Update on Reggie

Well the last few weeks have seemed like an eternity but, things are going in the right direction. The Doctors say they are please with his progress. My sweet little guy had his second surgery and it ended up being best case sinario. Out of his 200cm of small intestine the Doctors were able to save about 57cm. Now it has just been a waiting and healing time. We feel very encourage about how well Reggie is healing. Even though we still have a long road ahead it is so much easier to go down when it is not IF we are bringing him home but WHEN. We are still waiting for his intestines to wake up and to see what they are able to do. Every Doctor says this just takes time. Once he can start eating we will be able to see how much longer it is before we get to bring him home. I get to hold him now and he keeps getting one tube out at a time which makes me happy. On the outside he looks perfect (minus the big cut that is healing on his tummy:)) he is very handsome, alert, smiles, cries, and holds my finger. Thank you all again for your prayers, kind words, and help on our behalf. If it isn't asking too much we would love the prayers to continue until our little Iron Man is home healthy and happy.

Life, Love, & Hope

Sheree and Cory welcomed their 4th child, a beautiful baby boy on Friday, October 1st at about 8:30pm. Sheree was induced and everything went smoothly (and relatively pain-free.) The cute little guy weighed in at 7lbs 14oz. It took a few days, but Sheree and Cory finally agreed on his name--definitely a name fit for a future football player--Reggie James Russell. The boys are excited to have a little brother, and Jordyn, will be pleased to maintain her status as family princess! Reggie is such a joy to the whole family!

A few days after his birth, he began to show signs of some problems. After a few hours of inconclusive testing, the doctor decided that Reggie needed to go to Primary Children's Medical Center right away. At PCMC they determined that he had a kink in his small intestine, much of the intestine had died and needed to be removed because it was causing infection (sepsis) throughout his body. The intestine was too unhealthy at that time to stitch back together and the swelling was so significant that the surgical opening could not be closed at that time. This means that Reggie has to have another surgery, and if the intestine has improved it will be able to be reconnected.

This will be a long road for the Russell family and little Reggie. If all goes smoothly, if the surgeries are successful, and there are no other problems, Reggie will come home in 4-6 weeks. It is too early to know what the long term prognosis will be. Right now they are just taking life one day at a time. What a precious life it is!

Sheree and Cory have been so overwhelmed with appreciation for the outpouring of love and support that has come from friends, family, ward members, and neighbors. They want to thank everyone for their concern, their compassion, and their efforts to help and assist in any way they can. They have felt the very real power of fasting, prayers, and priesthood blessings. They know that their prayers are heard and that the Lord truly has them, and Baby Reggie, in the palm of His hand. Please remember the Russell family in your prayers.

Please check back on the blog for updates. Sheree doesn't have the time to blog right now, but we know that a lot of people are concerned and pulling for little Reggie, so I (Tiffany) will try to keep you all updated. Thank you again for your love, support, and prayers.

Jordyn's new Pics

I have been a total slacker and haven't got Jordyn's Pictures done in over a year so I figured it was about time. She is almost two and the last time we took them I think she was around nine months. She was a pro they turn out soooo cute, a big part was due to Bryndee the photographer also. These are some of my favorites!!!!

Such a little girl admiring the flowers

Bryndee must have said something hularious

This is my favorite face she makes lately it is her hmmmmm face

Uncle Joe's favorite

Last but not least DADDY's favorite

Hope you enjoy them and think they are just as adorable as I do:)

My adorable q-tip

I just had to put these pictures on here so everyone can see how beautiful Jordyn's hair is in the morning. I get to tame this beast everyday and it is not always an easy task. I love it to death though I wouldn't change it in a heart beat.

This is her latest "CHEEEESE" smile makes me giggle

STADIUM OF FIRE!!!

My dad is now retired from the Military but he was still able to use his connection to get us some really cheap Stadium of Fire tickets. We were so excited because we really wanted to go but it was just too expensive. So I guess it is about who you know sometimes:) My camera and my photography skills are not that fabulous so I just got some pictures of us enjoying the show. I would have got pictures of Carry Underwood but it would have just looked like a piece of rice. She put on a good show though she definitely has real talent because even being live she sounded amazing!

My hot husband and his look alike son.

Me and my look alike son.

Ryan and Ella ( she did awesome, not even one cry just some hand clapping)

After the show on the long walk to the car a lot of people got another show of my very tired son and his plumbers crack.

A Day Out With DAD

On a Thursday afternoon I get a phone call from my hubby and he said that he had to go to a meeting on Friday for work in the morning and then he would be off for the day. He thought it would be a great idea for me to meet him in Salt Lake with the kids when he was done and we could go to the ZOO. The kids and I were all very excited!!! We don't get to do a lot of outings with dad in the summer because he is sooo busy. So this is our fun day out.

Little miss Hollywood

This is the closest I have ever seen the Rhino it was cool. He is a big GUY!

Jordyn and Cory thought the Rhino was pretty cool too.

How does she measure up?

The giraffes are my favorite you get to see them so close up. This one made me laugh at his awkwardness. I wouldn't know the struggles of being so tall.

My Three BIG Apes:)

Thanks DAD for the wonderful day we always love playing with you.

AND THE DOCTORS SAYS.........

This last week I had my ultra sound. Everything looks good and healthy. We saw two arms, two legs, all the vital organs, and drum roll please...... a little(sorry Cory, a huge) male private part!!!:) So my little baby girl gets to stay queen of her thrown. She will be surrounded by boys but hey I survived it didn't I? I actually really enjoyed having all brothers. I never had to share my clothes, my room, my bathroom, and my girly toys (well that I knew of maybe Ryan was stealing them when I wasn't' looking ;)). But, now I have to pray more than ever that Jordyn will be my best friend, because she is the only other girl, so we've got to stick together. Part of me wanted another girl because as Tiffany says I need to experience what sister are. The other part of me is ok with another boys because lets be honest I always was more comfortable around boys. Either way the decision is made and we get to be blessed with a healthy little one THAT I am thrilled about! Now the hard part is to think of a name and to make Jordyn's room gender neutral or half and half. I may have to talk to my Sis Kathi to rack her creative mind. I'll have to put up pictures later when we figure it out. But, ta ta for now.