Apologies

I have to apologize for not being a better blogger. Both Danny and I have had our laptops take a dive, and the only reason we can access the Internet is because a kind couple at our church gave us an old laptop of theirs to use. However, it is 'old' and slow, so uploading pictures, video, etc. is next to impossible. We really want to get a new computer, but can't figure out how to at this point.

Thank you for your understanding. I promise to try to at least write blogs more regularly. :-)

I Got Your Nose!

Christian took me literally when I told him I got his nose. He wanted to play along...little did I know he has quite a grip!

Sugar for Breakfast

This is the reason you don't let your kids have sugar for breakfast. Warning: Banshee makes an appearance. ;-)

Baby Jonathan

Our newest boy is just a blessing beyond words. I have in fact determined that having had a challenging delivery and even more challenging baby the first time around has made this time around that much sweeter. I had a fabulous birth experience with Jonathan, and so far he has been a pretty good baby (translation - so far, no acid reflux and inconsolable crying). Of course sleep is hard to come by, but I'm dealing with it. I didn't know how good I had it when I was able to "sleep when the baby sleeps" with Christian. Now I'm just praying that the baby will "sleep when I sleep". :-) Soon enough he will sleep...I'm just thoroughly enjoying this baby time while it lasts.

Every morning Christian wants to "kiss baby". He then will kiss Jonathan and pat him on the head very gently. He is so much more gentle than I anticipated.

Christian also asks to "hold baby Jonathan" every day. He LOVES his brother!

Danny is just about as smitten as I.

My mom was here for the first week that we had Jonathan home, and Danny has been here for the second week. I am slightly anxious thinking about being alone with the boys, but am confident that I will be able to handle it now. Stay posted though, I'm sure I'll have stories!

A Visit Just in Time

Nana loving on her grandsons

As I had mentioned in my previous post, my mom arrived at our house (ready to help her bedridden pregnant daughter) just half an hour after we left for the hospital. To understand how amazing this is, let me tell you that the drive from my parents' house to our house is 19 hours if you do it in one chunk. We most likely passed my mom going the opposite direction when we headed to the hospital. AMAZING.Playing legos with Christian

To avoid tears, Nana and Christian would wave bye-bye to us out the front window when we would leave.

Christian had a BLAST with 'Tana Nana. They played a bunch, and my mom was thrilled to be here to meet her newest grandson only hours after he was born. For Danny and I, it was a blessing to have our own private nurse and nanny to help out. (There were two nights that I brought an inconsolable baby to her in her guest suite so that I could get some rest.)

Changing baby Jonathan's diaper...Christian watches and comments ("Stinky poo poo!")

Because my mom was planning on coming down for my due date, she had already made plans to come down in late October, so we will get more time to spend with her. We are absolutely blessed, and without words to offer our appreciation. I LOVE MY MOMMA!

Introducing...Jonathan Augustine Flores!

It is pretty amazing how much life can change in just a few days. On Monday, I had Braxton Hicks contractions on and off all day. I hoped they would not get regular. I took a warm bath, laid on my left side all day and drank lots of water. My mom was driving down from Montana to help take care of my bed rested self, and I was determined to welcome her to our house that night. Well, our plans aren't always His plans.

The quiet before the pushing

Between 8pm and 10pm my contractions were getting more regular and increasing in intensity. We called Danny's mom to come over to stay with Christian until my mom was set to arrive (only a matter of minutes after we left Debbie). We headed to Loma Linda Medical Center as I prayed for our baby...only 35 1/2 weeks in my belly.


Upon arrival, it was determined I was 4cm and in preterm labor. After being admitted, I hung in there with contractions for a while. I was given what ended up being 3 shots over a course of 4 hours to try to stop my labor. However, little Jonathan didn't care about those horrible shots...he was determined to come into the world.


At noon on September 22nd I pushed Jonathan Augustine (with the assistance of my husband, nurses and doctors) into this world. He screamed RIGHT AWAY...the sweetest sound I have ever heard (Christian didn't cry for a full minute after he was born via C-Section). I got to hold him right away. Even though I delivered him at 35 weeks, he was 6lbs 2oz...the same weight as his brother. He had NO breathing issues, has had NO eating issues and NO jaundice. Hallelujah and praise God.

New baby Jonathan

I have to say, I have never felt like more of a rock star than after I delivered Jonathan. How empowering! What a blessing, I had a successful VBAC! The entire experience was an answer to prayer, and gift from God.

Christian and my mom came to the hospital a few hours after Jonathan was born. Christian was SO EXCITED to meet his brother, and kept asking to give him "kisses". He was really quite gentle too, I was so proud.

We have now been home for 24 hours, and so far so good. Christian is learning how to share the limelight. 'Tana Nana has been incredibly helpful in every way. Sleep will come to us, eventually. All I can say is that I'm doubly smitten!

Thank you for your thoughts, prayers and well wishes. We truly are thankful for friends and family like you who have supported and encouraged us along the way.

Baskets of Blessings

Since I lost my job, finances have been a regular topic and stressor in our household. The lack of finances, however, have also been an opportunity to see God's hand in our lives, and a chance to experience His blessings firsthand.

In the past 4+ months, we've been given baskets of fresh veges from people in our church (we do live in a farming community, after all). We also were given a bunch of outdoor toys for Christian...something we could only dream of having, as we never could have afforded them.

Most recently I have had an anonymous sister in Christ send us gifts...everything from a gift card to JcPenney to movie tickets for Danny and me. She also sent a gift card to Stater Bros...received the day I made Christian's milk from powdered milk in the cupboard b/c we didn't have the money for groceries.

I've had neighbors provide me with new-to-me maternity clothes, along with a gift card to Target and Stater Bros.

My best friend, Jessica, came out this week, after I was on bed rest for a few days, and brought us Starbucks treats and took Maternity photos. Tonight we had an old friend from Village Bible Church in Orange drive all the way out to our house to bring us a homemade meal.

There are more blessings I could share. There have been countless gifts by way of encouraging words, hugs and prayers. It seems that when I get to the end of my rope, we are given another "basket of blessings" to remind us that HE will provide. Why do I ever doubt?

Thank you to each and every one of you who have prayed for us, encouraged us, and given to us. I pray that one day I might be able to return the blessings tenfold. You cannot begin to understand the ministry to our lives that you have been. God bless you all.

Maternity Photos

Matt, Jessica, Ethan and baby Alayna stopped by yesterday to bring us special treats and visit with us. I can't tell you how refreshing it was to have our loved ones visit. I think I underestimated how lonely bed rest would get.

While they were here, Jess and I snuck away so that she could take a few maternity photos of me. (I laid down / sat / rested in between the photos, still abiding by the rules my doctor gave me for bed rest.)

I was SO HAPPY with the way they turned out. Jessica, you have a gift. Thank you for these photos!

Two Dreaded Words - Bed Rest

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday - a routine prenatal appointment at 34 1/2 weeks pregnant. When I went in, the doctor was slightly concerned about a few things I was experiencing, so she did a sonogram. She found that my cervix had shortened quite a bit (more than normal for this point in a pregnancy). She sent me for a formal ultrasound (Christian and Danny were with me as well). The ultrasound confirmed that my cervix is 2 cm instead of 4, which puts me at high risk for a preterm delivery. And so, the doctor uttered those two dreaded words to me: "Bed Rest".



I have had people tell me to enjoy bed rest, but that is easier said than done. I am still nesting. I have a toddler. I had projects I wanted to tackle. Not only am I forced to lay on the couch / bed ALL day, but I can't cook, bake or clean for my boys. I can't play with Christian. I have to ask Danny to make me food. This is breaking my heart.



I am praying that I can hold on until 36 weeks, which is 1 1/2 weeks. We really want baby Jonathan to be healthy and at least 6lbs. I'm sure you'll be hearing from me more in the coming weeks for sure!

L.A. County Fair

On Sunday after church Danny, Christian and I headed to the LA County Fair to meet up with his entire family for the annual Fair trip. We went to the horse races, saw the Jurassic Park exhibit, the old trains and ate lots of yummy food. It was a great day!

Me and my boy (I'm 34 weeks prego)

"Cheese!"

We ended the day with a Mexican funnel cake (like a giant churro with toppings). I'm not kidding when I tell you it was the MOTHERLOAD of funnel cakes!

The biggest funnel cake I've ever seen!

"It is finished"

My boys are way too cute!

I was able to hang in there with everyone else, even though I'm 8 1/2 months prego and walked what seemed like miles. All in all, it was a great time had by all!

P.S. - I got separated from the group at one point for at least an hour. When I ran into Danny, I cried like a baby. I once was lost but now I'm found. ;-) You've gotta love these hormones!