Anabella Rose.

yep.
you guessed it!

its a GIRL!

we're having another princess, and i've already got princess fever.
not so much in the literal sense, but def in the figurative sense.

the other night i couldn't sleep, so while Jr headed to work, i opened my laptop, and went to town on pinterest.

5am.
Bella's room is a full pinboard.

yes.
i'm that obsessed.

http://pinterest.com/hoorayitscasey/bella-s-crib/

it was an exciting day!
its amazing to see how much she's grown since week 7. she has little arms, legs, hands, tiny feet, and such a personality.  i think she's stubborn like her sister, and umm like her mommy.  we got plenty of booty action and less pretty face action.  i guess she wanted to make it clear she inherited the Romero bootayyy.

clear it was.

i'm getting more and more excited to see her beautiful face, and we can't wait to see who she looks like, and see if the light brown locks and fair skin tone have passed down.

here are some pretty peeeektures of my baby!

^^ last image is of a thumbs up! haha

How far along? 17+ weeks
Maternity clothes? I think its time for maternity bottoms.

Stretch marks? Not yet.

Sleep: For some reason, more than usual as of lately.

Best moment this week: Well, today is only Monday, but Jr came home with a Treat Cupcake! mmmm

Miss Anything? An appetite. Still.

Movement: Yes! Very little, but it more apparent, now.

Food cravings: Slushies.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Yes, still most of any menu.
Have you started to show yet:  Fa sho!

Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: No, but back is aching more and more. =/
Belly Button in or out? In, and it better stay that way. =P
Wedding rings on or off? On... for now.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! Blessed! Grateful!

Looking forward to: Aislynn and daddy being able to feel Cupcake move.

Size of Baby: A pear or larger.  We'll find out more come 20 weeks. =]

ps. the day was SO busy, this was the ONLY picture I managed to take, and yeah, I'm sitting down. We'll shoot for next week, eh?

Other small updates:

** Eating is every now and then... I try and eat small meals, but all I want is fruit.  Its good to me and my nausea, which isn't severe... until I eat something my tummy disagrees with. 

** The "girls" generally eat more than I do. ha!

** My face and body were breaking out like I was 13 again, but thankfully to some new prenatals, all is good in the hood!

** I haven't gained a single pound, and am continuing to lose.  yay and nay. I'm scared to start working out because of this... Any advice??

** I went "back to work" after a 2 month hiatus! Love feeling creative and inspired! Makes my heart sing!

** Aislynn and I are getting to work on her reading, and she can ready about 15pgs on her own. 

<<<--------- Very proud mama! (video up, soon!)

Faith & Love,

Casey

16+ Weeks & a Gender

Lately, I've either been nesting or I've had enough of this nest that is a MESS.  Either way, I feel mucho productive and want to pat myself on the back whenever I get the chance! ha!

I've taken some much needed time off from work to refocus on pretty much everything, and I must say these past couple of week have been better than I thought it would be.  I have more energy, and besides the constant headaches and feeling puffy, I feel GREAT!

I honestly don't feel pregnant much at all. ::knocks on wood::  According to my personal scale, I haven't gained a single pound, and I'm still not sure whether to worry or not.  Its getting to the point where Jr is desperate to shove food down my throat, which before I was preggo, I wouldn't have minded at.all.  I've come to the conclusion that either its this pregnancy, or God diluting my appetite, or perhaps both.  Not sure, but this go-round, I'm extremely happy I haven't gained weight.  I only plan to gain about 15lbs total, and I guess if baby is bigger, then maybeeeee 18lbs.  And of course, I plan on losing it immediately after Cupcake is born.  I just pray, I don't say hello to postpartum depression, and eat everything in sight.  

Lord, help me.

As many of you know, tomorrow is a HUGE HUGE day.

::crossing fingers::

::knocks on wood::

Gender Ultrasound! 

Boy or Girl?
Nino or Nina?

Only God knows at this point, but tomorrow, God willing, we'll all know!

Baby Names as of today:
{I'm a woman, and change my mind. duh! but I have a feeling these are pretty set in stone.}

girl: Anabella Rose Ayala 

{"Bella" for short}

boy: Adrian Bryce Ayala

btw. 

Tomorrow, "Cupcake" will either reign, or we'll have to come up with a more manly name. ha!

suggestions are welcome. <3

Here are some of the nursery ideas, I've come across thus far.

girl:

{colors and theme}

boy:

{colors and possible theme}

For the boy's room, I will tell you how absolutely terrified I am.  I mean, I guess, in general, I'm terrified of having a boy.  I have 4 sisters, and huge load of female family members, and well, I have a girl of my own.  Boys terrify me with their violent manners and dirty clothes. ha! {i know all are not like this} I'm being total honest, here.  Jr, alone, scares me with his own tales from the sand box ages.  On the other hand, boys are mama's boys, and although Aislynn can stick up for herself, who doesn't want a brother to do it for her?  Plus, a man of God... so powerful!  And I know Jr will absolutely die and be completely over the moon and overjoyed with the extra testosterone up in here! ha! 

ps.  he has a strong feeling its a boy.  I, on the other hand, haven't a single clue. 

is that sad? =P

So back to the decorating.  I'm ready to start! 

Like 4 months ago!  And hopefully, I can, I mean, WILL, document the process! I've been such a slacker, and I would say, "lately", but in truth, I've been slacking since I began blogging.  errr.  so, yeah. Don't hold your breath, faithful readers.

Anywho, I have a couple more weeks before I am officially HALF WAY through my pregnancy! Weehoo! And yes, I already know I have a longgggg way to go.  I've already been pregnant in the past to live and testify to this (lol), but really, at this point, I'm enjoying it, and I'm glad God gave us 9 months to get ready, because I/we are in no rush for Cupcake to arrive.  Excited? yes! In a rush? Nope. (Aislynn is a different story) We have SO much to do before then, and we want to be as prepared as we possibly can, that way when Cupcake does finally arrive, we can fully enjoy him/her, and not have to worry about the stuff that doesn't need to be worried about. 

Tomorrow: D-Day!

3:20pm cst.

Oh, and one more thing! Cupcake, pleaseeeee cooperate for the family who loves you ohhhh sooo dearly!  I can't have my child taking "bad" pictures... What will that say about me, and my profession? Eh? Eh?   

EEEEK!! Can't wait!

 

How far along? 16+ weeks
Maternity clothes? Not really... Continuing to wear my regular clothes, which consists of leggings and a cute top.

Stretch marks? Not yet. ::knocks on wood::

Sleep: I'm not AS tired, but I'll take up a nap if its offered.

Best moment this week: Well tomorrow, duh. ha

Miss Anything? An appetite. Still.

Movement: I THINK I felt Cupcake move, but I dunno... Gas these days is horrific. =(

Food cravings: Homemade Cake!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Lots
Have you started to show yet:  Yep

Gender: Tomorrow!!
Labor Signs: Nope.  Thank the Lord!
Belly Button in or out? In, and it better stay that way. =P
Wedding rings on or off? On... for now.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Blessed! Happy! Productive!

Looking forward to:  Feeling the baby move, anddddd TOMORROW! ha!

Size of Baby:  Avocado, but Cupcake is 7 days bigger than average, so who knows. lol

ps. I'll try and get a recent pic up, tomorrow! <3

I'm wearing blue & pink to celebrate the day!

btw. the pink is a hot pink cardigan.  

(yes, you read right!)

For other Preggersville goodness, check out my Pinterest board:

http://pinterest.com/hoorayitscasey/preggersville/

Faith, Love, and Gender!

Casey

 

Better Than a Hallelujah

Today, was unplanned.  Yesterday was unseen.  Tomorrow, is not definite.

I experienced something this afternoon that in my years of experiencing... is never the same experience.  Its always hard, and it always sends a jolt to your heart and to the spirit you thought was once strong, but having experiencing death in any stage of life always brings a different perspective.

There comes a time in everybody's life when we say, "Goodbye."  Whether we know when or how soon, it happens, and it happens quickly.  We are but dust in the wind, and just like that, life has happened to us, and that instance, we greet the eternal life we have waiting for us.

My dear sweet uncle's brother passed away, this week.  It was sudden and quick.  A heart attack no one was expecting.

As I accompanied the day of sorrow, I suddenly remembered what it's like to be in their shoes.  Where your heart stings with a passion of absence and your soul cries for just one last, "Goodbye." Tears stream down your face, and all you can think is, "What will tomorrow be like?  What will next week be like?  Next year?"  The future has come without warning, and the past has left without a proper exiting.  The avenue you've always known as everyday, has now taken a detour into another tomorrow.  The world spins to the hours ahead, yet your heart is in the standstill of yesterday.  You're currently in this moment in time where nothing seems right, yet even in the sorrow, everything is beautiful and blessed.

The sun was bright and merry, dancing on the tree tops. The wind was smooth and cool on my skin.  The laughter from my little one was refreshing, and the tears from others was a reminder;  a reminder that this is life, and tomorrow is never guaranteed.

I stood there amongst family and friends, and although I didn't personally know my uncle's brother, I do know that I am a sister, I am an aunt, a cousin, a niece, a best friend, a daughter, and a wife, and above all else, I am human.  The hurt the family felt today, I can't even begin to imagine.  But imagine I did, and suddenly all that I felt hurting inside of me prior to arriving at the funeral, took a backseat and joined the choir of unimportance, while a new perspective hopped in the front seat, and took its place.

Cherish others.  Cherish yourself.  Cherish your memories. 

And most importantly, cherish love.

Without it, life isn't living, but with it, life is an eternal battleground of victory.  Love never dies, but lives on forever; in our hearts, in our minds, and in our spirits and souls.  Its something that can never be taken away, nor ever replaced.  Love is the greatest gift given to us.  

So, love it with all your heart.

In the love of the Lord, death has lost its sting.  In the mess of life, a beautiful story ends.

Better than a hallelujah. 

To my uncle and his family. 

Thank you for having me be apart of this day.  It was truly a blessing to be surrounded by such wonderful people who felt a love so strong.  I pray God wraps His loving arms around you, tonight, and whispers in your ear, "I am with You."  May He bring you comfort and peace in this time of sorrow, and may you continue to love each other the way you've shown, today.  May God bless you all, deeply and richly, and may you never forget the precious memories that you hold so dear in your hearts.

Faith & Love, 

Casey

2012? Say wha?

Parents weren't kidding when they said time flies when you're older.  I mean, I always used to think, "umm how on earth could someone literally forget how old they are??"  It was just beyond bizarre to me... and funny enough, THIS year, I myself, forgot how old I was, and soon found myself counting on my fingers. (yes, I still do that. ha)

2011 was crazy... like every year before, and every year before that.  Life just gets harder the older you get, however, I've learned this past year, its easier to manage when you have someone who is constantly with you and that loves you unconditionally, and will never let you fall, and will always pick you back up.

I felt like that numerous times this year... like life wouldn't go on and situations would never mend.  But they did, and you know what?  Life DID go on, and here I am today, to tell about it and to remind myself that what doesn't kill us, will only make us stronger.

Stronger?  Yep.  I believe I can attest to that.  Honestly, and truly, I feel like I have gotten to a place of peace... not immediate or so much current, but I know peace is there... waiting for me and my family.  That alone is all the peace I need at the moment, and I can rest in that comfort... in the comfort of Jeremiah 29:11.

As I ponder life throughout the day in prayer and discussion with God, and while listening to my praise and worship, He has been revealing so much to me...  "Simple" is what I keep getting... A simple life.  I know for sure now, that's what I'm after... that's what we as a family are after.


I read this today from Joyce Meyer, and it struck a chord in me. 

God never leads us to busy ourselves so much that we're stressed out all the time and have no joy.
 

And all along, I thought the opposite, but had I really sat down to ask myself WHY I felt this way?  Because in reality, when you think about it, why on earth would God want us SO busy that we're just completely wiped out?  So busy that we forget to pray or make the excuse of not having time to dive into His word or not attend church?  I mean really, that's absurd.  Duh, Casey.  And then on top of it all, be stressed?  Okay, yeah, point made.

Life is all about TRUSTING him... not being so busy that there isn't time to trust in HIM, but rather, trust in our own abilities, or us alone trying to control multiple situations on our own.  

"Sacrafice....sacrafice", I kept telling, myself.  

NO. 

Its finally hit me... I'm not sacrificing what NEEDS to be sacrificed.  I'm only sacrificing what I want to sacrifice in order to keep what I don't NEED.

This year, that's going to change.  Drastically. 

We're moving out of this house when the time comes, and we're selling my beloved SmartCar for something used and hopefully already paid for.  We're minimizing our meals to good healthy choices, and 1/2 of our closets are in the process of being donated.  I could go on, but really, I'm not trying to sound all high and mighty, here.  This may be a laugh to some, but for us and well, for everyone, its about living within your means, and our means means a simpler life.  We want to go on yearly vacations, put our kids in awesome creative sports.  I want to be able to pour more into my business, and maybe even go back to school one day.  I want to invest in everything we have never invested in, but have always wanted to.  Most importantly, I want to get more involved in the church... in whatever way God intends.  And in fact, Lord willing, I may even want a 3rd child... I know, crazy, right??

So this year, my New Year's resolution isn't to lose weight... although, that would definitely be a plus.  But instead its to walk closer with God... to REALLY get into an awesomely close relationship with Him.  He has yet to fail me, and I can only imagine what He has in store for my family and I, because I know deep down, Jr, Aislynn, and I were made for SO much more, and at the end of this life, I want to be able to say I used all that He gave me.  I strive to be that Proverbs 31 wife, but I feel at this point, I can only "attain" that with less distraction and stress; something that can often root itself with "bigger and better."

I'm tired of being the one who's "ohhh pray for me".  Yeah, its important to ask others to pray for you, but why not be the one that prays FOR them.  As Christians, we aren't made to be in the dumps ALL.THE.TIME.  NO.  We're made to be victorious and to rise up!  Enough with the pity party; THIS warrior comes out THIS year, and I only plan to grow stronger, in Jesus Name! 

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." 

-- Matthew 6:21

Happy New Year! 

Faith & Love, 

Casey