Well, SHAME ON US!!!!!!!!

We have been a litle lax about keeping posts going. I hope everybody didn't give up on us. Anyway, things are progressing very well.

We've been staying at the Ronald McDonald house for the last 2 weeks or so in SLC, right by the hospital. What a blessing the Ronald McDonald house is. It's like staying in a hotel, with free food, friends, and entertainment, for $10 a night(and medicare picks that up). If you don't have family like Clint and Abby, the Ronald McDonald house is the next best thing. With Mallory home now, it's probably good to be in a place where we're not forcing everybody around our schedule(or should we say Mallorys schedule).

Dawson is getting fatter and cuter by the minute. I have a little video, but somehow we've slipped on the picture taking. We're all going home(except Dawson) tomorrow for Christmas, and then we'll be back on Monday or Tuesday for the rest of next week. Amy has informed the Doctors and Nurses that Dawson will be coming home next weekend, so we're planning on that. She was at least nice enough to let them pick wether they will send him home on Friday or Saturday. They just seem to need a little motivation in sending babies home sometimes.

Dawson has tested negative for any sickness for the last 5 days, which is a good indicator that it's totally gone. If he doesn't get any positive cultures for the next 5 days, then they will put the shunt back in on Tuesday the 27th. Recovery from that is only a day or so, but they want to watch him for a week or so to make sure there are no other problems, and also to work him up on his feedings. He is still being fed through an NG tube, and will probably be going home on one. If we leave him there until he is on full feeds by mouth, he'll be there forever. Somehow I think if we can get him home, he'll progress a little quicker on his feedings. So, Amy has told them they have until next weekend to do everything they need to do, because she's taking him home. I guess that's what the lady next to us did, and it worked, so Amy is going for it.

We love to go and hold Dawson. He just looks up at you with his dark, concerned eyes, and puckers his little lips. We are so excited to get him home so that we can work and play with him. He will need some pretty intense therapy once he is home, as he is nearly 5 months old now, and has done nothing but lay around the whole time. I've kinda been feeling the same way lately. Oh well.

So, that's the scoop with Dawson. Mallory is doing very well. She has been sick the last few days, but is feeling much better now. She's all smiles lately, and loves to play with Jake. She has actually started to sleep through the night sometimes, which is nice, but I don't think we should get too accustomed to it. I'm sure the craziness will multiply exponentially once we get them both home.

Well, we're off to bed. Thank you all so much for all of your help, support, prayers, concern, and everything else. You all truly lighten the load.

Love,
Us