Photos by Doug Wion

Our good friend, Mr. Doug Wion took pictures of our family a few weeks ago in his personal studio. We couldn't be happier with them. It's like he knows exactly click... take a look!

Praise!

Two Thursdays ago we went down to Sac-Town again for another appointment for Jules. I had received a call from her urologist's office saying that Dr. Kurzrock wanted to see Jules soon to check out some cysts they found on her ovaries. Of course, Brady and I were concerned. I just couldn't understand how a baby (who isn't really producing many hormones) could have cysts!

Anyway, we went down and it turns out the largest cysts had reduced in size in a little less than a month! Praise GOD! It was such a relief. The doctors aren't worried about it now since the cysts seemed to be shrinking. Apparently, he wanted to make sure otherwise it would be something they'd have to look into.

I'm so amazed by what God has done throughout all of this. It seems like new things keep popping and yet, he always gives me scripture right before in order to help me deal with it better. His faithfulness has been made clear over and over. We are so thankful for Jules... for her health and especially her smiles!

Halloween

Jordan was so adorable in her Leopard Kitty costume. Jules was also very cute. She went as a 49er cheerleader. Check it out!

Pumpkin Patch

Some of these pics were taken at TJ Farms in Chico. The others are from when Kendra and I took the girls to the pumpkin patch in Wheatland... if you've never been, go next year! It's a blast!

Juliette's Appointment Last Tuesday

Last Tuesday Brady and I took Juliette down to UC Davis for some an ultrasound, VCUG test and a visit with her pediatric urologists. I was so glad Brady went with me! It took both of us to distract her during the ultrasound (she was a wriggle worm) and they didn't want me there while they did the x-ray, so he stayed with her while they inserted the catheter and took the pictures. Needless to say she didn't like that very much. :( The poor thing was pretty upset after all the poking... she didn't want me to put her down for a while.

The results are this: Dr. Kurzrock believes he can save her right kidney so she will have two but it will be a more extensive surgery so he doesn't want to do it until she's older. Jules will continue to be on antibiotics for the next 9 months and then we'll schedule her surgery. We are so happy that he thinks he can save it. What a praise! Apparently it just means he'll have to "reroute some plumbing" and maybe remove some of the dead tissue. Of course it's a lot more complicated then all of this, but I won't bore you with the details. :)

Thanks once again for all of your prayers! We are so blessed to be loved by so many.

Corn Dogs and The Green Dragon

Good times!

Loungin' Around

Jordan eating her first bite of Cotton Candy! Yum!

Can you believe Ammie got on a ride?!

Daddy and Tinkie having fun!

We took the girls to the State Fair on Saturday. We had a blast! Barb, Tim, Brady and Tinky drove down in one car and Kendra, Jules and I went in another. This worked out well. Kendra and I had a chance to catch up and pour our souls out to one another. It's funny how there are just certain people in your life that completely understand the ins and outs of "you". (Brady and Kendra are those people for me. I always feel refreshed and renewed when I'm with them.)

Anyway, I wasn't sure how the trip would go. It was hot... at least 100 degrees and Jordan didn't get a nap. Two strikes before we even started. But once again, she surprised us! She was in her element... things to see and do. Brady took her on some rides that she wasn't tall enough for (I guess the carnis don't care as long as daddy goes along for the ride). :) Tinks loves going on the Merry-Go-Round. Kendra got stuck taking her on the things that you sit in and turn and apparently half way through Jordan said she was "All done!" Kendra said she looked bored, lol! Anyway, I asked her a little later in the day to pick a ride to go on and she picked the dragon roller coaster. Brady and I weren't sure if we should let her. It's pretty intense for a little person that's not even two yet. But Brady took her on it. He told her to put her hands in the air and she did, yelling "Wee" the entire time. I couldn't believe it! What a trooper!

Well the rest of the day was spent looking at the exhibits and booths all around. Jordan really enjoyed the petting zoo, although she wasn't sure about a goat that kept coming up to us that was taller than her!

Juliette was an angel as usual. She slept a lot and I was surprised when she didn't seem to be bothered by the heat. We kept cool cloths on her and went in and out of air conditioned buildings all day. Overall, the trip was a success. It was a great reminder of how just being together with the people you love changes in the heart... in a good way that is.

P.S. They're Beautiful

Juliette's Appt. and Other Happenings

So many of you have been praying for little Juliette. Thank so much for all of your prayers. Moreover, some of you have called and messaged me about how her doctor's appointment went on Tuesday. I'm sorry I haven't got back to you.

On Tuesday, Brady and I took Jules down to see Dr. Kurzrock (a pediatric urologist at UC Davis). We both really were impressed by him. He was very confident. He might come across as cocky to some, but I liked his "I'll get it done" attitude. After reviewing the ultrasound that was done when she was only a day old, he believes she has what is called Vesicoureteral Reflux. Basically that means that some urine goes back up through the ureter and into the kidney. The biggest concern is infection, especially since she's so little. So, Jules is now on antibiotic to help lower the chance of her getting an infection. Unfortunately, we heard two things we didn't want to hear. The first was that she's going to have surgery (we just don't know when). The second is that her left kidney is also retaining fluid. We all know that you can live a completely normal life with one kidney, but it did upset me to hear that her other kidney... the "good" kidney is having a little trouble, too. Because the ultrasound he was looking at was done when she was so dehydrated it was hard for him to tell how bad her condition is. He said it's not nearly as severe as he's seen (he has seen a lot), but he can tell it serious enough that it'll need to be operated on.

Prayer Requests:
Please pray that Juliette stays infection free. Also, the insurance company keeps giving us problems about various things. Praise God that I don't have to deal with it... Brady comes home and makes all the calls. He seems to get farther.

And my favorite... PRAISES!
Jordan is such a wonderful big sister! She loves giving the baby hugs and kisses. Bella is such a good helper for mommy. I'm so relieved that she hasn't shown any jealousy or resentment towards Juliette. AND... she's been easier this week attitude wise. I think it's because we are getting back to "normal" (mommy feeling more normal, regular routine is back, we are getting out of the house, etc.) Another praise... we have some exciting things coming up. The family is going to the state fair next weekend. Tinky will have a blast, I'm sure . Jordan also turns 2 on Sept. 11th. I can't believe she's two! It's going by so quickly... she's a beautiful little GIRL! Lastly, Brady's instillation as an elder of our church is set for Sept. 20th. This is something we've been praying about for a long time. I feel so honored to be apart of Brady's ministry in this way. ANYWAY, it will be a busy month. All I can say is that I feel ready... ready to beginning another season of renewal, growth and reflection.

Juliette is Here!

Juliette Taylor Velikonia arrived at 12:42 pm on Monday, July 20th. She weighed 7 lbs. 4 oz. and is 19 inches long. She's absolutely beautiful... she looks like her big sissy except for dark hair and dark olive colored skin. She couldn't look any more Italian! We can't get enough of her. So far Jordan and Juliette are opposites in almost every way. Jordan came out quiet... Juliette came out screaming! Jordan loved her first bath... Juliette hated it! Juliette SLEEPS! Jordan didn't... at all! The last few days have been so amazing. Brady, Jordan and I can't get enough of this beautiful new member of our family. I've been able to sleep (who knew)... I guess babies DO sleep 16-18 hours of the day... Jordan would only sleep about 10 (and that was a maybe).

Our family feels more complete. I can't get over how much of a blessed time this has been the last few days. While labor and delivery was very, very hard and long with Jordan, it wasn't that way with Juliette. The labor was long (not 36 hours long, though) and in 2 pushes Juliette was out! Can't complain there!

Both Brady and I have constantly prayed over Jordan and how Juliette's arrival would impact her. Thanks to Brady's parents and Kendra, the transition so far has been a smooth one. Jordan spent lots of time with Ammie and Auntie "Tit Tit" (d0n't ask... that's what Bella calls her), while Mommy and Daddy were at the hospital. Since coming home, Jordan has been nothing but sweet and adorable to Juliette. She loves to help when she can and overall, she's trying very hard to be a great Big Sister. Brady and I just have to remind ourselves that she's not even two yet and can't be expected to know how gentle to be with the baby. She's trying and that's all that matters. :)

Another answer to prayer has been her kidney situation. While we still don't know what the future holds, she's healthy! No driving down to UC Davis yet! AMEN! I have an appointment with her pediatrician and he'll make a referral to have her see a pediatric urologists in Davis. The plan is that they will run tests and probably a few scans and determine what to do from there. Please pray that there will be no need for surgery (which at this point looks like a strong possibly). God is SO GOOD!

Thanks to everyone who came and visited us, have sent and set up meals, prayed and sent messages of encouragement and blessings. How blessed we are to know that our girls are so well loved.

3 cm and Almost 100% Effaced

Here are some pics of Brady's b-day dinner last night. I wish I had taken more, but oh well.

Well, I had a midwife appointment yesterday. Apparently, I'm 3 cm dilated and almost completely effaced. My midwife stripped my membranes a little and basically said that if I was ready to go into labor it would help it along, if not, then it won't do anything. LOL! Well, so far... nothing!

But on a more positive note... I'm going swimming at the Wion's (which is fabulous because the girls will help with Bella... all I have to do is float). After that Brady is coming home and taking me to see Harry Potter. Yay! I might not see the whole thing because of preggie potty breaks but at least I'll see most of it. Once Juliette comes there will be no movies for a long time! Anyway, looks like it's going to be a great day!

Happy Birthday Brady!

So today is Brady's 26th birthday! It seems like just yesterday that we were both 18 and had just graduated high school. It's crazy how time flies! Although Brady has always seemed matured and very much a man to me, I'm blessed as I reflect on how God is molding him into the man He wants Brady to be. I'm also blessed to know that God chose me as his wife. So as the years continue to roll on faster and faster, I realize the importance of stopping and reflecting on what God has given me... and right now I'm happy to say I'm married to the best husband, best friend, and father a girl could ask for. It doesn't get much better than that!

Walkin' Her Out or NOT!

So apparently one of the best ways to encourage the start of labor is walking. Well, I've walked and walked and walked! LOL! She's isn't here yet. I don't believe it matters. But this morning I woke up full of energy and wanting to be outside. Since being on bedrest, I feel like I've wasted most of my summer. I wanted a little adventure... and since I can't go very far from the hospital the closest place I could come up with was Paradise Lake. I know... exciting! Anyway, here's some pics! Jordan had a blast commenting on the "big pool", watching buggies and climbing up stuff way too big for her.

Waiting

Well, for all the drama that has occured over the last few weeks with this baby it looks like she might be late! I can't believe it! Actually, I have a few weeks until my due date (July 22nd), but still. We had quite a run to keep her in and now she doesn't want to come out! Everyone keeps asking me how I feel and when I think she'll come. Well, the answer is... I feel like I have a watermelon in between my legs and I have no idea when she'll be here! I know, it's probably more information then you needed.

For the time being it looks like I'll continue the life of walking, cleaning, more walking, drinking my nasty Raspberry Tea and eating lots of pineapple. Besides that there's not much more I can do! (Who knows if any of it works anyway!)

First Blog

Since a few of my friends have blogs, I decided to join the club. It's fun catching up... even if it's through random postings. A lot of us don't have the adequate amount of time to call each other or visit. Hopefully this fulfills that need to stay in touch, especially since we have a little one coming any day now. I'll try to keep this thing fairly updated as to what's going on in the lives of the Velikonia Family. So! To those of you who actually care... cheers and much love!