I'd like to introduce you all to my new favorite blog. It is very personal in nature. Not the funniest, most creative or hippest. It is however, technology at its best.
Let me introduce you to my dear friend Katie and her husband Aaron. They became parents on March 15th after YEARS of trying. You know the deal, IVF, $$$$$, several miscarrages etc. On the 15th, Katie gave birth to Trent and Sophie after only 25 weeks of gestation. Katie had been in bed for about a month before that.
Trent weighed in at about 1 lb 10 oz and Sophie at 1 lb 5 oz. Every day is an absolute miracle for Trent, Sophie and their proud parents. Anyway some of their friends got together and started a blog so that folks could update each other with information on the well being of the babies and the parents.
Please visit Keeping a Keene Watch and send your love to these miracle children.
For those of you who are interested, here is a little bit more of a background on my connection with this beautiful family. Katie and I went to 8th grade and high school together. The two of us, along with 3 others, Becky, Kelly, and Deidra (we all went to high school together), have been steadfast friends ever since. We have been through births, deaths, graduations, highs, lows, and everything in between together. We have vacationed together, gotten in some trouble together, and brought 5 amazing men into the mix via marriage together! Together we now have 8 children, 6 boys and 2 girls. We now live all across the country: Philly, Orlando, San Diego, Willow Glenn and San Carlos. We are a doctor, a web designer, a marketing wiz, an HR pro, and a teacher. We have been told by a psychic that we have all been together throughout time. Apparently we were all in some major trouble together a few hundred years ago and it is my belief that we were all tried as witches at the Salem Witch Trials together.
When we get together something really amazing happens to the energy around us. Especially when all 5 of us are together (which doesn't happen very much any more, but when it does, look out). It feels like electricity. The guys kind of laugh about it because, well, that's all they really can do. When I am with them, I feel like I breath better, I think better, my soul is complete.
I'm sure many of you read "The Ya Ya Sisterhood" and if you did, well, it's kind of like that with us. When that book came out we all had a good laugh. It was like someone had finally been able to articulate many of the things that we had done, been through and felt together. I'll find some photos to scan in and share with you, although I'll warn you now. Some of the photos will be from the early 80's and we all know that it wasn't a pretty time.
Becka, D, Kel, and especially Katie: I love you guys so much right now and always. You complete me. Seriously, don't laugh. I'm being vulnerable right now. Be nice.
Holy Moly, the stats on these kiddos! 25 weeks, one pound each - miracle babies indeed.
This is all very awesome, Kris. But now I'm going to have to slash your BMW tires as some other blogger has taken my place as your very favorite.
Don't mess with me. I know yoga.
Posted by: GraceD | March 22, 2005 at 10:09 AM
Very inspiring story and I love the sound of your relationships. I have mainly my school friends and we get together about every month for coffee--but we have scattered to other schools and retirement. The ties are still there, but a bit weaker than they were. I will go take a look; I love babies, as long as they don't live with me!
Posted by: Margaret | March 22, 2005 at 05:37 PM