my vocation is love

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As I reflect on my fourth maternity leave:  I want to focus on my vocation.

This leave has been fun and different. We have several people close to our hearts visit us this summer. What an amazing blessing to spend a week with bff SJ, a week and a half with my dad, a month with my sis and her children, and the entire summer/early fall with my grandma. 

Just those people visiting already made this maternity leave so special. 

I want to thank our parents for making the transition from 3 kids to 4 kids as manageable as possible. Sebastian pretty much spent half of the week with my in laws and my mom. I surely missed him though when we are apart. But it was helpful to bond and focus on Lucy during those times that the children are in school or with their grandparents. 

I also blogged a lot during this leave. wow, I blogged everyday... But blogging is not really what I would classify as a vocation. 

I chose this beautiful print from Katrina's Shop because it sums up EVERYTHING about my vocation.

What is a vocation?

per google dictionary: a strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation.

-- slightly acceptable definition, imo.

per MW dictionary: a summons or strong inclination to a particular state or course of action.

-- a little better don't you think?

per  Archdiocese of Arlington: Vocation means a call. It is God’s invitation, His call to each person to love and serve Him and His Church in a particular state or way of life. 

-- i love this

per CatholicCulture: A call from God to a distinctive state of life, in which the person can reach holiness. 

-- Amen.

My vocation is love. 

I chose my wonderful husband who has shown me 1000x opportunities for forgiveness and patience during this leave.

I chose love when I decided to be opened to life. 

I chose love when these babies came... and kept coming. 

I chose love when I nursed a sick Bastian; changed Lucy's onesie after her 4th spit up of the day; rocked a crying Isabel; helped my son with his spelling test; cooked meals for my family.

I chose love when I chose to go back to work when it was the hardest (after having Daniel).... because it's good for my mental being. it's good for my children. My wise husband said I am given this talent to help other children, not just my children. I keep those words close to my heart when I feel a little twinge of guilt that I am leaving my 3 month old baby girl. 

I chose love when I offer my time, treasure and talent to the Church. 

The good thing about accepting your vocation as love is that it is very powerful! it can be ANYTHING... anything that will make you closer to the Lord and align yourself in his will. 

Thank you HatchPrints for sponsoring this post. 

I like this quote from my patron saint, St. Gianna and this one from St. Teresa of Avila. 

To see more of Katrina's beautiful paintings and handlettering, browse here.  She graciously offered a 15% discount for my dear readers good until 10/24. 
Use code: DISIS15

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life lately

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life lately via seven quick takes.
ready?
set.
go!

1. my last week of fmla
12 weeks went by fast, didn't it? For me, it sure did. My Lucy turns 12 weeks today which means I am going back to work next week. Prayers please. My anxiety is kicking in.  I hate the stress of getting out of the house in the morning. That's where most of my anxiety lies. I hate being late. (who likes being late?) I am a night owl so I need to tell myself every single night to shut down and relax and go to sleep. I need at least 6.5-7 hours of sleep. I can function with less than that but i am proned to hunger, headaches, bad mood etc.  if I only get 6 hours (or less) night after night after night.



2. Bastian is sick (was)
written Tuesday: Would you believe me that this was the first time Sebastian received a prescription for an antibiotic? The covering pediatrician was surprised that he is 2 years old and never had an antibiotic. True, he has had colds, fevers and cough. His fevers usually proclaim their source though. His fevers also go away within 48 hours. So when I think about taking him in, he gets better.

This week though was a different story. His fever lingered for over 48 hours. He lost his appetite. It broke my heart to see him cry.

update Thursday: Thanks for the prayers -- he is back to his happy self. He is catching up with food too :)



3. nyfw
If I am not a mama of 4, I think I will do something in the fashion industry. Just so I could go to New York Fashion Week. I followed all these bloggers on their snapchat and "enjoyed" the fashion shows.



4. snapchat
Speaking of snapchat, I am so addicted. I have been trying to convince my mom to download the app... (are you reading this, mom?) There's tons of videos of the children there...

Like this ONE!

(My username is disisd!) add ME.



5. extracurricular activities
My eldest is busy this fall with extracurricular activities.
He has soccer until end of October. But his team lost their first 2 games though. :(
He also joined the BSA. They went to a rocket launch this past weekend. He enjoyed shooting BB guns but missed the archery station because he had to go to his soccer match.
His school offers a once a week drumming class... it's for K-2nd grade. It's basic rhythm and beats and he's enjoying it.


6. working out
hubs and I are doing a second round of the 21 day fix. I am thinking of starting p90x3, come first of the month. Any of my readers p90x3 grads? any tips?

we went to a sporting goods store this past weekend to get heavier weights. Not boasting or anything but I am not lifting mere 3-5 lbs anymore.. I am going up there folks! haha, more like going to 8-10 lbs. This means whether hubs like it or not he has to go up as well bec I am claiming his weights.

we got a Pull up bar - something I have been asking hubs to get me for years. That's one of my goals. I want to perform a real pull up.

while browsing, we found the clearance rack. Daniel got a cute Pacers hoodie and I found these under armour tights for $12. They are girls size. I also found these shorts (both are under $12!) high five!

nike pro compression shorts for girls
under armour compression shorts 

I also got the Champion high support sports bra in bright orange (less than $12!)
and these  cute Reebok pink ones.




7.  video I am sharing
(again from my snapchat addiction)



Happy Friday!!!

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day with Lucy and date night {surprise Video Log too!}

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I totally agree with moms/parents of one child. IT IS HARD.

It is a different hard than having all 4with me. When it's just me and Lucy, it's HARD.

I planned on working out because it's date night (yay to Fri-YAY) Lucy knows when I have something in mind... or when I put on my sports bra.  I cannot place her down! She sleeps like she's in hibernation mode when her older sibs are home. But when it's just me??! nope, she wanted to be held.

I was listening to a podcast of Grace being interviewed at This Inspired life podcast. She talked about white noise everywhere in her house. I finally emailed her to ask what sound machine she has! I did not waste a moment. I went to amazon and bought the same sound machine!  And it's only $19.99! (Thanks Auntie Feli for buying it for us. we used your gift card)

See the sound machine in action in the video below.

I thank Lucy that she finally napped around 3ish. I took a shower and got ready for date night. I wore this white tube top from (cringe!) Express (this one is less than $20!). I haven't shopped there in a couple of years. Their tops, if not flowy, are way too tight. I have a mommy belly which means it's express-NOT belly.

When I saw Express on sale at zulily with this peplum top -- I figured why not.

Hello!!!

Lucy and St. Lucy c/o Axis Mundi Etsy Shop
{use code: FREESHIP to get free shipping}

I did not want my white top to get messed up as I fulfill my household chores. I  know I will stain it while washing dishes. So i wore an apron. It's very trendy, y'all. Wear an apron for dishwashing. It makes dishwashing fun.

The Burberry bowler made its comeback. After getting this bowler, I finally understood why LV speedy lovers complain. For a mama, the bowler with short handle drop is not functional for everyday use. Even if the classic LV is a speedy, I do not own one. First, it looses its shape. Second, I already have this Burberry bowler and I rarely use it. I would rather spend my moolah on a different LV style (like this one.... gosh so expensive!)

skirt via zulily // Burberry bowler

Naturalizer sandals via zulily
CoverGirl lipgloss in "tweet me"

wanna see a good hair flip?

scroll now

MK bradshaw watch

St. Lucy glass pendant via Axis Mundi etsy shop

Now let's lean...

Lean some more....

 And more.....

 Here's our day in video form.
Hubs thinks I am bored when I do these videos. No, not really.. just something different to my day. Specially since who I am hanging out with a human being who does not really talk or giggle yet.

And don't you think it will be fun rewatching these videos later?





outfit details: if it's pink that means it's a link. click it and SHOP.
express peplum top (similar) via zulily
skirt also via zulily
MK bradshaw watch
Burberry bowler
Naturalizer sandals via zulily
St. Lucy glass pendant c/o Axis Mundi etsy shop
Covergirl Lipgloss in tweet me



linking up with Sarah, Doranda, Morgan, Leanne, Elizabeth, Elena,  Madeline,  Danielle, Grace, and Brooke.

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all by myself

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imagine Celine Dion singing this...
Just as promised on my instagram, let's document my first day alone with the crew. There's 6 photos + 1 video, so it is sorta ok to link up with seven quick takes this week.

I am glad the younger ones kept me sleeping until 8:20a. My eldest was already down at the first floor. We found him munching on pistachios and crackers (for breakfast!).  I served the kids breakfast which per their request is easy enough: Cereal!

Then we proceeded with our day.
Dancing....

and pretending to clean up which really means, throw things at the back of the couch. They think out of sight means "clean".

Making a mess.... or as they said, a very long snake.

and more mess.....

while this cute baby nursed and nursed and nursed.

At least I got to cuddle with her! sweet heaven...

When hubs came home, he gave me a hug and a kiss and said: The house did not burn. Kids are ok. Good job, hun. 

Happy Friday, friends!

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2 weeks left and counting (second time around)

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2 weeks left and counting... But this time around, not waiting for a baby to be born --- but anxious about going back to work. So how's having baby #2?

Lessons I learned (and won't do again):
-not procratinate working out during pregnancy. I was very active with my first pregnancy and exercised till a week before giving birth. With Isabel, I slept and slept and ate and ate. Yes, I gained weight -- 42 lbs of heaviness.
-Not wait till 6 weeks postpartum to get back to my workout routine. I was ready to work out with my first baby at 2 weeks postpartum. Hubby (and yes OB) said that's way too soon. So this time, I waited until 6 weeks (after the holidays). well..... the baby weight is depressing me. I should have started at 3-4 weeks as recommended by my OB. Then I could have lost more lbs before I go back to work and maybe fit in some work clothes...

-Not have a winter baby. Isabel at 8 weeks already has a URI (upper respiratory infection: runny nose and cough) given by guess who: Kuya Daniel.

With Daniel, we walked outside at 2 weeks postpartum and continued to do so every day of my leave. It was summer: sunny, warm, wonderful. With Isabel, we are stuck inside the house. It's winter: gloomy, cold, sad.

Lessons I learned:
-if a baby is stubborn with his/her latch-on at birth, then better resolve the problem right then (rather than wait at 8 weeks of age when he/she is even more stubborn.) I am battling my 4th case of plugged duct in 2 weeks. talk about breast milk oversupply!
-tons of lessons about breastfeeding! From olive oil used to treat milk bleb/blister to weaning from the pump as I have freezer stash enough to feed triplets -- well maybe not, exaggerating there.
Even though I nursed my son for 15 months, I am still learning this second time around. My 2 children are different! One was a slow nurser taking his sweet time. The other one is an efficient baby, who is done nursing in 6-8minutes. And she is content and full after one breast!

What I am thankful for:
-being with my Isabel for 10 weeks. Learning her cues, bonding with her and gazing at her lovely face while sleeping... and crying...
-going back to a job that I like. It was difficult coming back to work after 14 weeks with Daniel. I know this time is not any different.
-Daniel loving his little sister! He comes home from school and as soon as he sees me, he asks: "Where's Isabel?" (What happened to "Hi mummy!")
-our family and friends who brought us food and babysat for us so we could run errands, go to doctor appointments, etc.... Thanks to grandparents who kept Daniel overnight (several times) so we could (maybe) sleep-in some mornings.
-having a Thanksgiving baby bec I had maternity leave during Christmas! (But again, no more winter babies after Isabel)
- My supporting husband who stays up with me during fussy nights, changes diapers when I have to tend to my plugged duct, watches the kids so I can dance some Zumba and so many more gestures of love.

I sound like an echo to a lot of moms when I say this: it's tough having a newborn, but it's all so worth it. Yes, Derrick and I are still praying for more children after our 2 munchkins. But with God's plan, we hope to space them just a little bit farther apart. Maybe not 2 years apart like Daniel and Isabel... How's 3-4??? haha.

Love every minute. Be grateful every day.
Positive things I pray for daily. Especially when I get depressed that I will be apart from my little girl pretty soon......

Loving every minute of my leave

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I have been home for 11 weeks now. It has been 11 weeks since this cutie pie was born! He is getting so big. His current weight:12 lbs 7 oz. He needs 3 more oz and he'd double his birthweight.

We are making good use of our time together. I, as his mummy, am learning about him; definitely building this loving, strong attachment that will grow even stronger even when I go back to work.

Daniel and I have been attending a new mom class at the hospital where he was born. It's nice to connect with other moms and share ideas. We talked about preparing family meals today. Other topics we have discussed included: babyproofing the house, introducing solids, taking care of mom, parenting according to your baby's temperament. This free class is led by a peds nurse practitioner.

"Oh-oh"

Love ya mum.

I will miss this lovely, handsome face! (when I go back to work)

This smile was for his dad! How heavenly.


"The colts were winning anyway, so I am taking a nap!"

The Delima family wore their Colts outfit!
Thanks Derrick for taking this picture!

Derrick is crazy for this little one.

Derrick's loves.

Derrick and I are celebrating our 3rd year wedding anniversary tomorrow. Having Daniel is definitely another milestone in our lives together. We are grateful to have each other and this little one.