Day 10: Update on Michele and Oliver

Today is a very big day for us as little Oliver celebrates passing his 27th week in the snug confirms of Michele's belly. It has been ten days since Michele was admitted to the hospital and her vital signs (and Oliver's) have not looked better. Witnessing Michele's courage and strength in holding out this long has been the greatest miracle of my life. At this point, our belief in Oliver's safe passage is stronger than ever and we consider each day he remains in the womb a bonus.

It may seem odd given the circumstances, but the overwhelming feeling we have right now is one of good fortune... of being blessed. Watching the 9/11 ceremony reinforces that feeling. We are not mourning loss; we know in our core that we are celebrating the power of life and love. We cherish this handsome little Oliver despite never laying eyes on him or holding him in our arms; he means so much because he is the embodiment of our love for each other and our lifetime commitment to one another. In this way, he is immortal.

Michele is eating "regular food" for every meal (we even found a new meal between breakfast and brunch) and, as of today, the only device connected to her is a fetal monitor that tracks Oliver's heart beat and Michele's contractions (weak, few and far between). She continues to be confined to the hospital bed, lacking only a silver bell to ring when she needs me to refill her water glass or bring her a fresh plum or massage her feet! Actually, for those who know her well, you can imagine how infuriating it is for her to have her independence so thoroughly limited. Nevertheless, we are having a grand time watching the Yankees open up a comfortable lead over the Red Sox, reading up on celebrity gossip and finishing the second season of Veronica Mars on DVD. (Michele would want me to point out that she is ALSO reading War and Peace... smarty pants.)

Thank you again, all of you, for the support you have shown us during these challenging times. Every little gesture has touched our hearts.

Charlie, Michele and Oliver