Texas Family & Friends

We had our first baby shower today and it was amazing.  Thanks so much to my mom, sister-in-law Trini, my three nieces Brenda, Stacie, and Robyn, my cousin Vi and so many others who helped.  We has a wonderful party and it was so great to see family and friends (old and new).  Jason and I are so thankful for the prayers and love that we can count on from everyone even if they are far away.  I will post pictures from the party on shutterfly with a link as soon as I can.  To everyone who came, Thank You so much.
Also, it was wonderful to see old friends and to get baby advice.  I'm looking forward to seeing a few more friends before I leave and hopefully Jolynn and Lori's new babies too :)   This trip has been a wonderful reminder and celebration of life. 

Words from Dad

I work at an agency called Fatherhood Support Services. Our mission is to empower men to become better fathers and more fully involved in the lives of their children. I have often been commended by many for raising Angelo on my own for several years, and for being a “good dad” in general. Truth is, being a young father was a role that I took for granted at times. At my agency I have met men who want nothing more than to have even a portion of what I was given. Their greatest desire is to be granted the mere chance to be an involved father, a responsibility I have come to believe is as important as any in life.  

I am fortunate enough to be given yet another opportunity that many men are not given once. And this time I will not be on my own. I get to raise a child with the most beautiful and amazing woman I know. Furthermore, Luciano will have the coolest big brother imaginable. There were times when I have admittedly considered not bringing another child into a world filled with sadness, injustice, cruelty, uncertainty and so many other problems. But assuredly, the world needs more problem solvers. I look forward to doing my part to see that Luciano becomes one himself. I am confident that his mother, brother and extended family will do the same.

Words from Big Brother

 When I first found out I was having a sibling I didn’t know what to think, but I did have some worries.  Having another child in the house is going to be a big dramatic change with aspects that I really am not looking forward to. I will probably often wake up at night hearing the baby cry.  I’m a 13 year old boy on a schedule, I need my sleep.    Most of the attention might have to go to the baby, but I know I have parents that will do their very best to include me at all times.  Spending most of my life as an only child has been pretty good so far, not having to share what you like, but now it’s all going to change. 

I’m feeling pretty neutral at the moment about the big change, but I believe that it will turn out to be a good thing in the end.  I think teaching my little baby brother how to skate, play guitar, and even show him different kinds of music will help build my character, and I have a feeling he’d have plenty of fun too. 

      So in conclusion, Luciano will be a great little brother, but there will be troubles along the way.  He’s going to have good parents, and a great big brother who will teach him the many wonders of life.  I’m kind of looking forward to this change, but it will be a pretty big impact.   

The Holidays & Baby Shower Planning

We had a full house of family and fun.  My parents, brother, cousin, and three nieces came for a visit.  We had fun but time with them was so short.  On Christmas day, we were also joined by Jason's mom, his sister, her husband, and their 2 year old son.  Angelo spent his vacation in Georgia visiting his biological mom.  He had a great time.  He was able to see a few friends from Augusta which really meant a lot to him.  He spent Christmas in Louisiana and was able to see the devastation that still surrounds New Orleans.  He was missed here in Denver but we had a nice family Christmas when he returned yesterday. 
Luciano is growing and moving lots.   It is exciting watching him (and my belly) grow.  He has not settled into any wake/sleep patterns yet.  We are slowly trying to figure out our lives for the next few months because they are going to be intense I'm sure.  Jason and I start school on Thursday.  I feel that I really did not get a break at all but I'm ready. 
Baby Showers are in the planning stages:  One in Texas in a few weeks (the last few weeks that I can travel) and one in Denver for school friends in March so far.  We are working on the registry but I feel kinda lost.  I don't really know what I am going to need.  Never done this before so I feel totally clueless.  Rebecca and Melissa will be helping me with this part.  Thank God for Girlfriends! 
On a personal note:  My parents had to leave early back to Texas due to illness and then a death in the family.  Sweet Tio Chilo will be missed greatly.  Also, I am reminded of the death of my grandfather that was this time last year.  I hope and pray that my little Luciano will follow in the footsteps of these great men who impacted so many. 

It's a boy!

It's a Boy!

Baby Luciano is doing well!  We had a slight scare and ended up in the hospital last night/today but everything is fine.  Plus, we were able to find out a few days ahead of schedule what the sex is.  We are super excited (Jason especially) that we are having a boy. 

Yesterday after a long day of internship and work, I came home and noticed some bleeding and some cramping.  We called the doc and were advised to head to the ER.  It was a pretty scary feeling.  Last night, the doctor thought that maybe it was placenta previa, a complication in which the placenta grows in the lowest part of the uterus and covers all or part of the opening to the cervix.  We needed to see the high risk doctor who would make the final diagnostic determination. 

The night was long but uneventful.  This morning we saw the doctor who took all measurements of the baby.  He is perfect!  He is a little wiggle worm and is very active.  They ruled out placenta pervia and with close monitoring everything should be fine in the future. 

I was told to keep my stress levels down and to rest for a few days.  I was just glad that it was not mandatory bed rest for the rest of the pregnancy because I think I would go crazy.  Jason was super amazing as always, asking lots of questions to the doctors at a time when I was a bit overwhelmed.  I am so grateful for such a wonderful husband.  Now, we are taking Angleo out to dinner to tell him the news of his new baby brother : )  I want tonight to be special for him.  I had planned to have him along for the 20 week ultrasound but things didn't go as planned.  

Half Way There!

We are about half way through the pregnancy!  Things are going well.  Only thing that remains is the nausea and the lack of sleep.  I try to take naps when I can but I've been so busy, it's pretty hard to do.  We can't wait until the next appointment when we find out the sex of the baby.  I love the app for the phone that keeps you up-to-date on the growth progress of the baby and it's full of helpful advice on things to do or to avoid.  I really love the slight flutter of the baby's movements.  It is a constant reminder of the amazing creation that I have growing inside of me.  Jason and Angelo are still super amazing.  Angelo and I were at an art gallery and saw this really cool mobile, so that is going to be our next art project for the baby. 
School update:  Jason and I made A's in all our first qtr. graduate school classes.  We are pretty proud.  I was pretty overwhelmed at times but we made it through. 
Angelo's update:  Angelo is part of a math competition team and they won first place recently.  He said to me today that this has been the best school year of his life.  This made me really happy and affirmed that we are all on the right path. 
Family update:  We hosted our first party for a multicultural organization we belong to at DU.  It was really nice to have room to have guests.  We also had several friends over for Thanksgiving dinner who didn't have family here locally.  We owe so much gratitude to friends who made us feel like family in Georgia that we thought we'd do the same here.  We also enjoyed Thanksgiving lunch with Uncle Juan & Aunt Cindy and the family.  It was a very nice holiday for the Vitellos and we reflected on what we are thankful for.

20 weeks and counting...

Facebook Offical

So, now that we are FB Official (or have finally gone public with the news), I think I’m in the safe zone to share an abbreviated version of our story. 

In 2005 I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  At such a young age, it was not easy to deal with.  From that time until my last treatment in 2008 – 2009, my only goal was to do what I needed to do so that I could be there for my family.  The cancer journey took us down the road of radiation, surgery, and trying a drug that is still in the research stage.  Along that path came the reality that I most likely would not be able to have children. 

When I was in 8^th grade, I remember having a conversation with a dear friend, and we decided that we would grow up and open an orphanage and adopt lots of kids.  It may have been just childish talk but at that point I knew that I was capable of loving a child that was not biologically my own. 

Along with the privilege of having Jason as my husband came “the kid”.  Being a parent to Angelo has been so amazing.  I love him with every once of my being just as if I would have given birth to him.  So, when the docs said that pregnancy was not an option, I was totally at peace with it.  Jason and I talked about adopting someday and had a goal to do so sometime after grad school. 

After my last treatment, I am cancer free.  One out of many doctors said to me that a pregnancy may once again be a foreseeable option.  Jason and I talked about it and decided not to go forward with any fertility drugs or take the option of cryopreservation.  If it was ever meant to be, then it would be.  We left that discussion and moved on with a focus of getting healthy and conquering our next goal which would be moving to Denver for graduate school. 

This summer was our family’s transition to city life.  In August, I experienced painful event that resulted in a doctor’s visit.  The doctor stated that they detected the pregnancy hormone and that I must have had a miscarriage.  I was shocked but worked through it.  I continued to feel sick for about a week after.  I decided to go to another doctor to get another opinion.  That is where the most amazing thing that could have ever happened to us was revealed to me by the nurse:  “Congratulations, you’re pregnant!”