!!!
This is Schnozz here, filling in for Alexa to announce the birth of …
Simone Lee and Ames Michel
Alexa and Scott are spending some time with Ames right now, so that they can say good-bye.
As for Simone Lee, she’s busy kicking ass with her teeny baby feet. She’s doing well, relatively speaking; her breathing is good, and the ventilator is assisting, but the percentage of oxygen she’s receiving is pretty close to room air. This proves what we all suspected, which is that she is 33 centimeters of superhero baby.
At 1 lb 11 oz, Simone arrived at 5:53 (I forgot to write down whether it was a.m. or p.m. … durr) on February 8. Alexa would like me to note that this was via C-section, but NOT until she had endured sixteen hours of labor without an epidural. “I want full credit for that,” she said, and assured me that it’s the worst pain ever. In a way, this eased her anxiety for the C-section, because at that point, anything that counted as birth was pretty good in Alexa’s book. Much credit goes to Scott for providing so much support, which mostly means allowing Alexa to “crush the bones in his hand every few minutes.”
When Simone was born, she was moving around and even crying a little, which is great. Alexa has gotten to touch her in the isolette, which Alexa was really happy about, and Simone even gripped her finger. Her eyes aren’t open yet, “like a kitten,” but she’s here, and just from knowing her mom, I can tell you that she’s made of some seriously tough stuff.
So now we wait. And while we do that, we celebrate like crazy. Welcome to the world, Simone. I think you’re really going to like it here. Mostly because Auntie Schnozz is going to buy you SO MUCH STUFF.
Congratulations, Flotsam Family!
183 Comments
Congratulations Flotsam family!!
Congratulations to you all! We’ll all look forward to hearing more as soon as you are willing and able.
Tears. Of joy and love for both of you and both of your sweet children. Many, many congratulations and so much thanks for letting us be a part of this incredible journey. (Thank you Auntie Schnozz!)
Yay!
OMG!!!!!!!!! Congratulations to the whole family. Ames, you will be missed, but we know you will be looking over your sister. Welcome to the world, Simone! Keep fighting and growing. Alexa, we are so proud of you. Congrats, congrats, congrats.
yea! YEA! yea yea yea yeaaaaaa!
Congratulations - last night while I was at work I thought of the flotsam family - and pondered if you had had the babies. All of you will be in my prayers. Ames - you will be missed and you will not be forgotten. Simone - keep fighting just like your momma. Alexa & Mr. Flotsam - congratulations!
I have been checking in every few minutes for days. Ecstatic to hear that Simone is doing so well. Peace to Ames, and to Alexa and Scott, peace and congratulations.
Congrats to everyone!
Congratulations on the birth of Simone.
My condolences to you on behalf of Ames. He will now take his place as his sister’s guardian angel. He’ll watch over her and make sure she’s okay. I know this in my heart.
Take care of each other.
Congratulations! I’m thrilled to hear that Simone is doing so well. It sounds like she is one tenacious chick. It is good that you and Scott can spend time with Ames, who will be forever loved and missed.
I wish you all peace and joy.
1 lb 11 ounces today…a big, chunky baby some time in the near future!
Wow!!! Congrats, Alexa and Scott.
Keep on kicking, little Simone. Kick for your brave mom and dad. Kick for your brother, Ames. And kick for your legions of fans cheering your entrance into the world.
tears are streaming down my face. tears of joy. tears of sadness. I am sooooo happy to hear that simone is a little fighter and is doing well. congratulations mom and dad!!!!!
Congratulations, Alexa and Scott! I will continue to keep your new family in my prayers. Take care of yourselves.
Congratulations! So glad to hear that she is here and already kicking some tiny baby ass. You are all in my thoughts and I eagerly await the next update.
Congratulations! Ames, you will be missed. Keep watch over your little sister. Keep on fighting little Simone. Kick some serious NICU ass!
I’ve been checking back obsessively and am so glad to hear that Simone is here in the world and doing well! My heart is with you guys as you welcome one life and say goodbye to another.
Congratulations all mixed up with condolances.
Yep, 16 hours of labour with no epidural is definitely worth full credit!
welcome to the world simone! much love to you and your momma and dad and brother.
Thank you so much for the update.
Much love to Famille Flotsam.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! So happy for everyone, can’t wait to hear more.
Truly a labor of love. You continue to be in my prayers.
Congratulations!!!!
I can’t wait to see photos of sweet Simone!!! Also, I’m looking forward to reading a post from her mama. Congratulations!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS! And thanks for the guest-post-update. Hoping like anything that there won’t be too many complications for teeny Simone.
First of all, I am so sorry about little Ames. I can imagine how bitter sweet this is.
happy birthday Simone. Keep growing and getting stromg little baby . We are very proud of you!!!
Mazel tov! Very, very happy news.
wow, congratulations, i’m a hardcore lurker but so, so glad.
Chills all over….
Congratulations and welcome to the world — my thoughts are with your family at such an emotion-filled time.
Pam
Welcome, little girl! And peace to you all as you continue to mourn Ames’s passing. Job well done, Alexa — your fight for your babies has filled me with awe.
Tears streaming here. Sadness and joy all mixed up. Happy happy birthday, Simone! May your spirit and your fight be as strong as your mother’s.
I’m so happy and sad at the same time…
I’ll be keeping your family in my prayers.
Congratulations! I’m so glad to hear that Simone is as much of a fighter on the outside as she was on the inside.
I’m so sorry about Ames. Saying goodbye must be very hard. I’m keeping you all in my thoughts.
Please post more updates soon!
Oh my oh my oh my. Here’s to you all. Congratulations on the birth of this wonderful fighter of a little girl. My deepest sympathy at the heartbreak of losing Ames. I hope that you were able to say goodbye in a way that was somehow able to give you a little healing, a little hope, and a little peace.
Alexa, we all will keep cheering you on and loving you through the next few hours, days, weeks, and months. You are
going to beARE such an amazing mom. I hope that you are able to deal with one day at a time and that every day, every hour, contains moments of happiness and peace that will keep you going and give you hope for the next.Scott, I trust that you have learned entirely new levels of patience and persistence in supporting Alexa through bedrest and labor. I’d buy you a drink or twelve if I could. Hope you continue to find the strength and wisdom that you need.
Simone, what a stubborn little girl you are!!! Don’t let anyone ever tell you that that is a bad thing!!! And keep it up. We can’t wait to celebrate your going home to meet the cats.
Ames, you are missed terribly.
Welcome Welcome, Simone.
Much love and prayers for you, Alexa and Scott and for the fast and furious growth of sweet baby Simone.
We will always love you, Ames.
Blessings.
Emily.
Hi Simone, welcome. And congratulation to the whole family.
Farewell Ames,
B
Welcome to Simone, and goodbye to little Ames. Thinking of you all and wishing Alexa a speedy recovery and Simone some fast growth and a short stay in the NICU.
Congratulations, Alexa and Scott!!! (and thank you, Schnozz, for the update!). Holding good thoughts for Simone’s strength and health, and peace for Ames. I can’t imagine what you two have been through these last weeks; hoping for a calmer time now.
Room air! That is a BIG deal. Huge. Go Simone!
And farewell to Ames… along with his sister he makes the two of you into the mama and daddy you were meant to be - he adds to you, I mean, by having been with you, even just inside. As much as we all wish we could have read stories of him being with you on the outside, he makes a difference and brings love and vividness just as he was.
I hope that’s not too bold to say, given the space you’re in. I know it’s just so bittersweet, so hard.
Peace, despite the hospital food. And so much to look forward to in your life with Simone. Go sweet girl!
Sending you condolences and congratulations in equal measure.
I hope that saying goodbye to Ames will bring you some peace, and I am convinced that having him as a guardian angel is what is giving Simone so much strength.
Keep on fighting Flotsam family!
Grow little girl, grow! Congratulations on Simone’s birth. Thinking of you at your sweet Ames at this very bittersweet time.
Congratulations to everyone, thoughts are with you.
Congratulations! So happy to hear that Simone is doing well.
Alexa, I think you can claim full credit for pretty much anything at this point .You are really just the sum of your words to me, a stranger from the ether. But you are so friendly with those words, so witty and inviting and real, that I can’t help but feel if I actually knew you. It’s been a real “Little Nell” experience for so many of us, genuine sorrow for the loss of Ames, and true joy for the birth of Simone. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Congratulations!!!
Congratulations!!! Sounds like she’s doing better than could have been expected, which I’m so thrilled to hear!
Much, much love to you all–Alexa, you’re a rock-star for such a labor, then C-section! We will be sending lots of strong growing thoughts to Simone, and keeping you and Scott in our hearts, as the grief over your dear boy must be strong indeed.
Congratulations Scott and Alexa… welcome to the world little Simone, we’ve been waiting for you! May you bring your parents much joy.
I will remember you Ames. Best wishes little man.
Best wishes and good thoughts to the entire family. Hoping you find peace as you say goodbye to sweet Ames. Hoping Simone keeps fighting on, as I know she will!
Congratulations Flotsam Family!!! Thoughts and prayers will continue for all of you.
Overwhelmed with the mixture of emotions I am feeling - can only imagine how it is for you guys. Much love to Simone and to you and Scott.
I hope the joy you feel will grow and grow with Simone, and that the sorrow will fade. Ames will always be missed and loved. Congratulations to the Flotsam family!
Alexa,
Congratulations! So the little stinker decided she just couldn’t wait any longer to meet her fabulous parents! I know you must be going through such a roller coaster of emotions right now. I am thinking of you.
Our little Kate was only 1 lb 10 oz too, but you’d never know that now. I know it can seem a little scary in the NICU at times, hang in there. You are in a great place and it does turn out OK. I am always here if you need me.
Welcome Simone! CONGRATS Alexa and Scott. I Hope Ames is at peace. He will be missed.
Can barely type through the tears right now! Congrats to all of you!
I came across this website “by accident” a few weeks ago, but have been following along and keeping you in my prayers too.
Preemie babies get tons of wonderful support and I pray that Simone will do very well. I will pray for her and you as well. Simone is such a lovely name, as is Ames.
I am very sorry for the loss of your little boy, and yes, he will definitely be watching over his sister (as well as his parents) for the rest of your earthly lives. Blessings to all of you.
Congratulations!
Hip, hip, hooray for Simone! Alexa, I wish you and Simone (and Scott too) all the best, and I hope that you found a little bit of peace with Ames.
Congratulations!!!
Having been down the NICU road twice, I can tell you that it’s a roller coaster. But I’m praying as hard as I can that there will be tons more ups, and it will be a steady climb home. Go, go and GROW Simone! And healing thoughts to you, too MOMMY! Alexa.
Oh Congrats! So glad to hear that Simone and Alexa are doing so well. Alexa you are just amazing for all you have gone through. Our thoughts are with all of you as you say goodbye to Ames. He will me missed, but never forgotten. We will continue to be praying for all of you.
my love is with your family.
And 16 hours of labor without an epidural counts in ways I can’t begin to imagine (and refuse to really try)! It soooo counts…
Congratulations! Good job Momma! We can’t wait to see pictures.
Congratulations on the birth of Simone! I hope she grows bigger and stronger every day. And I am so sorry you have to say goodbye to Ames, so very sorry.
Oh, hooray!!
I’m so very proud of you, Alexa. I’m thinking of you all.
Welcome Simone, and well done Alexa. Peace to baby Ames, and love to you and Scott.
Congratulations!! Very proud and well done to Alexa! Thinking of all of you and hoping for all the best for you and your family!
Congratulations to all of you! Welcome Simone! Keep on kicking ass for us, okay little girl? I bet you’re just as beautiful and awesome as your mother.
A warm welcome to Simone and may her early days here go smoothly and well. And my thoughts are with Alexa and Scott as they grieve for Ames.
OMG! Actually YELLED! Congratulations! 16 hours, you are my hero. Welcome Simone, peace be with you little Ames…
Congrats on your precious miracle. We are all here with you wishing you strength in grieving Ames and staying by Simone’s side. You are a wonderful mother. We will be here when you are ready, waiting for pictures!
Congratulations and condolances, what a combination! Here’s to a quick and smooth time in the NICU for Simone and a peaceful goodbye to Ames.
Happy Birthday Simone! Way to go Alexa :)
Welcome to the world, Simone! May you find it always a warm and wonderful place. (That is our family’s traditional blessing.) I am praying hard for you, Simone! You seem like a fighter already, so keep going, good girl.
Alexa and Scott, I am so proud of you both. You’ve been amazing through all of this. My heart breaks for you as you say goodbye to your tiny, perfect son. Ames will not be forgotten.
Alexa, you’re a mom!! Congratulations! I started reading your blogs (from the beginning-I’m up to Dec 2006) a few days ago but kept coming back to this page for updates. Wishing you and your beautiful family all the best!!
Goodbye, Ames, we love you. Hello, Simone, we love you, too.
Congratulations!
All the best to the Flotsams…
Hi Alexa,
It’s Kate. I’m so sorry for my long absence in posting but I just want to say that I’ve followed every bit of your journey along the way and I’m so happy for you that Simone is doing so well. I am so very sorry for your loss of Ames. I will be thinking of you and Simone and praying that she continues to thrive. My thoughts are with you and your family and I wish you a sincere and heartfelt congratulations. Much love, Kate
That is some kick ass news for a Saturday. Go Simone, Go Alexa. Do us proud. And light perpetual shine upon Ames. You and your lovely family are in our prayers.
Congratulations a million times over! My heart aches for Ames, but it is singing for Simone. Tell Alexa that she is a true rock star and that I’ll be wishing, hoping and praying myself silly that it’s boring, uneventful, and embarrassingly easy from here on out.
Thinking about Ames today and wishing all the best for you and Simone.
Oh, congratulations!! Come on Simone!
Happy Birthday Simone! I’m glad you are a strong fighter girl like your mom!
Congrats! Stay well, baby girl! And Mom! We’re thinking about you, too, Ames…
I hope that your time with Ames was what you needed it to be, and that you are coping ok with the loss. I wonder how it feels to have SImone here while Ames is gone, and am thinking of all four of you.
Simone, I am hoping for you with every fibre. Hang in there and try not to give your mummy and daddy too many terrors over the next few weeks.
Alexa and Scott, we are all here for you.
Congratulations collective Flotsams!
I’m so glad to hear Simone is doing well, and that you’ve got some time with Ames…
thinking of all of you,
xx
J
I am really happy to hear that Simone is doing well and I hope that she continues to kick ass and take names!
Please accept my condolences in the loss of Ames. I hope all goes well for you all. Please let me know if you ever need to talk.
Congratulations, hugs, and good thoughts to the Flotsam family! Welcome, Simone!
Congratulations! So wonderful!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! :D
Oh, my sassy wee lassie, welcome welcome welcome.
I’m otherwise speechless (for once).
May the Flotsam family grow and thrive. Remembering Ames always and celebrating the arrival of a little fighter.
Oh thank you! I’m so glad Simone has arrived and is doing well! Congratulations all!!!
I’ve been hoping desperately for an update. Congratulations Flotsam family on the arrival of Simone Lee (fabulous name btw), I’m so pleased to hear that she is a fighter. I’m sorry you have to say goodbye to Ames, but happy that you have had some time to spend with him.
And as for the labour - I found that far worse than the vaginal birth anyway, so well done Alexa!
Simone - keep on truckin’!
Congratulations!
Sending love and strength to you and Scott and welcome wishes to Simone.
Can’t wait to hear more about her and be here to cheer you all on every step of the way
Congratulations!! So glad to hear Simone is doing well!
Grow little Simone, grow strong ! Congratulations on the birth of Simone and ~Ames~. Thinking of you at this very bittersweet time.
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Alexa and Scott, congratulations to you both. Saying goodbye to little Ames must have been so, so hard, and I hope you were given enough time and privacy to do so. Although I imagine there is never enough.
I am very glad to hear that little Simone is such a fighter. Welcome to the world, little girl. Grow and thrive and feel the love that’s pouring in to your little bassinet from all over the world. We’re all wishing you the best possible start in life.
Oh well done, well done all! Thanks for letting us follow you on your extraordinary journey to parenthood - it has been a privilege.
Congratulations to you all!
Congratulations!!!!!! Great job, Alexa and Scott!!
Congratulations! I know this is a bittersweet time for you, and I hope that you are able to take comfort in that fact that your daugther has a wonderful guardian angel watching over her for always. Welcome to the world, Simone!
WhoooooHoooooo! Congrats on your precious children, both here on earth and one little soul in heaven. I pray she absolutely thrives and gains weight daily. I pray her little lungs mature, I pray she has no side effects of her prematurity but grows big and strong and 100% perfect.
Well done on the great mothering you have already done so far, 16 hours definately gets you a medal!
Welcome to big old outside world, Simone! And Congratulations Alexa and Scott! Again, I am so very sorry about Ames, you continue to be in my prayers.
Congratulations, Flotsam family.
Woohoo! Go, Simone, go!
Congratulations, Mom and Dad! :D
Congratulations to all of you!! So glad to hear of the birth of Simone-keep kicking little girl!!
Know Ames will be remembered and will be watching out for all of you!!
Way to go Mom and Dad!!
Condolences, and congratulations all together….
I’m sorry about Ames (at least we had already known the worst) and very happy/relieved to hear about Simone’s safe arrival. Hooray!! So I guess it’s out of your hands now Alexa, hope you can just concentrate on getting better and showering Simone and Scott with your love…..
Better times are ahead, and I wish you all (all three) the best of health and hope and happiness…..
CONGRATS!! you get full credit in my book for everything alexa! you are an amazing woman! Sending your new family my love!
Welcome to the world little Simone. Congratulations to all of you. I wish you strength and peace. Keep fighting hard little one and Alexa you are amazing.
God Bless.
Wow. Way to go, Alexa! I can’t wait to hear more. Sending you love and support in what must be the strangest of times.
Glorious! Be well!
Congratulations on what most be a very bittersweet occasion. Godspeed to little Ames, and Simone, be strong for your mama and daddy.
Welcome to the world, Simone.
Happiest of days!
Oh, thank heavens. I’ve been scared to death.
I hope your time with Ames has been healing and he can be laid down in peace. I am so so sorry for the loss of your beautiful son.
Sending Simone Lee all my best wishes for strength and joyous growth and a wicked stubborn streak. Looking forward, tearfully, to the next update on your strong baby girl.
I am crying happy tears right now for people I have never met but have been so worried and excited for. Welcome Simone and Conratulations to Scot and Alexa!!
Way to gooooo!!!
congratulations, alexa and scott. welcome, simone. godspeed, ames.
here’s to hoping this rollercoaster will finally become an enjoyable ride sans zombies for you.
love to the brandnew flotsam family,
nina
Oh, what a bittersweet time for you. I am soooo happy that Simone is doing well and wish you strength as you grieve for Ames.
As always, when it’s something truly good, the joy far outweighs the pain. Congrats, congrats!! And we will all be praying for Simone to continue being superbaby.
I can’t imagine what a day in which you say hello to one beloved child and goodbye another would be like. The feelings of joy/sorrow/worry (and I’m sure that just scratches the surface) must be overwhelming.
You’ve all been through so much. I hope the next months hold many more ups than downs. And I hope that come spring, you’ll get to bring home a beautiful healthy daughter.
I am so happy for you and Scott. Know that I’m thinking about your whole “fam” now and wishing all the best. Can’t wait for the pictures!
I know it’s both a wonderful and sad day for your family. May the happy times both now and in the future comfort you in this time of loss as well.
Welcome to the world, Simone. Thinking of you, Alexa and Scott (and Simone and Ames), sending congratulations and good thoughts. I’m sure this is very bittersweet. Here’s to much happiness and health and lots of good stuff.
Hello, Simone! Dear Ames, this is not goodbye. Congratulations, Alexa & Scott.
Welcome to the world, Simone–may you grow bigger and stronger and healthier every day! Congratulations to Alexa and Scott on the birth of your beautiful daughter, and my thoughts are with you as you must say goodbye to your precious son Ames.
Congrats on the birth of Simone, I hope she is home very soon. Goodbye Ames, I wish you had more time with your wonderful parents and sister.
Congratulations! Welcome to Simone–keep fighting, little girl! Ames, you were much loved and will be missed.
Congrats! Great news!! Keep on fighting Simone!
Congratulations Flotsams and much peace to Ames. Sending so many good thoughts to Simone.
Congratulations! So glad to hear that Simone is doing so well, given the circumstances. You all continue to be in my thoughts daily.
Welcome to the world, Simone, and much love from your Internet aunties!
Blessings and peace to you, Alexa and Scott. Wishing for a quick recovery for your body and a balm for your heart. *hugs*
GO, SIMONE!!! We are rooting for the flotsams.
Congratulations!!
So glad to hear that Simone is the fighter we all knew she was. I’ll still keep all 4 of you in my thoughts
What a bittersweet time for you both. I hope your time with Ames was what it needed to be; and I hope little Simone continues show everyone her spunkiness. Thinking of all of you.
I am also crying tears of JOY right now! Much love and congrats to the whole family…what wonderful news. Although I know it must also be so hard to say goodbye to Ames, my heart goes out to you all.
C’on sweet little Simone, you might be tiny but we hear you come from some STRONG stock, so may you grow healthy and big!
Thinking of you all.
XOXO, Watson
Congratulations Alexa and Scott!
Fight on little Simone, we can’t wait to hear stories about how tough you are.
Rest in peace little Ames, you will be dearly missed and never forgotten.
Also, I don’t know if anecdotes are still appreciated, but this blog I have been following is a site for Molly, a little girl born at 26 weeks; she is now approaching her EDD and set to be released to go home (now on hold pending her older sister recovering from a fever): http://mollyupdate.myblogsite.com/, and Blue’s blog, http://www.navyblueelephanttrunks.blogspot.com/, taught me a lot about what it must be like to have a baby in the NICU (Blue’s baby Azure, now a healthy — 2? year old, was born at 24 weeks.
On the one hand, one thing I learned from Blue is that moms with a baby in the NICU don’t have time to read blogs, but on the other hand, Alexa, if you do have time or want to connect with others who’ve been there…well, those are the relevant blogs I’m aware of for whatever that’s worth.
Continuing to think of you and your family and to hope Simone is wowing everyone with her toughness and ability to thrive.
Congrats to your family. I know the NICU is scary, but it grows on you. Gareth was a 25 wk 6 day baby at 1 lb 13 oz, he is now a 4 yr old 37 lb crazy boy!
Simone is obviously a fighter. Can’t wait to hear her updates. Thought and prayers are with ya’ll at this time of joy and sorrow. Ames will be a guardian angel for his sister.
OMG, I was away from my computer for a day, and I came back to this good news. I am sure it will all work out. We love you all!
When a baby is born, so is a mama, and a papa, and a family.
Congratulations. All my best prayers and thoughts.
In love and light,
Lori
Yay Simone, grow and show them all how strong you are!
It must be heartbreaking to say goodbye to Ames so much too soon. You are all in my thoughts.
There simply aren’t sufficient words at a time like this, but my heart is overflowing (simultaneously with love and sorrow) with all that you’re both going through right now.
We’re all thinking of you and Scott, Ames and Simone here in bloglandia.
Congratulations Alexa and Scott!!
Joy and grief all rolled together…you are all in my thoughts and very much in my heart.
Welcome extraordinary Simone Lee…may you keep daring & defying!
“And moreover, to succeed, the artist must possess the courageous soul . . . the brave soul. The soul that dares and defies.”
–Kate Chopin (also born on February 8)
Take care,
Julie
Way to go Alexa!
Congratulaltions, Alexa and Scott. My prayers are with you all, especially Simone as she growns stronger and healthier!
Congratulations on the birth! I’m glad your daughter is such a little fighter. The feisty ones seem to do better. I’m so sorry on the loss of Ames. You will all be in my prayers.
Welcome baby Simone! You are such a strong little girl-keep your fight going!
Baby Ames, you will never be forgotten. May you leave a footprint on the hearts of your dear sister, mom and dad……
Congrats Alexa and Scott! Stay strong!
Hugs for all!
And I hear you on 16 hours of labor with NO epidural- followed by a c-section!
Yay Simone!!!!!!! Congratulations Alexa & Scott.
So glad to hear that Simone was born a little fighter. I hope she has a lot of her mom’s spunk, and that she grows stronger with each passing day.
God bless little Ames. I pray that he’ll be a wonderful guardian angel for his dear sister. He was so loved in his all-too-short time on this earth.
You’re all still in my prayers.
What exquisite news! What sad news! How to deal with such conflicting emotions? Simone will help you both to get through the pain. I am so so so happy that you have such a feisty little fighter on your hands. Lots of love to la Famiglia Flotsam. xx
I simply can’t believe how overwhelmed I am by relief that Simone is here and demonstrating her superhero powers. It’s like I can breathe again.
Alexa and Scott, congratulations and sympathy both beyond measure to you. Tell Simone we love her and we’re pullin’ for her.
Aside: my mother was a twin, and her brother was stillborn. My grandparents didn’t give him a name. So when she was in her 40s, she named him “Joshua.” She has always loved him, even though she never knew him. I’m certain that Simone will love Ames, and will always feel his presence in her life.
Hell Yeah!!!!
Congratulations to all and rest in peace, Ames.
Alexa, you are on strong woman, and I’m sure Simone has absorbed that from you!
Best to all, Love, Kisses, and Best wishes!
k
Congratulations!
BTW, that was a great post, worthy of the Flotsam blog. Thanks!
Not sure how to say congratulations and condolences in the same message but my thoughts are with you and your beautiful family.
hooray! keep us posted on simone’s progress and know that we’re thinking of you all as you say goodbye to ames.
I’m with Duchess: congratulations/condolences. I’m so happy that Simone Lee is here safely and doing well, and heartbroken all over again for Ames Michel. My thoughts are with you as you say goodbye to your boy.
And I’m keeping Simone in my thoughts - she sounds like a fighter!
YAY!!!
Congrats to Alexa and Scott! can’t wait to read about Simone’s progress out in the world!
(Still with many somber thoughts about Ames)
Congratulations on the birth of your daughter! I hope she grows well and is soon home with you !
Welcome babies! Ames, we are so sad that we have to say goodbye to you. We all wish you could stay.
Sweet Simone, keep kicking NICU butt!
Congratulations.
Prayers up for Simone as she grows bigger and stronger, and lots of prayers for Ames as well. And certainly lots and lots of prayers of stregnth for you and your husband during this bittersweet time.
Congratulations!!! You are one tough cookie…and have a DD who is a toughie as well.
Many prayers are coming for Simone to keep kicking butt…for Ames, that he be at peace as you spend time with him…and for you, as you resolve and rejoice in the birth of your children.
Welcome to the world sweet baby; you carry your brother with you.
Holy, look what happens when I skip a day of not checking in 5x. I am so deeply sorry for the loss of Ames, and so glad you got to hold him, even if just for a moment. He will be remembered, always. Hello, dear Simone, welcome, and please please be strong wee one, drink the air, open your eyes, and check out what a wonderful mum you have. And thanks for hanging in there as long you did, the internets are very proud.
Congrats on the birth of your daughter. May she continue to be a fighter! I am so sorry to hear of Ames -be sure to look over your sister.
What a relief. I’m so happy to hear about Simone and am still so sad about Ames. I will be thinking of you all and wish you the best.
I hope Alexa and Simone are home soon.
And 16 HOURS with no epidural? I’m in awe…
Congrats! Sorry for your loss! I’ve always loved reading your blog and your stimming information was a lot of help to me when I didn’t think I was having a great response. Thanks for opening up and sharing all your thoughts, joys and fears with us.
Congratulations! Grow quickly, Simone; I know that your family wants you home with them. Watch over her, Ames, and give your mommy and daddy some special kisses, too.
Congrats you two! You’ve got a whole lot of people out here pulling for you and your little family!
Thinking of you. Sending love.
like a kitten…aw…i’m weepy just thinking about it. congrats!!!
Thank heavens for Simone’s safe arrival. The next part won’t be easy (and may grind you down some) but one day, around your due date, you will take your sweet girl home, and that will be the best day of your life. And then a few weeks pass and you’ll notice that she has oozed at least three kinds of bodily fluids on you in one afternoon, and you’ll think about how lucky you are. And then your boobs will leak. And you’ll still be so blessed and happy you won’t care. Sincere regrets on the loss of your dear boy Ames, and still sending happy thoughts to you and yours. Well done, Flotsams!
Congrats on the arrival of Simone and Ames. To Simone - all the best for your future - may it be long and lovely. To Ames - rest safely.
Bea
Tears and a gentle goodbye for little Ames and a joyful welcome to Simone. You are awesome and beyond brave Alexa! Hope you can all come home soon.
it’s the best of days and the worst of days.
peace to you all.
Congratulations and condolences. Simone sounds like she is a little fighter and she has the best guardian angel in Ames looking out for her too. Love to you all.
Congratulations! Will be checking back to hear of Simone’s progress . . . and thinking of you as you heal from Ames’ loss.
Congrats!
I hope things progress uneventfully from now on! :)
Hi Alexa, just adding to the billions of comments you are getting from your adoring fan club. Again, I’m so sorry about Ames. Also, excited about Simone. My little twin was only 2 pounds 4 oz so I’ve recently been through the NICU drill with the tiny one. She’s now home and around 6 pounds. It will go by fast I swear. Get a prescription for Xanax though immediately if not sooner. Thinking of you guys and wishing you speedy recovery. I’ve had two c-sec and the scar is so minor!
Thinking of you all! Best wishes!
Apparently I cannot stay away. I am hoping Simone is thriving. I did remember a book that a friend with a very premature baby told me was helpful. It is called Preemies: The Essential Guide for Parents of Premature Babies, and it is by Dana Wechsler Linden, Emma Trenti Paroli, and Mia Wechsler Doron, M.D. If I knew you, I’d send it myself, but since I don’t — FWIW.
My best wishes to you all.
I can’t imagine what the moment of birth must have been like, great joy and great sadness all at once. Congratulations, you’re a mom. I’m so sorry becoming a first-time mom involves such a horrible loss as well for you.