Ali's a big sister!

This announcement is a little overdue but I finally have a few minutes to write about our newest addition. Andrew John Love was born on July 28th. The delivery was scheduled and induced so we were able to have lots of family there (at the hospital, not in the room). He weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces and was 18 inches long. He came out crying which was the most magical sound I've ever heard. He does have some health issues. For more details, you can visit our caringbridge website that is dedicated to the medical side of his life. The address is:
http://caringbridge.org/visit/andrewlove
Ali loves being a big sister. She struggles with all of the time Mom spends at the hospital but she loves helping take care of her brother. Ali is excited to share her old baby toys and room with him. She's even made plans for them to have bunk beds when Andrew is bigger. Hopefully he'll be home within a few days. Enjoy these pictures: In the resuscitation room. Ali and Andy exchanged gifts. Andy gave Ali a cheeky monkey webkinz. She loved it and named it Sandy. Here is the card he gave her. Ali gave him a stuffed elephant named Ellie. He's gotten quite attached to it. Often having Ellie touch his head or lay on his chest will help him calm down when we can't be there. Me holding Andy for the first time in the NICU. Though not the first time holding him ever (I got to hold him for a few minutes in the recovery room while he received a blessing) it was the first time I could really get a good look at him. Emmanuel Children's Hospital has lots of fun things to keep Ali entertained. Here she's playing in the children's garden, painting in the playroom, and riding bikes in the yard. Ali spends hours at the hospital each day. She has been such a trooper! She spends most of the time doing this: After school started, we began waking up early so we could visit him before school. So... All of us in the PICU after the surgery. A glimpse of Buddy's "Bling". (His chest cavity was still open at this point that's why there is a washcloth covering it. This is a G-rated site.) About ten days after his surgery, we were FINALLY able to hold him again. After Andrew stabilized, we were back in the NICU. Here he is wearing clothes for the first time. Andrew turned one month old in the NICU. Here he is with his growing bear. Peek-a-boo! Bath time! When Andy progressed to Level 2, they put him in this bed. The only way we can describe it is to say it's a refrigerator drawer on top of a microwave cart. Andrew's fauxhawk. And now for my most favorite pictures. These are of Ali holding Andrew for the first time. Before the surgery she was frightened when he cried. After the surgery he didn't have a voice because of the breathing tubes so she wasn't as intimidated by the crying.

I just love the proud and excited look on her face. She had been waiting for this moment for such a long time! I have to admit there were times when I thought she wouldn't ever have a chance to hold her brother. I've never been so thankful to be wrong!