Monday, April 30, 2007

Trying to add another photo

This was the first day after Eliana's surgery when the children came to visit her.  She gave Christopher a smile - her first after surgery.  I was thrilled to see her smile!!!  I was concern  ed that she might lose her ability to smile as I had heard this was possible after heart surgery.  What a thankful praise to God to see that it didn't happen to Eliana!



With love,

Leslie

PS  I added two entries today, so see the longer one below. 

What fun we are having with Aunt Karen!

It has been so wonderful to have Roger's sister, Karen, here to visit and help us out!  She is such a sweetheart!  The children are just loving having her here to play with, talk to and just have fun hanging out!  We are all going to be sad to see her leave - though I'm sure her family is going to be glad to have her home!

Karen took the children strawberry picking today - and they came home with 8 flats of berries!  They had a great time and we are trying to figure out what to do with so many berries - in addition to sharing some with friends.  They had a grand time making smoothies and popsicles with them earlier.

Karen has played games, read books, learned to bead bracelets and so much more!  She has helped out tons around the house, held Eliana and even took over a feeding today so I could go and get my hair cut.  She really is a sweet sister-in-law.  I'm so thankful for her.  I just wished that they lived closer to us!

Eliana is doing pretty well.  She is crying more now - which is so unusual for her!  She almost NEVER cried before her surgery.  Nothing bothered her - she rarely ever even protested for food.  I know that wasn't normal, but it is what we were used to with her.  So now I'm trying to figure out her cries.  It's been a little hard as there is still much I don't know.  Tonight getting close to 9pm she started to fuss - then cry as I got her bottle ready.  She wanted to eat - but just couldn't seem to get going.  She seemed a little "stuffy", but I couldn't suction anything from her nose.  I ended up holding her and bouncing her and trying to settle her for about 30 minutes.  She took her whole feeding by tube.  I'm thankful we still have that option, though I do want to get rid of it too!  It's been in much longer than I had anticipated it would be.

Most recent prayer requests from here involve her hearing and getting started with therapists.  Eliana has an appointment on Wed at 1pm with an ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat specialist).


  • Any problems with her ears would be seen/detected by the ENT with an accurate diagnosis

  • No hearing loss for my little girl

  • Wisdom in knowing how to treat her.

  • Peace for me as I wait - this has been a long season of waiting!


We are also trying to figure out therapy for Eliana and it too is overwhelming. Trying to "choose" someone and to figure out what she needs is hard when there is just so much I don't know. I would love prayers for wisdom in choosing the right therapist! This is a long-term relationship (though I know I can change it if isn't working - I really don't want to do that.) This is someone that will be in my home regularly and I really want to feel comfortable with her! Honestly the idea of people in my home - that I don't know - is a little intimidating. I don't want to feel that we have to have it all together - clean house, well behaved children, etc. in order not to be judged. I've probably just reading to many stories of CPS investigations - which I know this isn't. I know my fears may sound irrational - and hopefully I'll feel that way too after meeting with them!!

I have greatly appreciate the many friends that have shared stories with me about their own children facing similar situations with hearing - and how all turned out fine!  I am hoping and praying that they same will be true for Eliana.  I have seen God work out so many details - even the smallest ones - and know that no matter what the outcome that He will work in this too.  I know that He loves my little girl more than we do. 

Eliana is sleeping and taking her last feeding of the day.  It's just after midnight here and I'll be going to sleep soon too.  I hope you are having a great day wherever you are!  I am thankful for all of you - for your prayers, your encouragment and your love.  We are blessed beyond measure!

With love,

Leslie

PS  I know it's late to ask this, but if any of you want to be put on my "mailing list" then you will receive a notice when I've posted to the blog.  Just let me know - send me an email - and I'll add you to the list.