Our Little Wonder

The kids and I took an unexpected trip to Tucson last week when we got a phone call that my sister had gone into premature labor. Sophie Claire Fowler was born on July 16th at 25 weeks 4 days. She weighed just under 2lbs and 14 inches long. She was taken to the NICU at the local university hospital where she will remain for several months. My sister had an infection in her placenta which is the same thing that happened on March 31st, 2008 when Grace was born at just under 21 weeks and passed away after just a few hours. Unfortunately, no one knew the cause until now. Sophie Claire is doing very well although it will be up and down for a while. Please keep baby Sophie, big sister Olivia, my sister, and her husband in your prayers. She is a very strong little girl and we have the highest hopes that she will join her family healthy and happy in just a few months. We love you Sophie!

You can follow along with her progress at www.caringbridge.org/visit/babysophie

Sophie and her beanie baby holding Mommy's hand

Fortunately, four year olds are oblivious to all the drama so Will and his cousin Olivia had a great time. They had not seen each other in a while due to pregnancies, babies and moves but they didn't miss a beat. They are only 9 weeks apart and have very similar interests. We swam a lot (Pepe and Aunt Sarah both have pools - it's Tucson!), went to the desert museum, children's museum, ate lots of hot dogs, got spoiled by Pepe (my Dad) , and had an early birthday party for Will. It was really fun to see them together. He had so much fun and now wants to move there. Here are a few pictures from our week.

Olivia and Will at In N' Out Burger October 2007

Olivia and Will at In N' Out Burger July 2009

watching Spider Man after swimming

Grandma (my Mom), Olivia, and Amelia

looking at bugs at the Children's Museum

being monkeys

on our way to the desert museum

my soon to be 4 year old and his spiderman cake at his "early" birthday party

I'm afraid he is going to expect one of those every year now!