baby #3 Archives - Moments of Musing

Mother’s Day Tea Party Baby Sprinkle

Filed Under: baby #3, baby sprinkle, Uncategorized // February 20, 2023

I recently realized I have never shared our baby sprinkle for baby 3. It was a hit with my family, many of whom had never had a tea party. I like to try different themes and introduce new experiences so I was glad they had a great time.

We have had celebrations for each baby. We had a baby shower for our first son, followed by a house warming baby sprinkle for our second, a mother’s day tea party for our third, and a love-themed sprinkle for our fourth and final baby.

Here are some photos of our tea party baby sprinkle:

Hello Third Trimester!

Filed Under: baby #3, motherhood, pregnancy // April 14, 2021

It’s the final countdown!!! We’re in the last trimester. I have not updated you all since the first trimester so here’s a recap, including my 3-hour glucose test results.

Physical vs. Emotional Feelings

I have to admit – while this pregnancy has been my physically toughest (and I already weigh about as much as I did at the end of my second pregnancy!), I have felt the most emotionally prepared. We are so excited and looking forward to his arrival but first we have a bit to do (celebrate his little sprinkle (on Mother’s Day with very little family); build his bassinet and crib; redo the boys’ room; and figure out what the heck I’m doing regarding birth… lol!

Low Placenta

At my 17/18 Week preliminary anatomy scan (because the baby was too big when I went for the nuchal scan), I was told my placenta was low. Of course, I started to freak out because I did not want it to attach to my C-section scar. Thankfully, at my 20-week scan, my placenta was no longer low.

Glucose Test

Unfortunately, I failed my 1-hour glucose test. I also failed during my first pregnancy and then passed. This time around, I felt so sick after my 3-hour glucose test. I was therefore worried I had gestational diabetes but I received my results… and I passed!!! SO grateful.

Birth Plan

This being my third pregnancy, “birth plan” just sounds silly to me because not much in my previous two births went as planned. I went into this pregnancy with an open mind regarding a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) but finding a provider supportive of that after 2 c-sections, during neither of which I dilated fully, has proven to be nearly impossible. I even had one doctor tell me my best bet would be my placenta remaining low so the birth decision would be automatic (C-section) and I wouldn’t really have to wonder … As she said that, I thought “Uhh excuse me? Who would want their placenta to remain low?”

All in all, though, I am feeling great and looking forward to enjoying this next trimester. I know the very end gets uncomfortable so I am trying to soak in the time now!

A Pandemic Pregnancy

Filed Under: baby #3, motherhood, pregnancy // March 29, 2021

pregnancy, pandemic pregnancy, pregnant mom, boy mom, latina mom, blogger mom, working mom,

Being pregnant is a blessing and brings me much joy, overall, each and every time despite life’s circumstances. Of course, there is stress and sometimes sadness, too, because life around us is still happening.

Close to the birth of our firstborn, my husband lost his cousin who was his closest cousin growing up. Close to the birth of our second baby, I lost my younger cousin, Abby (the first person I have ever witnessed dying).

My whole second pregnancy was filled with sadness and at times, I was worried my baby was absorbing so much of my negative emotions. During my last month, I was worried I would develop postpartum depression.

But then something happened when Rafael was born (his name, which we picked months prior, meaning “God has healed” … talk about a sign). It felt like he healed the hurt I was feeling and many of us were feeling. No, he didn’t replace Abby — no one could ever do that — but I noticed moods and spirits lifted. I know she’d be happy about that.

This time around, I am pregnant during another tumultuous time–a global once-in-a-100-years pandemic. Constant anxiety and concern. A period of not seeing many family and friends. No hugging many people. No commuting. No time in the office. No school for the kids. No hands-on activities for them, either. No traveling by plane… and the list goes on.

There is so much I’d like to do and so many people we’d like to see but either can’t or don’t due to fear of exposure. And while I am not pregnant during what was the most uncertain and scariest part here in New York (spring 2020- shout out to all the strong mamas who were!), much is still uncertain and at a standstill. Do I get the vaccine? Is there really enough research on the affects to fetuses/ newborns when breastfeeding?

And once again, the new baby growing inside me is helping me in ways he doesn’t yet know. He is keeping my mind off what we can’t do as I look forward to his birth and a life together in which we will do so many things together. He, along with his big brothers, provide much optimism and hope.

Because I know this time shall pass and it’s all a part of our story.

Mamas, we will be stronger for it.

Were We Trying for a Girl?

Filed Under: baby #3, motherhood // March 5, 2021

boy mom, gender reveal, sex reveal, mom of boys, latina mom, mom blogger, mom writer, working mom, mom life, pregnancy, maternity,

As a mom of two boys, I’m sure many people wondered whether we were trying for a girl. And many probably thought what was on my mind most at the beginning of the pregnancy was whether we were having a girl… ⁣

𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨. ⁣

We were not trying for a girl.

Would we have loved a girl? Yes, just as we will our third boy. To be honest, I did not 100% have a preference either way.

The way I saw it: We already had boys so a girl would be cool and different, and would allow us the experience of having a daughter and to raise an empowered young girl… however, I only know what being a mom to boys is like, and I also know very well that being a girl and woman in this world is full of unique complexities and obstacles.

I have been fortunate to have a healthy mother-daughter relationship with my mom, so I know it’s special but I also see the special and unique relationship she and my brother have so I’ve witnessed firsthand that moms and boys share something special, too.

Quite frankly, when people would ask me if we were going to “try for a girl” (that phrase makes me cringe), I would respond that we’ll be trying for another baby, and would be just as happy if I wound up with four boys (something deep down tells me that could be our future lol).

I know sometimes we have external and/or internal pressures placed upon us to have kids of certain sexes (boy/girl, brothers, sisters)… but as a mom, I don’t know anything but the love of my boys. How could I wish for anything else?

Besides, what does their sex really matter? My boys are loving and sweet. They love cars and trucks, and play with dolls. (Did you know research has shown that doll play can provide “a unique opportunity for children to practice social interactions important for developing social-emotional skills, such as empathy“?)

As a mom, my hopes of raising kind + compassionate, emotionally intelligent + resilient kids doesn’t depend on their sex.

Neither do my dreams for them.

Neither does my love for them.

I hope to be lucky enough to live a long lifetime with them. And most of all, I’m happy as long as they’re healthy + happy.

That’s what matters most to me as their mama. I’m confident it’s what truly matters to most, if not all, of us mamas.

Virtual Fun for Baby #3’s Sprinkle

Filed Under: baby #3, motherhood, pregnancy // February 10, 2021

This post is sponsored by Bar None Trivia. All opinions are my own.

When I was pregnant with my firstborn, we had a beautiful baby shower celebration at a garden restaurant. I went all out with decor and favors. For our second baby, also a boy, we decided to keep things simple. We had just moved into our home, after all. So, we had a baby sprinkle with family at our new home.

For our third baby, another boy!, I have decided to celebrate, as well but I think I am combining it with an intimate and very small family-only Mother’s Day luncheon at our home to minimize my exposure to others, given the state of the world, and see my broader group of friends and family virtually. Despite being a little sad that I can’t celebrate with all of my loved ones as I would traditionally, I am still so excited.

I can’t wait to share the theme and the decor with you all. But I am keeping those details under wraps until then. For now, I can share about an aspect I am planning on doing that I think would be fun for others hosting virtual baby showers or other virtual celebrations.

Bar None Games is the #1 virtual live trivia company that brings fun and joy to people with 60-75 minute team trivia games. It’s an exciting way to connect with friends from all over the country to celebrate your new baby! They’ve already hosted over 600 games, connecting 10,000 people from around the nation and the globe. It’s exactly what we need during these strange times.

The Bar None Baby Shower trivia game, made especially for baby showers, features a baby celebrity picture round, specialty music round, and tons of general knowledge and pop culture trivia inspired by newborns. You can also add custom questions of your own or include specific rounds that focus on certain interests to personalize the experience for the expecting parents.

I recently attended a virtual baby shower and the trivia portion was my favorite part of the celebration. It was a fun and unique way to keep all of us guests engaged and interacting with the expectant parents. I highly recommend incorporating trivia into your next virtual celebration and I can’t wait for my sprinkle with Bar None Games!