New nephew

Here's our newest addition to the family, Payne Daniel, my brother's first born son. I was able to be there for the birth (via c-section) and it was a wonderful experience. This was the first time that I was the one in the waiting room rather than the one giving birth. I think being in the waiting room is more nerve wracking!


But, we are so thankful for little Payne. Our family has so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. We've had five new cousins born this year. Yes, it has been a very blessed year indeed!

Charles Update

Thank you all for your prayers! Charles is doing much better and is out of immediate danger. He still has a long road of recovery ahead of him, but he has definitely improved. His parents were even able to go and get some sleep, which to me is a real sign that he is much, much better.

I've introduced you all to Charles but you have not yet met the other two babies. I don't want to forget them!

Here's beautiful Gretchen. She's having a little trouble maintaining her body temperature, but otherwise she is doing wonderfully.


Here's little Michael. He is the one who had the pinched umbilical cord and was the reason why the babies had to be born last Thursday. He weighed about a pound less than the other two. You can see the folds of skin kind of hanging on his raised arm because there isn't any fat on him. Other than a little jaundice (that's why he under the blue bili lights) he's doing wonderfully, too. He wiggles, stretches and cries the most of the three.


And, here's one more picture of Charles. We haven't been able to experience much of his little personality because he has to be sedated. He's on a ventilator and you can see the tube that had to be inserted into his left lung to drain fluid and aid in his breathing.


So, there they are. Three little miracles. I have to say that it was quite an experience to be able to meet them this past weekend. They are so tiny and fragile, yet so alive and full of fight. They are such a gift, as all babies are. But, there is something about seeing these three tiny beings in the NICU that has just left me in awe. Somehow the boundaries between heaven and earth don't seem quite so solid in the presence of these fragile little souls.

Please pray!

This is baby Charles (a.k.a. Trio). He has suffered the most complications since the triplets were born on Thursday, one of them being a collapsed lung. He took a turn for the worse last night and is fighting for his life. Please, please pray for baby Charles. Pray for his healing and for strength and courage for his mother and father.

Blessed Mother, St. Jude, St. Anne, all you Holy Innocents, please pray for him!

Baby blue

He's growing way too fast!

Somehow he's already 13 months old. I don't know when that happened because we just celebrated his first birthday didn't we?
And, he took his first steps this weekend, and I didn't see it! But, Daddy did, and I'm glad that he got to experience that special first. Now I'm watching him like a hawk so I can catch his second steps.

And, Eric's convinced that Gustin is talking. Eric takes him outside all the time and they look at the birds. Gustin now says "Buh, buh," and points at the birds when he sees them. He's says "Buh, buh," a lot, though, so I don't know if it counts. When we were in Eric's hometown last, his mother was convinced that Gustin could say "puppy" and a brother-in-law claims that he said "squash". I don't know. I don't think any of these words will be going in Gustin's baby book.

Baby Pink

My kids' first cousin should be making her debut any time now. I'm so excited because baby Carley's arrival will make me an aunt! Aunt Colleen. I like it.

Babies Pink and Blue

We found out that the triplets that Eric's brother and sister-in-law are expecting are two boys and a girl. Isn't that wonderful? A mix! I guess we should now call them Una, Duo and Trio.

Happy Monday!