February 20 - A thankful day...

Sean and I spent some time today counting our blessings. Through all of this we are realizing how fortunate we are to have such amazing friends and family who have all reached out to us through prayer, helping with loose ends back home, financially and taking care of Jack and Jillian. We have love and support everywhere we look and we can't begin to express how comforting it is to know how many people are cheering for us.

Having the Ronald McDonald house has been priceless. Having a place to rest is so important. We are within walking distance of the hospital and they prepare meals here several nights a week. Staying this close to Oliver would be out of our reach without a program like this.

Also, to have a baby born in a country with amazing medical facilities and for Oliver to be receiving care at the best children's hospital in this corner of the country. To have kind, caring nurses and Doctors who involve us in Oliver's care. We are extremely thankful!

Oliver seems to be doing a bit better today. His belly is slightly smaller than it was yesterday. Because of his swollen spleen and liver his abdomen is distended and was growing about a centimeter each day. He was at 45 centimeters yesterday and today he went down to 44 centimeters...the first decrease in girth he's ever had! His breathing is still strong and today his Doctors allowed him to go back to full feeds of breast milk. We still aren't fortifying my milk with formula-and the most exciting part of the whole day? The Doctors agreed I could let him try to latch and do a little nursing! He hasn't nursed before, and they expected he would tucker out rather quickly but we tried and he latched beautifully! He ate for a few minutes before falling asleep. A big, exciting day for all of us! Since Sean can't nurse Oliver he called dibs on burping him and was able to get a big burp from little Oliver right away ;)

P.S.
A special thank you to Elyjah for the beautiful painting you sent to Oliver. It is the very first masterpiece to be hung on his wall and I am sure he will love it as much as we do! Thank you for thinking of us! We appreciate your thoughts and prayers.