November Monthly Calendar [Vera Family Goals]

We put another month behind us and October for the Vera family was full of growth, hard conversations, change, and basically a lot of adulting. We watched our son roll over for the first time and heard him make noises that really sounded like words. We also saw him take his first spoonful of solids, which he loved! Our relationship and marriage took growth steps that were necessary. Hard. But necessary. 

This past month we also made a very adult step towards our future (stay tuned). We're excited to enter into November! Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays as a couple and we can't wait to celebrate it as a family. Being surrounded by tons of family is always so much fun for us and this month is going to be jam packed with family. Including Tio Nate, from Michigan!

Before we roll into our November goals, let's take a peek at our October Goals and see how we did. We hit 2/3 of our family goals, my husband hit all of his goals and is really inspiring me to succeeded at what I say I want to do. I have seen him reading his devotionals and we've had great conversations around what God is speaking to him. I've also watched him continue to make healthy decisions when it comes to eating. I personally think he looks slimmer.

I hit most of my goals but know I could've don't better. I went running twice, which is 2 times more than I ran in September. I practiced and educated myself more about photography and even attended a few webinars to improve my skills. I read my devotional but not daily. I know it needs to be something that I do first thing in the morning every day. This goal is going to roll over into November for me until it becomes a habit. I am still working to lose this extra baby weight but also understand that it comes with time and daily choices of better eating and staying active. I am not going to commit myself to another Whole30 this month but will continue to make the right choices daily to reach my weight loss goals.

What did you achieve in October? What is your goal for November?

Here's what we plan to do...

Family Goals
Move into our new home!
Eat at home more (especially on the weekends)
Walk outside

Fabian's Goals
"Can I just say, be a better man?"
Exercise more

Bee's Goals
Workout in the morning
Cook something new each week
Read my devotional first thing in the morning.


-F, Bee, & Jax
(written by: Bee)

Oh Hey October [Vera Family Goals]

Hello October! Before we get into our Vera Family goals for this month let's do a quick check in to see how last month went. Just as a reminder, quick go check out our September goals.

I don't know if we set ourselves up for a really big month or not but between searching for a home, both working full time, and having an infant, our September was tough. We didn't go on a date. The house we found royally failed the home inspection so we walked away from it. Let's also add that mama was doing a Whole30 (no sugar...) so my moods were a roller coaster.

Needless to say, I went 24 days on my Whole30 and broke it with a cheeseburger. I stopped saying, "no it's ok" and allowed others to actually help me but it didn't last long, maybe 2 weeks. I don't know if I want to control things or I just feel bad having to ask for help? I think my Spanish speaking was better, not sure. Ask my husband about that one.

I will say that I am so proud of my husband. He really did great with his goals this past month. He took time to read our little children's bible to Jax each night. I also did not see my husband drink one Coke during September. We made it a team goal to continue to cook and shop healthy and we both lost weight last month!

I've been enjoying talking with my husband about our short term goals so as we've entered into another month we wanted to challenge ourselves again to make some goals. Without any goals I feel like we live day to day. We wanted to put more purpose and intention into our days and our time together as a family and as husband and wife. So here's what we intend to do this month!

Family Goals
Get tattoos (more to come...)
Find a house, for real this time!
Put our phones away when we're together as a family.

Fabian's Goals
Grow closer to God through daily devotionals.
Continue healthy eating and living.

Bee's Goals
Read my devotional every day.
Start running again.
Practice photography more.

Do you have any goals for this month? Share them with us?

-F & B and Jax

It's September! [Vera Family Goals]

It's here! A new month! Every time we hit a new month it seems to take me by surprise. Summer is coming to an end and here in Texas that means, the chain of 100 degree days has been broken. The weather is becoming tolerable which will allow us to go for evening walks as a family. I feel like the past three months have been a whirlwind. Things at home have continued to run smoothly however both my husband and I know that it can be better. Our teamwork can be better as husband and wife and also as papi and mama.

So since we are starting a new month we wanted to set some goals for us. Personal goals and family goals. We went out last night to a new spot for dinner and talked about our goals for this month. Reconnecting during a busy week is so important for us and what better than to reconnect over some good barbeque from Heim? I know Jax doesn't look too thrilled to be third wheel on his parent's date night but he really was excited. Probably a little jealous too that he couldn't eat the brisket yet.

We want to encourage you to make some goals for yourself this month. Take a look at your life and pick a couple things that you're passionate about and really go for it this month. Pick an area that you need improvement and commit to making it better. Whatever your goal is, remember the cliché statement... no goal is too big or too small! Commit to achieving them, celebrate when you do, and go ahead and ride the motivation into the next month and set some different ones. Here's a peak into our goals for this month.

Family Goals
Manage our finances better.
Find a house.
Pack our lunches during the work week.

Fabian's Goals
Stop drinking Coke.
Read more to Jax.
Take my wifey out on dates.

Bee's Goals
Complete a Whole30 (for real this time).
Stop saying, "No, it's ok."
Speak more Spanish.

What are you goals? Share them with us!
-F & B and Jax

Two Months!

As each month of our son's life passes we learn more and more about him and about each other. Jax is now successfully sleeping 7.5 hours through the night! We have been doing some sleep training with him and it's totally paying off. He wakes up so much happier and also has longer stretches of play between each nap. He is a night owl like his parents and likes to party with us until 11 or so before knocking out for the night.

This month was full of family! Jax was able to party until midnight and celebrate his tía Jenni's quinceanera while meeting members of his extended family that came into town for the party. This boy has no idea how loved he is by all his family members. 

Jax loves to stare at the ceiling fan and chilling on his changing table while dad sings to him in Spanish. Our osito has become more vocal and has a cute little sing song voice. He is smiling more and responding to our voices. He's also figured out that he has hands! It's the cutest thing watching him stare at his hands and try and figure out how his fingers work. He has started grabbing onto some of his toys on his playmat. He's almost fully transitioned into 3-6 mth clothes and will leave some 0-3 mth unworn outfits behind. 

Seeing him grow up right before our very eyes is the best! I think every month we watch him grow we become even stronger as husband and wife. Jax, you are making us the best parents that we can be for you! 

-F & B

Weekend Wrap Up [ pancakes, tulips, & bears, oh my! ]

I love to spend my weekends two different ways. The first includes pjs, the couch and plenty of Netflix binging. The second includes family. This past weekend was spent with Fabian's family and from start to finished we filled the day with new experiences, laughter, and good food.

Our sunny Saturday morning started with breakfast at IHOP and ended back at his parents in the evening after the temperature dropped about 25 degrees (we were not prepared for that.) We drove for about an hour to Pilot Point to the most beautiful tulip field. Coming from Michigan, I had been used to Tulip Time every year. Seeing all the beautiful Texas tulips was a bit nostalgic for me.

We enjoyed walking through the aisles looking at all the unique colors and figuring out how to pick them from the ground properly. While at Texas Tulips we saw a sign for a wildlife ranch. We ventured down the street after picking tulips to check out Sharkrosa Wildlife Ranch. I think that's why I love spending time with my in-laws so much. Everything is spontaneous and it stretches me out of my comfort zone (I am a BIG planner). It was really cool seeing all the unique animals they had and being able to feed and pet them. We ended our time at the Ranch with a freezing cold tram ride getting us up close and personal with the wildlife. The whole day ended with pizzas. The perfect Saturday.

Enjoy some moments from our family weekend. (Also, I am aware that Fabian and I match. Let the record show he did get dressed first but I already had my outfit planned in my head. Oh well, we just went with it.)

- F & B

5 Month Bumpdate

23 weeks, 5 months of life for our little Baby V. I am and will always be so amazed at our God of miracles. The miracle of life is just that, a miracle. For God to create a body to create another body just blows my mind. As I continue to read about the development of our baby boy I am so humbled to know that God has chosen me to be his mama. And even more grateful to have such a loving husband and papa to be along side of me during this journey, he has a lot of grace towards me during this season.

Up to now I have had a pretty smooth journey. My bellybutton is in this odd transition that just makes me laugh every time I look at it. My nose has developed superpowers which is a blessing and a curse depending on the scent being smelled. I am fully embracing this double chin that I am rocking and reminding myself that this body won't be like this forever.

I love feeling my son's movements and have even spotted my belly moving from the powerful punches and kicks he gives his mama. He responds to our voices and also any type of music that is playing in the car. He likes to jam alongside of us! And I promise you, this boy already has a solid sense of rhythm. I haven't been craving anything strange however, I do get picky and more specific about my food every now and then. As he continues to grow the time between restroom stops has decreased for me. It's been important to not only know where the emergency exits are at all times but also where the restroom is. Don't get in the way of a pregnant woman who needs to pee.

Time has seriously been flying by, I cannot believe that we're getting closer and closer to meeting our son. To seeing what color his eyes are and if mine and Fabian's curls will be passed onto another generation. To revealing to the world the name that God gave us for our little bear cub. We will continue to await your arrival with so much anticipation!

-B

Long Distance Gender Reveal

I don't think there is any better way that you can start the new year than to find out the gender of the little human that you are growing! Everyday I read about this little miracle and I am amazed at how God creates life!

Because we discovered the gender of our baby (exactly one week ago) we needed to share it with our family. However, my family is in Michigan and Fabian's family is here in Texas with us. Coming up with clever ways to do a gender reveal when my husband and I are not present was a little tricky but totally doable with the help of my brother. We were able to pull of an evening of double gender reveals! 

Having my family be so far from me during some pretty monumental moments in my life, dating (yes, my husband was my first boyfriend), engagement, marriage, baby, just a few life changing things that have happened since I moved to Texas. It's been a challenge to share those moments with my family when they can't be with me to experience them. We've taken more trips up to Michigan than I expected us to be able to take and I am so grateful for each one. Being long distance from my family I have had to make an extra effort to connect and remember to include them in moments. Whether it's a phone call, facetiming, snapchat (my mom is an expert), or just a text message telling them about my life, it's important that I remember to include them. Since we weren't there for the Michigan gender reveal I just asked my brother to record them discovering the gender. Well, my brother went above and beyond what I asked him and made a whole vlog to really allow us to be in the moment with them as they find out if they are having a grandson or granddaughter! Needless to say, I cried my eyes out. Have a watch and be in the moment with them and find out what we're having!

-B