birth story:

Last Monday, I went to bed about 12:30 and was woken up at 2 a.m. by some cramping. In the next half hour, the contractions became stronger and closer together. Well, if I had to go into labor, this was the best time for it to happen. I had no food or water in my system, as the surgery was scheduled for that morning anyway. Lucas wasn't going to wait for us, so they called my doctor at home. It was just a half-hour early, so I figured it didn't affect his other appointments. They decided to call it "scheduled" in my record. It all went so well and so fast. I was just sorry we couldn't say goodbye to Naomi.

(Backtracking) At the hospital, we checked in, I was gowned, and they did the usual poking around for a vein. Eek. They then took me to do the spinal anesthesia. I only had minor complications (dry heaving, muscle pain, blood pressure drop). The anesthesiologists said they were prepared this time, and I was brought to recovery very quickly. It went much better for me than the previous epidural block, and I really didn't feel a thing. Now I'm thinking I felt a lot more than I was supposed to last time, even before my system was cleared. :/ There wasn't much delay beyond a lot of scar tissue. So at 7:10 a.m., out came our beautiful little boy. By beautiful, I mean he was perfect to us, not that he was aesthetically pleasing (you've all seen babies that were just delivered). He's a cutie now, though.

Manny's parents were able to come for the week I was at the hospital. They really went above and beyond in caring for our home and Naomi while they were here. The transition wouldn't have gone so well without them. The first day I was gone, I heard that Naomi wiped her eyes and said she was thinking of me. When I called, she said she would write me a note asking me to come home and leave it at the door. :( But she did really well overall with the grandparents here. Manny did go home at night, but we cherished our time together at the hospital. When he was gone, I watched a lot of this show--so addictive.

Lucas is a joy and, so far, a relatively easy (or maybe normal?) baby! We didn't get any calls from the nursery for us to please retrieve our screaming baby this time. Although I recall that at the time, we found it actually funny that Naomi was the one that couldn't be consoled and woke up all the other babies. We were totally clueless about colic (but we were certainly clued in over the next few months). Now with Lucas, he's just a ravenous eater, but he can actually be soothed! Yes, we'll take it! God has been very merciful to us through all of this.

It's still work transitioning to two with the round-the-clock thing and recovering from surgery, but overall it's going so much better than expected. Naomi is having a tough time, though. I can tell she's trying to cope--I even hear her trying to talk it through with herself. We did get her a special big-sister gift, and we are trying to address her emotional needs first, but it has still been very hard for her. Sometimes I could be nicer about when she's not gentle with Lucas or wakes him up. I can't get into all the instances, but please pray for her. Manny spends a lot of individual time with her and takes her out (he has this week off). I won't be able to do the same for a while. At some point, I know I won't be writing so much about Naomi and her feelings. She's really growing up, and I'll try to give her a little more privacy.

A few photos. I haven't been that good about taking photos.

P.S. I love blue right now. Thanks for your well wishes!

introducing...

Lucas Manuel Yi-Jian Hernandez





Born July 21, 2005 at 7:10 a.m. Weight: 6 lbs, 10 oz. Height: 19.25"
Lucas: Spanish for Luke, writer of the gospel. Can mean "light."
Manuel: Manny, Manny's father, Manny's father's father, etc.
Yi 義: Justice, righteousness.
Jian 堅: Firm, resolute.

Birth story to follow. Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers. I can't wait to tell you how they were answered!

the weekend before:

[ETA: Contractions 2 minutes apart since 2:30 a.m. I guess I've gone into labor. So much for getting rest! Please pray if you do. Thanks!]

Grandparents Hernandez are here! It's been a fun weekend as I come to the final hours before the c-section. I can tell you now that if it's a boy, we're naming him Lucas. Once Naomi started calling him by name, we were pretty much at a point of no return (not that we mind). Grandma got us our double stroller today as well...reality is setting in! I should be discharged Thursday or Friday. See you soon! The adapter I got (off of ebay) is faulty and I have to send it back for an exchange. Just a reminder note to myself.


Saturday brunch at our favorite local cafe.


Gifts from my in-laws and mother-in-law's friends. We're definitely no longer in need of baby boy clothes! Naomi was ready to go swimming.


Swimming with Grandpa. "This way, Horsey!"


Check out Naomi lounging by the pool.


Naomi with Buddy. "Grandpa, everyday I ask Mami for a pet, but I never get one. [sad face]"


At a Mongolian BBQ place we frequent. Yes, I seriously asked the manager to be in the photo. He is always so nice to Naomi. Naomi has a bandage from running into a cabinet at a friend's house. This was my last meal before tomorrow as I have to have an empty stomach (not even water) for the surgery. Too bad I'm already hungry! Good night!

preparation:

So I've put labels on the cabinets in the kitchen, prepared a box of clothes for Naomi for the week, and talked to her about my being away for a few days. She responded that she's a little scared, because she had a dream that I turned into a giant popcorn and that she went down a water slide and the pool turned out to be hot cocoa instead of water. :/ She'll have fun with Manny's parents, though. The overnight bag is mostly packed. I'm a little nervous about the spinal anesthesia, but I think I'm ready.

There's a lot more to do, but I'm trying to follow doctor's orders and take it easy. We decided to hire a part-time nanny for the period of my postsurgical recovery. And there are gracious people who have offered to provide meals for us. I've been stubborn before, but I really do need the help this time around.

We received a box of gifts from my high-school friend Nicole the other day. She had a baby boy a couple months ago. It was a nice surprise and made me all excited about having a boy.


Random photo Naomi wanted me to take. She did actually eat all of it.

scientific revelation:

We really enjoyed Naomi's science class this summer. We covered the various forms of water, wind/air, dissolution and absorption, and floating/sinking (density). They were supposed to do insects today, but I decided to skip the last class with it being so close to the baby's arrival date.

Some random photos from class.

This little boy rubbed her knee and followed her around. Then the next week another boy did the same thing and the two boys ended up sitting on either side of her. :/ I guess it's innocent for the time being.


A string can pick up an ice cube after it's been sprinkled with salt.


Ant farm. I got lazy about taking photos in class after this first day.

So...the rest is going to be a long, controversial post. I seldom write these. It could probably use a more solid edit, but... (yep, I got a new adapter)

I remember being taught by one of my science teachers that science existed to disprove God and religion. I remember I impressed this same teacher by drawing an ape hanging on a cross for the cover of a science report. Yet after becoming a Christian in college, in all my years in science and engineering, I've found that science has actually expanded my view of God, a God of wonders and order. Physics, chemistry, anatomy, all of it. Certainly the faith had to come first, though. Yes, God is evident in His creation, but you can't prove/argue someone into faith. And I felt that way myself when I was a non-believer, that Christians can't prove anything to me except that they're blind, so why should I bother with them? God certainly changed that.

I might have mentioned before that as a new Christian, I once gave this spiel to a couple Caltech students using laws of thermodynamics and other scientific evidence for intelligent design. It became a heated debate that I feel, looking back, never pointed to Christ as it should have. I also presented historical evidence, but they conceded that it was not their expertise. It really was not mine either. At any rate, it was pretty fruitless, apart from being a lesson for me. A certain level of human intellect is not a prerequisite to a knowledge of God--His ways are not our ways (Is 55:8). Even though we have been given the ability to rationalize and reason to help our understanding, the whole point of faith (a reconciliation and personal relationship with God) is lost if we act as though faith depended on a certain level of education.

Still, I would say that while the world continues to change, and we as humans advance and decay simultaneously, it doesn't mean that everything happens by accident. Scientific odds of a universe with order and life just happening randomly seem pretty slim. Believing in evolution takes a certain amount of "faith" itself. There are no complete transitional fossils or reproducible experiments to prove it. You have to believe that radioisotope/radiocarbon dating is reliable and not susceptible to changes over time. Plus, as Kevin said, we weren't there at the beginning, but we believe our God was. And evolution is often used to downplay the consequences of our human condition--that's more of the issue. Sometimes we might desire to challenge someone to a mental duel because perhaps we grow tired of Christianity being foolish or ridiculous to most. But the bible promises that. We cannot convert anyone. It's not done by our strength. That's where knowledge puffs up--when we try to overcome by using our own capacities rather than the faith, hope, and love we have been given. Why focus on possibly flawed arguments (like the various answers about dinosaurs--dinosaurs don't disprove God) when we just don't know for sure what happened? We have to admit there are things we don't know and won't be able to wrap our mind around, but we do know what He's done in our lives.

It doesn't have to be scientific arguments either--we might argue using philosophy, history, and even catchy phrases. Though we are made available to give an account of our faith, we don't need to prove anything about ourselves, and God doesn't need us to prove He exists, so it's always good to examine our motivation. And...that's about all I have time to write.

it's a date:

The adapter wire on my laptop broke. My time is a bit more limited on this PC, which is fine.

So thanks to friends Damien & Janean, we got our pre-baby date last Saturday and caught Iron Man. We thought it was pretty entertaining, although Manny was right in that it became a little weak toward the end. Well, maybe it'll be a more epic battle next time. I do always like the background story and character development parts in these comic book/cartoon movies the most.

After a great sermon on marriage Sunday, we went to a park for a church picnic. I wasn't actually feeling up to it, but it was worth it to be there and have some fellowship and catch-up time with different people. It reminds me that I've become too busy. I enjoyed talking to an older woman who's always taught me well, although I blanked on all these things I wanted to ask her about parenting. I've been blanking a lot lately.

For some reason, what they gave me on my appointment card for by ob visit this week was different than what they had in the computer. I guess it's probably better if my last visit is closer to the delivery date. My friend Julie was gracious enough to watch Naomi twice. I can't believe it's coming down to the final days. Monday morning, 6:30 a.m.!

naomi quotes and theology:

These are from the past week. I think I forgot everything before that. Pregnancy brain.

N: Mami, did God give me to you so I could say, "Bless you"?
(I think she meant when I told her she was a blessing to me)

N: Don't go out too late, Papi! You might get mud! It'll rain and you'll get it on your shoes!
(She heard me saying something about being mugged)

Me: Sorry today's so boring. It's too hot to do much.
N: Today's not boring.
Me: Really?
N: No, YOU'RE boring, Mami.

She has been reminiscing a lot about when she was two years old, definitely things I don't remember off-hand. Proof that toddlers remember a lot more than we think (or at least than I think).
"Mami, when I was two, I threw up in my bed because I had no towel."
"Mami, when I was two, those boys pushed me down at McDonalds. Why did they do that?"
"Mami, when I was two, I didn't know when I got up that Saturday that it was my birthday and all my friends were coming. Then I turned three years old."

She's been asking me questions about God like, "Does God love me even though I disobey?" or "Why do we do bad things?" I love her to ask questions. She seldom seems to accept anything blindly. Some questions are more complex.
"Mami, God is the Father, right? Is Jesus God or the Son? Are they a family?" (So I'm trying to explain the Trinity as a mystery to a preschooler while driving).

Me: What did you learn about in Sunday School today? Jericho's wall?
N: Yes!
Me: And God knock the wall down?
N: No, Mrs. Frank knocked it down.

Her prayers have become more her own as opposed to repeating what we say. It warms the cockles of my heart.
"Dear God, help us to obey and honor You so we can honor You, so we don't make You sad. Help us to eat the food we already have and play with toys we already have. Thank you for the chicken, the broccoli, [names all the food]. In Jesus Lord, Amen."

grandpa's slideshow (for the family):

Part 1 (7.5 min)


Part 2 (7 min)


At the end of part 2, Naomi sings happy birthday and closes with, "I love you...Grandpa." It's sort of funny how the couple pics of Manny's parents jump from before the kids were born to after Manny graduated college (mostly taken by me). I guess we should take pictures of just the two of us sometimes. :)

i'm done (with my class)!

Here is an excerpt of my first direct email from the school two years ago when I was put on probation (and then I got put in remedial/supplemental work three times):

Hi Amy, I am very concerned about your progress. You are at risk of being placed on academic probation because you have not met the course policy requirements so far. Your first assessment was due two months ago, and you are only now submitting your first verifications. If your assessment is submitted on or before 9/12/06, I will ask Linda to remove your name from the list of students scheduled to be placed on academic probation. If it is not submitted by then, you will be placed on probation for the remainder of your time in the course.

And today, I got this. Praise God! I'm finally done! Woo-hoo!

Hi Amy,

It is my privilege to inform you that you have passed Module 3. With the exception of the Gastrointestinal assessment, your grades are outstanding!

This final exam indicates that you have a good understanding of the types of errors you made. Repeatedly, in your insightful and thorough analyses of your errors, you have stated what you need to do to avoid making those same types of errors in the future. For that reason, I have decided that you have earned a "pass" without additional supplemental work.

interesting piece:

Most unforgettable 911 calls. I just started teaching Naomi a little about 911 last week.

manny hernandez' week off:

Another long entry. Manny's company had a shutdown last week. He put the crib together and installed the car seat, and we cleaned/disinfected baby items. Guess we're pretty much ready. :) We had planned to go on a date to see Iron Man (mainly for me), but due to unforeseen circumstances, we ended up 0 for 3 on the babysitters. It wasn't meant to be, but we did have fun as a family, including going swimming and watching Manny play Guitar Hero.

Manny and Naomi flew out Thursday for Grandpa's 60th birthday and returned Saturday. Manny did an awesome job on the birthday slideshow for Grandpa. I'll post it later. Naomi definitely likes flying. I don't think I've ever been away from Naomi for longer than 4 or 5 hours. I missed them, but... :) The first thing I did after dropping them off was get a much-needed haircut. Then I went to a bakery and bought a chocolate croissant. I've been craving chocolate like mad lately, but I didn't want to eat it around Naomi. I went to my doctor's appointment alone, which was also kind of nice. Then I went home and cleaned and cooked some fobby food for myself. Little pleasures can be huge luxuries.

It was weird--quiet, no toys out, not even medical transcription to do! I still couldn't take more than a five-minute shower. I watched SYTYCD and America's Best Dance Crew (just got cable). I know one of the Supreme Soul guys indirectly; it blows my mind to see this stuff on TV now. I watched the news as well. Firefighters are amazing people. I didn't sleep too well, partially paranoid of a break-in (from experience), and partially because fireworks went on both nights till 2 a.m. It was also very hot for me, so I didn't get as much organizing done as I'd hoped.

A friend came over on Friday to visit for a couple hours. She's due this Wednesday (she's the one that just had the shower). It was pretty pleasant to be able to focus on the company and conversation without having to look out the corner of my eye or chase after someone or think about how I had to rush home. :)

I just asked Naomi right now if she missed me while she was at Grandma's, and she smiled and said, "No." The voicemail I received from Naomi when she arrived went, "Hi, Mami. I miss you! I love you! I had a lollipop." Then Manny called again, and I got, "[Huge raspberry] I'm doing something right now." :/ She really had a great time, and cried and cried about Grandma and Grandpa as we drove home from the airport. They'll be here in 2 weeks, though...and so will the baby. :)


Going for a swim.


Pretzels on the plane!


Poor Buddy.


Grandpa, I've got something for you!


Before the July 4/birthday BBQ. Then, as usual, she fell asleep during the party.


Making a huge strawberry shortcake.

photo time:

June 2008 photos--Gilroy Gardens, Boomerang Bay, preschool, general fun in the sun.

misc update:

Thanks for your well wishes and thoughts and prayers for the upcoming birth of our baby. A few words go a long way with me. :)

I get worn out easily these days. Daily chores really are quite a feat. With the belly in the way, I wash dishes, do laundry, and cook sideways. Manny isn't letting me vacuum anymore because of the strain. He even had me get in one of these motorized mobility chairs at Target. Three times I got out and wanted to abandon it, but I returned because the pelvic pain set in again. I was so embarrassed by the stares and comments. Plus the thing beeped so loudly when I went in reverse and wouldn't stop unless I turned it off. lol Much like being in the wheelchair at Disneyland, I was really humbled by the awkwardness and helplessness. I can often be too stubborn to accept help; I know from where Naomi gets it.

Many things have come to an end in the past couple weeks, at least for now. I'll be taking a hiatus from teaching Sunday School. This (most awesome) preschool science class we're currently in will be Naomi's last for a while. Our church community group is breaking for the summer. We also had a final park playdate. And after two years, I've submitted my last final for the medical transcription class. It was two years of doubt, disappointment, bitterness, guilt, sacrifice, investment, spiritual myopia, and triumph. The grace of God has seen me/us through all of it. I'm thankful for all I learned, medicine-related and otherwise. I am not planning to seek employment anytime soon, but I'm so relieved it happened before the baby was born.

Also, Manny's aunt and family came to visit a couple weekdays and treated Naomi and me to lunch. It was so nice to have a break in our daily routine (and yes, also to not have to cook). I was really sorry Manny couldn't make it; he can barely squeeze in lunch these days. Manny's uncle has had a rough summer with a number of injuries, but he always has a good attitude about it.

As always, you can click on the photos for a larger view:


At our last playdate, Naomi enjoying getting sprayed by the dragon.


Lunch overlooking the lake with Josiah and his mommy.


Naomi wiping her face and eating her won ton soup. We're blessed in that she can eat all kinds of food (except spicy). She seems to have outgrown her allergies as well.


The community group, minus a few, at Fu Lam Mum. Fantastic food but apparently understaffed. Naomi loves to socialize, often ending up in someone else's lap.


Uncle Gerard and Aunt Mary kissing Naomi goodbye. On a side note, the reason I post some people's names and not others is due to permission. :)