Ian Asher Fuentes - please pray

Ian Asher Fuentes was born at 5:57 p.m. on Thursday, January 23, 2009. He is 6 lbs. 7 oz. and 19" long. Delivery went very fast. I was already 5 cm. dialated by the time I got to the hospital. Once my water was broken, I was only in labor for 4 1/2 hours! It went so fast. Ian came out screaming and was very pink. He looked great. Here is his 1st picture, and a picture with Mom. He looks a lot like Sterling.




When they took him to the nursery for his bath and tests, things changed. He has been having trouble regulating his body temperature, and had to be admitted to the NICU this morning. They have done several blood tests and we are waiting on the results of the blood culture. His white blood cell count is elevated, so he was started on antibiotics. Please pray for little Ian that he will get stronger and will be able to come home soon. It's also very hard on me, but I am trying to remain strong (hormones aren't helping!).

Also, for some reason, the hospital network blocks "social networking" sites like Facebook, so I'm not able to update there.

Getting Ready for Ian! - Part 3

I found this list on Babycenter of what to bring to hospital. You think I would have an idea after already having done this twice before. Well, I do, but I just thought it would be interesting to see what they recommend:

For labor
• Your birth plan. DO NOT HAVE ONE
• Your insurance card and any hospital paperwork you need. CHECK
• Your eyeglasses CHECK
• Toiletries. CHECK
• A bathrobe, nightgown, slippers, and a couple of pairs of socks. CHECK
• Something light to read, if you're so inclined. CHECK - I'm reading "To Kill a Mockingbird" for the 4th or 5th time.
• Massage oils or lotions, music, an extra pillow, whatever you need to help you relax. PILLOW & IPOD - CHECK
• Talismans, a picture of someone or something you love, anything you find reassuring. NOT BRINGING (JUST MORE TO PACK)

For your partner/labor coach
• Money for parking and change for vending machines. - I'LL LET JUAN HANDLE THIS.
• A few basic toiletries, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant. - JUAN IS NOT STAYING OVERNIGHT.
• A change of clothes. - JUAN IS NOT STAYING OVERNIGHT.
• Some snacks and something to read during the early stages. - I'LL LET HIM FIGURE THIS OUT.
• A camera/video camera with memory card and batteries (or film or tape). CHECK (Hopefully Juan will actually take some pictures--he's not very good at that.
• A bathing suit. If your partner wants to take a bath or shower during labor, you may want to jump in with her. - I LAUGHED AT THIS. THIS WILL NOT BE HAPPENING!
Postpartum
• A fresh nightgown, if you prefer to wear your own. - CHECK
• Snacks! - CHECK
• A nursing bra, breast pads, and maternity underwear. - CHECK
• Your address book and prepaid phone card or cell phone. - CELL PHONE - CHECK
• A going-home outfit. - CHECK

For your baby
• An infant car seat. You can't drive your baby home without one! In fact, you'll want to have the seat properly installed ahead of time, and you'll want to know exactly how to correctly buckle in your baby. - CHECK

Check out our THEN (2002) / NOW (2009) Picture of our backseat.


I'm not sure how long this is going to work. We've been looking at cars with a middle row or pass through to the 3rd row. And, I'm not sure I like that Sterling is sitting so close to Ian. Hopefully, he will be nice.

• A going-home outfit - CHECK
• A receiving blanket (a heavy one if the weather's cold)- CHECK
• A cap (although they'll usually give you one at the hospital)- CHECK

I'm also bringing gift's from Ian for Avery and Sterling. (See earlier post on Nintendo DS).

And, the Cord Blood Kit.

Getting Ready for Ian! - Part 2

Pictures of Ian's room






I feel bad--there isn't much on the walls. I didn't really want to pick a "baby" theme this time. So, I just went with the Pottery Barn Kids Kasey bedding. They also had the Queen bedding to match. Before we always had the crib in our bedroom, but I decided it would be best to try to get him to sleep in his room. We still struggle with Sterling on this. And, I do have a bassinet for our bedroom, too.

And, Sterling's favorite part of the whole room!

It's a sound machine that plays a heartbeat, Ocean, Rainforest, etc. Sterling just loves it! Hopefully Ian will, too!

Getting ready for Ian! - Part 1

My mom came over a few weeks ago and helped me cook up dinners to put in the freezer. This is the one thing that really stressed me out when I was first home with a newborn. I was hungry, tired, grouchy, trying to breastfeed, and just didn't feel like cooking. Now I have over 25 meals (including the leftovers). I'm so excited!

Here are pictures of the freezer in my garage.




Here's the list of dinners:
Chicken & Rice
King Ranch Chicken
Chicken & Stuffing
Chicken Alfredo
Lasagna (Stouffer's)
Chicken Parmasan w/ pasta & sauce
Pasta with Meat/Spaghetti sauce
Beef Enchiladas
Hamburger Casserole
Chicken Tetrazzini
Shrimp & Pasta Casserole
Chicken Casserole
Sausage, Red Beans & Rice

It took us 5 hours to make everything, cleanup and get the freezer all set. Oh, I bought pretty much everything for $200.00 (pans, food, etc.). It took 1 whole chicken, 2 bags of chicken tenders, 4 1/2 pounds of ground beef, sausage, shrimp, and precooked breaded chicken.

Now hopefully, my family won't be too picky!

Back in Time

Avery - June 2002

I can't find all the baby picture's of Avery on this computer (old computer crashed) I scanned a few from her baby book.



One of my favorites! Avery was 22 days old, and I just love the look on her face.


Avery's Birth Announcement Photo (taken after her 1st tub bath)


Sterling - December 2005

In the NICU. He was so tiny at 4 lbs. 0.4 oz.


Mr. Long and Skinny


Finally coming home!! 21 days later. . .


Sterling's Birth Announcement Photo

Praying for Harper. . .

Can't sleep. I just checked in on Kelly and Harper. Please pray for them. It just breaks my heart.

For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid. Isaiah 41:13

Nintendo DS

Okay, so we got Avery a Nintendo DS for Christmas. We also bought Sterling a Leapster 2 so he could have his own game to play with. I also thought he was a bit young for a DS, so I figured this would work out great. Oh my, how was I wrong. He was not at all interested in the Leapster. He only wanted to play with Avery's DS. This was creating quite a commotion and several fights in our house over taking turns. We finally broke down and bought Sterling his own. Surprisingly, he is able to play many of the games (as long as reading isn't required).

We've already been through 3 stylus pens (one chewed on--Yuck!) and 2 are missing. Also, a game is missing. I think these are under the couch or somewhere here, but I just can't bend down right now to look for them. I'm sure they will turn up eventually.

I also have to say, I'm somewhat addicted, especially to Super Mario Bros.

Even Juan was interested in playing it last night. And, he never plays games! Maybe now I can convince Juan we should buy a Wii. I guess Mario Bros. reminds us of the "good old days" when we used to play it on an old Nintendo. The game has a lot of the same features as the old version, but several things have been updated and changed. I have a lot to learn! I guess we will all be fighting for a DS now. I'm sure I will be too busy soon, but oh well!

Baby Name

I haven't really announced the new baby's name. Some friends and family already know the name, but here it is:

Ian Asher Fuentes

I guess I really wanted Asher as the first name, but I let Juan pick the first name this time around.

HERE IS SOME INFO ON THE NAMES -

IAN
Origin: Hebrew or Gaelic

Meaning: God is forgiving

Pronunciation: (EE an)

Form of: John
(Juan was excited to hear this because his name in English is John).

Used in: English speaking countries

Additional info: Ian is a modern Scottish form of the name John. It was not used in Scotland until the late nineteenth century, though it has since become quite popular throughout the English-speaking world.

Popularity Rank in 2007 - #74

ASHER
Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Fortunate; blessed; happy

Pronunciation: (ASH er)

Form of: Itself (Asher)

Used in: English and Hebrew speaking countries

Additional info: In the Old Testament, Asher was the 8th son of Jacob and the second son of Zilpa, the maid of Jacob’s wife Leah. He was also the founder of the Tribe of Asher.

Popularity Rank in 2007 - #233

It's been awhile. . .

It's been awhile since I've posted. I've actually had lots of time on my hands (on bed rest), but just haven't posted. And, I guess things are not that exciting around here, except. . .

Yesterday, we found out that I would be induced next Friday, 1/23! I can't believe it! Finally we will get to meet our new little man. And, I can't believe I made it to 38 weeks. He will be full term! I'm not sure why I am a bit nervous. I know what to expect, but I guess it just seems a bit different this time around. I also worry about Avery and Sterling. I don't want for them to feel like I love them any less or they aren't as important to me. I bought them gifts from Ian (DS games--more on that in another post.) I'm also an emotional crazy woman right now. It seems like I am always crying over the littlest things, like crying when helping Avery with her backpack this morning. It just seems that time is flying by so fast and they are really growing up. I can remember the day I went to have Avery 6 1/2 years ago, just like it was yesterday. And, now she's just such a big girl. I know the first couple of months are going to be very stressful trying to get in a routine and adjust with a new baby, but I'm going to try to cherish each day.

We also decided to bank the cord blood this time around. It can be used on siblings, too, but hopefully, we will never have to use it. But, it will be there just in case. I hope that all goes well with the process of extracting the blood, and getting it sent to the bank in time. But, I know God will be with us next Friday, just like he is every day.