Following is an excerpt from a letter from my cousin Kim (remember, Kim is Melanie's older sister. They are #s 2 and 8 of my uncle's 10 kids):
Isaiah had a sleep study -- an overnight stay at [Children's Hospital.] (Not a good experience for either one of us!) He only slept three and a half
hours of the eight hour study, and in that time period he quit breathing 26 times for periods of 15 seconds or longer. It's considered severe sleep apnea so they are going to take out his tonsils and adenoids on January 27th. He has to stay in the hospital overnight or maybe longer depending on how he does. He will take about two weeks to heal and during that time he has to stay home to avoid infection from other people. I'm not looking forward to it but I hope it will help with his night-time sleep habits. The ENT doctor says that 99% of kids that have a T&A done stop their night wanderings and have fewer to none of the sleep apnea episodes. We will see.
Kim has a lot on her plate with 3 kids under the age of 4, and Isaiah with Autism. I am thinking of her today, and praying that Isaiah's surgery goes well.
P.S. GOOD LUCK KELLY!!!
P.P.S. here is Melanie's school picture from this year (click to open.) Isn't she just beautiful? She's doing well, and we're trying to find a way for her to come and visit me for a week or two this summer. I've been promising this to her since she was like 8, that when she was 14 or 15 she could come stay with me. Well guess what, she's 14 now, so I have to keep my promise!!!
May 4th, 2002 Our wedding
September 14th, 2002. Going home from the hospital with 2 day old baby Jake!
10 days old and we're ALL worn out!
1st Halloween (6 weeks)
1st Christmas (3.5 months)
January 2003 ~ 4 months old
July 2003 ~ 10 months old
December 2003 ~ 15 months old
June 2004 ~ 21 months old 
Lou's 28th birthday. 10-23-2004. 
Easter 2005 ~ 30 months old 
What a sweet little angel! I'll pray for his surgery, Jen!
Posted by: Ninotchka | January 27, 2005 at 10:16 AM
Wow! I remember little Melanie when I went with you guys on vacation. She really has turned into a beautiful young lady! And Isaiah is just a doll! I'll remember to keep him and Kim in my prayers!
Posted by: Andrea | January 27, 2005 at 06:58 PM
My cousin and his wife sent me via email some months ago about autism (how it affects everyone). I'm going to try to hunt it down. When I find it, I'll send it to you. It was awesome and not just parents/family of autistic children need to read it.
Isaiah is a doll!
I'm so glad that Melanie is doing so well. May she continue to do the same!
Posted by: Sandi P. | January 27, 2005 at 07:13 PM
You have an awesome family Jen!
I'm praying for little Isaiah.
Posted by: Sue | January 27, 2005 at 07:15 PM
What a sweet little boy! And I am so glad to hear that Melanie is doing better, what a pretty young girl!
Thank you for the shout out! I love ya!
Kelly
Posted by: Kelly | January 28, 2005 at 08:36 AM