Merry Musings: Lots and Lots of Pictures....

For those of you who like lots of pictures and fewer words - this blogpost is for you. We continue to learn what our new normal looks like and are getting more and more comfortable with taking Vivien places and learning how she fits into our life and we fit into hers. We celebrated Easter Sunday by going to our church for the first time as an entire family. Vivien also took her first Spring Break vacation with the family to Port Townsend / Discovery Bay. My mom came along to help care for Vivien. They came with us on some outings, some were just with the older kids, and Todd and I even got a "date" alone for a few hours for Mexican food in Port Townsend.

Vivien is smiling much more and her siblings love trying to coax smiles out of her and take pictures with our phones - especially Silas. I recently posted this to facebook:

Things that consistently make Vivien smile:

Lucie's red pom pom, which Vivien's physical therapist suggested we wiggle above her face to follow with her eyes.

Vivien thinks her sneezes are funny and smiles after every sneeze.

Kissing and nuzzling her on her neck while holding her hands.

When we unswaddle her and smile at her in the morning.

When Grandma Melquist sings and makes Vivien do the motions to, "My boat is so little" and comes to the phrase "Jesus is holding my hand" - Vivien always smiles on cue on "hand".

Last but not least (TMI) when I pick her nose with my pinkie fingernail she thinks it's hilarious almost every time
(If you want to see a smiley video of Grandma singing to her, click here. It's rather long and maybe not that exciting to anyone but her relatives, but we like it... And Iva's singing is a bonus. Feel free to not over-think the song, disregard any less-than-perfect theology and just enjoy Vivien's smiles!)

From a health standpoint, we have still struggled with some vomiting issues, and tried many natural methods, but in the past two weeks this has gotten more under control with some reflux medication. She is hardly spitting up at all, gaining weight well and a happier girl. We moved back to a continuous feed to help with the vomiting, but are hoping to start trying for bolus again soon, now that her reflux is more under control. Other than that, she is completely off any medication and really thriving. Please keep us in your prayers that we would be able to move to a continuous feed. She is sleeping well through the night, though she's moved to one nap a day much sooner than our other babies and definitely needs less sleep than they did.

Vivien meets with several in home therapists who have been wonderful. The therapies are incredibly helpful, though time consuming. Daily therapy is now a part of life. Vivien is lots of work for, us but worth it. Overall, we are praising Jesus for how well she is doing. Continue to pray that we will balance our social and school and work activities while caring for her well. We are praying about what getting back into life and ministry looks like from a practical standpoint and we know that Jesus will lead us. Spring has brought hope and joy to our family in more ways than one. We are delighting in Vivien's smiles even as she is teaching us about hard work, joy and a new life.

Enjoy the pictures!