Levi's Birthday

Levi born at 7:21 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18

Thanks to technology we have known for some time Mary and Jacob's baby was going to be a boy. His name? Levi. I would have posted this a bit earlier but I wasn't able to get an image until Justin sent this one from his cell phone when Levi was still less than a day old. If another portrait was never taken of Levi - this would be precious enough.

Lil Mary might have a different story to tell, but this is sort of how it all came down on Thursday, September 18, 2008. Mary and Jacob and Grandmary woke up at about 4am and checked into St. Luke's Hospital up in The Woodlands about 5:30am.

Pitocin drip was started by 6:30am. Mary was dilated 2cm and 80% effaced. At 8:30am she was 4cm and 90% effaced and by 11:20am she dilated to 5cm and was 100% effaced - by 1pm Mary dilated to 6cm.

Mary was given a sedative at 2:45pm and rested for a while. She awoke with her water breaking at 3:55pm dilated to 8 and by 5pm she was 9.5cm. Nurses summoned Dr. Laden at 5:25pm.

As many as could pressed ears to the door to try and hear what was going on. We heard someone say "He has dark hair" at about 5:55pm. Suspense built and prayers ensued as Mary pushed with contractions for about 2 hours without an epidural.

Levi was born at 7:21pm. In addition to dark hair it was noted that he has big feet, strong lungs pretty eyes and was very alert and hungry. The neonatalogist came outside the door and shared that Levi was 8 lbs 6.7 oz. and 20 inches long at 7:33pm.

Mother Mary is hurting a little but recovering fine and Levi has been under the Bilirubin light.
We hope they will come home soon. We are so grateful for a full term delivery without c-section with a healthy baby!! Halleluyah!

Star Scout

Dalton's troop held its court of honor at St. Paul's Lutheran, Sunday afternoon where he received a number of merit badges and his Star rank. The total number of merit badges earned to date numbers 25. We are very proud of Dalton's continued accomplishments and personal growth.

A spot on his kidney

Against the vastness of our universe a spot on a kidney may seem like an exceedingly small thing, until it afflicts you or those you love. In this instance the loved one is my dad.

My good friend Mark shared these verses from Psalm 33

But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.

We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

These are just a few verses. You might want to read more HERE

As you reflect upon these scriptures, what is spoken to your heart?

Have you ever thought about how little things in life can bring you closer to Almighty God - Zuriel -Eloheynu Melech Ha'Olam?

Showers

The weatherman's forecast is pretty predictable - "another beautiful day of sunshine," but I am getting off point in a hurry. What I meant to say is Mary is having showers almost every week in preparation for the new addition to the family - baby Levi.

We almost had to deliver Friday, but THANK THE LORD, we didn't have to!!!! Levi's heart rate was high for a period of time, so the doctor thought Levi might be in trouble. His heart rate came back down, and both the doctor and fetal specialist felt it was okay for Mary to go home, but to come back on Monday for another NST (Non Stress Test). Momma just has to make sure he moves regularly and take it easy, of course! Please keep praying...we're praying to get to 38 wks., which would be Sept. 10.

Tiphaine with Dad in San Francisco

The Vincent's Summer 2008 trip to San Francisco--- Monday we toured Haight-Ashbury and bought some jackets (and jeans for Shelby) at a vintage clothing store, visited Japan Town. Tuesday we had a guided tour (including lunch) of Chinatown, walked up to Telegraph Hill and visited Coit Tower, rode the Powell-Hyde Cable Car to the Wharf/Pier 39, then rode it back to Lombard Street and walked down "The Crookedest Street in the World." Wednesday we went to the Marina, the Palace of Fine Arts, walked through Crissy Filed, along the beach, and then walked across the Golden Gate Bridge and back, then toured the Mission District where we saw some of the more than 200 murals of the district. Thursday morning we walked through part of Golden Gate Park, spending most of our time in the Japanese Tea Garden before leaving for the airport.
Follow this URL for some great images: http://picasaweb.google.com/shelby.vincent/SanFranciscoCalifornia?authkey=ANfvKIY0B1I

Hope of the World

Mom has been doing the artwork for the North Texas Conference each June for three of the last four years. Each year a number of southern states meet in a leadership convocation known as the Sout East Jurisdictional Conference. It was held in Dallas' Anatole Hotel this past July - it will probably be returning to Dallas in another 15 years.

This artwork was used as the Conference logo for 2008. The post script to the story is that the conference chapel in Plano put the design into stained glass. We are all really proud of her.

What symbolism do you see in this image?

Levi turns 30

Granmary, Mary and Jacob went to the doctor today, and Levi looks GREAT!!!!! He is developing perfectly normal...Praise God! He is 30 weeks old, weighs 3lbs. 7 oz., and hasn't started showing any signs of trouble from Mary's antibodies.

The doctor was very pleased with what he saw and said to come back in two weeks for monitoring. We hope that after Mary's bloodwork comes back she will be able to get the Rogame shot. Sure she will always have these antibodies in her body, but if levels are low enough, she might be able to get the Rogame shot to help supress them.

Ultra sound portrait of Levi at 30

Visited Zach and Liz in Laredo

Just before the start of the July 4th weekend Mary joined us for a quick trip to Laredo where we enjoyed fellowship, fireworks and a quick tour of the Laredo area - including a stop at a border patrol surveillance point where Zach and Mary had their picture taken, some interesting tourist shops, Target and up-scale taco eatery.

Tiphaine with Dad in NYC

This montage of images is from the visit over the 4th of July weekend with Benjamin and daughter Tiphaine - on their first visit to NYC and their first time to travel alone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDTAtvvWzk4

Tiphaine posing in her pirate garb.

Zach Graduates from Border Patrol Academy

Brother Bobby joined Liz, BT, Mary and Mary in Artesia, NM on the occasion of Zach's graduation and commissioning. Zach distinguished himself as one of the best shots in his class while in training.

Zach stayed two months longer at the FLETC campus for Spanish language training before assignment in Laredo. Dalton stayed with the Meads.

A very special woman

January 1, 2008 was celebrated with some black eyed peas, a few kodak moments and construction of a dog fence. Many folks let their dogs run. There is a lot of running room but sometimes visiting dog packs aren't much on manners.

In fact we have had a couple of vet bills from neighbor dogs attacking our Australian Cattle Dog, Duke. I am blessed to have a wonderful help mate, Mary who helps with fencing, nursing, cooking and whatever else that may happen on Lazy Day Farm.