Happy Valentine's Day!! Welcoming Kekoa Fernando Riquino!!

Well, to say the least, our Valentine's weekend has been very busy! Friday I went for a routine blood pressure check at my OB's office, and found that my blood pressure was 148/112 and was sent immediately up to the hospital. My in-laws met me to take the kids, and Nathan met me to go inside. About an hour later they told us that I was being admitted for inducing. We were not planning on being induced until 3/11, so were a little shocked. Things started slowly. They started me on Pitocin, and Magnesium sulfate for my blood pressure. By 2 in the morning I was still only dilated a few cm, and was throwing up a bunch. At 2:30 our little guy's heart rate went down to 60 bpm, and they rushed (ran) down to the operating room. They prepped me fast for a C-section. Just as they were about to do the c-section, his heart rate went back up to 150 bpm. Little stinker! So, my doctor decided to wait to see what he would do. Then, because of the drugs I had been given, my blood pressure went down to 74/36. They had to stop the pitocin and give me other medicine to stop my contractions to try to stabilize me. They let me sleep for about 6 hours. I had to say that I was very out of it. I don't remember much of anything happening. In the morning they started my Pitocin back up again very slowly. By 10 am, I was dilated to a 4. By 10:40, I was a 7, and by 11:00 I was a 10. I was telling the nurse I was going to push...I don't think she believed me! Kekoa was born at 11:10 am, just as my doctor walked in the door.

We are very excited that Kekoa is a healthy little boy. He was born on Valentine's Day. He weighed 5 lbs, 12 oz (later 5 lbs 13 oz in the nursery), and was 19.5 inches long. He is a very content little boy. We have only really heart him cry when he was born, and right after. We are excited for you to meet the new member of our family. Kekoa is pronounced (Kay-Ko-Ah). It is Hawaiian. It means brave, strong warrior. We thought it was fitting. We will call him Koa for short.

This was taken right after Koa was born. There was a team of doctors waiting for him. He did very good.

We found out that Koa is a thumb and finger sucker. This was minutes after delivering. His eyes are still puffy.

Our new addition to our family. Sorry you can't see his face clearly.

I am still very puffy at this point. Gabi is a very proud big sister. Kai isn't so sure. He wouldn't even come to me when they came to the hospital. I'm sure he will in time love his little brother just as much as we do!



Gabi already helping mommy out.


Gabi and Kai with daddy in the hospital room.



Gabi and Koa.


This is when she first saw him. She was happily checking him out.


Koa has only cried when he was born and right after his bath. He is a very mellow baby. We are sure that will change soon. :)

This is one of the times he cried. He was good all through his bath, and then when they took him out of the warmer, he got mad. Nathan loves this picture. He looks like an angry old man.

Our content little Koa.

This shows how tiny he is. Nathan's hand is twice as big as him. It will take awhile to get used to how tiny he is.



Look how big the newborn diapers are on him.

The proud Grandma and Papa.

We found out today Koa is in the high risk level for his jaundice, so he was put under lights today. We are very happy about this. Having to come home with two previous kids and bili-lights was not fun. Hopefully the hospital lights will be all he needs, and we can all go home tomorrow!


All stretched out.

This is Koa's first bath. He was very content and didn't cry. Hopefully this will continue for baths at home.