On Tuesday September 8, 2020, first time parents Anghell Sanchez and Robin Ureña entered the delivery operating room at Reading Hospital. An hour later at 4:29pm via emergency C-section they welcomed their precious baby boy born at 25 weeks and four days weighing just under two pounds and measuring 13.5 inches. Dad momentarily left Mom's side to get the first glimpse of his son and quickly learned that in the womb babies are very flexible, which explained why Baby Ureña's legs and feet were by his little ears since he had been delivered breeched, but the nurse reassured Dad that his little boy's legs would be in their normal position very soon.
Early that evening Dad wheeled Mom into the NICU and both stared in awe, taken back by God's mercy to have granted them such a miracle.
Immediately they noticed a full head of hair, the cutest little nose and full lips, ten fingers and the cutest little ten toes. Baby Ureña was absolute perfection and just beautiful. A child born so early usually has many potential complications but Baby Ureña defied the odds and left nurses and doctors astounded. Born with the heart and spirit of a warrior, Baby Boy Ureña showed just what a fighter he was. Mom and Dad knew right away that their son possessed more strength
than both of them combined and appropriately named him Ezekiel Alexander which means 'strengthened by God to be brave'. Daily Mom and Dad prayed, sang, and told Ezekiel just how much he was loved and how strong he was.
Over the next two weeks after the initial nervousness of first time parents, Dad became an expert at changing tiny diapers but Ezekiel still peed and pooped on him, events that of course were celebrated. During care times Dad was able to bond with his son the most, assisting in taking his temperature, measuring and weighing him, and swabbing his mouth with Mom's breast milk. The reality of being a mom finally sunk in for Mom the first time she was able to carry her child, she smiled and beamed with every fiber in her being feeling his strong heartbeat and soft breaths on her chest. Ezekiel quickly surpassed his birth weight and grew almost an inch.
His personality quickly let the nurses know he much preferred the attention of his parents but even then the nurses at Ezekiel's care always commented on how cute, strong and what a fighter Ezekiel was. Mom and Dad continued to see their son's mighty strength whenever he'd lovingly gripped their fingers or kicked his feet and waved his arms. Daily they grew more and more in love with their child.
Two weeks later Ezekiel was airlifted to St. Christopher's Children's Hospital in Philadelphia. Mom and Dad learned just how quickly and devastating NEC (an intestinal disease) can be in premature babies. On September 26, 2020 at 12:02pm Ezekiel Alexander passed away peacefully in the loving arms of his parents as they continued to tell him how much
he was loved and showered him with kisses. Ezekiel Alexander Ureña in 18 days revolutionized forever the life of his parents. In 18 days he touched the lives of many across the country and parts of the world who all anticipated meeting and spoiling him with love.
Ezekiel Alexander will be deeply missed and forever loved by his maternal family in Monterey County, California: first time abuelita Guadalupe, along with aunties Vannessa and Sugey Gonzalez, great aunt and uncle Rene and Rosa Gonzalez, and first cousin Trisha Zarinana, whom with much excitement daily showered Ezekiel through the miles with so much love and prayers, anticipating the day they could meet their beloved grandson, nephew and cousin; first time Abuelito, Rene Sanchez along with Jacqueline Navarro threw a celebration the night they found out Ezekiel would be born and with great excitement longed to meet their grandson; his paternal family in Pennsylvania and New York: grandparents Carolina Baez and Carlos J. Urena Sr., .along with uncle Willy W. Lopez. Uncle Carlos J Ureña Jr, auntie Joanna and first
cousins Simon and Serenity who showered Ezekiel with love, gifts and prayers and equally with excitement awaited the arrival of Ezekiel.
Ezekiel Alexander will forever be Papi's little 'big guy' and Mommy's amor chiquito loved and cherished more than all the vocabulary in all the languages could ever express. While they grieve and mourn in pain, they grieve and mourn with hope knowing that one day they will be reunited with their sweet boy, and are comforted in knowing Ezekiel is now in perfect health and in the best care with our Lord Jesus Christ.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at 2 pm at Transform Church, 621 Centre Ave, Reading PA with Pastor Craig Nanna officiating.
The Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc, is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.Condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.