One of the reasons I love the countryside is for the peacefulness and the quietness that can be found there. Nothing can compare with listening to the sound of real birds in the morning (not an alarm clock sound or a white noise machine). At the same time, I am so blessed to have the opportunity to work in one of the best and busiest cities in the world: New York City.
Yes, I love New York City. In 2015, as you know (if you’ve read my previous posts), I took a nice detour in my career and moved to The Dominican Republic. While I was there, I got to know my native land a little better and visited quite a few places. I reconnected with my roots. While I was there however, I realized how much I missed New York City. Seven months later, I came back to The Big Apple.
I enjoy working in one of the busiest places in the world, yet I also love the peacefulness that is found in solitude and in quietness. How good it feels to read a book and just be still. How special it is to spend time in silence with God. It is in solitude that I come up with so many ideas and with solutions to “problems.”
When I had my baby, shortly after, I discovered that breast milk doesn’t just come out. At the beginning, I was a little stressed about not having enough supply for my demander. Colostrum, as I found out, is more precious than gold. And breast milk is absolutely the winner of the label “gold liquid.” But I remember that it was one night, a few days after my baby was born that my letdown (breast milk) really happened. It was an evening on which I was quiet, the baby was sleeping soundly, and so was my mom, who was with me in the hospital, and I was just feeling very peaceful in that moment, in solitude.
Here I am… I was absent from blogging for quiet a few months. I blame it on the severe morning sickness I had during my pregnancy. Yes! I am a mom! and it is a beautiful experience. But before I get into all the details of being a mom, I want to share my memory, my experience during my pregnancy.
First of all, all women are different and every pregnancy is different. That’s what my doctor told me…and friends who’ve already have been thru it. I will speak about my experience.
I started feeling different right about a month and a half into my pregnancy. I started feeling extremely sleepy. I would come home from work and I would fall asleep until next day. Prior to my pregnancy, I was taking some tae kwon do class and I remember one day that I had to attend class, I was taking a nap and I struggled to wake myself up and get out of bed. Shortly after that, my doctor confirmed that I was pregnant. My blessing started growing each day inside of me. Happiness and joy filled me, while at the same time my body started to change. All of a sudden my body started to feel hot all the time. I hated meat for the first few months, but craved it during the later months. Prior to my pregnancy, I could not imagine life without coffee and during my pregnancy (and still now, postpartum) I dislike coffee. Even now, after I gave birth to my baby, I don’t crave coffee (but who knows, sometimes I find myself needing the energy boost the coffee used to give me). Another factor that changed for me was that I like my drinking water room temperature and during my pregnancy I only drank water if it was ice cold.
Almost from the beginning of my pregnancy, I started vomiting. During my first and second trimester, I would vomit daily, sometimes three to four times a day. I started dehydrating. Instead of gaining weight, I was losing weight. I was hospitalized due to dehydration. The doctor prescribed me medicine to control the vomiting. When I was twenty-two weeks, I was hospitalized again due to pain and discomfort on my lower abdomen. At the hospital they told me that I was having contractions due to dehydration, which was due to all the vomiting. I had to take a couple of weeks off from work to have bed rest and take care of myself. During most of my pregnancy, I was by myself, as my husband was in The Dominican Republic and my mother was having spinal cord surgery in Florida. Luckily for me, I never felt depressed. Even with my severe vomiting I managed to make it to work almost every day. My breathing became very heavy and oftentimes I found myself gasping for air. My team at work was very supportive and very loving. In addition, I had some people who were very caring and attentive, like Delsy, my nice’s Querin’s mom and Don chucho. I also felt like I had angels surrounding me and protecting my baby and me.
I was planning on working for as long as I could until my due date. But about a month before my due date, I was at work and I started feeling very sick. Moments later the paramedics came and I was taken to NYU medical center. Right after this event took place, my doctor put me out of work. I wanted to have a vaginal delivery, however, after two days of labor pain (contractions started on Monday and Baby was born on Wednesday), I delivered via C-section. It was the most beautiful day of my life. As soon as I heard my baby crying when the doctor said, “It’s a boy!” I started laughing with joy right in the operating room.
My pregnancy was a rough pregnancy. But the joy my baby has brought to my life is indescribable. I am so grateful and so blessed. Thank you God! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
My baby and I…just minutes of baby being born Picture with grandma at the hospital
First time on his car seat. Day we were discharged from the hospital
I did not realize the colors and patterns on my dress blended perfectly well with the decor of the terrace in this picture. This is the beauty of photography; It captures everything the eye may not be able capture instantly, then it allows you to analyze it.
Last week I mentioned in my previous post that I was invited to the International Beauty Show (IBS) at the Jacob Javits Center. Due to a family emergency, I had to fly out of the country that same evening (after the post) and I did not have the chance to thank the amazing people who invited me to the show. I was able to attend the IBS convention thanks to the people at VIBA academy. In particular I want to thank Vargas and Anabel.
Vargas and Anabel are the founders of Viba Academy. Their work is surreal, and as I was able to observe up close what they do, I felt their passion for what they create. VARGAS is “the artist,” and Anabel is “the beauty.” But they are both artists. Vargas is one of the World’s most famous body paint artists. Anabel is a make up artist and educator. To learn more about Viba Academy and about Vargas and Anabel, go to their website at www.vibaacademy.com.
Anabel doing her work of art
While at the IBS event, I took advantage of some of the specials. I bought two bottles of Agadir conditioners of 33.8 Fl. Oz. for $38 and I saw the price for each bottle, same size at a local beauty store at $50.00 each bottle. I will post a review about it once I try it.
I also purchased a set of make up brushes by Royal Langnickel for $25. This was another super deal as I had purchased just one brush at a beauty store (not same brand) for the same amount.
This is all for now. Do not forget to read about Vargas and Anabel on their website. These people are inspiring, their work is like a fantasy where they bring the impossible to possible. Thank you for reading and know that you are all beautiful.
Read 1. To examine and grasp the meaning of (written or printed characters, words, or sentences). 5. To discern and interpret the nature or significance of through close examination or sensitive observation . 11. To learn or get knowledge of from something written or printed.
“Read.” The American Heritage Dictionary. 4th ed. Houghton Mifflin Co. Boston-New York: 2006.
Despite my busy schedule, it is important for me to take time to read. Reading is one of my passions. Reading transports me to different places and times. It forces me to think critically. It expands me intellectually. It develops and improves me. Reading is a gift that cannot be taken for granted. Read something of your interest every day or every week.
