Baby sweet

The new guy on the block

Two life-changing events changed the landscape of our family this past week.
We lost a 15-year-old granddaughter and a new baby "Orange" came into the world.
So while we're reeling with loss and heartache and trying to comprehend the incomprehensible on the one hand.
On the other hand, we're celebrating a miracle.
The baby is a beautiful little 7-lb, 3-oz, boy born to Marc's youngest daughter Lauren and her husband.
Lauren and Alec have taken a leap of faith into parenthood given that they have limited financial resources, no car and no experience at parenting (Do any of us the first time around?)

Sleeping on the arm of love

They're having to depend on the generosity of neighbors, friends, workmates and LDS ward members to get about; to the doctor's, to the hospital, to shops. They both walk to work.
They're doing what the rest of us would say cannot be done.

Orange McOmber Watkins

They started into this venture without much at all in the way of cribs, car seats, cash and clothes.
But they've come through with colors and when we saw the baby yesterday in their home, we were heartened.
With our souls sad and our hearts torn, it was solace to hold this warm, small child and just soak in his babyness.
He snuggled up.
He sighed softly.
He drank his bottle and he waved his tiny fists about trying to get rid of the mitts on his hands.
He slept peacefully upon our shoulders.
He soaked my lap.
He somehow made it all better for a while.