There's a tradition in the U.S. Navy that when the Commanding Officer of a ship arrives, he/she is honored with raps from a ship's bell that annouces the CO's arrival. Today we are annoucing to everyone that our ship has grown with a new additional crew member, Ian Alexander Garcia. Though Ian may not equate to the rank of a Commanding Officer, Ian is still a valuable crew member of our ship that requires the proper honors!
Ian Alexander Garcia, WELCOME ABOARD!!!
Ian's arrival was first announced to Rachel at 2:30am on Sunday, 07 September with labor pains (false or true, only a mother can answer that one). Juan was notified later at 8:00am, at which point we contacted the post's Hospital's Woman-Infant Care Unit (WICU). The initial visit to WICU was short lived because Rachel wasn't dilated enough - so we were sent home! The second visit to the WICU was later in the day at 3:00pm only to be officially admitted at 4:00pm. Her epidural was injected around 6:30pm after three tries in a curled sitting position followed by a fetal position while laying on her side. By 10:45pm she was dilated and ready to start pushing, but the nurses wouldn't let her until the late night shift of nurses and doctors turned over which was at 11:00pm - talk about good timing! Funny thing, though, was that they were doing the turn over and getting prepped all at the same time in the same room that Rachel was going to be delivering. She started pushing at 11:00pm and hour and 15 minutes later - Ian was born at 12:15am on Rachel's parents 35th Anniversary, 08 September.
Rachel was wonderful during the whole process. We would agree that the epidural helped. Juan was a wonderful coach despite the fact that neither Rachel nor Juan attended any birthing classes prior to the big day. Nevertheless, Juan's prior OB/GYN Clinic enlisted experience as a Hospital Corpsman was a positive factor. Rachel's recovery lasted 48 hours. The blessing in itself was that we were the only patients in the WICU so the day of delivery and the day of recovery, Rachel and Ian had 100% dedicated staff to meeting her needs, comforts, and help. Juan stayed for most of the duration, while making periodic home stops to pick up odds and ends. The WICU staff of nurses, doctors, and specialists were wonderful. They were so accomodating that it met and exceeded our every expectation and settled any fears of what to expect.
On the afternoon of the 9th, Rachel and Ian were discharged from the hospital. Both were doing so great and recovering so well that they were allowed to go home sooner than the WICU staff had anticipated. We're home now and a new chapter in our journey of life now begins. Next post talks about our first day's adventure. Enjoy the pixs for now!!!
4 comments:
I'm smiling with tears in my eyes. I am so happy for you both, all three of you now! Rachel, you know I wish I could be there for you as you have been available and so helpful with Noelani while stationed in Japan. You'll be a great mother and father to Ian. Looking forward to more msgs.
Lala
Rachel and Juan,
How small and precious. My favorite is the picture that Juan holds Ian in one hand. He is so cute. We noticed he has big feet so I am sure he is going to be a big guy like his dad.
Rachel you look so beautiful holding your wonderful son. Looking forward to meeting him in person. Love and blessings, mom
We let out a collective sigh of relief when we saw Ian's picture, as we were all worried that Juan's looks might have been passed on to the baby. Fortunately, he is a handsome baby!!
Ian is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo cute! Can ya tell I think he's cute ;) Durward can't wait to have one of his own (he just said that, so I had to write that). We can just spoil Ian for the time being :)
I miss you two so much! Glad all is well in Korea. but selfish me wants to be there with y'all :)
love, jackie
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