i believe in thank-you's.

When i was going through labor, my nurse obviously had never had a baby because she wouldn't have come into my room (as i was clearly in uncomfortable pain) and seriously say, "my arm really hurts. i just got my flu shot." really?! 

but this is not a story about that nurse. 

it's a shame that the nurses during my labor made me feel in the dark. 

but my nurses during recovery? every bit of amazing. 

Two nurses in particular. My day nurse Gloria (above with a day old Felix) showed me the "football hold" when i was having trouble nursing Felix on one side. It was a life saver we still use now. She answered all my silly questions with reassurance that made me feel comforted but more importantly, confident in my new role as a Mama. 

My night nurse Annie i wish i had a photo of, but she was only there the first night i delivered Felix. She gave me countless boxes of cran-apple juice, gave me my first bath to show me how to clean my incision, and because she was filipino-- automatically felt like family. In fact, she asked me what my family called me and from then on, called me Mickey every time she came to check on me. 

These two ladies were such blessings and made this huge transition in my life gentle. 

Since we were taking Felix in for a two week check-up, i knew we had to make a stop on the 6th floor to drop off thank-you cards for Annie and Gloria. We also included a box of my favorite chocolates, ferrero rocher.

I told them that they may not remember me among their many patients, but i would NEVER forget them and the care and attention they showed me and my little family.

We got to see Gloria who remembered Felix's name (which made me feel special and so glad we were there). When she hugged me, she said she would see me in a year when we have a boy. ;)

I believe in thank-you's. I believe in hugs. And that is definitely something i'm going to teach our daughter.

a week ago my life forever changed.

the last photo of my baby bump at 39 weeks, 6 days.

the very next day where husband tried to relieve my back labor pains. 

our felix.

a week ago today at 4:55 p.m. our life forever changed. this sweet girl wearing that pink bow became my life.

in an otherwise quiet hospital room around 10 p.m. when i finally got to hold my daughter, i played this song for her.  

"I'm runnin' over love clouds to you

Blue moon... is shining there for us now

It's followin' us around the room...

Just you, just you, just you, just you...

I've waited for you all day

I've waited for you all day

My love."

i love you, my felix girl. my heart is full of love for you my little.

(thank-you Kary for giving us your song with Miguelito)

Happy Birthday Felix!

On Monday, September 17th at 4:55 p.m. (after 18 hours of epidural free labor in which i failed to progress-- so discouraging-- leading to a tearful realization of a c-section-- that ended up being the best decision ever) we met the love of our lives, our baby girl:

Felix Maxham 

8 pounds 14 ounces and 19 inches long! 

{everyone asked where i hid her since my tummy never got that big} 

Thank-you lovies for all your prayers, support, well wishes and beautiful gifts that welcomed us home. It means all the world to us xo

i can't wait to share more photos of my little but for now, we're enjoying every moment we can while Auntie Marianne is here. 

"My daughter is joy personified to me." 

- Janie Harper Ford

Wanting to know you Wens : Baby Bump Virtual Date!

me at 30 weeks with our baby girl Felix (expected birthday 9/17/2012 *soon!!!)

Even before i was pregnant, i always loved seeing photos of baby bumps. I'm excited for this virtual play date because how pretty were/are you all rocking your bump? 

Lindsay was 26 weeks pregnant with her twin boys (whom she calls Peanut and Lovebug on her blog. Seriously, they are so adorable!). This was at her baby shower. 

Holly at 31 weeks with her first baby, a baby boy named Jonas. I am so glad I found Holly's blog since our due dates are close together (she's currently 38 weeks). 

Christina (my brother's girlfriend) when she was 38 weeks pregnant with my beautiful niece Marisol. {I had to include this sweet photo of my brother laying on them}

Jaimie (my girlfriend back home) when she was 33 weeks pregnant with her son Justin Bryant.

Jessica when she was 38 weeks pregnant with her son Reeve, who was born on March 21st. I have to share this sweetness from her email:  Being pregnant was the best experience of my life. I enjoyed every day and prayed that my hands would know what to do when they could no longer rub my belly. I was so sad that they would miss that joyous, personal experience. How naive was I to think that was something I would miss? Having my son in my arms, holding him, rubbing his soft and fuzzy head, his skin, tracing his cheeks....THAT is what my hands were meant to do.

Claudia (who just celebrated a birthday - happy birthday!) when she was about 36 weeks along with her first born Sophia, who will be 11 this January. 

Erin when she was 32 weeks pregnant with her second son Sawyer (pictured with her then 2-year-old son Dylan). She was 37 weeks above. From her email:  I really looked like I had a giant basketball under my top, didn't I? Sawyer was a big baby (9 lbs, 5 oz) but that was getting to be a bit ridiculous! And would you believe I went 5 days past my due date with him? Oh my, was I ever uncomfortable! It was worth it though. So worth it. What they say about labour is true. It hurts like hell, but you'd do it again in a heartbeat to get that beautiful baby.

Lottie who is currently 29 weeks with her first, a baby girl (name, yet to be decided).

Karina on the day she endured 18 hours of natural labor to have her now 9 year old son Miguelito. I told Kary her expression says it all :) 

Skye when she was 37 weeks pregnant with her now 5 month old daughter Ever (how i love that name!)

Elaine at both of her baby showers : L- almost 8 months pregnant with Dylan (November 22, 2008) R-2 weeks prior to having her second son Kaelan (dated April 4, 2011). I love this from her email: Go figure, I had cake on my hands both times! I was a fanatic for sweets my whole pregnancy. It's a wonder I only put on 17 lbs for Dylan and 14 lbs for Kaelan! 

*i on the other hand can't even admit out loud how much weight i've gained in this pregnancy, it's so high!

Cassie who is currently at 33 weeks pregnant with a baby girl (she's also has triplet step daughters). 

Thank-you to everyone who played along and shared a photo of your sweet baby bumps. We'll have to do a follow up virtual date of mama + baby soon xo

Wanting to know you Wens : let's see your baby bump!

Again, I want to say thank-you lovies for putting up with all my baby posts-- especially like today's when it's especially directed to Moms.   

from my maternity shoot // my 30 week baby bump

With only 12 more days until Felix's due date, i thought i would bring back our virtual dates! i have always loved seeing baby bump photos and thought, what better than seeing some of my darling readers during their pregnancies?

If you're currently pregnant or already a Mama, dig out a photo of you rocking your baby bump. It can be from your maternity shoot, one you made your husband take, or one you snapped with your phone in front of the mirror.

my twinkie snapped this one on her phone during our CA girls' trip // 21 weeks

Send your photo to micaela.maxham[at]gmail.com and i'd love to share it on my dolce vita next wens. (unless i go into labor before then). Please include how many weeks you are/were, baby's name/gender + your blog link if you have one with the subject : baby bump.

i can't wait to see what you lovies looked during a most magical time in your lives xo

like our own personal moon.

After living here nearly two years, I can't believe (until last Thursday) I've never seen the white sands of New Mexico. 

It was breath-taking! just us two surrounded by miles of what i called flour snow on our own personal moon. 

writing her name in the sand, just like in San Diego

Check out my full term 37 week 5 days baby bump!

{The National Park is about an hour away-- i prayed Felix would decide not to make her grand appearance while we were out there. Thank goodness she's still comfy in my belly}


It was one of those beautiful days we both needed. 

Mamas, what am i missing?

First, I want to say thank-you lovies for putting up with all my baby posts-- especially like today's when it's especially directed to Moms. 

I packed our hospital bags a couple of weeks ago but as a first time mama, i wanna make sure i haven't forgotten something or perhaps even eliminate some things {thanks Tiff for sharing the link!}. 

For Mama : (in hopes that nursing will go well, fingers crossed) My Brest Friend pillow, Lansinoh nipple cream, and this nursing sleep bra. 

aloe socks, robe, earth therapeutics anti-stress massage lotion + eye pillow, güd hand lotion in pear and acai berry, dry shampoo, gum, glasses & contacts, hair ties, headband, brush, shampoo/conditioner and body wash, burts bees tinted chapstick, and my make-up bag.

(not pictured) tooth brush, face wash, flip flops, snacks, what i'm wearing there/home, hair towel, and of course our cameras/chargers.

For Felix : Quilt sweet Amanda made, her going home outfit (including hat, socks, hand mittens), Baby Hand & Face wipes, brush, baby powder, lotion, shampoo, burp cloths, lightweight blanket, and our baby memory book (a great suggestion - to ask the nurse nicely if they wouldn't mind stamping baby's footprint in it while they're doing the birth certificate).


Mamas, what am I missing? is there something you wish you had packed/glad you packed? Your suggestions, please!

happy things with which to end the week.

♥ my husband (sporting his tumbleweeds glasses) took me to our favorite diner after my scary dreams 

♥ pretty excited about this! showed off my then 30 week bump + bits of this pregnancy on Spearmint Baby. Please take a look? also pretty sure my husband hates that i shared that story, but it's a true one and makes me laugh.

♥ this is blurry, but you an make out the curve of my belly (hi felix!) what a difference two weeks makes-- i'm 32 weeks here and today i'm double the curve {so it feels} at 34 weeks.

♥ my brother sent me this photo : a Felix Rd in AZ! 

♥ speaking of her daddy, i can't get enough of my sollie girl! my beautiful niece

♥ my pappa had a sweet lady from the church embroider this bib for baby girl. It warmed my heart even more when he asked her to find a cat to put on it. 

♥ reading paired with choc yellow pound cake : how sundays should be spent. i read the follow-up to her 1st memoir in a day. i couldn't put it down.

♥ husband taking me to finally see this movie. i'm probably the 10th person to tell you that i loved it! 

Happy Friday Lovies! what happy things are you ending the week with?

+please leave a link below if you do post-- i'd love to share in your happiness xo

sharing our maternity photographs.

it may not feel like it at 34 weeks, but i know someday i'm going to look back at these and miss my pregnant belly and remember how-- with every movement from my little girl, i believed in God's love that much more. 

(remember these blocks? from vintage by alex keller)

photos were done by the talented Theresa of Creative Flair Photography 

+ if you get the chance, please comment on her photography blog post on our session. For every comment she gets, i get put into a drawing to win a free session (and since we know babies aren't cheap, this would really help with some newborn pics lovies!) thank-you!!! xo