Isaac's first two weeks.

Isaac's personality is coming out more and more as days go by. He is very talkative. Loves to grunt when he stretches, eats, sleeps.. We also found out that he has a dimple (from Tony).

Both Tony and I are just so in love with him. Parenthood is a lot of work! Sleep deprivation is brutal! But we are thankful and feel so blessed to have Isaac in our lives.

I love Saturday mornings (3/27/10)

Naptime! (3/28/10)

I'm 10 days old in this picture! (3/23/10)

Up from a milk coma.

Loving on Grandpa. (3/27/10)

One of many visits from Grandpa and Grandma.

Daddy and me.

My first walk with Mommy.

Love at first sight.

Kisses!

Introducing Isaac Viet Nguyen

Isaac Viet Nguyen was born on March 13, 2010 at 3:05AM. He weighed in at 6.03 lbs and he's 19.5 inches long.



He was born in Portland, Oregon at the Andaluz Water Birth Center.



The birth was an incredible and amazing experience. It started with a requested ultrasound. I decided to schedule an ultrasound on Friday, 3/12, in the morning. The main purpose was to make sure Isaac was in a good position for birthing and to also double check that he was a boy. The ultrasound tech told us that everything looked great with Isaac and confirmed that he was indeed a boy.. But my amniotic fluid seemed pretty low for what it should be.



After speaking with my midwife, she advised-with a sense of urgency- to get another ultrasound at Legacy Emanuel, same day and in the afternoon. The results were the same- low amniotic fluid and a doctor came in to advise that we should be induced either that day or Saturday as it looked like the placenta was losing steam.



After talking with our midwife, her advice was to go ahead and get induced at the hospital. But which one should we go to? It was late in the afternoon on Friday and my midwife was calling the hospitals in Portland. Legacy Emanuel was willing to take us in but the out of pocket costs would be double of what I would have to pay for at a Providence Hospital. And when my midwife called my previous doctor at Providence, the doctor declined to take me because I transfered care over to Andaluz Birth Center a few months ago. My midwife then called over to Providence St. Vincents to see if they would take me- they did not seem very interested to take me either. Personally- I didn't want to go back to Providence..



So after an hour of contemplating where I should go to get induced, my midwife called back and suggested that we come into the birth center to get a cervical check and possibly see if they could induce my labor naturally. Tony and I went to the birth center at 7PM that night and I was already at 5 cms. We all were stunned because I have not felt any contractions at all to get to this point. The midwife then sent us home and advised us that we would probably start laboring that night or tomorrow morning.



We both went home and watched a Blazer game and nothing was happening so we went to bed. Around 1AM, I woke up and had a pretty good contraction.. Went back to sleep and a few minutes pass by and then another contraction hits. After 10 minutes.. I was thinking to myself-this is really abnormal.. because the contractions should be 5-7 minutes apart.. it feels like they are 2 minutes in between. After 1/2 hour, we called the midwife and she told us to go to the birth center. Still thinking there was time to do things, Tony was making coffee, a protein shake for me and bagels.. I was brushing my teeth.. And all the sudden, my water broke.



We head to the birthing center. On the way there, the contractions were right on top of another and I could feel the pressure of Isaac's head.. Tony was very calm.. I'm not really sure he sensed how fast the baby was coming because he was going the speed limit. A few minutes before we got to the center, I told him.. if we did not get to the center soon, we were going to have the baby in the car.



At 2.30AM, we arrive at the birthing center and I saw my midwife in the front room.. I just waved at her and ran to the bathroom.. the pressure was so intense.. All I wanted to do was sit on a toilet and stay there.. even though nothing was coming out. My midwife gently asked me.. Do you want to go in the tub? She guided me into the warm and relaxing bathtub. Within 15-20 minutes, Isaac was born.

Thanks to all who have kept us in prayer. This is truly a blessing from the Lord!

~4-5 weeks left

Taken in our backyard on Saturday, 2/13. Around 34 weeks.

******

I have to pinch myself.. Is it really 4-5 weeks away? Maybe even less?? I was told that you can have a “full term baby” at 35-40 weeks.. I just passed my 35 weeks this Monday. Although I’ve gained around 30-35 lbs- I still feel great! The only time when I feel the belly get in my way is when I’m trying to get out of bed/off the couch or when I have to bend down to tie my shoes.

Baby Nguyen is moving around a lot. He’s very active in the morning and evening time.. and anytime I’m eating anything- Especially chocolate or toffee. =)

I’m definitely getting more tired as the weeks roll by.. My emotions and feelings have been all over the place! I’m anxious, excited, happy, tired, nervous.. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with the thought of actually being a parent. But a few weeks ago.. My pastor went over John 14 and this verse gave me so much comfort:

27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27

Simple.. and true.

Since the last entry- Tony and I decided to switch care from our doctor to a midwife at a birthing center. We just felt an indescribable peace about our new midwife and the birthing center. Our midwife is a Christian and we are excited to have her be a part of the birthing. Her name is Adele and she has had over 30 years of experience in midwifery. Here’s a link to the birthing center- Doesn’t it look like a bed and breakfast? http://www.waterbirth.net/

Thanks for continuing to pray for us! We can’t wait to meet Baby Nguyen!!

look mom! i can sew!

I got some really cool Christmas gifts in '09. One of them being a sewing machine from Visa (Van & Lisa).. I was really floored when I received it. It was such a surprise. I signed up for a sewing class at Joann's and went to it for the first time last night... look at what I made! (with the guidance of my instructor of course).. It's a sleeper for baby Nguyen!

Nursery Room- Mission Completed!

This room used to be our "office".. it had tons of books, paperwork, computer, two desks, mounted shelving.. lots of Tony's shoes. Tony also re-painted our guest bedroom and converted it into an office/guest bedroom. Tony worked really hard on this nursery room/guest room throughout his entire break!! The guy was busy!!! And he truly is da best! =)

Just looking at the nursery room.. makes having a baby feel even more real.

We're also thankful for a lot of our friends who generously gave all sorts of baby things! From carseats/strollers to crib.. I even had a stranger come up to me at church and ask if I needed a swing! I had to tell him.. no because I actually have 4 swings/bouncing chair things that friends have given to us already! I love how the Lord always provides.. And provides awesome/loving friends. It has truly been the hugest blessing!

Christmas at the Nguyens

We had a very memorable Christmas this year. It seems as we get older, Christmas brings on newer/deeper meanings. I didn't really fully enjoy Christmas songs in previous years.. but this year.. I would just cry at the lyrics of songs like "O Holy Night" or "You're Here" by Francesca Batastelli.. I just find it amazing how Love came down to save us all and give us a hope.. flooding the world with joy. Emanuel- God is with us.

Christmas was not the same without Vincent who was in California with his friends this year. Lots of food and very thoughtful gifts. Highlights were spending time with the family. Especially Van and Lisa since we don't get to see them often.

At the Blazers vs. 76ers Game on 12/28. Got to see AI play.. but sadly lost to the 76ers. As Van would say, "Can't win em all". Thanks for the tickets and memories, Van and Lisa!

First snowing this year/winter. Picture with one of my dearest and closest friends, Laurie! Thanks for always being there for me! =)




















Work in Progress: Painting the nursery room. (elephant gray and white. door was painted w/ black chalkboard paint)

Finally! Christmas Break!!

This past weekend, I (kind of) surprised Tony with a quick weekend trip to Seattle to celebrate the end of his first quarter of school and finishing finals. He worked and studied so hard these past few months. Most nights, he would come home from school very tired around 10 o'clock.

Not only was Tony working hard at school.. but he also had to go through some difficult situations that were unrelated to school.. and they were very stressful. We would sometimes wonder why this was happening. Many nights we would pray together and just give all of our worries to the Lord.. Putting our trust in Him.. That He would cover and protect us in this situation.

This verse really sustained the both of us when we felt vulnerable:

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 18:2

I'm so thankful to say that God is forever faithful and He did truly protect us from harm in this particular situation. If you're ever wondering what this situation was about.. feel free to ask.. I just feel uncomfortable blogging about it =)

I'm very proud to see how Tony handled the situation. I'm just so honored to be his wife.


Taking a picture in front of the Pike Place Market.. Doesn't Tony look so Pacific Northwestern with a Starbucks in his hand? =)


Eating lunch at Paseo in Seattle

taken on 12/20 @ 27 weeks.. (one week away from being 7 months) in our hotel room.

at theo's chocolates.. my favorite is their milk chocolate coconut curry (very good chocolates and they sell them at whole foods if you're interested)