Welcome, Baby Camille: Part 1

It's true: My sweet, little brother is a daddy!!! Here he is holding his precious daughter, Camille Margaret (a combination of my middle name and that of Lorna's sister), who was born on May 4, to two wonderful parents who could not love her or care for her any better than they do...around the clock.

Lorna had to have an emergency C-section, which was not something that she or Zach had ever contemplated, and Camille had some complications in the hospital that resulted in a longer stay and a lot of anxiety and fear. I have really admired how Zach and Lorna have declared that they do not want to live in fear--because, let's face it, being a parent is scary anytime, but especially in their unexpected circumstances--but to trust in God who created Camille and, incredibly as it is, loves her more than even Lorna or Zach will ever be able to. They are awaiting the results of some genetic testing that will reveal if Camille may share Lorna's heart condition (Long QT syndrome), but we're all praying that this will not be the case.

As I write this, I'm reminded of the song that Gavin and I like to sing together whenever it's playing on the radio (with hand motions that I made up, of course): "Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other. God, you are healer, awesome in power, our God, our God. And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us, and if our God is for us, then what could stand against?" Let this be our declaration, no matter our circumstances and--the hardest to pray--no matter the outcome.

This was a funny moment, because I had just gotten out the camera, and Millie (I think that's how they're spelling one of her cute nicknames) had just pooped. So this was a rapid fire picture of the proud papa taken only moments before we went to make sure that Cammie hadn't just blown out her diaper...into one of the only outfits that fit her small, six pound body.

I can say, quite honestly, that my niece (!) is absolutely beautiful. Zach said that he was preparing himself to accept the newborn "alien" look for a few months as she settled into who she would become (which he hoped would become cute); but, instead, she just came out of the shoot adorable in every way. She has a darling fuzzy duck layer of dark brown hair (just like Mommy's and Daddy's), and her little arms and legs--though tiny and seemingly fragile--are really strong! Watching my brother change her diaper was so cute! And to watch me counsel him on when to strike (fasten each of the diaper tabs down as quickly and accurately as possible while she kicked her little chicken legs) was almost surreal. When did we both grow up? Get married? And have kids?

I was fortunate to be able to be in Austin for a long weekend to meet Camille in her first few weeks of life, and that was a very sweet time. More on that in the next post...