Oh, Boy!

Yes yes yes, you are a boy. Our little man, Our little prince, Baby Bubu Boy. OH!

Someone told us you were a boy because I didn't throw up much during my first trimester. Actually only 3 times!

We are very excited and we are excited we will meet you in 4 months! YAY!

Giving Birth? Where? How? Why?

Baby, I am writing this cause I need to vent with you about our birthing situation.

There are not many options here in Doha. Our ideal scenario would have been to have a water birth at home. That would have been amazing! :) But, that is not a option here in this country, so we have to make the best of what we can.

Above all things, I want your dad to be present at your birth. There are many reasons why... and so we are planning on doing everything necessary to make that happen,

I am just glad your dad and I made a decision about it and we are happy about it.

Week 19: How big is Baby Bubu?

our baby's the size of a mango! 

At about 6.0 inches long and weighing in at about 8.5 ounces, she's getting there!  

• Developing a protective coating over her skin, called vernix caseosa. It's greasy and white and you may see some of it at her birth.

• Working on her five senses. Nerve cells for her sense of taste, hearing, sight and smell are developing in her brain.

 -- TheBump.com

AEMEO

So, I'm thinking this is the perfect song to sing to you in utero and then after you are born.

I love the lyrics.

Desde que naciste soy mejor amante
Como si hubieras destapado mis conductos
Me han crecido los senos, el vientre y las caderas
Mi cuerpo expandido encontró su motivo

Tú circulaste por mí, hiciste un camino divino
Abriste un túnel, destapaste mi destino


Tú me has dado el soplo de la creación
Eres energía, luz del sol
Tú me has deletreado la palabra amor

A eme o ere ce i te o

Desde que naciste me siento flamante
Como si me hubieras prendido
Mi cuerpo desinhibido de vanidad eximido
Mi cuerpo valiente parió a su pariente


Tú circulaste por mi…

Tú me has dado el soplo de la creación…
Tú me has dado el soplo de la creación…

Before I knew, but you were already here!

Before I knew you were here, we took these pictures. I was already pregnant but I didn't know. That day, I was soooooooo hungry! OMG!  These pictures were back in January. I will always be grateful to this city because it's here where you will be born. :) mua!

A beautiful day in Doha

You can see my belly here. I love that the belly is growing and I get to show off my bump. I'm a proud mama! 
Today we went to the mall to look at cribs and we found one that was 70% off! we had NO CHOICE but to buy it because it was square and it was white! We'll post picture once your dad assembles it but we have to wait at least another 4 months...

--- we found a picture of the crib!

 

I knew I love you before I met you

Dr. Heba asked me if I sing to you and I said that not really. she told me to sing you 1 song every day so that when you arrive you will recognize that song. .. The question is what song to pick?

I used to sing this song to your dad a lot when we met. When we met face to face for the first time, I had a feeling that I had know him forever and that's why I love this song. I am thinking about singing it to you. 

Here are the lyrics:

Maybe it's intuition
But some things you just don't question
Like in your eyes
I see my future in an instant
and there it goes
I think I've found my best friend
I know that it might sound more than
a little crazy but I believe

I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life

There's just no rhyme or reason
only this sense of completion
and in your eyes
I see the missing pieces
I'm searching for
I think I found my way home
I know that it might sound more than
a little crazy but I believe

A thousand angels dance around you
I am complete now that I found you 

Nursery...(cribs and more)

OK... So we are almost 5 months pregnant! can you believe that? Time is passing by fast baby and we need to get ready. Aside from the reading we want to do, we need to think about the nursery. So This week I researched on cribs. There are many that I like but none of them available here... Buuuuuuuu! We are looking for something with wheels, portbale, small and that looks modern. We will go to home center store tomorrow and after that we will make our decision about the crib.

But I'm also looking at the decoration for your nursery or at least the decoration of your space because we will spend a lot of time there with you... and since I like things that are creative, unique and original (and most important that have a meaning) I told your dad I wanted to decorate your nursery in a travel theme: Jet Set Baby. There are many ideas online and it's only appropriate since we love to travel around and now we have a travel companion.. YOU! Also, you have traveled a lot in utero: first to Dubai, then to India, then to Ecuador and then to Dubai again. You have already crossed the big, blue ocean! Go, Jet Set Baby, Go!

We also love Dr. Seuss and we love the "Oh, the places you'll go". We will somehow integrate it in the nursery decoration in a subtle way.

Nice colors for the nursery via Etsy

I love the aqua blue and the yellow! via The Decorologist

 And I love the colors, sunshine yellow, robin's egg (kind of baby aqua blue) and tangerine orange.

We love maps! and love the colors of this map! via The Land Of Nod

I have already made a crochet bunting but I haven't finished it yet. :P

Oh! I want also to make everything for you: buntings, hats, baby mobile and prints that have to do with traveling and sayings about God in different religions. I am hopeful that during the summer we'll finish everything.

Love you!

Talking to Tia Connie

We called Connie to talk about what else... pregnancy, birth and motherhood. I asked her to please make a list of things we need for you and most importantly give us brands of strollers and other stuff. She made the list and we will be sending it soon.

We  told her you are -----! and she got super excited! She called Jorge so they both now know! YAY..

We saw Mila and Emmy! Emmy looks like a doll we used to have in Ecuador called cicciobello (only cuter!)

Here are some pictures of them while chatting with them.

Jorge and Connie while we are telling them if you are a boy or a girl!

the bunny Connie made with Mila for Easter

Mila! Ahi esta!

Monkey see, Monkey do!

My Sweet Bubu,

Do you know how much I love you! Awwww.... lots! Today, I went to the mall and I was looking for a gift for a friend who is also pregnant. But, of course I decided to buy you something also.

Monkey see, Monkey Do!

Did you know that you are a monito like your mom! Awwww. That's one of the reasons why we bought this onesie.

Ultrasound at 18 weeks!

Baby Bubu,

I am so happy when we see you. OH! Makes mom and dad teary eyed. We love you. Our doctor is so nice and sweet. She was the first doctor that saw us after we found out we are expecting you and she remembered us. She said that now I look like a mom and was happy to see that the belly is growing well.

Then we did the ultrasound. She asked if we wanted to know and as you already know your dad and I have different opinions on the matter. I want to know so I can communicate with you better. So I said, yes and to my surprise your dad said yes also! ha!

So we saw you on the scan and we saw all your little fingers, your little head and how you are moving and swimming. She said your growth is perfect and you look healthy because you are moving around and flexing your legs. You swim and swim and switch positions around and we just love seeing you. You sucked your thumb.

Then the doctor told us... she said we are having a -------. We are not sure if we want to share yet so we will keep it a secret for now. 

:)

Good night sweet angel.

Thank God for Angels

Dear Baby,

It seems that mom is OK, but at times I do feel down. My mom's passing and everything that we went through in Ecuador appears to be a dream. Can you believe she's been gone for more than a month? It's hard. I feel sad at times and I can't help it. It's worse to keep it inside and not cry that to just let it out... So, for your well-being and mine I have chosen the latter. 

My good friend, breathworker Benicio has helped me a lot through this hard times, I know that during the hard moments in Ecuador he was praying for us. And we recently had a Breathwork session with him and it was so liberating to be able to say what I had to say and not hear bullshit (but well-meaning) advice of how to feel better. Everyone has some kind of advice to give me and you know what I have realized... I need no advice, what I need is for people to listen in silent. 

No one knows what I have been through. It was tough (and still is).

I read yesterday from someone who recently lost their grandmother that they wish heaven had a phone... I wish so too. 

I miss my mom a lot. Especially now cause I wish I could share these amazing moments with her. But at the same time I look at everything on the positive side and know that all I need right now is your Dad: Reuben. 

We keep telling you this sadness has nothing to do with you and keep reminding you you are innocent, perfect and safe.

I love you,

Mom.

Week 18: How big is Baby Bubu?

Our baby's the size of a sweet potato!

What the heck is baby doing in there at 18 weeks? A lot! He’s working his muscles and practicing all kinds of moves. (Can you feel them yet?) 

She's about 5.6 inches long and about 6.7 ounces now and she keeps on growing rapidly. (That's why you're probably feeling so hungry.)

• Can you believe she's yawning, hiccuping, sucking and swallowing?
• And she's twisting, rolling, punching and kicking, too -- and she's big enough that you might be able to feel her doing it!

--TheBump.com

Anniversary! April 2nd, 2012

Today we are celebrating our anniversary! Hooray!

Your Dad and I the day we got married.

This is our 7th wedding anniversary and Dad took us out to a nice dinner at the Torch Hotel and we loved it! The food was delicious! :)

They treated us to a very sweet tiramisu! yum yum! We ate just a little cause it had coffee.

 We love you! Besitos!

Week 17: How big is Baby Bubu?

our baby's the size of an onion!

Baby continues to beef up. Now He/she's about 5.1 inches long and weighs about 5.9 ounces. 

• Her/His rubbery cartilage is now turning to bone.
• And He/she's growing some meat on those bones -- putting on some fat.
• He/She's growing a stronger, thicker umbilical cord, too.

--The Bump

Clothes for Baby bubu arrived!

I bought you several little things online but my favourite... is this one!

It makes me happy to see the giraffes face! :) Only 5 more months and we get to dress you up!

Congrats from Pierina!

Amigaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa qué felicidadddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd, no sabes cuanto me emociona, estoy felizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!Los felicito y por supuesto espero poder verte pronto, así sea con una visa de 30 dias de turista . . .necesito besar a mi bello sobrino calvito . . .desde ya lo amo y oraré para que sea muy saludable y podamos ir con Pablo Andrés a verle.Los llevamos en nuestro corazón, muchas felicidades y mil bendiciones pa´los tres . . .

Pablito Andres.. el principito!

Happy Mother's day

Reuben brought me flowers for mother's day! they were pink and white roses! He's the sweetest... I love you Bubu.

Week 16: How big is Baby Bubu?

our baby's the size of an avocado!

Now, she's about 4.6 inches long and weighs about 3.5 ounces, and she's big enough that your doctor may be able to hear her heartbeat. 

• She's listening to your voice, thanks to tiny bones forming in her ears.
• She's growing hair, lashes and eyebrows.
• And she's forming taste buds.

--TheBump.com

A post on facebook and all the congrats...

So, I was not supposed to put anything on facebook but I made a mistake. I posted something about changing side on the bed with Reuben because it's better to sleep on the left when you are expecting a baby and now a lot more people know....

Here are the congrats:

Veronica Velez-Viznay Awwww.....congratulations to you and Reuben!! Que Dios bendiga a ese angelito (:

Sally Guevara How exciting!!! Oh Gabi, I'm SO happy for you. You must be even more radiant than usual. :)

Ximena Toala OOOHHHH!!! Wonderful NEws!!! Another Blessing to your family !!! Congrats!!!! Que increible!

Lissette Gallardo Dios es maravilloso! Te mando un gran regalo! Y q maravilla q tu mami sera tu angel De la guardia! Saben q los quiero mucho y q los exteañamos como solo se le extraña a gente buena como ustedes. Sere tia y soy feliz solo deseo q vivieran cerca para consentir a ese bb!! Besos

Congrats from Nancy!

:)

Diana me dio la buena noticia del BEBE que viene en camino, que bendicion tan grande y la alegria que tendran de estar embarazados jajaja. Realmente los felicitamos y esperando poder ver  fotos prontos de Gaby con su barriguita.

Week 15: How big is Baby Bubu?

Our baby's the size of a navel orange!

The average fetus at 15 weeks weighs 2.5 ounces and measures 4 inches -- and his proportions are becoming even more normal, since his legs now outmeasure his arms. 

• You probably can't feel it yet, but she's squirming a ton!
• She might even be hiccuping in there.
• She's making lots of progress: her joints and limbs can all move now.

 --TheBump.com

Congrats from Janet

Janet and Reuben are really good friends. :) We loooooove her lots lots!

CONGRATS..mi gorda :) what a beautiful gift and what a wonderful guardian angel the baby has.
I started crying when Ruben told me.. I cant wait ...want to see pictures of the baby as the belly grows. Enjoy everyday it is quite amazing. Congrats you are embarking in the most wonderful experience you have ever have. Love you

Janet and Javi

Congrats from my Miami Ad School friends!

We told my Miami Ad School friends! here are their well wishes: 

Ken Lo:
Why is there no like button here? I need to like this message! NOW!

Nour:
Blessings gabsterina linda!!!! Happy happy joy!! :-D does that mean that I'll have you closer to miami sooner? Jijiji :-D

Lucas:
YEY! These are great news! I'm going to be uncle again! Wish u 3 all the happiness!

Dani:
Omg I've been without a phone for the weekend... This is such good news... Yay pinchito

Dominick Teen: A mini muffler??? Congrats to you and Ruben on the little Gabino.

Yelan: Congratulations Gab! You'll be the most wonderful mother. That's a lucky kid!

Part of the MAS Latin quarter group!

Congrats from our IndiaQuest 2011

Om Namah Shivaya!

We told our friends from Indiaquest through facebook message. 
Here are some of the congrats we received.

Some of our beautiful friends in Haidakhan! :)

Vanessa:
Gabi and Reuben, I am so happy your wish has come true! Interesting how one life leaves the earth as another enters. I send you prayers.


Nicole Dzuba:
Gabi and Reuben! Congratulations, it makes my heart sing to hear your the new news, welcome baby! Blessings to you and your families and your mom to know the love you share! xoxoxo And thanks Lizzi and Peggy for the coconut throw.  Om Namah Shivaya!


Richard Cahal:
I want to wish you and Reuben the very best. Also represent the male energy of baby love. Truly a blessing!


Peggy Landrum:
I am thrilled with your baby news! Good luck to you and Ruben. What a lucky baby to have parents like you. Sorry for the loss of your precious mother/mother-in-law.
Lizzi and I will throw a coconut in the fire for all of you.


Kika Beneyto:
umm... ¡qué gusto leerte! enhorabuena a los dos, ¡qué alegría! y ¡que bueno recordarme que nuestras peticiones son escuchadas!


Janet: 

Congratulations! I am so happy for you… Wishing the best for you both!


Roberta:
Dear Gabi and Reuben, congratulations I have remembered your hope thru out this past year and I remember you where told that you would concieve, how wonderful.



Diane: 

Amazing, fantastic, super, bhole baba kind jai!



Michelle Locke
:

wow! that is joyful news indeed! congratulations gabi and reuben! best of wishes for a wonderful pregnancy and love to you all.. we will all be in herakhan in our hearts I know that for sure.... steve and I not going this year either x xx blessings x



Joanna:

Dear Gabi and Reuben, congratulations! what a wonderful news :D 
I am very sorry to hear about your loss, but at the same time, what a fantastic news about a baby. Wishing you lots of love ♥


Maria Jose:

Queridos gabi y Ruben. Qyue buena noticia!!!!!!, nos alegramos mucho y os deseamos lo mejor para la nueva familia que estáis creando, estara bonito si el año que biene nos encontramos en Hairakhan con los niños........

Julianna Swanson:
so happy to know you are bringing in a baby...I wish you and Reuben the very best.... with love...thanks for sharing!

Reuben told Jorge + Amanda

Jorge and Amanda from Memphis, TN found out today that you are coming into the world! They are happy for us. Reuben and Jorge know that each other for more than 20 years and they have kept in touch throughout the years.

We met Amanda back in 2001 and Reuben was the best man at Quinta's wedding. OMG! how much time has passed!

Gabi. Jorge Soria, Reuben, Calidoo, Quinta, the tiny beautiful Caitlyn and Amanda in Quito, September 2009.

Amanda sent me a facebook message:

Congratulations!!!!!!!! I bet you are super excited!! A baby is the sweetest blessing! You have such a sweet heart that you will be an amazing mom. 


We told the peeps in DXB

Oh Baby, the places you'll go. You traveled this time to Dubai to tell our friends Diana, Hannes and Bundis (Sofia, Teresa and Emma) about the news. They are more than friends, they are a big part of our lives because we are very close to the them even though we are no longer in DXB. We spent almost every weekend together and you could stop by their house for coffee and something to eat.That same weekend we stopped by, Sofia, their eldest daughter was dancing in a ballet for Peter Pan and I wanted to see here. We stayed at the house even though it was packed! 

Sofia, Reuben doing some weird fairy dance, Helena and I!

So we told them on our last day in DXB, Saturday morning during breakfast... and they all clapped and Diana hugged me and they were all so very happy you are coming to the world soon! :)

Back in Doha, during Choir practice con Pana Silvia, Maribel y Diana!

Then we went to see Pana Silvia and she shed a tear. She was so overwhelmed with emotion and touched the belly and said she that we love you and that we can't wait to meet you! awwwwwww.....and said that they will come visit us when you arrive. :)

Then we went to visit Maribel and Fernando that prepared a tea with scrumptious treats for us. (I want to eat the amazing banana chocolate pound cake she makes!) And invited Karla and Freddy to join us. Two more people were supposed to join us: Maria, Perla, Diana and Miriam, but they couldn't make it.

Fernando y Maribel

And so we talked about babies and kids and stuff and saying how hard it would be to raise a bay after being alone for such a long time. Babies are a joy and a responsibility ( an amazing, rewarding, sweet and chubby responsibility). And we thought it was the perfect time to tell them... "guess what! we are having a baby!"

They were so happy and they hugged us. 

And Karla and Freddy arrived with a  bottle of champagne.. after we told them they hugged us and we opened the bottle to celebrate ( I didn't drink one bit, I had juice!) and then they took us to the airport!

Karla y Freddy

It was such a nice feeling to give the news to everyone. They are all very very very happy!

And so are we. I love you my love! mua!

Congrats from Laughter Friends!

I sent my friends from the Laughter Training an email letting them know about our arrival:

Here are some of the answers:

Sheena Harrat:

Well, What great news for you that you are baring a new life.  You have such a wonderful experience to come to you and I'm over the moon to hear this.  You are going to make such a great mum and i'm sure you hubby will be a great dad.  Oh think how it's going to grow up full of laughter and joy hearing it's mummy laughing everyday.  What a skill you now hold to be able to laugh with your unborn child.

Khusmita: 

Gabby you are a super rockstar! My deepest condolences on the demise of your mom and heartiest congratulations for your laughter baby! such a joy to read your mail..I was sincerely touched..you must have seen the lowest low and the highest high within a matter of days..wish u and laughter baby a wonderful and joyful time ahead :)

Dariya:

Blessed be you with a new life growing inside on the way to fresh motherhood.....congratulations...and celebrations....and keep the laughter rolling...

Elina: So happy to hear about your new baby. You're absolutely amazing. sending you lots of love from san francisco....

Some of our awesome laughter friends!

Reuben sings: Elmo!

We saw this video back in January or maybe December but it was in Ecuador when we saw it maybe 100 times when we were staying with Sarita, Paulita and Fernando. She loved this video. (Sarita says she still loves this video!) :) And now Reuben sings the song, but he gets the song mixed up and ends up singing: I'm Elmo and I'm Sexy! ha ha ha!

Week 14: How big is Baby Bubu?

Our baby's the size of a lemon!

At week 14, your baby is 3.4 inches and 1.5 ounces, he's almost doubled in weight since last week and keeps on growing. 

• He's probably sucking his thumb and wiggling his toes in there!
• His kidneys are making urine, and his liver and spleen are doing their jobs, too.
• And he's growing lanugo, a thin, peach-fuzz-like hair, all over his body -- it will help him keep warm!

- The Bump

Congrats from the sisterhood of the vision board!

I sent a facebook message to the sisterhood of the vision board. Last year in march, I taught these beautiful 4 girls how to do a vision board and we made a pact that when something becomes a reality we will send each other a happy face. 

So, I sent them a happy face and a message about you, oh! you wonderful you!:

Caro Herrera:
Amiga Panita! Qué bendición más hermosa!!!!! Qué emoción!!!! Les mando todos los mejores pensamientos y oraciones para que el camino sea todo un éxito y bebé llegue al mundo de lo mejor! Cuando podás mandá una fotito para irl@ conociendo :D 

Un enorme abrazo a la distancia!!!!!!! Enorme!!!!


Gaby Criollo: 

Amiga que alegría tan grande! Es un bebe muy esperado y muy amado por sus papis, tíos, amigos y familiares. Que Dios los bendiga Que emicion!!!!


Andrea Cortes:
Hermosa noticia Gabi!!!!
Estamos muy contentos por ustedes, que Dios les acompane durante esta dulce y grandiosa espera..
Muchas felicidades y un abrazo fuerte para los dos!!!!

The day we did the vision board.

Telling Los Criollo

Today I told my beautiful friend Gaby Criollo that I am expecting a precious little one.

They are happy for us! Thanks for the congrats! I love you friend and I miss you lots. I hope we see you soon.

Gaby and Santiago with Grace and Martin the day of their wedding

Telling Tia Gaby

El duo dinamico!

I was so tired today and so jet-lagged from the trip. But, I had to call tia Gaby and let her know the good good news! I love her. Can you believe I know her for at least... 20 years.. well, maybe more .. but that's a long long story of how we met and how we became friends! I called her on the phone and she is so happy for us. I hope we can see her very very soon! :)

Telling our good friends: Connie + Jorge

Today, we had a fair at the MIA park where I sell my stuff. As soon as I came back from dinner I fell asleep because I was so tired and jet-lagged. Ugh! I decided I wanted to tell Connie and Jorge. Jorge was out with Mila and so I decided to talk to her until he came back. We usually skype once a month (more if we are lucky). We haven't talked probably since end of January.

So When Jorge arrived We said that we had something to tell them.

And then Reuben blurted out: "I am pregnant!" We are having a baby.

Oh, baby bubu, you should have seen their beautiful faces. Connie even cried. She is soo Happy! It's such good news! YAY! 

Connie, Emmy, Mila and Jorge in January while skyping.

We love them so much because they are just wonderful, warm, sweet people. Connie and I  have known each other for almost 10 years!!!!! Reuben and Jorge know each other over 20 years (an entire lifetime)

WE have been planning on going to visit them in May so we can celebrate Emmy's baptism. We hope we can make because we are just coming back from Ecuador. 

Telling Los Chile

Today we had a fair at the park. I was so extremely tired but we made it baby, yay!

Our friends Felipe y Ale a.k.a "Los Chile" visited us at the fair.  And we told them we are expecting you! Ale cried a little with the good news! We are happy that everyone is so happy for us baby bubu.

We believed they already knew because Reuben had told his boss that we are pregnant and thought that maybe he told Felipe. Turns out Felipe did know about you, but kept mum until we confirm the news. (:

 

Sleeping at the airport

We had a good night sleep at the Amsterdam airport... it felt so good to take it easy after a couple of hectic and rough weeks.

We woke up early and headed to have breakfast. We had fresh organic juice and then we went to have a sandwich. It was really good! 

Having breakfast at the Schipol airport!

We are getting ready to go Doha in a few hours but before I wanted to buy you a little souvenir from Holland so we bought you a little toy and a t-shirt! Miffy Rabbit!

This is the miffy aviator. You have already traveled soooooo much!

Design on the little t-shirt we bought you!

Week 13: How big is Baby Bubu?

Our baby's the size of a peach!

She's about 2.9 inches long and weighs about .81 ounces, and -- proportion-wise -- her head's now about 1/3 the size of her body (remember? It used to be bigger!). 

• Can you believe she's forming vocal cords and teeth?!
• And even though she's still teeny, she already has fingerprints.
• Her intestines are moving from the umbilical cord to their more permanent place, in her tummy.

Gifts from Tia Pata

Awwwww, today is our last day in Guayaquil and we decided to go have lunch all of us together. Tia Pata came over with a bag full of new clothes for you. They are all mostly new born size which is good because yesterday my dad bought 6 months and above. 

Natalia (pata's Daughter)

Walter + Patricia.

These are mi favourite because the are little socks that have little chicks heads and they make a rattle sound. I love them! Thanks Pata! Love you

Pio Pio!