Friday, April 3, 2009

Back in the Saddle

Greetings to all!! Well, we are back in the saddle guys and gals and you all may be thinking I am talking about the blog, well that too, but one week ago today I found out that little Cantrell number four has made its entrance into the world, that’s right, Ali is PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!! Ok, I will give you a minute to go get some tissue if you need to gather yourself. You read it right the first time, the Cantrell’s are having another baby!!!!!! Wow, is right, as the words “there is something I need to tell you” came out of Ali’s mouth last Friday night as we sat waiting on friends to meet us, the absolute last ones that I thought would follow would be, “I’m pregnant.” I was expecting, our electric bill was real high, the cats pooped on your favorite shirt, dude ate your favorite shirt. As the words I’m pregnant rolled off of her tongue, I felt all the blood leave my face, I took a long sip of the cold beer that sat in front of me, still not sure if it was mine, and said, Wow, I am so excited, not really meaning that at all, I just didn’t know what else to say at that very moment. And then she followed it by and you can’t say anything to our friends yet, WHAT!!!! Ok, now I have to act like everything is normal when my head is spinning around on my shoulders. Women, that is so typical of you all to do something like that in public that way we can’t freak out and then say, and oh yeah, we can’t talk about it. You are such interesting creatures.

We went to the doctor on Monday for an ultrasound. I saw the little blob on the screen and immediately saw the little beating heart, WOW, what a miracle uh, 8 weeks old and I am watching its little heart beat on a black and white screen. I told Ali that it couldn’t be mine, it looks nothing like me. I asked the nurse if she could print me out a picture to carry around in my truck to remind me that my wife is PREGNANT, and yes we know how it happens, apparently we just like how it happens, especially in February, now that three of our four children will have November birthdays. New rule in the Cantrell house, in February mom or dad moves out, for the MONTH. We met with Dr. Rose and she said that everything looks good right now and that the chances of us having another heart baby are low, but around twenty weeks she wants us to go see a Cardiologist for her to look at Baby Cantrell’s heart, so we need you guys again to be praying for a healthy heart please!

We told Ella and Dude last night, they screamed and hollered at the dinner table. Ella laughed hysterically but you could tell it was with a twinge of nervousness. She quickly proclaimed that it was a boy, we reminded her that we did not know yet what God had given us, but daddy was really hoping it was a PUPPY. This morning Ella wanted to bring the ultrasounds picture with her to school to show everyone her new sibling. Can you picture that a bunch of pre-k’ers huddled around an ultrasound picture of a Uterus trying to figure out what it is! We had not even gotten off our street before she had told someone that, “Mommy has a baby in her tummy!” and when the lady who was opening the doors in the carpool line opened the door, there was Ella standing up tall, holding the picture declaring loudly that, her mommy was pregnant. I am sure by this afternoon our small town will be buzzing with, “Did you hear, the Cantrell’s are pregnant!”

Is there fear? YES, there is fear, but I cannot and do not want to let that fear run my life. I write this blog almost two years to the day that we found out when Ali was pregnant for Cate that we might lose her in Utero and that there was something developmentally not right. The past two years have been a long road for this little family. Is this a little sooner than I would have liked to welcome another child into our family, maybe, but, maybe it is the perfect time. Maybe as we begin to close the chapter of mind numbing pain from the loss of Cate, God can open the next chapter of fruitful love in the life of the Cantrell’s. I am ready to get back in the saddle of love and new life, I am ready to welcome this baby knowing that its big sister Cate has her hand on its every move. As I sat on the back step the other night crying to Cate, telling her that I didn’t know if I was ready to move on and that I was scared of the possibilities of this baby have heart problems to and asking her, “Cate, please pray for me, but pray and watch over your new little brother or sister.” I kid you not, in my heart of hearts I heard her snicker at me and say “Dad, I am so sure! I am not going anywhere, your not “moving on” and stop worrying I am already on it” and I had a vision of her rolling her eyes! It was AWESOME, I love that little girl.

Well, here we go again, back in the saddle of welcoming children into the world of the Cantrell’s. We need you guys, I know you all have been praying even though we have not been writing and you will never know how encouraging it is to get comments on the blogs just saying that you are still here and still praying even though we haven’t written in months. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Please add this new Baby Cantrell to your list and we will keep you up to date as we journey through this pregnancy and as we prepare our hearts to meet this new son or daughter and welcome them joyfully into our little family. God bless you all and thank you for the prayers.

Much Love,

The Cantrells

74 comments:

maureen Gallagher said...

WOW!!!!!!!
We are praying for y'all and love you so much!
love, maureen

Claire said...

AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! I KNEW IT!!!!
I AM SO HAPPY FOR YALL!!!
love you!!!!!!!!!!!

Claire

Teresa said...

I'm trying not to cry too hard or I won't be able to see the screen! I am soooo happy for you! I will for sure be praying for this new baby and for you and Ali and the kids and your hearts as you accept this new gift God is bringing you! Congratulations! I am thrilled for you!! Much love and many prayers heading your way!

Teresa Clark

Melissa said...

Congratulations! I have been following your story since last June and will be praying for you!

Anna said...

Congratulations!! The Kedingers are most definitely praying for all of you!

Love,
Daniel, Anna and Baby K

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to you, the Cantrell Family! It is with a joyful heart that I read your blog this afternoon. I couldn't take it all in the first time I opened the link; I had to come back to finish reading. You writing today is filled with a renewed sprirt of freedom. No doubt, in the Lord's presence, Cate reacted exactly as you described. She celebrates with you as we await the coming celebration of Jesus's resurrection. Your family will celebrate it's own resurrection from the difficult passing of your darling Cate, to the fragile Baby Cantrell developing in Ali's womb ~ My prayers are with you ~ The Cantrell's will rise again in life!

LauraS said...

Still hear and still praying :) I've had Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos is our rosary litany for a while now... wow! I'm also pregnant, but due a little before you (Oct 1). So Ali, I'll easily be able to keep you and the little baby in mind as each of the pregnancy challenges of my own remind me to pray for all the other mommies, babies and daddies too!

I loved your description of Cate snickering... if only we can keep that in mind.

Many blessings!

Laura, Mike, Mary Grace & baby too

Lila Fox said...

Congratulations! You guys will be in our thoughts & prayers...

xo,
lila

Megan Perkins said...

This is wonderful news, Ali and Charlie! I'm so happy for your little family and we will absolutely be keeping you in our prayers. Please continue to update us!

Jason, Megan, Hayes, Mary Elizabeth, Samuel & Eleanor Perkins

Anonymous said...

Praise God, His timing is perfect...always. Will continue to pray and look forward to hearing/reading your words again. Blessing to all the Cantrells! JESUS I TRUST IN YOU!!! YSIC, Melanie

Anonymous said...

The goose pimples still haven't left my arms! I'm so pleased to read of God's blessings...remaining prayerful!

Love,
Kristen Dunbar

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy for you guys Charlie! I will definitely be praying for all to go well. By the way, 2 out of my 3 kids have November birthdays. LOL
Cheree

Jade Richard said...

CONGRATULATIONS, Charlie, Ali, Ella, Dude, and Baby Cate!

You are in our prayers.

Love,
Mark, Lisa, Jade, Allie & Bailey Richard

Erin said...

OMG! I am so happy for your family although reading that blog just made me cry like a ridiculous overly sensitive girl! I will be praying for you guys as always! Love, Erin Dawson

Bree at Clarity Defined said...

What beautiful news!!! Congratulations!!!

volpecircus said...

congratulations! of course, your family has never left our prayers. now we have another little cantrell to add to those prayers. praise God!

Alicia said...

YIPEE!!!!!!!!!!

Flooding heaven with prayers to
St Gerard for the Cantrell's!

I write this with tears in my eyes and a very grateful heart to our God for your healing.

I ask for your prayers in return. We are "paper pregnant" for our second child, a baby boy, who is living in an orphanage in China.

Alicia

Anonymous said...

Okay,how dare you send Ella with a picture and we could not say anything on the blog!!!!! LOL! I can't tell you how excited we were to see little "Ninja baby".I was chatting with Mrs.Pam in the pre-k area,when here comes Ella."My mommy's having a baby!" I said "WHAT???!!!"We went quickly to tell Mrs.Miller....We were running,people were coming to see what was going on!!All 400 plus students new that you all were having another baby.I am so happy for all of you.We prayed for all mommys who are having babies....
God Bless,Kim Hebert

Hudson & Maddox said...

We are so happy for y'all. You deserve it! Praying for the new addition! We love y'all.

kati said...

such wonderful news! reading the joy and excitement and life in your "voice", that i have never seen since i've only been following your story for the last year, is just awesome. congrats, congrats! i have a feeling that blessings are going to be coming your way a thousand fold for your steadfast faith and tender care-taking of your precious cate while she was here.

i just found out i am pregnant this week, due at the end of november. this is really scary to admit, but i did have a thought of cate, and wondered if i had been introduced to her in preparation for hardships with this baby. so would you mind if i also asked her to watch over mine? i would appreciate it.

i'm so, so happy for you and can't wait to follow the joyful continuation of the cantrell family story.

Anonymous said...

So happy for you guys. Praying, praying, praying. Thank you for sharing this news.

Anonymous said...

Yea! I have been waiting to hear these words from you! Can't wait to see what the newest Cantrell will be! Much love & prayers your way!

Kassie Richard said...

omg! i am so excited for you guys! congrats! you know when tab told me i just freaked out but the other night i did have a dream that ali was pregnant! freaky esp going on! Call if you need a babysitter! lol

the mcgovern's said...

This is a such wonderful news. I am sitting reading with goose bumps and tears. Congrats! What a blessing. I can't wait to read about your new journey. Cate will be watching over her new brother or sister for sure.

Still here and still praying.

Anonymous said...

OMG....I am so happy for you guys!!!!!! I'm just glad that I scanned all my friends and saw your latest post to catch the news. It is 10:18pm and Tommy is asleep but will hear the news first thing in the morning. Our friend, Henry who had the liver transplant in September will be here tomorrow...can't wait to share the news with him and his family because they felt connected to Cate and to your family. Charlie and Ali...I am so very happy for you two. You have never left my prayers. God loves you all so much...He and Cate are probably dancing a jig each time they think of this new little life about to enter yours! Love you guys.

Jane W

Tara said...

Yaaaaaayyyyyyy! I am so excited for you guys!!! We will be praying for Baby Cantrell and the Cantrell family. I love you guys- Tara

Anonymous said...

Woooo hooooo!!!! Thank you Lord for your abundant blessings!!! With much love and many prayers!!

Ben, Maria and girls

Anonymous said...

Charlie and Ali, I am so deeply happy for you ... congratulations on your awesome news! During this most special and beautiful Holy Week, I will be praying deeply for you and your family, and in a very special way, giving thanks for the gift of Baby Cate and the example of faith and love that you share with us. Congratulations and God bless you and your precious children. Love, Mary B.

Karen said...

This is awesome news! I'm crying as I drink my coffee. God's timing is always perfect! Holy Week is a time to celebrate joy and hope and gratitude. How perfect.

Madelene Boudreaux said...

Here is the joy that we knew would one day follow the pain. Because the seasons have to inevitably change, because in God's plan there is always joy... somewhere, even if we have to wait for it. What a great way to celebrate His Resurrection! This gives us reason to BELIEVE!
Love to all of your beautiful family,
Ms. Madelene
p.s. My hair is growing back.

Anonymous said...

God does provide all of us with whatever he thinks we need in this life! I am so excited for all of you! I will continue to pray for all of you! Ali, I thought you looked a little different lately and I am thrilled for you! When I asked if you were okay, and you said yes, you probably knew then....Fear not, God has provided a beautiful little angel to guide the new Cantrell into this world!

Marie Duplechin

Unknown said...

Charlie and Ali,

I am so excited to hear that you are expecting. I am not sure what it is about February either, but 2 of my 4 have February birthdays and my youngest was due Nov. 6th but was born October 25th. We have the same joke in our house about being in separate rooms for the month of Feb. I look forward to reading your blogs over the next 9 months and Ali and baby Cantrell will be in my prayers. Angela McDavid

Anonymous said...

So, so excited for your precious family! What a wonderful gift. Thank you for your example...for being open to life even when it's scary. We're praying.

Aimee Landreneau

Lila Lambert said...

God is so-o-o- good...He knows what we need even before we do!!! A miracle at work within Ali....I love the sound of that...I take up the prayer of Thanksgiving and a prayerful next seven months for that "little blessing" and the family in waiting!!!

Anonymous said...

What beautiful and exciting news.....congrats, Ali and Charlie!!!! Will continue to pray for your family and new "miracle"...GOD IS GOOD!
Love,
Breyan (and family)

Anonymous said...

Isn't our God so grand! What beautiful news to hear in this most precious time of year when we all prepare to celebrate the new life we all received from our grand God through the resurrection of His Son! You remain in prayer.

Crystal said...

Congrats to the Cantrell family. You will continue to stay in my prayers. Good luck!!!!!!

God Bless
Crystal Judice

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!!! u may feel it is soon and u may be scared - rightfully so - but the thing is that u and Ali have so much love to give. the more u give, the more u have to give and God (and Cate) knows this and is blessing this baby with u both as parents. I will pray u through this pregnancy. love you both and Ella and Dude

The Caswells said...

What exciting news from the Cantrells!!! I am so happy for you guys. We will continue to pray for you all and the newest Cantrell miracle :) Keep us updated :)
Kyle, Marin and Kaylin

Jeni said...

I have been following your blog for quite some time, but don't think I have ever posted to it. This is such wonderful news!! I look forward to continuing the journey with you and your family. You and Ali have such inspiring words of wisdom, I just love reading them. I too am also expecting in November, so as I pray for my little one I will pray for yours too!
Much Love,
The Veazey Family
Randal, Jennifer, Ashley, Benjamin, and Baby

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!!! Always in my prayers!

midwestmom3 said...

Congratulations!
We are still praying for all of you every day!
Much love to you all!
The Andersons

Pam said...

"The dance of new life, what a dream come true".....so happy with this new blessing you've received.

Anonymous said...

YAY!! How Awesome!! I'm still praying for you guys!!! Congrats :)

Anonymous said...

WE WANT TO SEE THE ULTRASOUND!! ;)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I am so happy for you!! Love you guys!!

Shelley P

Laura G said...

Congratulations! What happy news just in time for Holy Week. Will continue to pray for all of you.
Laura

Lila Lambert said...

Oh, Cher, love the pic!!!

Lori, Willie, Anna said...

Congratulations! Many prayers and much love being sent your way.
Lori Thomassee

Anonymous said...

Since last July, when you posted "Need a Minute?", I have been praying that your family would find the courage to accept God's gift of new life into your family. So many times I have hesitated to share my family's story with you for fear of causing pain. But here it goes...
Five years ago, on Good Friday, I was moved by an excellent homily to pray, "Lord, I will accept children any way they come to us." At the time, I meant..."If we can't have our own kids, I'll love the ones you give to us through adoption." Did you ever hear, "God doesn't always answer prayers the way you expect him to?" So true... Anyway, that Easter Tuesday (as near as I can tell) we conceived our first daughter. Everything was going smoothly until at 32 weeks, we learned I had placenta previa, and the baby had a variation of a heart defect called Tetrology of Fallot. Needless to say, our world as we knew it was shattered. It was that day that MY heart was changed, and I "grew up".
Our little girl had no complications at birth, and her heart was successfully repaired when she was 5 months old.
Trying for another baby was a bit of a no-brainer for us...we had wanted a large family, and were told the chances of a repeat were fairly low. So, we decided to try for a second. At 16 weeks, we were told everything was normal, but that they would check again later. At 24 weeks, a fetal echo showed the baby had the same rare heart defect as her big sister. I felt like I was sitting on the initial climb of a crazy roller coaster thinking, "how did I get on this one again?" My husband was in Iraq at the time, and when
I told him, he actually chuckled, thinking it was a joke! Thankfully, he had met up with a friend I knew would help him and pray with him until he could be sent home. Again, there were no complications at birth, and our second little girl had her heart repaired at 6 months old with only a few complications.
Big family or not, we decided we were through "trying" to have our own kids. The decision didn't sit well with my heart, but our brains told us it was too risky. God had his way though, and blessed us with a third pregnancy. All our anxiety melted at the first sight of that little peanut on the ultrasound. We knew that no matter what happened, HE had given us this little one and HE would carry us through. Our third little girl was born with a normal heart last June, just a day before your Cate's surgery. I received a link to your blog when I sat down to e-mail her first pictures to family and friends.
Having followed your blog for most of this past year has definitely scared me...and made me realize just how lucky we were to have only minor complications during and after our daughters' surgeries. It's made me worry a little about how things will go when they need surgical revisions in the future. At the same time, it's made me appreciate every day I have with them (even when they drive me crazy!) I will continue to pray for your family that you will cling to our God and let Him carry you no matter what the news in the coming weeks, and that you find peace in Him. And by the way...congratulations!
With much love and prayers,
Irene Lanham (mama of 2 heart babies in GA)

Anonymous said...

So happy for your family!! Prayers from Arizona are coming your way!

Nicole Rotella

Lindsay Day said...

That is the most wonderful news!!! I am so very happy for you guys and will be praying for all of you, especially that precious baby.

Buttercup said...

Have been praying and will keep praying! So happy for your wonderful news. Blessings and hugs!

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I am so happy for all of you. I will continue to pray for y'all and your new gift of life. How perfect to find out during the Easter season, when Jesus gave us new life. Love y'all!
Jolene

Anna said...

Congratulations!!!!!!!!! We are so excited for you guys!! Yes, still here and still praying. Baby Cate's picture is on our fridge and so we think of her and your family often. We will start praying for baby #4!
Love,
Mike and Anna

Judy said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I am so excited for you all. I have been praying and praying for all of you and was soooooooo excited when Bryan told me the wonderful news. God is truly awesome! I look forward to watching all of the blessings coming your way.
Love to you all,
Judy Carnes, Bryan's mom and Hudson's Nana

Jamie said...

CONGRATS! I am so happy for you all. Thanks for sharing. I am a little late in responding, but something told me to check the blog. I am glad I did. We received your thank you picture. I love it. I have it hanging on the refridgerator. We think of the Cantrell's everyday. We will be reminded to pray for you. We have the Lady of Guateloupe for three days. I will be sure to mention your family and the protection of the new addition. Congrats! God Bless
Jamie and Ashton

Steph & Kayla said...

HOLY CRAP CHARLIE!!!! THIS IS AWESOME!!!!! I am soooooo excited for you and Ali and the kids!!! What a blessing!! This baby will be so perfect...and beautiful and healthy because she has been kissed by an angel~
Love, Stephanie Johnson
fromtheheartsofmadyandlogan.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I am so excited for you guys, you deserve this wonderful blessing. God knew how much you needed this wonderful distraction from your grief. After my husband and I had a miscarriage it took a while to get pregnant. And while it never really makes the pain fade it is a nice distraction from it. God bless you and your beautiful growing family.

Julie Martin

Anonymous said...

I'm an 8th grader at RCE and I'm pretty sure Ella doesn't even know my name or have any clue who I am, but sure enough she told me, "I can't wait until November, my moms gonna have a baby!!"

Chrissy said...

What wonderful news! I am so happy for you and lifting up Baby Cantrell up in prayer!

Rachael said...

i haven't checked the blog in a long time and checked it today to read your great news!!!!! congrats!!! know that we are praying for you and have our Therese Marie on it as well!! Our new little one, now affectionately called "Goober", will be arriving any day now! pray for a safe delivery!

Lila and Isaac said...

Just checked the Blog today! CONGRATS on your GREAT news! We are soooooooo happy for you guys. The world needs more Cantrell's. I will add to you to our Prayer "List" for sure. Looking forward to more updates, Love, Sadie

christina said...

like it or not, you keep showing us the way. i love you guys. and without lots of showy words, we are walking with you.

christina said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Julie said...

Ali & Charlie,
You have been in my prayers daily now since Cate's passing. When I heard that you were expecting again I began immediately praying for this new baby. You will always be in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you all.

Julie Roy

Anonymous said...

Still praying for your family and a healthy pregnancy!

Jennie G said...

Ali, Charlie, Dude and Ella -- This is such a wonderful blessing!! Even though Ethan is in Ella's class, we did not find out until the day of the PreK program. I was thrilled, but didn't want to make a scene. Someone also sent me a photo of Ethan and Ella together in the classroom. Not sure who took it, but it is precious (remember in High School they will be going to Homecoming together). During the PreK program when they sang the song that said, "Ask you on a date"...Ethan turned back and looked at Ella and she leaned forward toward him...it was too cute. Back to Baby Cantrell...you know Ainsley's Bday is November also....Feb is a popular month (Valentine's). I have my St Gerard prayer and medal in hand and will be praying for a healthy pregnancy for Ali and a healthy sweet baby. Your strong faith and love will fill this baby's heart before it even enters this world. We love you all!!
The Garys
Stephen, Jennie, Ainsley & Ethan

Lila Lambert said...

Just wondering how Ali is feeling....still praying all is going well....hope to hear some news from you soon!!!

Anonymous said...

I am thankful for the live feed from Steubenville on the Bayou. I joined the conference via internet. Especially enjoyed hearing your voice and the message the Lord put on your heart. Looking forward to an update. God Bless~

Eliska Arceneaux said...

Ooooohhhhh yeah!!!!! I knew this was coming!! Ya'll kids always seem to come right after mine lol!! I bet it's a boy (that's what we just had a month ago)!! I wanted all of you to know that we never stoped praying for you and my kids are so happy that baby Cate is having a baby brother or sister!! Congrats to ya'll!!!

Love Eliska, Jayden, Dominic, Mariah, and Joseph

Lila Lambert said...

I know that this is a very hard time for all of you....I will keep lifting you all in prayer....

The Caswells said...

Just wanted to let you guys know that we are thinking about you all and praying for you today. I know this month must be especially hard but realize that their is a body of people continuing to pray for your family
Love, Kyle, Marin and Kaylin Caswell

Anonymous said...

remembering her great sweet potato smile and praying for you all today

love,
the bermans