An Angel Among Us

Good Morning Family and Friends,

As you know God graced us with the birth of our little angel almost 3 months ago. We couldn't have received a more perfect gift. Abigail Jane lit up our lives brighter than we ever knew was possible. She has touched numerous lives all over the world in such a short time. Her smile warmed our hearts and her sweet song still sings loudly in our ears. Her gifts were abundant and will remain with us eternally. Abigail is now gracing us from above as the angel she was born to be. Jay and I thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for every prayer, blessing, and kind word you all gave us and Abigail. Thank you for understanding that this message, though digital, is sent with all our love and gratitude.

Love,
Lauren Lea and Jay

Details regarding the memorial services to come.

We are infinitely blessed.

Thunder Thighs Here I Come!

We are really starting to pack the pounds on now...Abigail is a 6 pounder! Look out, we've got a sumo wrestler in our midst. We might be struggling to fit her into those adorable preemie outfits soon. I can't wait! So needless to say, Abigail is a happy camper here at the Magin Ranch.

Our little family did manage to get away this past weekend for Abigail's first vacation. We told her about all the wonders that make up the metroplex (DFW) and about all the awesome family and friends she would see again or meet for the first time. As you can see here, Killer was excited the most about the trip.

Peanut did amazing on the road. Let's face it, she must to be a member of the Warren Family. Thursday night Grandma Bebe got to babysit while Jay and I hung out with the Yankees and Rangers. We had an awesome cookout at Aunt Vicki's house on Friday night while we introduced the Olympics to Nicholas and Abigail. I believe the word of choice for the night while watching the opening ceremonies was, WOW. I am sure you all had some similar reactions.

Saturday night we enjoyed a fish fry at Bebe and Howard's house, and Sunday was show off your grandchild day at church. All grandparents love those days! Abigail was showing off her family as well. We've noticed she does that a lot.

Great news...Jay finally received his orders to be permanently assigned to Fort Sam Houston. He left for Georgia this morning to out-process from Fort Gordon and to figure out how to move our stuff to Texas. Hopefully he won't be gone for too long...we are going to miss him. We foresee only a year in the San Antonio area since we will be getting another change of station when Jay finishes his Officer training. He should finish sometime later next year.

We will try to take advantage of the time we have here, since we don't know the next time we will be back living here. It's amazing when you actually realize that you have no earthly idea what can happen tomorrow, next week, or next year. I am learning to let go of the wheel and take every turn with as much ease as possible. It's not too easy, but definitely a fun ride.

Happy Birthday to Me!!

Sooo, come to find out, my Mommy and Pop aren't so good at the bowling...Let's just say I had a good nap because it wasn't too loud in there from all the pins falling over. After I was well rested, I thought I should give them some pointers. As you can see here, I am working on Pop's release. He's coachable, but needs a lot of practice. He kept screaming something about his thumbs and saying that was the problem. Whatever helps you sleep at night Pop.


The party was a great time. Mommy's friends Renee and Rhonda surprised us from Houston. Mommy didn't say much just kept her mouth open when they walked in the door. I guess the surprise worked. Family was there too and we all had a rockin' good time at the lanes. My big cousin, Nicholas, must have some really good mojo because everyone kept asking him to help them bowl. They would get a high five from him or have him hold their hand while they bowled. I'm going to have to ask him about that when I am older.


Gran (Debbie) and Bebe (Betty) brought cake and ice cream. Everyone couldn't stop talking about how good it was. I made sure Mommy had some because I can't wait to get a taste for myself in about a month or so.


Two months and many more to go. I can't wait to see what the 'rents come up with for the 3rd Birthday Party. I've gotta hand it to them, they sure know how to have a good time. I think I'll keep 'em around for a while. Love you all! Bye

Look Mommy & Pop, No Strings!

Huge News!! AJ's off oxygen!!! We are going on 3 days sans oxygen, and Abigail is kickin' butt! The cardiologist suggested that she should be off oxygen to help her feel more comfortable. Supposedly it is backwards with VSD (hole in the heart) patients; oxygen makes them feel more lethargic. So we let her kick that nasal cannula out the door and she seems to be lovin' it. It took us a little more time to get used to the idea...but we are coming around, we aren't even monitoring her oxygen saturation anymore. I guess Abigail's teachin' us how to let loose. She's Amazing.

Also, Abigail traded that annoying long tube/nipple contraption they called a g-tube for a much sleeker and slimmer "Mickey" button. Now Abigail just has a button on her tummy leading to her belly. We attach a tube to it only when we need to feed her. Sooo much easier!

It is so awesome not to be tied down to wherever the oxygen is, or to be constantly worrying about Abigail's wandering hands just ready to pull anything attached to her body. I think she might be enjoying it too...Yesterday, we heard her scream from her swing in the kitchen, "Look Mommy & Pop, No Strings".

And no strings means dips in the tub. AJ had her first full bath yesterday (no sponges here). Jay needed one too, so he took a dip with her. She really enjoyed it...she actually fell asleep. Like everyone else, she didn't like the getting out idea. But after a good towel dry and Killer's tongue helping lap up the suds, she was content and fresh, and it was time for another nap.

Things are moving fast down her in AJville. Before we know it she will be taking Killer for walks. Look out Texas...here comes AJ.

2 Weeks of Heaven

Come to find out, Abigail is a pretty cool kid. She really knows how to party. We have had a lot of fun with that little girl over the last 2 weeks. She is a true Warren, nothin' slows her down.




We started out at Zorn Bowling Club...only proper way to go since the elder Magin girls made their public debut there too. Donnie was smitten with pride over his littlest girl as you can see. Yeah that's Abigail on the bar, that's how we do things, haha.



Abigail asked for barbecue that next morning so we granted her wishes and took her straight to Luling for City Market goodness. There she is right up in the mess of it. Don't think she didn't get a little taste.

The rest of the 2 weeks she enjoyed daily activities of push ups and sit ups, cooking all her meals, and entertaining her parents through out all waking hours. We think she likes it here. We definitely are thoroughly enjoying ourselves as well. She is an angel with a million different expressions who has transformed our lives. These past 2 weeks have felt like 2 months, and we are so grateful for every minute with her.


Another birthday is coming up soon. Peanut will be 2 months young on Monday (8 weeks today), and we are going to have a day of fun for her this Saturday. We are working on introducing her to some new activities, possibly bowling...hehehe. Talk to you all again soon.


P.S. As you can see she is a true Texan, she loves her chips and salsa.

Oh What a Busy Life I Lead

Hi Ya'll! My name is Abigail, but you all may know me as Peanut. I am still thinking of how to get my folks back for that; I'll take any suggestions. I have to make this quick because I snuck out of my cradle to send this message. I wanted to tell the story of my biggest week yet in my own words without mommy and daddy's fancy dancy words. As you all know I have been chillaxin' in the NICU, or as us babies like to call it "The Land Where Babies Rule", for the past 6 weeks. It's some cool livin' in those parts...all kinds of mischief happens when the lights go down, but I thought it was about time I got to teaching my 'rents the way life's gonna work under Abigail's reign. So about a week ago I started working on my plan to bust out of the NICU.

The first step was a G-Tube surgery since I am not quite hip to the sucking game yet. My parents scheduled it for Monday...silly parents...I had to show them who runs the show now. So I decided to throw a scare of pneumonia at them to delay the surgery until I was ready, which turned out to be Thursday morning. This way I got to go on my first ride outside the hospital, and I did it in style too...ambulance and all. I had my G-Tube put in on Thursday morning at North Central Baptist. It went well, of course, I'm a pro. The ride back to Wilford Hall was even better than the first, I got the royal treatment...lights and sirens. We left mommy and daddy in the dust!

After a few days recovery, the next step was extibation. That means that the last gosh-forsaken tube in my face was coming out! Thank goodness! Sunday morning was the day of freedom, the day I would get my voice back, the day I could really tell those doctors what I thought of their precious ventilator. Well, you know that went perfectly as well, and I got the good stuff afterwards too...100% pure O2. Talk about a cool high.

I soon realized that those folks of mine had gotten to planning again without consulting me. They were working on scheduling my discharge out of the hospital to this place they spoke about with a lot of laying around, sleeping and eating...uh hello, what have I been doing the last 6 weeks. I don't think these two are too sharp. Although, they did keep talking about this interesting creature named Killer who seems a lot cooler and more relaxed than them, so I figured it can't be that bad. None the less, I did need to keep them guessing and remind them whose in control here, so with a quick flick of the wrist, oh no my G-Tube came out. But those dang doctors swept in with a quick recovery and somehow fixed that problem faster than I expected. Oh well off to this new land we go.

Departure day arrived Tuesday and after several hours of saying goodbyes to my nurses and docs, or should I say butlers and maids, at the NICU, I escorted my parents to our new home in Seguin. We now are living with my Grandma and Grandpa Seguin in a not so dark forest. I am really enjoying it, I have a bigger bed, several rooms I party in, and come to find out, just as many butlers and maids. I think I'll stay here for while...these folks of mine are pretty cool, cheesy but cool. I'll check you kids later. Come check out my crib sometime. I'm out!

The First of Many Celebrations

Saturday was a day of celebration and thankfulness. Abigail Jane celebrated her 1 month birthday as well as her baptism. Early Saturday morning we had Abigail baptized in the NICU. It was a great ceremony. The NICU staff allowed us to have several people at bedside to attend the christening. My parent's priest was able to come on short notice and did a beautiful job. She was blessed by her parents, grandparents, aunts, cousin, and godfather.


The luau birthday party was to commence after the baptism, but shortly after the ceremony, as Jay and I were decorating her bed and area (Oh Yes We Did), the doctor's and nurses surprised us. They had arranged for her to join the birthday party so we could sing to her and partake in some hula dancing. It was great to surprise our family as we wheeled the birthday girl into the party. We sang "Happy Birthday", opened some presents and of course took several hundreds of pictures from which you will see she thoroughly enjoyed herself to say the least.

After she was back at her tiki hut and ready for visitors, the touring hours began. Jay and I introduced Abigail to several new family and friends throughout the day. She is a very popular hula princess. We had 40 people visit her that day! Thank you all so much; Jay and I really appreciate you all making the drive to celebrate our little girl. And to those of you who weren't able to make it, thank you for all your birthday wishes and we hope you enjoy these pictures, and the many more to come.

Jay and I are looking forward to our next party; however, everyday of our life is a celebration of the joyful blessings Abigail has brought to us. She lights up our days and will forever bring smiles to our faces. It's amazing how someone so small can change our lives in such gigantic way. We're working on that small part though, maybe a few more cookie cake birthday parties will do the trick.