Thank You

This was supposed to be posted on Thanksgiving, but I never got it done and I just got back to it. Anyway, there's so many people to thank...

First and foremost, thank you and everybody else that has been reading this blog and everybody that has been praying for Michelle and Taylor and everybody else that has kept us in their thoughts. We have heard from numerous people that there have been prayer groups all around the world for Taylor.  We are humbled and very appreciative. Thank you.

Secondly thanks to Dr. Fred Coleman and the Maternal Fetal Medicine specialists at Salmon Creek Hospital and Emanuel Hospital. Michelle and myself realize that there were a lot of doctors and staff that helped Taylor through it all, but without Dr. Coleman we feel that Taylor wouldn't be here today. He not only performed a miracle with the cerclage, but got Michelle from 20 weeks to 28 weeks. That was not something that came easy, and something that a lot of other doctors did not believe would happen. Not only did he save our daughters life, but we feel that we gained a friend through it all. And we will make sure to get him and his daughters out this spring for riding, assuming we can convince our lazy horses that they are supposed to work still. 

Thanks to Dr. Vincent for helping take care of Michelle before delivery and helping Dr. Coleman with the delivery. Your love for the kids delivered at your hospital is amazing. It was incredible to see how often you checked on Taylor even when she wasn't in your care anymore, and we hear that it is not unusual for you to be visiting all the kids in the NICU. 

Thanks to Dr. Freitag, Dr. Larrabee, Dr. Mischel and the other doctors at Northwest Newborn Specialists. You all did an amazing job with Taylor. We also are very appreciative that you put up with us and listened to our concerns and thoughts and made adjustments when you felt they were appropriate. It is very difficult being a parent of a newborn baby in the NICU, and you helped us feel like we were a part of her care. 

Thanks to the nursing staff of Emanuel Hospital and Salmon Creek Hospital. We are very grateful for the care and support you provided to Michelle and Taylor. So many of you became our friends, and we miss you and can't wait to bring Taylor around sometime so you can see her. To L&D and the Family Birth Center groups, thank you for taking care of Michelle through some very trying times, and for helping her pass the time while she was feeling better but on bed rest. To the NICU staff, we are eternally grateful not only for your care of Taylor but for educating us and helping us from going crazy. Thanks for putting up with us being there around the clock. 

To the staff of Salmon Creek Hospital, thank you. We came to Salmon Creek because of the family care approach and because the NICU had individual rooms for the babies and their families. It was a very trying time for us, but I can't even imagine what it would have been like in other NICUs. When we heard about Salmon Creek, we knew we needed to be there. We hoped Taylor wouldn't need to spend any time in the NICU, but just in case, we knew we needed to be there for her. I realize that not every baby has family members in their room 24 hours a day like ourselves, and at times it can be trying to the staff, but thank you for allowing us to do that. We are convinced that it made a huge difference for Taylor and ourselves. 

Special thanks to Michelle's family for rotating with me when Michelle was in the hospital. I always felt so divided during those times. I wanted to be home with the kids, but was worried sick about Michelle as well. The only way I personally got through it all was having somebody with Michelle when I was at home with the kids. I know it really helped Michelle as well, especially after some of those really scary nights we had. Thanks to everyone that came and visited Michelle during the day. It was a trying time for her, and your company was very appreciated. 

Thanks to everybody that helped out with Haylee and Tristan.  I know Haylee enjoyed her time rotating between everyone, and Tristan might not have admitted it if you asked him but I think he enjoyed it some as well (especially hanging out with Aidan and Aislinn and Aunt Cindy).  I can not thank everyone enough for your help with them. Special thanks to Shanon and Juan for you staying at our house with Haylee and Tristan.  Having Haylee and especially Tristan at home was a huge deal for us. We owe both of you so much for staying with them, helping them get to school once school started, helping Haylee get her homework done, helping around the house, etc.. I could go on and on... 

We and Taylor thank everyone that came and stayed with Taylor and allowed us to be at home for a while. In particular we thank Mary for spending so much time with Taylor. Just being able to leave for a while and get a few things done at home, or being home for a night made such a huge difference to us. 

Thanks to my mom, dad, and Casey for dog-sitting. I can't wait to see Lizzie tomorrow.

Thanks to grandma for keeping the kids and myself fed well. I swear I can cook, but thanks to you Tristan and Haylee did not have to tell me otherwise.

Thanks to Tonya for keeping the faith, spreading the word around the world,  and your constant encouragement. I thought you were kind of crazy for sending that baby dress when Michelle first went in the hospital, but you never gave up on Taylor and we appreciate that. Taylor is awaiting  news of the arrival of her new cousin.

Thanks to my work for being so supportive. I am very fortunate to be working with such great people. Thank you for giving me the flexibility I needed through all of this. 

Thanks to Haylee and Tristan. We are sorry things got so crazy for you and that life was so confusing and messed up for such a long time. You both handled it very well and we are so proud of you and love you both. Your little sister owes you one, and so does mom and dad.

On a personal level I have to thank Michelle. I felt so bad for everything you went through. It was hard on you physically. It was hard on you mentally. I know it was killing you when you couldn't be there for Haylee and Tristan. I know it was hard to be inside during summer. I know how hard it was when Taylor was born early despite all your effort. You are the most incredible woman I know and our kids are so lucky to have you for their mom. I am so lucky to have you as my wife. I love you.

Last but not least, we have to thank Taylor. The one constant thing through this incredible trip we were on was this healthy, feisty little girl with a spirit that could not be denied. Your spirit is kind of scary actually.. ;-) You amazed us throughout the pregnancy and throughout the stay in the NICU. You continue to amaze us everyday and we are so happy to have you home. We love you so much.