Weekend with the Santoyo’s

-reina

The Highs and Lows of Being Pregnant!

Well I must say I am elated to hear the recent news that Iam having another boy.  I love being a mom and most of all I love being pregnant.  There are times where it can kick my butt, but this intimate time with the new baby is something only a mother who has experience birth and labor can relate to.  From the hormones bouncing all over the place, to the constant butterfly movements within my growing belly is something more then a phenomenon of God’s own creation.  I am truly blessed!

However,  yesterday I had a bit of a scare.  About mid-afternoon, I got up from my chair to assist one of my colleague’s and a sharp pain came over my lower abdomen.  With a combination of some Braxton Hicks and these sharp needle like pains, I swear I thought I was going into pre-labor.  Did I mention this Thursday I will make 24week!  So to say the least, I tried not to panic and I just called my Dr. to see what this pain was and should I be concern.  Of course with my doctors’ office being located in the city of Homestead,  no one returned my call to address my concern.  So after 2 hours of feeling the constant discomfort I called again, low and behold they said the message that I left was never relayed to my Dr…….typical.  The receptionist said to just come in so that he can see me himself.  So I grabbed my keys, turned my computer off, and clocked out.

Leaving my job around 3pm was nice, however, the emotional and the psychological drama I put myself through from my job to Homestead (Downtown Miami U of M Campus) was a bit climactic.  I invisioned the scariest scenario, from just feeling pains, to thinking I was going to give birth before it was time, to me losing the baby, to me having a funeral, to going into a deep depressed state in my life and never recovery all within the hour of my drive from work to my doctors office.  I literally had to stop myself from crying and start praying.  When my mind wonders off like that (with my creative imagination) I can either think the best and sometimes the worst.  

When I walked into my doctors office the receptionist said that she thinks it could be “round ligament pains.”   I was like, “say what?”  After a pelvic check, urine test (to rule out a urine infection) and other stomach exams, the verdict was in….”round ligament pains.”  Apparently RLP is common in the 2nd trimester and can often be confused with early labor pains.  A RLP is generally referred to a brief sharp, stabbing pain or a long lasting dull cramping pain that is felt in the lower abdomen or groin area.  I am happy to say that I did not go into early labor and my panic attacks subsided.

I continued to feel the pain all night following through the next morning, but the pain was not as intense as it was yesterday.  I am back at work, and taking it easy as instructed by my doctor.  I swear I feel a bit overwhelmed with this pregnancy comparing it to my first.  I remember having more energy and flexibility with Diego then I do with this baby.  I guess that comes with old age…lol.  But, if you ask me will I do this again, and my response will be, “in a heartbeat,” inspite the highs or lows of each pregnancy.

Be Blessed

La Unica Reina

Missing HIM…..

My husband “Jesse” left on the 2nd of March to Cambodia and will not return until the 20th, and I am missing him like crazy.  He is doing amazing things with his music and TSP.   I am so proud of him.  He inspires me to be a better person and to go after my dreams.  I don’t know exactly what God has in stored for us, but what I do know and believe is that it will be far more then I could imagine.  This morning we spoke and he somehow convinced me to meet him in Nashville TN for the Winterfest that he will performing at.  We are truly blessed and I can’t wait to see him.  I am leaving Diego behind (in case you are wondering) just me and daddy.  It will be good for our souls.  We need some time away from everything and everydody (no offense to all my beautiful friends).  But my husband and I have not had a weekend alone since September of last year, so I think it is safe to say we DESERVE IT.

Devotion

Good morning everyone,

I wanted to share with all of you a devotion that spoke to my life this week.  It is from an inspiring devotional classic book called Daily Light.

“I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.

Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize.  You also must run in such a way that you will win.  All athletes practice strict self-control.  They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.  Therefore since we are surrounded by such huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress.  And let us run with endurance in the race that God has set before us.  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish.

God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work unitil it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.”

Everyday is a new day, and God gives us new opportunities to show Him that we love Him.  We struggle with our faith, our way of thinking, and our actions toward others.  We allow our past to dictate our future.  I want to encourage you to live extraordinarily,  and hope for a promising future.  We all have a past, but it should just be that “OUR PAST,”  choose to live today and hope for a better tomorrow.  Learn to love unconditionally.  Seek God wholeheartedly so that your faith, even when put to the test, will not be altered.  And, most of all, believe and trust that God has a plan to “prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future.”  Stay encouraged and continue to pray fervently.

Your Friend

Reinalisa Santoyo

Just this Past Weekend….

This past Sunday Jesse was invited to lead worship at our friends church in Miami Lakes.  Our friend Benny Salas and his wife have been in the works in opening up a location that would enable them to establish a relationship with their community by being innovative and ground breaking.  “Freedom Culture” is different, but that is what makes this organization stand out.  Their goal is to reach out to the church and unchurch community, and to create a mulit-ethnic urban vibe for those who are afraid of what most people consider “church.”  They meet at a cafe every other week and bring simple, mind grasping, life changing messages.  Jesse was honored to have been asked to lead worship on their kick off day.  Thank you Benny and Sharon for having us, and we will keep you and Freedom Culture in our prayers.

La Unica Reina

Being Sick Really Sucks!!!!

For almost 2 weeks now, the Santoyo’s have been dealing with a cold virus that seems to never want to part ways with us.  First, Diego (my poor baby) started with the snuffles and runny nose, then he had excessive diarrhea, you know the kind that spills out of the diaper onto his legs and eventually on your hand…yeah…well to say the least, he also had the inescapable ear infection that most children get during a common cold, ON BOTH EARS.  So of course me being the amazing and nurturing mother that I am, came to his rescue.  I did what every other mother does during these dark stages, I kept him hydrated, I tried feeding him, although he didn’t have much of an appetite, and I watch his temperature and gave him Tylenol whenever it went up.  After 4 days of very little progress, I decided to make a doctors appointment.  The doctors offices are always fun.  Here I am sitting in a waiting room with other sick little kids sneezing and coughing and spreading there viruses and germs back and forth to each other. You’ve got to love it.  After seeing the doctor and hearing the bad news that Diego had an ear infections in both his ears, he prescribed Amoxicillin, an antibiotic that helps rid the infection.

I did everything in my power to keep myself from getting sick.  That plan went down the drain when I woke up early Monday morning with aching muscles, soar throat ,and the infamous stuffy nose.  I can’t figure out how I got threw each day with Diego being sick and myself as well.  Juanita (my adopted niece/daughter) helped when she could and so did Jesse, but it still was exhausting and overwhelming.

Now, Diego is doing great and I am still washing this cold out of me, but now Jesse is starting to feel the beginning symptoms of this lingering virus .  He’s been complaining about his throat being soar and his muscles aching.  I believe his immune system is much stronger and durable than mine.  In 4 days tops he’s better and I’m going on 9 days and still trying to flush this out of my system.  Being sick really sucks.

The Verdict is in….

With 7 “nays,” 4 “yays,” 1 “in between,” and 1 “mullet,”  the verdict is in.  NO HAIR CUT FOR BABY DIEGO.  The curls stay, and Diego wil remain cute and adorable even on his “hott mess days.”  Thank you to all who shared their thoughts and opinions.  Some, I must say, where straight forward, and some were deep and profound, but all were appreciated.  So again, thank you and God Bless.

La Unica Reina

HOT MESS!

I opened my blog page today and I looked at the picture that I put up of my son, and realize that he looks like a hott mess.  Jesse and I have discussed whether or not should we cut his hair.  I dont think either of us have come up with a conclusion. So we can use your help.  All in favor of cutting Diegos’ hair say “YAY,” and all in favor of not having it cut and just let it grow out, say “NAY.”  The fate of Diegos’ hair falls on YOU.

La Unica Reina

Letting out my frustration

I am sure most moms could relate with me on this particular subject.  I dont know if its me or my son Diego that is becoming more and more aggresive as the days go by.  He throws himself on the floor every time I say “no dont touch that,” or better yet, “Don’t put your hands in there that’s caca.”  Its funny sometimes to see him go through various stages in his life, a process thats inevitable on his part.  But OH HOW I CRINGE when he starts his random tantrums and the child is not even 2 yet.  I dont want to begin to imagine what’s to come in the near future when those terrible 2’s approach.  Although he cries and wimpers he is still and always will  be my baby boy, and I will always no matter how upset he may get me, and how badly I want to rip my eyebrows off my face due to frustration, I will always love him.  I understand more each passing day that he is a blessing in my life.  He teaches me patience, understanding, compassion, and love every passing hour.  And though I have only 1 child, everyday is long, and exhausting, and every moment is adventurous and worthwhile. I tip my hat to those mommies that have a full load like Kelly and Annie.  I have much to learn.  I have a ways ahead of me, and I will take those days as a challenge, a growth, an adventure, and as an opportunity.

la Unica Reina

Okay I’m back….seriously:-|

Okay, well I know that I have said this before, but this time I’m serious…I AM…So for those who have been sitting in the dark, lost and alone, wallowing in their self-pity, do not fret no longer for I have returned to the world of blogging. So put on your party hats and those dancing shoes and join me as I venture off into the mad world of blogging.  New beginnings require new material, and I have plenty of everything.

Keep an eye out for “Fridays with the Santoyo’s” its a home-based reality show that my innovative husband came up with.  At first I must say I hated it, that’s because Jesse (my husband) tries to catch me at my worst most of the time…lol.. but it has grown on me and I really look forward to it every Friday.  This is a great opportunity to see the good, the bad, and the ugly… and most of the time THE UGLY.

So, stay tuned and enjoy more to come, I PROMISE….

la unica reina