Jesse looking so cute!

Richard did a great job of updating everyone about this Jesse's miracle. I (Melanie) went up on Sunday and Monday to visit Jesse. He looked so cute! I always love to see lots of pictures and thought that everyone would want to see more pictures! So here they are...

On Sunday, he was wide awake with his eyes open and looking around. The new debate is to what color his eyes will be. Some are saying they are hazel, others say they are brown. I can't really tell what they will be. He would look from side to side and also watch his little mobile (made by Rich) on top of his bed.

Can you see his hand waving? Jesse wanted to say hi! Richard said that he had been flirting all day with Richard, Amy, and the nurses. They would stick their tongue one and he would do the same. I did not see this, but he did wave his hand.

Look how big he has gotten!

He is now tired of flirting and decided to fall asleep!

This little boy continues to amaze me!

Memorial Day Miracle

The picture above was taken Monday afternoon. The picture below was taken Friday evening. What a change in 3 days.

Today was a great day! Jesse was scheduled for surgery today as a last ditch effort to heal his congenital chylo thorax, which is basically a seepage leak from his lymph system, which drains a fair amount of his nutrition and immune system into his lung cavity, which then has to be drained by chest tubes . This has been a perpetual problem from Jesse's first days. It was one of the things that could have done him in, because he couldn't grow properly, and he was vulnerable to infection.






We and a number of family and friends were praying and fasting that Jesse would be able to lose some of his body fluid, to be ready for surgery. We prayed to know if the surgery was the right thing to do, because it was very dangerous. We prayed that if the surgery happened, it would go well. On Sunday night before the operation was scheduled on Monday, Jesse got a priesthood blessing saying that he would be healed without the surgery.

When the surgeon came in Monday morning for the final evaluation of Jesse and to schedule the procedure, he looked at Jesse and said that he didn't need the surgery any more. His tube drainage had all but disappeared, and we would watch it for a day or two, but it looked like it had healed. Jesse had an amazingly stable day, and his body seems to have come into a balance that we haven't seen today. The surgeon said that this is what he had been praying for this weekend as well. We love him...

We are continuing to pray, giving thanks for the miracle today, and praying that Jesse will stay stable so he can get the nutrition he needs to grow, as well as build his immune system to keep him healthy. We thank all of you who have been so kind to keep Jesse in your prayers and fasting. I truly believe that prayer in unity, especially with little children praying for Jesse has a big impact on the blessings that come.

Love you all

Rich & Amy

Welcome to Holland

Bonnie Willford, one of the receptionists at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center where Jesse spent his first two months sent us this story from Emily Pert Kingsley. Bonnie's letter came at a particularly difficult time as we were preparing Jesse to get his bowel surgey done. We had already transferred to Primary Children's in Salt Lake, but she sent this as a message from the staff who were "quiet and hopeful" for Jesse. Bonnie, Thank You for your love and kindness.

Welcome to Holland

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous

vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make

wonderful plans. The Colliseum, Michelangelo's David, The Gondolas

in Venice. You may learn some hand phrases in Italian.

It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives.

You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later the plane lands.

The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."

"HOLLAND? What do you mean, Holland.

I signed up for Italy. I am supposed to be in Italy.

All of my life, I've dreamed of going to Italy."

But there has been a change in the flight plan.

They've landed in Holland, and there you must stay.

The important thing is they haven't taken you to a horrible,

digusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine, and disease.

It's just a different place. So you must go out and buy new

guide boks. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will

meet a whole new group of people you would never have

otherwise met. It's a different place. It's slower paced than Italy.

Less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while,

and you catch your breath, you look around, and you begin to notice

that Holland has windmills. Tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy.

They're al bragging about what a wonderful time they had there.

And for the rest of your life, you will say,

"Yes, that's were I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."

Maybe the pain of that will never go away, because the loss of that dream

is a significant loss. But if you spend your life in mourning the fact

that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to

enjoy the very special, the very lovely things of Holland.

Amy and I have been touched by the many people we have met who have also been to Holland. We love Holland. It's a beautiful place. Very close to heaven, I suppose...

"he's my son" mark schultz video - Google Video

Many times as I was driving up to see Jesse on Sundays, I have heard this song. It always reminds me of Jesse and our continous prayers for his well being. I gave a copy to Rich and Amy on his 5 month birhtday. They agreed with me and felt this song also expressed thier prayers. I was unable to just attach the song, but was able to connect this link. It will touch your heart as well. As you listen, please say a little prayer for Jesse. He continues to need our love and prayers.

"he's my son" mark schultz video - Google Video

Sunday May 18

Today, I (Melanie) decided to spend this Sunday afternoon with Jesse. Throughout the week, he continued to gain fluid weight until about Thursday. Then he has started to slowly lose the water weight. When I first walked into the room, Jesse was in a deep sleep. It was nice to see him resting peacefully. His little fingers tried to hold onto mine even with a big IV in his hand. His hair is growing in and is soft. It is still hard to tell what color it will be. Then, Dr. Downy came into talk to Rich and Amy. By the time he left and I went back into the room, Jesse was trying to wake up. He tried to keep his eyes open, but it was hard for him with all the fluids. He looked at me and then around to Amy. He has such a strong spirit and connects with you when he looks at you. Here are a few pictures of Jesse trying to keep his eyes open. My camera has a slight delay which makes it hard to capture his eyes open.

Jesse's beautiful eyes!

Jesse is trying so hard to keep them open!

He loves to look around and see all his visitors!

Now Jesse is resting peacefully after entertaining his visitors!

Jesse continues to need our love and support. He responds to positive vibes and love! He has a strong spirit and radiates love. He continues to fight and be strong. He has not had his lung surgery yet, and may have it sometime this week. Rich, Amy, and his doctors are continuing to decide what is the best for Jesse right now. Continue to pray for this little boy! And if you have the chance to visit, he will show you how strong he is and his love for you!

Jesse is 5 months old!

May 13, 2008

I (Melanie) had not been to see Jesse in over two weeks, so I decided his 5 month birthday was a perfect time. It is amazing to think that it has already been 5 months. He has changed so much.

Jesse has had a rough few days. He has had surgery to place a broviac line (special IV line to give/take blood place into the vein leading into the heart). Since the surgery, Jesse has begun to retain water and is swollen right now. He continues to suffer from broken bones in both legs. He has had at least 5 broken ribs. With all this happening, he continues to fight. He is breathing on top of the ventilator. He opens his eyes and looks around. I had the opportunity tonight to watch (and slightly help) change Jesse's positioning and weight him. Amy was able to hold him up. During this time, Jesse had his eyes opened and looked around. By the time it was over and I got out my camera, Jesse was comfortable and had fallen asleep.

Here is Jesse at 5 months old.

Just in case you forgot....Jesse was born at 350 grams (12.5 oz).

Tonight, Jesse weighted 1970 grams (4 lbs 5.5 oz). However, Jesse is swollen.

The doctors are assuming his actual weight to be around 3lbs!

Keep growing Jesse!

Here is a close-up of his beautiful head.

You can see that his hair is slowly growing in.

Jesse continues to need our love and prayers. He may need to undergo surgery for his lungs in the next few days. After the surgery, he may move back to Utah Valley. I will enjoy being able to see him more often if he does move back.

It is always nice to be able to see this wonderful little boy. He has a strong spirit and radiates love! Continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers daily! If you would like to participate, we are having a family fast for him this Sunday, May 18th.

MAY 13, 2008

JESSE IS 5 MONTHS OLD! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!