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Wednesday, December 3, 2008

3 Months Old




First of all, I'm a little embarrassed that the first family picture I have to post is of us in our pajamas and I'm pretty sure I haven't brushed my hair in a day or two. Yikes! But I figure this is a much more accurate picture of how things really are around here so throw us a bone okay? We'll try to get some good Christmas pictures...not in our pj's and I promise to brush my hair!

In more important news, Ella is three months old this week! She is so sweet and just smiles all the time. She is a happy baby which we are so thankful for considering all that she has been through. She is such a little trooper! She is sleeping well and working hard at eating better with the bottle. We are loving having her home with us and we're slowly adjusting to everything. The past two weeks since she's been home have been rough and good at the same time. This week has started out much better so we are hoping that things continue to get a little less crazy around here. We've decided that both our moms can never leave us because we can't survive without their help! :) Our sweet moms have been trading off coming a week at a time to stay with us and help ever since Ella was born in August...yeah,it's December...unbelievable! We have the most amazing and loving parents, they are such a blessing to us.


As for Miss Ella, she is pretty much on house arrest due to it being winter (we're a little germophobic!) and because her feedings are such an ordeal that it is too hard to go anywhere with her at this point. And really our main focus is for her to continue to heal and to eat well so we are just trying to focus on the task at hand. Also, if I can avoid looking like a three-ring circus when in public I will. I mean the other day we went to the doctor and it took all of us, me, Rick and his mom to keep things under control. Eva didn't help matters either by deciding it was a great time to take her shoes off, open and close doors and run down the hall at the office. Really Eva? Not the time for that sister! So, basically we only leave the house to go to Ella's doctor's appointments (without Eva) which we have at least once or twice a week. We have a lot of follow up appointments with different doctors and weigh-ins with her pediatrician that keep us busy. Other than that we are at home working on feedings. Pretty exciting right? :) So even though Ella is home it's not like we really have a normal life with a new baby. It is hard but it is okay, we are very blessed with an amazing little girl who is such a joy. We are so thankful for how far she has come and that she is home and things are headed in the right direction.

There's nothing like Ms. Potato Head earrings to really pull an outfit together!

This week she is doing better with her bottle. Praise God! It is still kind of a battle most times at the beginning of the feeding but then she settles down and does well with it. She is taking more on average which is great but she still is not taking a full bottle so there continues to be inconsistency. We are so thankful for these small steps and it just gives us hope that if we keep trying things will get better. It is still taking an hour or more once she takes the bottle and finishes the rest through her G-button so it is quite the ordeal. I feel like all we do all day is work on feedings so it is very draining emotionally and physically but I know the hard work will pay off. Thank you for your continued prayers for Ella and her feedings, we really are seeing some improvements this week. Keep praying!

We have our appointment next week with Scottish Rite on the 9th so please continue to keep that in your prayers as well. We are so humbled by all the love and support from everyone, we could not do this without it. Please continue to keep our family in your prayers.

Ella finally got to meet her cousins Caden and Emery, we love our cousins!

14 comments:

Jodi said...

What a great update with great pictures!!!! And whether you brushed your hair or not, you look fabulous! :)

Your girls are just adorable, and I loved the earrings! Keep up the great work there, Rick and Amy! It sounds so trying, but you guys are champs! Know that you are loved beyond words and prayed over constantly! Looking forward to continued great news! Eat, Ella, eat!!!

Anonymous said...

Ummm, yeah, you probably should've brushed your hair before that picture. :) Yall look great! So fun to see all four of you in a picture. Ella has gotten so big since I saw her last! She is so beautiful, as is her sister. Love those Carder girls! I'm so very proud of you and Rick and your hard work, dedication, and love that you pour out for Ella and Eva. They are blessed by yall. I pray God's continued blessings of strength to cover you both each new day and night.

Unknown said...

Amy and Rick,
I feel like all of your friends are so blessed to know you and your family. You have been so open to sharing your faith through this difficult time. You know how much I love you both. You are a constant source of blessings to all who know you.
Thank you for just being you...so real...so loving..so open.
Love you all,
Suzie

Unknown said...

Amy, I am so happy that Ella is home! I am bit behind in the blogging, but I do try to keep up. Ella is beautiful, and so is Eva! I wish my hair looked like yours when I didn't brush it for two days.

Courtney said...

Thanks for the picture! You look beautiful as always. We miss you but will continue to pray from afar because I'm sure with you on the "no germs for Ella" stance! I can't imagine how exhausted you must be but loving being home with your sweet one at the same time! Let us know if there is some way we can help! Love you guys!

Summer said...

Happy 3 month birthday Ella! Yay! I'm so glad you guys are seeing small improvements with her feedings. We're bringing you dinner next week so I'll be calling you soon. :-)

The Speck family said...

You guys are such a beautiful family....with and without brushed hair! I am praying that little Ella drinks more and more and depends less and less on that tube. FYI~ we were out of town for 10 days and Bennett had an all-night milk bath TWICE because the tube somehow disconnected during the night and I had no idea the pump was drenching his bed....unbelievable. Sometimes all we can do is laugh otherwise these little ones would make us pull every hair out of our heads (!). Love you guys so much...Kelly, Travis & Bennett

Jennifer said...

Beautiful pictures, and thanks for the update! If you want company sometime, e-mail me. Seriously. But I don't want to make your life crazier, so I'll leave it to you :)

Such beautiful, sweet girls! I'm still praying for the feedings!

Kristen said...

Yay 3 months!! She's beautiful and so are the rest of you!!

Unknown said...

Oh, sweet Carder family! You all look great! I am working on a project and wonder if you have had a chance to take a photo in their "sister" shirts. If you have, will you email it to me? (in your SPARE time!!!) So very happy that God continues to bless you - prayers continue for the feeding and for your Scottish Rite appointment. Love you so very much! Hugs!

Anonymous said...

Happy 3 month birthday Ella! She is absolutely beautiful as is Eva and mommy....oh that Eva....haha love those earrings. I love the family picture, you all look wonderful and happy even in your pj's and what a blessing to see all four of you together at home. I know you are going through trying times right now and that you are all exhausted but know we are praying for all of you here in Michigan and we love you all very, very much, you are doing an amazing job.

Queen of My Castle said...

Wow...I just got your blog address from Julie Carroll. I graduated from FWC class of 93 with Amy. Your family is precious! What great support you guys have. My family and I will be praying for you guys.

Brooks Inc. said...

Amy

we are out at my parents ranch and just had the whole family gathered around looking at what a precious baby Ella is! What a beautiful family!

KNow that you are close to our hearts and always in our prayers We love you so!

Brooks and Jeffreys

Unknown said...

Your girls are just soo beautiful!!! I pray for you and your family and for your enegrey to keep going. Hang in there and if you ever need anything please give me a call!!!!