Escapeseeker

If you ever have the opportunity to visit the island of Kauai,
be prepared for sensory overload!
Listen…The birds sing more joyously!
The colors of nature are intense…the sea is every variation of blue…
the majestic mountains are an emerald green infused with trees that produce huge blossoms,
so deeply blood orange red, that you can see it even from a great distance.
But mostly, listen to your heart, soul and spirit, as they peacefully become one with nature.

Smell the sweet fragrance of tropical flowers all around you…
taste the fruits that abound…
yes, it is ok to lick your arms as the juices from your mango run down to your elbow…
and yes, it is ok to be selfish, just once,
as you decide to tell even those closest to you,
“go and cut your own sweet, sweet papaya,”
as you savor every bite while watching the spectacular setting sun!

And, yes, it is also ok, to be the happy, go lucky kid you once were,
as you jump for joy at being the first to glance at the heavens,
and see the most glorious rainbow
you have ever set your eyes upon–
of course you think that very same thought
every time God grants you a beautiful rainbow
on this very same island,
continually reminding you just how gloriously beautiful
it is to be ALIVE
… as you are surrounded by the joyful laughter
and bustling noise
of the most amazingly fun, loving,
forever cherished family and friends.

They truly keep me breathing…
but honestly, if you ever find yourself feeling blue,
buy a ticket to PARADISE…KAUAI…
maybe you should consider a one-way ticket…
even if you have to sell everything you own to get there.
Because you will quickly discover, you won’t need much once you arrive,
except a really stunning bathing suit–that will only get more stunning as you get in tip top shape from all the outdoor activities, and of course, flip flops for your feet.
They’re the only real kind of shoes you will ever wear–
that is if you plan on becoming a true islander!
Lastly, remember to S L O W D O W N. You’re moving too fast.
You’ve got to make the morning last.
That’s right…and may I recommend you start learning the tune “What a Wonderful World!” The Bruddah IZ version if you’re going to learn to play the Ukelele…
because I guarantee, you’ll be singing this song every morning as you reaffirm,
WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD, OH YEAH!!!!!

Mahalo everyone for spreading JOY wherever you wander!

Love,
Escapeseeker

Hello Family and Friends,

We are finally home…well sort of. We spend as much time as possible at the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) with the babies. All the nurses take great care of them. Thursday night was our first night back on our own and I had a really hard day/night being away from them. I just love them more than anything. But they are both doing great. Olivia is now breathing on her own and besides being a little spitty, they are progressing well and are almost back to their original birth weight. The nurses are letting us change their diapers, and dress them now. Yesterday was their first day wearing clothes. The outfits are massive on them, but they look adorable! The nurses also allow me to “kangaroo” the babies which means have them lay on me chest to chest. They say it is extremely beneficial for the babies. They recognize my smell, our body heat helps them learn to regulate their temperature on their own, and it helps their breathing too. Yesterday for the first time I got to kangaroo both babies at the same time. Probably the best day of my life since they were born. It was the first time they had contact with each other since the womb. They both had their eyes open and it was wonderful.

I’ve attached some pictures of me kangarooing the babies, and wearing their first outfits. Thank you so much for your prayers, love, and concern. I can’t wait for you to meet them! They’ll love you all as much as I do!

Brady Alexander
Born: 4/5/2008 at 4:05pm
16″ long
3lbs 14oz

Olivia Kaye
Born: 4/5/2008 at 4:06pm
16 1/2″ long
3lbs 11oz

We liked the sound of Brady Alexander (Shelby is a big Tom Brady fan) and Olivia Kaye is after Grandma Dorothy and Shelby’s Mom.

All our love and I’ll try to take more pics today.
Love,
Christina and the fam

Dearest Family and Friends…

A week ago today, I was cruising eastward on the interstate with Gabrielle, from Orange County to Las Vegas in Garrett’s black X-Terra. Garrett had driven down with big sister, Joanna, as far as Las Vegas–they had planned to come all the way to OC so he could pick up his beloved X-Terra to take back to BYU, where he is again enrolled. And, of course Joanna was more than happy to accompany him, and have the opportunity to get Baby Violet out of Utah’s extended, never-ending (or so it seems) wintery weather.

Gabes and I decided we would save them another 5X2 hours more of added driving time by bringing the X-Terra to them in Las Vegas. While we were driving, we learned that Chrissy had been admitted to the hospital for 24-hour observation. Long story short, by 1:00 pm Chrissy learned they were delivering the twins THAT VERY DAY, at 4pm via c-section, and I found myself on a 5:50 pm flight from Las Vegas to Phoenix–Thanks to Joanna and Rich for their fast action in immediately purchasing the last seat on that flight!

By 8:30 pm, I was in Neonatal ICU (NICU) staring at these gorgeous tiny babies…with a very excited, proud, albeit exhausted, new Daddy, Shelby, who had been running back and forth between Chrissy (in recovery) and their beautiful babies! When I left the hospital @ 10:30pm– after I had finished making a bed on a cushioned bench beneath Christina’s room ‘bay window’ for an exhausted Shelby who was running on pure adrenalin–everyone was doing well. Especially considering how unscheduled this monumental event was. Ok, Ok, maybe the babies knew it was their BIG DAY…they had it in their ‘schedule book’! Looks like the babies will be staying in NICU for about 2 weeks…just so they can be sure they’re breathing is strong and regular, and have learned to eat, or as I’ve heard the NICU nurses say, “They’ve learned to nipple!” And, with all the excitement and new neonatal terminology buzzing around the NICU, I can’t exactly remember the third item, I think, it was, “they need to make sure the twins are pooping really well?” 🙂 Yeah, I think that was it!

Seriously, I continue to marvel each and every day the progress the twins are making–thanks to the miracles of modern medicine–combined with the power of FAITH AND PRAYER! Our family has felt the tremendous peace that comes with knowing our Heavenly Father is watching over the twins, and the medical staff as they carefully perform their life saving skills. We often hear, “Faith Precedes the Miracle”…Well, let me share with you how true this statement is !

Below, are the first exact words sent electronically by Daddy, Shelby, announcing their birth. As soon as the wheels of the Southwest Airline plane I was on touched down in Phoenix, my BlackBerry vibrated. I pulled it out and saw the big HEADING: They Are Here!!!!!!

My heart just pounded as I read the following note, accompanied with the most beautiful photos any grandmother can possibly receive!

Enjoy…with Love,

A Very Grateful Grandma Mel

PS: With the exception of the babies’ first photo (in cream-colored knit caps), the other three photos are the most recent, taken on Friday–when they were six days old. Although they still reside in their separate incubators, they are no longer attached to IV’s and Olivia is now breathing on her own. As their Mama, Chrissy expressed to me with tears swelling in her eyes, “Mom, they’re just such terrific little fighters…from the very start, they’ve fought for their right to live!”

All I can add is DITTO! It was really tough those first few days seeing these tiny little angels attached to so many monitors and life supporting instruments. I still recall sitting in my car, after day two of my NICU visit, and crying my heart out…praying with all my heart for God’s help on their behalf. Yes, a true meltdown. But these are the moments in our lives when we realize how DEEPLY and UNCONDITIONALLY we can LOVE…and how much LOVE GOD EXTENDS TO ALL OF US.

Subj: They Are Here!!!!!!!
Date: Saturday, April 5, 2008 18:47:12
From: Shelby Noakes

Alright family, get your exited voices ready because you’re looking at the most beautiful twin babies ever born. Brady and Olivia were born today April 5th at 4:05 and 4:06 respectively. He weighed in at a monstrous 3lbs 14ounces and she was just a tad smaller at 3lbs 11ounces. They are doing so well. We love them so much already. In the photo Olivia in on the left and Brady on the right. Christina has been through a lot but is doing great. I’ll send more photos later tonight when things calm down.

We are so very blessed!!! Thanks for all of the prayers today.