Besides, God doesn't care what our shell looks like or how it functions. All he cares about is our soul, what's in our heart. We'll get a new body in heaven anyway" I love that.

So with that, here is baby Soren. Looks like he's got the full lips gene, just like big(gest) sis. 

 And this would be him showing off his male genitals
(not where the arrow is pointing, in between the legs, people). 

Those boys. They have no shame. haha.