Feb
24
    
Posted (Tina) in All Posts on February-24-2008

Wow, can you believe that the Bun is 7 months old today? It is hard for me.

First, it seems strange because she has only been home with us a total of 17 days. Second, she is just so petite for her age. She is still wearing size “3 month” or “3-6 month” for her daily fashion statement. Finally, this is the Bun we are talking about…the one that has been through so much. Sometimes I just sit in awe. Only time will truly reveal all that God has planned.

Today was so much better for Ella. It started off last night when she slept a solid 6 hours without stirring. She has only done that a few times before when she was feeling better. Then, today she was up most of the day versus earlier this week when she was sleeping 4-5 hours in the middle of the day.

Josh took care of her most of the day while I ran errands with Grandma Eusey. While Ella enjoyed her time with Daddy, we stocked up on food and goodies for the next 10 days since we will be spending most of our time in the apartment.

Today, Ella took another 40ccs via bottle (20ccs one time, 10ccs two other times). That is so amazing!!! Even though she coughs and retches sometimes, it is reassuring to see her come back to the bottle within a few minutes and desire to eat more. We just hope that we can continue each day and slowly have her take more and more.

We are excited to see Dr. Kays on Tuesday. We are curious to see if her blood lab work has continued to improve (we found out that her BUN on 2/12/08 was 19. Ideally, we want to see 20 or higher). Also, we need some maintenance on the g-tube – – some granulation tissue has surfaced again and needs to be burned off.

It was a gorgeous Florida day, so we went for another 15 minute walk around the community. Only towards the very end of the walk, she decided to become fussy. Although in her defense, she got the hiccups and wanted to be held. I think I would want to be held too.

It was so nice to see Ella smile and feel like herself today. It was just the refreshment we needed after a string of rough days in a row.

Thank you for the prayer support. We thank Him for our journey, the good days and the tough days. We know He has a plan and look forward to seeing Him reveal His glory day by day.

Psalm 8
O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.

From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.

When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,

what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?

You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.

You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:

all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,

the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.

O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!



Georgia on February 24th, 2008 at 7:36 pm #

How amazing to hear she is eating so much by mouth! that is AWSOME!! What an inspiration!

Williamsburg on February 24th, 2008 at 7:37 pm #

Among all of the other amazing accomplishments your parents have achieved thru this process, Miss Ella, is that they’ve become such terrific photographers! It is seriously such a highlight for us each day to check in and get to see you, whether smiling, crying, yawning, sleeping or … bathing! Dual Ellas – how much better can it get? Sending bushes of hugs and smooches your way, precious one – share a few with your parents, ok? All our love. XOXOXO

Joel Snyder on February 24th, 2008 at 10:30 pm #

Ella, Go “Gator Girl” you just keep on with that feeding from the bottle and things will start to change for the better. I will be praying that you have another great day tommorrow and that your appointment with Dr.Kays goes well on Tuesday. Have lots of fun with Grandma. Love, Grandpa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Barbara Mullins on February 25th, 2008 at 5:11 am #

I’ve been praying ahead of time that when the time came Ella would adapt quickly to oral feedings. God was so good to create taste buds – its such a shame to waste them! Go Ella! I thought of y’all yesterday as I sat in church. Our pastor’s sermon was about joy in the midst of the trials of life. You guys are living it! I thought you might be affirmed, confirmed and encouraged by listening; so if you’re interested the website is forGodsfame.org. There’s a link to let you listen to the message from 2/24/07 – Ella’s 7 Month Birthday. Hope you’ll listen, I think you will be lifted up by the message.

the Lizotte family on February 25th, 2008 at 6:59 am #

Don’t feel bad about the sizes… Sylvia was still wearing her 4T shorts when she was 8 years old! A few weeks is nothing. Ella will plump up soon enough. She looks beautiful. I will keep praying for all of you! Big hugs.
XOXO

Char and Jim Jordan on February 25th, 2008 at 8:53 am #

what a beautiful child. She is petite, but so were you Tina. Remember that dynamite comes in small packages. LOL Char and Jim

Joan and Steve Odell on February 25th, 2008 at 9:18 am #

Perhaps Ella just needed to ‘settle’ in at home – i would imagine changes are a little awesome to her. So glad she is having good times and you and Josh have had the opportunity to settle in as well. Our 21 month old granddaughter has some challenges and only weighs 16 pounds and wears a 9 months to 12 months size. Size doesn’t matter – heart, smiles and laughs do. She’ll grow and both these girls are special blessings brought to us by God. He knows His ways and reasons – hang tight – our love, prayers and hugs are always there — Steve and Joan

The Dirirm Family on February 25th, 2008 at 9:24 am #

Praise God for Ella’s small steps. Praise God for the attitude He has given you all. Your testimony to Gods greatness in this time of your life will be and has been a blessing to so many. My kids ask daily about Ella’s progress and we pray for you all often. You all are doing a great job! Enjoy your time with Grandma. There is nothing like the support of family.
Blessings to your family!
The Dirrim’s

Matt, Abby, Austin & Caed on February 25th, 2008 at 1:09 pm #

The news about her eating is really encouraging! It definitely seems like slow transitions are the way to go with Miss Bun…just like most women I know she wants to do things her way…when she’s ready…and when she feels like it after she’s thought about it a while…as long as she’s in the mood for it (hee hee)…we’ll keep praying that this continues to go well. Also that you two can get some rest. Keep going…there is nothing that can outlast God.

Laura Marold on February 25th, 2008 at 5:21 pm #

The feeding news is fantastic progress!! Tina and Josh–I feel for you. It’s hard when the baby comes home from the hospital and it’s also very hard to go through teething for the first time with any baby. You are going throught both of these things AND the feeding issue AND the other issues PLUS Ella is not just any baby but a baby with real issues. You both are doing GREAT as parents!!! God bless you both. Laura M.

aunt Marla on February 25th, 2008 at 8:05 pm #

I’m so glad to hear that Ella is feeling better and sleeping better. Hope your trip to Shands tomorrow goes well. I bet Ella will do her best to impress Dr. Kays. Can’t wait to see you all later in the week. Give Ella lots of kisses for me.

angie on February 25th, 2008 at 8:10 pm #

hey miss ella,tina,and josh.Im not sure if you have tried one or not but the dr browns bottles are really good,try the slow flow one though,after her not eating yet and going through the reflux issues you dnt want her to get chocked,but anyway the slow flow nipples on the dr browns are really good and they are supposed to help keep gas from getting in there stomachs,just a thought.

The Morgans on February 25th, 2008 at 9:10 pm #

We just celebrated Arissa’s 1st birthday on the 21st and she is still in 3 mo or 3-6mo. She last weighed in at 13lbs 13oz, it’s just been even harder to keep the weight on her now that she’s moving around so much. We believe that good things come in small packages around here! As for Dr. Brown bottles, Arissa uses those too, we really like them. I’m so glad that she’s had a good day. Happy Happy 7 months, Ella!

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