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Thursday, October 9, 2008

A Big Week for Ella

Another new hat, thank you Nurse Blanca!
Snuggle time with Mommy.

Ella has made great progress this past week with her bottle feedings. This is a huge answer to prayer so thank you all for praying specificly that Ella would start taking her bottles better. She has increased the amount she is taking to around 2 ounces and is not putting up such a fight when we feed her. We are so proud of her! Her doctors and nurses kept telling us that it would just take some time and it seems that she has finally gotten the hang of it. She is still spitting up frequently but she is continuing to gain weight so that is great. She is up to a whopping 5 pounds 10.8 ounces!


Yesterday her doctor increased the number of bottle feedings she gets during the day which is a good sign that Ella is getting more ready to go to all bottles. She still gets 2-3 feedings a day through her feeding tube but if she continues to take the bottles well then they will take the tube out and go to all bottles. We are very excited with her progress and are hoping that in the next few days they will try to go to all bottle feedings. The other big news is that her surgeon took her central line out and took the wound vac off last night. She looks so good without all the wires! Her tummy is looking really good and her wound has gotten smaller even since last week. They are now putting a cream on it to continue to help it heal and we will continue using this dressing once she comes home. It will still take some time before her tummy is completely closed but it looks really good and all her doctors seem very happy with how it is healing.


We don't know yet when Ella will come home but all of these things are steps in the right direction so we are hoping it won't be too much longer. We are so thankful for all the encouragement and prayers for our family. Please continue to pray that Ella will take her bottles well so we can move to all bottle feedings. Also, please keep praying that her tummy continues to heal well and does not get infected. We'll update when we have more news, hopefully we will have a coming home post sometime soon!


Love, The Carders

16 comments:

Macy said...

Thanks for the update. Her cheeks even look a little chubby in one picture. I am so glad she is healing and getting so strong. I will keep praying so she can come home soon.

daughteroftheking said...

She is so precious Amy!! We will continue to pray for sweet Ella!

Jodi said...

She is adorable, and you look great too, Mommy! So thankful for great news. We'll keep praying for more!!

Anonymous said...

awww.....she is so precious and she IS getting chubby cheeks !!! How wonderful. I am very happy to hear the good news and we will keep praying that sweet Ella will be home very soon. You both look beautiful!
I love you all very much.

Summer said...

Thanks for the update. We are continually lifting you up in prayer. Ella is beautiful and we are praying for her to take her bottle better so she can go home soon. You are both amazing parents. God is using your faithfulness to encourage others. Ava saw me typing and wanted me to say, " I hope she feels better and we love you. Bye." : )

Chesley said...

I got chills thinking about her coming home! That is great! She is just beautiful and I am thrilled that she is doing so well. Ella is a Superbaby!

Jennifer said...

Loved hearing the update. We've been praying for her bottles and will pray about her tummy, too. How EXCITING that she might be able to come home soon!

God's strength, peace and patience be with your sweet family.

The Speck family said...

I love these pics~ she is such a precious little sweetie! I am praying that she gets to go home soon for all your sakes~ it sounds like she is making awesome strides. Love and hugs, Kelly

Monica said...

What wonderful news!!! What a fun thought, Ella going home!!! YEAH! Go little Ella!! I pray she keeps up those feedings. God is so good and has such great things in store for your sweet baby!!

Anonymous said...

Little Ella is so sweet and cute in those pictures! We are rejoicing with the good news and progress and pray that she will be home with you guys very soon! Heard there was a birthday boy around there somewhere---Happy Birthday Ricky! Love you guys and continue to pray for Ella every day.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the update,I loved all of the pictures of that sweet angel! I'm glad her bottle feedings are going well and we continue to pray that we'll see that coming home post very soon!

Amanda Pittman said...

Carders - So grateful for the positive news about baby Ella. We will keep praying that she continues to improve and can come home soon! Love to you all.

Shelly said...

Yea! So happy to read the good report! And those little cheeks are TOO CUTE! I know you are all so anxious to get that little pumpkin home! We'll keep on praying!! Love you guys--

amber dayton said...

We're praying for you precious girl! EAT, EAT, EAT! Lots of love. :)

Amanda said...

So glad that she's doing well! Can't wait to hear when she is coming home! We're still praying!

Anonymous said...

Rick and Amy,
Luke's mom here. What a beautiful little angel baby. Ella looks like a fighter to me! I have already prayed and will continue doing so. You're right, our God is big and He will do whatever is best for His baby. His love and power are huge and you can rest assured that Ella will be taken care of no matter the outcome because she is in His hands already. Take care!