Isabella (Bella) RyAnn Gonzalez

at 01/28/09 9:53AM
Born 3pm sharp, January 26th, 2009 via C-Section.
Weighing 4 pounds 14 oz. 17 1/2 inches long.
Born 5 weeks and 1 day early. But no need for oxygen, ventilators, feeding tubes, or anything.
She's really doing GREAT!
Hospital protocol says she has to stay in the NICU for at least 48 hours but we are REALLY hoping that she'll be able to go home with us on Friday or Saturday.

Since the C-Section, I've still had trouble with my Blood Pressure, so getting out of bed and down to the nursery to feed and hold her hasn't always been possible. But hopefully things are getting better on that front as well!

Thanks for all the prayers! She's a doll and we already love her very much!

  • sunnylee
    AHH!!! That's soooo exciting for you two!!!! I love the Baby Bella! That's so cute! CONGRATS!
    by sunnylee at 01/28/09 11:15AM
  • jenn
    beautiful! :)
    by jenn at 01/28/09 11:17AM
  • curlie
    Congratulations! She is gorgeous!
    by curlie at 01/28/09 12:20PM
  • lw
    BEAUTIFUL!!!!! God is so good!!!!!
    by lw at 01/28/09 12:27PM
  • emwhitt
    Congrats! Beautiful name, beautiful baby!!
    by emwhitt at 01/28/09 1:44PM
  • mamap
    Oh, Lauren! I am sooo excited for you! Can you believe you are a MOMMY???? She is absolutely gorgeous...Of course, I know I didn't have to tell you that! Take care of YOU! Much love to you all!
    by mamap at 01/28/09 2:32PM
  • jodimn
    Congrats again! She's a doll. I'll pray that they are able to get your BP under control
    by jodimn at 01/28/09 3:41PM
  • crazy_mama
    Congrats again! So glad to hear that she's doing perfectly. What a little blessing she is!!
    by crazy_mama at 01/28/09 4:37PM
  • ktay
    She is gorgeous! I am so glad that things went well for you. We'll be praying for your family!
    by ktay at 01/28/09 5:07PM
  • amydee
    congrats!!! I'm glad she's doing well & I'll pray for your speedy recovery!
    by amydee at 01/31/09 7:58AM
  • wifelet
    She's beautiful! In some of those pictures, she looks JUST like Lorenzo!!
    by wifelet at 02/01/09 4:58PM
  • fauxbelle
    Wow...what a tiny little thing. Congratulations to you and your husband. She's beautiful.
    by fauxbelle at 02/01/09 9:45PM
  • sheridon
    She's so beautiful! Congrats!
    by sheridon at 02/03/09 8:12AM
  • sunshinelove05
    i love her name! sooo sweet. from one lauren to another, congratulations!
    by sunshinelove05 at 02/05/09 5:00PM
  • alinaomi7
    by alinaomi7 at 03/04/09 11:49AM
  • meg
    Wow, what a blessing! Praise God!
    by meg at 04/24/09 10:13AM
  • crazy_mama
    You are so right. I'm kinda on modified bedrest. I know some have to like NOT move at all but I'm not like that which is a blessing for me.
    by crazy_mama at 06/10/09 10:57AM

New Year!!!

at 01/08/09 4:22PM
Just a quick update!
The Babymoon was amazing. Much needed rest and relaxation.
The family came and visited, the entire downstairs (save the powder room) is painted and it looks GREAT!
We also painted the nursery, the rocking chair, and put the crib together. It's exciting to see all of that starting to go together.
We're trying really hard to get as much done as we can before this baby comes...it's actually really nice to have so much to keep us busy.

We start our Childbirth classes tonight. Hoping those will be helpful. Other than that...less than 2 months to go! The countdown is on!
  • amyrea23
    I saw the pictures of your house on facebook. It looks great!
    by amyrea23 at 01/08/09 5:38PM
  • lw
    It was great to see you and your family! I love the pics of the house! It turned out great and I especially love the green in the nursery....Brad is not one to make comments to often about stuff like that but he said "WOW that looks really good I love that green color!" LOL
    by lw at 01/08/09 7:38PM
  • crazy_mama
    I always liked childbirth classes. Noelani going to big sister class was fun too. Wow you are 32 weeks. Not too much longer!
    by crazy_mama at 01/08/09 10:45PM
  • mamap
    This is such an exciting time! I am so happy for you both!!
    by mamap at 01/09/09 12:15AM
  • mandymara
    Are those classes gonna help you learn how to do that funny breathing? :)
    by mandymara at 01/09/09 9:47AM
  • megan
    Hey Lauren...crazy it's less than 2 months! Time really is flying!
    by megan at 01/13/09 12:29PM
  • staci
    We want to so badly! We are anxious to meet your little one! Well, first for it to be born. When Ryan can finally earn more than 2 weeks vacation, we plan on it! And we can save a little money to do it too.
    by staci at 01/13/09 3:59PM
  • nillabarr
    We need nursery pics and belly pics! :)
    by nillabarr at 01/14/09 9:40AM
  • karate7
    Congrats!!! I hope you are all doing good! We are so excited and happy for you guys!!! I can't wait to see pics!
    by karate7 at 01/26/09 9:34PM
  • lw
    Congrats on sweet baby...I heard the news today from my mom! I hear she is so tiny, but healthy. Praise God!
    by lw at 01/27/09 4:22PM

One Month!

at 12/15/08 5:26PM
Wow, Can't believe we've already been in our new home a month! It sure has flown by!
Things are moving at top speed, as always!
We're starting to get the house put together. Were systematically getting rid of all the furniture we got as hand-me-downs when we first got married and getting things that we actually like and actually GO TOGETHER! YAY!
So we sell a little (Craigslist style) and buy a little, sell a little and buy a little. It's been fun. We've got all our paint picked out, bought and ready to apply. HOW NERVE WRACKING! I'm so afraid it's all going to look HORRIBLE! But, we'll see!

The baby's room is coming along, we have the crib, and the rocking chair and the paint. Little by little it will all come together!

I'm 29 weeks tomorrow! YAY! Almost 3/4 done! 3rd trimester started a few weeks back. I didn't think I would notice a difference so quickly. But it did. The swelling started. I can't wear my wedding bands all the time, and my fingers get tingly really easily. Oh...and apparently, I waddle. Great! Just great!
But we're loving every minute of it! Baby seems to be very healthy and likes to move around a lot! We're getting to the point where you can poke at the baby and the baby will poke back!
Lorenzo loves that.

Anyway! Things are going well! Hope you all are wonderful! And enjoying time with your families this season!

We're going on our Baby Moon next week! Can't wait!
  • mandymara
    I want to see pics silly girl! I'm sure the paint will look great - but it is kinda scary, huh?! Miss you and love you!
    by mandymara at 12/15/08 9:54PM
  • crazy_mama
    Playing with the baby when it is inside is the coolest thing! Glad you are enjoying baby and the house and new paint!!!!
    by crazy_mama at 12/15/08 10:43PM
  • crazy_mama
    I would love to see that picture. I'm sure he's adorable! Your baby is a lucky baby with grandma as his/her teacher. How special!
    by crazy_mama at 12/17/08 9:51AM
  • nillabarr
    Congrats on your new home! You'll have to post pics!!
    by nillabarr at 12/19/08 3:32PM
  • mamap
    It was fun to catch up on your blog. I'm glad you posted the pics of the progress of the house. For some reason, it has always fascinated me to watch such a project in progress... So happy for you both...two BIG and wonderful changes in your lives in such a short time...you're truly blessed!
    by mamap at 12/29/08 9:11AM
  • jessicad
    Happy 2009!
    by jessicad at 01/01/09 2:04PM
  • elizabethb
    Hi Lauren! This is Erika. have you gotten settled into your new home?
    by elizabethb at 01/05/09 7:27PM

11/26/08 5:29PM

Home again, home again, jiggity jig!

This time tomorrow, I'll be eating my Thanksgiving dinner!
Woohoo! Let's hope the baby moves over and makes some room....otherwise...this could get nasty. ;-)

Time with the family will be WONDERFUL!
So many things to be Thankful for! So many things to look forward to!

Life is GOOD!
  • mandymara
    Hope you had a good Tgiving! We just got back last night and I was SO TIRED. Ben is in Peoria with his lil bro and sis for a few days - I can't wait till he gets home! Even though we had the whole Tgiving holiday together, it didn't really feel like we were able to talk a lot because there was so much going on! That's what happens with big families I suppose. :)
    by mandymara at 11/30/08 8:04PM
  • sunnylee
    HA! No...but..we'll see. He's from 3 and me from 4 so we'll see. I like the idea of 2..but we'll see!
    by sunnylee at 12/03/08 5:38PM
  • subway
    Hey! I heard that you were gonna be a mommy! I know you'll be great. Sounds like you and Lorenzo have been quite busy, but quite blessed as well. I hope that everything keeps going well for you two, well you three actually! Take care.
    by subway at 12/06/08 1:18AM

IT'S DONE!

at 11/18/08 12:28PM
We've officially moved! Everything is out of the old place and into the new! I am SO BUSHED!
The new house is amazing. It feels like we're staying in some fancy hotel.
We've met one of our new neighbors. He seems to be a really nice guy. And from the sound of it, a fellow woodworker for Lorenzo to have close-by. :-) He's always excited for that.

Now...we begin unpacking. It'll be a slow process, but I'm LOVING it so far! Pictures to come soon!
  • desi
    yay! Congrats!
    by desi at 11/18/08 1:47PM
  • ashlee
    so glad your in. I was hoping everything would go smooooothly.=]
    by ashlee at 11/18/08 3:21PM
  • sunnylee
    YEA!!!! Congrats!!
    by sunnylee at 11/19/08 9:03AM
  • mandymara
    I can't wait for pics!
    by mandymara at 11/19/08 4:49PM
  • sunnylee
    Yeah I made a "Important Phone Numbers List" yesterday...good idea on the parent gifts..I know I need to get them something..what to pick is the hard part!
    by sunnylee at 11/20/08 6:07PM
  • smittymonkey
    YAY! Can't wait to see pics... Congratulations!!
    by smittymonkey at 11/20/08 9:39PM