Caribou Fun!

The Lilly family can't go to Caribou coffee and NOT have a good time. We always laugh and take lots of goofy pics. But hey, we have a great time and make many memories!

Happier Days

These are pics from Drake's first day at home.

Pics from Drake in NICU

The NICU is a very scary place and I hope I never have to step foot in there ever again. It was so hard to see my full-term healthy looking nephew in there, when there were babies that were one pound and three pounds next to him. The quarters were so tight, you never really had any privacy. It was just a very sad place to be, and poor Nate and Brook spent pretty much 8 whole days in there. I am just so thankful that my nephew is alive and doing well. Life might not be as easy for him as other kids, but God loves him just the same, and will bless his life and use him for His glory. Drake has already changed so many lives and he doesn't even know it.

Drake is home!!

Drake is finally home!!!!!!!!!!! I hope you've had a chance to read Nate's blog. It has been a great testimony and very inspiring to us all. Also, it has kept us up to date on Drake's progress. Nate and Brook are SO thrilled to have Drake home! Life can move forward now, instead of stand still. The future is unknown for them as far as Drake's progress. Since Drake has CMV it can still cause some damages over the next couple years. As of right now, we know that his brain only developed to 35 weeks gestation, and he is deaf in one ear. There is still a chance he could lose some hearing in his other ear and have some vision loss. But we are praying that none of those things will happen. God will just continue to heal Drake and won't give him more than he can't handle. Because of Drake's situation I have been reminded of Jeremiah 29:11- For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. There is HOPE and we just need to trust in that. It's nice to see a smile on Nate and Brook's face and to hear them laugh. Keep praying for baby Drake!!!

Baby Drake

Wow, where do I start? First of all, I must say that I feel like there is so much information to tell you that I can't even write it down or it would take me a HOURS to explain everything that has happened since Drake was born on Feb, 11th. So I'm going to direct you to Drake's father, Nate's blog: http://www.thediaryofalakenerd.blogspot.com/, and Nate's sister, Michelle's blog: http://www.michellesblog6.blogspot.com/. They have pretty much all the info. you need to know. For more info. on Drake's diagnosis, you can go to http://www.cdc.gov/ and look up CMV(Cytomegalovirus). The odds are DEFINITELY stacked against Drake. Doctors say he will most likely live with some sort of disability whether it's loss of hearing, vision, or some sort of metal disability. They are not sure how much brain damage has been done yet, but waiting on an MRI. We need prayers and LOTS of prayers. My heart aches for my sister and her family. I keep pleading with God and asking why. Why God? Why my sister Brook who is so loving and patient? I know our God is loving and faithful always. But it's hard to see my sister go through this and possibly what she will have to endure the rest of Drake's life. We've already witnessed a miracle. Drake is still alive and he is stable. Thank you Jesus for that! I do know Drake's story is changing lives and I know God has a purpose with that. I already know how little Drake has changed mine. Please continue to pray for baby Drake and lift up Nate and Brook. They need your prayers and suuport. Pictures to come.

She's into everything!!!

Now that Alexa can pull herself up, she is into everything. And I mean EVERYTHING!! Makenna never got into anything when she was a baby. She didn't push the limits and I could always trust her to not get into things she wasn't supposed to. I really never even needed the safety plugs and locks when she was a baby. Alexa on the other hand, is curious about everything. She finds the weirdest things, and is not afraid to taste everything. She is going to be trouble!!

Wisconsin Dells trip

The Dells has become a yearly winter vacation for us. We stay at The Wilderness Resort and have so much fun that we just keep going back. It is the perfect time to go for us. It's after Brett's busy Christmas season at work. And the great thing is nobody is there and we get great rates for our room. Last year at the Dells I was 7 months pregnant and not allowed to do a whole lot. Well this year I was happy to NOT be pregnant, and was able to enjoy myself. My mom came with us to help with the kids and that was a blessing. Can't wait to go back next year!