CARSON, Calif. – A.J. and Megan DeLaGarza could not believe the timing of the birth of their little girl Noelle on Thursday.
8:28 a.m. PT.
Those three numbers hold a special significance for the DeLaGarzas. A year earlier their first son Luca was born on August 28, 2014 and passed away a week later due to complications from Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.
When the nurse informed DeLaGarza of his daughter’s official birth time, he was shocked in the best way possible.
“I didn’t even make that up. I wish I could make that up,” DeLaGarza said. “The first time it was 8:28 and I was like, what? It’s a crazy story. The first time I was scheduled for 7:30, then 8:28 on the dot.”
Since announcing Noelle’s birth earlier this year, Luca has been ever-present in the minds of the DeLaGarzas. From asking Luca to watch over his new sibling when they announced their new baby back in April to their choice for Noelle’s middle name: Cora which is short for corazón or heart.
For A.J., Noelle’s birth time was simply another instance in which Luca was looking out for his little sister.
“All the time he’s always watched out for her,” DeLaGarza said. “With her birth time, I think he was there.”
Noelle was born on Thursday a healthy seven pounds and 10 ounces at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Torrance.
The experience was worlds different than what had occurred a year before. This time around, there were no immediate surgeries or heart tubes.
A.J. and Megan were able to hold their child, play with her and enjoy her first moments of life. While the life of a parent is never perfect, DeLaGarza is overjoyed to partake in the little day-to-day responsibilities that come with being a father.
“Everything’s good. You’re excited, but at the same time you’re never I guess out of the dark until the baby comes out and they test her,” DeLaGarza said. “All five toes, she can play soccer.
“Obviously I couldn’t hold Luca, I couldn’t change diapers. I’m doing all that on the first day and it’s disgusting,” he added with a laugh. “But it’s fun. She’s crying when I pick her up, then she stops crying and that makes me feel better. It’s a special bond.”
Out of the woods with any complications over the birth, the DeLaGarzas have turned their focus to when Noelle Cora will join the family at their Manhattan Beach home.
Healthy and happy, the newborn will be taken home on Monday once her dad returns from this weekend’s match against Sporting Kansas City. To prepare for her arrival, the DeLaGarzas have even begun preparing their Labrador Terrier Diesel to the new arrival by bringing Noelle’s baby cap for the dog to sniff to get used to the infant’s scent.
After all the pain suffered due to the loss of Luca and the anticipation over the birth of Noelle over the past year, the DeLaGarzas can finally share a smile.
“We’re all happy,” DeLaGarza said. “Everything is really looking up from here.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at www.LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
