1 Month Old!

Our munchkin is one month old today. What a sweet and brave little boy we have. Despite all that he's been through over the last four weeks, he is happy and growing strong.

Daniel just loves his baby brother and enjoys singing lullabies to him. He also reminds us constantly to be quiet so we don't wake Isaiah, even when he's not sleeping. Sofia is enamored with her baby "baba" as well and loves to try and grab his face. In the meantime, Isaiah is still looking at all of us with that newborn expression that says "who are you people and what is wrong with you?" A question he will likely verbalize in the coming years. But he loves to be snuggled and sung to and completes our family perfectly.

We are excited to see his little personality emerge over the coming months and to watch him change.

Isaiah's Surgery

Unfortunately for all of us, Daniel's birthday didn't end quite the way we had anticipated. But it did kick off what was, by far, the most frightening 48 hours of our life.

For a few days beforehand, Isaiah was throwing up after practically every feeding. To call it "projectile" didn't quite do it justice, as I personally believe it rivaled Olympic shot put records. I mistakenly assumed he was still adjusting to his formula and perhaps we needed to find something a little more gentle on his tummy. However, Fernando insisted that I call the doctor's office and I'm so glad that he did!

I was expecting them to recommend a particular type of formula and tell me that it was nothing to worry about initially. So, imagine my surprise when I was told to take him immediately to the emergency room at Phoenix Children's Hospital. Fernando came directly home from work and we headed out, leaving Sofia, Daniel, and his birthday cake indefinitely.

When we arrived at the hospital we were taken to an exam room fairly quickly and informed by the doctor that he suspected Pyloric Stenosis , a condition fairly common to infants at this age. Dr. Pickett ordered an ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis and an IV to get some fluids into our little boy who had missed his last feeding. But, because he had gotten so little food over the previous days, his veins were very flat and after four sticks, they were still unable to get an IV in.

The ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis and we were informed that surgery would be inevitable, meaning, not only were they going to operate on our 3 week old, but that feeding him before the next day was impossible. The IV team was called in to make a 5th and, hopefully, final attempt to get an IV in Isaiah's hand or foot. After two more unsuccessful sticks, it was determined that they would attempt to get the IV in his head. Even knowing how common that procedure is for infants, the sheer thought of it was more than I could handle. I couldn't watch and as I sat there knowing what was happening and listening helplessly to the screams of my sweet little boy, I broke down. Little did I know that it would happen countless times over the next 48 hours.

Much to our horror, that attempt failed as well. And we soon found ourselves alone with Isaiah, who was now 6 hours without food, awaiting admittance. Thankfully, he was exhausted from his ordeal and lack of food, so he slept most of the time we waited. We were SO relieved when we were told that our room was ready. We anticipated that we wouldn't sleep much as a result of the anxiety and emotion of the whole experience. But we had NO idea how right we were until we saw our room.

It must have been all over our faces as we walked into about a 15X15 square foot room that was occupied by another patient and his grandparents. Our "side" of the room was just big enough for the crib and one arm chair. At that point, we were feeling pretty hopeless. We are so thankful that God knows our hearts because as soon as the nurse left, the sweet grandma of the baby "next door" came over and asked if she could pray with us, not knowing our background or situation. It was exactly what we needed at that moment and in the moments to come.

It was imperative that Isaiah receive some fluids and we were taken to another room to make another attempt to get an IV in. I stepped outside to meet my brother and sister-in-law, who had brought us a suitcase of stuff to get us through the night and Daddy stayed upstairs with Isaiah. I returned to the room to find Fernando in tears. After eight desperate attempts, the IV team decided to put the IV into Isaiah's neck. We spent the remainder of the night crying and praying over our son.

It was clearly by the grace of God that Isaiah slept soundly through the night, waking very rarely and easily calmed by some sucrose and his pacifier. Fernando and I did our best to catch what little sleep we could (even if it meant sleeping in the car), but had little success. It was by far the longest night of our lives, which would only be followed by the longest day of our lives.

We were expecting surgery the following morning, but when the doctor came to see us, he informed us that it would be at some time between 1 and 4 pm. Isaiah continued to sleep a good portion of the day, but was so hungry that it was getting increasingly difficult to comfort him. Thus, we were both relieved and terrified when transport came to take him to the OR. We were so blessed that Isaiah was at Phoenix Children's Hospital and had the utmost confidence in the doctors and nurses who worked hard to put our minds at ease. But no matter how "simple" a procedure, there is nothing more terrifying than handing over your child (at any age, I imagine) to a surgeon and walking away.

We spent the majority of the time in the chapel waiting for surgery to end, praying and listening to old hymns play from an unknown source. And while there were no words playing, the lyrics resonated in our hears and minds-

"When peace like a river attendeth my way

When sorrows like sea billows roll

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say

It is well, it is well with my soul"

What a relief and tremendous blessing when the doctor emerged from the operating room to inform us that everything went fine and Isaiah was waking up. And nothing felt better than being able to hold him again and try to feed him.

That night, Isaiah ate like a champ keeping down everything he was supposed to and then some. We were thrilled knowing we would get to go home the next day. Since then he has been such a little trooper. He never complains, although we know he must be uncomfortable from his surgery, and he is eating like he's making up for lost time!

We, on the other hand, are still emotionally and physically exhausted from the whole ordeal and are trying to recuperate, but it's a small price to pay to have a beautiful, healthy baby boy.

We are eternally grateful to our family for supporting us while we were at the hospital, by loving on Daniel and Sofia and sitting with us in the surgery waiting room, by praying with us and keeping us company. And we are blessed beyond measure to have the love and prayer support of countless friends and family members from coast to coast. Prayer works and it certainly made a difference to us and in the life of Isaiah over the past week. A huge thank you to our church family for your outpouring of love, for your prayers, words of encouragement, and for your visits. We were so blessed by you! We cannot thank enough the doctors and nurses at Phoenix Children's Hospital for taking impeccable care of our son. And more importantly, we are once again humbled and in awe of the greatness of our Heavenly Father who loves our family so much more than we could possibly know or understand.

Isaiah's first day home

Happy Birthday Buddy!

It's hard to believe that four years ago today our life changed forever with the arrival of our baby boy. The time has flown by even with all that has transpired since. Daniel is an energetic, imaginative, and hilarious little boy. And while we do remember what life was like without him, we wouldn't trade the past four years for anything! We are truly blessed to be his parents and are so looking forward to watching him grow and witnessing all that is in store for him in the years to come.

This year we celebrated Daniel's birthday at Chuck E Cheese, along with our family and what felt like 250,000 of our closest friends. There aren't too many options for celebrating a birthday in Arizona in July that do not include severe dehydration, heat rash, and possible death. And for that reason, it appeared as if 1/2 the population of the Phoenix metropolitan area was at Chuck E Cheese that day. But, in true 4-year-old fashion, Daniel didn't notice the crowds- nor did he care. The day was all about him! Nothing screams "Happy Birthday" to a preschooler louder than balloons, gooey chocolate cake, presents, and a 6 ft tall talking mouse. It was the stuff of dreams to our little boy!

Today, on what Daniel calls his "regular birthday", I had the privilege of taking Daniel to the movies for the very first time to see "Up". Once, we conquered our fear of darkness and theater seating, we settled in with our ginormous popcorn and M&Ms to watch the film. As it turns out, even at 4 years old, Daniel is too light to effectively sit in a movie theater chair by himself without it folding him in half. Thus, I spent 96 minutes watching the film with Daniel in my lap along with 1/3 of the bag of popcorn which he could not seem to get from the bag to his mouth. In spite of it all, we had a blast and Daniel can't wait to go back!

It's a Boy!

We are thrilled to announce the birth of Isaiah Alexander Orona, born Sunday, June 28th, at 9:53 a.m. Isaiah weighted 8 lbs. 1 oz and was 21 1/4 inches long. He is perfectly healthy and as sweet as he can be!

And So It Begins...

After over a week of painful, yet sporadic and seemingly useless contractions, I was fit to be tied and more than ready for the baby to be born. Saturday night I was extremely uncomfortable and even more irritable as I anticipated at least 3 more days of miserable discomfort and an inevitable induction.

However, at 5:00 am on Sunday morning, I was abruptly awaken by the feeling that my water had broken. I jumped out of bed, excited in knowing that the day had finally come! When I got to the bathroom and turned on the light, though, the excitement immediately became fear as I realized I was bleeding heavily. I woke up Fernando and told him we needed to go to the hospital as soon as possible. My parents were called and on their way and I quickly tried to throw the last few things in my suitcase and change, all the while cleaning up the bathroom floor. We were at the hospital before 6:00 a.m. and immediately brought back to triage to be evaluated.

The amount of blood loss was of great concern to the doctor who was called in to examine me. An ultrasound was ordered to see if the placenta was still in tact. It was feared that it had separated or torn and may be in the way thus requiring a C-section. The ultrasound showed the placenta was fine and out of the way, but the bleeding refused to stop.

I was checked and found to be at 5 cm. Contractions had begun shortly after my water broke and were 6-7 minutes apart, at which point the doctor began to think that perhaps the rapid dilation had been the cause of the bleeding. Whatever the case, it was imperative that the baby come quickly.

I was admitted, brought to labor and delivery, and was given my epidural with what seemed like lightening speed. I had also signed much paperwork, including a form giving the okay for a C-section and blood transfusion if necessary. The nurse drew several viles of my own blood to keep on hand and the doctor inserted an internal monitor to better keep track of the baby and my progress.

I was checked again at that point and found to be at 7 cm, all within two hours. Thankfully, baby was doing fine, but my heart rate had jumped up to 134 beats per minute and no amount of medication and/or relaxation techniques could get it to slow. The doctor came in and explained that it was a race against the clock. I had to deliver as soon as possible or an emergency C-section would be inevitable.

Thankfully, we were surrounded my family and dear friends who were waiting for their daughter -in-law to deliver their grand baby just a few doors down. Mom and Lisa entered the room just as the doctor left and I started to cry, falling under the weight of the emotion and fear. My family joined hands and prayed around my bed finishing just as the doctor came back in. Instantly, my heart rate fell to 104. I soon felt another gush of blood and when the doctor came to check announced it was time. He threw on his coat and gloves as nurses rushed to prepare the room. Two pushes and baby's head was out...three...and he was here! Only four short hours from the time we arrived at the hospital. What a whirlwind and what a joy and relief that our baby boy had arrived and was perfectly healthy!

Unfortunately, the bleeding did not stop after delivery and there was still the possibility that a transfusion would be necessary. I was given a shot of Methergine and another bag of Pitocin to be administered over the next four hours. Shortly thereafter, the contraction pain was unbearable. I was given Nubain for the pain and within minutes was happy and pain free. (I will eternally be grateful for legal narcotics!) The Pitocin and Methergine did their job, thankfully, and within a few hours, the bleeding had slowed enough to move me to recovery.

A blood test the following morning indicated that I had lost a significant amount of blood and although my hemoglobin level was below normal it was not as dangerously low as anticipated. I was given the okay to go home later in the day!

I'm so thankful for the prayers of so many friends and family members and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that those prayers are the reason baby and I are home and well.

What's Next?

There are oh so many joys to being pregnant, none of which come in the last few weeks prior to delivery, I might add. Today, I was introduced to yet another one. I was pleasantly surprised to find that my body is finally responding to countless contractions I've experienced over the last 72 hours. That is until my doctor decided that I'd progressed far enough for him to attempt some more "aggressive" methods of natural induction. I vaguely recall at one point during my exam, requesting a stick on which to bite down, but surprisingly enough, was not provided with one.

I was told, however, that the procedure ought to get labor going within the next few days, if not by this evening. Seeing as it is now 10:50 pm and my contractions have not become regular as of yet, I think it's safe to assume that today will not be the day. We will see what happens in the next few.

If for some reason, baby is not here by next Tuesday, the doctor will induce me and we will get to meet our little man...finally!

A Whole Lotta Nothing Going On

Our day began early, at 4:30 am to be exact, with what would be the first of literally dozens of contractions. It was painful enough to wake me from a sound sleep, as was the contraction that came just after 5:00 am. They continued in 30 minute intervals for a couple hours and I was fairly convinced that after time they would get closer together. They did and, although it was slow going, by this afternoon my contractions were closer to 10 minutes apart. Although they weren't unbearably painful (in comparison to some I've had in the past) they did continue to come closer and closer together until they were within 5 minutes of each other, at which point we hopped in the truck and headed to the hospital. With as slowly as things had progressed, we anticipated that it would be a long night.

However, when we got to the hospital and I was examined we found that after over 12 hours of consistent contractions, we had made zero progress (insert "Debbie Downer" music here). My doctor ordered an ultrasound to check fluid levels and make sure the baby was okay. All looked well and I was given some percocet for the pain in hopes that it would help my body relax and progress. It did help the pain and ,while I didn't progress, boy was I happy!

We're glad our baby boy is doing well and is comfy cozy for now. Unfortunately for me, I am home and still having contractions over 16 hours later.... It could be a VERY long weekend!