Here is the pregnancy announcement, from a year ago (oops! I am so sorry). I really miss writing in this blog!

But before I write about Leo’s delivery…let’s start from the beginning.

Leo wasn’t 100% planned as Nico. We have always wanted two kids, but the pandemic started when Nico was about 1.5 years old, and our planned shifted a little bit. *You can also read here "are we ready for baby #2?" from May 2020*

By August-September 2020, we stopped being as careful- like if it happens, it happens! A three year old difference felt good. Nico would be *hopefully* in school, and a bit more independent. 

I found out I was pregnant right around Halloween 2020, and oh boy I was surprised! There is a funny story actually. In October 2020, I was hired to create content for a pregnancy test company. It was purely for their usage, I didn’t have to be in the pictures or post them in my social media. The company sent me several pregnancy tests + ovulation kits.  I thought “oh well, whenever we really want to try for Baby #2, I already have these ovulation kits”.

After Halloween, I had a feeling I was pregnant. I just KNEW it! (with my previous pregnancies, Nico and the miscarriage, I also KNEW!) So I went ahead and took one of those tests I had in my vanity..and it was POSITIVE! I started freaking out and I texted my manager asking if the tests actually worked or they were made to say positive (as they had to show positive in the pictures).  They 100% were real tests, and we started joking saying that gig brought “fertility vibes” into my life.

This time, it was different. I told all my friends as soon as I found out. And I told my parents as soon as the pregnancy was confirmed by an ultra-sound.  I had a miscarriage in 2017, before Nico and I was so scared throughout Nico’s pregnancy that I did not enjoy it.  I learned that I really wanted to tell the people I would also share bad news with, people that have been there for me unconditionally.

Long story short, I had a lot of issues with my health insurance (“the American dream”, sarcasm included).  So it took a while for my OB to see me. 

By the time I was 17 weeks, I started bleeding after working out. I was working out a lot before getting pregnant, so  I wanted to stay active (with little modifications, of course).  We were shooting a reel and I noticed the bleeding and I started to freak out- because that's exactly how my miscarriage started in 2017...and this time, I had SEEN the baby, I  knew he was a boy, and he had a name.

I cried uncontrollably the whole trip to the emergency room- and because of Covid, I had to enter alone. I started crying even more thinking of all the women that had received bad news in those rooms ALONE- without their partners, without a hand to hold. That made me even more upset with the Covid situation, as I kept scrolling on my phone and everyone seemed to be partying out and about.

Thankfully, the baby was perfect. It was my placenta that was very low (placenta previa) and that's why I was bleeding. So I  had to be in bed-rest for two weeks: I couldn't carry my 2 year old, workout, do any lifting, etc.  I was told to reach out to a high-risk doctor.

The next day I saw my doctor, the midwife that also delivered Nico. He was horrible, he scared me saying what you SHOULDN'T tell a pregnant woman. He told me I would need a c-section, that I might need blood transfusions, that there were a lot complications, that they might need to remove my uterus.

It was really scared, I would hold Nico so close thinking I was just told I could die in birth. Obviously I changed doctors immediately, and my new doctor (Lorena Tinoco and her partner) were absolutely amazing, they explained everything to me and they would just check the placenta every time. It slowly started migrated towards the top of the uterus.

Around 25-26 weeks, I was out of the danger zone. I started doing pre-natal yoga and walking. and I could carry my toddler, it broke my heart every time we wanted me to hold him and I just couldn't.

Spoiler alert: I did have a great delivery (more on that later), vaginal delivery with no complications.

So if you have been diagnosed with placenta previa in early pregnancy- stay hopeful! Everything will be okay!!

Sponsored by Etsy. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. 

This year definitely is a lot different from what we were expecting. We had everything planned for Nico to start school, but the universe had a different plan. 

Today I want to tell you a bit of the toddler activities that we have been doing at home to make sure Nico is learning what the fundamentals for his age while having fun. 

Etsy is my go-to for one-of-a kind finds in absolutely every department. You can find Back To School items that are functional and unique WHILE supporting small businesses. 

He is wearing the cutest alphabet sweatshirt- he was super excited when he saw it. He said random letters in Spanish and wanted to put it on instantly (I also had my eye on this one that you can customize) 

So now that we have our alphabet sweatshirt on, here are some of of Toddler Educational Ac- tivities you can find: 

1) Wooden Puzzle: 

They are an amazing learning toy, to practice spelling their name and learning the letters. I really liked this one that includes a bear and a mountain on each side of the customized named. 

Another option I loved was this one that also includes shapes, colors, and numbers. I ordered it recently, and it should be arriving very soon! 

2) Sensory kits: 

Sensory play is crucial for child development as it encourages imaginative play, helps develop fine motor skills, and building help connections in the brain. 

We have a dinosaur one that is absolutely adorable. Also check out the construction sensory kit, and a mermaid one! 

3) Wooden Block Sets 

Such a classic activity but it truly helps them practice hand-eye coordination, shape recogni- tion, and encourages open ended play with endless imagination. 

-This one includes 100 wooden pieces in 9 different shapes.

 - This other set has 29 blocks in various shapes and color! 

What’s a must activity you do or did with your toddler? Share it with us! 

*Sponsored by Vera Bradley and Shopstyle*

 Nico, our two-year-old, was supposed to start school this season. We had chosen a little school for him to go half day. Since my husband and I work together, this would have given us time to focus on our projects for a few hours a day. Also, we wanted him to start interacting with other kids, and learn something every day.

Well, this year is definitely different from anything we would have ever imagine, and our plans changed. However, the current worldwide circumstances might have postponed OUR planes, but it doesn’t stop him from growing and needing to learn new things.

So, I’ve been googling activities with him, and to have some sort of learning environment and stimulate his brain in a playful way. I’ve ordered a few things: canvas, kid friendly paint, more colors, playdough, books, etc.

I also got this beautiful Vera Bradley backpack; and yes, it is for me! I loved the print and I know I’m going to use it when we travel or as a diaper bag (because it has so many compartments and it fits EVERYTHING, even a 15’ laptop).  

This backpack is super lightweight but it fits all of his home-school things. I have everything organized inside so when it’s time to learn I take the backpack and I quickly set up whatever we are doing that afternoon.

It comes in 7 extremely cute patterns, and 4 solid colors. But I haven’t mentioned the best part, it is made from recycled water bottles (24 go into every pack), it is also durable and water repellent!

I can’t wait for him to get his own little backpack and go to school- but for now, I’ll enjoy this Vera Bradley for me and I’ll enjoy all the time I’m able to spend with him.

I’m absolutely loving the whole Back To School collection from Vera Bradley, there are also lunch boxes, stationary, and dorm accessories (all in a vast array of the cutest patterns and colors). And until 8/17/, there is a 25% Back-To-School essentials! Click here to learn more!

I also got this lunch cooler that I think it’s going to be perfect for the beach or picnics at the park!

We shouldn’t let this year get the back-to-school excitement from us and our little ones!