Update from July!

It's been far too long. I started this post back in July, just before Expo week and starting work again on August 8th. So here's an update from July.

Walk to the park!

Family picture

Mommy and Anthony. I was realizing that I hadn't taken a nice picture with him in awhile, so we snapped these.

They had a little dedication for Anthony after the church service this Sunday. A prayer, a few Bible passages, and some words of blessing for our family! We pray that we can raise Anthony to know and love Jesus.

Working on those tummy time skills.

Anthony has always been alert and observant. He kept eyeing this picture of Carson (my nephew) and I on the fridge. We joked that maybe he was jealous. :) Then Daddy printed off a picture of him and I to put on the fridge too.

Comparing Anthony to my baby pictures. 

Maybe because Miguel and I look so different, we were really curious who Anthony was going to look like. As he grows, I'm more and more convinced that his appearance is a very equal mix.

 Two months old in July!

At the end of July we were getting ready for my cousins to visit and Miguel to go to Colorado for his cousins wedding, all during the weekend of Expo Esperanza 2022.

Life with our Little Guy!

There are beautiful moments and tough moments!

It's been so fun to watch him grow. A couple weeks ago he started smiling (6 wks) and just this week he rolled over from his stomach to his back. (7 wks)

 

He turned one month old on June 9th.

Happy first Father's Day to Miguel in June!

He's getting chubby.

We enjoyed a visit from Aunt Emily and Carson. It took us a bit to figure out how to spend time together with a toddler and 1-month old, and them staying at a house on the CVE campus, but ultimately we enjoyed time with each other and each other's kids. Carson is starting to talk which is super fun!

I had my 6 week appointment in Tucson the day before they flew out, so we ended up staying at a hotel together. Anthony loved the warm water in the pool. So relaxing!

Thanks to a tip from Emily (hold his arms in so he doesn't startle) we are also finally enjoying bath time!

Cousins!

It's hard to believe we are all grown up with our own kids!

 Please pray that I can enjoy these moments and that my daily goals/expectations be small and that I would feel ok about them being small. I will begin supporting at CVE again on August 8th (still a month away), so please pray that I don't worry about that too much but also that we wisely plan/prepare for how to do home life, work life, and meet the baby's needs. Also, Miguel is starting a new job soon, so please pray that transition goes well and we can settle into a new routine. 

Thanks for your prayers!

Family of 3!

Introducing Anthony Javier Aviña, born May 9th at 9:55 p.m. 

He weighed 7 lb. 8 oz. and measured 20 in.

This photo is from 1 week old.

Here he is right after delivery.

The next morning. 

Second photo as a family.

We headed up to Tucson on May 5th and were really blessed by the generosity of a couple from Tucson who lent us their guesthouse. We were surprised to be driving back one week later as Anthony was born a few days early. We arrived back to Magdalena on the 12th. My due date was the 13th.

Hanging out with Daddy. We think he looks like his dad.

Grammy had gotten her plane ticket to come for May 9th a month or so previously. We talked (kind of joking) that if I was in labor, she would have to take an uber. She arrived that evening and took an uber, getting to hold Anthony an hour or so after he was born right in the delivery room. She has been here for the past week and a half and leaves next week. It has been such a blessing to have her help and support and we are going to miss her so much! In the photo above we were enjoying the refreshing evening breeze by Miguel's little corn patch.

Anthony has been a really calm baby. He is eating and sleeping well so far and already passed up his birth weight. The temperatures here are climbing and he gets warm easily, so he's been wearing onesies and light swaddles. We are so in love and soaking up every moment. 

                                    Thanks so much for your love and prayers and support!

Twenty-seven, Thirty-seven

For my 27th birthday on March 21st, Miguel took me out to eat and I really enjoyed trying a new restaurant here in Magdalena!

They serve hamburgers, tacos, traditional Mexican food, and sea food. The hamburgers we had were phenomenal, so it makes me curious about the other food genres. Hopefully, we make it back sometime!

My gift was the flower pot in the picture above and we also repotted some of my other plants which was exciting. 

Thank you for your prayers for my transition out of the kitchen and starting maternity leave. It has gone better than I expected, probably because it happened somewhat gradually. These last two weeks were spring break and therefore the general routine at CVE was different which I think helped me to ease my way out. My brother Justin's visit and weekly trips to Tucson for appointments and birthing class have  also successfully diverted my attention!

Also, a shout out to the ladies below who are carrying on without me!

Justin was here the second week of April and we really enjoyed having him. We ate delicious Mexican food, climbed cross mountain very slowly, and participated in a mini CVE "work team" that Tuesday and Wednesday. For the mini work team, CVE staff and kids signed up to help and participate. We had breakfast and devotions and split up to do painting and landscaping and maintenance projects. It really brought a lot of life and fellowship! 

On another note, my younger siblings continue to transition into adulthood one-by-one and I always enjoy witnessing it when we get to be together (and from a far). Justin is graduating this year and it's such a blessing to see the young man that he is becoming.

It's been exciting to really focus on preparing for the baby's arrival! Getting clothes washed, cleaning around the house, packing bags, reading up on helpful information. 

I'm now 37 weeks pregnant! Saturday we had maternity photos taken and today I had my last ultrasound. So enjoy the bump and baby update...

We had so much fun taking these pictures with Addy Beyer! 

Three and a half years ago, she took our engagement photos and wedding photos when she was just getting started with her photography business. 

And here is baby Aviña, peaking from behind his hand! According to the doctor's measurements he is about 3 kilos and nearing seven pounds. He has been really kicking and wiggling and last night for the first time, I was like, "I think I'm ready for this baby to be out!" My ribs and pelvis and muscles are getting some hard shoves. 

Please pray for a safe delivery and that no matter how things go, we can feel God's peace and presence through the process! Also, pray for our transition into parenthood. So many unknowns, but so much excitement as we meet a new little person who will be such a big part of our lives!

We can't wait to meet him! 

Baby Shower

 Well, it's been over a month. I've had some difficulty loading pictures the last couple times I've tried to post. But finally, here we are with a brief update.

After a night below freezing, our yard was looking pretty lousy. (It was looking pretty bad even before the freeze.) Anyways, we got to work and trimmed the flower bushes, raked, and Miguel even planted a few rows of sweet corn. I smile to see our little garden plot. We'll have to see how it turns out!

Miguel invested in a spot cleaner for his auto detailing work and we tried it out on our rug. I must say, it does a pretty good job!

Four weeks ago, I decided enough was enough with excuses about piano practice by my students and decided to plan a challenge. Depending on how many times they practiced each week, they earned a smaller or larger prize at the end of four weeks. I'm thankful to report that I was pleased with the results as practice definitely increased and I could tell by their performance!

For the last six weeks, I have been assisting in the Hilos art class with the 7th-9th graders. They (we) have been learning how to draw anime or cartoon faces. I was privileged to also participate and here I am presenting my drawing.

On March 5th, Jackie planned a baby shower for me along with the help of all these beautiful ladies. I felt very blessed by their attention and gifts. 

We also had some good laughs as they guessed the size of my baby bump. Miguel came for a few of the activities. We showed off our skills feeding each other baby food and dressing a doll both while blind folded.

It was a lovely time.  

Finally, baby update!

Ultrasound pictures from 29 weeks!

Saluting with his foot!

Baby bump from 30 weeks!

He has been kicking and wiggling a lot and pushes on my ribs now. Just 8 weeks to go!

Balancing work and baby and everything else has been somewhat stressful lately, however my work responsibilities will be decreasing/transitioning over the next month. Please continue to pray that the transition can go smoothly and that I can remember that first and foremost I am a daughter of God (before my work or being a mom or wife). Thanks for your love and prayers!