Word!

Here's a picture of Jaden giving a shout out to his PEEPS! ;-)

"What About Me" - Moving Pictures (1982)

I don't want to leave out the first "little pumpkin" now that Austin has arrived. We have been sleeping on the floor downstairs for the last week. Jaden and I have our blanket and pillow fort set up on the floor and mommy sleeps on the couch. We are hanging out today while mommy is at the hospital. Just thought you all might like seeing the crazy little Guy.

He's showing his "mean" face. I thought Patrick Star in the background was kinda timely as well.

Hanging out with daddy!

Hello World!!!

What a GREAT day! Look at the progression. Eyes wide open! Crossed, but open!

Boy 2: The Sequel

Here are Austin's new sleeping arrangements! Not under the heat or ultraviolet light. He is doing great! I fed him with a bottle and he has had his eyes open. I "HOPE" that he will be coming home with us on Monday or Tuesday! Fingers are crossed!

HELLO WORLD!!!! I'm Austin. If you think Jaden was trouble....LOOK OUT!

A.T. is closer to A-OK!

Sorry for the delay in getting posts up. It's been quite a whirlwind dealing with all of this lately. Austin is doing GREAT! He is off of the ventilator, as you can see in the picture, and is doing SO well. We are able to hold him (again, as you can see in the picture) and Shannon and I have both changed his diaper. He is getting much closer to coming home. I think Jaden is realizing that our house sucks compared to our friends that have "hosted" him lately, and I think he is considering legally emancipating himself from us so that he can move in with the Kelley's or Murphy's. I can't say that I blame him though. Both houses have lots of toys, kids and come to find out; beer! Hooray beer! Anyway, all is well and we are forging ahead. Thanks again to all of our friends and family. I know I keep gushing all over you, but it is well deserved. The offers that have come through have been incredible. I have friends that can't freaking take care of themselves offering to take care of Jaden. Every day has reinforced how blessed this family is and please know that it will not be forgotten. I always tell people that if you do the right thing, it will come back to you. You might not realize it when it does, or it may take some time, but I believe that it ALWAYS comes back around. I am just fortunate in the fact that I get to realize it, and IT is awesome! God bless and good night!

Update

Good morning. I just wanted to give you the latest update on Mr. Austin. The hits just keep a coming with him. They put him under an ultraviolet light to help with the jaundice. It looks like a mini tanning bed. I'll try to post a picture here shortly. The other issue is that they did a swab and found traces of MRSA. I guess it is a form of Staph. It's not in his blood yet, but they still had to move him to isolation as a precaution to the other smaller babies around him. Do yourself a favor and DON'T go reading about it on the Internet. We have been assured that he will be fine and the Internet holds the absolute worst case scenarios. In any event, he is now in his own room and still being given excellent care. This has been quite a journey and it is certainly taking it's toll on Shannon and I. However, I'm sure we will all be stronger because of it. Again, I can't put into words how much we appreciate the out pouring of assistance and good wishes you all have shown and we only hope we can repay the favor someday. Thanks again and have a wonderful week!

Heading Home

Well, we are heading home today. We have to "check out" at 9 a.m. and go pick up Jaden. It's very bittersweet. We can't wait to see Jaden, but we had really hoped that Austin would be going home with us as well. We are trying to figure out how to balance everything out. Shannon needs her rest, we need to spend quality time with Jaden and we need to come visit Austin. I have a feeling the next few days / week are going to be challenging. For those of you that have offered to help out, you may regret those offers by the time this is all over, as I plan on taking many of you up on the aforementioned offers. Anyway, thank you all for everything and Austin is getting better and better everyday. I'll do my best to keep you all posted on things. Enjoy your week!

P.S. This is the only picture of the house I could find. It is not up for sale, as the sign in the front yard might indicate. We are going to be stuck here for awhile with the turn in the housing market. This just happens to be the picture of the house when it was for sale and we got suckered into purchasing it. ;-)

Alcola Presents: "You Make the Call!"

Do you think they look alike at all????

Austin Day 2

Jaden Day 2......

Sunday's Pictures

Here are some pictures from this morning's visit!

Daddy sleeps with a pillow over his head and Austin is following in my footsteps!

Sweet little Austin!

Daddy and Austin.

Mommy and Austin.

Virtual Thank You Card

The last 24 hours have been a blur. Shannon and I have run the gamut of emotions when it comes to Austin and his condition. We've cancelled visits by family and friends to the hospital. We have blamed ourselves for his situation. Tears have been shed and prayers have been said. As I sit here in this hospital room, with my wonderful wife sleeping (snoring) to my right and my son attached to tubes and wires a floor below me, while my other son sleeps (or could be awake) at grandma's house, I reflect.

I reflect on how incredible our family and friends have been during this time of uncertainty. There have been offers of assistance, advice granted and prayers submitted on our behalf. Everyone has been completely understanding and compassionate about our situation and the lack of our return phone calls or our declination of offers to visit.

I sometimes joke about how long I waited to get married and have children. However, had I (we) not, we would not have this same particular circle of family and friends that we are so blessed to have comforting us. Thank you all for everything!

We are confident that Austin is going to pull through this unscathed and we will all be stronger from the experience. It's sometimes challenging to see the positive in something that, on the surface, seems so negative, but I am confident that something very beneficial will ascend from all that is being dealt with at this time.

Thanks again to each and every one of you and God Bless!