In December of 2025 we welcomed our second child, Melody Grace, our beautiful baby girl. A few signs on the day she was born pointed us to believe Melody wasn’t completely healthy, after various tests and the first night in the NICU branch we found out Melody had Congenital CMV. Her platelets were extremely low, her liver and thyroid functions were irregular; an MRI showed that the virus had reached her brain at some point, and one of the ventricles in her brain was also dilated more than it should be. She spent 16 days in the NICU, where she received excellent care from the nurses and doctors. We were told she would have to continue on medication for the virus for 6 months following her hospitalization, thankfully the hospital had some of the medication she needed on hand and we were able to begin medication within 48 hours of her birth, which our doctor let us know is pretty much the best possible outcome, considering the treatment needs to begin within three weeks of birth, and many don’t realize they were born with the virus until it is too late for the treatment to have its effect. Since then Melody’s platelets, liver and thyroid function have regulates. We have also learned that Melody is severely deaf in her left ear and moderately deaf in her right ear, this is likely also due to the virus. Her audiologist seems very confident that with the help of hearing aids and the proper stimulation and therapy, Melody will have no problem hearing soon enough and that it should not affect her speech and brain development. We have had many appointments with many doctors over the past month and a half but continue to receive comfort and peace from the Lord throughout the whole process as He has made it so evident how much care and guidance, He has given us and Melody’s doctors through it all. Though at first, we must admit we were filled with worry, we now find our faith to be strengthened and are so joyful to be home with our beautiful baby girl. Mabel has recovered well from the birthing process, and Jeremiah is overjoyed to have a baby sister. We appreciate prayer as we continue to seek wisdom and give her the treatment and procedures she needs to develop fully and healthily.