Well, it sure is an understatement to say that lots has happened. I'll try to keep this brief since I'm always trying to play catch-up anyway!

Joshua Chi-Chien Chu was born 11/12/12 at 1:17 pm, 6 lbs 7 oz, 19" long via c-section. We really wanted to try for a vbac (vaginal birth after cesarean) and I even had my membrane stripped just like last time with Bethany. We walked the Galleria mall about 4-5 times that week and our deadline was to have Josh come before the scheduled c-section. However God had the other route in mind for us, so who are we to argue with that?
The reason why our OB wanted Joshua out was because the last ultrasound showed that his growth was only at the 14th percentile for his developmental age (labeled as IUGR), which led to the possibility that the placenta was not giving him sufficient nutrients. The amniotic fluid was low as well. All this led to the decision that he should come out prior to 40 weeks. Yet at the same time, the doc recognized that Josh just may be small since Bethany and both Caleb and I are "constitutionally small".
I was having regular labor pains on Friday night 11/9, and by midnight it was only about 4 minutes apart. We happily got everything together and headed to the hospital. After about 3-4 hours, interestingly enough, all the contractions stopped on its own! We went home after not progressing any further.

Well, needless to say, we were at first disappointed, but after all our preparations, God remembered the needs of this small child of ours, and our joy was truly made complete when Josh came out healthy and was able to latch and breastfeed from the very beginning.

Yet it was just a beginning.

After our stay at the hospital and came home, it was only a short 2-3 days before we realized that his breathing was not quite right. It really gave us a scare when we heard his wheezing, gasping and laborious breathing sounds, especially during feeding. So by Tuesday 11/20, we were making a run to the children's hospital ER. With an 8 day old newborn. Murphy's Law hit when all was well as the pediatrician saw him and concluded that nothing was really wrong. Was it just bad congestion that had cleared up or what?


The trip to Josh's own pediatrician the next day revealed that he has laryngomalacia - a condition that hopefully he'll outgrow in time. It makes feeding a long process that tests our patience as he's wheezing and squeaking, trying to catch his breath while taking in a few gulps of milk here and there. It's exhausting so he gets tired and falls asleep. When I successfully wake him up, his latch is even tighter (ouch!) and he swallows another few big gulps. It takes quite a while. Keeps us humble I suppose!

Then 2 days ago I started to have massive bleeding. After it continued for several more hours, I went to the women's hospital ER and then sent home. It didn't stop or lighten up the next day so I was then given some meds... which thankfully now seems to be working!


On top of this, the hospital had added a desiccant to dry up Josh's umbilical cord, but it makes it super sharp and pokes him in the belly. We've been covering it up with cotton, but it makes the whole diaper changing experience that much more difficult.




So while it hasn't been the smoothest ride with our little Josh, we have many, many things to count as blessings! Josh did not come out with any complications, but rather quite healthy! The laryngomalacia is a temporary, (minor) inconvenience. I am recovering fairly well too.

And I'm terribly blessed with wonderful mothers who have watched and cared for Bethany during this time. G'ma Bor and G'ma Chu have played with her, entertained her and kept her well fed. They've cooked wonderful meals to keep us going.

My milk production is on overdrive! We're getting an extra chest freezer to store it all! I didn't have quite the experience with Bethany. While I had enough, this is enough plus lots more!


And I have a very supportive and loving husband who is doing all that he can to make sure all is well, despite work and fatigue each day too.
Above all, there is the Unseen Hand that supports us in ways that man cannot. His love and tender mercies allow us to make small steps forward each day. The love and prayers of the saints uphold us when we don't have the strength to face what is ahead.

Oh truly, bless the Lord, O my soul, bless His holy Name.



 

A year and counting

Sorry - I know a few people have asked me about this blog and for updates. I've been busy, lazy, tired, preoccupied, forgetful... all of the above. :P

Anyway, so much has happened in Bethany's short lifetime. The mailman the other day asked how old she was when we went to pick up the mail at the front of the apartment complex. I said, "13 months," to which he responded, "Oh, she's still brand new!"

Yep Beth, you're still brand new.

You gave us 1 month of good sleep at roughly 3 months. You slept about 7-8 hours and Mom & Dad would wake up thinking, "Whoa.. did Baby cry at all?" But then you hit a growth spurt, and I got up about once a night for feeding. Not bad, really. Then at 6 months, you started to sleep about 10 hours through the night and now you're hitting close to 12 hours. Makes us proud and happy to know you're growing so well.

Another thing which makes us proud is that you eat so well. What else could Mom & Dad ask for? Four good meals a day and such a regular GI system. Because of that we're now working on the potty-training at 13 months. You're a quick one. You were up on your feet and running around at 10 months. Let's pray that regarding the ways of the world - you won't be that quick at learning those things. Some habits and things... it's better to be naive to it.

Okay, I won't get ahead of myself here. This morning's Psalm is so appropriate. Especially in regards to the title of this blog: being a Texan Chu.

Psalm 87
His foundation is in the holy mountains.
The Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than all the other dwelling places of Jacob.
Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. Selah.
I shall mention Rahab and Babylon among those who know Me;
Behold, Philistia and Tyre with Ethiopia: 'This one was born there.'
But of Zion it shall be said, "This one and that one were born in her";
And the Most High Himself will establish her.
The Lord will count when He registers the peoples,
"This one was born there." Selah.
Then those who sing as well as those who play the flutes shall say, 
"All my springs of joy are in you."

There's a tie in my heart to Seattle - to Washington. Like I always say to Brother Sun, "I'll come back, like salmon." I was born there and I have an affinity toward it. Bethany was born here in Houston, in this great state of Texas and perhaps she might catch that thing they call, "Texas pride." I grin.

But what matters most, while man may say, I was born here or there, I want to be counted in the city of God when He registers His peoples. The Lord cares about this City. He's building and establishing it. Not only do we get a special birth certificate saying, we're belong to Zion, but He's placed an even more special seal in us... His own Life. So I harken to this eternal city. May all my family, Dad and Bethany and all unborn children - may we all be registered in His glorious city."All my springs of joy are in you."