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Sunday, September 14, 2008

2 Weeks Old





Ella with Dee (Rick's Mom)

Ella with Mimi (Amy's Mom)
Ella with Pawpaw (Amy's Dad)

Big sister Eva in her favorite shirt...the glasses and necklaces are a good look don't you think?


We can't believe little Ella is two weeks old today! She has come so far these past two weeks and we are so proud of her. Thank you for your continued prayers, emails, cards and phone calls. We feel so blessed by the love and support that everyone is showering on us and we are so thankful for each of you. We believe we are all witnessing God's hand and the power of prayer as we continue to see Ella heal and grow. Thank you for your faithfulness in praying for our sweet daughter, God is answering your prayers everyday.

Amy here, I figured it was time for me to take over posting on the blog before my sister Ann shares any more embarrassing stories about me. I feel like I should address the All My Children look-alike comment made and explain that I wouldn't exactly take it as a compliment being that it was made to me by a 60 year old man. Really? Does anyone else think it is strange that middle-aged men are watching All My Children or is it just me?

Anyway, back to Ella. She is doing so well. They increased her feedings today from 6 cc.'s to 10cc's and are working towards 15 which is about half an ounce. This afternoon she seemed to be tolerating them well and only spitting up a little bit so that is great. The wound care team will check her wound vac out tomorrow to see if there is any change with her incision. The wound vac is supposed to suction out any fluid as well as hopefully speed up the process of helping her skin grow together over the patch they put in at surgery over the area that they couldn't get completely closed. So we will see how things progress with that. The nurses are saying Ella is their little trailblazer with the wound vac! Apparently they use it a lot on older patients at Harris but have never really used it on babies. Go Ella!

She is so sweet and we can't wait for everyone to meet our girl. We'll continue to keep everyone updated as things progress. Please keep praying for her to take her feedings well as they increase and for her incision to heal quickly. So far there have not been any major setbacks and we know it is because of all the prayers being lifted up for Ella. Thank you for loving our family, we love each of you.
Love, Rick, Amy, Eva and Ella

22 comments:

LYN said...

How wonderful I get to be the first one tonight to say, "Praises, praises, and more praises." ...LYN

Jami said...

Amy,

She is absolutely beautiful, we have been thinking and praying for sweet Ella for some time now and Praise God for so many answered prayers.

Jami Hamrick (Brownie)

Anonymous said...

Ella is so adorable! I love the pictures of her. She is so beautiful. I miss her already. I hope yall had a great day today. Give the Eves a big kiss from me. Love yall and pray for all of you all the time.

Courtney said...

Ella is so beautiful! I can't wait to snuggle that sweet girl!!! We are missing you and praying for you often! Love you!

Anonymous said...

Your friends at Hughes and Sendera Ranch Elementary are keeping you in our prayers. I can't begin to tell you how comforted we are by Ella's progress...and it is so good to see photos of you and Rick.
We have had many a discussion about how sometimes prayer is the only thing we can do for others. It's at times like this that we refoice with God's greatness.
Love you all,
Suzie and friends

Alison said...

She is so beautiful!!! I am so excited that things are going so great! God is SO good! And you are such an amazing family! Chloe and I are so anxious to meet sweet Ella!

The Speck family said...

What a beautiful baby girl! Thanks for posting these pics~ they are priceless. I especially love Eva in her sunglasses....I love that girl's spunk! We continue to pray for you guys and are THRILLED that Ella is progressing so well. Love you all~ Kelly S.

Sam, Erin, Ava, Madeline and Asher said...

Hi! I just happened to come across your blog. I am due in 9 weeks with a baby girl who also has an omphalocele. It is comforting to see your little Ella and you guys holding her. That is what I can't wait for. I will be praying for her and for a quick healing!

GPaty said...

Yea for little Ella! We are so happy that she is doing so great. I wanted to tell you something kind of random...Cody is a wound care specialist and does wound vacs all the time at the hospital. He goes into the surgeries and puts them on, and then follows up with the patients until their wounds heal. I told him that Ella had a wound vac and he was so proud! He's never had the expereince of using one on an infant so young and fragile, but proud nonetheless. Someday, yall can compare wound vac stories...I'm kidding.
She is amazing and we will continue to lift you guys up in prayer. Love you all.

Elizabeth Miller said...

Still praying for you everyday! We love you to pieces and can't wait to meet her!

Calista said...

That's great news!! I'm so glad to hear how well Ella is doing. She also looks great. You can tell she is starting to put on weight and can see her little checks filling out. She doesn't at all look like a sick baby. We will continue to pray for you all and can't wait to meet this sweet little trooper.

Jodi said...

Praying for you guys daily, and PRAISING God for His work for your family! Go Ella!! Seriously y'all, she is GORGEOUS... :) just like her tv-star Mommy.

jocelyn said...

She's so beautiful! Those eyes!! We're praying for you guys and love you lots.

Jocelyn

Jennifer said...

She's so beautiful, Amy! I love these pictures!! And you, my dear, look amazing!! So happy for you guys. I'd love to come visit soon...just trying to lay low and let you guys catch your breath! Love you!

Anonymous said...

What a precious baby girl, Ella is just beautiful, those eyes just melt my heart !!! I am very happy to hear yet more good news and I love the pictures, everyone looks so happy holding that precious little Ella. And that Eva !!! haha what a baby doll !! I love you all.

Brooks Inc. said...

She is beautiful! Everyone just looks so wonderful!

We love you all and continue to praise the Lord for the progress and thank Him that He is not done brigning glory and honor to His name through precious Ella!

BJB

Ashley said...

She is so beautiful. What a miracle. We think of you guys daily.,

Lindsey said...

oh Amy! I know you look good. Take anything as a compliment! thanks so much for keeping us updated and keeping us all informed. It is nice for me and i am sure nice for Rick so i wont ask him a million questions when he walks in the door. Thanks!

Julia said...

Praise God for baby Ella & the great progress she is making! We're out of town all week, but you've been on our minds & hearts. So thankful for this blog & a way to keep up with you guys & know how to pray. Love you!

Anonymous said...

Ella is beautiful. Glad to hear she is doing so well. So good to be able to keep up with you guys. Rick, you haven't changed at all man. Wish we could get over there to see your mom while she is there.

B

Unknown said...

Ella is so pretty!! And I love Eva's look in that picture! It was sweet looking at all the grandparents getting to hold their baby girl! So thrilled with the good reports and will continue to pray for more of them! I think of you often and you remain in our prayers!!
Big hugs--

Unknown said...

Sorry---"Abigail" is "Shelly Willbanks" in case you were wondering about that. : ) My sister in law must have used my computer the last time she was here. Wondering how many other blogs I have left messages on as "Abigail"? : ) Love y'all--