For those of you who have been anxiously awaiting….I am very happy to announce that Adam John Fuentes was born on February 3, 2007 at 4:23pm, weighing 6lbs. 8oz!
I arrived at the hospital at 7:30am on February 3rd for a scheduled induction. They started me right away on pitocin and, after a few hours, I wasn’t progressing as much as they would have liked. So around lunchtime I received an epidural and my doctor broke my water to speed things along. Unfortunately, the epidural had an opposite effect by causing my blood pressure to drop, which required the nurse to stop the pitocin to get my blood pressure back up. I had never been through something like that before, so it was a bit scary as everyone scrambled to put me on oxygen and get my blood pressure back to normal. Once things were back to normal, they started me on pitocin again and as they increased the dosage, I quickly dialated and was ready to push by 4pm. Within 30 minutes and only with a few pushes, my little boy greeted us with his first cries. It was truly a joyous moment for my husband and I and we were anxious to introduce our son, Joshua, to his new baby brother.
I have now been home a couple weeks and although it’s been an adjustment, we are all starting to settle into a routine. I’m very fortunate to have a supportive and helpful husband and Joshua has been a wonderful big brother. I have really had a chance to look at my life and realize how truly blessed I am as a wife and mother.
Adam - 2 days old & 1 week old My Family of four!
Brothers Deena and Adam
As for AOED, I have tried to “stay away” and take a break, but it’s something I enjoy doing so much that I have tried to stay involved from the moment I got home from the hospital by answering emails and booking parties. You will see me back teaching classes and parties starting in late March and I am looking forward to it. In the meantime, my business partner and dear friend, Deena, has been working double time to cover for me. Thank you Deena! And thank you to all our Northern VA instructors for stepping up, as well as thanks to the entire AOED family for their love and support during my pregnancy! I appreciate being able to share my experience with everyone and will close this journal with pictures of my new bundle of joy.
Contact me at angelaf@aoed.com to chat about this journal or anything that is on your mind and, of course, check out our new class offerings at http://www.artofexoticdancing.com/classes/nva-dc.php.
# of weeks: 37
Due date: 2/3/07
I am back from the AOED Instructor National Meeting, without incident. The doctor gave me the green light to go and I am so glad I was able to make the short journey to Philadelphia. I met over 40 of our instructors from across the country and found them to be the most caring, wonderful group of women. Many told me how inspired they were by my pregnancy, but I can truly say that every single one of them inspired me more than I could ever imagine. I came back from the weekend with a renewed excitement for the company and what we do and know that this is what I was meant to do in my life right now. I thank everyone I met this weekend and am already looking forward to the next time I see everyone again.
I think the hardest part for me during the entire trip was trying to decide whether or not to share my dance with the group. I wasn’t feeling very “exotic” and after watching so many of the other women share their incredible dance, I was afraid of looking silly. In the end, I must admit that it was exhilarating to dance for everyone. I go back to my original journal entry where I said that I’ve always believed a woman is most beautiful when she is expecting, and when I go through an AOED experience like this, I truly believe it about myself.
Here are some pictures from our fun weekend:
My business partner, Deena, and I Northern VA/DC Crew
Me with two trainers, Renee & Coralissa Trying to fit in despite my growing belly!
I am now 37 weeks along which is considered full-term. I am officially scheduled to be induced on February 3rd, but I feel like I could go into labor at any point now. I cannot wait to meet my little guy but at the same time I am getting nervous about the whole delivery process. I don’t think it matters how many times you go through it, there’s always an uncertainty as to what is to come and from what I’ve heard, labor and delivery can be very different from one child to the next. So wish me luck and it’s possible that this journal entry may be the last one prior to welcoming my new little one into this world.
Contact me at
angelaf@aoed.com to chat about this journal or anything that is on your mind and, of course, check out our new class offerings at
http://www.artofexoticdancing.com/classes/nva-dc.php. Deena and I are excited to have trained on the new curriculums during our trip to Philadelphia and look forward to seeing you in our classes!
January 1, 2007
# of weeks: 34 Due date: 2/13/07
Happy New Year! I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and is ready to start out 2007 renewed and refreshed! It’s hard to believe that 2006 is over. It seems like just yesterday that my friend and business partner, Deena, and I became licensees of AOED in the Northern Virginia area, but it was almost a year ago! Some other highlights during 2006 for me were, obviously, finding out I’m expecting my second child, celebrating my 10 year anniversary to my husband, Jaime, celebrating our son’s 3rd birthday, and Deena and I expanding our territory to include Washington DC. I hope you had some memorable moments of 2006 that bring a smile to your face.
I am quickly approaching the end of this pregnancy. It’s hard to believe I am already 34 weeks. Everything is moving along smoothly and I am now visiting the doctor every two weeks. The outlook is good that I will be able to attend our Instructor National Meeting and learn about the new classes we will be able to offer you all in 2007! The current plan is for me to be induced on February 3rd since my first child came so quickly, so I am really only a month away from meeting my little, baby boy. Now that the holidays are over, I can concentrate on preparing the nursery and all the other details that come with a newborn. It’s an exciting time for us!
With the start of 2007, this is a great time to talk about New Year’s resolutions. Every year I try to make some for myself, but by the end of the year I tend to forget what I was supposed to be doing! This year my resolutions will focus on reconnecting with myself and my relationship with my husband. As many moms and wives know, children can take the focus away from your relationship with your spouse. My husband and I have given so much to our son that we sometimes forget about ourselves as a couple. This year I resolve to put more effort into my marriage and to rediscover the love that sparked between my husband and I over 10 years ago. We will plan more date nights without the kids and take at least one trip away from the kids this year. And, of course, you all know what will help…exotic dancing!!! What a great way to not only reconnect with myself after having the baby, but also to reconnect with my husband. I look forward to easing back into teaching soon after the baby is born. I am very fortunate to have been introduced to this exotic journey and I hope you will discover it as well.
As always, I welcome your questions, feedback, suggestions and stories at angelaf@aoed.com.
As mentioned, we will begin offering new classes and curriculums beginning in February. Be sure to check online often for new schedules at http://www.artofexoticdancing.com/classes/virginia-washingtonDC.htm
December 1, 2006
# of weeks: 28 Due date: 2/13/07
I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!
I am now 28 weeks but feel like I'm 38 weeks! Thank you so much for those of you who have emailed me your thoughts. Supportive words are definitely encouraging in this final stretch of pregnancy.
I had my 28 week appointment yesterday and all is going well. As we quickly approach our instructor national meeting, which is held once a year for instructors across the world, I worry that I may not be able to see the friends I made during my instructor training earlier this year. The national meeting is a month before I am due, and depending on the weather and how my doctor feels I am progressing, he may recommend I not go. So everyone keep your fingers crossed for me as I really don't want to miss this. If you have ever considered becoming an AOED instructor, I can't express what a great experience it is, which is why I'm sure all of our instructors are looking forward to this meeting.
This week I thought I'd give you my thoughts and ideas on how to feel sensual during pregnancy. My goal is to do most or all of these things during my last couple months of pregnancy:
• First and foremost, don't stop practicing your exotic dance moves! Some things, such as floorwork, may be harder to do with your changing body, but there are ways to improvise and still look sensual. Instead of doing things on your back, which those of you who are expecting know is not good during the last two trimesters, try just laying on your side and tracing your lines. It is just as sensual and takes the focus away from your growing belly. Remember, wherever you look and trace your lines, that is where your partner will be looking!
• Have you seen those beautiful professional pregnancy photos a lot of photographers offer? Why not get some done for yourself? What a great way to remember such a special time in your life and a great picture to put in your baby's room! Here is one I had taken during my first pregnancy:
• Don't forget the simple pleasures we women enjoy like manicures and pedicures. You may not be able to see your toes anymore, but it will still make you feel good to know that everyone else will see how great they look, not to mention the foot and leg massage that comes along with getting a pedicure.
• Buy yourself some sexy lingerie. All maternity undergarments don't have to look like your grandmother's. Buy some satin and lace and even hit a non-maternity lingerie store and check out their empire waist, babydoll selection. I'm sure you will find something that makes you feel sexy inside and out.
Of course there are many other ways for expecting women to pamper themselves during pregnancy. I'd love to hear your thoughts as I am always looking for something relaxing to do for myself, especially during these busy holiday times. Feel free to email me at angelaf@aoed.com or come to our Girls' Night Out Teaser class on Thursday, 12/14 from 7:30pm-9pm at our Dulles, VA location to chit chat in person! Register online for this and other Northern Virginia classes at: http://www.artofexoticdancing.com/classes/virginia-washingtonDC.htm
Happy Holidays!
November 13, 2006
# of weeks: 26
Due date: 2/13/07
Hi, my name is Angela and I am an Art of Exotic Dancing for Everyday Women instructor and Northern Virginia territory ownerÖAnd I am 26 weeks pregnant with my second baby. Many of you may be able to relate to the journey of motherhood or may one day hope to experience it in the future. So, I thought I would share my journey with you, from one everyday woman to another.
If I had written about the journey of my first pregnancy, I would have painted a rosy picture, but this pregnancy is different. Maybe it's because I've already been here and done this, or maybe it's because I know how much more my body is about to change, but either way, I need AOED now more than ever.
When I first found out I was pregnant, I thought I would teach all through pregnancy, but as my body has started to change, I wonder if that will truly be the case. Some days I focus on the physical changes and don't feel quite as ìexoticî sharing my dance with class and other days I worry what students will think seeing a pregnant woman dancing in front of them. Is it like going to get your hair done and seeing that your hairdresser has a horrible hairdo? Or is it like going to take an aerobics class and finding that your instructor isn't so coordinated?
But then I teach class and all those doubts and inhibitions disappear. The last few classes I have taught I have always left feeling beautiful inside and out. Most of it is because of the wonderful ladies I have had in class and seeing them transform and hearing their positive feedback on what the class did for them. But a lot of it also has to do with the fact that, as instructors, we are still going through transformations ourselves and learning everyday from this exotic journey. I've always believed a woman is most beautiful when she is expecting, and when I go through the AOED experience in class, I truly believe it about myself. So if you are expecting, or see it possibly happening in your future, just remember that it IS possible to be exotic and expecting!
Be sure to check back weekly as I take you through my journey as an expectant mother. I would love for you to share your experiences, past and present, by emailing me at angelaf@aoed.com and encourage you to attend my upcoming classes:
11/18/06 ñ ChairMoves @ Trinity Fitness + Spa in Dulles , VA ñ 1:30-3:30pm
12/3/06 ñ Core I Workshop @ Trinity Fitness + Spa in Dulles , VA ñ 9:30am-12:30pm
View additional classes in Northern Virginia online at:
http://www.artofexoticdancing.com/classes/virginia-washingtonDC.htm
