Landon Jose Nunez

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! We are cherishing these early weeks with Landon. He is such a sweet boy! He's been very easy to soothe, laid back and a great sleeper! This photo shoot was from when he was 2 weeks old. Now he is 7 weeks old and I can't believe how much bigger he is! He weighed 13.25 lbs at his 1 month check-up; I would imagine he's gained another 2 pounds at least since then! 

We are overjoyed by this gift God has entrusted to us and our hearts' prayer is that he would love and serve the Lord with all his heart from an early age. We as parents will not be perfect, but through our weaknesses God's grace and strength will abound. Praise God for His good news of hope and salvation through Jesus Christ! 

Photography credit goes to Emily Dinsmore who did a lovely job at capturing out joyous hearts. 

The Arrival of Landon Jose

Our sweet boy, Landon Jose Nunez, arrived 9/17/16 at 3:02am at 9 lbs, 4 oz, 22.25 in. 

We have SO many reasons to be thankful! A quick, uncomplicated labor and delivery. A healthy boy - the doctor even commented on his umbilical chord! She exclaimed something along the lines of, "Whoa, look at the size of this chord! This is one healthy baby!" To us that was a sign of God's tremendous intervention...I mean come on! This doctor sees umbilical chords all the time! 

We had been praying he would come on the weekend so Luis could stay with me at the hospital and he did! I also asked the Lord the my labor be no longer than 5 hours (Ellie's was 26 hours!) The uncomfortable and painful contractions for Landon were from 10pm-3am. Exactly 5 hours. But they were SO MUCH MORE BEARABLE than Ellie's contractions, which were all in my back.

Another reason to be thankful was for my family! Landon arrived on the same day that two of my sisters (Hailey and Sharon) were on their way from Dallas for the week. As soon as I got home from the hospital they came over every morning to clean and make me breakfast and then my mom came with lunch everyday! Sharon also pampered me with a facial and styled my hair. Our church also set up a meal plan for dinners which is still going on in Landon's 3rd week. 

Ellie had a blast staying at Gaggy and Pappy's house the two nights we were in the hospital and it was wonderful she could be with her cousins! She has been so excited to receive her little brother into our home and has fully embraced him and looks for every opportunity to hold him and kiss him. It cracks me up because when she is done holding him she will say, "Ok go back to your mommy." 

Also, my other sister Cate came for a whirlwind visit to meet Landon over the weekend! We had a wonderful visit with her and Sohee and her friend, Dana. 

Another tremendous praise is that my mother in law was approved for a tourist visa the same week! So she will also be coming to meet Landon very soon. 

Our hearts are very full of awe and gratitude right now and we are so thankful for such a smooth transition from 3 to 4. Landon is such a good baby and has been very laid back (Or maybe I am just more laid back?) We are also thankful for such a quick recovery for me. 

Praise the Lord, O my soul! All my inmost being praise His holy name!

 

Landon's Nursery

I have been in MAJOR nesting mode the past few weeks! Going through drawers, getting rid of stuff, organizing clothes, painting the nursery, moving Ellie into her big girl room (and today's nap is the first time she is sleeping in a big girl bed!) and going through baby clothes - even getting my hospital bag started. Phew! 

I worked on a few word art canvases this afternoon for Landon's room. I chose "The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed" from Gen. 39:23. It refers to Joseph. Landon's middle name will be Jose, after Luis (his first name) and his dad. So this is my prayer for Landon! Landon means "Long Hill" but we chose the name after my Grandpa Saunders - therefore it is special. And he is fearfully and wonderfully made! Joseph means "The Lord will add".

I am so in love with Landon's nursery! I have been going in there often to sit in the rocker and marvel in how things have come together. The little pillow on the rocker was made by my nephew, Peter. It has "Landon" embroidered on the front. It's so cute and fits perfectly! A sweet friend blessed us with an adorable safari theme crib set. I love it! I love having little shelves above the changing table (keeps lotions and creams out of reach of tiny toddler hands) and the cute night stand that my Aunt Gretchen gave us, which was originally pink! The little lamp was a bargain for $8! 

The same friend that gave us the crib set also gave us a HUGE box of baby clothes! Another friend gave us some more! So we are really all set as far as clothes! 

I don't really like taking selfies, but my sister-in-law asked me for a picture of my bump so I sent her the one below. I'm 35 weeks now and can't wait to meet this new gift from God!!!!

Trusting and Praising God

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!! 29 weeks, 11 to go ~ this pregnancy seems to have flown by! Ever since we learned about the markers found on Landon's ultrasound to indicate complications, we have not stopped praying for God to heal him. My doctor did tell me that the technician was not 100% sure about the 2-cord umbilical vessel, so we decided to pray that she would prove wrong in that. It is something that we determined to trust God in no matter what the outcome. We laid it in His hands and we didn't worry or fret over Landon's health, or the complications that might arise. Last week I had another ultrasound and was informed that the bright spot on his heart had completely disappeared! Not only that, but they were also able to see a normal, 3-cord umbilical vessel this time! Whether the technician got it wrong to begin with or God decided to heal him miraculously, we don't know. But either way, it is a miracle. Lesson learned: trust God IN ALL THINGS no matter what. 

We also have been praising God for our sweet little Bella, as we fondly call Ellie. She is such a joy and a delight to us! She has grown up so much this year and it amazes us to no end the conversations we have with her on a daily basis. She has been loving this summer weather, soaking up the great outdoors. She loves blowing bubbles, drawing with chalk, going for walks in the stroller and swimming in the pool! 

Bless the Lord, oh my soul, all my inmost being - praise His holy name! 

Knitted Together In My Womb

I am 17 weeks pregnant now with a little boy! At my last visit, my doctor's office was 70% sure we were having a boy, and today they were 100% sure. Look at the sweet face! I am already so in love with him and can't wait to meet him! And he sure is active! I started feeling him move about a week or so ago and I am feeling him all the time - in fact he could barely hold still for the technician today during the sonogram! 

My doctor also found two soft markers (something seen on the ultrasound that may indicate an increased chance that the baby has Down’s syndrome or another chromosome anomaly but which in itself is probably of little or no significance), but she said she is not at all concerned about it and that the chances of Down's syndrome is very low. These are the markers that were found along with an explanation from Wikpedia:

1) "Echogenic Intracardiac Focus (EIF) - a small bright spot seen in the baby's heart on an ultrasound exam. This is thought to represent mineralization, or small deposits of calcium, in the muscle of the heart. EIFs are found in about 3-5% of normal pregnancies and cause no health problems. EIFs themselves have no impact on health or heart function. Often the EIF is gone by the third trimester. If there are no problems or chromosome abnormalities, EIFs are considered normal changes, or variants." 

However, 

"Researchers have noted an association between an EIF and a chromsome problem in the baby. Types of chromosome problems that are occasionally seen include trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome) or trisomy 21 (Down syndrome). In the case of an isolated EIF, and other ultrasound findings, some studies show that the risk for a chromosome abnormality is approximately two times a woman's background risk. Other studies report up to a 1% risk for Down Syndrome when an EIF is seen on a second trimester fetal ultrasound exam."

 2) "Single Umbilical Artery - Occasionally, there is only the one single umbilical artery (SUA) present in the umbilical cord. Approximately this affects between 1 in 100 and 1 in 500 pregnancies, making it the most common umbilical abnormality. It is more common in multiple births. Its cause is not known. 

Most cords have one vein and two arteries. The vein carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the baby and arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the baby to the placenta. In approximately 1% of pregnancies there are only two vessels - usually a single vein and a single artery. In about 75% of those cases, the baby is entirely normal and healthy and the missing artery isn't missed at all. One artery can support a pregnancy and does not necessarily indicate problems. For the other 25%, a 20vessel cord is a sign that the baby has other abnormalities - sometimes life-threatening and sometimes not. SUA does increase the risk of the baby having cardiac, skeletal, intestinal or renal problems. Babies with SUA may have a higher likelihood of having other congenital abnormalities, especially of the heart. However additional testing can rule out many of these abnormalities prior to birth and alleviate parental anxiety. Echocardiograms of the fetus may be advised to ensure the heart is functioning properly. Genetic counseling may be useful too, especially when weighing the pros and cons of more invasive procedures. 

Although the presence of an SUA is a risk factor for additional complications, most fetuses with the condition will not experience other problems, either in utero or after birth. Especially encouraging are the cases in which no other soft makers for congenital abnormalities are visible via ultrasound." 

Wow, that's a lot to take in! I am so thankful that my God is Almighty and sovereign, and fully trustworthy. He created this baby in His image, He created his inmost being, He's knitting him together in my womb. 

Our baby's frame is not hidden from God as he's being made in the secret place, woven together in the depths of the earth. God's eyes see his unformed body; all his days are ordained before he will even take his first breath. He is fearfully and wonderfully made! 

I can say with confidence that I do not fear the unknown, because I know who the Creator is. May His good and perfect will come to pass in our lives. 

Thank you Father, we praise you for this baby boy! 

Welcome Baby Nunez

Luis and I are thrilled because there is a lil' someone growing inside of me. We can't wait to meet this new baby! Ellie seems to understand that Mommy has a baby in her tummy because she frequently asks me if she can kiss the baby. And then she'll kiss my tummy. And she tells me often that when they baby comes, she's going to hold the baby. And kiss the baby and hug the baby. And she loves the baby. It's darling!!!! I have no feelings/senses to whether we're having a boy or a girl. If it's a boy, we know we'll name him Landon, after my Grandpa Saunders. Either Landon Jose or Landon Andres. If it's a girl, we have some ideas. Ashley maybe. I think I like Ashlie better. I love Savannah, but Luis is still getting used to the sound of that (he's not sure of it in Spanish). And a new name that my Aunt Gretchen told us about tonight: Paisley. I love love love it! And to my great delight I discovered that it means Church! It would be sweet to someday have an Ellie, a Paisley and an Ashlie. And a Maggie Alicia. :) Maybe I'll have all girls?! I still really want my Alejandro...but that classic Spanish name is hard for Luis to readily accept. Wow! Two of my sisters are also pregnant so this year my parents will have ten total grandchildren!!! Thank you Lord! 

Children are a blessing from the Lord. They are a reward from Him. Happy are those whose quiver is full of them.  

It's her Birthday!

Our little pumpkin is 1 today! Whooo hooo! This year flew by!! We are loving this stage in Ellie's life - her great sense of humor, her baby talk and signs, the way she's discovering new things every day, her endearing affection! We are so privileged to have her in our lives!