Christmas Day,  December 25, 2009,  Nashville Memorial Hospital, Nashville, TN., 5:37 a.m., C.S.T.~

Terri Hershey here.  I am sorry for not writing sooner; things have been crazy at best!  Plus I haven't been able to do much:  I was grounded to my bed until Danielle Grace decided to come early:  she was due in January; she arrived on December 1 of this year.  About a month early.

She is currently in the NICU ward here; she will probably be leaving the NICU in a day or so; that is one of the best Christmas presents I could have ever asked for!  She's small, but other than a few issues with her breathing, she's doing GREAT!!

Danielle is so pretty:  big, grey eyes, soft, cream-colored skin, and light-brown curly hair; she has a ton of it!  She looks just like David did when he was born!

Speaking of David, he is spending Christmas with his NeeNee Joyce and PopPop Ted; I know he misses me, and I know he can't wait to meet his little sister!  That's all he's talked about for the past month!  He is becoming quite a little chatterbox!  Such a far cry from the beginning, when he wouldn't talk to anybody!

I miss my little guy.  He lights up the room whenever he enters; he's made my life that much better.  He does have autism, but he's doing so well in school and interacting with people!  I think singing has opened up a whole new world; he sang during the Cantata, and he did a marvelous job before the nerves got to him:  he ran off the stage immediately after his song ended, and straight to the lobby, where I was watching from the back, and into my arms.  He was crying and shaking with fear; I felt so bad for him!

At least he stayed in the sanctuary this time instead of sitting in the hall, which is what he usually does whenever we come to church!

I know David will enjoy the toys we got him.  He is probably up now, demanding to open up his gifts!  LOL  I got him a new bike, some Transformer type toys (he loves those things), some more dinosaurs, new clothes, shoes, socks, and underwear, and $50.00.  There's no telling what NeeNee and PopPop got him.  (I dread to think of it:  they always spend tons of money on their grandson; it's no wonder David is so spoiled at times!  LOL)

I just wish I still had Randy (my ex-husband) in my life; David hasn't seen him since he can remember.  (He left me after finding out that David was autistic.  He couldn't handle it, so he left me to take care of my son and get the help he needed.)

I am going to go get some breakfast, then visit with my brand new daughter, so I will write again another time, probably after we get Danielle Grace settled in at home once she's released from the hospital.  I'm just thankful she's healthy, with no defect or disability:  that has been a huge answer to prayer!  Take care, God bless, and Merry Christmas!  May it be your best Christmas ever!

~Love, your friend in Tennessee, Terri Lane Hershey.  :)