Why yes, I AM his mother.

I knew that when I got pregnant there was going to be a huge chance that my baby was going to look very different from me. I would sit around and try to picture if he would get his daddy's Vietnamese eyes or would he get my Mexican skin. Would he get his daddy's Vietnamese jet black hair? Would he get my Mexican features? Who would he resemble? Would he be a beautiful mixture of both of us and not look like either of us? Would he look more like his daddy and his side of the family? Or, would he look like my side of the family? I did know that there was going to be a strong probability that he was going to be different from one of us. Who it was going to be was going to be left for time to tell. We were going to have to wait to find out. I knew that. For 9 months I  prepared to have to deal with him looking different, but what I wasn't fully prepared for was people not believing that I carried him in my womb. That *I* gave birth to him. It is frustrating when people assume that I am not his mother. I don't know if they think I'm the nanny.

If I'm with my husband, I get looks. I'm sure people are thinking that I'm his step mom. At least I am some form of mom. The problem is when it's the kiddo & I without the hubs. On several occasions I have had people question me whether I'm his mom. When I say yes, they look at me as if saying, "But are you his *mom*, mom?" I guess what bothers me about that is that he is my child regardless. It's no one's business if I carried him for 9 months or if someone else did. He's my child. My baby. Mi gordo. My lovebug. Mine.

I have never had anyone question to my face if I'm the nanny or the sitter. I don't know how I would react if that ever were to happen. I guess it depends on my mood at the moment. I don't ever want Little Man to question his appearance. I know there will be a day where he is going to question why he looks different from his cousins on my side. Or maybe he won't because race and appearances aren't something that we make a big deal about. We teach love. Love for everyone regardless of race.

Little Man is the spitting image of his daddy. The hubs and I couldn't have planned it better. It's kinda scary how alike they are. It's been that way since day one. The day he was born one of the nurses turned to my husband and jokingly said, "Are you sure you are the father?" Everyone burst out laughing because there is no denying it. As Little Man gets older he looks more and more like his daddy. I wouldn't change that. I love that he looks so much like him. I hate that I have to prove that he is mine.

I shouldn't have to prove anything to anyone. He's loved and that's all that matters. I didn't snatch him. I promise.

What can I say?

Life has been super busy. Not an excuse, just the truth. I always say that I'm going to post, but my body & Little Man have other plans when I get home. I'm trying to be better.

This last year has been amazing, sleepless, tiring, blessed, full of laughter and constantly evolving. Especially the laughter part.

Little Man is going to be one next month. Yup. ONE!!! When did that happen? Sigh. It makes me sad because I feel like it just flew by. It feels like he was born and then the next day he was going to be one.

I leave you with a picture of Little Man. It was for his very first picture day. Sniff. Sniff. My baby isn't much of a baby anymore.

It's the perfect time...

to take pictures and share memories created with family. I love the holidays! I know it's been a while since I last posted. I will update soon, but that's for another day.

This year has been full of "firsts." First born, first grandchild, first laugh, first smile, first 4th of July, first Thanksgiving and now first Christmas! I'm so EXCITED!! 

With all the firsts going around, I can't wait to share Brandon's firsts with all of our family that aren't in town. I can't stay away from shutterfly.com. I have created several things but I need to take some more pics of Brandon wearing all the cute outfits his aunt Yen & his Great Grandma Louise sent him.

For Christmas I normally send a regular boring card, but  this year I'm considering sending this. Shutterfly has cute stuff. I can't make up my mind. Too many to choose from. I've never sent a picture card but I always love receiving them.

I have an idea for this. It gives me the opportunity to play with my camera and with my baby who is always up for smiles, laughs & pictures.

I'm in the process of creating one of these.I believe Grandma & Grandpa Nguyen are really going to enjoy their gift.

I'm off to take more pics of my cute baby.

30 weeks 3 days

Where has the time gone? Wow. We have less than 10 weeks before we will be holding and kissing our little one. I am getting excited but I'm nervous. Excitement wins though.

His movements are much more powerful and you can actually see him moving around in my belly. I'm not going to lie, it feels so weird but we are fascinated by it.

I have had heartburn from hell lately. There are days when even water does it for me, but I pop some Tums and go on with my day.

Ken & I are trying to finish the nursery and the registry. Please have patience with us as we slowly but surely get it done. We are such slackers. Hehehe!

I have a dr's appt on Friday afternoon. After this appt I will start seeing him every two weeks and then on a weekly basis until Baby B arrives. Almost there.

29 weeks 2 days

Baby has been super duper active. Sometimes I think he's break dancing in there. It's neat to have Ken feel him squirming in there. I can't wait to hold our little tiger.

I swear that every time I pass a mirror my belly has grown inches. I have considered measuring it but I'm scared of what I might find out. 

27 weeks 2 days

I had a dr appointment on Thursday and everything went well. My dr says that everything is right on track.:)

I was also told that if I don't go into labor by June 29th, he will induce me on June 30th. He said that I probably won't make it until then. Apparently, I'm cooking a big ole baby. 

A year ago

I can't believe that a year has gone by. It seems like it was just a couple of weeks ago, but not a day goes by that I don't think of our precious angel baby who was with us for such a short time.

I am grateful for the 16 weeks we DID have and to know that B has an angel looking over him at all times.

Life always throws curveballs but I think it's how you handle them that matters.

I am lucky because I have had such a great support system to overcome the rollercoaster of emotions that came with the loss of a loved one. My husband, family, friends, my faith and my FIF's. I love you all and I'm SO grateful for every piece of advice, hug, card, text, email & phone call.

I couldn't have come out of this experience with a glass-half-full perspective if it weren't for my loving and patient husband. On the days that I all I needed was a friend, he was it. If all I needed was him to sit there in silence with me. He did and sat there for as long as I needed. He knew exactly what I needed when I didn't even know what I needed. I can't even put into words everything that he did for me.

I love you babe! I know this wasn't easy for either of us. I thank my lucky stars to have my best friend as my husband.