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Sunday, September 21, 2008

3 Weeks Old


Raise your hand if you're ready to go home?

I pulled my feeding tube out and I feel so much better!

The old tube is back but how about this hat? My nurses like to dress me up in cute hats!

Ella is 3 weeks old today! It's hard to believe that it's been three weeks already since she was born. She is making progress everyday and we are so thankful that she is continuing to do well. Not a whole lot has changed since the last update. Ella still is feeding through her tube and getting a bottle at every other feeding. On friday they took her tube out and gave her all bottle feedings which was exciting but she spit up quite a bit after each feeding so they decided to put her tube back in and continue alternating feedings for a while longer. She is getting tired of the old feeding tube because she has pulled it out several times. Poor Ella! Hopefully later this week they will take the tube out and try all bottles again, we'll just have to see how she does in the next few days. The doctors seemed pleased with her progress and are saying it's just going to take time for her body to handle everything considering the surgery she had.

As far as her incision goes it is making progress as well. Each time they check it they are seeing some changes. On Thursday it looked like some new skin tissue was starting to grow so that is great news. They will check it again tomorrow so hopefully we will continue to see that it is growing together. The surgeon said he would like for her to have the wound vac for another two weeks to let the incision continue to grow together on it's own so I think that is the plan for now. Things change so quickly in the NICU so we never know what they are going to tell us when we go see Ella everyday!

Overall she is right on target for where she should be. Thank you all for your continued prayers for Ella's healing. Please keep praying that she is able to tolerate her feedings as they increase the amount and go to all bottles and that her incision heals quickly. We are so ready for her to come home. We know she is in the best care right now but it is hard not having her with us. Thank you for the encouragement you continue to give our family, we are so humbled by your love and support.
Love, Rick, Amy, Eva and Ella

15 comments:

Jamie Ridgell said...

Ella just gets cuter and cuter! Happy 3 weeks Ella! We are praying for this little angel every day.
love, Jamie

LYN said...

What a doll baby! Yes, of course she raises her hand to go home! I'm praying that she'll love that bottle more and more. Praying for you all...and praising our Father most of all. LYN

The Speck family said...

What a sweet, sweet girl.....I know she is so anxious to get home to her big sis and mommy and daddy. I love her adorable hat. We are praying that she is home SOON......you guys are amazing and God is good! Love you, Kelly S.

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

oh she is adorable!!!!! that little hat is so cute!
Praying she will eat her bottles like a champ and be able to come ASAP!

Elizabeth Miller said...

Those eyes just melt my heart! We are pryaing everyday for the Lord's peace and healing hand to cover you! We LOVE you!

Anonymous said...

She has changed so much! I just love those big eyes, she is so beautiful. I love the "hand raising"/"jazz hands" phase of little ones...so funny. Love you guys. I am so proud of you guys and we pray for you continually. Love yall so very much and can't wait for Ella to come home.

Anonymous said...

She is so beautiful! May God continue to bring her healing.

Love, Kaley Ihfe

Tussany said...

She has the sweetest face ever! I pray that she will get to go home soon. Blessings on y'all this week. I love you! Bpun

Jennifer said...

Yay, Ella! Keep on truckin' sweet girl!! Such a pretty baby!

Steve said...

3 Weeks Old!!! HooRay for Ella! We love the hat and those big eyes that say, "Hold me, Mimi and Pops Ridgell"---Our prayers are still with all of you!

Shelly said...

I'll be praying she can start tolerating all of her bottles! Mommy's milk is MUCH better than a stinkin' feeding tube! I'd be yanking that thing out too if I were her! She is so beautiful and just looks so chilled out. : ) Love y'all and can't wait to see the next update!

Summer said...

She is so cute. Thanks for posting so many sweet photos. We are praying for Ella here in Abilene, and also for you and Rick as well. We love you!

Emiley said...

Look at those bog eyes! She is just beautiful! We are still praying for you sweet Ella!

Courtney said...

Guys, she is so beautiful!!! Do thrilled that there continues to be good news! Love you all!

Kendra said...

I'm captivated by those huge, beautiful eyes of hers! Wow - she's so very precious. Still praying . .