Welcome Our New Son

On Friday morning, September 28th, at 4:21am Kevin Joseph arrived. He was 8lbs 1oz and 21 inches long. Labor and delivery went soooo much smoother than it did with Matthew. Kevin looks a lot like Matthew did as a baby. He is eating very well and sleeping okay. Last night was a little bit rough for him, but he is doing okay. Matthew and Alisha are very excited and very proud of their new baby brother.
I have to share a funny story. Thursday afternoon when I picked Matthew up from school I came to the realization that Alisha did not understand that there was a real baby in mommy's belly. I told the kids as I walked to the car that we had to go for a walk when we got home. Matthew inquired as to why and I asked if he wanted to see his baby brother. He of course answered with a very excited yes and I told him that the doctor told me that if we wanted the baby to come out I had to keep on walking. Alisha then announced, "We gonna see the baby's heartbeat." Because she had heartbeat at several of my prenatal appointments. I told her that no, we would see the real baby. She says, "Oh, on the TV screen." I laughed as I realized that she thought she was just going to get to see another ultrasound picture. I tried to explain that we would actually see the real baby when he came out, but with her reactions on Friday morning to her new brother I know she still does not understand completely that the baby came out of my belly. It will be interesting in the future to see what she has to say about where her baby brother came from.

Fingerprints

Well, after a month and a half of mailing in paperwork, emailing, and calling, Aaron and I finally got our fingerprints redone for the US Immigration. Our old fingerprints expire on Sunday. I drove down to the immigration office yesterday and by God's grace I stayed calmed and finally got the officer to schedule us immediately for fingerprints. He was going to send us an appointment which would have been in 1-2 weeks (with a baby due about that same time?). I didn't think that was a good idea. With the baby due and our old prints expiring, I wanted it done right away. Praise God for His help in that situation. Please continue to pray for healing for the sores on Michael's skin that are left from the rash he had. Also continue to pray for his health, safety, and passport. I would also appreciate prayer for Matthew as it seems to be more and more of an emotional burden for him as he awaits the time when his brother can come home. It has been 19 months and that is hard on all of us, but I have noticed Matthew making more comments and praying more sincerely for his brother to come home.

New Pictures

A friend of ours sent us some new pics of Micheal and I thought I would share. She says his rash is gone and now he is just left with the sores from it. I love seeing his many different facial expressions. It is funny how some of them remind me of Alisha and some of Matthew. He will definitely fit in well with our family. The yellow outfit is the Spiderman outfit that Matthew picked out for him for his birthday. Please continue to pray for his health and safety and that God may see fit to allow him to come home to us soon.