Just for Uncle Justin

We went back to the hospital yesterday for one of Andy's follow up visits. It felt very weird to be walking those halls again-especially carrying him with us. It reminded me of a particularly wonderful conversation I had with Ali while we were still living there.
I had been explaining to Ali that babies cry because they haven't learned their words yet and that is the only way they have to let their Mom or Dad know that they need something. She pondered on this for a moment or two and then said, "I hope Andy doesn't speak Spanish."
"What??" I asked.
"If he speaks Spanish then he'll have to go home with a Spanish family and I want him to come home with us." She matter-of-factly explained.
"Well,don't worry. He IS coming home with us and he'll speak the same language that we do."
"How do you know?"
"Because we'll teach him."
"That's a great idea, Mom!"

Blessing Day

We decided it would be prudent to bless Andrew before he went in for his surgery- just in case. Normally only three people are allowed at the bedside in the NICU at one time. However, the chaplain was great and helped us make arrangements so that all of the visiting adults could come in and witness the blessing.

Andrew was given a name (Andrew John Love) and blessing on Thursday July 31, 2008 by his father. Both of our fathers joined in the circle (well, triangle actually). It was so wonderful! John did an excellent job. Even amongst all the beeps and alarms that are in the NICU, the Spirit was so strong.

Because of the surgery, the doctors had to put an IV line in through Andy's umbilical cord. That meant two things for us- we would not be able to really dress him in the little blessing outfit Bonnie made and we would not be able to hold him or move him. Bonnie was able to do some last minute stitch removal and made his outfit one that we could just lay over him and tuck around him at the sides. It was perfect.

Just before the blessing we had a professional photographer come and take pictures of Andy and our family. She is part of an organization called Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. You can check out their website and find out more about them but basically, they go into hospitals and take portraits of critically ill babies so that families have beautiful memories in case they pass away. Here are some of the pictures she took. (She did try to edit out some of the wires but the results made Andy look a little alien-ish. You'll see what I mean.)

Private

As I was posting that last update, I realized that I was showing pictures of my precious baby as well as showing where she goes to school. Could I make it any easier for a creep-o to snatch her? Well, probably- but the point is, I think it's time to take a more active roll in who's looking at our blog. So, on November 1st I'm going to change the blog to be private. That means you won't be able to see it without an invitation. If you would like to still have access to admire my children (and who wouldn't ?? ha, ha!), let me know and make sure I have your e-mail address. Thanks!

Kindergarten- Here We Come!

After months and months of anticipation, Ali's first day of kindergarten finally came. John was able to work from home that day so he could also join in the fun.
Proof that my baby is too small to be going to school. But doesn't she look cute! We got there a little early so I had her give me her best kindergartner pose. I was a little disappointed when I realized we weren't able to walk her to the classroom. She's in pm kindergarten and I guess they didn't really want all of the parents wandering the school. They had the kids wait in the office. Ali was mostly excited but a little nervousness crept in. As I was watching her sit with the other kids and wait, I could see her expressions changing. If they had waited another few minutes, I think there may have been some tears. But, she was brave and shed no tears. I'm happy to report that I was brave too. Here they go- off to class. After school we went out for our traditional ice cream cone so she could tell us all about school.

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!