Ava Grey turns 2

Our little girl turned 2 years old on March 22nd. It's amazing how time flies, I still can't believe I have a 2 year old, until she throws herself on the floor when she doesn't get her way...then reality sets in. We had her party at Lela's house and she put together an amazing Dora the Explorer party for our little girl. I'm so grateful to her as I was still recovering from giving birth 12 days prior. Ava was happy to be around her friends, especially her girlfriend Michi, who she asks for all the time. They ran around together all day, played in the confetti and giggled like little girls, it was adorable. Aiden made his rounds around the room but ended up sleeping most of the party.

Michi, Sofia and Ava

Ava and her cousin Daniel

Aiden with Titi Rosie and Daniel

Opening presents, she was more interested in the Dora cards then the gifts

Abby Caddaby doll, she loves Abby but threw it to the side after this was taken

Big girl, feeding herself birthday cake

Happy Birthday Avita!!!

Spring Fever

This weekend NYC had some amazing weather. We rang in Spring on Saturday with 70 degree temperatures and the Rodriguez Clan headed out doors to take in the sunshine. We got some ice coffees and walked around -- the whole neighborhood seemed to have the same idea, so much that when we got to the park it was overflowing with kiddos. Daddy was brave and let Ava out of her stroller to walk around a bit, she cooperated for half a block then had her own agenda and wanted to go back to the park.

Aiden enjoyed the fresh air and even woke up for part of the stroll around the 'nabe.

First Week

Aiden's first week went well. I forgot how simple a newborn is compared to a toddler. Yes, you are up all hours of the night but really all they need is food, sleep and about 8 diaper changes a day -- piece of cake. The first few days of Aiden's life he slept up to 5 hours a times, which freaked me out, I woke up a few times in a panic. Ava was like clockwork from day one, she woke every 2 hours to be fed and never missed a feeding. This guy loves his sleep as you will see from the pictures. All Aiden's clothes hang on him, even the outfit we brought him home in was huge, where Ava barely fit into newborn clothes after the first 2 weeks.

I'm recovering well. While a c-section might take longer to heal from, a natural birth is not without it's obstacles. In the near future I hope to get some pictures of Ava and Aiden together but right now she's not interested in taking pictures with her brother. She tells him good morning and good night and that she loves him.

Ava's birthday party is this weekend, our girl is going to be 2-years old, so I hope to get some pictures of her and her brother together and perhaps Aiden will open his eyes for a few pictures.

Aiden Zakrie Rodriguez's Birth Story

Our little boy has finally arrived and promptly on his official due date March 9th. Aiden's birth was really amazing. Towards the end of my pregnancy I decided to have a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After C-Section) since I had tested negatively for diabetes and he was measuring under 7 pounds a few weeks before his birth. On the 8th I went for my OB appointment and my doctor was shocked that I was still pregnant, she checked me and I was 5 cm. dilated, she then proceeded to tell me that if he wasn't here by the 11th I should check into the hospital to be induced. So I went home and started getting cramps that afternoon but I had been experiencing them for weeks so I thought nothing of it. That evening I went to bed and woke up around 4 am with some serious cramps coming every 20 minutes or so, went back to sleep and just dealt with the pain. Around 8am Joey took Ava to the sitters and went to work, I made breakfast and watched TV noticing that I was getting these cramps more often (every 12 minutes for 15 seconds) but they were not that strong. Around 11am I called Joey and told him, he asked if he should come home but I said no because this could stay like this for hours.

So I took a shower, blow dried my hair and got ready as I knew at some point today I would be going to the hospital. Around 12:30pm the now "contractions" were coming every 8 to 10 minutes, I called my doctor and she advised me to head to the hospital as she said labor will come quickly for me being so dilated -- at this point Joey took it upon himself to come home and be with me, as soon as he walked through the door we called a car service and were on our way to St. Lukes Roosevelt Hospital. From the house to the hospital the contractions went from every 8 minutes to every 5 minutes. They admitted me around 1:30pm, hooked me up to the monitors and told me I would be having my baby in a few hours. I still didn't believe it as everything took so long with Ava that I couldn't believe that we would be meeting our son in a few short hours. At this point the doctor checked me and I was 7 cm. dilated, she told me to walk up and down the hall for about an hour to get his head lower. During this time, I thinking is this really going to get his head lower?? Contractions were getting stronger, more frequent and longer but not entirely unbearable so I thought I could go a little longer before getting my epidural. After 35 minutes of walking I could no longer bare the pain and was shocked how quickly it went from tolerable to intolerable. I ordered my epidural and one minute before I had so did someone else, it took them 30 minutes to administer it to the other patient so I had to labor with contractions coming every 1 to 2 minutes lasting about 40 seconds, a few contractions later my water broke on its own and the contractions came full on -- this was the WORST pain I had experienced in my life. I had to tell myself that this pain will not kill me because I thought I was going to die. Joey said during this time that I had bit him and I don't even remember doing that...sorry hon!

FINALLY the anesthesiologist arrived with the epidural and within 20 minutes most (not all) the pain went away. I told the doctor I wanted to be involved in delivery of my baby and therefore still need to feel when the contractions come so I know when to push. After 3 long hard pushes the doctor told me that I could feel his head coming out so I reached down and sure enough there was my sons head. One more good push and he would be out, so I gave it all I had and pushed for my life, I opened my eyes, reached down, grabbed my baby and brought him to my chest...it was the most profound moment of my life and how I had always dreamed of giving birth to my baby. He arrived at 5:57pm.

Here are a few pictures of Aiden at the hospital and some from our first day home. I promise to post more soon once the baby fog starts to clear. Thanks to everyone for your flowers, gifts and well wishes. We are happy to be home and elated to now be a family of four.