Meet the Family

Today Ethan met his big sister, Elise, and big brothers, Craig and Nolan. I was so happy to see my kiddos all together. Elise was really happy to see and hold Ethan. Craig just wanted to see "his baby" and Nolan, well, Nolan looked at him and picked his nose. If that isn't love I don't know what is. I am so thankful to my family for watching out for and taking such good care of my older kids while I am taking care of Ethan. The boys have returned to Lufkin with Mimi and Paw Paw and Elise is having a big time with her Aunt Katie. They went to Fudruckers for dinner tonight and I don't know if I'm going to be able to convince her to come back home!

I know I have mentioned that Ethan has reflux and has started eating through the aid of an NG tube in his nose. Today was a rough day with his eating. He will barely nurse, so we let him as long as he will, then try to bottle feed, then the rest goes down his NG tube. My other kids were such good eaters that to have one that is having a hard time is something that I never thought I would encounter. Everyday he is getting stronger and we are going to take this stay in the NICU one day at a time until he is ready to come home. I will be discharged in the morning and hopefully will get a room (they are extremly limited and given by priority on a daily basis) at the Ronald McDonald House just down the hall from the NICU. It has been such a good sabbath. Not a whole lot of quiet time, but what I managed I made sure that HEavenly Father knows that I am aware and completely grateful for the blessings he has sent to us in the past few days and months. Richard and I are also grateful for all of our friends and family that have supported us during this time. Your prayers are felt and we are so greateful for you.
Our first family photo. Wow...a family of six! It's going to take a while to get my mind wrapped around that!

Elise was so proud of her littlest brother. She looks so grown up...if you look close you can see her temporary tatoo from Chuck e Cheese.

I had to put this picture on here. Ethan has about two 30 minute really "awake" times a day and I happened to catch him in one when I went down to feed him around noon. I picked him up and put him on my shoulder and he lifted his head on his own to look around. Richard happened to have the camera out and caught the best picture. It even shows his little old man wrinkles on he forehead!