Good Evening to all! Well the sounds of craziness returned to the Cantrell house this evening as our two other holigans returned home. Its funny how the sounds that could make your blood boil and make you feel the rope you thought you were at the end of was somewhere near the city limits, now can bring peace to you. As Ali and I watched our two children, Ella and Charlie aka Dude, play it was such a joyful blessing, in these unsettling times. Ella set up a "Princess Nursery" to welcome Baby Cate and dude proceeded to ravage the nursery like a viking, appropriate I guess. Ali said, that today was the best day she has had since the section, its nice she is beginning to feel better. I forget to tell yall yesterday about what happened to me. I was hungry, once again, a shocker for a Cantrell, so I ordered breakfast from a little diner across the street from the Hospital. I had orginially ordered it to go, but once there just wanted to sit and eat my breakfast in a place that did not smell like disinfectant or her nurse so and so being called over the loud speaker. They recognized me as new dad by my "cool" bracelet I was wearing. They made a big deal, congratulated me, offered me a beer, just kidding, and I proceeded to eat my breakfast at the bar. There was a gentleman a little older than myself, sitting next to me, who as I finished my breakfast asked me how many kids I had, we got to talking about kids, work, etc.. I asked what he did, he told me that he owned a heart surgery center, I laughed out loud. I told him it was pretty ironic that I sat down next to him and I proceeded to tell him the plight of Baby Cate. As I was readying myself to leave, he said, I like you, to which I said, thank you. He dug in his pocket, pulled out his phone, fiddled with it then showed it to me. He said this is the best cardiothorasic surgeon in Lafayette, he is the smartest man I know and my best friend. This is his cell number. I want you to call him, tell him you are friends with me and that you want him to develop a plan for your baby. He will find the best doctors in the country for you. He then said, I feel like God brought me here today to meet you. He grabbed my ticket and said call him today, congrats, and have a great day. I was amazed and awed, just another way that God has seemingly stepped in and assisted his lowly travelers on this journey of life.
We, ali and I, had a restful nights sleep in our own house last night and this morning woke up, ready to see our little girl. We got to the ICU at 10:59am, dr.'s rounds end at 11 and were pushing the button as the clocked flipped 11. We got to hold her and love on her for 2 hours, it was AWESOME! She has been being bottle feed all on her own now and either tonight or tomorrow they will remove the feeding tube and they took her IV our today. She is steadily improving. We got to talk to her Dr. and he is very pleased with her progress. She is now up to 1 & 1/2 oz every three hours, but they are beginning to let her eat as much as she wants. Ali is providing a buffet of milk, which, if she knew I were writing this would kill me. They told her today to please just start freezing it, cause Baby Cates bins were all full, (hehe don't tell her this or I will hunt you down). All her vitals are great, she gets a little tired eating , but her blood oxygens levels stay within a comfortable level for the dr. She lost a little bit of weight, but apparently that is normal for babies, I did not know that, you learn so much when your baby is being watch so closely, rather than when you just bring them home and they don't see a dr. until their three or six month check up. The Cantrell's are doing well, we have been leaning into all the prayers and support we have recieved from all of you. I will continue to update you on whats going on, thanks for your comments they are so good to hear! Love yall, until next time...
Sunday, November 11, 2007
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13 comments:
Hey Charlie,
I wanted to let you know all of us at St.Laurence is praying for baby Cate and your family. We still love you here in texas. :) God Bless!
-Kelsey Brann
Hey Charlie and Ali,
We just wanted you to know that we love y'all and are praying for baby Cate and her mom, dad and siblings too!
Sugar Land sends love!
Chris(Donatto) and Erika(Donatto in 71 days)
The entire Cantrell family, particularly little Catherine Francis, is in our prayers. Thank you for all the updates...they provide such a perfect visual.
I've been moved to such tears of joy and peace to read of your beautiful faith and love. Thank you for your witness.
We're storming Heaven for you and we love you, 'boo.
Charlie and Ali,
I heard about your new arrival through Lana. Wow, it has been so long since I've seen or spoken to you both! Please know that ya'll are all in my thoughts and prayers.
God Bless!
Allison Houston
My prayers and good thoughts are with you and baby Cate. She is BEAUTIFUL!
Ana T. Black
Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd of the sheep, you gather the lambs in your arms and carry them in your bosom: We commend to your loving care baby Cate Cantrell. Relieve herpain, guard her from all danger, restore to her your gifts of gladness and strength, and raise her up to a life of service to you. Hear us, we pray, for you dear Name's sake. Amen.
(attributed to St. Francis)
Charlie and Ali,
We pray that you and especially your new little one, baby Cate, (Dudett), are strong during this time.
If you're lucky I'll save you some of your cookies that you left at Mario and Dotty's house. ;-)
Josh Gilliam and Katie Hernandez (Soon to be Gilliam....bruhaha)
Hey Charlie and Ali,
I just got Ali's email and we are so happy to hear about Cate, she is gorgeous! We've been praying for her and yall's family for awhile now and can't tell yall enough how excited we are for yall. We are gonna keep our prayers coming and don't hesitate to ask if yall need something or we can do anything. Mia can't wait to meet her new friend.
Love,
Benji, Jess & Mia Kate
Please "force yourself" to give that beautiful family of yours a giant hug for us all.
Judy, Kim, Dan Kristy Schwartz
Jacob, Jillian & Curtis Counts
Charlie and Ali -
Thank you for sharing your little Cate with us and the struggles that y'all are going through so we know how to specifically pray. Y'all are such an awesome, faithful family. The Latino's send you a big hug from Texas!!!
Paul and Klair Latino
Charlie & Ali, Cate is a doll! We are all praying for her. Addie & Hunter can't wait to come and visit her! Please call us if you need anything at all...anytime! We love you all.
Marsha Thibodeaux
Hey Charlie, ali, elle, dude, and cate-
It's crazy as i sit here today reading your posts. I had no idea that Ali was due/already had her baby until i talked to chris today (donatto that is). You and your family were in my prayers so much this weekend and i didn't even know you needed them. The prayers were more in praise and thanksgiving for everything you all have shown me and taught me. I was even going to call you up to say thank you. Looking back, I believe those prayers were transformed into prayers of love for you and for Cate. Cate is an incredibly special/lucky girl to have parents as amazing as you all. You both showed so much love to the teens as St. Laurence and they weren't even your own kids, i can't imagine the love you have for own children. ella, dude, and cate are very lucky. I will continue to pray for you all. Love you guys.
jamie (mckenney)
Hey Charlie, ali, elle, dude, and cate-
It's crazy as i sit here today reading your posts. I had no idea that Ali was due/already had her baby until i talked to chris today (donatto that is). You and your family were in my prayers so much this weekend and i didn't even know you needed them. The prayers were more in praise and thanksgiving for everything you all have shown me and taught me. I was even going to call you up to say thank you. Looking back, I believe those prayers were transformed into prayers of love for you and for Cate. Cate is an incredibly special/lucky girl to have parents as amazing as you all. You both showed so much love to the teens as St. Laurence and they weren't even your own kids, i can't imagine the love you have for own children. ella, dude, and cate are very lucky. I will continue to pray for you all. Love you guys.
jamie (mckenney)
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