Tuesday, March 13

We're on pins and needles as we wait to hear from the nicu nurse...Collin is scheduled to have his ventilator tube removed today! YAY!! They have been weaning him off it slowly, sometimes it looks like he's breathing all on his own already. Saturday he was blowing little bubbles out the side of his mouth, it was adorable. Sunday we took pictures of his tiny, precious little tongue as he slept (like his Dad) with his mouth open. It looked like he might be snoring!

Somehow, having this place where we can look at his pictures (and magnify them to obsess over every little detail of his perfect little body) and read your comments is almost as comforting as being there with him. Of course we want to be there every second, but Collin needs his rest so he can continue to grow and heal. Thank you all for reading and commenting and praying for our beautiful boy!

We'll let you know as soon as we know anything...

Update: Collin's Mom just called with the news that his ventilator tube was removed at 10:00 a.m. The nurse reports that he did great, no fussing! Hooray!!! He will be so much more comfortable now, and we'll be able to hear him cry. We'll take some photos of Collin post-ventilator to share later this evening.

Post Update: We're back...with more pictures! All four of Mom's parents agree...this is one B E A U T I F U L baby! (As an expert on these matters, I concur!)

Baby Collin has a strong set of lungs, strong legs (as Mom will attest) and a fiery temper. It's great to see him without that huge, fat tube in his mouth. Now he has a tiny little oxygen tube in his nose. His cry is beautiful to hear; not only for it's strength (which is reassuring) but also because it brings normalcy to a scary situation. (Mom would probably disagree!)

If you are a person who listens to their "gut" or intuition or whatever...you will understand. Collin's Mom and Dad are wonderful parents for him in so many ways. Not only because they adore him and will do anything they need to FOR him; they love each other immensely and will model for him a healthy, strong and loving relationship. We felt they were perfect for each other when we first saw them together...we knew that Erin would be a devoted wife & mother who would make her husband proud and Matt would be an attentive husband & father who would protect her and hold her up. Our gut feeling was right, as we see this unfold before us. We would never have wished a difficult road for this little family; but the silver lining is that the strongest bond is being built, and adversity has brought out the strongest and best qualities in all of us.

Collin's first photographed smile


Baby cries are good!

First pictures with Collin's Grandma and Grandpa V!




Attentive, ecstatic and loving parents




The cutest family...ever!

Happy baby who is loved by a large and interesting family...and knows it!