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.

To all of my ESCAPESEEKER BLOG readers:

It has been suggested that perhaps I should create two separate blog pages–one for my family updates and another for my work-related experiences.

After giving this suggestion a great deal of thought, I realized that it is something quite difficult for me to do, as my family experiences is so intertwined with who I am, my life’s goals and ambitions. And, because so many of the people with whom I work eventually become my life-long friends and colleagues…soon, they too, feel like part of our family.

Bottom line, I am the total sum of my life’s experiences…I am first a wife and mother, grandmother, and friend. Second, I feel tremendously blessed to have many opportunities to put my journalism skills and talents to good use in a varied career that has taken me to some of the most beautiful, often remote, unique places on earth. Because of these opportunities, we, individually and collectively as a family, have gained greater understanding of other cultures, were inspired to learn languages different from our own–as well as established friendships with people of all faiths and race. What a colorful life’s tapestry I have woven–like the spectrum of a beautiful rainbow–my life is oh, so interestingly full, complete with challenges and triumphs.

Thank you all– devoted friends, family and colleagues–for the love and joy and work fulfillment you bring to my life!

With gratitude,

You can join our ESCAPESEEKER team as we explore the magnificent landscape of France during its peak season, when sunflowers are in full bloom, and the lavender abound…AHHH, I can already smell that sweet scent of Provence! If you’re interested, write me at escapeseeker@gmail.com, and I will tell you how you, too, can have the ultimate ESCAPESEEKER experience!

Abientot,

Mel

Announcing a UNIQUE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY to reach out to KOCE-TV, PBS’ audience via its brand new entertaining, educational, inspiring travel series, ESCAPESEEKER, wherein we explore the “art of distinctive travel” as we discover the world’s greatest destinations”–one perfect “escape” at a time! It’s thirteen, half-hour segments, each a stand-alone episode filmed in spectacular High Definition (HD) photography.

Each month, an estimated 5.8 million viewers in the Los Angeles/Orange County region tune their television sets to KOCE, their public television station. These viewers are affluent, influential, highly educated, well-traveled, intellectually curious people who have their choice of more than 100 channels. Yet, this valuable demographic group remains intensely loyal to PBS, and KOCE as the 6th most watched PBS station nationally.

KOCE-TV is excited to offer this unique corporate sponsorship opportunity to those wishing to target its highly affluent, well-traveled audience.

“Grab your passport and get ready to have the ultimate 5-star experience you’ll cherish for a lifetime! I created the series for the discerning traveler who demands the best, and seeks out exciting unforgettable and incomparable distinctive travel experiences.”

Mel Gee Henderson,
Creator, Executive Producer and Host of ESCAPESEEKER (c)

For inveterate globetrotter, Mel Gee Henderson, travel is like air. She thrives on the serendipitous encounter, embraces the unexpected adventure, and adores the charms of locals everywhere. Mel’s background as a journalist, Washington Congressional staffer, and high-profile fundraiser and philanthropist, introduced her to the jet-set lifestyle, and took her everywhere, from parties on the French Riviera to the peaks of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Along the way, Mel’s winning personality opened doors and created lasting friendships with people we would all love to hang out with – from celebrated chefs to maverick fashionistas, to musical artists, and even some of Hollywood’s A-listers. It’s the desire to share these amazing experiences that have motivated Mel to create the breathtaking new television series Escapeseeker.

Escapeseeker introduces viewers to the most luxurious adventures money can buy and to people who live these adventures. It’s Condé Nast –beautiful exotic locations filmed in high-def–-meets Iconoclasts–-intimate conversation with the culture makers of our time. Each episode, Mel will introduce us to people and destinations so unique, we’ll learn that travel isn’t about where to take your next vacation–it’s about how to envision your new lifestyle!

And just to give you advance warning: Mel’s exuberance, enthusiasm and joy for living, or as the French would say, joie de vivre, is extremely contagious!

Mel is joined by the talented team of professionals from *Assertion Films, Michael Parks and Katrina Parks:

Michael Parks, ESCAPESEEKER, Co-Executive Producer

As a producer, director and writer, Michael brings 17 years of experience in the entertainment industry to each and every project. In 2006 Michael, along with Katrina Parks, launched the television media company Assertion Films, LLC. As co-creator and executive producer, Michael is currently overseeing and directing one of Assertion’s original series currently in production with the Discovery Channel. In addition Michael’s producing credits include Fox’s TV series MURDER IN SMALL TOWN X; the National Geographic’s film DEATH ON THE MOUNTAIN: WOMEN OF K2; MY NAME IS EDA and OPPORTUNITY BOUND…Stories of the Harvey Girls for PBS; as well as ANCIENT BONES for Discovery. Michael has worked with Mark Burnett Productions on the premiere hit reality series, SURVIVOR for CBS and THE CONTENDER for NBC. Additionally, Michael’s production credits also include several feature films such as Disney’s AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS; Fox’s MEN OF HONOR; Touchstone Pictures’ MAFIA!; Buena Vista Pictures’ GROSSE POINT BLANK; Woody Allen’s HOLLYWOOD ENDING; and, Sony Pictures’ Oscar winning film AS GOOD AS IT GETS, to name just a few.

Katrina Parks, ESCAPESEEKER, Co- Executive Producer

Katrina is currently producing three international episodes and one domestic episode of the second season of CITIES OF THE UNDERWORLD for the History Channel. She is also producing and directing OPPORTUNITY BOUND a feature length documentary intended for PBS broadcast in 2009, which recently received a grant from the Arizona Humanities Council. Katrina’s other producer credits include ACE OF CAKES, a series for the Food Network, MY UNIQUE FAMILY, a series for TLC, a Christmas special series for the Travel Channel; and MY HUSBAND’S THREE WIVES a pilot for TLC. As a producer/director, Katrina has made several short films including the award winning WRAPPINGS, which aired in 2006 & 2007 on PBS and earned Katrina the SASA Award from the United Nations. Katrina is the co-producer/director of MY NAME IS EDA, a short documentary, which aired on PBS in 2007. Katrina is on the board of directors of Cinefemme, a California based non-profit which produces an annual film showcase of women filmmakers work at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.

The ESCAPESEEKER team is pleased to announce that Mel will be departing for Europe in May to begin the advance work for the filming of the first episode. Take a look at these magnificent photos of just some of the places she’ll be visiting! I think it is time to add “Escape artist” to Mel’s resume don’t you think? If you want to learn more about these two gorgeously magnificent places (Saint Paul de Vence and Chateau de Mirambeau) pictured above, please go to www.baglionihotels.com/pages/francia_en.jsp