Balderas Update 10/27/09

We miss you all so much and wish you were here to watch our family grow. We can't wait to see you this summer for the reunion. A little update on everyone... Jimmy is doing well. He is still at the same company and has been blessed with a job through several layoffs. We are on constant alert that he might be without a job as the economy is So Cal (and everywhere) is not good in the construction sector. He and I are leading a financial Bible study by Crown Financial Ministries that we took last and year and completely changed our lives. It is awesome to be able to teach others about something that helped you so much. I would recommend anyone to take it if it is offered at a church in your area. I am going back to work November 11, but I only work 2 days that month so it is a nice, easy transition back to work. I love being home with the kids and the 2 days at work will be a little break. Tucker is on the waiting list for a wonderful Christian preschool up the street from our house. He should be in any day now and can't wait. We are doing a great devotional from Ruth Graham called "Steps Into the Bible" and he is really soaking it in. He has memorized his first Bible verse, Gensis 1:1, "In the begining, God created the Heaven and the earth." He walks around saying it to himself, it is so amazing that he can remember something so important. He is so in love with Ava it is beautiful. He has not had any jealousy so far and if anything, wants to touch her too much. He is a good big brother and helper for me. Ava had her 2 month check up today and is doing wonderfully. She ways 13 lbs 4 oz and is 23 inches long. She is in the 75th precentile for height and off the chart for weight (just like Tucker was). She is a little chubbers! She is now laughing and smiling (especially at her brother) and likes nursing and sleeping (ha ha). Ava was dedicated to the Lord on September 27th at our church. We are very thankful we have such great kids and a wonderful supporting family. We wish you were with us and look forward to hearing from you!
(Words in italics is new information not included in the prior e-mail.)

Ava Selina Balderas

Tucker holding his little sister for the first time

Look at her feet, they are so cute!










Ava Selina Balderas


















Tucker holding his baby Ava



















We are pleased to announce Tucker's little sister, Ava Selina Balderas. Born on August 25, 2009 at 1:28pm after a short 5.5 hour labor and 5 minutes of pushing. She is 9lbs 6oz and 20.5 inches long. We were blessed with an amazing labor, praise the Lord! He helped Caitlyn through without any drugs or interventions. Ava was actually born 1.5 hours after arriving at the hospital. We are adjusting to life with 2 kids and working on breastfeeding at home. Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts, they mean the world to us. Love and God bless :-)

Jimmy Update

God has truly blessed us. 8 days after Jimmy was laid off the company called him and asked him to come back. Theyhave new contracts and he has a lot of overtime availble. The Lord is so amazing and we are very grateful that He has cared for us. Thanks for your prayers, they worked! Love you all!

We can't wait to meet her

Tucker kissing his sister

I heart Ava

She is kicking

Alost there!

Pregnancy Pics - 37 weeks

New News

Jimmy was laid off on Wednesday, so please keep our family in your prayers. We trust that the Lord will take care of us. For now, he is searching for work and enjoy time with Caitlyn and Tucker. Love you all, and God bless.

First Post - Family Update

Babymoon in Las Vegas (May 2009)

26 weeks pregnant with baby #2

Mommy's sweet boy

Looking at Mommy's belly (27 weeks)

Look at this pose!

Marissa, Tucker, and Jasmyne at Tucker's B-Day

Happy Birthday to you!

Tucker and Grandpa Robert's dog Lou

Happy Birthday wake up call! Your 3 year old!

Tucker and Daddy in Sports class

Tucker and his potty charts (he asked me to take this pic)

Fourth of July at the beach

We wanted to make this blog to keep people update who are not near us. I will try to keep up with it so you can see our kids grow :-) Here is an update about each member of our family...

Jimmy- Jimmy has been working for Rock Electric since January. After working for Berg Electric for three years, Jimmy was laid off 3 days before Christmas. It was upsetting, especially because Jimmy had been told by foreman and supervisors that he wouldn't be laid off, but HR made a "random" decision and there was nothing his supervisors could do for him (although they tried.) On top of that, we had found out on the Friday prior that we were having another baby. Although bummed, we were not afraid because we knew that the Lord would provide for our little family. After the holiday break Jimmy went to apply at several company's and was hired on the spot by Rock Electric. It was such a blessing in this economy, and Jimmy actually had a 30% pay increase! The Lord is amazing! He is now working 3 exits from the house. Even more importantly, Jimmy is deeply involved in our church, The Movement. He is the coach of one of the men's softball teams, the second hand man in charge of the ushering team, and we are now starting a Life Group. We are so proud of how he has grown in Jesus this year, it has been amazing. Jimmy is excited, and a little scared about having a baby girl. A friend told him this, "She can be a nun...nun of this, nun of that, nun of nothin'!" He agreed.

Caitlyn-Caitlyn is currently working at the local hospital as a Lactation Consultant 6-8 days a month. It is the perfect job for her because she gets to spend a lot of time with Tucker and thoroughly enjoys the work. Helping moms and babies breastfeed is her true passion (outside of her spiritual life.) She is working until the end of July and then will be off for a couple moths. Caitlyn spends most of her time with Tucker and is currently 34 weeks pregnant with baby girl. She looks forward to meeting this little being and is excited to have another child with all of the knowledge she has now about childbirth and breastfeeding. Normally, Caitlyn serves in the nursery at church but is currently on leave because there is a little something in the way of the babies :-)

Tucker- Tucker just turned 3 years old yesterday (7/12)! He is such a big boy. He had his 3 year old check up today and we learned he is 36 lbs, 40 inches, and in the 90% for height and weight! The doctor and nurse also said he speaks very well for his age and he amazes us with his vocabulary. He will be starting preschool in January and loves going to Sunday School. He has been potty trained for almost a month now, he pretty much did it himself. Mommy tried to do it and it didn't work, someone is a little stubborn :-) So when Tucker decided he was ready it went very smoothly. He had sticker charts that he filled up and got little toys. He now owns all of the Cars action figure-Hot wheels things and several tubs of play dough thanks to his sticker charts. For his birthday we went to the local water park and had dinner with our family. His best friends are Marissa and Jasmyne, Jimmy's second nieces, also Tommy and Talulah, our cats. He is excited to meet his baby and he took a class on being a big brother this weekend.

Ava Selina Balderas- Yes, this will be our baby girls name. Her due date is August 25th, so we will see when she decides to debut. She has been kicking more than Tucker did and likes to make it hard for Mommy to breathe :-) We are excited to meet her and have her join our little family.

So that's where the Balderas Family is at right now. We miss you all and wish we were able to see you more often. We hope this gives you a little insight into our lives. Love and God Bless.