Greetings, dear friends!  Blessings to you from Baton Rouge!

 Alison enjoyed her first Christmas at home.  Praise be to God!  Stephanie and I were able to celebrate Christmas with our daughter—a prayer we placed before our Heavenly Father several years ago.  Due to His grace and mercy, He answered our prayers.

Christmas Day was a special time for our family before the Lord’s throne.   Not only were we able to celebrate the birth of our Savior a little over 2,000 years ago, we were able to celebrate the continued strengthening of Alison.  Praise be to God!

This Christmas was special for our parents as well.  My family came two weeks ago to celebrate Christmas early.  Stephanie, Alison and I were able to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day morning alone in prayer and celebration.  We then spent Christmas Day with Stephanie’s family.  We were able to enjoy Alison, good fellowship, good food, and plentiful presents. Thank you, Lord.

Last week, we met with Alison’s pulmonologist.  He said Alison was doing well, but the room air test showed that her body was not yet strong enough to go without the additional oxygen support.  He said she was clearly growing stronger (one lung sounded much better—praise be to God!), but she needed additional time with the oxygen support to insure that her heart and lungs do not work overly hard while she continues to heal.  Alison will remain on .1 oxygen support (through the nasal canula) for the time being.  He ordered a second monitored breathing test (Alison will remain on the oxygen support during the second test) to compare with the results from the first test.  He will then decide whether to adjust her treatment.  Please pray that the Lord would bless Alison’s lungs with His healing and strength.  Please pray that the Lord would bless Alison’s doctors with His wisdom and strength.

Alison’s pediatric surgeon recommended that we see an orthopedist (who is a hand specialist) to help insure that no scar tissue from Alison’s IV infiltration on her hand would limit the movement of the tendons in her hand—particularly to her pinkie finger. 

The orthopedist said Alison’s hand looked good (Praise be to God!), but he would like to see her in three months (as she continues to grow) to make sure.  Please pray that the Lord would bless Alison’s hand with His healing and strength.

We had a second visit with Alison’s pediatrician for her four-month shots (she received three shots in her hips and home health administered a Synigis (RSV) shot at our home—which was painful).  She was a trooper as I held her and she barely cried.  Alison’s threshold of pain must be high after her stay in the hospital.  The pediatrician was proud of her continued behavioral development.  Alison can now roll from her stomach to her back, she can hold herself up on her forearms, she is cooing, she can stand up on her own (as long as we steady her), her eyes follow you intently when you walk into or out of a room and when you talk directly to her, she is learning to look when you call her name, and she is learning to socially smile (return our smile).  We are told that a baby at three months (adjusted age according to her due date) should not be able to do all these things (4-6 months of age is normal).  Praise be to God!

Alison turned 20-weeks old yesterday!  Praise be to God!  She continues to increase the amount of milk (almost four ounces) she eats at each feed.  She is gaining weight (she weighed 10 pounds, 2.3 ounces this morning; she weighed 5 pounds, 6.2 ounces at birth) and is growing longer (she measured 22 3/4” long Friday; she measured 17 3/4" when she was born).  Praise be to God!

Last night, Alison slept the entire night without being awaken to eat.  Her last meal was at 10:00 PM and her first meal this morning was at 6:00 AM.  Thank you, Lord.  She is fighting us a little during her feeds as we adjust her schedule.  She will eat her first ounce and a half without any effort, but from that point on she will usually fuss.  Please pray that the Lord will give Stephanie and me wisdom and endurance as we try to feed Alison.  Please pray that the Lord will give Alison His peace as she nipples each feed.

Stephanie will return to work Tuesday, January 2, 2007.  It is going to be an emotional day (and week) for her.  Since Alison’s birth on August 7, Stephanie has been able to be by her side—which has been a tremendous blessing for our family.  Yet, the realities of our storm make it necessary that she return to work—at least for a while. Please pray that the Lord would bless Stephanie with His peace as she returns to work.   

We are blessed that Stephanie’s dad was able to retire December 23 to help take care of Alison.  He has worked in his church nursery for many years and is anxious to spend extended time with his first grandchild.  The company where he worked has been gracious in his departure.  With Alison quarantined at home until May (to help protect her lungs and speed her recovery), the Lord continues to attend to every detail that surrounds Alison.  You are never truly prepared for such a storm; but if you trust the Lord, He is faithful to see you through.  He mercifully continues to care for our family.  Praise be to God!  Please pray that the Lord would bless Stephanie’s dad’s former employer for their kindness and generosity.  Please pray that the Lord would be with Stephanie’s dad as he prepares to care for Alison.

Friends, we still covet your prayers for Alison and our family.  It is our prayer that you will continue to stand in the gap and seek the Lord’s continued blessings for Alison (as she completes her journey to being made “whole”). 

As 2006 draws to a close, we are continually reminded how much of a blessing you have been to our daughter and family.  Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, sweet cards, precious gifts for Alison, and the meals you have provided.  Our prayer is that the Lord would richly bless you in the coming year on our behalf and for His glory!  Once again, thank you for standing with us.  From our family to yours, Happy New Year!

Blessings to you,

Langston, Stephanie and Alison

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