I want to continue my topic from yesterday as I reflect on what I’m thankful for today. I am thankful for Rafael, the father. He is such an amazing father to our girls.
Every weekday afternoon when Giana hears the garage door, she runs to the stairs as fast as she can. “PAPA!!!” They do awesome stuff together.
Papa is always good for a cuddle too. Mariel loves to curl up with him and just enjoy the moment.
November is a great time to reflect on all the reasons I have to be thankful. I decided it is also a great time to get back here to my neglected blog.
Day One – I am so thankful for my wonderful husband, Mr. Rafael Soriano!
Yes, this is a real picture. I took it this morning. He actually left the house like this. Yes, that is a real mustache – it’s not glued on! He grew it all month and shaved off the rest of the beard today. No, I do not understand why! I think it’s a dare from the guys 🙂
Mustache aside, Rafael is the most amazing husband. Ever. A story to prove my point: I was feeling frumpy after a long day of maternity leave. I hadn’t gotten a chance to shower and probably smelled like sour milk. I was wearing the same pajamas he saw me in that morning and there was not a drop of makeup on my face. He was telling me about his day at work and my mind began wandering. I mumbled something about what a shock it must be to come home to a disheveled mom when he’s surrounded by fit, trendy chicks all day long. He looked me in the eye and said,
“Why would I go out for hamburgers when I have steak at home?” and then swept me up into his arms and kissed me.
Not only is that just an adorable thing to hear him say, but I know in my heart that he truly means it. Rafael is loyal and committed to me and our marriage. He draws his strength from the Lord, which is how I can be so certain. I know I am unlovable at times. I know we will have difficult times in our lives. But the source of love Rafa shows me isn’t rooted in anything I do. He’s not looking outward; he’s looking upward. His example of love is in the love that Jesus has shown him, and all of us. That’s love that will last forever and I’m so thankful that my husband and our marriage is rooted in it.
We have been so busy going on adventures!
Giana has been going to a class through the Eagan Parks and Rec department. We have been enjoying meeting other kids and their parents. We have also been having a great time going to the library and other fun places. (Maternity leave rocks!)
Mariel is a very complicit little sister throughout these activities. Sorry for the bathroom shot – here she is just chillin.
I love these little jeans so much. They’re a perfect, scaled-down version of grown-up jeans in a toddler size.
I remember when I pulled these out of the hand-me-down box from my sister. I smiled – because they were so cute – then laughed and set them aside because, “it will be years before she can wear these!” That’s what I thought to myself, anyway.
The time has come to help my little girl into these pants. She’s not so little anymore. She needs a good pair of jeans to wear as she explores the backyard with papa or just for fashion as we go to shopping.
She had to pick up some rockin’ kicks too. This big girl loves looking good.
I have been enjoying meaningful spiritual growth, spurred on by my accountability partner/dear friend. We have been meeting on a weekly basis for more than a year to discuss God, books we are reading together, and ways the Lord is working in our lives. We also email nearly every day as a way to show accountability that we are investing time in our pursuit.
Below is our exchange from today. Good stuff…
I haven’t had time to write much since Mariel’s birth…because we have been busy! She has been such an easy baby that it has been fairly easy to be on-the-go. We have been to church, the mall, out to eat, to parties, etc., etc.!
I was brave and made three trips out with both of the girls by myself last week. I was worried about heading out with a 2 week old and a 22 month old, but things went great. We went to a fun playdate at an indoor park one day and to Target (shopping at a store and downtown to headquarters to visit papa and meet his friends). We survived…thanks to the help of the stroller, moby wrap, and an extra cookie or two! Here are my two girls on the left along with their new friends on the right.
We took our little girl over state lines for the first time yesterday. We went to Iowa to celebrate my dad on his birthday and enjoy some time with our family. Mariel had her first boat ride, which mostly consisted of sleeping on papa’s chest.
And, just for fun, here is the happy girl today! She had to break out her hoodie for the chilly fall weather.
Our sweet daughter, Mariel Rosalea, is already a week old! She has been an absolutely amazing baby. She has been sleeping well and eating well – the two things every mother prays for!
Mariel’s entry into the world was quick and -relatively- easy as well! I started having light contractions in the afternoon, so we went for a walk to the park and I watched Giana and papa play on the swings. When we came home for naptime, I knew I wouldn’t be able to rest. I started timing the contractions and called the hospital. We got there around 6 p.m. and we had a baby by 11 p.m.!
Here’s papa holding Mariel for the first time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux4ym6o4WWk&feature=youtu.be
Mariel had special visitors at the hospital. I especially enjoyed this picture of her proud cousin Lily holding her for the first time.
Eventually it was time to go home! It has been great adjusting to being a family of four!
Rafael’s dream came true and our awesome new couch got delivered! I texted him this picture after the delivery men left:
Then I walked away. Approximately two minutes later, I saw that our new couch had been christened and texted him how the couch now looked:
Life with a toddler 🙂
Tonight, we completed what is now a Soriano family pre-baby tradition – planting a new tree for the baby. (Is it a tradition if we have done it twice?) Rafael and I selected a beautiful weeping willow that was delivered today.
Giana was lots of help to papa as he dug and prepared the hole.
While she was out there working so hard, Giana also watered the variegated Norwegian maple tree that we planted two years ago for her. Remember that? It seems like it was just yesterday!
Everyone around the Soriano house has been getting ready for our new little girl’s arrival. It’s less than a week until her due date and we are hoping she decides to make her appearance soon!
Giana has been practicing pushing her baby gently in the swing. Gently is the key learning word here.
I chopped my hair off! It was just time to get rid of it.
And Rafa? Well he has been busy doing all the things I am too tired to do! He also has plenty of time to keep me encouraged. Love him!
