Eric and Alison: Update

I'm not really certain why I picked this photo for an update on Alison's labor. Perhaps I feel a bit like the dog pictured her. I feel a bit like a caged animal after a day of waiting for news. I know the other grandparents do, too! We yearn to know that our grandson is safe and healthy and that Alison's agony is over. Waiting is hard!

I don't have much to pass on. We know that the young couple has been at the hospital for about an hour. We haven't heard from Eric since they arrived there. Our hope is that Eric's texting silence means his wife is in very active labor, and he's just too busy comforting her.

Eric and Alison: Today is THE Day!

Eric and Alison would be most grateful for your prayers. God be praised, she went into labor about 2 a.m. eastern. She has been laboring for about 13 hours but hasn't yet progressed enough to go to the hospital. I will post as soon as possible after their son is born!

Eric and Alison: When the Wait Drags On

Denise:

After a fabulous 30th-anniversary celebration last week with the love of my life in Maine, this week I'm in Massachusetts with our second daughter. Alison and her husband, Eric, are expecting their first child ~ a boy. The little guy has thus far been reluctant to make his entrance in the world. He was due five days ago on September 27th.

This morning I went with Alison to her weekly doctor appointment. This week's visit started with an ultra sound since Alison is over due. The goal was to check the baby's health and make sure that he is still surrounded by enough amniotic fluid. The little guy passed the various tests with flying colors. Alison and I were treated to so many evidences of the God's amazing handiwork. We got to see a clear picture of the valves opening and closing between the four chambers of Little Man's heart. We were treated to a sharp picture of his beautiful spine. His kidneys were cute and his profile was perfect. Alison and I were overwhelmed with gratitude to the Lord for the wonder of His work.

After the sonogram was finished, Alison saw her doctor who informed our very pregnant daughter that her body still isn't ready to give birth. Alison left the appointment discouraged that it looks more and more like a medical induction might be the path to her first child's birth. She called Eric who knew just what his wife needed to endure the wait for their son's birth.

We met Eric for lunch at a Five Guys near Eric's work for hamburgers and fries. Eric provided just what Alison needed...

...a listening ear...

...and a bit of reassurance that he stills loves his wife.

After 30 minutes with her husband, Alison's discouragement was replaced by steadfast determination, and she was ready to face a few more days of pregnancy...

...and Eric was ready to return to work.

On Sunday, Eric and Alison will celebrate their first anniversary. Today I got to witness a husband's devotion to his wife bring hope to her heart. As I watched Eric impart his strength to his wife, I couldn't help but think of this verse, "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her" (Ephesians 5:25 ESV). Eric loved sacrificially today and was the very picture of Jesus loving His bride.

I thank God for Eric and Alison's one-year-old marriage. I thank the Lord that our daughter is in such good hands as Eric cares for her. And I thank the Lord that one way or another Alison's physical soreness will soon be replaced by the emotional and spiritual joy upon becoming a mother.

Growing a Boy

When our daughter, Alison, visited with her husband, Eric, at the end of May, my camera was busy! She was 22 weeks along with her first child ~ our first grandson.

When Eric returned to their home in Boston to meet work obligations, Alison stayed behind for a few days of family time.

I asked Alison if I could do a maternity shoot, and she was game.

Alison is an utterly girly girl who doesn't know one end of a basketball from the other, so to speak. Thus, my daughter got quite silly during the photo shoot with the props we brought along to a favorite park in order to represent how much she has to learn.

We left the park and went to the nearby college. Alison spent years taking violin lessons in the music building there. She did a quick change and we went to work taking advantage of fabulous lighting and great geometric lines.

Now and then we added a prop. We were simply having the best time as mother and daughter. We laughed as we learned together what worked for the photos and what didn't. All the while, we just couldn't help marveling that Alison is growing a human being inside her. How good and kind our God is!

We were pleasantly surprised to find the building unlocked since that hadn't always been the case during the summer throughout Alison's teen years.

We were also delighted to find that many alterations had been made inside since either of us had last been in the building. What a make-over the structure had been given! The furniture was brand new and yet had retro look that's so popular right now.

Because of it being summer, the all-glass lobby of the arts center was void of people.

Our family is daily thankful for Eric and Alison's pregnancy. Because Jim and I experienced extreme infertility, the whole family is keenly aware that the ability to get pregnant is not a given. All in our growing army of 18 have spent 25 weeks thanking God for the little boy He's growing in Alison!

"Baby" at Sunset

When Alison visited a couple of weeks ago, the sky was glorious over the hills behind our home following a thunderstorm. These pictures were taken as the sunset evolved. The colors were some of the richest we've seen in twelve years of sunset watching.

I was so moved as I stood behind my camera with it focused on Alison's growing bump, while the sky was painted with deep color. God was demonstrating His glory in multiple ways right before my eyes.

Surprise, Alison!

This week during Alison's visit from Boston, Alison's sister, Zhenya, arranged a surprise baby shower for the little mama.

Zhenya's ruse was to take Alison out for breakfast. Much to Alison's surprise the local breakfast eatery was filled with dear friends eager to help her celebrate the little boy she is carrying.

Thus we were all blessed with great fun and delicious food.

As we all ate and fellowshipped, Alison opened gifts from her kind, generous supporters

And Alison was beyond happy to be surrounded by people so dear to her.

And, of course, much of the crowd was made up of Alison's many sisters. Seven sisters were present, only Anna ~ who lives with her husband and daughters in Ohio ~ was missing.

Friends who have been precious to Alison throughout her growing up years made this event special for her.

Pictured here with our Kirsten (right) is Lindsey. Lindsey and Alison have been friends since they were about eleven. Lindsey is a masterful pianist whose special brand of artistry at the keyboard contributed greatly to the aura of worship Eric and Alison longed for in their wedding.

 Alison's sisters and dear friend Lindsey (in the back row)..

One of Alison's bridesmaids, Kaylee, was in attendance. So was Kaylee's mom, Tanya. Tanya grew to be vital part of Alison's life during our daughter's teen years. Alison spent time in the Henn's house weekly playing the role of a mother's help to Tanya as their family added three new children through adoption and a pregnancy. 

Sisters, friends, and even a hero were on hand to celebrate.

Mary (pictured here on the right) has been married for nearly fifty years. Alison dreams of that kind of legacy for her marriage to Eric. 

Our thanks to all who increased our joy by sharing it!