If you want one of the pictures just click on it and a large jpeg image will appear. Right click on it and select "save as" and a location and you can have a copy for yourself.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Alexander Jonathan Pictures
Okay, I've been taking heat for not posting more pictures of Alexander. By the way we don't mind him being called "Alex" just not Al or Zander.
If you want one of the pictures just click on it and a large jpeg image will appear. Right click on it and select "save as" and a location and you can have a copy for yourself.
If you want one of the pictures just click on it and a large jpeg image will appear. Right click on it and select "save as" and a location and you can have a copy for yourself.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Good Night Alexander Jonathan Monreal
Dear Alexander,
You breezed into this world today. The doctors kept changing their minds when they wanted you to be born but you decided that today was the day. Your mother and I enjoyed time with your grandparents before preparing for you arrival. We have been praying for you since we first found out God had given us the gift of another child. It only seemed fitting that we would say one final prayer asking for God’s hand of blessing before you entered this world.
The mood was light and celebratory as we entered the delivery room. The doctors chatted about the housing market and I held your mother’s hand and caressed her face as we waited for the delivery to begin. After the doctors brought you out of the womb they told me I could stand and take some pictures, and what a sight! The first thing you did was cried your lungs out to show that they were working then you immediately began to demonstrate that your bladder was working too!
The fountain ran dry, or so we through, but apparently you didn’t like the nurses poking at you because you found your reserve units and let them have it too. I couldn’t help but smile, five minutes old and already having fun. After they cleaned you off (and themselves) they let me hold you. I cried when I first heard you cry and I started to again when I looked into your face and held you tenderly in my arms.
Your mom and I held you and savored the moment. Like so many others it was too fleeting and is now only a memory forever etched in our minds. I went with you into the next room for some more tests, you passed them with flying colors but I expected nothing less. Mom came out a short time later and we sat there holding you and standing in awe of God’s amazing grace.
People traveled near and far to visit with you those first hours. God in His providence brought family and friends to see you. People traveling from Mexico and Chicago were on hand in addition to family and some of our closest friends. What a time marveling at God’s goodness.
Finally things quieted down and I was able to hold you and talk to you. Remember to always love God with your whole heart and be considerate to others. It is never out of style to be a gentleman and always remember your manners. Open the door for a lady and care for those in need. If you have a generous heart God will always supply your needs. Never forget that your mother and I love you with our whole heart and we will always be there for you as long as we are alive.
Your big sister and I have a little thing that we do every night. After we lay her down in her bed I lean over and whisper in her ear that I love her. I only say it loud enough for her and I to hear. Tonight, as I lay you down in your crib for your first night’s sleep, I leaned over and whispered in your ear, “I love you Alexander Jonathan.” And one more time today I began to cry.
Love,
Daddy
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Alexander Jonathan will be here tomorrow!
On Thursday, July 26th we will be delivering Alexander Jonathan at 3:00 PM.
This once again has taken us by surprise. Let me share a little timeline to this moment.
Monday afternoon, 3:30 PM we have three appointments scheduled to determine if Alexander can be delivered on Friday. The doctor decides to move the main one to Wednesday morning at 6:15 so it could be done at the hospital.
Wednesday morning, 6:15. The doctor does the test and the initial results are that we should wait another week but more tests will be done with the amniotic fluid.
Wednesday, 8:00 AM. Things are going fine so they give Jenn her morning shot of blood thinner. Shortly thereafter she has a few contractions due to the amniocentesis and Alexander's heart rate dips momentarily. This happens a few more times within the next few hours. The doctor considers delivering today but Jenn would have to be put under because she received the blood thinner.
Wednesday, 11:00 AM. Jenn is officially admitted to the hospital. We may have the baby today. I run home to grab the camera and her bag that she was getting ready last night.
Wednesday Noon. The doctor reverses course and tells Jenn she can eat and we won't have the baby until Friday.
Wednesday afternoon. The nurses have misinformation from the doctor's office that the c-section is scheduled for tomorrow. Until they clear it up we are not sure if it is Thursday or Friday.
Wednesday evening. The doctor confirms that it is Friday at 7:30 AM and that we are on the schedule. Everything is set (or so we thing!).
Wednesday, 8:00 PM. I had picked Grace up from the sitter, given her dinner and spent the evening with Jenn. I just got home when she called and told me the doctor called her and would prefer to deliver tomorrow. He will check with the schedule and call us back.
Wednesday, 8:30 PM. It is now "official." We are having Alexander Jonathan Monreal at 3:00 PM on Thursday, July 26th. However, he said it could be earlier!!!
Aren't you supposed to know in advance when you are having a c-section? At least the Lord knows!
Lord willing I will post some pictures tomorrow of our new son. Please be in prayer for us as we receive God's gift to us.
One other thing, the first test showed that Alex's lungs were not quite ready, the second test showed that they were slightly underdeveloped but the third and most extensive test showed that his lungs were at 38 weeks maturity. If the third, most specific test, came back negative we would be in a holding pattern with Jenn in the hospital for the duration. At the moment they expect a normal delivery and for Alex to be home in a regular time.
Love,
Dave
This once again has taken us by surprise. Let me share a little timeline to this moment.
Monday afternoon, 3:30 PM we have three appointments scheduled to determine if Alexander can be delivered on Friday. The doctor decides to move the main one to Wednesday morning at 6:15 so it could be done at the hospital.
Wednesday morning, 6:15. The doctor does the test and the initial results are that we should wait another week but more tests will be done with the amniotic fluid.
Wednesday, 8:00 AM. Things are going fine so they give Jenn her morning shot of blood thinner. Shortly thereafter she has a few contractions due to the amniocentesis and Alexander's heart rate dips momentarily. This happens a few more times within the next few hours. The doctor considers delivering today but Jenn would have to be put under because she received the blood thinner.
Wednesday, 11:00 AM. Jenn is officially admitted to the hospital. We may have the baby today. I run home to grab the camera and her bag that she was getting ready last night.
Wednesday Noon. The doctor reverses course and tells Jenn she can eat and we won't have the baby until Friday.
Wednesday afternoon. The nurses have misinformation from the doctor's office that the c-section is scheduled for tomorrow. Until they clear it up we are not sure if it is Thursday or Friday.
Wednesday evening. The doctor confirms that it is Friday at 7:30 AM and that we are on the schedule. Everything is set (or so we thing!).
Wednesday, 8:00 PM. I had picked Grace up from the sitter, given her dinner and spent the evening with Jenn. I just got home when she called and told me the doctor called her and would prefer to deliver tomorrow. He will check with the schedule and call us back.
Wednesday, 8:30 PM. It is now "official." We are having Alexander Jonathan Monreal at 3:00 PM on Thursday, July 26th. However, he said it could be earlier!!!
Aren't you supposed to know in advance when you are having a c-section? At least the Lord knows!
Lord willing I will post some pictures tomorrow of our new son. Please be in prayer for us as we receive God's gift to us.
One other thing, the first test showed that Alex's lungs were not quite ready, the second test showed that they were slightly underdeveloped but the third and most extensive test showed that his lungs were at 38 weeks maturity. If the third, most specific test, came back negative we would be in a holding pattern with Jenn in the hospital for the duration. At the moment they expect a normal delivery and for Alex to be home in a regular time.
Love,
Dave
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Alexander could be here on Friday...maybe
Dear Friends,
I will share with you what I know at the moment but unfortunately it isn't too much. At present the plan is to deliver Alexander on Friday morning, possibly as early as 7:00 AM by C-section.
However, that is not a certainty yet! We were supposed to have a test done yesterday which would have definitively told us if his lungs are mature enough to be born but he decided to wait until tomorrow (Wednesday) to have the procedure done.
Why are we having the baby more than three weeks early? Good question and here is the answer.
1. In addition to the previous c-section with Grace Jenn also had a previous surgery years ago but they don't know how multiple surgeries will affect the uterus during labor so they want to avoid Jenn going into labor.
2. If Jenn did go into labor they would have to give her a general anestesia instead of a spinal because of the medication she is taking. With a planned c-section they can switch her medication which is easier to control and clears quicker.(from Lovenox to Heparin for those interested)
3. The doctor doesn't want Jenn on Lovenox any longer than she has too as it is harder on her body than her normal medication she can take when she isn't pregnant.
4. In high risk pregnancies it is better to have the baby out of the womb in case there are problems or complications with either the mother or the child. If he is ready to be born there is no reason to wait any longer in this situation.
So there are the reasons. The only question now is, "Is Alexander Jonathan ready to be born?" We will know that tomorrow. If he is then it is a go for Friday. If not, then we will have a better idea after the test. Of course the test itself could cause contractions and labor so...
Check back then for more information.
Dave
I will share with you what I know at the moment but unfortunately it isn't too much. At present the plan is to deliver Alexander on Friday morning, possibly as early as 7:00 AM by C-section.
However, that is not a certainty yet! We were supposed to have a test done yesterday which would have definitively told us if his lungs are mature enough to be born but he decided to wait until tomorrow (Wednesday) to have the procedure done.
Why are we having the baby more than three weeks early? Good question and here is the answer.
1. In addition to the previous c-section with Grace Jenn also had a previous surgery years ago but they don't know how multiple surgeries will affect the uterus during labor so they want to avoid Jenn going into labor.
2. If Jenn did go into labor they would have to give her a general anestesia instead of a spinal because of the medication she is taking. With a planned c-section they can switch her medication which is easier to control and clears quicker.(from Lovenox to Heparin for those interested)
3. The doctor doesn't want Jenn on Lovenox any longer than she has too as it is harder on her body than her normal medication she can take when she isn't pregnant.
4. In high risk pregnancies it is better to have the baby out of the womb in case there are problems or complications with either the mother or the child. If he is ready to be born there is no reason to wait any longer in this situation.
So there are the reasons. The only question now is, "Is Alexander Jonathan ready to be born?" We will know that tomorrow. If he is then it is a go for Friday. If not, then we will have a better idea after the test. Of course the test itself could cause contractions and labor so...
Check back then for more information.
Dave
Monday, July 09, 2007
It may be sooner than you think!
Jenn just returned from the doctor's office and it is looking like we will be having Alexander Jonathan earlier than we all thought. A month ago he told us we could have a c-section a week before the due date of August 20 which would have been on August 13. Two weeks ago he told us that we should plan on having Alex two weeks before the due date on August 6.
Well, today he told us he would like to have us do an exam on July 23 and if all goes well we have the baby on July 27! Yup, that's what I said! July 27th. Of course, if he doesn't like how things look on July 23 that date could be moved back but at present that is the plan. Any questions please drop me an email and I'll fill you in.
Sincerely,
Dave
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