nataliearias

Where has the time gone! My little human is two months old! . . . He now weighs 4 lbs and 14 oz! He takes 44 ml (~1.5 oz), has eaten between 20-40% of his feedings by mouth. Latches like a pro. And loves to poop in the middle of changing his diapers, not just one but twice usually! . . . Yesterday he got his two-month immunizations, and he handled it like a champ! I shed a fear tears because I hate seeing him cry. However, I am so proud of my little man. . . . #nicustrong #preemiestrong #preemie #nicubaby #nicu #update #wls #vsg #wlscommunity #wlsjourney #babyboy #baby #babyboy💙 #babiesofinstagram #kangaroocare #skintoskin #babyluca #neonatal #postpartum #35weeks #nicujourney #twomonthsold #breastfeeding #pumpingmom #pumpingmama #munchkin #milkmaker #showherlove #lucaa415 https://www.instagram.com/p/CBeG3ppBzxQ/?igshid=lkjj0zbipsk0

My one and only. How much I love those chunky cheeks! . . . #nicustrong #preemiestrong #preemie #nicubaby #nicu #update #wls #vsg #wlscommunity #wlsjourney #babyboy #baby #babyboy💙 #babiesofinstagram #kangaroocare #skintoskin #babyluca #neonatal #postpartum #35weeks #nicujourney #twomonthsold #breastfeeding #pumpingmom #pumpingmama #munchkin #milkmaker #showherlove #lucaa415 https://www.instagram.com/p/CBd9p8zHILU/?igshid=1jkyxc8eh4dmo

What a wonderful journey this little boy is taking me on. . . . He’s moved into a big boy crib, has been doing really good breastfeeding, and has also started bottling! These little baby steps will help us get one step closer to home! He weighs 4 lbs and 9 oz, and is taking 40 ml (~1.4 oz). . . . #nicustrong #preemiestrong #preemie #nicubaby #nicu #update #wls #vsg #wlscommunity #wlsjourney #babyboy #baby #babyboy💙 #babiesofinstagram #kangaroocare #skintoskin #babyluca #babylucaam #neonatal #postpartum #postpartumjourney #breastfeeding #pumpingmom #pumpingmama #munchkin #milkmaker #showherlove https://www.instagram.com/p/CBRXhvYhKIU/?igshid=rxjvjcayqy11

Today was a big day for my little champ! . . . He’s been doing great on room air, and breastfed 🤱🏻 so well (30 min!) that we will continue to breastfeeding and will be nippling with cues (this means when he’s awake and alert). . . . I feel so blessed and pray he will continue to progress! . . . #34weeks #nicubaby #nicu #7weeksold #nicustrong #preemiestrong #preemie #update #wls #nicumom #vsg #wlscommunity #wlsjourney #babyboy #baby #babyboy💙 #babiesofinstagram #nicujourney #kangaroocare #skintoskin #babyluca #babylucaam #neonatal #postpartumjourney #breastfeeding #pumpingmom #pumpingmama #munchkin #milkmaker #showherlove (at Las Vegas, Nevada) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBJFjouhokO/?igshid=154ey74ttasgr

School and motherhood. . . . I remember when it was a thing to put on. If not, a full face at least mascara out of all things. The program has been tough lately. There is no time for putting on makeup or getting dressed up. This pandemic has cause clinicals to be strictly online, and of course, this causes me to change things up a bit. . . . My clinicals are in the afternoon. Because of this, it means I wake up at 4/5 in the morning to pump, shower, and leave at 7 to be at Luca’s cares by 8. Provide skin to skin and leave around 1230 to make it home and be ready by 1330 (130pm). This is when clinical begins, and it goes on through 1900 (7 pm). . . . Trust me when I say this has not been easy, and it would be even harder if I had work right now. Five classes, a premature baby, and pumping is no joke. I have my days when I’m completely exhausted and would love nothing more than to snooze for the day. Those days are gone. I do this for Luca. He matters and is the reason sleepless nights are worth it. . . . #onemonthold #nicubaby #nicu #onemonthbaby #nicustrong #preemiestrong #preemie #update #wls #nicumom #vsg #wlscommunity #wlsjourney #babyboy #baby #babyboy💙 #babiesofinstagram #kangaroocare #skintoskin #babyluca #babylucaam #neonatal #postpartum #postpartumjourney #breastfeeding #pumpingmom #pumpingmama #munchkin #milkmaker #showherlove https://www.instagram.com/p/CA7CUSThvOW/?igshid=1hife7wfrmv8a

Looking back, it amazes me how big he’s gotten! I love looking back at pictures and witnessing how far my little man has come. I’m so proud of you honey! . . . #onemonthold #nicubaby #nicu #onemonthbaby #nicustrong #preemiestrong #preemie #update #wls #nicumom #vsg #wlscommunity #wlsjourney #babyboy #baby #babyboy💙 #babiesofinstagram #kangaroocare #skintoskin #babyluca #babylucaam #neonatal #postpartum #postpartumjourney #breastfeeding #pumpingmom #pumpingmama #munchkin #milkmaker #showherlove https://www.instagram.com/p/CA6G7jIBsxJ/?igshid=m0f6msu9bsad

Sometimes set backs happen and that’s okay! . . . 24 hours after being off CPAP, little man needed to be put back on. During that time he’s made improvements. . . . He now weighs 4 lbs and 2 oz! His feedings have increased. He’s now taking 35 ml (~1.2 oz). Over all he’s doing great and sometimes these things take baby steps, it’s a nicu thing. 😊 . . . #onemonthold #nicubaby #nicu #onemonthbaby #nicustrong #preemiestrong #preemie #update #wls #nicumom #vsg #wlscommunity #wlsjourney #babyboy #baby #babyboy💙 #babiesofinstagram #kangaroocare #skintoskin #babyluca #babylucaam #neonatal #postpartum #postpartumjourney #breastfeeding #pumpingmom #pumpingmama #munchkin #milkmaker #showherlove https://www.instagram.com/p/CA39iLzBcQk/?igshid=189ma6qk32qfj

Little man has done a week of skin to skin! He handles it so well that we do 2 hours of straight cuddling ❤️. He‘s done so well tolerating mommy’s milk! His feeds are now fortified and have increased from 11 ml to 17 ml! His umbilical cord has dried up and his belly button is now visible. He now weighs 2 lbs and 9 oz! It seems like he’s going up an ounce every day! Oxygen settings have stayed the same. Slowly they will be weaning him. Everything happens one day at a time! I’m very proud of my little man! . . . #nicustrong #preemiestrong #preemie #nicubaby #nicu #update #wls #vsg #wlscommunity #wlsjourney #babyboy #baby #babyboy💙 #babiesofinstagram #kangaroocare #skintoskin #babyluca #babylucaam #neonatal #postpartum #postpartumjourney #breastfeeding #pumpingmom #pumpingmama #munchkin #milkmaker #showherlove https://www.instagram.com/p/B_jlxxdHdhQ/?igshid=h0em1mvzrssw

“𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐬𝐚𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 (𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲) 𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 (𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞) 𝐈'𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐧' 𝐬𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲-𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 (𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐈'𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐤𝐞) 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐈 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 (𝐈 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭) 𝐈 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭” - 𝐭𝐬. . . . . #daylight #premiebaby #babyboy #aprilbaby #prematurebaby #premature #nicu #nicubaby #nicumom #babylist #babyfoot #babyfootprints #neonatal #wls #wlscommunity #wlsjourney #vsg https://www.instagram.com/p/B_by8I2HrdU/?igshid=1x80moepdysbx

A week ago I was blessed with the most amazing gift that God could have ever given me. My precious baby couldn’t wait any longer and unfortunately decided it was his time to shine! . . Luca Arias McGough was born on April 15 at 1906. He weighed 2 lbs 8 oz 14.5 inches long. Though he was born at 26 weeks and 5 days, for a premature baby he is doing amazing! I am so proud to be his mommy and call him mine!! . . The ideas and fears I had about giving birth are beyond what it really was. It’s a beautiful experience and one that changes you. A beautiful memory that you carry for life. And yes all the pain and suffering is forgotten the minute you see your baby. It’s crazy how it works but it does. . . I had several people who reached out to genuinely check in with me. I truly appreciate that. My family has been incredibly supportive. I know I couldn’t have done this without my mom there. It’s unfortunate how this pandemic has changed everything but I am so happy my mom was able to be apart of the delivery as well as see little Luca before he was taken the NICU. . . . #prematurebaby #NICUMOM #NICU #nicubaby #premiebaby #babylist #covid_19 #laboranddelivery #babyboy #instadaily #instagood #instababies #instababyboy #aprilbaby2020 #aprilbaby #26weeker #preterm #vsg #vsgjourney #nicujourney #wlscommunity #wlsjourney #wls #showerlove https://www.instagram.com/p/B_UIc-zHnbT/?igshid=17yxgzkdemnkr

What a busy beginning to 26 weeks! . . . Three days ago I started to feel menstrual-like cramps which turned out to be contractions. During my second admission (that same day), I counted 12 contractions in one hour. . . . Baby is doing great, he’s obviously not phased by what is happening to mommy 😜. The goal is to keep him inside so he can finish growing and be delivered at the right time! . . . Medications: I was put on magnesium (smooth muscle relaxant), a beta (steroid for baby’s lungs), Procardia (used to reduce blood pressure but is also used to relax uterine contractions and postpone preterm birth), and one more which I didn’t get a name but I am sure it is also used to postpone uterine contractions. I am only on Procardia now. . . . I am so grateful for the amazing doctors and nurses who have been involved in our care. It is scary to be here during a pandemic. As much as I would love to have my mom and Max here together. I am fortunate to have At least one person with me. Hopefully, we go home soon! . . . #wereinthistogether #coronavirus #pandemic #pretermlabor #preterm #26weeks #26weekspregnant #pregnancy #pregnant #babyboy #pregnantlife #contractions #uterus #wls #wlscommunity #pregnancydiary #pregnancylife #pregnancyjourney #vsg #vsgjourney https://www.instagram.com/p/B-_ibPOBkF1/?igshid=x7yi8x2f84iz

I am incredibly proud of my baby brother. Today he was sworn into the US Navy and is heading out for boot camp today! I know for the longest time he has always wanted to serve his country and is really looking forward to starting. We as a family are extremely proud of him. Love you Daniel! https://www.instagram.com/p/B1FJbXFBRCM/?igshid=5pbd5wzwi4fq

We celebrated my mom’s birthday at her favorite place yesterday. So thankful god blessed me with this amazing mother! I love you and appreciate everything you do for your children! I pray god gives you a gazillion years to celebrate many more birthdays together! Love you mommy! . . . . . . . . . . #happybirthday #momsofinstagram #family #texasdebrazil #mommy #augustbirthdays #dinner #brothers #boyfriend #lamb #meat #delicious😋 (at Texas de Brazil) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0xI9ikhohm/?igshid=1a9hv5xzl82sa

When you have some leftover chicken from your last dish and make chicken, avocado, cucumber salad with tomatoes and red onion. The seasoning in the chicken made this dish absolutely delicious! . . . . . . . #cooking #healthyfood #healthy #healthyrecipes #chickenrecipes #avocado #cucumber #vsg #vsgjourney #vsgcommunity #vsgfood #weightloss #weightlossdiet #weightlossjourney https://www.instagram.com/p/B0WlpErHNai/?igshid=174d1usjmnujk

Chicken with sautéed red onion, red and green bell peppers. 😋 . . . . . . . #cooking #mealprep #delicious #bellpeppers #chickenrecipes #healthy #vsg #vsgjourney #vsgcommunity #vsgsurgery #healthyfood #healthyrecipes #weightloss #weightlossdiet https://www.instagram.com/p/B0Wk7-nncNa/?igshid=1burzpi6hx665

Who doesn’t love mac and cheese? Well I made cauliflower (mac) and cheese! Let me tell you just how effing amazing it taste! This recipe originally included bacon but I didn’t feel like cooking it because I didn’t have any 😜. Anyway, it was delicious and that’s what is most important! Thank you @buzzfeedtasty for another brilliant recipe. . . . . . #keto #cauliflower #cheese #cauliflowermacandcheese #ketomeals #tastyfood #tasty #cooking #weightloss #healthy #cheesy #cheesyfood #buzzfeed #nailedit #ketocooking #paleo #healthyfood #healthyrecipes #macandcheese #delicious #foodporn https://www.instagram.com/p/B0KxvmFBaLp/?igshid=ec99h50biuxk