Being a first time mom... after 30s!

Dear reader, In addition to being obsessed with fashion, bridal, cooking, and reading, I am obsessed with one other beautiful little thing, my daughter Genoveva. Now, every mother swears their child is the perfect angel on earth, that pregnancy was flawless, delivery was ALMOST painless, and staying home with the baby was the easiest decision. You know, urban myths. Here's my story. Morning sickness kicked in during month 3. Yes, it affects at any time of the day. Yes, I tried almost every remedy recommended. Yes, the husband did hold my hair, so you may ooh and aah as you picture it. Only days that I didn't get it, when I would have soda crackers with butter and chocolate milk at 3am. But please, don't think of what I just mentioned as a cure for it. It lasted until month 6, then picked up month 8, and disappeared at the start of month 9. Cravings are real, but not crazy. Mine included as mentioned soda crackers with butter, oatmeal, Chinese food, Grimaldi's pizza, and chips ahoy. Couldn't stand the smell or taste of Chipotle, and for those who know me, Chipotle was a staple once a week at work. To give it up for nine months was amazingly easy but disconcerting. Coffee was not entirely given up, because the doctor knew I would die, so I was reduced to decaf coffee, which was sent by mail from Puerto Rico, (my parents spoiled me that way). I was told a number of times that I was lucky because I didn't swell up, I didn't look really pregnant, and many people didn't even realize it until month 6 or 7. Being pregnant at 33 came with some known risks, since I have a heart murmur, but the one thing that really stuck and I hated was the, "Awe, you are over 30 so here's a list of things that can go wrong." Being told that my age was a factor on whether my baby would be born with Down Syndrome was one of the biggest scares my husband and I had. Let's just say that its not a voicemail that should ever be left. We chose to accept whatever God sent us. My iron was always a little low, so I had a chance to eat some really good steaks, and ladies, yes, you pee a lot when pregnant because you have to drink a gazillion gallons of water a day. I literally worked at my job up until the day before I was scheduled to go to the hospital. Again, because of my age and another complication known as an irregular shaped placenta, I was scheduled to be induced. My last month of pregnancy was one of whirlwind moments. We closed on our house October 30th, cleaned and painted the new house November 2-10th, packed it all up and moved November 11th, worked up until the 14th of November, and went into the hospital November 15. My loving mother, sister, brother in law, and my best friend upacked my entire house and set up the baby's room for me. Meanwhile, my husband and I joined the future parent's club at the hospital awaiting for our baby girl to come into the world. By November 17th, I was tired of the hospital, tired of ice chips, tired of medications, tired of the bed, and just wanted out!!!! We made the informed decision for the health of the baby and mine to have a C-section. She came loudly screaming into the world November 17th at 9:45am weighing 7.15lbs, 22 inches of joy. Recuperating from the C-section was easy. Recuperating from postpartum depression was a daily struggle. There were days when everything was perfect. And days when you look at yourself in the mirror and no longer see yourself. Choosing to stay home with my child was the best decision we could make, but what no one prepares you for is that your identity changes. I was no longer an Assistant Manager at a bridal store, I was no longer dressing brides or helping to plan events. I was smack in the middle of feedings and sleeping schedules, and breast feeding failures, and not recognizing the body that was in the mirror. And yes, you read correctly, breast feeding failures, a topic I promise to go further into detail on a next blog, but needless to say, my daughter thrived on both breast milk and formula until I dried up. Lack of sleep, little adult interactions besides the occasional friends and family that would stop by, not having to dress up, everything takes a toll. And like many, the added pressure of being "over 30" and that you should have your life figured out only adds to the stress. I was lucky. I have a husband who understood, who cheered me up, and who dried my tears and loves me in the new body that maternity left me. I had a wonderful support system of family and friends who saw through the wall I tried to build and who gently laid those bricks down. And I learned to love the new title of Stay at Home mom. Most importantly, the title of Mom Over 30 didn't scare me anymore. One look at Genoveva's smile and I am back to being in love with being +30. Motherhood is a beautiful mess. One that takes tears, courage, smiles, occasional breakdowns, and lots of caffeine. My journey is only 14 months, one which I will document here on what I will call Mommy Wednesdays. Hopefully, one day, Veva will read and see what joy she brings to my life. And for all those mommies who are scared or happy and need to share or just be listened to, I'm here, listening. Thanks, Cecilia

Welcome to Bridal Mondays!

Hello brides, welcome to my first official Bridal Monday blog. Many of you have been following my tips through my personal facebook page or have hired me to be your bridal assistant. For those who do not know me or of my experience with brides, I figured why not tell you a little of my experiences. My journey into the world of bridal began through fashion. I have ten years of experience in the retail world, helping every day ladies find how to express themselves through what they wear. It all begins by looking at yourself in the mirror and accepting the skin that you are in, accepting what a strong woman you are, and how you want to showcase yourself. My clients would range from women needed help creating outfits for interviews and business trips, to changing entire wardrobes, and help planning outfits for vacations and honeymoons. Until one day, a long time client got engaged and asked me to tag along in her wedding dress shopping. At the time I was taking a break from what I like to call "mall retail" and was searching for my next adventure. Talk about being overwhelmed! And I wasn't even the bride! Seeing her pushed into a fitting room, dresses thrown at her by the retail assistant, family members, and friends, all I could think of what how do I save her! There has to be a better way. And this girl had read every bridal magazine out there in 48 hours, looked like she had done her homework with her little binder of pictures, but no one was listening to her or helping her. Two weeks later I got a call from the store that I had ordered my maid of honor dress for another wedding, and I went to pick it up. Buying that dress was completely different, since I barely got any help from the associate. I assumed that since I wasn't the bride, I (along with the associate assigned to help me) wouldn't need help. That day, as fate would have it, I walked away with my maid of honor dress and a job offer! And all after complaining about my experience! I went from dressing women for everyday events to dressing them for the most important day of their lives! For three years, I had the wonderful experience of working with an average of four brides a day helping them find their dress, coordinate colors, dress their bridal party, and even go to their weddings. I also had the wonderful opportunity to participate in bridal shows and for some wonderful brides, earn their trust and coordinate their entire wedding. Maternity came to my life and I chose to stay home and raise our daughter Genoveva. But I missed my brides, I missed my fashion ladies. Through this forum, I can reconnect with you all, still offer you bridal guidance and aid! So every Monday, I will give you tales and tips on how to get the wedding dress without being overwhelmed, how to plan you wedding without breaking your bank, and how to keep up with the wedding etiquette of the times! Thank you for allowing me to enter your bridal planning through this medium. Let's start planning! Cecilia