Jason & Diana Winters

Pics from Sofia's first Easter

2009-05-04T09:43:00.001-07:00

Sofia's First Easter was so much fun. We started the day by going to church(of course she had a new Easter outfit) Jason played drums for worship at church. After worship we took some pictures outside, it was a beautiful day. Then we got back to the house and made honduran enchiladas for lunch/dinner! They were so yum!!! Later that evening Sofia had a change of outfit because she had a huge blowout, all over her pretty dress. Also that evening she got her ears pierced by her auntie Bobbi. She did so good. just a small cry and a few tears. Daddy made it all better by holding her, of course! It was a great day!

Sofia's first EASTER!

2009-05-04T09:38:00.001-07:00

Florida is on my mind...

2009-04-25T08:38:00.000-07:00

So, Jason and I moved to Illinois back in November of last year. We were so excited to come here and start our life and our family in the Midwest. Everything looked right out here. Jason got a great job at Chase bank, and a house was in our near future, we loved the neighborhoods and the lifestyle out here! We were having fun building relationships with family here, especially with my sister-in-laws and nieces. But at some point in the last 3 months things just have not been working out. Jason lost his job at Chase and we are still renting from his parents. Jay has ben able to pick up some side jobs since(thank you Lord!). Things are not looking very promising here in the Midwest. And of course, I miss my family so much. Going to Fl last month was a teaser. I had so much fun, and my heart was just full of joy being around my family, I have been missing that feeling for a long time. Well, all this to say, we are making plans to move back to FL(orlando). It is a bittersweet decision. We wanted things to work out here, but at the same time we want to be in FL. We just can't have it all:( We are now in the process of looking for jobs, filling applications and finding a place to rent. The house market is great in FL(buyers market), so we hope to buy a house by the end of the year. But the first step is finding a job. We are not making a big deal about this because we are being very cautious and trying not to get our hopes up and we know this will not be easy. It has been hard up here, but what a I really want and pray for is to get our lives going. We have felt stuck the past couple of months. My heart's desire is to have a place of our own and basically to get our life going...
I just read what i wrote and it sounds very sad. I just want to say that even though it's been difficult, the past 3 1/2 months have been wonderful as well. Sofia brings joy to our lives every single day! She is such a great baby. I enjoy every morning when she wakes up and smiles up at me when i get her out of her crib. God has given Jason and I great joy through our little Sofia! Thank you Jesus!

pics!

2009-04-10T15:45:00.000-07:00

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pics

2009-04-10T14:35:00.001-07:00

Sofia @ 3 mos

2009-04-10T14:14:00.000-07:00

Our Princess Sofia is now 3 months! She has grown so much and is developing so much. We just got back from our trip to florida! It was so much fun. Sofia had many firsts. It was her first road trip. Sofia and I went with my sister-in-law Bobbi and my niece Lacy (8months old). Everyone, of course, thought we were crazy driving from Chicago to orlando! It actually wasn't that bad. We left Saturday March 21, drove 8 hrs to Cadiz Kentucky, where we stayed at our friends amazing lake house. We stopped every 3-4 hrs to feed the girls. We stayed here until monday morning. Monday we left at 3AM! Got to Otown at 9PM. Again stopping every 3-4 hrs at rest stops- we laid out some blankets and had picnic at every stop. The girls enjoyed it and the weather was so nice and warm!
We had a blast in orlando. We went shopping a few times and had the best Mojito at Cafe Kalik at the outlets in Orlando. We went to beautiful Siesta Key. The beach was beautiful but the experience was as lovely. Bobbi and I definitely missed our husbands. It was really hard doing everything on our own. Lets just say it was too windy and next time Tyler and Jason will be there! We spent a couple of day at the pool, which we enjoyed so much! For Bobbi's birthday we went to downtown Disney and had a great dinner at Bongos Cafe, where there was live salsa and dancing, and of course rice and black beans, I love my culture! The rest of the time was spent with my family. We had so many get togethers/ dinners/ parties in the short time we were there. But, we had a blast. Bobbi and Lacy definitely fit right in with my fam. I miss them so much, they are just great!
We left Thursday March 2nd and stayed in KY again. By this time we were so ready to to get back to our hubbies. It was a great trip.
Sofia had her first fevers when we first got to orlando-maybe from the change of weather? She has also starting sucking her thumb and fingers. SOfia has found her hands and feet. She loves watching her hands and loves grabbing her toes. She also pulls up her pant legs, it so fun. She is now laughing and screaming! She smiles when she looks at herself in the mirror. And she is totally grabbing and playing with toys! Wow, all thing has developed in the past 2 weeks! She is so smart and so beautiful. Jason and I feel so blessed and so happy!

update...

2009-04-10T14:06:00.000-07:00

If I updated this more often, maybe it wouldn't be so hard. Anyways Happy Easter! Today is Good Friday. Today I think about the words of the song Majesty:
Here I am humbled by your Majesty
Covered by your grace so free
Here I am, knowing I'm a sinful man
Covered by the blood of the Lamb

Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine
Since you laid down your life
The greatest sacrifice

Your grace has found me just as I am
Empty handed, but alive in your hands
Majesty, Majesty
Forever I am changed by your love
In the presence of your Majesty

Here I am humbled by the love that you give
Forgiven so that I can forgive
Here I stand, knowing that I'm your desire
Sanctified by glory and fire

Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine
Since you laid down your life
The greatest sacrifice

The past 2-3 years Jason and I have watched the movie the Passion of the Christ. It is just a reminder for us of the love of Christ. I am humbled everytime I watch this movie. We will be watching it tonight.

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2009-03-16T19:14:00.000-07:00

just over 2 months

2009-03-16T18:35:00.000-07:00

Sofia is now just over 2 months old! She is so beautiful. She enjoys smiling, sitting in her bouncy seat and laying in her play gym staring up at her toy flower! It is so much fun watching her grow and develop. It is finally starting to warm up here in Illinois, so we are enjoying going on walks on the warm days. Sofia and I are getting excited for our road trip to Florida with Auntie Bobbi and cousin Lacy.

2009-02-14T09:22:00.000-08:00

Sofia's first walk

2009-02-14T08:59:00.000-08:00

The weather up here, in Chicago, finally warmed up! It was beautiful for about 3 days. Temps were in the 50's and even 60's! Tyler, Bobbi and Lacy were here for the weekend so we all went for a walk. It was Sofia's first walk. She loved it(slept through it all!)

2009-02-14T08:55:00.000-08:00

1 month

2009-02-13T14:03:00.000-08:00

Sofia is now over a month old! Wow, in the first few days I couldn't imagine her doing some of the things she is doing now. I couldn't even imagine getting to 1 month! She is doing great. Growing so much! Her 1 month check up was great. Her weight was at 9.7lbs and her length was 22 1/4in! Sofia loves to kick and smile! She loves her sponge baths, especially when mommy pours water over her hair! She does great with tummy time, she can totally lift her head up and move it side to side. She is getting the hang of the routine. (we are doing baby wise) She eats very 3 hrs, during the cycle she has activity time then she naps. She is sleeping about 5 hrs at night! (which is great for us!)
We are just loving parenthood. It is challenging and overwhelming at times, BUT such great joy, such an amazing gift God has blessed us with.

2009-01-27T09:46:00.000-08:00

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Two Weeks

2009-01-23T09:58:00.000-08:00

It's already been two weeks! We are feeling happy, tired, exhausted, overjoyed, and blessed! These couple of weeks have been challenging in different ways. WIth me having the c-section I havent been moving around very well until just a couple of days ago. It's so hard to depend on people for small things. My mom was here until this past Sunday, she was such a great help. She made me food(pupusas!), she watched Sofia while I showered, she drove us to the doctors. It was so nice having her here.
Last thursday, one week after Sofia's bday, I had to go to the ER. I was running fevers from Wednesday night until Saturday! Fevers, chills and sweats, on and off through out the day. At the ER they just gave me some antibiotics, my WBC was at 14000, which is high=infection. the doctor couldn't pinpoint the infection (my incision looks great). BUt and antibiotics worked because I haven't has fevers since Saturday.
Tuesday was Sofia's 2 week appt at the doctors. She did great. Her weight is already and 8.04lbs!! SHe is getting so big! She does really well with the Dr, no crying, no fussing.
The past couple of nights have been kinda rough. We don't know if Sofia is mixing up her days and nights, or if she is having tummy aches. SHe has cried(very loud) the past couple of nights. Its so hard because we don't know how to make it go away. She gets fed, burped, diaper changed and she still cries, and at that time in the night Jay and I are exhausted. I just pray for patience and guidance. During the day she does so great. We are starting the Baby Wise routine, so hopefully that will help. Anyways, my precious baby is waking up. Time to feed!
I will post some recent pics once I find my camera cord.

sofia Arianah Winters

2009-01-15T15:25:00.003-08:00

Sofia Arianah Winters

2009-01-15T15:20:00.000-08:00

Sofia Arianah Winters

2009-01-15T11:16:00.000-08:00

We waited 41 weeks and now she is here! Our beautiful daughter arrived January 8, 2009 at 9:52am. She weighed 7.68 lbs and measured 19.5 in.
The labor process was a long one. My "water broke" at around 2am on Jan 7. I checked in to the hospital at around 2pm. I was already 3cm dilated and Jason was in downtown CHicago! The plan was to check in that evening to start me on cervidil and induce me, but Sofia had a different agenda! Jason arrived at the hospital at around 4:30 pm just in time for the contractions to start. The pitocin started and the contractions started. I was determined to do it 'all natural' The contractions got stronger and closer together. Jason was such a good coach, helping me breathe and get through each contraction, MIdnight came and they were unbearable! I didn't even have rest in between. I couldn't do it any more. I gave in, and got the epidural. WHat a difference, made me just wish I had gotten it sooner! But I wouldn't change it. I got to experience labor(kinda). Jason and I were able to take a 2hr nap. I had to get two doses of antibiotics because my membranes were ruptured for over 24 hrs.
By 5:30am, I had dilated to 9. The nurses came in and began setting up the room to start pushing. We were all excited! the doctor checked my at 7am and I was still only 9.5. The doctor said I has till 8am to get to 10 or we would have to have a c-section. At that point I was scared, but thought it's only a half cm. 8am came and I was only 9.5. Doctor had to call the OR and get me in at 9. I was so scared. I totally lost it. Everyone was praying. Jason asked the doctor if she would check me one more time right before going in to the OR. She agreed and I was still just 9.5. We went in and I got all drugged up! It was the weirdest feeling. I couldn't feel pain, but I could feel sensation of the cutting and tugging. The anesthesia made me really sick and I started throwing up. Jason was at my side of course. Then we heard the most amazing sound ever- our daughter's first cry! It was so overwhelming, Jason and I both lost it. We were crying, she was crying ( it was a very loud cry too!) The nurses brought here over-behind the blue curtain she was so beautiful. I got a quick glance and started throwing up! Once they took her to the nursery, they started suturing me back up. I don't remember anything, but a couple hrs later I was waking up in the recovery room. The nurse said the anesthesia began to ware off and I was feeling the staples and sutures, so the put me under! so weird..
I held me daughter in the recovery room and got to feed her for the first time. During our stay Sofia developed Jaundice and she was under photo therapy all day saturday. As for me and my history of anemia -kicked in. My hgb dropped to 7.2- which is super low. As soon as I was off bed rest I had a faint spell and was put back on bedrest. It was very crazy, but such a joy at the same time because we have our beautiful daughter now. We were discharged from the hospital Sunday night and have been adjusting to parenthood- nighttime feedings, diaper changes, crying, poopy faces! WHat an amzing joy/blessing. Jesus is so amazing! He created this tiny little person to perfection! We appreciate all the prayers as we begin this journey of parenthood. Our desire is to show Sofia the love of Christ and raise her in the ways of Christ.
Our prayer is that Sofia's little heart would be so gentle, loving and sensitive to the voice of Christ.

pictures to come...

living up North!

2008-12-15T13:32:00.001-08:00

As many of you know, Jason and I decided to move to Illinois a few months ago. October 23, 2008 we packed up and took a road trip! It was so much fun. We started from Tampa and drove to Orlando to spend a few days with my family. We had lots of fun, eating tons of food including my favorite Pupusas! Then we made a stop in Tallahassee to spend time with our friends David and Stefani. We then stopped in Tennessee to visit Deedee and Jay. We stayed overnight at both places and had fun seeing old friends. After Tennessee it was off to our final destination- a small suburb outside Chicago. We have been here ever since. We are staying with Jason's parents for now. It has been fun being around family. We have experienced fall- the changing of the leaves. And now we are experiencing winter- a white blanket covering everything.
During this time Jason quit his marketing job and has been hired by Chase bank as a personal banker. The past couple of weeks he has been taking the train to downtown Chicago to study and prepare for his Series 6 brokers license. He is really enjoying learning about finances and savings.
As for me, I am now 38 weeks pregnant. Sofia is still cooking. As of last week, I was 1/2 cm dilated and 50% effaced. It's starting to become real. This baby is coming! In the next couple of weeks we will have a little girl in our arms! It's so exciting. I am now going to the doctor's every week. Sofia moves so much. The movements are so big now, my belly moves around and warps! We can't wait to see little Sofia's face!

life update...

2008-11-05T13:00:00.000-08:00

I guess I can start by apologizing to all who have been waiting for updates. Life has been busy and crazy. So much change inthe last few months. So here is the update...

I will start with the pregnancy. Things are going GREAT!! Everyone was right, we are expecting a baby GIRL!!! Jay and I have definitely begun to picturing life with our little princesa! I am currently about 32 weeks pregnant and the due date is still December 29. All the check ups have been great, all her measurements are within the normal ranges, and the ultrasounds have been so amazing. Its so much fun watching her move around and feeling her move around. She is so active. Within the last couple weeks she has begun the hiccups! It's such a funny feeling. She gets them almost everyday, actually she has them right now! We are so excited to meet her. We have pretty much decided on her name, maybe 95% sure of her name... It is Sofia Arianah Winters.
Sofia- meaning Wisdom
Arianah- meaning Holy one
Jay loves to feel my belly and loves to talk to our daughter. It has been so much fun being pregnant. its hard to imagine not being pregnant, BUT I'm so excited to se our beautiful princesa!

ello,

2008-08-09T06:34:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! So the Pregnancy is going great. For the past couple of weeks, I have been feeling strange little wiggles in my tummy. The doctor said it's the baby, but I have been unsure until this week. A few days ago, I think Tuesday, I knew, without a question that my little one was moving, or having a party!! It started with little wiggles, worm like, then it was full out wiggles. It was so exciting, it actually tickled a little bit! I just started laughing. It's so great to feel my baby move, it reassures me that he/she is in there and OK. He/She, that is the question. August 13 is the date for the long awaited sonogram. Jay and I are so excited. Most people are guessing it's a girl. In fact my whole family except maybe 1 person says it's a girl. I really have no idea, but I have had a few dreams of it being a boy. I guess we will soon find out this mystery! Boy or girl, we are all waiting for baby with open arms, love and sooo much excitement. I can't believe God has allowed me to experience such an amazing miracle! Thank you LORD! The next Blog will reveal the sex of our baby!!!!!

just life today...

2008-07-01T06:44:00.000-07:00

It's been over a month, I'm bad at this blog thing. Well, a lot has happened in the last month. I am now 15 weeks pregnant, done with my first trimester, yey! My belly has definitely grown. I now have to wear maternity clothes! As for my work scrubs, not very many choices in the maternity department, maybe nurses aren't suppose to be working while pregnant. I mean I get patients that cough in my face all day. One day I had a patient and while assessing them, they decide to say "oh, by the way I have shingles!" Just because we are nurses doesn't mean we are immune to all of the diseases in the world, honestly!
Well, I guess I can talk about how work is going. I am in CIU at Pepin Heart Hospital. It is crazy! I am learning so much, but have sooo much to learn. I get overwhelmed because it seems as if I will never get it. In nursing it is so important to almost be perfect. Make sure you give the rights meds, right amount and to the right person. You can't forget anything, or your patients will go off on you as is your weren't human. People can be nasty. I have definitely seen how ugly people can get. My internship is great though, I still have about 7 weeks left.
Jason has been working hard. He is currently taking one summer class and working full time. We are adjusting to eachother's crazy schedules and trying to balance time together. We are getting more and more excited to become parents and see our little blessing. KNowing that there is a child inside of me is the most amazing thing ever. My mind just can't even understand it! It's so awesome to know that only God can see the face of our child. That He is so intimate with our baby. He sees are the toes and finger, I read that this week baby can start making facial expressions. I bet God is making our baby smile this week! Wow, how amazing, Thank you LORD!!! I pray that our child's heart would be as sensitive to the voice of Christ when he/she come into this world as it is now...

We are Pregnant!!!

2008-05-31T14:10:00.000-07:00

April 26, 2008 was the date I found out our life was going to change and become more exciting! I was a week late so I decided to take a home pregnancy test. It was positive. So I took another one. It was positive. I called Jay and asked him to come home form work and he came home- he just thought I missed him! I left the tests on the bathroom counter and when he got home he saw them. At first he thought it was a joke. It wasn't April fools he said, so his mind started racing. He then said.."really?!" and I just nodded my head and starting crying! The next day we went to Orlando and my sister made me take another one. It was positive. I made an appointment and on Monday morning i went to the doctors and took another urine test and got blood work done. This was actually the 5th urine test! They were all positive! We got a call on Wednesday from the docs office about the blood work and they said we are positively PREGNANT! Officially made it more real coming from the MD.
I am just now 10 weeks pregnant. Time is flying. Baby is growing and belly is growing. Its so amazing. I have been scared of the m word, but am trusting my Jesus to protect our baby. I have this picture of the hand of Christ holding our baby, and protecting it as it grows. I know that Christ is intimate with my baby and knows and sees my baby! This experience is so amazing! The due date we were given is December 29, 2008!

this is at 6 weeks- just a tiny dot in this pic

these are at almost 9 weeks! so much growth!

Graduate Nurse!

2008-05-30T18:25:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been almost a month since i posted something. Since the last post I, Diana, graduated from nursing school! The past two years have been very difficult for me. My focus was school, school and school. No time to hang out with friends, no time for cooking weeks at a time because of tests, sorry Jay! It's almost like life was on hold. Well, school is over! (for now) Graduation was May 5, 2008. I still have to study for my state boards, which will be sometime this summer. I just signed up for my pass to let me test and that takes about a month. So I think the boards will be toward the end of the summer. I was hired as a Graduate Nurse at the hospital I currently work at. They have a GN internship that lasts 3 months. I was hired to work in the Heart Hospital in CIU as a cardiac nurse, which I never thought I would ever do! Cardiac was always so hard for me in school, but who knows I might really like it.
I have more news and more updates, but for today that's all.
Oh, Bella is doing much better at potty training, she still goes inside. Tomorrow is her first haircut!

Bella...

2008-05-04T05:21:00.000-07:00

We got a puppy!! My (Diana) brother Daniel, surprised me with this adorable pup for graduation. Her name is Bella! She is a 10 week old Shih Tzu. We got her on Friday May 2nd. She is so cute. Potty training her is a little frustrating. She cries too much when she is in her crate and since we live in an apartment, we don't want to upset the neighbors , so we take her out, which I know we aren't suppose to do. I guess it is going to be a process....BUT she is so sweet and adorable!!

March 10, 2007 --Our Fairy Tale

2008-05-01T14:34:00.000-07:00

life as of May 1, 2008

2008-05-01T14:28:00.000-07:00

We have now been married just over 1 year! We Currently live in Tampa, FL. and attend Grace Family Church- which we love so much.
Jason is a Business Major at USF and works for 2020 Marketing group. Diana is graduating May 5 from HCC with her Nursing degree and will be starting her new job at UCH Pepin Heart Hospital as a CIU Nurse. Life is very exciting right now. We are taking a big trip this summer- next week actually. We will be traveling to Diana's homeland- Honduras. We are very excited to go. Jay is excited to meet family and experience the culture for the first time! And Diana is excited to see her family again after 3 years! We will be gone May 9-May 20!