It's a boy!

Hey Eveyone,

Mario and I are in Tacoma, Washington to meet our son for the first time. We drove the 13-hour drive through Idaho, Oregon and Washington over two days and arrived safely at the Ashley House (a home for medically fragile children).

It would be impossible to describe our feelings when we saw him (in person) for the first time. He's just adorable. He was shy at first and we didn't want to push ourselves on him. I remembered that Karen (his guardian-ad-litem) said he loves pulling on name badges that have strings attached. Mario had his on and so he pulled it out and when it snapped back Iraia laughed heartily and we were fast friends.

He is happy and outgoing and very social-always into everyone's business. The house he lives in is a hive of activity and he wants to be involved. Hopefully our quiet house isn't too boring for him.

We were able to bathe him and give him all his nighttime medicines as well as connect him to his feeding tube for the night. He wears the tube all night long and then for two hours in the afternoon during his nap. It's not as complicated as it may sound and the nurse was very patient with us.

Iraia was born with the heart defect, hypoplastic left heart syndrome. He has had two major surgeries and will have another one in the near future. He is a champ and has survived when his Dr's and social workers expected him not too. Now that we are in his life he will have the power of the priesthood and fasting and prayer to help him as well.

We have had intense moments of fear and anxiety and joy and laughter. The knowledge that we are finally going to be parents has brought us to our knees to plead for the guidance of our Father in Heaven. Iraia comes with some special challenges but he is definitely worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you to everyone who loves us and has prayed for us over the years. We love you all and will always be grateful for your strong examples and your support.

We can't wait for Iraia to meet his family!!!!!!