singing for Grandpa A...

Update on Gpa A:  Grandpa is partially paralyzed on his left side, able to eat 25% of the pureed food that he is fed, and has alert periods during the day as well as spending a lot of time sleeping.  He will be going back to the assisted living he had just moved into a month or so ago and will be given hospice care from now on.  We continue to covet your prayers for Grandpa and his whole family during this difficult time.


post from 11-27-11
S's 91 year old Grandpa A had a stroke on Thanksgiving day.  He has lost function on one whole side of his body, and can't swallow, so we don't know how much longer he will be with us.  He lives in MI, so S's parents and sister drove out this weekend to be with him.  He has had some bad days since Thursday, but today was a good day for him, so we called to sing him a few songs.

Grandpa was able to say "thank you" and "good job" to the kids which was so good to hear.  We give thanks for the wonderful Godly example that Grandpa A has been in our lives, and for all the love and prayers he has given to us and so many others.  We ask for your prayers for comfort for Grandpa and the rest of the family as well as for wisdom for S's mom and her siblings as they will have to make some end of life decisions with Grandpa.

2 weeks full of baby H...

(happy birth day, sweet boy)   November 2, 2011

(didn't care much for that bath)   November 3, 2011

(ready to go home from the hospital)   November 4, 2011

November 5, 2011

(3 generations of Bruin's)   November 6, 2011

(sleeping baby burrito style on dadda's birthday)   November 7, 2011

(let's go to bed already, dadda!)   November 8, 2011

(happy 1 week birthday!)   November 9, 2011

("can I hold baby H, PLEASE?!!!!!")   November 10, 2011

(first outing - other than dr - to big sister's Drama Night play)   November 11, 2011

(shhhhh, don't wake the sleeping baby for a photo...)   November 12, 2011

(H didn't care for the movie or the breadsticks)   November 13, 2011

November 14, 2011

(still doesn't like those baths)   November 15, 2011

(H sleeping outside on momma - rather than inside - on his 2 week birthday and official due date)   November 16, 2011

Baby H love from family and friends...

We have been so blessed in the past couple weeks by:

     help from Aahma's...

     meals from family, church friends and school friends...

     some lovely words from Auntie C and Auntie A...

     and of course lots of love for Baby H from...

Aahma and Boppa R

cousins K and G

Our great mid-wife Ondrea, who delivered H

friend A and her adorable daughter B

Our fabulous head mid-wife Kathrine, who we have been with for all of the kids - so blessed because of the care we have gotten from her!!!

neighbors Miss C, Miss K, and Mrs. L!

Auntie M and Uncle C

Uncle J and Auntie C

Papa and Aahma B

introducing our newest blessing...

...Henry Kole!

(after making us wait so much longer than his brother did)

Baby H was born on Wednesday, November 2, 2011

(yep, his birthdate is 11-02-2011, which makes math nerds like us smile)

7 pounds 14 ounces

21 1/2 inches long

Baby H joins oh so proud big sister G, big brother W, and big brother C.  

They couldn't be more excited!

(then again, S and I couldn't be more excited either)

The pregnancy was long and trying at times as was the delivery process, but we are overwhelmed with joy at the addition of another child to our family.  We are truly thankful for all the blessings that God has given us!

Monday, October 31...

I said they could dress up as long as I didn't have to make or buy anything.

Not sure what G ended up as, but she sure was cute.

S said I needed to work on my eye black application...

...but I think the cutest sports guys around pulled it off just fine.

Sunday, October 30...

 and we all wore khakis that day...

Thursday, October 27...

the problem is getting worse.

this at least helps.

so has the generous help from family and church friends with meals.

so does knowing this should be temporary with a wonderful outcome at the end.

still...give me patience, Lord.

Tuesday, October 25...

W was very proud of his ceramic tile he made in Doodlebugs.

When asked what it was a picture of, he indignantly responded "Art!"

Sunday, October 23...

Baby-sitting was part of the early birthday gift - a wonderful afternoon for S and I in Stillwater enjoying the fall views of the Missisippi River and lift bridge while we ate lunch followed by a beautiful Cantus concert.

Thanks Mom and Dad B...

Thursday, October 20...

there is a running joke in my family that if there is a not-so-stellar meal, we "save" it with ice cream at the end.

S's campfire plan "saved" our whole day.