Sarah grants Zion’s wish

As early as October last year, Sarah Lahbati and Richard Gutierrez announced in a gender-reveal party that they were having another boy set to be delivered sometime in April, on the same month their first son Zion turns five years old.

“It’s Zion’s wish to have a baby brother,” said Sarah in a Funfare interview during a baby shower sponsored by stroller brand Aprica over the weekend. “Wish promptly granted. Zion was so happy that he was the life of the shower party. He can hardly wait to see his brother.”

The Gutierrez clan was all accounted for, headed by grandparents Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama; Ruffa with daughters Lorin and Venice; Elvis and wife Alexa with daughters Arias and Ezra; Tonton with daughters Aneeza and Aneeka; Ramon Christopher with son Diego and daughters Janine, Maxine and Jessica; Rocky’s son David; and Richard’s twin brother Raymond who emceed the program.

Here’s Funfare interview with Sarah:

It’s another boy for you. Do you already have a name for him?

We have a name in mind, but we’re not entirely sure about it yet.

How did you find out about your pregnancy? How did you announce it to the family?

Chard noticed my extreme fatigue and mood swings. That’s when we knew that Zion’s wish to have a sibling came true. We told our family right away. My parents were very surprised at first, but eventually happy to know that Zion will be a brother and will finally have a playmate after four years of waiting.

How different is this pregnancy from the first? How is Chard helping you with the pregnancy?

Well, the obvious difference is that there are two children to think about. I feel more knowledgeable in terms of pregnancy lessons because of my experience with Zion, which is a great thing for me. Chard tries hard to spend time with Zion and I when he is not taping for La Luna Sangre. He always reminds me to talk to the baby and make him listen to baby music. He’s very supportive.

Zion is turning only five years old this April. How would you deal with jealousy, if there would be any? 

I’m thankful that he is very understanding. I taught him early on to always share, help other people and socialize with other kids. He’s very much loved at home, and I always include his baby brother in our conversations or plans so that he feels that this is real and he has something to look forward to. I don’t have to worry too much about him getting jealous.

Are you giving birth by Caesarian section or natural birth?

I’m hopefully giving birth normal again. I try to avoid getting a C-section.

Are you nursing the new baby the same way you did with Zion?

I plan to breastfeed as long as I can like with Zion.

What kind of parents are you (spare-the-rod-and-spoil-the-child type or disciplinarian)?

I’m very much the disciplinarian, but that doesn’t mean I don’t let him have fun and let him explore. It’s a balance I am still trying to master. Haha!

How many more children do you want to have?

As of now, I am not thinking about more kids in the future because my pregnancy isn’t easy, it never really is. When I had Zion, I was pretty much set on not having more kids but changed my mind later on. So we never know.

So when are you getting married?

Maybe when we’ve settled from having a newborn. I don’t know yet. We’ll see!

Lolo Eddie’s speech during the baby shower said it all: “The big family of the Gutierrez is getting bigger and bigger!”

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)