Expectations and Goals

Baby Eden at 9 days old. She's so long

I was told from the start of my pregnancy not to make unrealistic expectations and goals for myself. For instance, I planned to have a vaginal birth with no medication whatsoever. When I told people that this was what I wanted for myself, they immediately told me, "You shouldn't make expectations like that because if it doesn't happen the way that you like, you'll be disappointed." I understood where they were coming from but I didn't understand why wouldn't you if that was something that you wanted to achieve for yourself. There may be mishaps, however if you really set out for what you want, you'll reach it. I've always been the type of person that if I say something, I'll follow through with what I want to achieve. 

 She sleeps well in her monkey pj's

One of  my goals that I set for myself is to solely breastfeed my baby at my breast for a month after that month, I am open to nursing her in a variety of methods-at breast, pumping milk, supplementing with formula if needed, etc. I didn't want to introduce formula or the bottle just yet unless she was underfed or if doctors insist on that action in my case. Sounds reasonable right? So far it's almost been 2 weeks and I've been doing well with her. Although it is tiresome and there is lack of sleep involved when I'm nursing her around the clock but I knew what I wanted. I wanted the mother-daughter bonding experience and the benefits of breastfeeding. Many people have said that my actions is not reasonable.I've heard that I'll get worn out and that baby is not getting enough vitamins and nutrients from breast milk alone, therefore I should supplement with formula. I don't mind supplementing with formula if I am not well or eating right but I know that I'm healthy and the food I intake supplies my baby and I with the necessary food groups for optimal function.


Again, if I choose to listen to people, I may never reach my goal. I have to politely tell those that insist I change my ways that I know what I am doing as a mother and let them know that this is what I want for my baby. So far, the baby is doing well. She has her growth spurt moments right now and is taking in a lot of milk. What I'm trying to say is that expectations and goals are great to set yourself to achieve what you expect for yourself. You know yourself better than the next person so if you're struggling to achieve a goal for yourself and those around you are pushing you down, kindly explain why you choose to do what you do and that's that. I am enjoying the time that I'm nursing my Baby Eden. It's a completely surreal experience to hold your baby in your arms and look at her as she depends so much on you. Life as a mother is amazing!

I got myself a Houdini

My sleeping beauty

Always missing a mitten or a sock

I don't know what it is about my baby but she is famous for her disappearing act of her mittens and socks. I kid you not this baby is a self-made magician. I call her my "Little Houdini." Just this morning, I changed her into her long sleeve onesie and purple pants. I also put her in purple socks as well as little mittens to keep her from scratching herself. I turn around for a slit moment and POOF, one of her socks were gone. I went over to her and asked Eden if she was playing a game with me. She just grinned as I grabbed her foot and started kissing it. Baby Eden just squirmed. I love her little ways. It's funny because I'll walk around the house and find random mittens along the way. She's definitely leaving a trail of her own. 


I guess Baby Eden likes the natural touch of her own skin on everything as she is beginning to explore her surrounding. I'm all for that but as a mother, I get for her to get sick or cold. Sometimes I feel as if I layer her way too much and we're in the end of June. LOL. Anywho, I love this little girl and she teaches me so much about life.

The Golden Hour

My Golden Hour with my baby daughter

I will never forget the "Golden Hour" that I spent with my baby girl. After I conceived her, I got to spend 1 hour with my Baby Eden away from any distractions and people.The feeling was unforgettable! The first hour is a crucial time because the baby just entered this world knowing nothing more than what was inside the womb. The bonding between mother and baby was unbelievable and getting that skin-to-skin contact allowed me to communicate with my baby on a whole different level. Research shows that getting that skin-to-skin contact with mother and baby immediately after birth helps solidify critical brain development to complete the growth of intricate sensor's in the newborn's brain. How I see it is my baby just enter a big and scary world, the sense of touch from a mother is just soothing and calming to come out to.

Skin-to-skin contact with my baby

This was one of the most important reason why I chose to deliver at Santa Monica/UCLA Hospital. I simply believed in what they stood for (i.e. Golden Hour=kick everyone out of the room, it's just you and the baby, skin-to-skin contact, etc). Taking the maternity tour of SM Hospital a month before the due date, I was surprised by the remodeling they did in their L&D department. The rooms were private and quite large. The nurses were extremely nice. We saw a couple who was going to be delivering soon and they seemed calm. That's when I knew that I could see myself and Jonathan delivering here. Also, SM Hospital is so dear to me because of the numerous hours that I spent in this hospital volunteering for the CareExtender Program. During postpartum, I actually had two different CareExtender students come into my room and ask me politely if I need water or anything. It's so nice to be in the receiving end :)


Every minute that I'm with her, I feel like I'm in the golden moment. She is my precious angel and she has totally changed for the better!

OH MY! A Week Old!

My princess Eden

Today Baby Eden is officially one week old. WOW! To tell you honestly, she's been great and doing well; a few cry spells but overall I can't ask for a better baby. I didn't expect motherhood was going to be this great. So far, I'd say that Baby Eden has gone through about 75 diapers already. It's a vicious cycle-eat, poop, sleep and repeat. She's going through a growth spurt and I'm constantly breastfeeding her by the hour. One of my fears was that I wasn't going to be able to produce enough milk to feed her but by the fourth day, I had a rush of milk letdown. The sight of my baby would cause me to lactate so disposable nipple pads are my best friends. LOL


One of the things that I came to realize after having my own baby is "unconditional love." I remember my mom saying, "You'll never really understand until you have your own children." This is so true. I held Baby Eden in my hands and I stared at her gorgeous 7 day old face and I let out my heart to my daughter. I told her that I never wanted her to feel any pain or hurt. In any way possible, I wanted to take away all of the despair she may feel in the future. I just want to absorb all of that because I never want anything bad to happen to her. All that I wanted her to concentrate on being a happy kid and enjoy all the experiences in her life. There was so much more that I wanted to tell her but she's just too young to understand. It's inevitable to protect your children from the world out there and I know that she's going to have to experience some of those herself. I  truly feel the love a mother has for her own children. <3

A Mother's Love is Forever!

She has her eyes open!

Baby Eden Madison has finally arrived! I had her on June 19th (Father's Day) at 12:33PM.She is the most precious gift I ever received. Baby Eden weighs 6 lbs 14 oz and is 19 in. in length. She is one healthy baby. I was just discharged from the SM hospital a 4 days ago and now I'm just spending all my time with her in Northridge. I'm trying to make out the different faces she makes; so far I definitely know her hungry and poopie face. Her personality is starting to come out and she is just too sweet. Baby Eden finally opened her eyes fully a few days ago and she'll only open it up to her Daddy. She's going to be one big Daddy's girl! Baby Eden gained weight after losing some initially at the hospital. She was down 5.6% at discharge and after 6 days she gained some weight and is now only 3.4% down from her birth weight. I was told babies drop 
10% of their weight after birth which is considered normal.

Baby Eden only a few hours old

I had an all natural vaginal birth and couldn't ask for a better delivery. The hospital stay was great and the nurses were so helpful in caring for me and my baby as They gave us a lot of pointers as far as symptoms to look out for, how to give the baby a sponge bath, how to swaddle a baby, etc. I definitely love the education portion from nurses, lactation specialist, and doctors. From what I was told, the doctor referred to me as “the one push wonder patient” because that was what it took to get the baby out. I personally felt that there was a lot more pushing going on from my end than just “one single push” but it was worth it in the end.

Words cannot express how truly happy I feel to finally meet my beautiful daughter. She is just something amazing. The labor and delivery was totally worth all the pain/suffering to finally see my baby girl! Life as a mother has totally changed my perspective on everything. It’s the best feeling in the world to watch my little one grow and develops into a separate self. It’s INDESCRIBABLE!