A taste of bitter sweet joy

Its been about a week since dad has written anything, so I decided its time again. Just put Miya and Jayden to bed after a little bit longer night at the hospital. Nicki is on the way home (she just called and said the coolant light came on...it was red....temp gauge is pegged...SWEEEEEET!!!) from doing skin to skin with Melanie. We got to spend the night at the hospital as a family. It went pretty well barring a couple setbacks: a broken clay Christmas ornament for Melanie from the March of Dimes, 3 dropped pipes which meant they all had to get pitched, and a few breakdowns by Jayden...however, the Westra's are being featured by the hospital and the March of Dimes for "Kangaroo Care"...same thing as skin to skin. We had to stick around for a little while longer for them to take pictures with Nicki holding Melanie, and dad and his circus monkey girls posing for family pictures around her. Not sure exactly what they are going to do with them, but it sounds pretty cool.

Melanie had another first today. She was held by Jayden for the 1st time. Jayden did pretty well considering the hospital recommends kids stay in the hospital room for one minute for every year of age. That would put Jayden at a minute and a half. Looking at it that way, she did great. Hopefully Nicki remembered to take the camera home so I can put those pictures up for you.

Tonight was Christmas meal at the hospital. We got to see Levi's parents for the first time since moving out of NICU. I'm starting to get used to NIM, but its just not the same. I felt pretty guilty leaving the NICU...I guess I will name them Le, Co, and Lo (CANT PUT THEIR FULL NAMES ON THIS PAGE FOR FEAR OF HIPPO VIOLATION!!! dont get me started on that deal....NAZIS!!!!!!) all who have been in the room since August I believe. Im really excited that Melanie got to move out, but for the last month and a half, we've been able to watch progress on those kids too, and our neighbors have pretty much become family to us while we were there. Such awesome neighbors and nurses we've had. Some of the nurses are coming along with Melanie, but not the ones who never took care of her that we got to know in that room. Some of the parents in NICU nursery #1 have helped our stay soooo much. The comforting glances they shot our way when Melanie was having 50 bradys a day, the heads up for what to expect when we got a little anxious about new things going on, the therapeutic conversations we could all have as concerned parents, and the smiling faces when we cracked jokes and laughed at some of the 'nursery 1 conversations' that seem to add that twinkle of laughter to our day. The fact that Melanie is doing so well gets me really excited...I just have this feeling of guilt as she moves to the next phase without them. I know its not in Gods plan right now to have them leave before us, and thats ok I guess.

On the positive side, it is very quiet in our room. No alarms going off every second of every day. Our own room, for now, to lounge around in and not worrying about getting in our neighbors way. A little more forgiveness when Miya and Jayden show up because we dont have to worry about being too loud, and waking up 8 babies when our older children are crying. All in all, we again see how very blessed we are. God has shown his mercy to our family throughout all of this. Our baby girl continues to impress everyone. (She weighs 3# 11oz tonite!!!!!) Crazy how she can pack on weight so fast all of a sudden. Nicki just told me she nursed 8 mls today, so our little peanut is growing at incredible speeds.

I know most of you dont know our neighbors we've had in the NICU, but know that there are many others in this same hospital that can use prayers as well. God will send them home to their families in due time, it just appears that our time is sooner than theirs for now. We appreciate all the continued prayers for us as well. It appears that this family is starting to maybe get a little worn out. Nicki and I are very tired (not sure if thats from lack of sleep or emotional tiredness or both) and Miya and Jayden seem to miss their parents a bit more every day. We'll get through it soon enough...p.s. a nurse mentioned possibly 2 weeks (I think shes on crack, but shes been right with everything else so far). Just kidding about the bein on crack thing Anne :)

To all of you: We wish you a very blessed Christmas! Enjoy your family get togethers and dont take them for granted. And remember the reason for the season. Christ came down to this earth to save sinners. What a reason for joy!
Luke 2:8-11"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."


Love you all

Just got the pictures, so here they are!


A very happy big sister and a confused baby :)




Jayden holding for the first time with a look on her face like shes done this her whole life



One of the most adorable pictures Ive ever seen so far in Melanies short lifetime




You pick your description for this one :) Any ideas for improved parenting with this child???? just kidding...shes a great kid, just has a mind of her own