Tate James Stevenson

Our precious son decided to make his debut a little earlier than expected. Tate James Stevenson was born August 26th, 2010 at 12:06a.m. via emergency c-section. He was born at 33 weeks gestation...7 weeks early. He weighed in at 3 pounds 10 ounces and was 16.5 inches long, a tiny little guy. He let us know he was going to be okay by screaming a few seconds after birth...it was the most amazing sound I have ever heard!

The background on events leading up to that night...
The week before he was born, we learned at our regular doctor's appointment that Tate had an irregular heartbeat. After a fetal ecko with a cardiologist, we knew that everything was formed correctly with his heart but something else was causing the irregularity. Our doctor and the cardiologist both assumed it had to do with his cord being twisted or having pressure on it somewhere. Our doctor then wanted to see us weekly to watch it and told us at our appointment on Wed. the 25th that we would probably have to take him early to avoid putting too much strain on his heart. I was given a steroid shot to help him mature faster and be ready for an early arrival. Zach was supposed to give me a second dose on Thursday...that didn't happen! We made our peace with that and assumed we would have another 3-4 weeks before he would come...very wrong!

That night, the 25th, I went upstairs to get ready for bed and took my phone with me. A few minutes later I called Zach because I was 99% sure my water broke. He came upstairs flustered and scared and we called our doctor on her cell phone. She said she would meet us at the hospital. I knew it was bad but did not expect Tate to be born a few hours later.

We arrived at the ER at about 10:30 and our doctor got there just before 11:00. She checked me and told us I would be having a c-section that night. That was one of the scariest things I have ever heard. I knew that 7 weeks early was not a good thing. She told me that he had to come and there was nothing we could do, but that she felt confident he would be okay.

Zach made some phone calls to some very surprised and scared parents, signed some forms, and met me in the operating room. By the time he got to me I had already been given my epidural and was in panic mode...so worried about Tate. Less than 5 minutes after Zach got to the room, I was cut open and about 10 minutes later Tate was out of me, screaming, and Zach left with him at my request. I was much calmer after hearing him scream and seeing him for a few seconds...long enough to kiss his cheek (which I have not been able to do since).

As they were getting ready to sew me up, they started taking pictures...kind of strange...then showed me one on the camera screen and explained that my uterus has a problem. Apparently it is heart shaped and that happens to less than 1% of women...it was formed that way before I was born. Due to the shape, the baby runs out of space quicker...hence the early arrival. It is something that generally can't be diagnosed unless someone physically looks at your uterus...like during an emergency c-section. I have been told that I can have more children but will have to have a surgical procedure before another pregnancy and will never be able to carry a child to full-term, but will steroid preparation during pregnancy and the surgery it is safe to try again. That is something that Zach and I will approach prayerfully in a few years. For the time being we just want our little boy home!

Since being in the NICU, Tate has impressed the doctors. That fact that he has breathed on his own since birth is very impressive for a 33 week preemie and especially impressive for a boy. He also was back over his birth weight at 5 days...another impressive move from our little fighter. The doctors were hoping for him to gain 20-25 grams daily, but the last two days he has gained 50 and then 40 grams!! Again...he is a superstar! At this rate he will be home much sooner than the month we were initially told...hopefully in another week or so.

This has been, by far, the hardest thing I have ever had to do. To leave your baby at the hospital and only be able to see him twice a day for less than an hour is heartbreaking. His progress and the love and prayers of so many have helped me so much. I am having to take medicine for high blood pressure right now...due to stress...but that will pass eventually. I am trying to be calm!! Zach has been amazing to me through all of this. He lets me cry every night and his love for Tate warms my heart. We feel so very blessed and are already more than in love with Tate. We can't wait to have him home and feel like real parents!!

Yesterday we were each able to hold Tate for the first time. I can't even put that into words...8 days of waiting was enough! Zach was also able to take a picture of him...the NICU here is very strict, which is for the best. So enjoy our first photo of little Tate...notice the dimple and mohawk, my favorite parts!! The tube in his mouth goes to his stomach and is how he is fed right now. Once he gains a bit more weight he will be able to start bottle/breast feeding. Right now they don't want him to expend that much energy to eat...baby steps for our baby.

We also have a photo of the 3 of us that was taken in the operating room, but I have not scanned it in yet. I will get around to that soon...right now it is on the fridge and is for sure not the best shot of me! Pale, crying, shaking, and generally in shock...not really a good look on anyone!

Thanks to everyone for the prayers and love...keep them coming. We hope to have Tate home in the next week or so. After that there will be many photos of his handsome face!

Lots of Stuff!

Baby stuff in Mexico leaves much to be desired. The prenatal care is fabulous...which I am sure I have mentioned...but the baby stuff, not so good. Anything good that comes from the states literally costs 3 times as much and the brands from here scream not safe to me. Needless to say during our summer break in Texas we were determined to get as much as we could and get it on the plane with us. Not exactly easy!

I had a great baby shower in College Station and we did some shopping too. So I really had to bust out my master packing skills to get it all back here...and we had to pay to check extra bags. Stupid airlines and their stupid fees!!
Here is one of the 2 stuffed bags of baby stuff...not to mention what I put in each of our suitcases. And we still left stuff for parents to bring when they come for little Tate's birth!

Oh...and my mom and grandparent's bought us this car seat and matching stroller, which I am in love with. My dad is the person designated to bring the stroller on the place...but Zach and I carried this thing empty through the airport to take advantage of the free gate check for baby items. We got asked at least 3 times to see our baby...Zach just pointed to my belly and we moved on. People probably thought we were creepers!!Now we are just waiting for this crib to come in and I will get everything put together. Can't wait!! Obviously we have our own not so pink bedding which I will post later. My dad got us this crib...normal cribs in Mexico are hard to come by, so we are very proud of our find! We also got a great video camera from Zach's parents to film our little guy. We are feeling pretty prepared stuff wise. 9 weeks to go!!

New post...coming soon new person!!

I am terrible at this thing...but hopefully I will be better in the next little while since I actually have something to blog about besides my dog. Zachary and I are having a baby!!! We are so excited and I am due on October 14th. Almost 15 weeks already!

I have been feeling pretty good...not much morning sickness, just headaches and a few weird things that I never knew came from pregnancy. Examples...swollen sore gums, which are better now thanks to my doctor, and bad vision. Hormones do some crazy stuff! Also, I don't really crave things too often, but everything I do crave CAN'T be found here!! It is really rough...let's just say I ate good over the 2 week spring break and smuggled 2 boxes of Cheez-its back in my luggage!!

Anyways, we found out Feb. 10th and didn't tell our family until we went back to Texas for spring break on March 27th. It was a long time to keep it a secret but so worth it to tell in person! Everything is normal and moving right along. Obviously we just can't wait to find out the sex! And we already know...and are almost 100% set in...names for either gender. It wasn't hard for us. We agreed quite easily and both respected each others vetos...I guess I just have a super fab husband!!

My sister is about to pop! Anytime in the next week, we will be meeting our niece Emma. Well, I will...Zach has to stay here for stupid school! I am so excited that our babies will only be about 5 months apart...they are gonna be such little buddies!!

I will try to update more often and upload our ultrasound pictures soon. P.S. We are loving the medical care here...so affordable, such great doctors, easy to get appointments (no needing to call months in advance), and we can have the baby at an amazing new hospital in a suite for such a good price I shouldn't even say!! All without insurance! Just wanting to put in a little plug for one of the things that has impressed me here.Just so this isn't a boring post without pictures. (I didn't even take out my camera once in Texas...shame on me!) This is me at 8 weeks...just to show what we were starting with. Haven't taken anymore since then cause I haven't felt that it is noticeable, much more than just a little fat! Seems to be growing more this week...so maybe I will go for a picture. And for the record...after seeing my sister grow, I am almost more worried about how big my butt is gonna get than my belly! Love you Ashley!!

My baby is getting so old!

I found an old memory card in our camera case and got the few pictures off of it that I never had before...most were from my family's fab trip to Europe. Anyways, my little Chico is getting so gray and old. At five years old he has not only a beard...but gray hair on his little back. Here is Chico a few years ago...
This was the beginning of the gray...just a tiny beard at the time. A bearded baby as my roomie Kristen appropriately called him!!

Here are a few examples of Chico now...a very gray old man!!


Not just a beard but eyebrows and more. People at the vet never believe me that he is only 5 years old. The last picture is an example of Chico's undying love and need to be all up on Zach. And as you can tell...I take a lot of pictures of him. Not my fault, I don't have any real babies yet!

Casi Feliz Navidad!

We are counting down our time until we head back to the good old US of A for a little Christmas vacation...just a week from tomorrow until we start our trek back! We are excited to see our family and friends and eat some Chick-fil-a. Surprisingly that is the one food we miss the most...a little fat to admit, but hey!

Christmas decorations here in Mexico started to show up early to mid October. I was shocked! I thought that in the United States people got going a little too early with Christmas stuff. I decided that since they don't celebrate Thanksgiving here there is no set date that is acceptable for putting up lights on your house. But even the huge tree in the mall here was up before Halloween...which they also don't celebrate all that much! I guess all of our other holidays hold us back a little in the states!!

We got a little fake tree and all the fixins for it from Walmart while my dad was here. I am proud to say we have a 100% Walmart tree and it looks soo cute!

We didn't like any of the tree topper and got creative with this little one...I kinda like it!!We are enjoying the holidays here and can't wait to see our families. We are driving half way and staying the night in Monterrey...so Chico will get to be snuck into another hotel again!!

Thanksgiving...Mexico style

Our Thanksgiving wasn't a normal Thanksgiving since it isn't celebrated here in Mexico. My dad and his girlfriend came to visit and we had a nice time. Good food...not turkey...good company, and we went to some fun places. We don't do touristy stuff unless people are visiting and there is a lot to do and see around here.


We went to Lake Chapala which is less than an hour out of town. It is a cute little place up in the mountains and the lake is huge. They also have this lovely little pirate ship in front of the church...random. This is Zach trying to do the Captain Morgan thing in front of the ship...also random!
Me walking down the boardwalk trying to avoid the paparazzi!
The cute little boats on the lake. Tons of them...and tons of guys trying to get you to take a ride too!
Dad and Debra eating our amazing lunch by the lake. First time having molcajetes...delicious!! Kind of like fajita stew with cactus leaves, shrimp, chicken, steak, peppers, cheese...and of course wonderful tortillas. Seriously...I am thinking about making a trip back alone just to eat!
Us outside of the Gran Catedral in the city center of Guadalajara. It is a huge, beautiful church with squares full of people, vendors, and fountains on all sides.
Taking pictures of eachother taking pictures through the eyes of a big snake sculpture downtown.
Outside the Jose Cuervo tequila factory in Tequila, Mexico! There really is a town called Tequila and it is adorable. Tequila originated in the state of Jalisco in the mountains around Tequila where the agaves grow. The Jose Cuervo factory is a beautiful complex and the tour is quite interesting!
Being birds by the Jose Cuervo bird...Cuervo means crow in Spanish!These are agaves...future tequila! The are huge and weigh between 30 and 40 pounds each!

We also went to Tlaquepaque for some shopping and ate and ate and ate! The Jalisco food staples are delicious! If you don't believe me come for a visit...we are great hosts and tour guides!!!

A Long Bit Overdue! Long Post...

So...now that we have been residents of Zapopan, Mexico for almost 4 months...it is beyond time that I post a little something. Life here is pretty great! We really love it. Everyone we have met has been friendly, more than willing to help, and extremely interested in us and what we are doing here. We have gotten pretty used to standing out with our blonde hair and blue eyes. It doesn't even phase me to get stared at when i am at the grocery store and mall anymore!

We love our house here...it is big and bright and we have gotten it pretty well decorated!

Zach is studying a lot and doing fabulous in all of his many classes. He has met some great people and is really enjoying everything here...he would like a little less studying though!

I am about to start my fourth level of spanish classes and feel about 20 times better about the language than I did when we got here. The classes have been really great and I have met some really cool people from lots of different countries! I love having new friends...and many of them don't speak English, so it forces us to communicate in spanish!

With some of my level 2 friends on our trip to Tequila.

We also love our ward here. Our bishop and his family have been very welcoming. Zach is on the high council...kind of crazy...and I am the music director in relief society. My calling is helping with my spanish, but makes me really nervous!

We have done some fun stuff...

A Chivas soccer or futbol game with a couple from our ward! So fun...and we are going again this weekend!!

Zach tried to learn some salsa with some friends at our stake's Dieciseis fiesta...it was funny!

There are some great waterfalls just on the edge of town...seriously less than 30 minutes from our house and that is because of traffic! We live in a cool place!

Zach conquered them...I have noticed in recent photos that this is his new favorite pose!

This past weekend we went to the oldest ruins in Mexico that are about an hour out of town with our bishop and his family. Way beautiful and way cool...for more of these pictures see my facebook!

We love Mexico so far! Life is great!! We are excited to come back to Texas for a few weeks at Christmas and visit. Let me know if you want any cool Mexican candy or regalos!! I need to stay on top of this...updating this much takes too long!! Hasta luego!