Happy Birthday, Ella!

Wow. It's hard to believe that it has only been one week....and wonderful that it has been one week and we've come so far. Ella celebrated her 1 week birthday yesterday. Hilton and I went to the hospital together, hoping to possibly hold her. Because of some apnea episodes earlier in the day, we were unable to do skin to skin, but I got to "hold" my girl for the first time. It was unbelievable. She is such a miracle. I know that many prayers and much fasting have taken place in her and our families' behalf. We feel it. We truly know we are right in the middle of a miracle. I am blessed. Updates....she has a heart murmur due to an open valve in her heart. This is common. We are just watching it to see what it will do. Dr. Stewart mentioned starting her on some medicine that may close it, but he is not sure when he will decide to do that. Saturday morning, she had to have a spinal tap...YUCK! We weren't thrilled to hear that, but the results came back... no infection, so she was taken off the antibiotics she had been on. She was receiving my "miracle mommy milk" - 1cc- every 12 hours, but now it is every 8. She is doing poops and wet diapers and has good bowel sounds. All the tubes which were in her belly button are out. She now has one PIC line in her arm. These are HUGE things, by the way for such a little, early one. She is defying all the odds. A miracle, I tell you.

Look at her teeny tiny hand. I loved it when she grabbed my finger. She loves to hold onto things. I get totally nervous when she has one of her tubes in her hands. Right now, she has the CPAP in her nose. This blows puffs of air to "remind" her to breath. She is still off the ventilator...amazing! She also has a tee-niney feeding tube she likes to hold. I get antsy when she has it, but her nurses say she's not strong enough to pull it out.....yet. I know she will. She is a tough cookie. She's a half Latina/strong Pack woman...plus I was eating Hot Tamales candy every waking minute of this pregnancy. I think it gave her some spice and fire!

Look very closely. Her eye is open. That just happened yesterday (Sat, Nov 1). They told us any day now it could open. Her right eye is trying but it is not completly open yet. I wondered if that cutie patootie one eyed bandit recognized her mommmy as I peeked at her. I think so.

Drum roll, please.......I held my baby today!!! It was her birthday yesterday, but I got the ultimate gift. When her angel nurse, Ellen, placed her on my chest, it was seriously THE most wonderful feeling ever. Hilton and I brought the kids for a visit after church. After we took turns taking them in to see her (only 2 visitors at a time), Ellen asked if I was going to hold her today. Uh, yeah...can I? was my response. Hilton took the kids to the waiting area and left me to be with my sweet Ella. We snuggled for at least an hour. It was magical. The respiratory therapist, Faye, said she was breathing so well....she must like being with Mommy...yeah, of course she did. We both loved every minute of it. I never anticipated getting to hold her this soon. As long as she is stable, I can probably do the "kangaroo care" every time I go. So, as soon as I get up in the morning and get the kids off to school, Sophie and I are headed to the hospital for some snuggle time. I didn't want to let her go or leave today. I sang to her, talked to her and mostly took it all in. It was THE ultimate! I am so whooped! We all love that girl something fierce! Thank you to all of you who are praying, fasting, thinking, etc.. for her. I know the power of prayer is real. I KNOW my Heavenly Father loves me and my family. I KNOW my Redeemer lives. I have been carried and know I will continue to be comforted and guided through this modern day miracle. Keep those prayers coming!!! Love to you all!