Update

I can't believe so much time has gone by, Elly was one month on Friday! It seems the month went by fast, although the days seemed very long. Elly is doing well, she is currently up to 1lb 15oz, and is off the ventilator. The best part of her being off the ventilator is that she can make noise now. With the tubes how they have been, her vocal chords have been "temporarily paralyzed" but now that the tube is gone...we can hear her. She isn't loud yet, but even the little squeeks are nice. Oh and she has the cutest little sneeze ever! It makes me laugh. We have been able to start holding her, which has been nice. Although holding her, isn't what I tradtionally think of as holding a baby. You get positioned in a chair, then a RN and a RT work together to get her on your chest, then they tape all her tubes and wires in place, then they wrap you and her in a warm blanket, then you hold very still for the next 1-3 hours. The length of the hold depends on how she is adjusting to the change. She is so small it's hard to see her on you, so they give you a hand held mirror to use to see her. I got this video while she was awake during a hands on time. I love looking in her little eyes, although she is asleep most of the time, so I don't get to do it very often. The kids love this video because at the end she does a spastic strech, and they think she is waving to them. They are so excited to meet her. Today while we were decortating the Christmas tree, they were concerned she wouldn't have a tree. So we pulled out a little tree and they decorated it for her, it is now on the counter by her bedside. It will be nice when they finally get to meet her, only approximately 10 more weeks to go...it seems so LONG!

Elly's Eyes

When Elly was born her eyes were still fused, which the doctors said was normal. So over the past 3 weeks, we've been asking the nurses everyday if they had opened yet. Most responses have been a no, there have been 2 maybes, but nothing definite. We have been there when she is awake, and she moves around and makes facial expressions, but still no eyes open. Well today when I went to see her (Thanks Jerusha & Patrick for keeping the other 2) her nurse rushed up to me and said they were open! Of course the time I was there today was sleep time, so I still haven't seen them, but I will soon! In the meantime I've got this picture, thanks to an awesome nurse! She snapped it on her phone this morning while Elly was awake so she could show us.

New Elly Pictures

Last night Dave & I were able to go visit Elly together (Thanks Emily & Sam!!!) and it was really nice. We hadn't been in there together in about a week. While we were there her RT (respiratory therapist) for the night asked if we had done the wedding ring pictures yet. We hadn't even thought of it, so she got us set up. Here is the result. Pretty cool idea I think. I never thought of my fingers as being BIG but seeing my girl wear my ring as a loose bracelet puts a whole new perspective on things. Crazy stuff!!!

Birthdays...

Last week we celebrated lots of Birthdays. We had a small family thing on Sunday the 1st celebrating Papa Jim's, Aunt Laura, Mine, and Addy's birthday. Lots of family fun! Nana & Papa got Addy a Cinderella cake and Dad made a Chocolate Sheet cake for the rest of us. It was all yummy, and we had cake all week long.

Thursday the 5th was my actual birthday, and Dave came home and surprised me with Roses, and a chocolate cake. YUMMY! Then some friends came over to babysit so we could go see Elly together. It was really great because we got to be there during her hands on time, and got some great pictures.

Saturday the 7th we celebrated Addy's birthday. The one thing she had been asking for all year had been a friend party with "LOTS of girls and a Pinata". So last minute thrown together we made it happen. Thanks to all our friends who helped out, and who came. We appreciate you all!

Song

This is my new favorite song, of course it makes me cry every time I hear it...but I love it! Thanks for finding it Mom & Dad! Click the link below and choose song 15, Elliana's Song.
http://www.rhapsody.com/watermark/tracks.html

Oh and blogger never let me video go through, maybe it was too long...but anyone on facebook can view it there on my profile.

Elliana Faith

Introducing:
Elliana "Elly" Faith
Born October 27, 2009
(Due February 6, 2010)
1 pound 6 ounces

12 & 3/4 inches

3:07 pm

Our very little girl came as a quite a surprise Tuesday afternoon as I was just going in for a rountine OB check up. Her heart rate was low, and so I was sent to labor & delivery. At the time I thought it was just for monitoring and not concerned. But within a few minutes I was being prepped for an emergency c-section. Her heart rate was having severe drops, and I was told whatever was going on inside, was not good, and that she stood a better chance on the outside. Once in the OR they got to her, and we found out what was causing her distress. She had the cord wrapped around her neck 4 times tightlty. We were told that if she hadn't been taken then, that she probably wouldn't have made it much longer with the cord how it was. So we consider it a miracle, and blessing in disguise that all events lined up as they did. Of course like any pregnancy we wish she could have made it full and to term to grow and develop, but are just grateful at this point that she is here and recieving the best care possible. She is what the doctors refer to as a micro-premie. Things are positive at this point and she is doing very well. We have heard many success stories of babies that have been born at this stage and are very comforted by this. The doctors have warned us there will be good days and bad days, but so far we have had more good than bad. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all our family and friends. We are so thankful that we have been able to have family members come and be with the other kids at the house and keep things as normal as possible for them. We are truly blessed to have each of you in our lives. We have felt the love, support, and prayers for our family over the past 6 days. We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.




Here's one more picture to show perspective...that is Dave's Aggie ring on her arm.


I've been trying to put a video clip, but I'm having blogger issues. Will try again tomorrow.