Merry Christmas

this season has been pretty wonderful. it gets better every year as our boys grow and are able to enjoy more things, learn about the true meaning of our celebrating, and become less afraid of snow.

a quick update on the elder brother, since he doesn't always get a lot of press here: malachi is doing really well as a big brother. he is also enjoying preschool. he's pretty much a rockstar there, doing whatever is necessary to stay in the limelight. not sure where he gets that from.

conley had some checkups today. he's gained a bit of weight already. we're thankful. his surgery is healing up well.

we really hope that everyone has a great holiday season. for those of you who celebrate the coming of Christ, may this time be filled with joy and gratitude. may we all take on the heart of the incarnation toward those around us; the heart of a God Who is willing to participate in this

 world in order to save us from ourselves. thanks for everything.

-love-

photos

the feedings are going well. thank you so much for your prayers. please pray that these calories stick to the little man's body!

here's the beginning of what i hope will be a flood of new pics. keeping such things organized and up to date is so tedious. sorry that there are none of beth up on this album. pics of her are on the hard drive at home. more to come

http://picasaweb.google.com/cordof3/Monroes#

powered up

conley's pretty much back to himself now. he seems to still be regaining strength but his smile is in full-swing. we've got power now, which he will be happy about. he'll be happy because every time he heard the generator in the garage, he thought it was grampa's four-wheeler starting back up again. "FOUR!!??" he exclaims, hoping for a ride. he should be up to that task pretty soon. we hope to get our little feeding apparatus today so that we can start the process tonight while conley sleeps. it will be good to be back home again but it has been fun at grammie and grampa's place. they have been very generous to let us (malachi) come and take over the place. too bad malachi doesn't have any fun while he's over there..... :P
-love-

home

looks like we'll be headed home in a little bit. we're waiting to learn about how to use the tube and all, but that might not come to fruition until tomorrow. either way, conley's doing well and on his way back to being himself. he was happy to have a bottle and some croissant this morning. he hadn't eaten since yesterday morning. no power yet at home, so we'll post when we can. thanks again!

-love-

tubing

hi everyone. so, we're back. we figure that many of you know about conley's struggle to gain weight and the subsequent treatment we've opted for. today conley went in for day surgery to "install" a gastrostomy tube (or, as the hip kids call it, a "g" tube). this tube will allow us to feed conley during the night. he isn't so fond of eating these days, maybe because he spent so much time early on in life with 1) tubes down his throat, 2) constant throwing up (which stopped a while ago) and 3) acid reflux problems (severe heartburn). either way, we think we've outsmarted him now. the good stuff (Pediasure fortified drink) will go right into that little belly of his. we're praying that this helps him bulk up. developmentally he's doing great. he's just got to grow. your prayers are so very much appreciated. we'll keep you posted. the picture above is conley cruising around the pre-op, flirting with the nurses. below are pictures of him after the surgery. as usual, super cute (both he and mom ;)

-love- 

life goes on

so many things have happened, so many months have passed. Conley nears 18 months and Malachi has been three for some time now. we had a great summer and enjoyed time with family, enjoyed the lake, etc. I've started college again and Malachi began preschool. He's doing well.

As for Conley's health, he is developing extremely well, on the verge of walking, and sporting a very unique disposition (stubborn). We're okay with that. He didn't get to where he is through passivity. He is still growing slowly so we're probably going to let them put a little feeding tube in his tummy. It should be a temporary gig and will help him bulk up, improve his immune system, and provide him with some great party tricks.

As winter approaches we look forward to lighting the wood stove and playing in the snow. Bethany (who had her big b-day just recently) is going to make some time to hone her sewing skills (which she has been meaning to do). I'm hoping to record some songs and maybe catch (and eat) some trout with my new fly rod (birthday present from my parents). We appreciate everyone's continued prayers. Please let us know how we can return the favor.
-love-

one year later

it's pretty hard to believe that on this day one year ago bethany was being wheeled into the operating room because our tiny little baby was in danger of losing oxygen. after 11 days of 40 minute drives to portland, daily ultrasounds, nail-biting, and laying horizontal in order to retain as much amniotic fluid as possible, the time had come. with much prayer and yet much fear we held hands as the surgeons operated on bethany's numb body. the curtain that draped over her kept us both from seeing the traumatic process but i could peek enough to see the doctors and their hands from time to time. and then he emerged. announcing to everyone in that room and to anyone else in the world who cared to know, conley roger lee made it very clear that he was here to fight. even the surgeon was surprised: surprised that he was 695 grams (1lbs. 8oz.), surprised that he took a breath, surprised that this little person could muster up a cry. his voice was but a little louder than a kitten's but his divinely-appointed determination was soon to be realized. the LORD would be his strength and his song, God would become his salvation in a very real sense. as i mentioned in posts so many months ago, no one can explain why this child was chosen to surpass expectations and overcome odds while others would fare differently. the only response i have is this: God, grant us the gratitude that is in accordance with this incredible blessing and the grace to faithfully tend to him. thank you for all your prayers. i could give you all the details of where conley is today, but i'd rather just have you watch this.
-love-

melting?

we are doing well overall and have little to complain about in the grand scheme. however, i am also a human which means that i don't need much reason to generate complaints. and so, although the snow is melting, our ties to the medical industry have not waned a bit. conley continues to bounce from specialist to specialist regarding everything from his weight to his breathing to his leg. and while i whine my little (big) head off, he just smiles his little (actually little) head off and makes friends wherever he goes. that does well to convict me regarding my complaining as well as to remind us that if things were really bad as these professionals claim, he wouldn't be such a contagiously joyous little man. thanks for your continued prayers. we hope you're all well. stay in touch to let us know whether you are.
-love-

good morning

just an update

we're pretty much all doing well. conley has had his share of colds (and constipation, in case you cared to know). we had a great time visiting jason and hannah in kentucky. malachi has not grown out of his new-found aversion to snow.
etc.
thanks for your continued prayers as conley goes through physical and occupational therapy. i wonder why they call it occupational. i mean, his occupation right now is to eat, sleep, be cute, poop-oh, well, i guess in that sense, he does need some coaching.
-love-

p.s. new images on our flickr

Election '08

finally...some clear analysis on the nature of political campaign strategy:



-Mikaela, age 8

couldn't have said it better myself.