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-