Jan
01
    
Posted (Tina) in All Posts on January-1-2009

Ella did not sleep well last night. Maybe she wanted to wake up to celebrate the new year.

Her heart rate seemed to go lower last night, closer to her baseline. However, she is still not saturating real well and is requiring more oxygen. At this point, we’ve determined that it is probably not fluid. But we are not sure what it could be. I noticed this morning that her nose was extra stuffy but seemed to get better and minimize as the day continued. Also, she does seem to be retching a lot throughout the day.

I think that is the frustrating part. We can tell that she is not great, but cannot determine the culprit. Nothing is real clear, except that we know something is off.

It was a low key day hanging around the house. We tried feeding pears today. She tolerated a few bites and then decided that she was done with her oral workout. We’ll keep trying more.

We are having her sit up more throughout the day. Her endurance has gotten much greater over the past few months. Whether it is sitting in her chair, on our lap, or in her exer-saucer, it is good to have her out of the crib more often. You can tell that she is anxious to get moving one of these days. She wants to roam, but her physical limitations don’t allow her to get there. Maybe 2009 will have the first crawl or step.

We’re hopeful for a good year in 2009. Our heart’s desire is that Ella continues to grow strong and get healthier. We would love to stay away from the hospital this year. The goal is for her to gain weight and get stronger without acquiring any illnesses and that she can outgrow some of her current issues. Above all else, we’re just thankful for where He has us today. Last year on New Year’s Eve, we were still hanging out in the NICU in Florida!

What a difference a year can make. We are looking forward to reflecting next year at this time!

Happy New Year to you and yours from Josh, Tina and Ella Renae “The Bun” West!



Joel Snyder on January 1st, 2009 at 10:17 pm #

Ella, I just got home with Maggie and Manny from your house. It was a great day visiting with you and I hope we can figure out what is going on with you. Josh and Tina thanks for a wonderful day. I will catch you later. Love,Grandpa!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sherry martinez on January 1st, 2009 at 10:19 pm #

happy new year to you all. may this year bring us all peace and joy. hugs to you all.sherry and baby cayden

Kelly "Supernanny" Fischer on January 1st, 2009 at 10:35 pm #

It’s so sad that she’s still retching so much, and it’s absolutely heartbreaking to see and experience and deal with. And it stinks that she’s backtracked on feeding some, but then I think about where we were just a few months ago when I joined the Ella-team: still in the Hospital (right after her PICU tour), food pump, not tolerating any sitting up time or food by mouth… God has done so much good with this precious Girl throughout her life, and I’m so confident (not to mention stoked) that great strides will be made this year, despite the possible setbacks. You know I’m addicted to your girl when pretty much every single one of my “New Years Resolutions” involves Ella 😉
I’m praying (along with many others) that Ella’s retching will go away and she’ll continue her progress with her strength and her endurance and her feeding through the year. I think we all know she’s full of surprises 😉
Missed you guys today. I’m glad you had a nice mellow day with The Bun to start off the New Year. Love you all.

Barbara Mullins on January 2nd, 2009 at 8:41 am #

Happy New Year West family! It’s amazing the difference one year makes. I’m praying 2009 will be a year of great strides forward for Ella and that she will make up some of the deficits in her development. I’m still praying for y’all daily. God Bless!

Barbara Mullins

John & Estela Williams on January 2nd, 2009 at 9:15 am #

Feliz Ano Nuevo… :-)! Love her hair cut.. just noticed it! Love you guys and praying for a blessed 2009 for Ella and your family.

Jenny G on January 2nd, 2009 at 3:01 pm #

I have been following your blog for a long time now, your faith is truly an inspiration. This week, my 5 year old daughter had a febrile seizure and was admitted to the PICU for a couple of days. It was the worst thing I have ever been through and as I thought that I couldn’t take one more minute, your family popped into my head and I thought of the tremendous strength you have had as you’ve gone through so many days of Ella being in the hospital. I just wanted you to know that you are an inspiration to me and you brought me strength at one of my darkest points. Thank you for that.

Eve Johnson on January 2nd, 2009 at 5:13 pm #

Happy New Year Wests! May blessings abound in 2009.

Craig Glendenning on January 2nd, 2009 at 8:44 pm #

Hi Tina! I had not checked in for a while, so figured I would see how Ella is doing. I think of her often, as anyone touched by her couragous battle does. Stay strong for her. There will be one more prayer floating to the heavens for you, daddy and her tonight.

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