Announcing the birth of Ian Gabriel Costanzo!
(New pictures as of 9:00pm)
Please join us in welcoming Ian Gabriel Costanzo into the world! Ian was born at 5:12am on 8/28/2011, was 8 lbs 11.6 oz, and 21 inches long. Mother and baby are doing just fine—both a little tired, but healthy and happy as can be.
Daddy is so proud of both Mom and baby! She's been doing great in recovery as well; all the nurses have been pleased (and some even slightly suprised) at how well she's been doing and how little pain she's been having. God is good all the time, but at times like this it's especially easy to see!
As for Tyler, he isn't too sure of what to think of the new "BeeBee" (baby). It's too early to tell, but we think we may have seen the first few signs of new-baby-envy in him when he came to visit. Boy, is his life about to change big-time!!!
And last but not least, here's a close-up of our new little guy! He's been eating, pooping, peeing, and sleeping--and sometimes all simultaneously--but all normal and healthy. One of the doctors said he was "perfect," which is exactly what you want to hear. What an answer to prayer! Thank you, God!
The meanings behind the name
His first name in Hebrew means “Gift of God” or “God’s Grace,” and that’s exactly what he is to us! He's a precious and irreplaceable gift of grace from the Lord. His middle name means “Strong Man of God,” and we have been praying for him that he would grow up into a mighty servant of the Lord. And last but not least, his name in Japanese means “comfort.” We’re praying that God's purpose for him here on earth is to bring comfort to the people of Japan or wherever God calls him to minister.
How it all happened
His birth was a real story, too! Last night, like the night before, Jen started having pretty regular (albiet non-painful) contractions, and Mike, in a rare moment of genius, figured it was high time to start getting packed for the hospital. But Hurricane Irene had other plans for our evening; we lost power to the house, and we ended up going to bed by the light of flashlight. But Jen didn't sleep. Her contractions kept coming, so both of us knew that it was coming soon. Her water broke at 4:35am, and after that the contractions started coming one minute apart! Talk about a whirlwind pace!
We left the house in a flurry at around 4:50am, drove through the remnants of the hurricane, and got to the hospital at a little after 5. We left the car right in front of the doors, went up to the third floor, checked in, and it was time! After only three pushes Ian was born at 5:12am—less than 15 minutes from when we arrived at the hospital! The doctor on duty called it a “drive-by,” somebody else called it a “stop and drop,” and yet another nurse said, “He arrived like a hurricane!”
A new parents' prayer
Lord, thank you for the safe delivery of Ian Gabriel. May You watch over him, to guard him and guide him all the days of his life, and may he honor and love and serve you as long as he lives. Thank you, God! Thank you for our son!