Family

This page is a little outdated now and will be changed soon to contain a lot more Geneology. The title is Family afterall. While I write that it remains about ...

Karin

On a spring day in 2005, the world was introduced to Karin Formstone. A little unexpected, she was forced to make an early arrival due to Liliana having serious blood pressure complications.

The whole experience was nerve racking, but I can happily report that everything is fine with both mother and daughter. Karin is at home with us now and is perfectly healthy, though a little small. From what we know most preemie babies catch up within the first year, and looking at the way she knocks back milk, it will maybe happen sooner!

Papa's Club

The day after Karin was born I received an email from my mother in England who wrote simply, "So now you know what love is". How true those words are. Like a switch being snapped on a gap in my life that I didn't even know existed was instantly filled. I know other fathers out there are nodding knowingly and smuggly in agreement as they read this. At that moment I joined them all in our exclusive "Papa's club".

Niña or Niño?

A years worth of boys clothes in the cupboards and a girl arrives! It seems that our obstetrician needs to get himself some new glasses or a better monitor on his sonogram machine. Liliana and I very much wanted a girl and while we were not really disappointed at hearing that the wee mite inside was male, the names we chose never really fit. My almost 4 year old neice, Lauren, was not at all convinced when my sister told her that Uncle Alan and Auntie Lili were going to have a little boy, and insisted confidently until the end that her cousin would be a girl. We should have listened to you Lauren!

Just like the Good Old Days

A 3D scan a few days before Liliana was hospitalized hinted strongly at a girl, (remebber at this point we are expecting a boy!) and so the delivery was pretty much like in past times.

Due to the seriousness of the operation I was not allowed in the delivery room and was pacing up and down outside until excitedly informed by a nurse "You have a little girl!"

Coming Home

Karin arriving prematurely means that she is unable to maintain her own temperature and so has no choice but to spend the first few weeks of life inside an incubator. There were a few minor complications common to premature babies that were successfully overcome in the first few days. All we can do now is be patient and wait for her to gain the required weight. Every day she is a little bigger and a little stronger.

Thanks to Everyone

We know people in many places around the world are praying for our daughter. Liliana and I very much appreciate all the kind words, thoughts and support that we have received from our friends and family. Thank you all very much.