Saturday, March 1, 2008

To Catch A Smile

It seriously took me a long time to catch this, but it was so worth it, just so I could share it with you.

Right now, it's just because...one day soon, it will be because her mother and I will know exactly what to do to make it happen...




Just like I know what to do to make this happen...



Nate

136 comments:

Anna Marie said...

The sweetest smile ever! I am so glad you were able to catch it and share it with us!

AM

Destini said...

Baby smiles are amazing! Makes you wonder what she is dreaming about to make her smile so!

Anonymous said...

Oh, that just gave me goosebumps to see Gwyneth's BIG smile! I am SO glad you caught that! It's just gorgeous. (Tricia's smile is, too!) What a neat post.

Anonymous said...

Oh, that just gave me goosebumps to see Gwyneth's BIG smile! I am SO glad you caught that! It's just gorgeous. (Tricia's smile is, too!) What a neat post.

Caroline Cordle said...

Absolutely GORGEOUS! It's so precious to see them smile, isn't it?!

Still praying for you all!
xxx

Anonymous said...

Thanks for ruining my make up-- again! What beautiful pictures! We love them! Hope today is just a great for you!

~Sara in MD

♥Lisa and The Pug Posse ♥ said...

how sweet is she? That made my day just seeing Gwyneth smile...she must be of been looking at that picture of her Mommy and Daddy you taped to the side of her bed....awww she is just so sweet!

kidsworld said...

What a great 'catch'!!! Her smile is beautiful like her mommy's!

Thank you for sharing!

refreshing in ohio

Patty Honeycutt said...

You have two beautiful girls! And they have a wonderful husband and daddy. God bless!

Jen said...

I just love baby smiles. I hope you will catch many many more to share with us.

Laurie in Ca. said...

Beautiful girls, beautiful smiles. I am praying for all of you today.

Laurie in Ca.

ladybug8030 said...

These are the most amazing pictures ever. the smiles of both your girls just melts my heart. I'm so amazed at God's power and the miracles He's performed in your family. Your family is in my continued prayers and I look forward to witnessing many more miracles. Thanks for sharing your life with us!

Amy said...

Is our creator amazing or what?

Praying for a great weekend for you all.

Amy said...

That is absolutely precious! Thanks for sharing.
Amy

Beverly said...

I come here 2 or more times a day, but I don't usually leave a comment, but these pictures today are just so wonderful.

EliseNJayden said...

I love it!! Your girls are so beautiful!!

nicole said...

beautiful!

NuttyGal said...

It's obvious! She is dreaming of her fantastic mummy and daddy! That's enough to make anyone smile :o) She is just gorgeous :o) XXXXX

Holloway Clan said...

There's nothing like it in the whole world. Thank you for sharing.
Becky

Whitney @ I'm Lovin This Life said...

Oh my.. That is the *sweetest* smile! She is absolutely precious!

Anonymous said...

Oh Sweet Gwyneth. What a beautiful smile.So beautiful it brought tears to my eyes.
And Tricia how amazing you look!!
You girls are so Awesome! and you too daddy!

Lesley said...

And you know how to make us smile! So sweet.
Blessings,
Lesley England

Anonymous said...

I know what made her smile. She knows that God is with her and that her mommy and daddy love her.

Anonymous said...

Oh those baby smiles...they are truly gifts from God. So happy for you.
BTW, makes me think of a song I sing to my daughter (16months). She loves it and I thought I would share. It's called Little Potato by Malcolm Dalglish. You can see the lyrics and hear it at http://www.starbittrune.com/Jack/littlepotato.html

I'll go enjoy my oreo cookie for an ear now.

Meredith said...

What a GREAT post!!! I think that was ONE of your best postings. Baby Gwyneth smiling and the beautiful picture of Tricia. Just stunning! Beautiful smiles warm peoples hearts. Thank you for sharing those warm smiles with the world! Meredith/Orlando FL

Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba) said...

Oh, so beautiful! :)

Tressa said...

Awwww..I just had to comment, you have two beautiful girls! You truly are blessed!

D said...

What an adorable smile. Soooo cute!

UNC NICU RN

Jayne said...

LOVE the photo's.

Have a good weekend all of you.

xx

emily said...

That is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen :-)

Tina said...

Breathtaking smiles from both of your beauties!! What a day!!

Jenn said...

What a beautiful smile!

~Jenn

Mrs. Sassy S. said...

What beautiful girls your have!!! Nate you have truly been blessed from Heaven above!!

JnR said...

That is so precious! Both girls have beautiful smiles.

Matt Millard said...

Your girls have amazing smiles!
The photos of Gwyneth give me goosebumps. Don't you wonder what she was thinking/dreaming of to make her smile. Your girls are just perfect!

Matt Millard said...

Your girls have amazing smiles!
The photos of Gwyneth give me goosebumps. Don't you wonder what she was thinking/dreaming of to make her smile. Your girls are just perfect!

Scott said...

Great pics and sharing! You have trouble really taking a day off!!! Must be part preacher. You are in our prayers.

Christy said...

Awe! One of my favorite things! Baby smiles. >:0) Two beautiful smiles from two beautiful girls. Great post! Great pictures. Thanks for sharing.

Beebe said...

What an amazing picture :)
Have a wonderful day!!!

Deb said...

Aww!So sweet! I'm glad you got it! (and in stages- extra bonus!)
Tricia is so pretty. I always thought so. Wouldnt it be fun for Gwyneth to look like her :)
Glad you had a fun extra day!

Nikki said...

That's beautiful.

Devin said...

Nate,

Thanks for sharing those 2 beautiful smiles with us! Baby Gwyneth is soooo precious...

Devin in Illinois

Anonymous said...

She is so precious! It's funny how they just break out into a smile like that when they're that little. What a blessing she is -- she is just getting more and more beautiful with every picture you post!

Michelle said...

Completely breathtaking...and just wait until you hear that first giggle!!! It will turn you into a puddle!!!

Joyful Mom ~ Karla said...

This just made my day! It's almost like Gwyneth is laughing at angels gently tickling her! And Tricia looks so beautiful! You all are truly an inspiration. If there's ever any doubt of God's goodness or nearness, all anyone has to do is read one of your blog posts ~ and POOF all doubt is gone. Hugs to you all!

beth said...

Those are amazing smiles!!!!!(both your girls)
Have a great weekend with your visiting family!!!!!
Love, beth

Anonymous said...

You are one lucky man Nathan, one lucky man!

Pictures are truly worth more than words.

Em said...

I found this poem and thought it was perfect.

"A beautiful smile
falls 'cross your face
When you are happy
or full of grace.

A beautiful smile
fills your eyes,
When you're contented
or surprised.

A beautiful magic
attends your soul,
When you have spoken
of love untold".

Rebekah said...

What beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing. :)

Unknown said...

So sweet!!! And so beautiful! Both of your "girls."

BeckyG. said...

Absolutely precious! Reminds me to try and make my girls smile today!:)

Anonymous said...

That smile just brightened my day!

Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

Hugs and prayers,

Jeni, Hannah, Megan and Jack

NCBeachMom said...

Oh, I just love it! Thanks for sharing!!!

ttulizzy said...

Well. That just makes me happy!

Amy said...

How beautiful!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE the pics of Gwenyth smiling. She's beautiful. I hope to see the three of you smiling once you're all home together in the not so distant future. *HUGS*
~Kim in Ohio

Rich and Lauren said...

those are great!

I Speak Refugee, Let's Chat! said...

I bet she's dreaming of playing with her parents and pug :)

Shari said...

Beautiful! Your girls are just gorgeous! And they have one special husband and daddy! I am so glad you were abe to catch that smile! Tricia looks good.

The Dalgo Family said...

How BEAUTIFUL that smile is! Both smiles!

Patience Leino said...

Nate, what stunning girls you have! Tricia - you're gorgeous!

Katie said...

beautiful smile. I'm a lurker and love the story of your life. Your faith and love in your family and God is so inspiring. I do have a random question if you have the time: what kind of camera lense or setting are you using? I LOVE the lighting in all your photos.

Paige Hinrichs said...

Well, now how adorable is she?? Beautiful. Love, love, love those pictures of Tricia as well.

Do you sing to your girls? If my husband could sing ( you are a music minister,right?), I'd so want him to sing to me.

Elizabeth said...

beautiful.

Linda said...

Both of your girls have beautiful smiles! Tricia looks wonderful! Baby Rose is laughing at how much her hospital bill will be! I can tell already, she'll be one spoiled little girl.....and rightfully so!!! Praying in Rome, GA.

Momof2bz said...

Wow Tricia, you look radiant! It almost looks like Gwyneth is laughing. How precious! Thank you for sharing.

Sallie said...

God is so good!

Karen said...

BEAUTIFUL! Makes my heart sing!

Sarah Joy said...

Tricia,
The way you glow is a living testimony to God's love and grace in your life! What an ancouragement your smile on the blog is to my heart today.
Sarah Smith
Charlotte, NC

Jennifer said...

what beautiful pictures!!

Jennifer said...

what beautiful pictures!!

North Carolina Mom said...

They both bring tears to my eyes, I don't know who is more beautiful! I guess it's a tie!

Thanks for sharing. :)

Amy said...

Such a beautiful smile!Crying happy tears right now.

Emily said...

Beautiful girls!

Test said...

That makes me cry she is so sweet with that smile!!!
Priceless!!

terri c said...

AWWWWWWWWWW!!! For both smiles!!! Prayers continuing.

Anonymous said...

wow! Tears in my eyes seeing that sweet smile! So glad you caught it on camera.

Unknown said...

Good job, Tricia. I noticed that Nate was able to get a smiling pose of Gwyneth after you had spent 15 minutes with her. Pictures look great!

Michelle Jamie said...

F-I-N-A-L-L-Y!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It’s taken every spare moment I have over the last four days (about a total of 10 – 12 hrs of reading and video watching) to read about your adventure to this point. I have loved every step of the way. It is 11:05 pm here in South Africa right now so I’m going to get some sleep and post a comment tomorrow.

PRAISE BE TO OUR GREAT GOD IN THE HIGHEST!!!

;)

~*~Bre~*~ said...

The first time our daughter smiled (and every time thereafter), it lit up my soul. I'm sure Gwyneth's smile does the same thing to you. It's the best. EVER.!

Karen said...

I bet you had your hair all poofed up like you do in the morning. That would make me smile.

balsamlakemom said...

Nate,
Have been following your story for months and have been so inspired.Thanks for sharing this amazing journey with so many of us.

When someone sent me this forward, you were the very first person I thought of. I promise it will make you laugh today!!

http://cache.valleywag.com/assets/
resources/screenclean.swf

Mary in South Dakota

Jarboetwingles said...

Do you mean you know how to make Trica smile or roll her eyes? HA HA!!
Sweet smiles and can you believe the intricate patterns our blood vessels make? Always new ways to appreciate the miracle of a human life in your photos of Gwyneth!
Thank You

The Mac Fam said...

That is the most beautiful smile ever. She is precious. There are millions more of those to come so hang on. Blessings from Florida.

Unknown said...

Beautiful smiles on both of your girls!

I pointed a complete stranger your direction today at work. Her granddaughter Jordana was born at 36 weeks on Wednesday, and is having breathing issues, they rushed her to the "big" hospital in Macon yesterday to see if the nicu there could pinpoint what is going on as our local hospital can't. I told her to come visit your blog to give her and her daughter hope and strength, and gave her some of the background (as much as one can while checking someone out at Lowes. ;)

Anonymous said...

Two BEAUTIFUL girls! Gwyneth's hair is getting dark like Tricia's! I bet her eyes will be brown too!

Ms. E said...

That smile is so beautiful. Gywneth is goregous. I came upon your blog thru another blog. And have spent the past few days reading all of your entries. I have fallen in love with your family and am praying. The mystery of God and his plan is so bewildering and overwhelming. But I see Him at work as I now know what the current status is of both Tricia and Gwyneth.
I am doing a blog on trust in God about my health and would like to comment about your blog. Do I have your permission to use your blog URL and share your, Tricia's and Gwyneth's story? I know that you asked people to ask for your permission so I would like to get the OK before I do that. Praying for you and your family! Much love. Grace and Peace.

Anonymous said...

My beloved late parents used to tell us that when infants smile, they are talking to their angels. She has some pretty special angels.

Given Grace said...

Oh how truly precious!!!! Thanks so much for sharing.

Amber said...

Tricia looks awesome!!!! Is that mascara or just God given SUPER longs lashes????? Your girls are so amazing and such a blessing to so many families.

Shandelle said...

Oh my gosh Nathan! Both of your girls are BEAUTIFUL!

Julie Nickerson said...

Seeing your children smile is one of the BEST gifts in life that God blesses us with.

Is her hair turning brown?

She REALLY looks like you when she smiles!

Anonymous said...

haha! I was reading through the posts that people left for the song contest...to to get ideas for our video that we're making for our 7 month old. Your dad suggested Incarnacion from Nacho Libre! haha! My husband would fit in well with your family, I think. Okay -- I just had to laugh about that.

Kay said...

Those are some of the most PRECIOUS pictures that I have EVER seen! How wonderful. Our continued thoughts and prayers are with you and your lovely family for strength for everyday!

Kay

Kim said...

Beautiful girls!
Kim

Mary said...

Great new pictures Nate. Glad to see BOTH of your beautiful girls smiling. How precious is that Gwyneth!? Now some doctors will tell you that it's just an involuntary reflex....I say HOOEY! That is a true happy baby smile I tell ya. Hope you all have a great night and a great Sunday.

Mary
Florida

Meredith K Beaupre said...

Other than that of my own son, that may be the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!!! She's more gorgeous every day!!!

Hugs and love!!

Steph said...

It's easy to see where Gwyneth's smile comes from.. What beautiful girls you have!!
Stephanie/stl mo

Joy said...

What amazing pictures! A friend of mine told me about your blog and I enjoy reading it every day. You are an amazing husband and father! Hang in there! I have twin girls that were born at 27 weeks gestation (they are almost 4 now) so I feel for you and your daily struggles! The nurses always told us that one day the adventure would be a distant memory but it really never is. We hold those memories close to our hearts and appreciate our girls so much more for how much they fought to be here. We will be praying for both of your girls :-)

Amy said...

Precious smiles, precious girls, precious miracles! You are blessed!

Unknown said...

Awe.. she is so precious. I just love to see a baby smile. It brings back memories of my children when they were little. My youngest will be 3 on the 9th of this month. So long ago. Time for another one. lol

Thank you so much for sharing.

higgie08 said...

Have you ever heard the song "Sunrise of Your Smile" by Michael Card? (I am NOT suggesting this for the video, as I realize voting on that is closed--LOL). It is a wonderful song and Gwyneth's pictures reminded me of that. I hope you get a chance to listen to it sometime. Part of it goes "I would wander weary miles/would welcome ridicule my child/just to see the sunrise of your smile."

Much love in Christ to all of you!

Lisa said...

That is such a special moment! What a neat picture. I've been reading some of the comments and noticed a lot of parents with toddlers at home like to point at baby Gwyneth when your page loads...I wonder what all her pint sized fans said when her beautiful smile came up on the screen!
I hope lots and lots more smiles are in store for both Tricia and Gwyneth. :-)

Kate said...

I just found your blog and spent the last 3 hours reading/skimming through all the posts. Your beautiful family is in my prayers. Best wishes!

Dana D said...

Such beautiful pictures!
Such beautiful gals!

Robin said...

How precious!

Carol said...

Wow, those are some heartmelting smiles your girls are giving. Waiting to catch them was time well spent - thanks!

Linda said...

I just can't stop looking at both of these precious smiles. Nate, you should win a photographers award for capturing that smile on baby Gwyneth. You are blest!!!

Kim said...

I know you may not even see/read this comment but all I can say is....

BEAUTIFUL.Absolutely BEAUTIFUL.

Thank you for sharing.

TheRagan3 said...

that is truly sooo precious!! Those are the moments you remember... she is growing so much!

Anonymous said...

They are both such MIRACLES! God Bless...

Carol said...

Beautiful smiling girls!

Lara said...

Thanks for sharing the sweet smile with us! Your girls are beautiful! May the Lord continue to keep you guys healthy!

Blessings from Arizona

Gila said...

Oh wow--am sitting here tearing up....

Keep that good news coming!

Shot up another prayer for you. Honestly, if it weren't for you guys, I would not talk to G-d at all. :)

Gila

sarah. said...

i love how you caught the progression of her tiny little smile!! precious...

Angela said...

Oh that is just amazing!!! It is so hard to catch a fleeting sleep smile like that! I love Tricia's smiles too. She is such a beauty.

I got a google account just so I could keep commenting. :-P

Angela in central Ohio

Julie said...

Love it! Such pretty smiles!

Brandi said...

absolutly priceless. they are both just beautiful!!!! we continue to pray for you and your family each and every day. much love from louisiana

Anonymous said...

I've been following this story since doing my rotation through L&D and hearing discussions about you and your wife's situation. You wouldn't believe the time and manpower that was spent reviewing your case and going over all possible scenarios. Anyways, seeing that little girl smile with all that's going on around her takes my breath away. Congratulations on your beautiful family!

AlaneM said...

Wow those pictures are indeed worth 1000 words!! Beautiful smiles from beatuiful girls. You are blessed indeed.
And the news from your previous post about Gwenneth is so wonderful - what a tribute to prayer your lil miracle baby is.
Praying as always,
Alane

Violet said...

oh my, look at those smiles! love it.

Quin's momma said...

My 2 1/2 year old daughter loves to crawl up on my lap so she can see pictures of Gwyneth. She has to tell me that the "baby pretty". Thanks for posting the pictures! I am loving your blog. Thank you.

Zarna said...

i read in one of my baby books that although they don't smile for social reasons until about 2 or 3 months it's not just wind that makes them smile when they are younger. A baby will also smile when they are contented - like when their daddy is near & they are feeling very loved lol ;)
I don't know if it's the same for premmie's but i choose to think it is!

Marge Sexton said...

OMGosh!!! These are priceless....both of these precious smiles....you are a blessed man....I think you know that...just wanted to remind you.
Love and Prayers from Maryland!

Crystal said...

I love these pictures, You have taken some great ones, but these are the best so far!!

purple_kangaroo said...

I keep coming back to look at this post over and over. How absolutely beautiful.

Candy said...

Absolutely amazing. You have such beautiful girls.

begins with v said...

oh! tears in my eyes again...just beautiful...

JanelleGrace said...

Very sweet, I am glad you got to capture that on film/digital (?)..

lizcannon said...

about the spillage of the tube feeds.... i was pushing some through a syringe into a guys NG tube, and it lost it's connection and i squirted it all over his face..... what do you do but laugh?!?!?!?!? i try to use towels when i remember... sometimes you jsut think you are so good and you do it all the time, you don't need one?... sorry for the stinky sticky mess when it happens t-bomb.

Anonymous said...

Your story has captured me and encouraged me so often. Thanks for sharing your story with so many. I hug my two little girls a little tighter sometimes, just knowing how fragile life is. We are blessed by God with the little ones he gives us.

Amy said...

What a beautiful smile... so precious.

Anonymous said...

I love it. She's perfect.

Anonymous said...

The most amazing smile I have ever seen!

Anonymous said...

Okay Nate- I heard a great song today that made me think of these photos. I thought you may want to give it a listen when you have a chance and file it away for a future "Smile" montage. The late (great) Dan Fogelberg "Sometimes a Song".

Have a wonderful day!

tshaw said...

Your girls are beautiful Nate!!