Jan
26
    
Posted (jooosh) in All Posts on January-26-2008


Wow, we’re finally home with our girl, and let me tell you, the last 30 hours we’ve had with her have been filled with joy, tears, and monster doses of anxiety for Dad.

Yes, we did get some sleep last night. However, it was not without some drama. We were sent home with a pulse oximeter which shows Ella’s heart rate and oxygen saturation. This is something we really only expect to use while she’s sleeping, to let us know if there’s an issue during the night (and maybe during the day if she is having an “episode”).

Before falling asleep, Tina and I talked about an emergency plan. For example, what happens with the likely possibility of the power going out, which can happen frequently in Florida. If this happens, her oxygen compressor will alarm real loud to let us know that the power is out, but we would need to have a flashlight handy and immediately switch Ella over to a portable oxygen tank. I had a plan in mind and was ready to jump into action when duty called.

Well at about 4:45am this morning, Ella’s saturations started dropping and the alarm goes off. I went into total panic mode, thinking her main oxygen concentrator failed or something. So while Tina is at Ella’s crib calming her down, I’m switching her oxygen supply and I get it done in no time.

Thank God for my calm, collected, rock of a wife. She informed me that the Bun was fine, but just waked up a bit, cried a little, needed a diaper change (yeah…something every baby does). Tina didn’t have her glasses on and had no idea what I was doing, but once she figured it out, she looked at me with a look only a wife could give her husband. Our girl was fine, I just decided to have a spontaneous “fire drill” at 4:45 in the morning. After catching my breath, I chuckled a bit to myself while lying back down, and fell back asleep.

The scenario described above has been the theme of our experience so far. The amazing wife, totally dialed into taking care of our girl, and Dad freaking out over the smallest things.

I have received an insane amount of smiles from the Bun today. It started from the time she woke up at 7:30 this morning, and hasn’t stopped all day. Nothing like rewarding her crazy father with all those smiles. She’s such a sweetheart!

At this moment we’re putting her down for the night. We praise God for this glorious day, and for this precious time we have with her.

Thank you for your steadfast support for all three of us and for all the words of encouragement. Please pray that Ella will grow in her strength, that her Dad will learn to take a breath once and awhile, and for Mom to grow a third arm so she can continue to take care of BOTH her babies.

Good night all.



Char and Jim Jordan on January 26th, 2008 at 10:24 pm #

Oh I was hoping we would get a look into the future with your family. I will miss seeing her each night and thanking Heavenly Father for the experiences we have had praying for Ella and her parents. We will continue to pray for you all. You know we love you and hope for the kindest blessings to be available for your family. All our LOVE…Jim and Char

laura blackwell on January 26th, 2008 at 11:24 pm #

Great post. Still rejoicing that she is with you. Praise God!!

Julie Kirk -Saudi Arabia on January 27th, 2008 at 2:15 am #

WOW!!!! Thank you so much for posting even though your hands are full.
She is a beautiful little blessing and she is so lucky to have such sweet and funny parents. I laughed out loud about the 3rd arm. God Bless, Julie Kirk

Eli Brown on January 27th, 2008 at 7:01 am #

I was just looking over previous post and noticed that this Tuesday will be a year since you started Ella’s Blog. I am amazed at two things: How far God has brought your family in the last year, and how you were able to come up with 187 creative blog titles =)
So now the challenge for both readers and parents is who is willing to give it up first…
God’s gift to you has truly been a gift to all of us.
Thank you.

Kristen on January 27th, 2008 at 7:29 am #

Love the “fire drill” story. Made my sides hurt laughing. Not laughing at you but with you. We have had many times when as parents are going in different directions trying to help the same child. Isn’t the Lord good at pairing us up to work together even though the process in our minds differs? You guys are doing awesome! Good for you to have a back up plan! Ella is in such capable hands, those of her parents! Blessings from Denver!

The Lizotte Family on January 27th, 2008 at 8:58 am #

Nice to know someone has things in control! Mom and Ella seem to be doing just great…. I’ll be praying for Josh to catch on soon. 😛
XOXOXO

Williamsburg on January 27th, 2008 at 9:08 am #

We are laughing with you (not at you =); even parents of babies w/o any particular issues have their idiot-panic moments – you’re certainly not the first nor will you be the last. Praise God for his grace for us and for our kids and for the knowledge that he chose us to be these kids’ parents and that He’s got our backs no matter what happens. Doesn’t seem to have fazed Ella much, anyway =) Tina may have a cooler head in hot moments (for which we’re grateful), but Ella needs both her parents and each of their unique gifts and skills. Can’t stop rejoicing for how far you’ve come and for being home together at last. Love you so much. XOXOXO

Pat & Bob Hadden on January 27th, 2008 at 9:24 am #

The main thing is the smiles. What a marvel it must be for Ella to not be in that harsh, bright hospital but in a new sensory paradise. She’s seeing new colors, smelling new smells and feeling her parents arms around her. We’re smiling too.

Fran Jarrett on January 27th, 2008 at 10:24 am #

That’s our Tina! Always cool and in control! I remember her always calming me down when I was out of sorts…..and I am the much older one!
All of your smiles are so wonderful to see. You have come a long way. God continue to Bless you.

Gloria & Red Jacobsen on January 27th, 2008 at 10:32 am #

Just amazed you were able to write a blog with caring for the Ella two amazing faith-filled parents! Love the pictures and your journey at some point should be made into a book to inspire other parents. God bless you and Tina and of course Ella!

The Chambers' Family on January 27th, 2008 at 11:43 am #

You all look so happy! Josh – thanks for telling on yourself, my husband and I enjoyed that very much this morning since we have had similar situations. It is hard to sleep when you first get your little one home – but those NICU nurses get those babies on a great schedule that I managed to mess up in 48 hours. I can’t wait to see and hear about all the baby milestones! Thanks for sharing your lives through this blog – it has been amazing.

Sleep when the baby sleeps!

Dana

Michelle L on January 27th, 2008 at 12:01 pm #

Your pictures are so precious!! I miss you guys…

Joel Snyder on January 27th, 2008 at 1:17 pm #

Ella, I am glad to hear that you are keeping your Dad alert at all times. Josh I can only imagine what you went through after all that has happened in the last six months. Tina you are incredible thank God for Moms. God bless the three of you. Love,Grandpa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Matt, Abby, Austin & Caed on January 27th, 2008 at 4:36 pm #

I am so glad to hear that you are home. What an amzing feeling that must be. She looks great and beautiful as ever. Caed misses his budy. Hopefully we will get together soon. You are always in our thoughts and prayers…Christ love… Matt and Abby

Tammy on January 27th, 2008 at 6:39 pm #

You have more than enough reason to act like the biggest nut job on earth! You just have to take “nut job turns”…..can’t be nutso together!! It sounds like so far you have the same “first day at home” jitters for new parents, just a little bit “delayed”.
Being in the NICU with loads of emergency help at your fingertips is a far cry from having to come up with your own emergency plan, then having an alarm go off that probally made your heart pound for the next 3 hours!Your doing a great job……Ella’s smiles are confirming that!!!

Gena Waddell (Jordan's Grandmother) on January 27th, 2008 at 8:18 pm #

What a wonderful surprise and answer to prayers to find you at home. We just spent the weekend with Jordan and experienced the delight of her smiles and laughter. She and Ella are daily reminders of God’s provision and mercy. Congratulations to the three of you. We keep you in our daily prayers. Gena, Roy and Lane

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