Final Project

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASI8zt24JpY

"Us Time" ?!

FINALLY the hubby and I got away for just enough time to watch a movie together! As sad as this may sound we haven't seen a movie in 4 MONTHS and this is coming from the couple who would go to the movies weekly.  The best part of it all was that we lied to his mother about having something important to do so she can watch the baby when in reality all we wanted to do was eat some popcorn and watch FastFive! The truth of the matter is his mother would have watched her grandson no matter what we were doing but the thought of actually doing something for ourselves made it extremely necessary to sneak around, we felt like high school kids sneaking out of our bedroom windows...it was great =]

After our 3 hour getaway I noticed a friends status on Facebook stating that this is her last month of pregnant and that soon her new addition will arrive.  From one mother to the next I had to give her the best advice I could.  I told her to go out and spend a wonderful day or even weekend with her boyfriend, go to the movies, go out to eat or even just stay in and cuddle!  Do it now because before she knows it her days collide with her nights and even though she is living with her significant other it doesn't necessarily mean they will see much of each other. They must take the time to just soak up what they have because once the baby is here their relationship will be taken to the limit, and their love for each other must overcome any obstacles that may come in their way. 

... SIDS ...

Before you have a child the word "sleep" actually has a meaning to it.  As for me I don't think I have enjoyed a nice deep sleep like I use to way back in 2010.  And no, it is not because he cries all night because I have been blessed with an amazing baby who has been sleeping through out the night since he was 2 months old.  The reason is because I am absolutely petrified of SIDS!

SIDS, also known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, has taken over my brain and I hate it! Hundreds of babies just suddenly pass away in their sleep due to SIDS and the worst part of it all is that doctors really don't know what can cause or trigger it. It can only affect an infant in their first year of life and it's peaking months are between the 3rd and 6th month.

The thought of one morning just waking up and not finding him breathing has caused me so much agony that I invested in this wonderful product that I think every mother should have! It is a baby monitor called AngelCare and it comes with a sleeping pad.  Therefore if your child stops moving, or breathing for 20 seconds the alarm will go off warning you that your child is in danger.  It is a must have and truly helps any mother sleep better at night.

The Blessing of School

As weird as this may sound, I love making it to school! Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my son and spending time with him, however the balance of school and motherhood has really helped me stay sane in such a chaotic time in my life.  Being able to get away to school for a few hours allows me to remember that I am still a human being, that I still have dreams that I want to accomplish and that I am still Ulissa Suarez. 

Many times this semester making it to class just seemed like an impossible task due to the fact that I was mentally and physically drained! But whenever I was able to make it, the walls of St.John's became a place that would allow me to be the old Ulissa, a student just like everybody else and the only responsibility I have within those walls is to graduate.

Smoking While Pregnant

 Ughhh what a topic! It absolutely drives me crazy when I see a pregnant woman smoking cigarettes. After having been pregnant and hearing about so many things that can go wrong with the baby I couldn't imagine purposely putting my child in even more risk just to satisfy an addiction like smoking.   During my time in ICU with Ian I saw so many babies in such bad condition, and many of them were there due to their mother's choice to smoke cigs.

When a woman makes the choice to begin the journey of motherhood the first thing they must do is put their future child (whether they are pregnant or not) before them.  Supplementing all of the delicious cravings for soda, coffe, tuna, and so much more for water, leafy vegetables and fruits!  It's pretty much 9 months of what you CAN'T eat but in the end you manage to get by because you know that what you are doing is for your growing baby inside of you.

If you are smoking while pregnant then you are just indulging into a selfish act that will truly effect your child's breathing and lung growth at such a critical stage in his development.

Photoshop

Photo 1

  

Photo 2

   

Photo 3

 

Motherhood Vs. Career

      VS

This is a subject that came up in my Business of Television course that really hit home for me.  After graduation approaches many women are faced with this decision they must face; have a family or a career.  This is a huge choice in a woman's world and not too many people realize it.  If we choose a career we are frowned upon for not wanting to have a family and if we choose the family path people judge you for not working.  It seems to be a loose loose situation. 

When Ian came into the world I worried if I would be able to follow my dreams.  In one sense I feel as if I would be abandoning my duties as a mother if I were not there as much as a stay at home. However the best way I know I can provide for my son is by pursuing my dreams.  I have faith that I will find a balance in my role as a career woman and a mother when that time comes.  And all I am certain of is that I will make sure I am present for every baseball game, school play and holiday.