Wow, sorry it's been awhile since my last post but I have a very good excuse! We welcomed Nicolas Christopher Ortega on July 14th at 8:29am. He weighed in at a hefty 8lbs. 2oz. and was 21 inches long. At his two week check-up he already weighed 8lbs. 12oz. so I can only imagine what he weighs now at one month. Izzy took awhile to warm up to the fact that she now has a baby brother and he is a permanent fixture in our household. When Nico first arrived, she pretty much ignored him. Now she worries when he's crying and says, "Baby brother is sad." She does, however, get a bit jealous when we're holding him sometimes. She'll say, "Baby brother down. Izzy uppio (her word for 'up'.)" Despite these small growing pains, life has been good and we are so blessed with two wonderful children!

Miss Sockpuppet helping me with my drawings.

Strongwoman

Balancing with Daddy

Stretching at the gym

Hoop star

I heart birthday cake!
We celebrated the Fourth of July at the Ortegas' house (Izzy and Nico's grandparents'.)

Avoiding the mosquitoes in the atrium.


Maintaining the Bonsai.

Mommy and I waiting for some yummy barbecued corn on the cob and asparagus.

Snuggling with daddy.
On the morning of July 13th, I went in for a check-up and was dilated 6 cm. It's a wonder the doctor didn't send me to labor and delivery right then but I didn't have to wait long. That evening I went into labor...

Ready to pop! (Taken right before leaving for the hospital, so literally ready to pop! This is a not a drill, people!!!)

Where daddy slept in the hospital.

Ice chips rock!

Proud mommy

Happy family

Fresh out of the oven.


Bundle of joy

Our first outing as a family of four.


My cool new fold-out couch. Just my size!

Mommy and baby brother on their way to his first check-up.

Snappy little dresser


Sleeping cutie

Watching some good 'ol PBS.

Mommy's little man

Pea in a pod.