Lola

Mi querida Lolita
You arrived Thanksgiving day 2010 (Nov 25th) and gave Thanksgiving a complete new meaning; now we will always be extra Thankful during that date. It was the best Thanksgiving ever and we will remember that every year.
I am sorry I haven't been as diligent as I was with your big sister blogging about my pregnancy and how I was getting ready to receive you. Trust me we were as excited but it was hard to find time between work and taking care of Cori. I promise I will blog as much as possible so that you both can have a recollection of these first years of life.
My pregnancy was wonderful, besides the normal morning sickness during the 2nd half of the first trimester; everything was great; and even the morning sickness was a sign that the pregnancy was progressing as it should, so I tried not to complain too much about it. I started showing a lot quicker than with your sister; by 18 weeks you could tell I was pregnant; so although I got bigger quicker I did end up at about the same size as with Cori and gained more or less the same amount of weight (15 to 16 lbs). You were 0.5lbs bigger than Corina at birth and about the same lenght; and look a lot like her too.
You took a lot of trips while on mommy's tummy. Before we even knew you were coming we went to Birmingham to spend Easter with your McDanal Grandparents. We also got to spend time with Aunt Emily and her fiance Matt. At 12 weeks we went to Quito to visit the Mantilla Grandparents, we had a great time with the family and everyone was getting very excited about you; at that time we didn't know if you will be Lola or Baby Boy McDanal; but I secretly knew it was going to be another beautiful girl.
In July I had to go to New York for work so we all decided to go; Daddy and Cori spent some great quality time touring through the streets and subways of Manhattan. Your sister loved the city and the mass transportation system. In August we went back to Birmingham to visit the McDanals, by this time we have confirmed that it was Lola who will be arriving at the end of the year and we were all very very excited.
In October I had to travel for work to Austin TX; I was pretty sad I had to leave your sister for 1 week; I had never done that in over 2 years, since she was born, but we all did great. I don't know when I will have to leave you overnight but I hope it is not anytime soon. I know it will have to happen someday but I promise you I will do whatever I can to delay that date as much as possible. So in your short life you have been quite a traveler even before you made your appearance into this world.
You started moving inside my tummy, or I started feeling you move a lot sooner than I did with Cori; they say this is normal b/c we mommas know what we are supposed to feel and are more aware of it. That was the greatest feeling and I enjoyed so much every move, kick, punch, etc. you did while in my tummy. Even as I was pushing you out you still kept on moving!!

Your arrival (Couldn't be more perfect)
Since before you came into this world you have been the most considerate little baby. It seems you knew since before day 1 how to behave to make the process of adapting to a family of 4 easier.
You arrived the morning after your grandparents (Toto and Gringo) had arrived from Ecuador. This worked great because it would have been a challenge for us if you would have come any earlier; but you knew how to do it and when you let us know you were coming everything was set up. Toto and Gringo were home to take care of Cori and Daddy was able to come with me to the hospital to see you arrive. Only Tia Chola was left out with no Thanksgiving dinner but I think she was more excited about meeting you than about any dinner anyway.
The delivery was as when your sister was born; just perfect. I woke up with contractions at around 6:30am but tried to convince myself I was NOT having contractions; my mind was set on the plan we had for Thanksgiving day of cooking lunch and having Tia Chola, Carlos and Emi over. I didn't say anything about the contractions and move on as usual for the next 2 hours when I realized I was in fact having contractions; and that considering I can deliver pretty quick it might be a good idea to let Daddy know. I woke up Daddy and we timed the contractions, they were consistently 5 to 6 minutes apart. I remembered with Cori my contractions were like that when I was just 2 cm dilated so I didn't worry much. I laid down for a while and then decided to get into the shower. While I was in the shower (which felt amazing) I could tell the contractions were coming closer together so we called the Dr. who recommended going to the hospital. I finished packing the bag, Daddy had breakfast, hung out a bit with Cori and left to the hospital at around 9:25am. We got there, I got changed, checked (I was @10cm and ready to push) and 10m or so later you were born. It was peaceful, relaxing and amazing. I am so so blessed God had given me this body that loves to have babies and that allows me to have the best experiences ever when my babies are born. I am sorry if I am being cocky but I love delivering babies!!!
You came out perfect, beautiful and screaming. The Dr. that delivered you, Dr. Gregory Guell was amazing and very supportive of all of mommy's demands; I can't thank him enough for being so great. I requested that he doesn't clamp the cord for a few minutes after delivery and he gently put you on my tummy until it was time to clamp it; this gave us some very good quality bonding time and gave you some top quality blood to start your life outside of the womb. After that they quickly took your weight and lenght (6lbs 15.6 oz and 19 inches) wrapped you up and handed you back to me. You latched on and nursed right away for about 1 hour when they had to take you to the nursery, but we got a good amount of bonding time, and about an hour later you were back in my arms. Those first moments of holding you were probably the happiest moments of my life, both when your sister and you were born I have been the happiest ever. (Sorry Daddy, marrying you also made me very very happy but nothing tops holding your newborn child, I do have to thank you for allowing for this to happen)

As I said before you are a very chill and relaxed baby. You rarely cry, usually you complain and grunt when you need to be picked up, changed or fed but you rarely throw crying spells. On top of that it seems that you know that mommy and daddy have to share their attention between you and Cori and you don't seem to mind that at all. Cori was also very relaxed but she did get to have our undivided attention. Maybe it is a 2nd child thing but I feel you even understand that at this point sometimes we need to give your big sister Cori a bit more of attention. She loves you very much, every day more I will say, but she is getting used to share mommy, daddy and nana's time, and that is harder when you have had their complete attention for 2 years. But she is doing great and comes to give you kisses when she wakes up from her nap and early in the morning. She will be your best friend and will teach you many many things. I am so excited for you two and the sisterly love you guys will share.
Mi Lolita thanks for coming into our life, for being so perfect, for being so easy, for making us so happy. We love you so much and we can't wait to see what will lie in front of us as a family of 4. I will keep posting updates on your development as much as I can.