Big Sister!

I took Emily with me to the NICU this afternoon after school for his 2:30 feeding. She was so excited and had so much fun touching him and talking to all the nurses. She was so well behaved and just loved visiting with her baby brother. I can't wait to get him home; she is going to be the BEST big sister!!

In a rocking chair just her size - just like mommy's!
She made this turtle at school and wanted to give it to Ethan. We taped it to his big boy crib so he'll see it when he's awake.

Sweet Ethan

Here are a couple of pics from last night after I fed him. He is still in the isolette - that's why the pictures are blurry. He is doing well and now gets to wear clothes!!

WONDERFUL NIGHT!!

Just real quick...... I know I haven't posted any pics yet from yesterday afternoon and today yet but I just HAD to post these now. I went down to see Ethan before I got ready for bed and his nurse asked me if I wanted to hold him. I about lost my balance trying to get the yes out. This was the first time I've gotten to hold him since he was first born and that was only for a minute. I didn't want to put him down but I knew I had to come upstairs and get ready for bed myself and I'll see him again around 4am anyway!! I was telling him good night and that I loved him and he opened his eyes - for the first time - to look up at me. He even had to stretch his little neck to see me since I was at the head of the crib. I have been the happiest I've been in a long time the last few hours. I've got to go to sleep now so I can go back and see him in a couple of hours and so I can be ready for a long day tomorrow of having to go home to my other kids while leaving this angel here (sigh).

Mommy loves you so much sweet baby boy!

Oh, check out the hair!! LOVE it!

My Precious Baby....

...Ethan was born today. It's been a rough 10 weeks but he is here now, safe and sound. He is admitted to the NICU and will be there for at least 7-10 days. As of now he is on CPAP but they have already started to wean his oxygen levels down and he seems to tolerate it ok. He does not like to be bothered so we can't touch him too much. He does however know his mommy's voice - he has calmed down twice when I was at the bedside just talking softly to him. I have been to visit him every chance I could today. I did take Emily with me before she left and the first thing she told me was "Mommy, we can take him home now." The sweetest thing ever!!!! Well, besides her wanting to sing him his "night-night" songs. We sang Jesus Loves Me and blew him kisses before we left. I was crying all over again. What an emotional day. Mark and I went to visit Ethan tonight and then Mark left to go home and see Bella - she's been kind of neglected the last week or so. I'm so tired but so relieved. Ethan is better off now getting his own specialized treatment instead of being pumped full of drugs that I've been taking the last few months. He is just perfect and we love him more than anything - he has made our family complete and we can't wait to bring him home. Thanks for all the prayers, keep them coming. I'll update again in the next day or so with more pics. I just wish I could hold my little guy. Oh, now we have a deadline for the mommy-wagon............

Ethan William Kiel arrived today at 12:57 PM. 5 lbs, 6 oz. He'll spend a few days in the NICU, but seems to be doing well!