Mar
20
    
Posted (jooosh) in All Posts on March-20-2008

“You’re silly Dad”
“Thanks Dad”
“Where are we going Dad?”
“I lost my binky Dad”
“I’m tired Dad”
“You sure do make funny faces Dad”
“Why is there hair on your chin, but not on your head Dad?”
“Does it help if I pull on this Dad?”
“You make a great pillow Dad”
“I Love you Dad”

Ella talks all the time. Her eyes express so much, even more than words ever could. Some of it comes through in the pictures you see here, but they only scratch the surface of her true expression. These “words” from her encourage us every day. They affirm what we’re doing for her, the care we give her, the love we show her.

Ella Renae totally relies on us.

We feed her
We change her
We bathe her
We give her medicine
We clothe her
We hold and comfort her
We help her breathe with oxygen
We read to her
We sing to her
We play with her
We love her

Ella would not survive on her own without us providing for these needs and others every day.

This illustration reminds me of how I am to rely on God: completely, fully, and in all things.

Ella relies on us every day, it’s my job to rely on my Heavenly Father every day.

Looking at my baby girl reminds me continuously our Father’s love for us. It is unfailing, unwavering, and unconditional.

Thank you Lord for loving us unconditionally. You take care of all our needs. You bless us even when we don’t deserve it. Thank you for giving me these glimpses of You through my daughter. May she continue to be glorifying to you every day. Amen


Ella had a good day overall.

During one feed, Tina set her up on her Boppy in front of her video player that Grandma West got her. The Bun took to it well and the DVD distraction helped her gulp down 25ccs. She had pretty good success with the other feeds too, with minimal or no retching.

We took a nice 30 min walk around our neighborhood tonight, with Tina holding Ella in her Baby Bjorn, and me in tow with an oxygen tank. Ella behaved herself and we all enjoyed the fresh air.

I was happy to discover that I have tomorrow off of work (totally spaced it) so Tina and I will be enjoying a long weekend with the Bun.

Your love, support, and prayers continue to strengthen us all. Thank you so much for them.



The Rainey Family on March 20th, 2008 at 8:14 pm #

She is just precious! Those smiles are adorable. Enjoy your long weekend together and have a Blessed Easter!!!

laura blackwell on March 20th, 2008 at 9:53 pm #

She is such a beautiful miracle! Enjoy your every post.

The Dirirm Family on March 21st, 2008 at 5:31 am #

Happy Easter to your family! Great to read about Ella’s big meal. T.V. distraction can be a blessing. My 1 year old was laughing and smiling and clapping at Ella’s pictures this morning. He knows a happy baby when he sees one. Enjoy your long weekend.
He is Risen!
The Dirrim family

Matt, Abby, Austin & Caed on March 21st, 2008 at 5:40 am #

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10

The heavens praise your wonders, O LORD, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.
For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD? Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings? In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him. O LORD God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you. You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.
Psalm 89:5-9

We continue to lift you three up to God daily in prayer.

Kristen on March 21st, 2008 at 6:09 am #

There is not life apart from Him! He is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Because of His gift we can face everyday, do things we never would have guessed by contiuing to abiding in Him.

When I see Miss Ella I am reminded that He is holy, righteous, gentle, strong, loving, merciful, creative, our provider and sustainer. . . I see all of that when I look at her beautiful face. . . She reflects Him!

Dawn on March 21st, 2008 at 6:36 am #

She is so precious! I just love the photos, she looks like a character just like her parents 🙂 Have a Happy Easter and enjoy the long weekend together. Lots of love, Dawn, Mike and Alli

Joel Snyder on March 21st, 2008 at 7:32 am #

Ella, You and Dad look like you had a wonderful day. Your pictures say a thousand words and I am so glad that your feeding is progressing. I am taking Taco to the Doctor again today and checking on the house for Mom and Dad. I will give your Mom a call later today. You have a great weekend and a Happy Easter. I will check on you later. Love,Grandpa!!!!!!!!!!

Carol Ellis on March 21st, 2008 at 7:40 am #

I just love your new pictures of “Daddy and his favorite girl”. Your family continues to be an inspiration to mine. Have a wonderful and satisfying (food for Ella) weekend.
Carol-office manager-Alliance Peds

Jim and Char Jordan on March 21st, 2008 at 8:45 am #

How blessed you are to have such a character. Well, that didn’t just come from no where. Josh and Tina, you are the best. We love you. Jim and Aunt Char

Heidi Ham on March 21st, 2008 at 9:55 am #

Happy Easter to your family. Thanks for the great post Josh and the beautiful reminder to us all how we are to depend on God for all things. Your daughter is so beautiful – I could just hugged her so much – I wish we could be closer to help both you and Tina. Please know that we think about you all daily and you are in our prayers always! Have a wonderful long weekend all of you. Keep up the great work Ella!

LoriAnn Kuhn on March 21st, 2008 at 10:14 am #

I love that y’all remember where Ella came from and who is taking care of her and of you. She has been an inspiration to a lot of people (as seen on this site) and I can see His work done through your little family. It makes me appreciate my four boys all the more and reminds me that they are only on loan to me; it is my job to bring them up knowing and loving Christ and to be Godly men when they grow up. Blessings to you and your family this first Easter together. I am glad that Daddy gets to be home for a long weekend (maybe Tina will get an extra nap in!) and to celebrate Christ’s rising for us. God Bless you and Ella. The Kuhn Family: Tom, LoriAnn, Tyler, Zackary, Seth, and Jonny

Marge (Indiana friend of Keith & Liz Mueller - Chris' parents) on March 21st, 2008 at 12:25 pm #

Her pictures say it all…..she is adorable and so precious. Praising the Lord for her and keeping you all in prayer. Have a blessed and peaceful Easter as we all remember His gift to each of us.

Jasmijne Myers on March 21st, 2008 at 3:40 pm #

Hey it’s Jasmine and Chris we were writing to check on yall and baby ella we see that she is doing well, I hope she continues to progress. If you get a chance you can give me a call at (xxx) xxx-xxxx or you can send me an email at my address. I also wanted to say thank you so much for being there for us while we were going through the struggle we will never forget yall. Thank you take care and God Bless.

Post a comment

Name:  (required)
Email:  (required)
URL: 
Comments: