Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Birthday wish came true!

Today was another good day for the girls. Thomas also had a great birthday - the best ever! He and I were both able to hold Haley. Thomas's birthday wish came true. It was so awesome to hold her in our arms for the first time. The doctor told us we will be able to hold all of our little girls. Tomorrow we will hold Rachel and then the next day we will hold Ashlyn. Ashlyn is recovering very well from her illness. She is such a trooper. Even the doctor told us she is a little miracle baby. She being our littlest at 12.3 oz at birth, she sure has proved that she is a fighter and is determined to come home with us some day. We also got a great report today after the girls had their first eye exam. So far none of them have evidence of ROP (retinopathy of prematurity). This is such a relief! They will be checked again in a week as their eyes are still maturing. Once again we know that the miracles we speak of come from an all knowing and all powerful God. Who loves us and who wants only the best for the girls, Thomas and I. We love these beautiful little princesses so very much.

First family photo with Haley



Daddy holding and admiring Haley



Mommy happy to hold Haley

Posted by

47 comments:

  1. angmag55September 23, 2009 at 12:37 AM

    Happy Birthday Daddy!! What a Miracle and such a Precious Moment in time for the Three of you. Will keep you all in my Prayers and I am telling and asking friends all across America to Pray for all of You too!!!
    Peggy Kappes

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lathan, Lauren, Logan, LondonSeptember 23, 2009 at 12:44 AM

    AWESOME! So happy for you guys :)

    What a beautiful family!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. CoriSeptember 23, 2009 at 1:09 AM

    What a wonderful birthday gift!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Christina OlsonSeptember 23, 2009 at 2:00 AM

    Yay!! That makes me so happy! She is beautiful:) Can't wait to see you hold your other precious babes!

    ReplyDelete
  5. SarahSeptember 23, 2009 at 2:00 AM

    What a special day! Happy birthday, Thomas!

    I am so happy for you all. What a blessing to finally be able to hold sweet Haley. You all look great and so happy!

    ReplyDelete
  6. KrissySeptember 23, 2009 at 2:11 AM

    How wonderful! I am so happy for you guys! Just wait until you start doing Kangaroo care with them. It will be terrific!

    ReplyDelete
  7. The Turner familySeptember 23, 2009 at 3:13 AM

    How wonderful! God is great! I am sure that today's hold is one of many more (throughout the years) to come!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Mum2twopreciousgiftsSeptember 23, 2009 at 4:24 AM

    Terrific. Wonderful. Marvellous. So happy for you. Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  9. The SneddonsSeptember 23, 2009 at 5:55 AM

    Amanda and Thomas I have been folling your blog since the babies were born and I just want to tell you what amazing people you are! As a fellow Latter Day Saint and a a fellow NICU mama I am truly inpired by your faith and testimony of our Father in heaven. I know he has blessed your family and will continue to send many more blessings your way! The pictures of little Haley are beautiful, she is meant to be in your arms and WILL be there for good someday I know! Thank you for sharing your story and journey with us. What a great day for you all!
    Take care,
    Jenni from Brigham City Utah
    P.S. Just curious what their weights and measures are now days..

    ReplyDelete
  10. BRIDAL SHOWER SUNDAY JULY 20, 2008September 23, 2009 at 6:40 AM

    I know I posted this before but my husband had the same experience and it was wonderful. Our son was born on August 19 and his dad's birthday was September 15. The first time he was held was on his dad's birthday. I couldn't of given my husband a better present by stepping aside and letting him be the first to hold him.Even today my son and husband are very close. My son requires alot of care and he has CP and is medically involved ( 25 weeker- grave illness at 7 months) and my husband, his dad, is always there for him. I am so proud of both of them.

    ReplyDelete
  11. SouthernGalsBoutiqueSeptember 23, 2009 at 6:53 AM

    Oh how awesome!!!! I'm so glad you guys are able to start holding the girls!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousSeptember 23, 2009 at 7:01 AM

    That brings back such memories for me! *sniff* What an awesome birthday gift. I'm so happy for you both. :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. MarenSeptember 23, 2009 at 7:12 AM

    Oh Yea! Trevor, Grace and I are loving these sweet comments and pictures together. What a beautiful little sight. Happy Birthday Thomas!! Congrats.

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousSeptember 23, 2009 at 7:30 AM

    This is definitely the best gift that Thomas could have recieved!! And look at the cheeks on that girl!! So good to see evidence of her weight gain!!!

    How much do the girls weight now??

    ReplyDelete
  15. AndreaSeptember 23, 2009 at 7:50 AM

    How awesome!! I can see that you and Thomas are so proud of those little girls - and so happy to be holding Haley! Maybe it's just the camera angle, but I'm seeing some adorably chubby cheeks on that little Haley!! :D

    ReplyDelete
  16. Tiffany W.September 23, 2009 at 8:00 AM

    Your wonderful news brought me to tears!!! I am so happy for both of you! I can not imagine your joy at such a wonderful birthday gift indeed! Happy Birthday Thomas! What a beautiful baby... what a beautiful family!

    ReplyDelete
  17. ClaudiaSeptember 23, 2009 at 8:39 AM

    Congratulations! What a great birthday and awsome pictures! I prayed so much for this day to arrive, and now I feel blessed to see these pictures. I am very happy for you, and I can immagine the joy and happyness of that special moment. The three of you look wonderful! You have a beautiful family, and I can't wait to see you holding Rachel and Ashlyn too. Another day down and not many more to go! Love, Claudia

    ReplyDelete
  18. PamSeptember 23, 2009 at 8:51 AM

    Things are looking up! Hope the trend continues. Congrats on holding the girls. Must have been so overwhelming and emotional.

    ReplyDelete
  19. The MilligansSeptember 23, 2009 at 8:55 AM

    Congratulations!!! Once the holding begins, time will begin to go alot faster! The next thing you know you will be bottle feeding! Congratulations on a HUGE step in the right direction! Hugs, Lindsay

    ReplyDelete
  20. HoundDogMomSeptember 23, 2009 at 9:02 AM

    Oh, what a special birthday present. Congratulations on getting to hold your little daughter. They are such little fighters and amaze me with their strength. God Bless you and your family. Sherri

    ReplyDelete
  21. MoniqueSeptember 23, 2009 at 9:35 AM

    I am soooo happy for your guys. I know the awesome feeling of holding something so tiny for the first time. Enjoy every moment. You will be surprised how well they will continue to do now that they have your touch to help them along.

    ReplyDelete
  22. JessicaSeptember 23, 2009 at 9:38 AM

    What a wonderful birthday present! I am thrilled for you! Thats great that they are all doing well. They are definitely miracles. I have experieinced wonderful medical miracles in my own family, and doctors can't explain them(except the LDS doctors!! LOL).

    ReplyDelete
  23. JenniSeptember 23, 2009 at 9:57 AM

    It is so wonderful to see God working miracles in your little girls. I will continue to pray for you little miracles!

    ReplyDelete
  24. lysSeptember 23, 2009 at 10:34 AM

    What a joyous day!

    ReplyDelete
  25. ChulitamayaSeptember 23, 2009 at 10:42 AM

    How exciting, I am so happy for you. She is beautiful and those chubby cheeks are just adorable.

    ReplyDelete
  26. UnknownSeptember 23, 2009 at 11:06 AM

    Prayers certainly are answered - what a beautiful family picture!! We are thrilled for you - such a fantastic birthday gift. Love, Susan and Steve from Salt Lake City

    ReplyDelete
  27. MyThoughtsExactlySeptember 23, 2009 at 11:33 AM

    Such a sweet gift for you both! Happy Birthday Thomas! Wow! Just Wow! Keep growing strong girls!

    ReplyDelete
  28. LaurieSeptember 23, 2009 at 11:34 AM

    That's wonderful to hear!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. The RamblerSeptember 23, 2009 at 11:43 AM

    I always check out the blog from my phone every day, sometimes several times a day, but can't leave comments. After reading today's post on my phone I wanted to come here to tell you Happy Birthday Thomas! and that I am so excited for you both that things are starting to look up and that you are FINALLY able to hold your miracle babies. I had a daughter on Aug. 5th, and I can't imagine how hard it would be if I was just now able to hold her. I think about you guys every day, you're in my thoughts and prayers, and I can't wait for the day when you post and say they're coming home. But for now I look forward to days like these, when I read that all is well and things are looking brighter for you. The pictures are great, keep them coming! God Bless.

    Robert, Amber, Jayden, Rylie, Colin & Aubrey

    ReplyDelete
  30. KieraSeptember 23, 2009 at 11:53 AM

    Yay!!! How exciting! What a perfect birthday gift! I am so happy for you both!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. NatalieSeptember 23, 2009 at 12:21 PM

    Ahhh, you made me cry. It puts things in perspective--that truly is the best birthday present. Congratulations! I'm so glad that the eye tests went well, too.

    ReplyDelete
  32. The Lane FamilySeptember 23, 2009 at 12:32 PM

    Prayers are answered!! My heart just leaps with happiness for you!! She looks so precious and I look forward to seeing you holding all of your angels!!!

    ReplyDelete
  33. The Silly WitchSeptember 23, 2009 at 2:16 PM

    Weeping tears of joy for you. What an incredible day!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Christina McKinneySeptember 23, 2009 at 3:33 PM

    Wow guys, what a blessing! I am so very happy for you!!! Best birthday ever for sure!

    SOOOOO glad to hear about all the improvements in the girls, they are little fighters. :)

    Stay strong, keep getting better girls!


    Praying for you always,

    Christina McKinney

    ReplyDelete
  35. Emily September 23, 2009 at 3:37 PM

    Seeing those pictures made my heart leap right in my chest. So happy to see you holding her! Good news all around. To more cuddle time! :D
    Much Love,
    -The Halls (W,E,W & B) KW1

    ReplyDelete
  36. NeannerSeptember 23, 2009 at 4:10 PM

    Congratulations! What a wonderful feeling!!!! Thinking of you all!

    Jeannie
    mom of 3 girls

    ReplyDelete
  37. gramSeptember 23, 2009 at 4:23 PM

    what a beautiful birthday gift! all of us were so hoping your wish would come true! Tender mercies -- amazing how the Lord loves us all. Haley is so beautiful! if 12'3" at birth, i'll bet she's at least doubled!!:-) Thank you for sharing this most treasured moment. love, Erma

    ReplyDelete
  38. AnonymousSeptember 23, 2009 at 5:14 PM

    Congratulations!!!! What a beautiful baby she is. I bet you were on cloud 9 holding your miracle. I remember when my aunt and uncle got to hold my cousin for the first time it was such a happy day. by the time you read this you probably have already held Rachel and maybe(depending when you read it) Ashlyn too. How special to be able to hold her on your birthday Brother Stansel that's wonderful. I know that you will guys will be wonderful parents. On monday was my preemie cousins birthday and it's crazy, this year has just flown by. congratulations again
    love,
    Lindsey Johnson

    ReplyDelete
  39. A n TSeptember 23, 2009 at 7:11 PM

    So happy for you all!!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. MirandaSeptember 23, 2009 at 7:11 PM

    Happy Birthday Daddy! What a wonderful gift.And what a cutie she is I love those cheeks. Cant wait to see more pictures of the girls in the futre.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Christine, Jason and BabySeptember 23, 2009 at 7:16 PM

    We serve and awesome God! So glad you were both able to hold your sweet baby girl. Can't wait to see more pictures of those sweet babies. Congrats

    ReplyDelete
  42. ShelleySeptember 23, 2009 at 7:34 PM

    I am crying tears of joy for you!

    ReplyDelete
  43. JenniferSeptember 23, 2009 at 8:21 PM

    My goodness she looks so BIG. I know she can't be, but she sure looks it. I'm so happy for you guys. What an awesome way to spend your birthday Thomas. Enjoy your next two days of getting to hold your other girls too.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Michelle VandervenSeptember 23, 2009 at 8:30 PM

    What a WONDERFUL birthday gift.. I pray that your girls get stronger day by day and our heavenly Father gives them strength every day to fight!!! All the best.

    Michelle
    Perth, West Australia

    ReplyDelete
  45. Parker's momSeptember 23, 2009 at 8:37 PM

    Happy Birthday indeed! It is a feeling you will never forget holding your baby for the first time! As a NICU mom...little advice....do NOT watch the eye exams! But what wonderful news for you guys to hear about their eyes!What a beautiful picture of you holding your princess!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Shelly CunninghamSeptember 23, 2009 at 9:41 PM

    Do you know how much they weigh now? She looks like she is doing GREAT!

    ReplyDelete
  47. AshleySeptember 24, 2009 at 8:22 PM

    Congrats!!! I am so happy for the both of you. I bet those girls love being held by their parents. We continue to pray for your family!
    P.S. Amanda- you look so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for the comments! We love to hear from you! If you prefer to not leave a comment on our blog you can email us at stanseljourney@gmail.com.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)