A quick update...

We are home and doing well. Or as well as expected. I am sore, but who wouldn't be w/ 18 staples going across your lower abdomen. I have a dry raspy cough that doesn't go well w/ the above mentioned staples and a low dull back pain likely from the spinal. Please do not think at all that I am complaining. I know that these, besides the cough, are normal for going through a c-section. I don't seem to remember ANY of this from last year. Likely because I had a baby girl getting ready to leave this earth and had nothing but her on my mind. I was running, I kid you not, back and forth to the NICU and a week to the day she was born I was driving to buy Dominic cloths for his sisters funeral and to Walgreen's to pick up pictures to make a board of memories of those short but meaningful 5 1/2 days.

His name is Dante Vincent. We should have never questioned it because Dante Vincent had been set for the past 10 years but we thought we'd consider all options. He doesn't exactly look like a Dante to me but more like a Santino...but calling him Santino to his face just didn't sound right.

He is precious. And tiny. I know 8 lbs 8 oz sounds big but he had leveled off at 7 lbs 13 oz by the time we left the hospital yesterday. He hit 8 lbs 2 oz Friday at midnight and 7 lbs 13 oz Saturday and Sunday at midnight. Tomorrow is his first appointment for a weight check since I am nursing so we will see where he stands. I also will be having the 18 staples removed tomorrow. Yikes! I remember that it wasn't too bad last year but again, nothing was that bad besides my daughters condition, so I pray tomorrow is a breeze.

I thank God every minute of every day for this healthy baby boy. He is the love of my life these days and I am ever so grateful to have him in my arms. But my heart aches for my baby girl that had to leave me so soon almost a year ago.

I found myself in the wee hours of the night rocking Dante and just crying out to God to please let him stay. Please don't don't take him away too soon. Please allow us to keep him forever.

Who does that?

One who has said goodbye entirely too soon? One who knows that tomorrow is no guarantee? One who wants nothing more that to raise her children her on earth and for those children to outlive her.

Eva's first birthday is two weeks away. Dominic, Mya, Vinnie and I have started to discuss what to do. I know we will come up w/ something fit for us and perfect the whole way around. It's just hard to fathom the fact that we should have an 11 1/2 month old here in our home too.

More pictures to come...

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, for playing the baby game and voting on his name. We cherish you all and are glad that you have continued to carry us through some of the most trying and blessed times of our lives.