Texas travels for some

Nancy is heading south! 

She will be going to Texas at the same time JP will be flying to Mpls from Texas on Sunday. And, as JP starts his work week back at his Fergus Falls office, Nancy and Julie will start making plans for their travels to Minnesota. 

Julie has posted a note on Facebook that Aaleigha is on medicine to help with her reflux. She also has to sit up for 20 minutes after eating and will have to have a monitor (mini version) from three months to a year until she grows out of this reflux thing. She says on Facebook that it will take some time getting home because of her feeding schedule every three hours plus the 20 minute sit up thing, but the important thing is they will come home!!!!!!!

We are all excited! Finally this family can be home and start their new chapter together. What a blessing! 

I'll be with the boys while Wayne is at school during the day and we all will be there to help, if he should call, for the evening. I think some suppers with everyone who is around home, is in order! And maybe some meals sent home for when everyone is back, too, as everyone settles in. 

So, great news. A bit more adjustment, perhaps, getting used to monitors and feeding schedules, but how great to have everyone just home! 

Thanks, Nancy, for traveling to be with Julie on the ride home.

God's blessings on your travel and on J.P.'s as he makes the return trip to Minnesota and also on Wayne as he drives his brother back to Fergus Sunday night. 

Bradys and it has nothing to do with the bunch

There have been questions about Bradys, the episodes that little Aaleigha Mya has...I have received more information on this issue from JP so here goes...

Bradys is when the heart rate drops. JP said he'd understood it to be common in preemies. The hospital will now be giving her medication for reflux. As in this is usually caused by acid reflux. Who would've known. I told JP she's just like a Stender..like her Grandpa Stender, anyways, dealing with things like acid reflux but who would've thunk a wee one like that would have a rapid drop in heart rate because of acid reflux? And that they would name it Bradys?!

So they are starting her on medication and if she can go about five days without an episode, Aaleigha Mya can start the journey home about Tuesday or Wednesday. We're working out the details as JP has to return next week for work so either Nancy or I as of this time are set to fly down and drive back with Julie and the babe.

All are excited about this event!!!

If Nancy is able to go, I will take over watching the boys plus a little boy named Griffin that Nancy watches during the week for a friend. I think I need some strong vitamins! And excedrin! Just kidding.

For sure, whether I watch the babes in Fergus or fly to Texas to be with Julie and Aaleigha on the drive home, I will take next week off from work. Of course I have to finalize those plans with the boss but he's not at work today because of the storm.

In a way, I'd look forward to a trip to Texas. Anything to get rejuvenated with some warmer weather after all this snow and all this cold!

Will let you know if we get more news which I am expecting to receive tonight from Julie's messages on Facebook.

And any Stenders and extended family interested in joining our circle on Facebook? If you have questions, just e-mail me!

good and not so good news

We've heard from JP and Julie and there's great news and not so great news concerning Aaleigha.

She had the feeding tube removed and they are going to try to give her all her nutrition and feedings via the bottle.

BUT....

She had two bradys episodes the other day.

Please keep her in prayer that she can continue to gain strength and continue her great feedings AND that her episodes of periodic lowered heartrate will stop.

We are anxious for this family to get home! Aaleigha's feedings, maintaining her weight and regular heart rhythms are crucial to them coming home.

Even though half of us have colds and won't be able to see her immediately, knowing she's home will give everyone great comfort and a time when this young family can start this new chapter of parenthood together with family and friends surrounding them!

Thanks.

Stenders get a GIIIRRRRLLLL!!!!!

Jp and Julie are now the proud parents of a girl, Aaleigha.

The two completed the home study process and paperwork needed for adoption before Christmas. We'd all thought they would be adopting by June or July but the Lord had other plans. He had children to touch their hearts in January and February.

The first call they received for baby boy had them buying blue. Unfortunately, that process didn't work out with the birth mother wanting her little one to be with family.

We've all prayed for them and knew the Lord had a special little one just for them. And sure enough, there was a little girl in need of parents and JP and Julie need a little girl ... The whole Stender family, in fact, needs more girls. In our family, we have four boys and Wayne and Nancy have two boys so a little girl to spoil and protect is just what was ordered!

She's in Houston and, they found out, a preemie. She was about six weeks premature. A little tyke! I don't know what her actual birth weight was but just last week, she weighed 4 pounds five ounces! She's developing more each day...eating more...getting stronger. It's a struggle to eat so much (is 30 millileters a lot? it is for her little body but she's doing it) and to gain and maintain her weight.

I was over 4 pounds when I was born and, well, I gained, obviously. It all takes time.

So JP and Julie are in Houston and had a visit from Wayne and Nancy. they were able to have some good visit time together and see a bit of the city, too. That was a nice break since JP and Julie had been spending all their time at the hospital when they weren't sleeping at the hotel! So great they were able to regroup and get refreshed with a visit from family.

And so we join the Heins in welcoming Aaleigha Mya to the family.

Welcome, Aaleigha and hurry home!

Please keep this little one in your prayers that she gain and maintain her weight and continue her good eating habits so she can get stronger!