Meet the Parents

So as many of you know, my brother Lukas and his wife Danielle (Violet's godparents) are currently living in Santiago, Chile, working as missionaries at a college campus. And as doubtless everyone knows, there has been a horrific earthquake in that area. To cut to the chase, they are fine and mobilizing their staff and college students to aid in the relief work in whatever manner they can. I didn't hear about the quake until later in the morning and by then Lukas had already updated his Facebook to let everyone know they were fine. So I didn't think much of it until I finally made it to the internet and quickly realized what a massive situation it was and saw all the frantic attempts to contact them made by all our friends and family. Only then did the full measure of the situation sink in and I'm glad I was spared the hours of desperate worry. We thank God for their safety and continue to pray for those dealing with the aftermath of this tragedy. Sending much love (and this photo) their way:

 Lukas and Danielle present in spirit (the receiving blanket and roses came from them).

And while we're on the subject of the Fortunato's, my parents and sisters came up to visit on Sunday. Violet had a big introduction to her new family and everyone got in on some baby-holding action. I was especially eager for her to meet her Grandpa Frank, since he was en route from Calcutta when she was born. He is already a proud grandpa, however, evidenced by the message he sent out to everyone announcing her birth:

Frank and Berit Fortunato are pleased to announce that their daughter, Kristine Loughman gave birth to 7-pound Violet Elizabeth on Monday. Mother and daughter are doing well. The birth happened while Grandpa Fort was on his flight back from India . Kristine paid no attention to my plea for the little one to stay in the oven until I arrived back from Calcutta . First pictures and video reveal the newborn is a dark beauty, burps in the key of D and has piano fingers.

 Proud Grandpa Frank. Violet did most of the talking during their initial meeting, although Grandpa did his best to get a word in edgewise.

Aunt Chitra and Bhavana Nicole. Chitra is a natural with Violet and has already promised lots of (free?) babysitting, and even Nicole wanted to hold the newest member of the family.