happy one week birthday!
Today Nolan is one week old! It’s an amazing milestone. It’s hard to believe that he’s already a week old; at the same time, it’s hard to believe that only a week has passed. For family members, all of our lives are so very different today than they were a week ago. Emotionally, spiritually, physically, socially… it’s amazing how much you can change in just one week. Our days have a radically different tempo to them. People have appeared out of the woodwork to offer love and support. It’s been quite a journey for the extended family, and that only begins to touch what it has been for Kara and Ronan.
In celebration of the first week of Nolan’s life, I’ve pulled together a photo gallery. Not only can you look at all the pictures of Nolan’s life, but you can send pictures directly to Shutterfly for online printing, or download pictures to your computer. You can always get to it from the “photo album” link in the menu to the left. You can also get to it by clicking on any of the thumbnail pictures in the posts here. I’ll post a few of my favorites tonight.
Here’s Nolan’s uncle Shannon, sharing an anti-jaundice light bath with Nolan. The fabulous drawing was given to Nolan by his cousin Logan, and hangs at the foot of his bed. (To me, the drawing says “Small? I’m not small! You’re just big!”) Sadly, Shannon had to return to Utah today. We’ll miss him a lot and hope that he and his wife Amy will be able to visit again soon.
I love this picture of Nolan holding a finger (mom’s? dad’s? I’m not sure.) He’s on his glowing anti-jaundice blanket which makes him super-stylin’. That thing on his head is the mask they use to cover his eyes from the blue overhead light. Mostly, I just love how beautiful he looks holding his parent’s finger. “Small? I’m not small, I’m just reminding you how amazing life is.”
Happy first week, Nolan! Yours is the happiest 1-week celebration I can imagine being a part of!
love,
aunt maymay
Friday, September 22, 2006 at 7:49 am
Maria, this is the first time my computer has let me in to post, and I am thrilled to get your wonderful account of what is going on with my family up there in NC. Down here in Alabama we yearn for news–all day and night I think about all of you huddled around that precious baby and dad and wish I were there with you. Your website and commentary helps me feel I am there. God bless you, my dear one, for providing this for those of us who love you all so much.
Margaret
Friday, September 22, 2006 at 8:04 am
This is from Hadden Age 6 -
Dear Nolan, You are very cute and I’m sorry you have to go through this. I love you. We are watching you everyday. PS Holland says Hi too.
Love Hadden
Friday, September 22, 2006 at 8:41 am
well congradulations guys, he is adorable. Kara i hope that you are feeling better. You guys are in my prayers and thoughts. A day doesnt pass that i dont think about you guys.i know personally how tough this has been for you, you guys are handling this good. Nolan has got two of the best parents and you have been blessed with a great gift. Im here for you guys every step of the way. If there is anything i mean anything i can do just give me a call.
Love always.
Caroline
Friday, September 22, 2006 at 8:55 am
Thanks so much for the updates. Nolan and Kara look beautiful in that picture of Kangaroo therapy. It just has to be good for Mom and Nolan. It is hopeful to see how medicine has changed so much. My boys were born 6 weeks early and they would not let me touch them until the day they came home a month later!
I am thinking of all of you every day and sending much love and good wishes. Nolan is a lucky little boy to be born into such a wonderful family and I just hope everyday gets better and better and if you have a bad day, that it only lasts a little while.
Much love, Martha Carmichael
Friday, September 22, 2006 at 9:12 am
Ronan, Kara, and Nolan,
Very good things do come in very small packages don’t they? Nolan is beautiful! You all are in my prayers throughout each day.
Friday, September 22, 2006 at 10:01 am
Dear Nolan, Kara, Ronan and families,
Tonight is the start of the Jewish New Year, when we celebrate our blessings of the year, and ask that we and our loved ones be inscribed in the Book of Life for the coming year. Nolan is first in my thoughts for blessings of this year, and first in my prayers for the coming year. Shana tova (”happy new year”) and gmar hatima tova (”may you have a good inscribing” - in the Book of Life, that is) to all of you. Blessings of Peace upon you. Catherine
Friday, September 22, 2006 at 11:14 am
Hello sweet family, What an exciting time for you… Thanks Maria for passing on the pictures and updates on little Nolan. Life is an amazing, isn’t it? Much much love, Holly
Friday, September 22, 2006 at 11:50 am
Dear Nolan and everyone,
We are sending our love and (gentle) strong hugs. Keep being an inspiration, Nolan!
Love,
Sally
Friday, September 22, 2006 at 12:17 pm
Dear Kara,Ronan,and Adorable Nolan,
A HUGE wave of love from the mountains for all of you as you embark on this amazing adventure. What a lucky fellow he is to be welcomed by such an amazing family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers - hang in there and enjoy the kangarooing! Grow Baby Grow! Please let us know how we can help…
Love, Stacey
Friday, September 22, 2006 at 1:39 pm
Maria,
Thanks for this lovely blog, and thanks especially for the joyous tone of these posts. Keep us updated. Everyone at Penland is thinking about the Peterberrys. The kangaroo pictures are the best.
love to all,
Robin
Friday, September 22, 2006 at 4:09 pm
We’re out here in Denver for our niece’s wedding, and believe me, this update puts me in a much more celebratory mood. Maria, we are all so grateful to you for helping us be closer to this important time. You speak for everyone when you say that our lives are greatly affected by this little guy. Much love to you, Kara, Ronan, Deb, Carolyn, Lynn–and Nolan LaRue.
Saturday, September 23, 2006 at 9:21 am
Dear Ronan and Kara, You have created some wonderful things in the past, but Nolan takes my breath away. Your best collaboration ever. All of us at Penland send our love to the three of you, we are keeping you close in our thoughts - and thanks to Maria we can share in your journey. Nolan has a very big cheerleading team at Penland.
With lots of love and hugs,
Kathryn
Saturday, September 23, 2006 at 10:23 am
Wow! It´s amazing that someone so small can have such a powerful effect on us. It´s also amazing that the circle of support is clearly so vast and populated with so many people who love and pray for all y´all. Amazing, but not surprising. Please count me in.
And I´m enormously grateful to Maria for coordinating this communication vehicle so that I can feel that I´m a part of this miracle while I´m in Spain.
Saturday, September 23, 2006 at 2:31 pm
Hey ya’ll! Just thought I would let you know that my mom is studying Celtic Christianity right now in Scotland on the island of Iona. I told her about your little butterbean (that would be Nolan!) and she’s been saying prayers in the oldest church in the village…which happens to be named for St. Ronan!
Love you all-
Bernie
Benny HaHa
Benares
Saturday, September 23, 2006 at 7:04 pm
Kara, Ronan and Nolan, I am holding the three of you in The Light and ’seeing’ you healthy, happy, and blessed with all good things as you begin family life. You are fastened in my mind and heart; I think of you many times a day and send lots of positive energy and love.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures. Nolan
is amazing–so filled with strength and spirit. Kara, the picture of you and Nolan kangarooing is very moving. I love how comfortable and perfect the two of you are together.
All the best to you and yours. I will keep you all in my prayers.
Pat Branch
Saturday, September 23, 2006 at 9:11 pm
Dear Ones,
I am sad that little Nolan is having a hard day, but I pray that this is one of those slopes that will soon be slanting upwards again. Much love, Margaret
Saturday, September 23, 2006 at 9:25 pm
Hello loves—
You are in our heart and prayers tonigt. Amy and Shannon
Saturday, September 23, 2006 at 9:43 pm
You have so many friends praying for Nolan to grow strong and healthy for you(and everyone else)to watch grow into as amazing a person as his parents are. I(and Granpa)love you all so much.
Monday, September 25, 2006 at 8:22 pm
Kara amd Ronan.
You are at the center of my thoughts and prayers sending hope for strengh, peace, and love.
Marie
Monday, September 25, 2006 at 9:24 pm
Dear Kara, Ronan and bambino Nolan, I learned the good news of Nolan’s birth when we were in Italy - so prayers have been sent your way from across the ocean and now from our home and our hearts. He’s a beautiful baby boy and looks so warm and comfortable snuggling with you, Kara. This website has been a godsend - thank you Maria! I love Sally Walker’s story of another little baby that grew up strong and resilient. I send much love and prayers for strength, growth, health and peace to the three of you and your families. love, Kathy and Mike (and Matt, Allyn and Jay)
Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at 2:31 pm
Just a note of encouragement. Our grandson John Ullman is in the seventh grade at Durham School of the Arts, a delightful fellow who is learning to play the guitar in one of his classes this fall. He is now 5 foot 4 and wears a size 10 shoe! John came into this world on October 18, 1993, at 3 pounds, 9 ounces, amd was in the NICU Unit at UNC, where his mom, dad and grandparents spent many hours until he was ready to come home several weeks later. We send best wishes to all of you. Jan Gregg
Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at 7:32 pm
I continue to marvel at the technology that allows such important information to be disseminated so quickly to so many people eager for any and all scraps of news–and continue to be grateful to Maria for this web site. (of course there’s also the hi-tech going on in the nicu.)
I thank God that Kara and Ronan’s little boy is hanging in there.