Out West

We began our trek around the 7th of July. First stop was Salt Lake City to see friends and family but most importantly to say farewell to my brother and his family who were on their way to California for a job. We loved having them in Utah for the past two years. When we were in town the time spent with them was some of our favorite. After Salt Lake we were off to Flaming Gorge with the Nelson crew. I loved Flaming Gorge. Being somewhere new with the Nelson's was a great experience. The surroundings are beautiful and the cabin was a perfect set up for such a gathering. Our weekend there was quick. I could have stayed a whole week. The kids loved it. We packed it up again and started the drive to Hebgen. The 7 hours seem to go fast and be ever so worth it when we pulled into that dirt road. What is it about Hebgen? The rest of our trip was spent sitting at the lake. Darla was brave and tried both the knee board and rode on the tube. I love that our kids can run free in these open, natural environments. I feel like they actually get to be kids simply by exploring and building relationships with the many cousins around them. I was so grateful this trip for such a supportive family. The love is endless. It is something we carried back to Minnesota with us.

underbite any one?

Baby Nelson

Dear Family and Friends,

Approximately two weeks ago we went to have an ultrasound performed for our third child.  We entered the room with the utmost excitement, confidence, and happiness to see little hands, little feet, and a cute little facial profile.  After a few minutes of that, we quickly noticed the urgency in our ultrasonographer as she began to focus on our baby's heart.  She then brought in a doctor and another technician to review what she was seeing.  We were told that there could be a potential problem with our baby's heart and were referred to see a perinatal cardiologist.  

After an excruciatingly long two weeks, we went to that appointment this morning.  We have learned that our baby has a congenital heart defect, or birth defect, called transposition of the great arteries.  What this means is that the two main arteries coming out of the baby's heart are switched.  It would be like hooking up an 'in' into the 'out' and the 'out' into the 'in,' and our baby won't be able to get the oxygen and other nutrients it needs from the bloodstream.  In terms of what it means for us, we will have some more ultrasounds, we will closely monitor this pregnancy, and we will continue to help Jenny carry this baby to full-term (she is due on November 1st).  Depending on how healthy the baby is at birth, the physicians will opt to perform a corrective open-heart surgery (called an arterial switch) about 3 days after birth to switch the arteries to the way they should have developed.  

During the past few weeks we have had some very tender and personal interactions within our family, with priesthood blessings and with the Lord Himself.  We have felt a constant peace and guidance amidst such cloudy circumstances and fears of the many 'what ifs.'  We know that regardless of any outcome, that there is a Father in Heaven watching over us and that He is in charge.  We have felt so blessed as so many have united with us in prayer, fasting, temple worship, and kind words.  We have felt so supported, cared for, and loved.  We offer you the most sincere thank you for this. 

We know that the birth and ensuing surgery will be something that seems near impossible to face.  We will continue to pray that this baby can develop and grow and be born under conditions that will make the surgery a success and grant our child the opportunity for a full life.  How grateful we are for such technology and trained persons who can aid us at this time.

Again we thank you for your thoughts and prayers.  We just wanted you to know what we know.  We will keep you informed as we learn more.

All our love,

Erik, Jenny, Darla, and Bennett

If you would like to learn more about this condition, here is a link to the best (and easiest) site to understand: 

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/TGA.html