Not So Fast!

Okay-well the title is what I really want to say today about Esaias being 1 month old. I have been trying to cope with this little milestone for several days. In fact, the only reason I am coping is kind of sitting at a level of denial. I can keep telling people he's 2 weeks old, but imagine the looks I'll get when he starts walking. I keep telling myself, I can't stop time, and I know that I can't keep him from growing or growing up. So somehow, I am going to just have to face it and love it! It's all part of the beauty of having children.

When Isaac was born I couldn't wait for him to get bigger. I wanted to see what he would become. I was so excited every time he reached a new phase or milestone. I think I even passed this on to him. Or maybe it's just being the oldest (I was so like this). Isaac can't wait to grow up. Even when he was 5 yrs. old he was talking about what life will be like for him when he is older. Of course then, he thought he would still live with me, and couldn't imagine the thought of wanting to get married. Well, that was short lived. Now he thinks about where he's going to live... without me. He's planning on far away...as in Alaska. He asks me if I will visit him. I suppose it's a good thing he still wants me to visit. I am sure the day will come when he will tell me not to visit. Needless to say, my oldest is technically closer to a graduation and a mission than his birth. Freaky to look at it like that huh? But I'll keep him at home while he'll let me.

When Marina was born, I felt differently. I was pretty sure this would be my last child. I remember looking at that tiny little girl and thinking, "How sweet, can we keep her this sweet forever?" Knowing the answer, and maybe having some insight/intuition to her personality, I did not want to wish her bigger any faster than it would naturally come. But, I was okay with her getting bigger at a normal pace. It helped that she stayed little physically. We held her all the time. I think she was being held or picked up well into her 4th year of life. When Danny and I were discussing this just a couple days ago, Danny informed me that she still requests to be held when he picks her up from gymnastics. I guess that's part of, and the perks of being a little girl.

Well that brings me to Esaias at 1 month old. Not only do I not want to wish him to grow up quickly; I am not okay with him growing at a normal pace either. I do wish I could slow things down. It is not helping that he is so tall, and seems to be growing as quickly as Isaac did. (Isaac doubled his birth weight within 6 weeks.) I know I can't starve Esaias, but I guess you know it's bad when... you've even thought it. So, I am writing this blog in effort to embrace all that comes with a growing new baby. I want to relish and remember every moment. It has been such an amazing journey to even be here with this little boy. And everyday I look at him, and breathe him in, I am so aware of this miracle! Here's to Mom being able to handle him growing up. Wish me luck!

Esaias' 3rd Bath but on 1 month, and he loved it!
Big Sister's 1st Feeding!

1st Trip to Great Grandma and Grandpa's

Day Two

It's amazing how quickly we have been able to tell people about the birth of baby Esaias. Through Facebook, this blog, text messaging, and cell phones, I think that almost everyone we are connected to has heard about this little baby being born. It's been so great to hear from so many of you and get visitors. We anticipate that Vycci and Esaias will be coming home tommorrow. I am home with Isaac and Marina tonight and they are both ready for their new brother to come home. Here are some more pictures we took today. Hope you like them.

This is my brother Luke who we think Esaias looks like. Thoughts???? Here is a big yawn with chillaxin' Uncle Marcus!!!

Isaac and his first brother. How exciting for these two boys.

Marina is already getting antsy to feed Esaias and change his "poopy" diapers. We'll see how long that lasts.

Baby Esaias

As most of you know we had a new addition to our family earlier today. Esaias Paul Sandoval was born at 1:35 pm on 4-24-10. He was 8 pounds and 20 inches. He is the biggest baby we have had and seems to be in good spirits thus far. Vycci is also doing well and I am here with her at the hospital tonight as I share these first pictures of our new blessing from heaven.

We started this adventure 2 1/2 years ago when we felt that another spirit was waiting to come to our family. After two unsuccessful pregnancies we were a bit apprehensive to try again but the Lord spoke to us through scripture and the spirit and told us that Esaias was still waiting to come to earth. We can't express our gratitude to everyone who helped with the spiritual, temporal, and emotional support that we have benefited from through this oft ever winding gauntlet.

We love you all who keep tabs on us through this blog and pray that you will feel the appreciation and gratitude you all deserve.

Grandma Chris and Papa Joe w/ grand baby Esaias

All 5 Sandoval's (Vycci, Isaac, Esaias, Danny, Marina)

Big brother Isaac w/ Esaias

First Bath

Danny and new baby Esaias

Esaias Close Up

Auntie Risa and Esaias

Esaias being weighed

A Busy Thursday!

Yesterday I was able to go on a field trip with Marina to a Japanese cultural center. Vycci also had her baby shower at work. It was very eventful. Here are some pictures from the day.

This is Marina and her friend Faythe waiting for the light rail. We rode the light rail into downtown. It was crazy watching almost 100 1st graders get on and off public transportation. Some of the parents were completely paranoid about taking the light rail which is why I think half of the parents showed up.
These were our tour guides. Not really that Japanese looking but they were helpful and we got to meet the owner/director later in the tour.
Some "artifacts" in the cultural center. Not too exciting but it gives you a flavor of the experience.

This is the best shot I could get of Marina eating with chopsticks. She actually did a very good job with them. Better than her classmates and most of the parents.

Later at the shower this was the diaper "cake" made by Vycci's good friend and co-worker Jen. There were blankets, bibs, sleepers, and other baby things all wrapped together around diapers. Very fun!

Expecting Another!

While we still have reservations about going public with this, nature (a fat belly) seems to be forcing us to accept the natural progression this path leads us. And Mother's Day weekend is as good as any to share the news or at least make it common knowledge for our friends and family.

Nine years ago this Mother's Day I had officially earned the title "Mom." Isaac was born the Monday before Mother's day and we had him out at church that first Sunday to celebrate the Spring delivery. So, as we embark on this journey again, we are excited and nervous even more than we were the first time.

The great news is that I am feeling really well. I went on a field trip this week with my class at school. We did a fair amount of walking, and I was a little worried about my stamina for the day. I don't know if it was the sunny 78 degree weather but, I felt terrific! I even beat my 5th graders to the bus after the long, hot day. Many of my students were whining about the heat and walking, and all I could think was... "If I can do this right now, then so can you." They don't know my little secret, so I didn't say that, but I was thrilled to be feeling so good.

As many of you know the past month has been a scary ride for us, as I have experienced "common" yet disconcerting pain and bleeding. We asked many of you to fast and pray with us. That same weekend, as our prayer and fasting, I also received a priesthood blessing, in which Danny blessed me to have the pain subside, and the blessing of healing. Since that priesthood blessing, I have not had any pain similar to what I had been experiencing. And the bleeding has mostly subsided. In the past when I have received blessings they come in the form of comfort and the strength to have more faith. This is one of the first times in my life when the blessing has actually healed my physical ailments. I am so blessed and my testimony strengthened!!!

At one point during the past few weeks, I was having a panic moment, at work, and called Danny. I had already been to the doctor's several times, and was not sure what do, feeling great despair. When Danny said to me, "I just feel like the Lord is asking us to have faith." At that moment I knew that was exactly true. And every time this feels scary, or I start to panic, I replay those words and remember the blessing. I am assuming that I will be replaying it a lot to get us through the next 5 or 6 months.

Thanks to all of you for your love, prayers, sacrifice, and service that you offer to us and for us. We feel your love and are so grateful! Happy Mother's Day to all of you! We all know there is no greater challenge, experience, and blessing!!!