To All Our OBX Friends...

We can't tell you how much we're looking forward to seeing you and introducing you to our Gwyneth Rose! I don't think we've looked forward to anything more than the day we drive home to the OBX after this long journey!

Unfortunately, because of the precarious health of both the girls, they won't be able to spend much time with you all for a while, yet. Tricia literally has no immune system, meaning that the smallest bug could get her extremely sick with no way of fighting it off on her own. Because Gwyneth is still so small and still developing, she also is at great risk (more than most newborns) of becoming extremely sick. If either one of them were to become sick, it would probably mean another stay in the hospital, and it could mean a lot worse.

Fortunately, the summer is the easiest time to stay healthy. So, we kindly ask you for a few things over the next several months to help us make the transition back to a healthy, normal life...

1) You probably won't see much of Gwyneth and Tricia out in public, crowded places for at least a few more months, including at church. When you do see us out in a public/crowded place, please, resist the temptation to give a hug or even shake a hand (including with me). Feel free to come up to us and talk...again, we can't wait to see you! I don't mind being the bad guy, and Tricia is getting good at cutting people off before they can make that contact, so don't be hurt if we seem less friendly (physically) than we normally would. Remember that, even if you're not sick, and even if you just washed your hands, you still have the potential to pass on any germs you may have picked up from anything or anyone that you have touched.

2) If you have been sick within a week leading up to seeing us, please, stay far away, even in a large, public place. I don't mind having a yelling conversation with you from across the room if it's cool with you. This includes me, because if I get sick right now, it's not a fun thing for any of us.

3) If you're feeling healthy and clean, and you would like to hang out, please, let us know by phone or email. We do have to take precautions, but it doesn't mean we can't see you and hug you and hang out with you at home. We can have a pretty normal life away from those crowded places, and, again, we are really looking forward to hanging out. This may mean that you'll need to find a babysitter for your young children, but hopefully that's something we can make happen.

I think that's about it for now. As long as you understand why we have to be extremely careful for the time being as well as how you can help us stay healthy, we should be working our way toward getting back to a more normal life.

Have I mentioned we're excited to come home?!?

See you soon!

Nate