Canaan Cruz Garcia Smiley... a birth

On Wednesday May 30th 2012 at 10:58am after 8 hours of all natural labor and one big push this wonderful boy was born into our family. He weighed 6lb 6oz and was 20 inches long.

Canaan is the land of milk and honey or Israel

 Cruz is Spanish for Cross

He also has my maiden name in his middle name, Garcia

He had a rough start. There was meconium present that he aspirated. They suctioned about 4 teaspoons from his nose and mouth. Additionally, the umbilical cord was around his neck 3 times- loosely. I barely got to hold him before they did all the suctioning and his oxygen levels were in the mid 80's when they should have been in the high 90's. He was taken to the nursery to be on oxygen. 

He returned from the nursery an hour later. I had him in my arms for a whole hour. He then was still not oxygenating well so he went back to the nursery. 

My baby boy on oxygen in the regular newborn nursery. We have friends who spent months and months in the NICU with their daughter... I cannot imagine.

 After 6 hours in the nursery he had to go to the NICU and was there for about 32 hours. He had 3 leads on his chest to monitor his heart and oxygen. I went to nurse him every 3-4 hours around the clock. He is still working on the nursing thing so we are taking extra measures to help him along with feeding. He finally made it off oxygen and passed his car seat test. He was allowed to come to my room. Finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Daddy so happy and proud of his boy.

 Mommy and her sweet boy.

 Dressed to go home!

 The brothers. Rigel loves this little guy and wants to hold him all the time. He actually sits still to hold Canaan... so precious. My boys.

Ohana wants to smother him. She sings to him and talks to him. She will soon be a great helper to mommy with her little brother. 

We are blessed beyond words. Such a miracle. Yes we are tired but I can't imagine our family without him already. He completes our little unit perfectly. 

My heart is SO full!!!!!!!!!!!!