Jan
19
     
How far she’s come(Day 180)
Posted (jooosh) in All Posts on January-19-2008

What a fantastic day with the Bun! Ella looked better today than she ever has before!

I think we have finally found the right combination of meds for our girl. Also, it looks like she’s at the end of her cold, thank God.

Tina and I spent bulk of today with her, and she was awake for most of it. She was so comfortable too. Her breathing was very relaxed, even when she was awake, and her heart rate was showing numbers that you normally see when she is sleeping.

We had a great time holding and cuddling with her, and she rewarded us with many smiles.

Ella also did a couple things that really got us excited.

One thing she has been doing is reaching out for things. I was impressed though when I held her binky out in front of her face, she would reach out for it, grab my hand, and pull the binky to her mouth. So cool to see this.

The other thing she did that was so encouraging is her taking tiny sips of breast milk and swallowing it! She didn’t choke on it, but instead you could hear her swallowing! So awesome because hopefully this is a sign of how she’ll handle food moving forward.

If Ella keeps this trend up, there’s a very good chance she’ll be released soon, maybe even the end of next week!

Today was also spent in awe of how far our miracle girl has come. She will be six months old this next Thursday and it boggles my mind that we’ve been in the hospital this long.

We praise our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for bringing us to this day, and we look to Him to guide our path in the future.

We cannot even begin to express the amount of gratitude for the outpouring of support from YOU. Yes, you, who’s reading this post right now. Your love and prayers for our little girl have won us many a spiritual battle, and we continue to covet those prayers every single day.

Thank you to those who comment. We read every single one and take them to heart. And thank you also to those who don’t comment, we know you are with us here in spirit.

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.


Williamsburg on January 19th, 2008 at 8:02 pm #

Oh you precious West family – we are rejoicing with you and for you and because of you and our Dad and sweet Ella and Dr. Kays and intern Dr. Tina and families and miracles. There are few greater joys than one’s child’s smiles. Much love and big hugs. XOXOXO

JoAnna King and Kids on January 19th, 2008 at 8:16 pm #

It has been a long day. What a treat to turn on the computer and see your precious daughter. We are all thrilled that she is doing so well. We will continue to pray for you all. Love you guys.

Jessica Singletary on January 19th, 2008 at 8:17 pm #

What great pictures! We are praising God for all He has done and continues to do in your lives. We are saying prayers in NC!

Love-
The Singletary’s

Steven and Terri Trainer on January 19th, 2008 at 8:52 pm #

Wow, wow, WOW!! How great and mighty is the Lord our God!! To see that pretty little face keeps things in perspective.
A lovely family indeed!
Hugs to you – T

eusey family on January 19th, 2008 at 8:56 pm #

Yea! So happy to read this post tonight.
Thanking God right now for the little miracle.
xo
RSMRCR

Heidi Anderson on January 19th, 2008 at 8:57 pm #

How exciting! I have goosebumps just thinking of your anticipation of Ella’s release from the hospital! Our prayers go before God on your behalf! Ella’s story has definitely touched my heart…

Todd Katler on January 19th, 2008 at 9:05 pm #

That is awesome guys! I am so happy for you all!

The Sims family on January 19th, 2008 at 9:16 pm #

I was about to delete the email I received from a friend back in April when I decided to see if you were still in the hospital. Our prayers go out to you and your family. She looks amazing and I’m so happy to see how big she has gotten. Faith is a wonderful thing.

Laura Arneson (Adrienne' friend) on January 19th, 2008 at 9:52 pm #

Sharing your journey as a family has brought my husband, myself and our three sons to our knees for your sweet family. We have been inspired,encouraged and blessed by watching and reading of your faith journey. I can’t tell you the number of times while I have been sitting and the computer crying and praying that one of the boys would join me in some version of a prayer (they are twelve and twin six year olds). We have never met, we are around the world from you, we cover you as you all sleep, and the medical staff while they keep Ella at night. We are praising God for Ella and for your commitment to God the father of us all. Blessings on you, and get the rest now cuz with that baby comin home you are gonna need it! John, Laura, Jake, Anders and Kai

Joel Snyder on January 19th, 2008 at 10:20 pm #

Ella, You had a great day and what fun with your Mom and Dad. I am praying that you keep up the steady progress so that you can go home soon. I am on my way to work and I will be sharing this good news with all the Dino’s and other creatures at the museum. I will check on you later. Love,Grandpa!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tracy Schultz on January 19th, 2008 at 10:27 pm #

This is such wonderful news! It’s great to hear of her progress. Praying for continued healing..
The Schultz family

Char and Jim Jordan on January 19th, 2008 at 10:45 pm #

Hurray! Hurray! One great big hug from Aunt Char. What a pleasure to see her happy. Our love to you on this beautiful day. LOL Char and Jim

Anne on January 19th, 2008 at 10:57 pm #

All three of you look SO HAPPY!… great to see you all smiling and feeling wonderful… warms our hearts… six months… hard to believe it… it’s gone by so fast… (some days not so fast…!)… it’s been such an adventure and THANK YOU for sharing it with us!

Louisa Brown on January 20th, 2008 at 12:37 am #

What a wonderful God we serve, He who “delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver, in whom we trust that He will yet deliver us, you also helping together with your prayers…” How great is our God! We rejoice with you from Saudi Arabia. Praise God! David and Louisa Brown

Julie Kirk -Saudi Arabia on January 20th, 2008 at 2:35 am #

Wow, how wonderful to open my email to find such a great report and OMG the sweetest pictures!!! She has an infectious smile. I can only imagine how excited the two of you; not to mention the grandparents involved… God Bless You Tina and Josh, what awesome parents you are. Julie Kirk

The Lizotte Family on January 20th, 2008 at 8:15 am #

Dang it I’m a mess again! It’s so very marvelous to see you guys filled with so much Joy. I’m so excited to Ella’s recovery move in the right direction. We pray you are bleed with even more, becasue we know you are so deserving of it.
XOXO

Tammy on January 20th, 2008 at 8:45 am #

OH, LOOK AT YOU!!!!!!!(I’m shouting out loud here)! I’ve had tears streaming down my face for the last 5 minutes as I look at Ella with her mommy and daddy. The last picture of her obviously just SO happy made those tears just stream!
The lord has answered so many prayers in the days following Ella’s birth. Through Ella and your family many have learned patience, faith, hope when you done hoping and best of all……that yes, the lord works miracles when you allow him to be in control and rely on the faith that draws you closer to him. Thank you for bringing all these in to my life, as they have caused some amazing changes in my life and I will be forever grateful!!!!!!!!!!!

Blessings to a wonderful family
Tammy

Lisa Correia on January 20th, 2008 at 10:17 am #

What wonderful news to read on a Sunday morning!!! The picture of the three of you is the sweetest family picture yet!!! I’m so happy for you guys. I’m nursing my first baby back to health right now too. Landon broke his collar bone snowboarding yesterday!! See what you have to look forward too!!! Kids always keep you on your toes!! We are continually praying for you guys and can’t wait to see the post that says, “ELLA’S COMING HOME!!!!”
We love you guys!!
The whole Correia Clan

Carl and Cathie Firestone on January 20th, 2008 at 11:49 am #

How GREAT is our God!!!!! We are prasing Him today and everyday for the blessing of your precious daughter and for her AMAZING parents!! So many people have told us over the years that God gives these sweet miracle children to only the best parents…and the two of you are all that and more!!! We are so thrilled for the three of you and we can’t wait to see the post “We’re All Going Home!”
With Much Love, The Firestones

Chris and Janice Crim on January 20th, 2008 at 11:57 am #

Baby Ella is truly one of God’s miracles!!! The parayer quilt and prayer bear and small quilt from our church is on its way(it may have arrived already). Each knot in the quilt represents a prayer said for baby Ella. I know that you believe that prayer can work miracles and Ella is an example of that. Chris and I have our own “miracle” child named Faith. When I was 19 weeks pregnant I was diagnosed with very low amniotic fluid. The perinatologist did not know what the cause was. First they thought our little baby had no kidneys. Then they did an ultrasound echocardiogram to check for a congenital heart defect. It turned out that her kidneys were developing fine and her heart was perfect. They also thought the low fluid could be a placental problem but she was growing fine. The doctor put me on immediate bedrest and our goal was to get our little Faith to 25 weeks. Well after our church made a prayer quilt for her and I slept under it for 5 weeks, the amnio fluid level came back up to the normal range. My doctor could not explain how that happened but we knew that it was a miracle of the Lord!!!
I carried her until 36 weeks when she was delivered by an emergency C-section because I was hemmorhaging from placent previa. Our little miracle was completely healthy and is about to turn 5 years old in March. Every day I praise God for her.She is bright, healthy, and happy!!! Your little Ella is a fighter and she will become stronger everyday. The breastmilk is the absolutely best nutrition she can get so hopefully she can thrive on it. You are in our prayers everyday and God’s blessings to all of you!!
Love, Janice and Chris Crim and family

Michael Ramondo on January 20th, 2008 at 1:03 pm #

Such great news! All three of you are amazing. Keep up the great work!
Lots of love,
Michael, Sue, Addison, Quincy & Duke

Sheila Par's great aunt on January 20th, 2008 at 4:22 pm #

What great news!!! Can’t wait to read that you are going home. Still praying for all of you. Blessings

Felix on January 20th, 2008 at 5:12 pm #

Woohoo! Praise God!

Eli on January 20th, 2008 at 7:12 pm #

What great pictures today. Ella looks so healthy and full of life. She has a smile that can light a room! Praying she will be coming home soon
Eli

Laura Sizelove on January 20th, 2008 at 7:52 pm #

Praising God for Ella’s amazing progress! Can’t wait to see the post that you are going home. The Lord has been so faithful, can’t wait to see what He continues to have in store for your family!

Heidi Ham on January 21st, 2008 at 10:39 am #

Oh what a precious girl! You all look so beautiful in your family picture. Love the pictures of Ella laughing and smiling 🙂

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