Giving up the good to go for the GREAT

Derek brought home a guide for rotation site selections. Once this year is completed the students will fulfill two years as rotatees before beginning their four year residency. The tours will begin August 28Th and every weekend has a different site scheduled for touring. I'm excited to move to a new area, my only request is side walks to run on. Derek would like to move into a bigger town, hopefully a bigger town will have sidewalks. The following are some areas that Derek is interested in: South West- Ashland, KY, Central-Parkersburg, WV, South East-Princeton WV. We will be traveling a lot in the next few months. We hope to find a site that we both enjoy.

This week I signed up for my first post pregnancy 1/2 marathon. I had been wanting to run the Suntrust race in Richmond,VA since I read in the Runners World magazine that it was ranked one of the top marathons. This will be the biggest race I've ever run (as far as participating runners). I'm quiet excited! Now that I've committed myself and paid the hefty registration fee, I'm motivated to train harder! I'd like to beat my previous 1/2 marathon time of 2:07. I have a long road ahead of me, I need to strengthen my core muscles and lengthen my stride because I'm as slow as a turtle right now. Here is our little boy in his sporting gear, he's ready to go out for a run with mommy. Good thing Acalias loves being outside, when he's fussy a run outside calms him down. Acalias loves to look around at his surroundings but he typically falls asleep after about ten minutes. It's an adjustment to run with a stroller, I'm so used to pumping my arms to help me get into the rhythm of running. I leave Skofeild at home, it's too much work to push a stroller and control a dog. Most people have dogs around here so Skofeild is constantly getting riled up so I'd rather leave him home. As for an update on our herb garden, our basil grew beautifully and our oregano is sprouting out a few leaves. We finally decided to use our allotted date money (which we never use because there is nothing to do out here) on some fine dining. We purchased the ingredients for pesto and Derek bought some t-bone steaks (we eat steak twice a year at most) We used spaghetti squash rather than pasta and boy this meal was so delish! We love good food and we both love to cook, this meal was so easy to prepare. I was never big into red meat but I think my husband has converted me. It's funny to think that I was so anti meat during my entire pregnancy. I told Derek I was turning into a vegetarian but now I can't get enough meat to eat. Here a few of my favorite pictures from last week. Our little one is growing so fast! Guess who has found his hands?, He is now using him to pacify himself when he's hungry. It's funny because he doesn't really cry out, when I hear him scarfing at his hands at 3 am I know it's time to feed him. He is starting to coo a little bit, I love to hear his little voice and see him smile. We have tons of video footage but for some reason, the blog won't let me upload them. Any suggestions? Any help will be much appreciated.

Acalias and Mommy

I made it through my first week alone with Acalias. Derek finished with work study last week and started school this week. Acalias' schedule is still unpredictable but I take advantage of his long morning naps to get things done around the house.

I've been saving Acalias' cute clothes for when we actually leave our house. Last Sunday was Acalias' first time to church so I pulled out a super cute outfit and gave it to Derek to put it on him. When we arrived to church, Acalias had massive poop explosion and when I went to change him I couldn't figure out how Derek managed to put the outfit on him. The 0-3 month outfit was so tight! I was sad that he never even had a chance to wear the outfit more than once so now i'm no longer saving outfits. This is a bath robe size 3-6 months, it's already a bit snug.



Roar, says this cute pjs he's wearing. This little boy has been held so much that he never had the chance to really cry. Goodness, this week has been filled with cries it's sad to hear but I can't get anything done with him in my arms. I estimate that he is 12 lbs now.

This outfit says it best because it's what I do the majority of the day. Acalias has a healthy appetite. He's been smiling a lot lately and we love it!

On exhausting days, I look forward to Acalias' naps.

He looks so peaceful, so content.

I'm excited for the day I don't have to hold his binky in his mouth. It surpised me to see him grasping on to his binky.


Rather than napping along side Acalias as usual, this week I've been journaling. Yesterday I completed my 17Th journal. I have my whole life recorded in books, the good times and the bad. This particular journal is special because it took three years to complete. I wish I had written more but, since getting married I haven't been as consistant as I once was.

The bulk of this journal was written during my pregnancy. It was such a trying time for me and to remain optimistic I had to write nearly every day. Journaling is therapeutic for me. I notice that I tend to write more during the challenging and happy phases of my life. I began writing when I was 5Th grade, I never missed a day on my mission and I love reading about how I felt when I was dating Derek. I keep my self in check by writing about my blessings, things I need to improve (which are many), goals and so forth.

Many people ask what I eventually plan to do with all my journals. I plan to leave them behind for my children. When Acalias serves a mission I'll have plenty of my own stories to share with him, he'll receive copies of my mission journal entries. If I have a daughter, I may have an idea of all the emotions she will feel as an adolescent/teen through my journal entries. Hopefully my children will appreciate and cherish my journals as much as I do.

Acalias says good bye to Great Grandma

It seems like it was just the other day that grandma was shooing me out of the kitchen while telling me I had plenty of time to learn how she cooks. One month flys by too fast.

I had goals to be productive while grandma was here but instead I let her take care of Acalias while I'd rest, relax and sometimes nap. I've had so many exhausting nights but after a month I think I can handle being mom and wife without any help.

The best part about having grandma here is i've come to know more about her and the life that has made her who she is. After the passing of my Maternal grandmother in June, I felt that should take advantage of the time I have with Grandma Nativa. It was time I question, listen and learn from her and her life experiences. Grandma has always been very aware of my needs (and siblings) throughout our childhood and has helped out with out any expectation of reward for her efforts. She has loved me unconditionally, I'm so blessed to have her in my life.


Grandma immigrated from Haiti in 1969, this is her Green card photo. Dosn't she look fabulous? She was 38 years old but many thought she was 10 years younger.

Now for pictures in her Golden years...40 years later


Acalias is going to really miss being held by her.



Skofeild is going to miss all the attention he's recieved from her.




and I'll miss no laundry, a clean orderly home, a trustworthy babysitter and dinner at 5pm everyday. It's hard to keep up with time restraints with a little one on a schedule of his own.

Baby Announcement

Our official announcement for our son.


We took a few pictures during the first week Acalias was born. Thankgoodness for digital cameras, we had to take A LoT to get some good ones.

One Month Mark

I can't believe my baby is already one month old. It seems like we just barley brought him home from the hospital. I've stopped calling him "banana hands" and now call him "chunky monkey". He can eat...A LOT! It seems like every time he's awake he's eating. My nurse says he's going through a growth spurt so it's not unusual to feed him more often in the evening time.



Dad needs to get this book read before the first day of class. He is reading it to me but it's not as exciting as moms breast milk so I think I'll take a nap.


Mom and I having a conversation in Spanish. I like to be rocked in this glider while listening to Baby Mozart.


Although I've taken up all Mom and Dads attention, this is my protector. He's always by my side once I start crying.


Smiling at mama. He's been smiling a lot more often, typically after he eats. It's fun to see his dimples that are only revealed with a huge grin. His dimple is on his right cheek.


Adorable, need I say more?


Grandma Nativa has been helping out for 2 weeks now. It's been so VERY nice to have her. She's 79 years old, but the woman is like an energizer bunny. She cooks AMAZING food, no matter how hard I try I've never been able to make my food taste like hers. When she's not cooking, she's cleaning the house or doing laundry. Our dog Skofeild loves her because she pays attention to him. He now follows her around the house and asks her to be let out when he needs to potty. Grandma also goes on walks with me and baby almost every day.



Acalias is typically fussy from 11pm to about 1am. Derek and I try everything to comfort him but sometimes we get so tired and Grandma is always right there to take him off our hands. She has some kind of magical trick up her sleeve because as soon as he goes to her he falls asleep.

It's been so fun to watch Grandma and our son, she seems so content just holding him. She has told me stories of how she helped out when I was first born and how blessed she feels to be helping out with our son. I've convinced her to come back every year (if her health permits of course).


One last thing...check out our Basil! It's the only herb along with Oregano that has thrived to live. I think I over watered the seeds, I'll try again because I was really looking forward to all the other herbs that I had planted.

Getting to know him...

I still wake up to Acalias' cries thinking "I can't believe I'm a mom!" Derek and I have been getting adjusted to life with our son. As exhausted as we may get, we have enjoyed every moment with him.
Acalias prefers to eat laying on his right cheek, if I'm not fast he enough he resorts to sucking on his hands. He loves his softest blankets, or other soft materials against his skin.
He cries when he's wet, he cries when he's hungry, he even cries when he's lonely. As much as I don't miss being pregnant, I do miss having him close to me 24/7. It's hard to put him to sleep in his crib sometimes. I prefer to have him sleep in the bed with Derek and I.


Acalias loves his daddy. He used to move at the sound of his voice while he was still in my belly. Now he enjoys napping on dads chest. He loves when his dad hums a random tune or to be rocked in his arms.


I can't get enough, I know his facial expressions are involuntary but he is so entertaining to watch. I don't think I've ever laughed and smiled so much just by watching another human being. I love, love, love this little boy. Derek says Acalias is always comforted to come to me, I think it's because I smell like milk... I'm pretty much a milk machine, feeding ever 2-3 hours:)

Acalias' First Week

IMPORTANT NOTE: Many have asked us how to pronounce our sons name. It is spelled the way it sounds. If your still struggling pronounce it try sounding it out Aka-lie-ous.

After over 48 hours in the hospital, I was ready to bring our son home. The Nurses were great, they took really good care of us but I was anxious to be in the comforts of my own home. We were fortunate to have my father-in-law visit during our stay at the hospital. We live so far away from family and we were thankful to share our joy with family.

Acalias meeting Grandpa David, about 30 minutes after delivery.

Acalias slept the entire time while we were in the hospital. Our first night home, he decided to stay awake all night long. Thankgoodness my mom flew in on Monday and with her help we were able to get some sleep.

Acalias being smothered with kisses by Grandma Cindy

For the most part our son sleeps the majority of the day. I love watching him sleep, I'm still amazed that my husband and I created him. My mom says that he looks like Derek when he's asleep and he looks like me when he's awake.

We had our first Doctor appointment on Tuesday. Acalias wasn't too happy about being undressed and weighed. He sprayed down the entire scale with his urine.

Our little family, shortly after his first appointment. They pricked his heal again so we left the shoe off the foot that was pricked.

We have nicknamed our son bananna hands, his hands are so big and they tend to get in the way when I'm trying to feed him.

When his hands arn't flailing everywhere, he has his index finger pointed as to say "I'm #1", we think it's pretty hillarious.

Acalias is very alert for a newborn, Grandma Milar sent us this bouncer and he seemed to really enjoy it.

His flailing bananna hands helped to activate the sounds on this toy.


We didn't want Grandma Cindy to have to spend the entire time in our little apartment. We took her to the Farmer's Market and we strolled around down town while she looked at the Antique stores (which she really enjoys).

This week has flown by way too fast. We're thankful Grandma Cindy spent an entire week with us. We've been well fed, well rested and our home is the cleanest it has been in a long time.


Grandma's love is so evident for Acalias, I really enjoyed watching her smother our son with love.