One last photo to end the day. One I have to say that is a favorite of mine. To see my strong brother gingerly hold his angel baby girl. To see him stare down at her longing to be able to protect her from all that she is going through. If you know Jesse, you know that he is a protector. We as sisters have benefited from that trait many times. He watches. Oh boy, does he watch. And when he senses danger, he is there...quickly. He has never been afraid to step in and do all he can to steer us from any potential harm. I know that this instinct is crying out in his mind and yanking at his heart, that he can not take this pain from Abigail. That he could not have prevented it. But what he can do, he has done...be there by her side. Hold her. Love her. And love her mother.
If you were able to participate in listening to the General Conference of our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you were able to hear a powerful address given by Elaine S. Dalton entitled, "Love Her Mother". She begins,
No words describe the sacred occasion when a new father holds a baby daughter in his arms for the first time. This year three of our sons have become new fathers of baby girls. As I watched our rugged, strong, rugby-playing son, Jon, hold his first baby daughter in his arms, he looked at her with a reverent tenderness, and then he looked at me with an expression that seemed to say, “How do I raise a girl?”...
The answer has been taught by the Lord’s prophets. It is a simple answer, and it is true—“The most important thing a father can do for his [daughter] is to love [her] mother.”1 By the way you love her mother, you will teach your daughter about tenderness, loyalty, respect, compassion, and devotion. She will learn from your example what to expect from young men and what qualities to seek in a future spouse. You can show your daughter by the way you love and honor your wife that she should never settle for less. Your example will teach your daughter to value womanhood. You are showing her that she is a daughter of our Heavenly Father, who loves her.
Such truth! This Jesse can do, does, and will continue to do. I know that to be true.
As Jesse and Jani have labored through this trial together, I know that their love for each other has grown. What a blessing to Abigail to have parents who are united in their faith and their love. As a child, this unity in your parent's marriage is something almost tangible. A type of security blanket. I was blessed with this wonderful covering as a child. I pray my children feel this in our own home. For Abigail, it will provide a comfort and a safe haven for her as she continues to heal and perhaps becomes discouraged regarding her limitations. She will see the love of her Heavenly Father for her manifested in the love within her own home.
***UPDATE Oct 23 9:09 pm ***
I received photos from Jani and my mother today as well as a darling little video of a happy, active baby Abigail. {I can't seem to get the video to load, so I'll try again later.} Jani reported this morning that they were concerned that she may have an infection so they were running some labs.
My mom writes:
"She's feeling better today as you can happily see!! Her stats have fluctuated quite a bit today which the nurse couldn't figure out why. But they're thinking that with her activity that the monitor on her little foot and hand cannot measure accurately. But when she's sleeping or resting its in the lower 80s which is good for her!! So we're happy to see her smiling and kicking!!"
I will try to get that video up on here so you can view it. Seeing her busy little body is an instant spirit lifter!
***UPDATE Oct 24 5:34 pm from my phone***
More and more smiles from our little miracle baby! I'm teasing you all by telling you that my mom sent me an even cuter video of Abigail today:). {Would love some help from all you tech geniuses on how to get videos from my IPhone to Aperture to Blogger. Believe it or not, nothing on YouTube}. She is sitting up in her bed smiling and kicking away! Such a sight!! The nurse told Jani that she was doing so well that if she didn't have a little cold they might have released her tomorrow. Such a miracle after only a week! Here's your Abigail fix for the day:
