DeJuan Gabriel Mendez

On April 24 at 9:02am our son and second child was born. DeJuan Gabriel Mendez has come into our lives at a both very rough and special time in our lives. He is very healthy boy weighing in at 8 lbs 11 oz. He is 19 3/4 in long and has a head that is 14 in wide. He has quite an appetite and loves to sleep all day and stay up all night. We are so very thankful to have him here. But we miss our daughter very much. It is good to have a baby in the house again. And now I would love intoroduce to everyone, our son, DeJuan Gabriel Mendez.

An update on DeJuan Gabriel

On a day such as today I am trying to remain positive. Its hard and I miss my baby girl so much. But I have to remember our son DeJuan. As most of you know our second child is due any day now. DJ, as we like to refer to him, is technically due on Saturday, April 21.

We owe you an update on our son. Again DJ is due on Saturday. Everything appears to be "normal" with him, no signs of any issues or problems. We are very thankful for that, but it also shines a light about how different and miraculous our pregnancy with Z was. We have been getting things ready for him. Buying the neccessary items that our son needs, getting his little area in our bedroom ready, getting ready to have a little baby on our home again.

We really cant wait till he gets here. We are just so excited. We were hoping that he was going to come on Easter weekend. Of course that did not happen. We were expecting this last weekend for his arrival. Again a no show. Now we are prepping for Saturday. If he does not come by then, then he will be here by Tuesday for sure. Chris has a scheduled c-section for 8:30am that morning.

So as we wait for his arrival and are deeply excited for it, we also cant help but be sad because his big sister will not be here physically. We do know that she will be here in spirit, as she has thoughout this this whole pregnancy watching over her little brother. Thanks for watching over little brother Zayana Grace. We know you will be an amazing big sister. And as for you DeJuan Gabriel, we cant wait to finally meet you. Daddy cant wait to hold you and give you kisses and tell you all about your big sister. I love you Z and DJ! I love my children!!

Missing you baby girl

My dearest Munchers,

The marker I have been dreading has finally come. We have come to the one year reminder that you are not here with your mommy and I. I really did not know what to expect. I knew I was going to be sad. I knew I was going to cry. I knew I was going to hold your mommy extra close tonight. I knew I was going to be missing you.

Its hard to believe that a year ago today I had to say goodbye to you. A year ago I held you close and danced the one and only dance I would ever have with you. And I kissed your little forehead for the last time. I miss kissing your little forehead.

I was looking foreward to conquring the world with you. When you died a year ago, that dream shattered along with my heart. Its been hard to continue forward, but daddy has tried his hardest to be like you. To push forward in the face adversity, just like my little Munchers.

Daddy miss you so much. Daddy wish you were still here. Daddy will always love you. Daddy hurts.

I love you Zayana Grace Mendez. I miss you!

Always and forever,

Your loving daddy

Missing Munchers...

A year ago today, we were coming to grips with the fact that our worst fear was becoming a reality- our little miracle baby would soon be ushered into the arms of Jesus. We spent the day surrounded by friends and family who came to say their good-byes and were once again in awe of the impact our amazing daughter had on all who knew her. Ernesto and I finally got to hold her close to our chests and... Ernesto had a father-daughter dance with his little Munchers. I sang our special songs to our Warrior Princess one last time. A little after midnight on the 19th, our precious little girl's mighty heart took it's last beat. You forever changed us, baby girl, and not a second goes by that you are not on our minds and in our hearts. We love you and miss you, Zayana Grace Mendez.

A Very Special Birthday Wish

I want to send a very special birthday wish to little Colin Stuart.  Colin is the son of our friends the Stuart family and he would have been one year old today.  We know just how bittersweet today will be for the Stuart family and we hope that all of you will send a prayer there way.  They have been very instrumental in helping us get through our grief and personally has helped me to understand grief from a males perspective.  If it wasn't for Steven (Colin's daddy) I don't know where I would be.  Thank you for all you have done Steven, you are a great friend!  I hope and pray your day becomes what you hope for it to be.  Know that we are here for you if you need anything. 
So again, if you can please send a prayer or well wish to the Stuart family today and make sure to wish little Colin a very happy birthday.  Happy birthday Colin!  I know that you and my precious little Zayana Grace are the best of friends in Heaven!

From your friends on the west coast,
Ernesto, Christina, Zayana Grace, & DeJuan Gabriel Mendez


If you would like please check out Steven blog.  It can be found under our "Blog List" on the right.

More Zayana Videos

Good morning my little Munchers,

Its another day in a new year and I still miss you lots.  I know that this feeling will never go away and I actually hope I never will.  I know that as time passes the pain will be easier to deal with, it more of incorporating it into my normal everyday life.  Mommy is here to and I can tell she is thinking of you.  She always has this look on her face when shes thinking of her precious little Z. She also says hi.  I just wanted you to know that I am posting more of your videos for all the world to see.  I want everyone to know you and just how special you really are.  Take care mija.  Daddy loves you and miss you everyday!

Always and Forever,
Your loving Daddy

These videos and others can be found on our YouTube page "Mendez Family TV".  You can also click on link on the right under the label "Links". 

January 1, 2011

Dearest Munchers,
Today a year ago a miracle happened.  Today a year ago after 9 days of wondering if you would live to see another day we were able to take you home.  I remember it so clear. Today a year ago we had so much hope and joy.  We just knew that you were going to beat all the odds.  We knew what you were capable of.  Today a year ago was the beginning of the best 4 months of my life.  It was you, me, and your mommy together making the best of everything.  I'm sorry that we were stressed and tired and didn't know exactly what to do.  But as always you taught us what to do and we became true parents that night.  That was the first time we were on our own with you.  At time I wonder how we made it and then I think of how far you came in those 9 days.  You taught us how.  Thank you mija for all of your wonderful gifts.  Thank you for being my daughter.  I love you and miss you lots Zayana Grace! Happy New Year mija!

Always and Forever,
Your Loving Daddy

Below are slideshows for the 27th to the 31st.  You can also click on the link to the right that will take you to all of the photo albums on Picasa. 

 

The New Year

Here we are into 2012 and it still does not feel different. I am hoping that 2012 will be a better year. I already know it is. Chris and I are having a quite night at home thinking about the last year and our future in the next. Its been a somber night, quite a bit of sadness, and a lot of soul searching. We miss our precious Zayana Grace and look forward to our son DeJuan Gabriel. Holding each other, crying, feeling on momma's belly feeling DJ move. It was a good New Years Eve.

We hope everyone is having a good New Years Eve. We are thinking of everyone tonight, especially the ones who have also lost thier little ones. We hope that your 2012 is a better year than 2011. We love you all.

Mommy and daddy miss you so much baby girl. We hope that you can help mommy, daddy, and lil brother DJ have a good 2012. We love you Munchers!