Brief Update

Since Christopher is in ICU, the nurses are not allowing any visitors at this point. Robert is with him most all of the time. The little guy is scheduled to have surgeries at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow which should last approximately three hours. Becky got "some" broken sleep last night and is both eating and walking today. It's been rough, but she has a great attitude and is making tremendous progress. More photographs will be posted in the morning. This last tip is for those of you who are not familiar with blogging, and because some of you have asked. In order to leave your comments/questions or to read the comments of others, simply point and click on the small text just after the time of day at the bottom of any post. There you will see the current number of comments and then the word "comments". For example, "0 comments", "1 comment", "2 comments", etc.

Still Smiling

Mommie doesn't feel good...

I visited Becky for a few minutes tonight. Poor thing hasn't slept a wink all day; and in anticipation of this morning's events, she didn't sleep but three hours last night either. She also hasn't had anything to eat. She tried one bite of jello, but her body rejected it--and then some. In addition to nausea and vomiting, she has quite the headache. Of course, that could be the result of not eating or sleeping--and crying usually gives me a headache too. Anyway, while I was there, she had at least five other visitors plus her mom and sister. She is definitely loved. So all of you who will be praying for Christopher tonight, pray for Becky too, that she will get the rest and nutrition necessary to recover from major abdominal surgery. WE LOVE YOU BECKY!!!

A morning filled with smiles and tears...

Beautiful Becky Adorable Christopher
Saying Goodbye

He's Here!

Christopher was born this morning at 8:10 weighing 7 lbs. 6 oz. and measuring 20 inches long. He has hair that's "kind of curly" with a reddish tint and, according to Becky, he looks a lot like James. Becky says he is BEAUTIFUL and you would never know by looking at him that he has Hydrocephalus or Spina Bifida. Not only is he adorable, he looks like a completely healthy baby boy. But, the truth is, he is not. Christopher has already been rushed from Shawnee Mission Medical Center to Children's Mercy Hospital where they will run tests, determine the severity of his condition, and decide how immediately surgery is needed. Becky, unfortunately, never got to hold her new baby boy in her arms. She did see him briefly and gave him a kiss, but he was hooked up to several tubes and wires being readied to leave. Christopher has some bowel problems that require tubes; he also has an IV in his head, which is feeding him the necessary antibiotics to avoid infection to his open spine. He is breathing nicely on his own, which is a positive sign, and his legs are kicking, although his feet and toes do not have much movement. It has been quite an emotional morning for the entire family. Becky has been shedding tears and clinging to two Polaroid photos of Christopher. Robert and his parents, as well as Emily and James (the two oldest siblings) are with Christopher at Children's Mercy; Becky's mother and sister, Julie, are with her at Shawnee Mission; and Spencer (the youngest sibling) is with Becky's good friend, Lynette Speyer.

Photos will be posted this afternoon, and we'll share more details as we become aware of them.

Tomorrow is the BIG DAY!

Friends and family have all aniticpated Christopher's birth for months. We've been thinking about him, praying for him, and anxiously awaiting his arrival. But probably no one more than his parents, Robert and Rebecca Etchells. Becky is scheduled for surgery at Shawnee Mission Medical Center tomorrow morning (seven freakin' thirty a.m.!!). Check this blog for information, updates, and photographs. Your comments and questions are always welcome!