Welcoming ETHAN HAROLD SHIPLEY!

8lbs, 6oz, 20 1/2 inches long, born February 17, 2011

What a handsome little boy!

Pawnee and Thomas waited the whole nine months to find out the gender of their fifth and last baby. Now that's patience beyond anything I would be able to do! The C-Section seemed to go well enough, though the doctor had to keep increasing the pain meds because off and on Pawnee would say, "Oh, I can kind of feel that!" Mostly, she was pretty loopy throughout the surgery, even falling asleep and snoring for moments here and there!

Thomas recorded the birth and it was absolutely amazing and gruesome to watch! I can't believe Pawnee has endured this three times now. The doctor pulled Ethan out and let Thomas be the first to distinguish the gender. Pawn said Ethan gave the loudest cry she's ever heard from her kids!

 My mom and I are both here in Arizona, helping take care of the other four kids while their mom and dad and little brother are in the hospital. My mom was a nervous wreck all night and all morning until we found out Mommy and baby were just fine! She was pacing around and letting out noises of anxiety every thirty minutes or so, even while I tried to subtly distract her by playing primary songs on the piano or chatting casually. Her mind wasn't fooled! It was such a happy, exiting moment when Pawn called and announced Ethan's arrival.

 It was even more thrilling to go and visit. When we came into the room, Ethan was tuckered out and smashed cozily against his Mama's chest, where he'd been for a few hours. I felt bad to take him away but Pawn offered to let us hold him,  and selfishly, I was dying to! It was only a few minutes before I was completely bawling. There is absolutely nothing like holding a newborn. I loved his soft, smooth skin and his naked little body, except for the tiny diaper around him. He's a sturdy boy!

 Thomas was trying to catch up on his zero-night's sleep, also. 

 Despite how healthy and strong Ethan seemed, shortly after our visit started, the nurse came to do a routine check-up. She immediately caught on to the fact that Ethan was suddenly struggling harder to breathe. His lungs seemed to be working over-time, and his nostril's flaring for more oxygen. They took him away to the NICU and sadly, he's been up there ever since.

A couple x-rays showed tons of fluid in his lungs. They began treating him for pneumonia at first, giving him an IV, oxygen, and a tiny tube down his throat for something I can't remember. Yesterday, one of the doctor's said he seemed to have CRP -- something else I need to research to better understand, but basically, some kind of infection or inflammation. Whatever the name of it, poor Ethan is estimated to be in the NICU for another seven days. The doctor's are optimistic that he will beat it and it doesn't seem life-threatening at this point. But everyone at the hospital is baffled as to why he is sick.

Pawnee is trying to heal but, of course, she is so heart-broken at not being able to take her baby home. She wasn't even able to hold him again until last night at 6 pm. We went up for a visit and he was screaming and so distraught. The nurses handed him over to Pawnee, and literally in moments, he calmed right down and fell peacefully asleep. It was such a tender experience to witness between Mama and baby. He knew exactly what he needed for comfort, and knew the exact moment when he received it. There was so much love in Pawnee's eyes for her son, it made me want to cry right along with her.

We love you, Ethan, and hope you get better soon!