Welcome Aria

Arietta

We thank God, our families, and friends for all your support in welcoming our 2nd daughter into the world.

程恩信 Aria Mikayla Cheng, 9 lb 3 oz, 21inches, was born into the world on Monday May 11, 2009 @ 5:21 am through natural birth (we missed the epidural). Both mom and baby are resting and doing well.

Details

Meaning of name

Meaning of her Chinese name (given to her by Julian's dad, Shusing, who passed away on Feb 26, 2009)

程 - Cheng2 - process, way

恩 - En1 - grace

信 - Xing4 - faith, belief

Meaning of her English name

Aria - (Italian) a melody, a solo vocal piece with instrumental accompaniment, as in an opera. air; (Hebrew) Lioness - referring to the Lion of Judah of the Christian faith, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. We hope Aria's life will be a praise to God and a song of thanksgiving

Mikayla - (Hebrew) honoring or resembling God

Cheng - (Chinese) process, way

Welcome Story

We had a great mother's day weekend spending time with Julian's mom on Saturday and Julie's mom and sister on Sunday. Cadence went to sleep really well on Sunday night (something she hasn't done in a long time). Earlier that evening Julie and I had a feeling that baby #2 would be coming some time this week (due date 5/19 - but we heard the second one typically comes early).

3:30 am - Julie woke up with some pain thinking she had to go to the bathroom, but then started timing the cramping thinking they could be contractions. (With the first baby she didn't have any).

4:00 am - Julie still wasn't sure they were contractions, but by this time the pains were about 2 mins apart so she woke me up and we called the doctor who said to come in

4:10 am - In the car on the way to the hospital, she was in a lot of pain... this pregnancy was like a movie racing to the hospital (in contrast to the first baby where the Dr. said go back to sleep and come into the hospital in 4 hours)

4:30 - 4:40 am - got admitted to the hospital and wheeled her into the room and the bed. This time contractions were really hurting. The nurse came and did all she could and went through the motions of pumping Julie with a liter of fluid and asking for the Dr. to get ready for the epidural

5:10 am - Dr. arrived and said "this baby is coming now, we don't have time for the epidural." By now Julie's under a huge amount of pain

5:21 am - After what seemed to be an eternity of pain for Julie of some really hard contractions and pushing, the baby came out - 10 fingers, 10 toes, and alert and ready to meet mom, dad, and you all some day. =)

11:30 am - Grandma Regina, Uncle Victor, Sister Cadence, and Auntie Cindy came to meet the new family member. Jiejie Cadence already expressed her affection and protectiveness for her Meimei. The pediatrician needed to check Aria's eyes and they were taking her to another room. Cadence saw that Aria was being carted away and she started to cry, "Meimei, Meimei" and wouldn't stop until Daddy brought her with. We pray that they will be close friends and of course make beautiful music together :)