Brett without all his tubes.

Greetings of love in our Savior's name. We trust that the Lord is near to each one you as we begin a New Year and as we continue to learn to put our trust in Him for all the days that are ahead. He is our ever faithful guide!

Back to Riley

We spent Jan 9th at Riley visiting the Pulmonary Clinic and the Cranial-Facial Clinic. The Pulmonary Dr. was pleased with Brett's oxygen SAT's and his color. She ordered a "home sleep test" which was performed on Jan 17. We are still awaiting the results and hoping that we can eliminate "daytime" oxygen. We all will be glad to move around with Brett without the long cord that has become a part of him. In the Cranial-Facial Clinic we met Brett's plastic surgeon, Dr Eppley. He was very informative about what we can expect for the future and told us he was willing to do Brett's lip surgery in February. We have a tentative date of Feb 28 if all paperwork can be completed. Dr Eppley told us the lip surgery and the gum surgery are "walks in the park". But the palate surgery is not so easy. Please be prayerful as the time for these surgeries will soon be upon us. We've never experienced anything like this and we know how much your love and prayers will help us "through".

Weight Gains

Each Tuesday we are doing weight checks on Brett. We then call our Pediatrician and he lets us know how much to increase Brett's feedings. Right now he is getting 80 cc's every 3 hours, which is a little short of 3 oz. On Jan 17 Brett weighed 7 lb. 9 oz. The Doctor was very happy with his weight gain and we are too. His face is really filling out and his little legs look so cute. We hope he continues to gain at the rate he is gaining now. As of now, we are fortifying breast milk with formula to give it extra calories. The tube feedings continue to go well, but the bottle feedings are not going so well. Brett sucks a pacifier just fine, but as soon as the bottle nipple goes in his mouth, he like to push it out with his tongue. We purchased a special bottle which allows me to squeeze milk into his mouth. I like to do this several times a day, mainly to keep a nipple in his mouth and also to keep his taste buds stimulated and desiring of food. We don't want him to begin to fear "food" in his mouth, which is a possibility with tube feedings.

Brett even gives a little cheer at his recent "weighing in session".

In closing

Thankfully life has fallen back into a routine again. We continue to trust God's faithfulness as we look ahead to the scheduling of surgeries, the health of Brett through the winter months, and our desire to work in Haiti. We know that ultimately God is guiding our steps and we must look-up and follow Him. Again, many thanks for your prayers and for your concern over this little boy God has asked us to raise. When we think that God has given us this opportunity to serve Him by serving Brett, it is truly humbling. May He be glorified in each of our lives! Let's all rejoice because He is coming again!

Jan, Val and Family

For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. Ps 32:6-11