Colorado shooting: Stories of survival

Aurora, Colorado (CNN) -- A few reflections from survivors of the massacre at an Aurora, Colorado, theater from CNN interviews:

'A silver lining to a very dark cloud'

Baby Hugo was born Tuesday morning to Katie and Caleb Medley. They had gone to the movie as a treat before the expected delivery this week of their child. The gunfire did not strike Katie, but Caleb was shot in the face. He lost his right eye, suffered brain damage and is in critical condition.

His brother said Caleb seems to understand what happened, but it was unclear whether he knew he has a baby boy.

"He's making small improvements, baby steps every day," said Seth Medley about his eldest brother. When the baby was taken into Caleb's hospital room, "he moved his hand towards the baby, trying to feel his son, trying to touch him." Caleb's heart rate and blood pressure rose, Seth said.

Colorado movie theater massacre

Caleb had been doing standup comedy routines in Denver and was working full time at Target, but he had no health insurance, his brother said.

Seth Medley said becoming an uncle was bittersweet for him. "We were all looking forward to this," he said. "It's a silver lining to a very dark cloud, but we all know Caleb, we know he's a fighter, we know he's not going to stay out of that child's life for any length of time if he can avoid it."

Christian Bale visits victims, families honor lost loved ones

'There were kids, mothers and fathers'

Josh Nowlan survived the bloodbath in Aurora, and his friends hail him as a hero for shielding them with his body. Nowlan was shot in the left calf and right arm in the process.

"Of course I'm glad it's over with, and I'm glad I'm alive and I get to see my kids," Nowlan, whose sons are 7 and 9, said as his voice cracked with emotion. "But I also think about, you know, the other people that weren't as lucky as I was. There were kids, mothers and fathers that were there, and they're dead. I'm still alive."

Iraq War veteran Josh Nowlan, 31, is recovering from bullet wounds after huddling to protect his newlywed friends.

Christine Blache said if you are going to a war zone, you accept the risks. But being attacked at a theater was a shock.

Nowlan said he wants to go back into the screening room where the killings took place, "look down at that same seat and say 'I beat you. You did not take this life.' "

Tales of heroism abound from tragedy

'You don't want to leave knowing that you said something'

Corbin Dates says he's not sure how he survived the killings. He and a friend both escaped unhurt, and he said he has "a blank feeling inside" when he looks back at the building.