Then and Now-Coming Home

One year ago today we were able to take a 5 pound Melanie home from the hospital. She stayed there for 76 days gaining strength, developing, and growing big while we traveled back and forth to visit her, hold her, and take care of her. Praying that someday she'd be well enough to come home. That day finally came, you could get all your nutrition from a bottle and could breath on your own! We were soooo excited to have Melanie at home, and very nervous about doing everything without a nurse and dr. to answer all of our questions. Those first couple months home with her are a blur. There were failed attempts at nursing every 3 hours which lead to feedings and pumping every 3 hours. Dr. check ups, and trying to keep two other little girlys happy. It was GREAT having Melanie at home with us, but I so desperately needed some sleep. God was watching over our sleep deprived family for sure. So many of you helped with more meals, and offers to watch Miya and Jayden. I will forever be thankful to all of those helping hands.

Last night Melanie allowed me to revisit those nights from a year ago. She has been battling a cough the past couple days and has not been sleeping well. Last night, she was crying so I got her out of bed thinking I'd let her play for awhile. She decided to lay her head on my shoulder. So I laid down on the couch and she repositioned herself on my chest and fell asleep. I remember sooo many hours of holding this dear one on my chest in the hospital praying for her strength, her health, and her future. This continued when she came home too, just with a little more napping while I held her as the other girls napped in the afternoon.

So thank you Melanie, for letting mommy hold you as you slept last night and thank God for all he has blessed you with. And in true Melanie fashion, after a 10min nap on mom you woke up and played for awhile. You kept coming back to mom's lap for a 5 min head rest, and then you'd go off and play again. The night was great, memories of the past, thoughts of who you've become to this day, and prayers for the future. We love you to pieces Melanie Grace and can't imagine this house without your cuddles, giggles, and crazy smiles.



18 pounds 9 ounces...still on the growth chart. YEAHHHHH!!!!!!!!! She is in full snow gear as we tried to go sledding today. Since she wouldn't keep her mittens on she had to sit in the van...where she then fell asleep! Guess she wasn't' too heartbroken.