So....I got an email the other day from Matt, saying that my omnipotent presence was missed...and thusly, I am here. And I am here with some amazing news.

Your friendly Fish has returned from the depths of hell itself, ladies and gentlemen! To give you backstory....

Early September my wife, who was well in the midst of her pregnancy, had started complaining about cramping. Of course, she told the doctor, who said "don't worry, cramping occurs. It's really nothing to worry about". Well, we didn't worry....until Mid-September. Six am, after having JUST gotten home two hours earlier, I'm awoken to my wifes cries of agony. Barely awake, and a tad worried, we rush to the emergency room. FOUR hours later, it's determined that my wife must be admitted, and is put on immediate hospital bedrest....her cervix had started to funnel open, indicating that childbirth was on the horizon.

For two days she lay in bed, with me at her side whenever I wasn't working. On the second day, after an ultrasound, the doctor made the determination that she had to be transferred to a different hospital, because her cervix had completely opened. She was rushed there that day, and was maintained on bedrest, getting a couple of shots to boost the baby's growth...just in case.

For three weeks my wife lay in bed, doing battle with her inner demons, and the child that grew within her. And on October 4th, at only 26 weeks gestation, my wife's water broke.

She lay in bed for another two days after that, dealing with contractions that were slowly becoming more frequent. On October 6th, I spent the night with her, because the contractions were becoming more frequent. The hospitals monitor was not picking up the contractions, so I started writing them down, as well as how long they lasted. And then, in the wee early morning of October 7th, at 9:35 am, my daughter, Madelynn Tessa Mae Fishler, was born, a whole three months ahead of schedule.

My wife and I spent every waking moment we could at her isolette. Touching her hand, reading books, singing songs, and crying to each other. There is nothing...I assure you...nothing that is more heart-wrenching than seeing a human the size of your forearm struggle to live. But live she did. She was born only 2 pounds, 2 ounces. And now, she is cusping on 6 full pounds...two whole months later.

I hope this gives you all a little hint as to what I've been going through. I'll try to be back on more often...but...no promises. Enjoy the pictures below

Scary stuff, Fish. But that is some great news.

Congratulations to you both.

Bravo Fish....and Mrs Fish! I'm happy for ya both....even though I'm an evil heathen.

Evil heathen though you are, thank you Welshy. And thanks, CMP!