It has been perfect outside. It's nearly impossible to go back inside....
In fact, the only thing that brings us back inside is the thought of spending time with Gwyneth, which is why we go outside first... Tricia loves feeding Gwyneth, and she's better at it than I am (no surprise), and since Gwyneth loves to eat, it's good times all around.
I honestly cannot describe the emotions and thoughts and feelings I experience from seeing my two girls spending time together. Up until this past week, Tricia had only been able to spend about 4-5 hours TOTAL with Gwyneth...now she is able to spend an hour at a time, a few times a day.
I am blessed beyond measure.Nate
127 comments:
I can't even imagine how y'all must feel Nate. Lovely pictures. Thanks so much for taking us on this journey with y'all. It is an honor I'll never forget.
God Bless you all
Jamie in Texas
Beautiful! I'm so glad the girls are able to spend so much time together right now. It's doing wonders for them both, I'm sure. They both look lovely!
It's great they get that bonding time.
those pictures are adorable. what i notice most is the color in Tricia's cheeks. Great to see!
I am just so happy for ya'll. Tricia's smile is the best!
Oh Tricia,
I can hardly wait for the day for you to be able to cuddle your baby without gloves, masks etc. Just skin to skin. It is wonderful to see you holding her and it must feel so right after all of this time. You are the most patient lady I have ever seen in my life. Praying for your healing to be complete and for you to be home as a family of 3. Bless you all.
Love, Laurie in Ca.
So are we!
:) love the pictures
I can't imagine how you all must be feeling right now. I am so thankful that Tricia is gettin to experience these things with Gwyn & I am sure the journey is only going to get better!!!
My heart leaps for your family, especially Trica being able to snuggle up to her baby girl!
How beautiful for ALL of you. I know that being held and cuddled by her Mommy can only be GREAT medicine for little Gwenyth. I am so happy that you are enjoying these precious moments together, and letting us enjoy them, too.
Great pictures....It is so great that Tricia and Gwyneth are getting bonding time and that the three of you are able to start being just that--a family of three all together!! You are very blessed and more blessed to realize it.
Shari NC
Aawww...Just beautiful. I'm so glad she gets to go outside AND spend time with Gwyneth. What a wonderful feeling for the both of you I'm sure! Love the pictures.
That last picture of the girls is worth more than money could buy! It makes my heart leap with joy to see the love in that picture. Way to go all of you. God has great things in store, yet to come!
Hugs from IN.
It is great seeing Tricia enjoying the sun. It is even better seeing her feed Gwyneth!
The bond that they share is beyond words and you can see it in the pictures.
Both of them look great!
Praise God!
Thanks for sharing the pictures of your girls... especially the ones of them TOGETHER! How awesome! That will be great for both of them and get them both out of the hospital faster! Praying for you all!
Karen in FL
Both of your girls look great.
I am glad Tricia is getting to spend so much time with Gwyn. There is nothing in this world as grand as feeding your baby.
I am glad you are logging lots of outside time. I think being outside is very healing. I am glad you are having better weather than we are... we get SNOW tomorrow.
God is so good!
The delight and joy and profound love showing in Tricia's eyes are beyone measure. You truly are blessed. So is she, you know.
God Bless you and your family!!
We are all blessed that you share these beautiful moments with us. I love the rosy glow in Tricia's face and the bond you can't help but see between her and Gwyneth. Praising God for moments like these and for continued blessings to come. Thanking Him and praying for His mighty hand to stay in all of this.
God's love and peace to all.
That last picture is the picture of two miracles. It is breathtaking. Absolutely beautiful.
Colleen
Pictures 3 and 4 are my favorite. You can see Tricia's smile through her eyes since the mask is hiding her mouth.
"Blessed beyond measure" Welcome to the world of fatherhood.
Again, all I can think to say is...Priceless.
It's so great to see Tricia & Gwyneth getting stronger and more beautiful everyday! My goodness! Tricia looks like a new woman!! And I couldn't help but notice Gwyneth sporting a double chin in some of the photos. I'm wondering...when can Tricia rip off those gloves and mask and snuggle her baby up (and smell her breath! Really, smell it! I fall in love all over again 15m later by smelling my daughters breath every single night before bed! It's heaven!)? And has she (Tricia) gotten to eat yet? I know that's kind of a lame question and I hope not to personal.
tricia looks so much happier than she has done for a long time. These pictures are wonderful.
Thinking of you guys
So happy to see things are still going good.
We are currently at the hospital in Birmingham, brought my daughter Tuesday for her CF clinic visit, her lung funtion was down sooooo she was admitted. The doctor says her lungs sound really good ... so hopefully we caught it early.
Tracy
I've often tried to describe a mother's love.... being the mom of 4 kids and grandma to 3 and one on the way I now know the perfect description.. It is this picture of Tricia! AMEN!
Again, thank you for sharing your family with us. What a blessing! And look at the color in Tricia's cheeks. How awesome is our God!
Sheryl
So great to see mother and baby together!
Beautiful pictures, God continues to bless all of you!
Stephanie/Stl Mo
hehehe
Yay for good days!
Question- once Gwyneth gets out of the NICU how will she still get donated breastmilk or its formula for her? Just wondering since it looks like you all might be breaking out 'sooner' then later, ya know?
BEAUTIFUL!!! To see you smiling Tricia is wonderful, to see you holding Gwyneth leaves me speechless!
Seeing the two of them together is just amazing. Words really can't even begin to describe it ... and I'm just a stranger lurking! :)
Enjoy your weekend.
I am just so touched by these amazing photos.
Tricia looks so healthy... I don't know what it is, she just has an amazing sparkle to her.
I am so happy to see your family together, it brings tears to my eyes. I am still praying for health, healing, and recovery.
God Bless!!
Lovely!! Both photos and the weather, that is! Glad to see the girls spending time together (love Tricia's 'hidden' smile behind her mask-- her eyes sparkle!) and that Tricia is able to go out to enjoy the weather with you, Nate. Keep grabbing every opportunity to enjoy this kind of weather before it becomes too hot!
The weather has been awesome, too, here in western MD! :-)
Marissa
Wow!! Tricia looks amazing. I believe I read on Megan's blog that Tricia looked better than she had in a long time.
Beautiful girls you have there!!
Ohhhhhhhhh. The rosiness in Mommy's cheeks sitting there feeding her daughter. The daylight on her face when she's outside. I can just see the healing! Outside and babies are the best medicine in the world!
I am just so happy for the three of you. It would seem that with mommy and baby getting to spend more time together, they will just feed off each other and get better faster and faster and faster!
Yay!!!
I have to post again. When I see Tricia holding Gwyneth, I think of all her secret prayers for a baby, I think of the months she carried her daughter when she had to have had this tiny thought in her heart that perhaps that would be their only time together, I think of the odds stacked against her medically, I think of the moments of feeling she'd have to choose between her life and her daughters... Then I see them together and my heart just feels bursting with happiness and joy. I feel so happy, and I think, long before she became a mother she had a mother's intuition that all would be as it should, all would be well, and she'd make her baby live through sheer force of will. And herself too. And I am so so happy and in awe.
Yeah! I am so happy for you and Tricia! How exciting that she is getting to spend more quality time with her daughter!
Praying for you and both of your girls complete healing!
You definitely are!
I am so, so happy for you and your family. As a mom to an 8 month old, I can only imagine how hard it must be/have been for Tricia to be away from her precious daughter. I am so touched by your pictures.
You are such a beautiful family! I'm glad that the girls are able to spend so much time together. Thank you for sharing these very special moments with us.
Jen
steadfastministry.com
This is such great news. I'm glad your best girls are getting to spend so much time together.
It warms my heart. Truly.
Tricia is GLOWING! Great to see her out in the sunshine....wonderful, beautiful woman of God! It isn't often that I want to pinch a grown woman's cheeks....but I LOVE seeing hers all rosy! (don't tell her that I said I wanted to pinch her cheeks - that could be awkward ;)And Gwyneth is a gorgeous little Peanut...What a glorious family you have.
"Blessed Beyond Measure" I love it. So true... so true.
Keep Truckin' You Guys!
Much Love,
The Vande Castles
They both look so good. I'm so happy for you all.
My two year old son just pointed to the picture of Tricia in the wheelchair and exclaimed "ooooh, motorcycle!"
Gorgeous! I love Tricia's rosy cheeks and smiling eyes! Thank you Lord for these two lives you have blessed Nate with, and thank you for blessing them with such a wonderful husband and father!
I am so happy reading this! I can not wait for the day when you are all home together. Just think, you'll be able to sopend all the time you want together, inside and out. :)
Yes, indeed, you are blessed...and so are they! What beautiful pictures! You keep out-doing yourself! I hope the beautiful weather holds for the Great Strides Walk tomorrow! Enjoy!
Checking in on you three is one of the highlights of my day. I'm so happy Tricia is able to get outside in the sunshine. Each new day is such a gift, isn't it?
Beautiful photos. The love shines through in each one.
We are all blessed by you sharing your lives with us.
I am so glad to hear that things are going so well with your girls. I love to watch Gwenny grow!
So I have a question/thought: What are you going to re-name your blog since you aren't a CF husband anymore, right! :)
I love the last picture especially. You can practically see the bonding taking place. There is no love like that between a mother and her child. I am so glad you are all able to enjoy that so much now.
What beautiful picures. I'm so glad that the girls are thriving.
You are indeed blessed.
Soooo wonderful to see the girls together!! Thanks for sharing. :)
Gorgeous. It is so nice to see Tricia with her daughter--what a beautiful picture of love.
What better example is there of a mother's love than the love Tricia has for that precious baby? Tricia was willing to give her life for Gwenyth. I am so happy for the three of you. God is so Good!
How cool is this! You must feel like you're coming back to life.
But um (maybe some others have already said this), Tricia looks like she's about to go for quite a ride in that first picture, and I think she's already been on enough of a ride for now...but she might be more adventurous than I am.
Anyway, HOORAY for the Lawrenson family!
it is amazing what sunshine can do to boost spirits! I'm so glad you are able to get out together and enjoy the Sonshine! :)
those absolutely GORGEOUS pictures of Tricia with Gwyneth!! Oh my heart!
The look on Tricia's face is truly priceless.
Erinn
MD
SO amazing! I love to check in daily to see how amazing our God is!!!
I'm a fairly new reader, but I've read a lot and prayed a lot for all of you. Your story is beyond amazing, and I praise God your girls are doing so well!
If you do another question/answer post, I'd love to know what it was that kept Tricia from being able to be with Gwyneth more (hearbreaking)... was it risk to T, risk to G, or fatigue, or something else I'm clueless about?
You're an inspiration.
Nothing quite like the love between a mother and daughter!! Precious pictures, and we are so EXCITED that Tricia is doing so well and getting to spend quality time with her beautiful baby!
We, too, are enjoying the gorgeous Spring weather and rejoicing with you at the "ordinary miracles" we see all around us! We're praying for more fantastic news of healing and strength in the days ahead.
Much love to your precious family of 3!!
Seems like it has taken forever to get to this point...maybe God was teaching you patience :-) They are beautiful together! Tricia looks like she was made to be a mommy! We're still praying!
I'm a lurker who has never posted before, but have been following your story for some time. You posted those beautiful pictures of your girls on the same day that my favourite band, Great Big Sea e-mailed me about a contest they are having to submit photos for the video for their newest single Walk on the moon. You can hear the song at www.greatbigsea.com
This song and your story jut seemed so made for each other.
More info about the photo contest in on the site as well.
Whether you choose to submit photo or not, I hope you enjoy the song as much a I do.
Nicola
ps. I have been signed up as an organ donor since I learned how to drive (12 years ago), and I donate blood every 8 weeks. Your story has encouraged me, however, to do more and sign up for the One Match stem cell and marrow network. I feel that I am very lucky to be as healthy as I am, and am happy to give back wherever possible.
You've said it all......and I say Amen to that!
Bless your heart....and your girls' hearts too! You are SUCH a cute family!
Precious! Precious! Precious!
The last picture needs to be framed and hung in each of Tricia's and Gwyneth's doctor's office's to remind them of the miracles that our Heavenly Father gives us. It's truly a miracle from God to see the two of them embracing one another. Thanks Nate for brightening my day!
I love that they are being able to spend more time together. How wonderful.
Talk about making your heart sing.
i cannot agree more that you are blessed beyond measure! But your girls are blessed also with such a faithful husband and father. My baby has T18 (3yrs.old) and I am exhausted much of the time. You have two very frail loved ones and I pray God will continue to bless your beautiful family.
Cathy & Annabel
That is so awesome! Thank God for beautiful weather and outdoor days!!!
Wonderful pictures! The good news just keeps coming every day...
I am so happy for you Tricia, that you get to hold and feed Gwyneth, and talk to her, and just be together as mother and baby. You have loved her dearly for a long time, and now the two of you can really get to know one another well - this love will endure for eternity. Thank you Nate for sharing this joy with all of us. And praise God from whom all blessings flow...
Such beautiful pictures, and a reminder that prayers can and will be answered.
Tricia, you are a natural! Its great to see those sweet pink cheeks!
pink cheeks! blessed indeed!
i'm also a new mother and feel such joy from seeing the pictures of tricia enjoying time with her daughter. what a blessing! she looks great! her cheeks are so pink. take and post more pictures!! :o)
wow..i just realized everyone else commented on her pink cheeks. i guess we all saw it! shes beautiful!
Those pictures brought tears to my eyes.
Your baby girl is filling out!!!
GREAT PICS!! Tricia's cheeks are nice and rosy! That is one thing I love about transplant! Rosy cheeks, color in your lips (not blue) and no blue nails!! WONDERFUL!! Keep workin' hard girls!
I remember my preemie being that size (she was 2lbs15oz at her lowest weight) and now she is 23 lbs and running around. What a blessing that Tricia finally gets to hold her baby girl so much! The LORD is good!
This is so touching. I love the pictures of the girls. I enjoy reading your blogs. I check the site at least twice a day. You are an inspiration Tricia.
Tricia is such a beautiful Mommy! I thought her wedding pictures were beautiful, but the pictures of her feeding her new baby girl are even more beautiful - especially when viewed full screen! She deserves to be the happiest Mommy alive! What wonderful role models both of you are for little Gwyneth - faith, love, determination, joy, thankfulness and praise! "How great is our God, sing with me.."
Such wonderful news...it is so great to see Tricia and Gwyneth together...This is the best medicine for both of them...I can't imagine the feeling you have when you see the two of them together...Continuing to pray for all 3 of you...
Yes Nath you are blessed beyond measure!! That is every husbands and dads dream for his family.
These pictures and hearing of good days for all of you make me happy.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Prayers from Michigan
Most beautiful photos yet. HOORAY!!! Prayers continuing.
One of the high points of my day is to check your website and see the absolute beauty, joy, happiness, and love. Beauty abounds in this Lawrenson family!
It's wonderful to see Tricia able to physically 'mother' like the mother she's been all this time, to see the tender look in her eyes and love as she feeds Gwyneth! Parental bonding isn't always instant and with preemies can even be complicated, but to also be ill oneself, deathly ill, compounds the situation tremendously. Thank you for sharing the miracles in your lives. I'll continue to pray for all of you and the donor family, too. I hope one day that they will meet you and see the good that their decision did at that time of loss. I'm sure they will take great comfort in it.
I am blessed beyond measure because you feel blessed beyond measure... thank you Lord for this miracle..
I too, cannot imagine what it must feel like to watch Tric and Gwyneth together firsthand. It just absolutely warms my heart and brings tears to my eyes to see pictures of them together, especially the ones with Tricia feeding her. Exactly what new moms are supposed to get to do and it's just that much more special after what they've both survived. God is so good Nate. :) So so very good.
Thank you for blessing us by sharing this.
Lots of love!
Blessed indeed!! So beautiful.....
These pictures are lovely - thank-you! How precious that Trcia and Gwyneth are finally getting to be together so much - won't be long until it is all the time!
Love and prayers.
xxx
That's wonderful you and Tricia are getting to enjoy more bonding time with your baby. Tricia looks great-her cheeks are more rosey, and the last photo is cute of the little Rose looking so satisfied.
Blessings...
Tricia looks great! Great pictures, thanks for sharing!
Both girls are beautiful -- and one of them looks like she's starting to fill out! Pretty soon there will be fat rings on those delicate litttle wrists!!
I can see that Gwyneth loves being in her mommy's arms and that the feeling is very mutual. Beautiful pics of beautiful girls.
I can't imagine how you feel Nate because I get all weepy looking at the two girls together! Your emotion has to be a gizzilion times greater having gone through all the stuff you've been through!
We are praying and optimistically excited!
The pictures are wonderful. Tricia and Gwyneth look beautiful together. So glad to hear of the continued progress.
I am so thankful that all is going well for you and your girls- keep up the posting and the pictures, we all love em' :)
Those pictures bring tears to my eyes. I love seeing Tricia smile and mostly I love to see her feeding her baby. Feeding your baby is such a bonding time and I am so thrilled Tricia can now feed and bond with her precious little girl.
I am loving these pictures. Life is beginning to resume some semblance of normalcy. God's goodness never ceases.
I know what it is. Not an addiction to you per se, more an amazement at your story and daily reminders of God's infinite love for us. I love your story. My eyes stare in utter disbelief at Tricia's healthy face and smile. I am blown away by the pictures of her and Gwyneth together. God is good. Very, very good!
Heidi Reed
Thank you Jesus for your wonderous works! Those pics of Tricia with Gwenyth bring tears to my eyes.
I am so happy for you, Nate! Yes, you are blessed, but so are they!
refreshing in ohio
Our family is so blessed to know your family. Whenever we have a bad day with our battle with cf I think of you guys and all you have been through and will continue to go through - and I know Nicholas does too. Getting to know you guys through the blog has been a great treatment for him. I have seen a great change and maturing in him.
Tricia just looks radiant - especially when she is with Gwyneth. I'm sure that is one of the best medicines for her as well. I'm also sure you know having a great husband like you is priceless for her. I know I couldn't get through all I do without John's support. We are so glad to see that things are going so well. I can't believe you could be going home so soon! God is so awesome Nate!
The Griffins
look at the pink in Tricia's cheeks! Your girls are beautiful and doing great! I have loved reading your story.
Ginny
Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
Oh Nate, they're so beautiful together!! This makes me so so so so happy.
What beautiful pictures...
What beautiful pictures...
i just love seeing tricia "mommy-ing" gwyn and that last picture where she's so lovingly looking at gwyn. It's so cool!
I bet being able to care for gwyn more regularly is THE perfect motivation for tricia right now. How great that she is able to visit her baby more often. Makes my heart so happy for her.
sitting here looking at the photo's and even looking at the photo's of trish before, she has so much more color to her and she looks so much ALIVE! PTL!!!
I can only look at your blog at home because it makes me cry when I see the pictures. Both your girls are doing SO WELL!! They look amazing and strong. I'm so happy for you guys. *hug*
So great to see..... Beautiful!
This is so awesome to see!! Thanks Nate!
So very happy for you all! Beautiful girls you have there!
God bless!
Marla
Oh those photos made my eyes leaky with happy splashes! Let God be Praised!!!
Thanks for making my Sat. brighter :-)
Wow, look at the color in her cheeks!! When you finally get to contact the donor family, you should send them that picture.
Still praying for strength, healing, and growth for all three of you..in age order ;)
Your story continues to bless us, as well! Praise Him!
Thanks for sharing the pics. Tricia looks fantastic!!!! Gwyneth is a beauty!!! You all are such a beautiful family!!!!
Christina in Virginia
I'm sitting here pondering on what to say-you are strangers to me, yet I feel as though your family and am so happy for you three I could cry!
God has surely blessed you.
Love from MI
God is sooo good, thank you for that reminder that it is true both in the good times and bad times of life. Tricia, you look amazing. And the baby, WOW!
Praise Him! Praise Him! And the best part is, I know you have and I know you do and I know you will!
I love seeing the bonding between Tricia & her precious baby girl!! it is simply beautiful!
I know you said you were planning on posting more information about the transplant and Tricia...but I was wondering what kind of precations she has to take to go around the hospital/outside/to see Gwyneth, as far as immunosuppression? Obviously the NICU takes steps to protect Gwyneth from infection, I just curious as to what Tricia has to do to keep those hospital bugs away?
Very sweet pictures btw, memories to keep forever! Still praying for y'all....
so glad to see mommy and baby spending time together! FINALLY!!! yay for your girls and bonding time!!!! Tricia looks so healthy! it's hard to beleive she has been through SO much physically in just a few months. what a strong woman!
You are so blessed indeed. Tricia looks phenomenal and especially with a metal trach vs. a shiley. That is such great progress. And little baby Gwyneth--it's amazing at how much she's grown and progressed. Praise God for all that he's done!!
Keep going Nate, Tricia and Gwyneth! You all are inspirations to the world and your light is shining so bright! Bless you!
Can you do some skin to skin with Gwyn?
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