MEET KEY...

Name: Key Hava Tibayan
DOB: 5/16/08
Time: 5: 39pm
Weight: 8lb. 9oz.
Height: 20in

There's been a lot that has happened but haven't had the time, or energy to blog. Here's a short recap...

My mom arrived here the 14th, God was kind enough to let her be here before I went into labor. She left this morning back to Cali, she was a huge blessing and it was great having her here to help with Elijah and Key, and we even had the opportunity to show her around a bit.

Key's first day out was at the Holocaust Museum on Saturday (24th) and she was at her first church service this past Sunday (25th).

Elijah seems GIGANTIC to us now! Even his diapers are huge :)

Sleep comes in increments of 2-3 hours at night.

I am on antibiotics for a UTI, so please pray that the med's don't hurt Key too bad.

Her second doctor's appointment is tomorrow at 10 am.

Mark Dever pronounced Key's middle name incorrectly to the church.

Two car seats in our car, a slim person can ride back there with the kids :)

She looks nothing like me.

Elijah likes his new sister.

Key is out of the womb!

Note: Frances and Key are still at the hospital and I'm at home to take a shower and pick up Elijah and Mama to go see Frances and Key.

Key Hava Tibayan was born on May 16, 2008 at 5:39pm. She weighed in at 8 pounds and 8.9 ounces (whereas Elijah was easily more than a pound lighter at 7 pounds 6 ounces). She's 20 inches and was born at Washington Hospital Center in Washington D.C.

We'll post pictures when I come home with Frances and Key.

Answered prayers for which I praise God:

1. He allowed the baby to be born earlier than the due date (5/14), which is a great mercy to Frances.
2. God also allowed Frances to give birth after Mama (Frances' mom) came from California (she arrived on 5/14).
3. God said no to my request for a boy because I was scared of raising and caring for a daughter. I'm still scared, more than raising a boy, but I'm trusting God's promises of grace will help me to be faithful as a father of a girl.
   
4. Key is healthy as best we can tell, but she hasn't had her hearing test yet.
5. The labor was successful and Frances was able to deliver quickly.
6. We were able to get a private post-partum room which meant I was able to sleep over at the hospital with Frances.
   

She's coming...

Frances is having contractions! When I got home from the elders' meeting they were about 15-20 minutes apart. Now they are about 10 minutes apart. I think we'll be heading to the hospital some time in the middle of the night.

This is Elijah's last night as the only child outside the womb. I wanted to hug and kiss him one last time at this stage before our family grows, but Frances said no. If you think I'm abdicating my role as a husband who is the head of the home, I want to see you try to defy your wife when she's having contractions.

Praise God the baby's coming! He's so good and children are a gift from the Lord! Please pray for us and we'll keep you posted.

"Take me out to the ball game..."

Last night we headed to the new Nationals' ball park. The Lawrence's were kind to get the interns and their families tickets. It was Elijah's first time at a baseball game, he was fascinated with the new sights, and he did well considering we left at the bottom of the 8th inning, and despite the Nationals upsetting lost to the Florida Marlins (11-0).



The Lawrence's (minus 1, Sarah) watching intently.


The team losing reminded me how PJ and I need to teach Elijah how to lose to the glory of God and the proper place of competition and fan enthusiasm (especially considering the Lakers' 2 game losing streak in the playoffs).

Happy Birthday!

On my Lovely's special day, Elijah and I took him out to lunch to Taqueria Naciona, famous for their yucca fries (thanks Ben Bratcher). We had yummy beef tacos, fish tacos, chorizo with cheese tacos, and yucca fries.

My picky husband examining the fries...I liked them.

Elijah presenting our gift.

Lovely reading my letter to him.

A great book for our family, by one of our favorite preachers (Voddie Baucham)!

For dinner we headed to scrumptious Cheesecake Factory.

Travis (known as T-Dawg) and his wife Rebbecca thoughtfully surprised PJ with 2 books, he was very excited. He had already received other books throughout the day, but the way to my husbands heart...are books.

While we were singing happy birthday to PJ, Elijah was trying to blow out the candle, PJ was trying to stop him but laughing at his efforts.

Since he badly wanted to blow the candle out, we relight the candle just for him, and watched him make cute, funny faces while attempting---the interns loved it.

It was a blessed night celebrating another year in my husbands life. God has been kind to me in giving me a precious gift like him. He is a blessing and encourages me to love God more. What more can I ask for?

The interns were so gracious in paying for our dinner, we really didn't want them to, but Ross made it clear we needed to accept cheerfully, hahaha, how can you argue with that! PJ, Elijah, and I will miss them dearly, I already get sad thinking of us leaving and saying goodbye to the interns and their awesome families. Praise God for new friendships that refresh us and encourage us. We thank God for them.

It had to happen sooner or later...

May 7, 2008 marked a special day for the Tibayans. Two years ago we were blessed with a boy that was delivered with a full set of hair, but this hair was already at the bottom of his neck! So for daddy's birthday (which is officially tomorrow) we did the unthinkable (well not really, we have been planning), we finally cut Rock's hair!!! Our appointment was at 2pm, I was nervous throughout the day because I was scared of the outcome. I had ideas in my head of what I wanted and I think stylist did a good job.

Elijah did so good! He'd look at himself in the mirror and smile. At church tonight he kept telling people that he got a haircut. Church people loved it too. The ladies at the salon said he looked so cute and looked like a little stylish man :) hahaha, we laughed.








Afterwards Elijah and I headed to the park. As I would look at him play I would think "who is that kid?" I like his new do but I have to admit I do miss the locks :( He still looks cute and I know I'll get use to it. Wow two years without a cut...my little boy is growing up!

Homemade...

PJ has been trying to get Elijah a basketball hoop, but for some reason it hasn't happened. He says it's because I didn't want it, not sure if this is true, but I think PJ wanted to purchase it when we were buying other necessities, and I think I didn't see the importance of it. Well, today PJ proved to me that he sees the importance of it, because he made his own basketball hoop! It's ghetto, but Elijah and PJ both were so happy playing and rolling around on the floor. Elijah would try to shoot and PJ would try to slap it out of his hand, and Elijah would laugh hysterically.

see the evolution of the hoop....





Elijah was shooting so well. PJ was very impressed and hopeful for the future. Elijah shot more than 4 consecutive baskets, to daddy's happy gleeful cheers.

With all the talk of "homemade" now we are officially a "homemade" family : )