Well, this has been a day of both. I hope I can keep my focus on the positive. I've been trying - to keep my mind on the pure, good, lovely and upright. This can be hard to do when you are feeling overwhelmed, tired, sad and scared.
After spending much of the morning in tears, I was blessed to have notes and emails from sweet friends, a visit from 2 dear friends and several phone calls as well. I am richly blessed in the friends department. For that I am so very very thankful!!! What a amazing thing it is to receive encouragment from another. I've always known that it was a good thing, but I have never been in a place where I needed it so very much. I don't like feeling needy - or that I'm a burden. I have been repeatedly blessed by the love given to me by others. It's a precious thing to be on the receiving end of others being the hands of Christ to me and my family. Thank you dear friends!!!
A surprise gift came in the mail today - a case of the liquid formula that we use! I have no idea where it came from or how we could have gotten it. It will last us for a week! That is so nice. Eliana's feeding budget is a little high at the moment. We are using liquid formula as the powdered clogs the tubing. We must add powdered formula to both the liquid formula and the pumped milk in order to increase the calorie content. This little bit of powder has not been problematic. Anyway, we are buying large amounts of formula (my pumping is not so productive) and this was a sweet and unexpected blessing.
Rebecca will be selling some of her bracelets at an event at our church tomorrow night. Sally Clarkson will be speaking to moms and Rebecca will be one of the vendors. She is excited and a little nervous. She keeps asking if I think anyone will buy one of her bracelets. She is planning to make a sign tomorrow to let people know why she is selling the bracelets (her sweet sister Eliana prompted this outreach) and where the money will be going (all proceeds will benefit children needing heart surgery). If you think of it, say a little prayer for my sweet girl. She is doing a good thing. She has been working very hard to make bracelets this week.
That's all for now. It's 3am and time to go feed Eliana.
Love to you all,
Leslie
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
Time ... where does it go?
I was pondering on my days and have thought for awhile that I might share what a day here looks like. I know that it must be hard to imagine and I would love to have you know. I have had dear friends offer help - and honestly I would LOVE that but some days don't even know what to suggest. I'm so overwhelmed and sleep deprived that my brain has long since stopped being clear. I have loved it when someone just decided to help in some way and then did it. It's hard to know what to ask for sometimes. I really am happy and grateful to receive help though.
Here's what the last 24 hours have looked like at our house.
12:00midnight - Feeding Eliana. She was awake so I first feed her by bottle until she fell asleep. She took an ounce which for her is pretty good these days. Then I hook up her feeding tube. Her feedings involve warming breastmilk/formula and then adding powdered formula to this liquid to boost the calories. Then the liquid is poured into the bag. We check Eliana to make sure her tube placement is stlll correct. This is done by attaching a syringe with air to her feeding tube. Listening to her stomach with a stethoscope while pusing the air into the tube. If the placement is correct, you hear a "whoosh" sound. Thankfully we've always heard that! Feeding by tube takes about an hour - less if she has eaten by bottle.
1:00am - Shut off the pump. Disconnect the pump tube from Eliana's feeding tube. Clean out her tubing with 1cc of water.
Go downstairs and do some prep for dinner for tomorrow. I haven't cooked much at all thanks to many meals delivered to us - but this week I'm cooking.
1:30am - Pump. I'm still trying to express breastmilk. It's hard and my supply is low. She does occasionally nurse which is sweet. I'm still not sure I can hang on much longer. This has been physically and emotionally draining. I often pump for about an hour at a time. :( Prayers for wisdom are always appreciated.
I use this time to check emails and try to respond. I'm really far behind though and don't think I'll be able to catch up. I've greatly appreciated the support I've received via email. It's amazing the good of an encouraging word!!! Don't ever underestimate the powerful effect of encouragment on someone else! I also use this time to read the FIAR website - and to type in my blog.
3:00am - Time for another feeding. After getting Eliana set up and washing some bottles I head to bed. This is typically when I go to sleep. I know - it's too late. Between pumping and feeding it has just been easier to stay awake.
4:00am - Cut off the pump.
6:00am - Eliana's feeding. This one is Roger's turn and I'm thankful to sleep through it!
9:00am - Time for another feeding. When I go to check on Eliana I find that her pump part was not closed and formula has leaked out and onto her bedding. I take Eliana out of the crib and set up another place for her to be fed. I change her diaper and dress her. Give her both meds. Start the feeding. Strip the crib linens and wash them. Start to pump.
10:20am - End Eliana's feeding and my pumping. The children have been watching Liberty Kids on tv and playing. Rebecca does a great job of playing with the boys in the mornings!
Go down to start a crockpot dinner. Talk with the children. Get dinner finished and thankfully check on it a little later. I forgot to plug it in. So glad to have found that mistake now!
11:00am - Check on laundry. Shower and dress. Clean some downstairs. Talk with the children.
Shower and dress. Pack laundry bag. Get children started on lunch.
12:00 noon- Time for the next feeding as well as time to pump. Use this time to read my Bible, pray and read some online.
1:00pm - Stop feeding. Prepare to leave for dr appt. Yes, it is midday and I have done nothing but feed and pump. *sigh* Not all days are quite like this. It's harder when I need to leave the house as I really have to watch the time. It's much easier to just be home!
1:40pm - Cardiology appt at Duke. I'm so thankful to be close to a great medical facility! What a blessing!! Don't have to wait too long. We meet first with a nurse to check on her vitals. I was excited to check on her weight gain. She had gained 7 ounces last week in 5 days remember? It had been 6 days since then. When her weight came up it was in kilos first (I can't translate) and then pounds - 9 pounds and 2.4 ounces. Only a 1.4 ounce weight gain. I was disappointed to say the least.
Met with the cardiologist. Roger came with me to most of the appts during the first 6 or 7 weeks. With a major surgery coming up, we feel it's best that he spend the time at work now and I go to the appts alone. The cardiologist felt that her weight gain was probably due to the amt she was consuming. We hadn't changed her amt with the most recent weight gain - so that is what we are doing now. Up to 85ml per feeding. We are to watch for signs of her not being able to tolerate this amount (spitting up) and then decrease it if that happens. He thinks her heart is doing well. Her med amounts are still good.
I told him that it was driving Roger a little crazy not knowing the surgery date. He said he would work on it. I told him that we were both fine with waiting and even pushing back the estimated date as that would be best for Eliana. Dr. C told me that he thought we'd be able to plan her surgery - and not have to do it as an emergency based on how she was doing. That was great to hear! We should have a 1 to 2 week notice of her surgery to get things lined up at home.
We will see Dr C again in 2 weeks - well, 2 weeks and a day so that we don't have to meet on Christopher's birthday. We'll see the pediatrician next week. I like that Eliana is being monitored so closely. She is in good hands.
3:20pm - Leave dr appt for home. It's never a quick thing to go to a dr anymore.
3:45pm - Arrive home. Exchange feeding bag for a new one. They need to be changed every 24 hours. Prepare formula and then prime the bag so that it is ready to go. Eliana is awake and takes an ounce by bottle. The rest of the feed is done by tube.
4:45pm - Finish the feed.
5:00pm - I pump again. I talk with the children as they wander in. I've used this time for reading aloud and doing some other things with the children - though not as much as I'd like. Visit with my friend.
6:30pm - Work on finishing dinner.
6:45pm - We are off of our 3 hour routine a little bit so I'm adjusting the times until we can get back on schedule. Eliana eats some by bottle and then finishes by tube. When she is finished I eat dinner with the rest of the family. Then we clean up.
8:20pm - Decide to make a quick run to the craft store. Two oldest go with me. This is only the 2nd time I've left the house to run an errand since Eliana has been born. Only the second time I've been without her. Both were short times.
We buy beads at the store. My daughter is making bead bracelets to sell to raise money for other children needing heart surgery. She has been so touched by her sister's heart condition that she wanted to raise money for other children that might not be able to afford it. She has mainly sold bracelets around the neighborhood. She has raised about $80 (I think) so far. I don't really know where she can go to sell these? (If you have ideas - please share them!) I did call a friend who is going to let her sell them at a Mom's event on Fri night at our church. So, she'll be busy making bracelets and working on a sign to prepare for this opportunity.
9:10pm - Arrive home and prepare for another feeding. Admininster meds first. Again she takes a bottle and then finishes by tube.
10:30pm - Pump. Talk with Roger.
Then at midnight we start the feeding cycle again. Some days feel better than this one. I am looking forward to more time with my children tomorrow. I am thankful that they are happy playing, reading books, watching some movies and entertaining each other when I can't be with them. They love their little sister so much and really have done so well with the amount of time and care that she needs. I'm so thankful for that.
If you have hung in this long ... bless you! Not sure if this was interesting or helpful, but this was a day in our lives.
Blessings,
Leslie
Here's what the last 24 hours have looked like at our house.
12:00midnight - Feeding Eliana. She was awake so I first feed her by bottle until she fell asleep. She took an ounce which for her is pretty good these days. Then I hook up her feeding tube. Her feedings involve warming breastmilk/formula and then adding powdered formula to this liquid to boost the calories. Then the liquid is poured into the bag. We check Eliana to make sure her tube placement is stlll correct. This is done by attaching a syringe with air to her feeding tube. Listening to her stomach with a stethoscope while pusing the air into the tube. If the placement is correct, you hear a "whoosh" sound. Thankfully we've always heard that! Feeding by tube takes about an hour - less if she has eaten by bottle.
1:00am - Shut off the pump. Disconnect the pump tube from Eliana's feeding tube. Clean out her tubing with 1cc of water.
Go downstairs and do some prep for dinner for tomorrow. I haven't cooked much at all thanks to many meals delivered to us - but this week I'm cooking.
1:30am - Pump. I'm still trying to express breastmilk. It's hard and my supply is low. She does occasionally nurse which is sweet. I'm still not sure I can hang on much longer. This has been physically and emotionally draining. I often pump for about an hour at a time. :( Prayers for wisdom are always appreciated.
I use this time to check emails and try to respond. I'm really far behind though and don't think I'll be able to catch up. I've greatly appreciated the support I've received via email. It's amazing the good of an encouraging word!!! Don't ever underestimate the powerful effect of encouragment on someone else! I also use this time to read the FIAR website - and to type in my blog.
3:00am - Time for another feeding. After getting Eliana set up and washing some bottles I head to bed. This is typically when I go to sleep. I know - it's too late. Between pumping and feeding it has just been easier to stay awake.
4:00am - Cut off the pump.
6:00am - Eliana's feeding. This one is Roger's turn and I'm thankful to sleep through it!
9:00am - Time for another feeding. When I go to check on Eliana I find that her pump part was not closed and formula has leaked out and onto her bedding. I take Eliana out of the crib and set up another place for her to be fed. I change her diaper and dress her. Give her both meds. Start the feeding. Strip the crib linens and wash them. Start to pump.
10:20am - End Eliana's feeding and my pumping. The children have been watching Liberty Kids on tv and playing. Rebecca does a great job of playing with the boys in the mornings!
Go down to start a crockpot dinner. Talk with the children. Get dinner finished and thankfully check on it a little later. I forgot to plug it in. So glad to have found that mistake now!
11:00am - Check on laundry. Shower and dress. Clean some downstairs. Talk with the children.
Shower and dress. Pack laundry bag. Get children started on lunch.
12:00 noon- Time for the next feeding as well as time to pump. Use this time to read my Bible, pray and read some online.
1:00pm - Stop feeding. Prepare to leave for dr appt. Yes, it is midday and I have done nothing but feed and pump. *sigh* Not all days are quite like this. It's harder when I need to leave the house as I really have to watch the time. It's much easier to just be home!
1:40pm - Cardiology appt at Duke. I'm so thankful to be close to a great medical facility! What a blessing!! Don't have to wait too long. We meet first with a nurse to check on her vitals. I was excited to check on her weight gain. She had gained 7 ounces last week in 5 days remember? It had been 6 days since then. When her weight came up it was in kilos first (I can't translate) and then pounds - 9 pounds and 2.4 ounces. Only a 1.4 ounce weight gain. I was disappointed to say the least.
Met with the cardiologist. Roger came with me to most of the appts during the first 6 or 7 weeks. With a major surgery coming up, we feel it's best that he spend the time at work now and I go to the appts alone. The cardiologist felt that her weight gain was probably due to the amt she was consuming. We hadn't changed her amt with the most recent weight gain - so that is what we are doing now. Up to 85ml per feeding. We are to watch for signs of her not being able to tolerate this amount (spitting up) and then decrease it if that happens. He thinks her heart is doing well. Her med amounts are still good.
I told him that it was driving Roger a little crazy not knowing the surgery date. He said he would work on it. I told him that we were both fine with waiting and even pushing back the estimated date as that would be best for Eliana. Dr. C told me that he thought we'd be able to plan her surgery - and not have to do it as an emergency based on how she was doing. That was great to hear! We should have a 1 to 2 week notice of her surgery to get things lined up at home.
We will see Dr C again in 2 weeks - well, 2 weeks and a day so that we don't have to meet on Christopher's birthday. We'll see the pediatrician next week. I like that Eliana is being monitored so closely. She is in good hands.
3:20pm - Leave dr appt for home. It's never a quick thing to go to a dr anymore.
3:45pm - Arrive home. Exchange feeding bag for a new one. They need to be changed every 24 hours. Prepare formula and then prime the bag so that it is ready to go. Eliana is awake and takes an ounce by bottle. The rest of the feed is done by tube.
4:45pm - Finish the feed.
5:00pm - I pump again. I talk with the children as they wander in. I've used this time for reading aloud and doing some other things with the children - though not as much as I'd like. Visit with my friend.
6:30pm - Work on finishing dinner.
6:45pm - We are off of our 3 hour routine a little bit so I'm adjusting the times until we can get back on schedule. Eliana eats some by bottle and then finishes by tube. When she is finished I eat dinner with the rest of the family. Then we clean up.
8:20pm - Decide to make a quick run to the craft store. Two oldest go with me. This is only the 2nd time I've left the house to run an errand since Eliana has been born. Only the second time I've been without her. Both were short times.
We buy beads at the store. My daughter is making bead bracelets to sell to raise money for other children needing heart surgery. She has been so touched by her sister's heart condition that she wanted to raise money for other children that might not be able to afford it. She has mainly sold bracelets around the neighborhood. She has raised about $80 (I think) so far. I don't really know where she can go to sell these? (If you have ideas - please share them!) I did call a friend who is going to let her sell them at a Mom's event on Fri night at our church. So, she'll be busy making bracelets and working on a sign to prepare for this opportunity.
9:10pm - Arrive home and prepare for another feeding. Admininster meds first. Again she takes a bottle and then finishes by tube.
10:30pm - Pump. Talk with Roger.
Then at midnight we start the feeding cycle again. Some days feel better than this one. I am looking forward to more time with my children tomorrow. I am thankful that they are happy playing, reading books, watching some movies and entertaining each other when I can't be with them. They love their little sister so much and really have done so well with the amount of time and care that she needs. I'm so thankful for that.
If you have hung in this long ... bless you! Not sure if this was interesting or helpful, but this was a day in our lives.
Blessings,
Leslie
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Never a dull moment
I was just pondering this morning thinking I had nothing to write. Things were seeming calm ... and that is a nice thing at times.
It was a beautiful day here and Roger and the children were outside playing. I had just hooked Eliana up to her feeding tube and was trying to finish up some laundry. She started fussing and I thought she probably just wanted to be held. I decided to let her wait a few moments while I finished sorting some things on the bed. (I was in the same room with her.)
Well, when I went over to see her, I could see her tube was across her face. That happens when she moves around. But this looked different. I could see the tape still on her face ... but wait the tubing was green, not clear. She had pulled her tube out again! And during a feeding no less!!! No wonder she was fussing. The tube was still pumping food onto her (a little) and the bedding!
I had to wonder if she just pulled it out quickly. Did she even realize what she was doing? Then as I started thinking about what had happened, I quickly became very thankful that she had not aspirated any of the food into her lungs! Amd that the tubing had come out completely. Thank you God for watching over my baby when I'm not!
Since she had eaten some by bottle and tube, I decided not to try to reinsert the tube until just before her next feeding. It was nice to see her sweet little face without the bandages/tube for a short while.. The bandages seem to irritate her skin some too. It did fade by the time we were ready to put it on again, but it may be worth looking into other options for her.
Roger came in to help insert the tube. We said a quick prayer (and were joined by some sweet FIAR friends in praying too) and then put the tube in. Thankfully it went in smoothly and easily. Roger commented that I was getting to be "an old pro" at this. Not something I really want to be an old pro at though! I am very thankful that it has gone well both times we've had to do it at home.
So, this last tube lasted for 10 days. That was pretty good. I'm hoping for another 10 days on this one.
We will see the cardiologist on Monday for another heart/weight check. She is seeming a little plumper to me. She is also starting to sweat some. I know that was one of the signs we were to look for of more heart failure. I'm not sure if it's that or just the unusually warm weather we are having. I'm sure we'll find out on Monday.
Eliana is seeming more alert these days. I'm sure the increase in calories/weight is helping a lot! She is even fussing more - which is unusual for her. She is also "talking" and smiling much more. I love this part!!! Those cute little "baby conversations". Do you know what I mean? When she coos a litlte something and I answer. Then she "says" a little something else and waits for me to respond. So very sweet!
Hoping for a dull (read "calm") day tomorrow! And if not, that God will walk with us through the tough spots! He is faithful to be with us!
Blessings,
Leslie
It was a beautiful day here and Roger and the children were outside playing. I had just hooked Eliana up to her feeding tube and was trying to finish up some laundry. She started fussing and I thought she probably just wanted to be held. I decided to let her wait a few moments while I finished sorting some things on the bed. (I was in the same room with her.)
Well, when I went over to see her, I could see her tube was across her face. That happens when she moves around. But this looked different. I could see the tape still on her face ... but wait the tubing was green, not clear. She had pulled her tube out again! And during a feeding no less!!! No wonder she was fussing. The tube was still pumping food onto her (a little) and the bedding!
I had to wonder if she just pulled it out quickly. Did she even realize what she was doing? Then as I started thinking about what had happened, I quickly became very thankful that she had not aspirated any of the food into her lungs! Amd that the tubing had come out completely. Thank you God for watching over my baby when I'm not!
Since she had eaten some by bottle and tube, I decided not to try to reinsert the tube until just before her next feeding. It was nice to see her sweet little face without the bandages/tube for a short while.. The bandages seem to irritate her skin some too. It did fade by the time we were ready to put it on again, but it may be worth looking into other options for her.
Roger came in to help insert the tube. We said a quick prayer (and were joined by some sweet FIAR friends in praying too) and then put the tube in. Thankfully it went in smoothly and easily. Roger commented that I was getting to be "an old pro" at this. Not something I really want to be an old pro at though! I am very thankful that it has gone well both times we've had to do it at home.
So, this last tube lasted for 10 days. That was pretty good. I'm hoping for another 10 days on this one.
We will see the cardiologist on Monday for another heart/weight check. She is seeming a little plumper to me. She is also starting to sweat some. I know that was one of the signs we were to look for of more heart failure. I'm not sure if it's that or just the unusually warm weather we are having. I'm sure we'll find out on Monday.
Eliana is seeming more alert these days. I'm sure the increase in calories/weight is helping a lot! She is even fussing more - which is unusual for her. She is also "talking" and smiling much more. I love this part!!! Those cute little "baby conversations". Do you know what I mean? When she coos a litlte something and I answer. Then she "says" a little something else and waits for me to respond. So very sweet!
Hoping for a dull (read "calm") day tomorrow! And if not, that God will walk with us through the tough spots! He is faithful to be with us!
Blessings,
Leslie
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
This ought to make you smile ...
as it sure did us!!! I just love big wide-mouthed baby smiles. You can't help but smile back at them! Roger caught this smile in his first attempt at a picture. Didn't he do a great job?!
As a note of encouragment, a friend from the FIAR boards wrote to tell me that in her experience early smiles were a positive indicator of good things to come developmentally! We hope so. For now, we are just enjoying seeing happiness and delight in our little girls eyes and her beautiful smile!
Enjoy!
As a note of encouragment, a friend from the FIAR boards wrote to tell me that in her experience early smiles were a positive indicator of good things to come developmentally! We hope so. For now, we are just enjoying seeing happiness and delight in our little girls eyes and her beautiful smile!
Enjoy!
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
7 Ounces!!!
Yippee!!!! (I need some more icons here! Where is the one doing the happy dance?!!) Eliana had her ped appointment today and she has gained 7 ounces in the last 5 days!!! That is her biggest gain yet! 
Our ped is thrilled - and so are we! Eliana currently weighs 9 pounds and 1 ounce. (Still smaller than her next oldest sibling at birth.)
Our ped was also very happy with how her heart sounds, her movement (much more active now), her oral motor skills (she is trying to suck her thumb/hand and is pretty persistant) and even her body/head control. It was really a good visit.
She even commented that based on how Eliana is looking now we might be able to wait until April to have surgery. I really want to get us out of this "yuck" season. So many of our friends have been hit with this too - it's just everywhere! Makes you want to stay inside and at home for sure!
Our next dr appt is on Monday with the cardiologist. How nice it is to only have 1 dr appt this week. (What a comment from someone that is used to going many many months between appts for our children!)
That's all for now. Don't know that I have time to get into the many other things on my heart - like nursing/pumping and how much to keep trying as well as schooling my children and working to creatively do this while we are dealing with such huge life issues with Eliana. We continue to appreciate the support and encouragment from so many people. I'm waaaaay behind on answering emails - but please know that I appreciate them so very much!
With love and a happy heart,
Leslie
Our ped is thrilled - and so are we! Eliana currently weighs 9 pounds and 1 ounce. (Still smaller than her next oldest sibling at birth.) Our ped was also very happy with how her heart sounds, her movement (much more active now), her oral motor skills (she is trying to suck her thumb/hand and is pretty persistant) and even her body/head control. It was really a good visit.
She even commented that based on how Eliana is looking now we might be able to wait until April to have surgery. I really want to get us out of this "yuck" season. So many of our friends have been hit with this too - it's just everywhere! Makes you want to stay inside and at home for sure!
Our next dr appt is on Monday with the cardiologist. How nice it is to only have 1 dr appt this week. (What a comment from someone that is used to going many many months between appts for our children!)
That's all for now. Don't know that I have time to get into the many other things on my heart - like nursing/pumping and how much to keep trying as well as schooling my children and working to creatively do this while we are dealing with such huge life issues with Eliana. We continue to appreciate the support and encouragment from so many people. I'm waaaaay behind on answering emails - but please know that I appreciate them so very much!
With love and a happy heart,
Leslie
Good health
is such a blessing!!! It takes having it removed sometimes to really appreciate the joy of feeling well. Having experienced a difficult last year with my health (Hyperemesis Gravidarum) during pregnancy, I have so appreciated days when I felt well and was able to eat.
I am thankful to report that all of my family is feeling well! I am so thankful that Eliana has remained well! Isaiah, our 5yo, also managed to escape this illness. He was very lonely being the only well one and was so glad when he was able to be with everyone else.
We have a ped appointment today for another weight check. We have been adding the additional powdered formula to boost the calorie content of her feeds. Hopefully this has helped. I can't really tell. She seems content most of the time - and sleeps most of the rest of it.
Praising God for good health today. I hope you are experiencing this blessing as well!
With love,
Leslie
I am thankful to report that all of my family is feeling well!
I am so thankful that Eliana has remained well! Isaiah, our 5yo, also managed to escape this illness. He was very lonely being the only well one and was so glad when he was able to be with everyone else.We have a ped appointment today for another weight check. We have been adding the additional powdered formula to boost the calorie content of her feeds. Hopefully this has helped. I can't really tell. She seems content most of the time - and sleeps most of the rest of it.
Praising God for good health today. I hope you are experiencing this blessing as well!
With love,
Leslie
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Picture of the children
I so wanted a picture of all of the children at Christmas. I had thought it would be a neat thing to share with others as well as to have for my scrapbook. Well, with all of the illness that hit our house after Eliana came home, we found it was mid-January before we could get our Christmas picture! This one is the best of the bunch.
Better and worse
Well, it's a new day. I'm feeling much better emotionally than I was yesterday. It's hard to feel so low, so sad and scared and frustrated. I'm sure I'll have those times again and am thankful for the friends that are walking beside me during these struggles.
I've been reminded of many verses in the Bible in which God is here with me - through it all - no matter how I'm feeling. One of my favorites is from the book of Isaiah when God says that He will be with me when I walk through the fire and when I am in a storm. It isn't if, but when. I've been blessed not to have many huge trials yet in my life. I'm in the middle of a big one right now though. I'm hoping and praying to emerge better on the other side of it - and eagerly looking forward to reaching the other side. It isn't in sight yet though.
On the physical side - I'm sick too.
My 2yo got sick in the middle of the night and didn't even wake up! Poor little fellow. I got sick a few hours later. *sigh* I was really hoping to be spared this sickness. I was very thankful that I missed the sickness that wiped out my entire family (except for Eliana) just after she was born. I'm not surprised though as my body is so wiped out I'm not sure how it could fight off much.
Please continue to pray for Eliana. I'm worried about her getting it as it would be so hard on her body. I think it would be difficult for a healthy newborn - much less one with a heart like hers. Our 5yo is also still well and I'm hoping he'll miss it too. About all we can do at this point is "wash our hands" like crazy and limit Eliana's exposure. My ped also encouraged me to give her as much breastmilk as possible to help protect her. I'm pumping now and hoping to be able to help my sweet little girl in this way.
We are thinking that we probably have a virus that seems to be sweeping through our city. It's a relatively mild virus, but the downsides are that it is very contagious and that you remain contagious for up to 72 hours afterwards instead of the normal 24 hours. That just makes keeping everything clean, kids away from their baby sister and trying to get well all the harder. We've taken so many precautions to stay well. The children and I typically go nowhere during the week! We've cut out much of our activities and the dr appts we've added in are usually only Eliana and I. Guess we can only do our best and it still is out of our control.
That's all for now. We appreciate your prayers as always.
I've been reminded of many verses in the Bible in which God is here with me - through it all - no matter how I'm feeling. One of my favorites is from the book of Isaiah when God says that He will be with me when I walk through the fire and when I am in a storm. It isn't if, but when. I've been blessed not to have many huge trials yet in my life. I'm in the middle of a big one right now though. I'm hoping and praying to emerge better on the other side of it - and eagerly looking forward to reaching the other side. It isn't in sight yet though.
On the physical side - I'm sick too.
My 2yo got sick in the middle of the night and didn't even wake up! Poor little fellow. I got sick a few hours later. *sigh* I was really hoping to be spared this sickness. I was very thankful that I missed the sickness that wiped out my entire family (except for Eliana) just after she was born. I'm not surprised though as my body is so wiped out I'm not sure how it could fight off much.Please continue to pray for Eliana. I'm worried about her getting it as it would be so hard on her body. I think it would be difficult for a healthy newborn - much less one with a heart like hers. Our 5yo is also still well and I'm hoping he'll miss it too. About all we can do at this point is "wash our hands" like crazy and limit Eliana's exposure. My ped also encouraged me to give her as much breastmilk as possible to help protect her. I'm pumping now and hoping to be able to help my sweet little girl in this way.
We are thinking that we probably have a virus that seems to be sweeping through our city. It's a relatively mild virus, but the downsides are that it is very contagious and that you remain contagious for up to 72 hours afterwards instead of the normal 24 hours. That just makes keeping everything clean, kids away from their baby sister and trying to get well all the harder. We've taken so many precautions to stay well. The children and I typically go nowhere during the week! We've cut out much of our activities and the dr appts we've added in are usually only Eliana and I. Guess we can only do our best and it still is out of our control.
That's all for now. We appreciate your prayers as always.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Battered and broken
I'm feeling so overwhelmed and broken right now. Please pray. We have 4 family members sick with some sort of stomach virus. I'm hoping and praying that the rest of us don't come down with it. (The 3 youngest children and I are currently well.) I'm thankful for friends - one who brought some food for us and many others that are praying. My precious best friend has been over here helping me some today - please pray that she stays well too!
I'm still trying to pump and nurse Eliana. Today has been very difficult though. I don't want this to be what ends our trying to nurse.
I'm also trying to deal with other news which is breaking my heart. It's not mine to share yet.
ETA: Wanted to share a sweet moment today. I was holding Eliana and asked her "Do you love Mommy?" She responded with the biggest smile I've seen to date! It was just the right answer when I wasn' expecting one at all.
I know God is with me, but I'm feeling incredibly beat up right now. I've more than passed my limit. I have been sobbing all day long and am just worn out - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
I'm still trying to pump and nurse Eliana. Today has been very difficult though. I don't want this to be what ends our trying to nurse.
I'm also trying to deal with other news which is breaking my heart. It's not mine to share yet.
ETA: Wanted to share a sweet moment today. I was holding Eliana and asked her "Do you love Mommy?" She responded with the biggest smile I've seen to date! It was just the right answer when I wasn' expecting one at all.
I know God is with me, but I'm feeling incredibly beat up right now. I've more than passed my limit. I have been sobbing all day long and am just worn out - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Picture of Eliana at the hospital
She has her feeding tube in - but is still a cutie! 
Yes, her hair does stick straight up like that! We've tried combing it in a variety of ways after she is bathed, but when it dries, it sticks straight up. My oldest son loves her hair. Actually we get comments on her great hair wherever we go. After having had 5 "bald" babies, seeing all of this hair was quite a surprise. She definitely has personality!
Yes, her hair does stick straight up like that! We've tried combing it in a variety of ways after she is bathed, but when it dries, it sticks straight up. My oldest son loves her hair. Actually we get comments on her great hair wherever we go. After having had 5 "bald" babies, seeing all of this hair was quite a surprise. She definitely has personality!
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