So, this is Melanie's first update!! A lot has happened in the last month! Janey has recovered really well from her surgery, and she is now up to 5 pounds, 4 ounces! She finally looks like a newborn, at 17 1/2 inches long, too!
We have been back from Primary's for almost 5 weeks now, and Janey has made tons of progress. She is up to 1.5 oz per feeding (every 3 hours), and she's even doing pretty well at breastfeeding! I have to be at the hospital a lot lately, so that I can feed Janey--scheduling is getting more and more difficult! She's also taking some bottles now as well, which means that Daddy gets to feed her sometimes, too! He absolutely loves it! It's getting much harder for us to have to leave her each time we have to go home!
Taylor and Callie are handling the situation amazingly well. They are, of course, getting extremely tired of chaos as a way of life, and they are sick of Mommy and Daddy having to leave them so much to go see their sister. Needless to say, there has been a lot more stress and contention in our household as of late! But, they love going to visit Janey every Sunday, and getting to hold her and love on her. They are cute doting siblings! They get so excited, and they sing to her and hold her hand, and give her kisses on her head. They love their baby sister! She's just so stinkin cute!
We've been able to spend a lot more time with Steve and Jessika (Ryan's brother and his wife), and that has been a lot of fun for us! The kids absolutely adore them! They live in St. George and have extended never-ending amounts of help and support, as well as their home, their culinary skills, and their babysitting expertise! They are wonderful!
The doctors were ready last week to send Janey back up to Primary's for the shunt surgery, because she just has not made much progress with her hydrocephalus (head problems). I was extremely disappointed, but we figured this is something that needs to be done. However, I could not get rid of the anxiety I felt about her going up. I kept thinking: maybe if we keep her here and keep working with her, it'll correct itself... but I've had some minor postpartum depression, and didn't know if that was the cause of the anxiety. What mother wants to send her baby off to get more brain surgery (with more throughout her life)? Anyway, I finally went to the temple last Tuesday, and had a really neat experience! After much pondering and praying to my Heavenly Father, He helped me come to a conclusion. First of all, He knows me and my situation, and is concerned about my family! He loves us very much!! Secondly, now is not the time for surgery. I feel strongly that if we make it a matter of prayer and exercise faith, that Janey's head could correct without surgery! What a wonderful opportunity for us to see God's love and power in action! If we put our trust in Him, and hand over our problems, he can comfort and guide us, and even make miracles happen!
Ryan reminded me also that when he gave Janey a blessing last week, he was prompted not to mention surgery-it confused him then, but makes sense now! Neat experiences all around, huh!?!
I want you all to know that I have a very strong testimony that my Heavenly Father is there, involved in my life, and he loves me very much! I have seen it over and over and over these past few months-what a blessing of love to me! I've come to realize that if I have faith in Him, and that He is in control, I don't need to worry about what is going to happen, because it will all work out! And He'll keep reminding me of that, as many times as I need it! I'm so grateful for my Savior's atonement-His love for me! Jesus Christ has made it possible for me and my family to be able to get through this very trying experience, and with much more gained from it than we could ever have imagined! I am extremely aware of Their love for my sweet baby girl, and what a special little girl she is! I really do stand all amazed at the tremendous love that is poured out upon me from above!
Now, back to the story...
I talked to Janey's doctor, and he agreed to give us two weeks to see if we can help Janey make some more progress, and then they'll re-evaluate her.
So, we have 2 challenges for all willing to accept them: 1- Make the extra effort to find proof of God's love for you...it ends up being a lot easier than we expect! And it makes you feel so good! 2- Please fast and pray for Janey this next Sunday that her head will be able to correct. We need your faith! And please pass on the invitation to fast to anyone you'd like-the more the merrier, and the more faith working in Janey's behalf!
Thank you for all of your love, faith, support, prayers and monetary donations!! We love you, and hope you have a very happy day!
