Wednesday, December 31, 2008

3 pounds 10 ounces




Our big girl gained 50 grams yesterday to make her 3 pounds 10 ounces (1650 grams). Yipee!! Four pounds should be here before we know it...that is the size that most babies can hold their own temperature. They lowered the dextrose in her IV fluids today and her blood sugar level were great. Her bottle feedings are still hit and miss...she takes one but then is asleep for the next one. Aaron took these pictures when I was trying to keep her awake before her feeding but she fell asleep anyway...but we got some great pictures of the baby girl.

Pray for her continued weight gain, blood sugar levels to continue to improve, and overall good health.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Big yawn


Ella is now 3 pounds 8 ounces (1600 grams) and we're still working on her bottle feedings...when Aaron and I pray over our food we always pray that God will bless her food as well and lately I have included that she have a hunger for it. The specialist came by today that is working with her on her blood sugar levels and said in a couple of days he wants to do a test to see if her patuitary gland(don't know how to spell it) is communicating well with the rest of her body (making the right amount of insulin and such). Pray for her blood sugar to level out...I know she is a miracle and that God's hand is on her.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Many faces of Ella





I got a little camera happy today and captured some of Ella's expressions and I thought you guys might like to see them and we also put her in a onesie for the first time and she is sooo cute(if I do say so myself). She is still doing ok (about half of the full feed) with the bottle feedings and gained 20 grams yesterday. They are wanting to remove the broviac next week hopefully Monday as long as the surgeon is available. (it has to be removed surgically)

Pray for her glucose levels to stay stable, a surgeon to be available when we want to remove the broviac, weight gain, and overall health.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Bottle feedings


Ella is now bottle feeding every other feeding and takes the whole amount some of the time and other times takes about half. She lost 20 grams last night but it is expected because of the increase in bottle feedings which use more calories than tube feedings. They are weaning her off the IV fluids and hopefully by the end of the week she will be off the glucose and holding her sugar levels steady. (pray for her glucose levels to stabilize on their own) If she is stable without the IV fluids they will remove the broviac IV which has made a sore on her chest(possibly from friction because she was sooo small when they put it in) and it's time for it to go.

Overall, our little princess is doing well and every day brings us closer to home. Pray for her continued weight gain and overall good health.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Christmas due date

Ella's due date was originally Christmas Day and on the 25th, I was filled with wishful thinking about what it would be like if she was born that day instead of in September, but I realized I can't look back at what might have been. I have had the priviledge of getting to know Ella in a way that I couldn't had I not been standing by her bedside for the last 14 weeks, I can talk to her and it calms her down because she knows my voice since she hears it everyday. I also know exactly how to calm her down and I know what makes her mad and in this way I am blessed that I have had the chance in get to know her in her new womb.

Our big girl is now 3 pounds 7 ounces (1550 grams) and is eating from a bottle every other feeding. The projection is that we will get to take her home in a month (which is now 3 more weeks) and we are busy getting everything ready at the house. I have to admit that I am getting excited about the prospect of going home with our princess and getting back to our life. I have learned so much about myself, Aaron, and Ella since I have been in SA and now I am ready to start the new chapter in our lives....

Pray for Ella's liver, lungs(they are still sick even though she is off the oxygen), feedings to go well(this will determine when we go home), and glucose levels(she will be taken off the sugar in her IV fluids and needs to hold her own).

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Great report


The eye doctor came by today to look at Ella's eyes and he said that they looked great and only wants to see her one more time before she goes home, and our nurse Pat commented that it was about time that we got a great report. Our little girl lost 30 grams but gained them back last night so we are back to 1470 grams (3 pounds 4 ounces) and are praying for 1500 grams tonight. Ella needs to gain weight so she can regulate her own temperature (still has to be in the heat of the isolette), have a balanced glucose level, and all her internal systems be balanced(liver, etc)

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Just chillin'



Ella is now a gigantic 3 pounds 4 ounces (1470 grams). She is doing well on her feeds, but is still on the IV nutrition to help her continue to gain weight. She is drinking her milk from a bottle twice a day and drinks the whole feed about half the time, which is a start. Our little girl is becoming a big girl now and yesterday was chillin' with daddy while resting on the boppy pillow and soon will enjoy the swing that we bought her today. She enjoys sitting up in her bed and looking around if someone is talking to her (she wants to be the center of attention, just like any princess would) and gets bored in her bed. We were looking online for some car seats today because they have to put her in it and she must pass the car seat study before we are allowed to put her in the car and head for home(no irregular heart beats - brady episodes, and very little desating - oxygen going low). Our homegoing is getting close (I made up that word...hahaha) and we are excited about bringing our girl to Victoria.

Pray that she continues to gain weight and her broviac stays free of infection because we don't need any set backs.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Santa visits the Nicu




Santa came to the NICU today to take pictures with the babies and Ella wins the award for best outfit which I bought at the Build-a-Bear workshop(the contest is only in my head). : ) She was Santa's favorite elf.

She is still 3 pounds 1 ounce but gained 20 grams (1400). They raised her feeds to 22cc over an hour and we now work with her bottle feeding twice a day. The bottle feedings are going well but hit or miss, sometimes she takes the whole feeding and other times just a few cc's. It's a start.

Today was a busy day for our elf and she is currently crashed out in her bed. Pray that her feedings at the new level go well and she continues to grow.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Much Thanks

Many thanks to Mary Thomas and her band of helpers - Melody Bohac, Sharon K, Haley, and Courtney (and anyone else I haven't mentioned) for working sooo hard to make Ella's nursery a thing of beauty. I haven't got enough words to express how much it means to have her nursery ready for her to come back to and I wanted you guys to know that we send blessings and love for your hard work and gifts.

I can't wait to share the blessings that we have received with someone else in need. Thank you again Mary, Melody, and Sharon, we love you!

Canula go bye bye



Ella is now off the nasal canula (no more oxygen). YIPEE!! She is doing great without it and is showing us that she is a big girl. She is still on 17.5 cc of milk and the IV nutrition but when she gets to 1400 grams the doctor will take away some of the IV and increase the feedings. I am anxious for the feedings to increase because this will mean we are closer to going home on full feeds. She is now 3 pounds 1 ounce (1380 grams)and I am ready for her grow...grow...grow!!

Here are some pictures of the big girl without her nasal canula, pray for her nose to go back into shape after the weeks of wearing the canula and for her to gain weight so everything else can fall into place

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Loud day

Ella is now 3 pounds 1 ounce and doing great. Today the bed next to us was a loud game of musical beds. There were 3 babies that came and went in a matter of 2 hours(transfered to another area since they were doing good) and the noise level kept our princess awake. She is also down to half a liter on her oxygen and that meant she had to get a different canula which means removing the tape from the old one and putting on a new one and that means more irritation. Then, the therapist came by and worked with her on bottle feedings...so...all of that together made our little girl fussy (no nap before noon feeding). She is now sleeping well in her bed and the neighbor next door is there for the time being so hopefully the noise level stays low. She is used to a certain amount of noise here in the NICU because there are always alarms going off, oxygen machines making noise, phones ringing...well...you get the picture, but today it even made me fussy. : )

I am having fun hanging out with the little girl because she has times where she interacts with me and acts like a full term baby instead of a preemie. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter. Pray for continued health, growth, and for the bowels, and liver to thrive.

Monday, December 15, 2008

3 Pounds!!


Ella is now 3 pounds!! Yeah!! Today our little princess looked soo beautiful and healthy and it was the fantastic thing that I had been hoping for. She is really starting to fill out and is acting like a big girl. When we worked with her on bottle feeding she drank the whole thing. (now she just needs to do that for every feeding but it's a start) Everyone that came by our corner of the NICU couldn't get over how far she has come but we know that God has his hand on her and isn't letting go. Here is a picture of her when the therapist was working with her bottle feeding. (I put a shirt on her today since she is a big girl now.)

Pray for her to continue growing, more bottle feedings, and overall health.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Little girl

Our little girl is now 2 pounds 15 ounces and counting...yipee!! Ella is doing good they have lowered her oxygen liters to 1.5 which is great and hopefully she will be off of it soon...(i look for it to happen this week). She is now having more times of alertness and is proving that she is a big girl even though she may be petite : )

She gets to take a picture with Santa in the Nicu and I'm sooo excited because it might be the first time she wears clothes. This probably sounds strange to most of you guys but because of all the tubes, wires, and such she hasn't been able to cover them but now she is getting bigger.

Pray for Ella's lungs,liver(the IV nutrition isn't good for it), digestion, and for her continued growth.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

2 pounds 14 ounces

Yeah!!! Almost 3 pound!!! Our girl is now 2 pounds 14 ounces (1310 grams) and is doing well. They are still giving her the iv nutrition along with the milk and today they added MCT which is an oil that provides more calories but without the bulk of the nutrition fortifier. We need her to continue to gain weight so all the other problems can go away.

I got to go home for a baby shower and the question everyone wanted to know is how much does she have to weigh before she gets to go home and that is a tough question. There isn't actually a perfect number, it is more about how she is doing in all areas: can she drink enough to grow, breath on her own, stable blood sugars, liver functioning well...just to name a few. So, there isn't a magic number to look for - there is an overall wellness to achieve. I do see the light at the end of the tunnel and my daily prayer is that Ella continues to improve so we can all go HOME!!

Pray for her continued digestive health, lungs to get stronger (we may be off the canula on Monday), and for her to grow...grow...grow.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

2 pounds 11 ounces

Our girl is now 2 pounds 11 ounces (1230 grams) which is 3 times her birth weight(396 grams)....wow! Her feedings have been increased again (yipee) and she is still on the TPN (iv nutrition) so the weight gain should continue. Her oxygen has been lowered again and I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel...hopefully we will be off the canula soon.

Someone came by our corner of the NICU today and in the course of conversation asked when we were going home, and our response was "who knows." We have hopes for certain days but here in the NICU it's not a good idea to set your sights on a date because it can lead to disappointment...so...for now we are praying that it is soon.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008




Ella is now 2 pounds 10 ounces (1190 grams). She is doing well on her feedings but they are keeping her on the TPN (iv nutrition) for now to help her gain weight. We began working with her on her bottle feeding again today and she is doing good but will just need to get back in the swing of things. They are working on lowering the flow on her oxygen so maybe we can take the canula out of her nose (I can't wait).

Here are some photos of the big girl...my favorite is her Elvis lip : )

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Status quo

Ella weighs the same today which is actually a blessing because she was sooo fussy at the hydascan that I thought she would lose weight. Her feeds have been increased by half a cc and hopefully she gets more tomorrow.(I would rather she get more today :( Overall our little girl is doing well just needs to grow...grow...grow...

I have to admit that I am weary. Weary of the same...status quo. I'm ready for some fantastic changes and big improvements. Pray for Ella's bowels, lungs, and infection to stay away.

Monday, December 8, 2008

More please

They have increased Ella's feedings to 6.5ml and so far she is doing well. The reason the feeds have not been increased more is to find the balance between the iv nutrition and the feeds so she can grow...grow...grow. They did a hydascan on her liver today and she was not a happy camper about it because she had to lay there for an hour or so. There will be a follow-up scan tomorrow that will take about 10 minutes or so and we should get the results in a few days. She also had an eye exam and the eye doctor said everything looked good and doesn't need to see her for another two weeks(which is a good sign).

Today was a very busy day for our little girl and she is sleeping like a log after her field trip for the scan. Pray for a good report from the scan, her bowels to continue to clear, and her lungs to get stronger.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Hungry girl

Ella is still getting a small amount of milk because her bowels still have air in them. Hopefully when her doctor comes back tomorrow he will increase the dose because she is a hungry girl. She definitely has her spunk back and is letting us know that she is hungry.

Pray for her bowels to clear and lungs to get stronger.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Feeding begins

They have started Ella's feeds again and she is doing well with it. Her belly is soft again today and she is back to herself again...hungry and letting us know about it. Hopefully in the morning they will increase her feeds and get back to where she was before they stopped the feeds. The doctor increased the liters on her oxygen because the x-ray showed that her lungs were smaller and the increased liters will help. The lungs could be smaller because her belly was swollen but he didn't want to take that chance. She also lost 30 grams today but it was expected since she is only getting a small amount of food.

Pray for her lungs, belly to continue to improve, and for her to gain weight.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Where's the beef?

They stopped Ella's feeds today...again. :( She is still a little girl and we have found that her stomach can only handle certain things before it becomes bloated and tight and they stop the feeds. This time, it was the cornstarch which was being used to level out her sugar levels but also made her bloated. Our fiesty girl was not quite her normal self today and when her nurse took her blood sugar she didn't complain which is not like her at all. However, by the end of the day she was cranky (which is actually a good sign) and fussy whenever I changed her diaper and took her temperature. Hopefully, they will start the feeds in the morning and our doctor is going to continue the IV nutrition even after the feeds are started because she needs to gain weight desperatly. Also, the glucose in the IV will regulate her sugar levels until she gains weight and her body is able to produce it on her own. Unfortunatly this is a double edged sword, because the IV nutrition (TPN) causes problems with her liver but without the extra nutrition she is not gaining weight like we want her too. (also, the extra calories in the TPN shouldn't cause her to bloat like calories added to her milk)

Pray for her liver that it will bounce back after the TPN and that her belly and bowels go back to normal. Also, pray for her to gain weight and grow...grow...grow

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Preemie day

Ella has lost 40 grams and is having a preemie day. Her belly is big again and they are taking x-rays and watching it closely but have not stopped the feeds (thank you Jesus). They are thinking that because she is drinking from the bottle twice a day she is using more calories and this is why she lost weight. This is a preemie day.L Life in the NICU is a roller coaster ride and we look forward to tomorrow.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Old hat

Ella is now 2 pounds 8 ounces!!!(1120 grams) She is drinking from the bottle twice a day and so far drinks about half of what she eats over the hour, which makes her fuller faster and a little cranky(because her belly is full faster) but still growing. Her blood sugar levels are doing better just keep praying that they continue to be stable.

The chaplain of the NICU came by our little corner of the world today (he comes by and visits often) and we were talking about how we have now become old hats at the NICU spouting out the lingo like pros and discussing things like bilirubin, broviacs, Q3,CBC, ROP, etc...etc... The 11 weeks (can you believe it) that Ella has been in the NICU so far have been an education, and also an eye opening experience to see how far God has taken her and us, and in faith to see forward and know that she is going to have an amazing life that is built on the mountains that she has already climbed.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Baby girl


Ella is still the same weight but has not lost which is a silver lining. Her blood sugar levels are still fluxtuating and it's frustrating because that means she gets her sugar tested every three hours before she eats. Because she did so well with the bottle feeding yesterday, they are going to bottle feed (or nippling as they call it) her twice a day. This morning she took 10cc from the bottle which is half of what she gets. Ella is 37 weeks even though she is still small so this is what she should be doing.

Our little girl has gotten used to having us around and likes being held when she gets fussy so when she gets home we will have our work cut out for us.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Another Monday in SA

Ella is now 2 pounds 7 ounces (1090 grams). Today, she drank 15cc from a bottle but exhausted herself in the process so tomorrow we will take it slower. Her blood sugar levels are still in flux so they have started giving her cornstarch so the sugar will stay with her longer and help regulate her levels. Every day in the NICU brings us closer to going home.

Pray for her lungs to get stronger, broviac IV to stay viable and free of infection, digestion and bowels to work well, and to gain weight and get bigger.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Still growing...


Ella is still 2 pounds 6 ounces but gained 10 grams so she is 1080 grams. Her glucose levels continue to fluctuate but they are managing it well. Overall she is doing good but just needs to grow, grow, grow!!!

Here is a picture of Ella chillin' in her bed with the giant pacifier that she uses to get used to the size of the bottle's nipple. Also, you will see that her hand is gone on the right arm but is healing very well and looks good. Sometimes I see it and think about the future and what it will hold for her...will it be difficult when she goes to school, or will she be as confident as I hope in my heart. All of the nurses that pass through our corner of the NICU always comment about how much personality Ella has despite her small size and this gives me comfort. I know God has given her talents and gifts that will sustain her through the difficulties that will arise from missing her hand and my daily prayer for her is that she continues to shine her light and touch others just like she does now from the NICU(via the internet :)

Saturday, November 29, 2008

2 pounds 6 ounces


Ella is now 2 pounds 6 ounces (1070 grams). Her feeds are up to 20ml and she is doing well on them but her glucose levels are still up and down. The tests to find out why her levels are up and down came back normal and they are now thinking that it is due to her prematurity. After she grows, this should be normal because her body will be able to keep up with the glucose levels on it's own. Her oxygen levels are doing well and every day she seems to be more grown up in many ways. Today she decided that she needed to be held because she was fussy and it was the only way to comfort her. (this is a big girl thing to do and I didn't mind doing it at all)

Here is a picture of me holding Ella while she is wrapped in a blanket sporting her dad's favorite college team.

Pray for her lungs to keep growing, her glucose levels to straighten out, for her to gain weight and grow!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Good news

They have started Ella's feeds again (slowly) and she is having only a slight residual(food left in the belly). After checking her lab work for possible infections and looking at x-rays and everything that she has gone through in the past 24 hours they decided to begin the feeds again and watch her results. This was a great blessing for me because I could not stand the thoughts of watching the little girl hungry again. Now, she needs to gain weight because for the past 2 nights she has lost and since they stopped the feeds for a few hours it will take some time before they are able to increase the calories which will help with the weight gain.

Pray for Ella's bowels and digestion along with her glucose levels and lungs.

Big Belly


They have stopped Ella's feeds again because her belly is swollen and there is too much air in her bowels. Once again she is having a preemie day and we are having a tough thanksgiving because the little girl doesn't get to eat any food. They are doing a complete round of tests to find out exactly what might be wrong because her color is a little off as well. They have started her on two antibiotics and in faith I am believing that any infection is stopped before it starts.

On another note, Ella's right hand came off yesterday and the skin underneath looks very good. She didn't seem to mind that it is gone as the picture can attest (it was taken right after it happened) but I did have some moments of mourning. Seeing her right arm without a hand attached to it was very shocking to me at first but now that I am used to it I can see that she will be just fine.

Pray for her to get back on the feeds and for infection to STAY AWAY!

Monday, November 24, 2008

1060 grams

Ella is now 2 pound 5 ounces which is also 1060 grams. She is doing well however her blood sugar dropped below the number and they took the blood today for the tests. They ordered fewer tests so they did not need to give her blood to replace it and she did well when they were taking it so all is well. Right now she needs to grow and the systems in her body need to fall into place.

Pray for her ability to get her nurishment from a bottle (it will mean she gets to go home sooner), her liver function, glucose levels, lung function, and growth.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

2 pounds 4 ounces

Ella is now 2 pounds 4 ounces(1020 grams)!! Our little girl is growing by leaps and bounds and eveyone here is sooo excited. So far, her blood sugar has been higher than before and they still have not had to take the blood for the tests. Continue to pray that her glucose levels remain stable and they never have to take the blood (it means an additional IV line and giving her a blood transfusion because of the large amount needed). Lungs are doing well, but they still need to grow just like the rest of her. The tube in her throat has not been bothering her lately(thank you, Jesus) so pray that is stays this way until they can remove it. We are still working with her taking a bottle, but lately she has not been as excited as she was in the beginning, so pray that she gets stronger and is able to get her nurishment from the bottle or breast instead of the feeding tube. (this could delay her going home if she isn't able to do it).

Friday, November 21, 2008

Still growing...and growing...

Ella is now 2 pounds 1 ounce today!! She is still doing well on her blood sugar and the level hasn't gone below the number where they have to take blood for the tests. They were able to lower the pressure on her oxygen and she is still doing well on it. We are looking forward to the time when she can get off the nasal canula. We practice with Ella drinking from a bottle or breastfeeding everyday and today we found out that we might have to feed her with an tube down her throat after she goes home if she is not able to drink enough from a bottle. My prayer is that she continues to improve with her sucking so we don't have to use the feeding tube.

Pray that she continues to grow, lungs improve, gets a good report from the eye doctor(Monday), improves her bottle feeding, and sugar levels stay stable.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Two Pounds!!


Ella is now two pounds!! Our smiling girl is doing great with her feeds and her bowels are working well. Her blood sugars have been good so they have been lowering the glucose in her IV fluids and if the level reaches below a certain number they will be doing the tests to find out why. (I'm believing that she has leveled and won't need the tests) Right now she needs to continue gaining weight.

The therapists are working with her everyday on her sucking and today she drank 5cc from a bottle...she is a big girl now! Pray for her sugar levels to continue improving, her bowels to keep improving, and her lungs to get stronger.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Say cheese!


You guys are lucky today because I actually got a picture of Ella smiling so enjoy. (I did) So far her feeds are going well except today she discovered her gag reflex and started spitting up because of the tube in her throat so now it is even more important that her lungs get stronger so they can remove her oxygen in her nose and remove the tube in her throat. We use the bottle today and Ella did very well but it will still be some time before she can get all her nurishment from the bottle or breastfeeding. Her blood sugar levels are doing well but in case they go down again they will do the tests to find out why.

Pray for lungs to get stronger, bowels to continue to function well, and blood sugar levels to stay normal.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

1 pound 15 ounces


Ella is now 1 pound 15 ounces and is doing good. Her blood sugar levels are still up and down and they will be running some tests to determine why if her levels go low again. This is one of the things that you deal with when your child is in the NICU the roller coaster ride of preemies. We tried breastfeeding with our little girl today and she did well, her sucking reflex seems to be working well. Her gestational age is actually 35 weeks but her size is still smaller than that. She now has a speech therapist, physical therapist, and occupational therapist that will be working with her each week on her development. Our little girl has lots of specialists : )

Here is a picture of me holding Ella before we tried breastfeeding. Pray for Ella's blood sugar levels, bowels, liver function, and lungs.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Full tummy

Ella gained 10 grams but is still 1 pound 14 ounces. Last night they were worried about her girth (measurement of her tummy) being too big and so they changed her feedings instead of halting them. Thank you Jesus!! She is now eating 14ml in 1 hour and they vent her tummy (help the air escape) for two hours. They have also started her on medicine that will help her bowels clear. Our prayer is that she will not have to stop the feedings again since that has delayed her release from the hospital for another week. Her sugar levels have been good and hopefully tomorrow they will be able to lower her glucose level in her IV fluid.

Continue to pray for Ella's digestion, lungs to get stronger, and also her liver function.

Friday, November 14, 2008

1 pound 14 ounces


The little girl is getting bigger everyday now that she is back on her feeds. All of her levels are starting to bounce back from the days of no food and she gained 40 grams and is now at 1 pound 14 ounces(840 grams). Today, the occupational therapist came to work with Ella on drinking from a bottle, look at her head for proper shape and arms and legs for joint movement. The therapist will continue working with our big girl because she still has a way to go but she was sucking on her new pacifier with gusto so that gives me hope.

Pray for Ella's liver function because the days when she was off of her feeds has sent it backwards a little, also pray for her continued feedings and her lungs to get stronger.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

World still turns

Ella is up to 13ml of milk every three hours, and they will increase it by 1ml every twelve hours. So far, she is digesting all the milk and our big girl is 1 pound 12 ounces now (800 grams) and I'm sure will be up to 1000 grams in no time.

Today Ella and I had a visit from some pastor friends of ours from out of town and their prayer over her was a blessing and a balm to my tired soul. I know that I sound melodramatic, but here in the NICU we have made new friends but they only know the Christy that has a daughter in the hospital. The prayer for Ella today was my past touching her future and it made me believe even more that she is going to have an amazing story that will touch people in ways that I could not. God has given our super girl a ministry and she is only 1 pound 12 ounces.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Breathing easy


They have taken Ella off the ventilator today and will start feeding her again at noon. They have to start slowly with only 3cc of milk because her bowels were also asleep when they did the surgery but we are believing that this is just the beginning and she will be back up to regular feedings in no time. Our little fighter is resting well today after her upset yesterday and came through with flying colors. It does my heart good to see her resting comfortably and sucking on her pacifier with gusto : ) (here is a picture of the little foot)

The last week has brought many set backs to our super girl, but I see the tide turning back in our favor. Over the last two days we have had several clergy members visit our little corner and I don't think it is coincidence because God knows just when we need to know that He sees our needs before we even ask. Pray for Ella's digestion that she will be able to get more food soon because our little girl needs to be a big girl. Also, remember her eyes in prayer because we believe that the surgery was a success.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Eye surgery

Ella had laser eye surgery today to stop the growth of the veins in her eyes that if not stopped could detach her retinas. They had to put her back on the ventilator to do the surgery because of the sedation and it will be removed as soon as she wakes up. Right now our prayer is that the surgery corrected the problem and she will not need additional surgery which will mean a trip to Houston.

It was rough for me today because Ella was crying when they took her away for the surgery. Even knowing that she will not remember the pain of her first months of life it's still hard watching your child go through pain. Thank you to everyone that is praying for Ella and us because we need them.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Baby blues

Ella's food has been increased again today to 9ml and so far no residuals (our little girl is a hungry one). Her tummy is soft again but continue to pray for her digestion and bowels that they stay clear of infection.

Ella had her follow-up eye exam today and the eye doctor says that she will need laser surgery on both her eyes to stop the veins that have continued to grow when they shouldn't. The surgery will be on Tuesday evening or Wednesday so remember Ella in your prayers because we don't want any complications and we need the veins to stop or it will require further surgery.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Little bites


They started Ella's food again last night and increased it today at 9:00am and then again at 6:00pm. So far she has only had residuals (food left in her tummy) once and that was probably because she was laying on her back and they don't digest well that way. We are praying that she continues to tolerate her feedings and her bowels do not swell again. This has set her release date back even further but hopefully she is back to moving forward.

I have to admit that when they stopped her feedings on Friday I was ready to raise my fist in the air and yell at God because this little girl has been through more in her short life than I have in my long one. Watching her cry and toss around because she was hungry and all the while I couldn't do anything about it broke my heart. However, this morning I had a revelation. I went to a church here in San Antonio and they had communion at the end of the service and it made me cry. Is what I'm feeling about Ella even close to the feelings that God felt as he allowed His son to die? Don't misunderstand how I am feeling, I am not at all glad that she is going through this set back but I now see more clearly that if God was willing to go through the pain of giving up His son for us then wouldn't He also be watching out for Ella. She is a child of God just like all of us and He knows her every tear.

Pray for Ella's digestion and that the bowels will not be swollen anymore. Also, pray for her lungs to mature.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Where's the beef?

They had to stop Ella's feedings today because her bowels are swollen again. There is an infection of the bowels that they are worried about so they are doing x-rays and watching her closely. In the meantime however, our little cookie monster is very hungry and grouchy because they haven't been feeding her. Last night when they weighed her she was up to 1 pound 13 ounces but since the feedings have stopped that will more than likely go back down a little bit. If all goes well during the night and her x-rays look better they will start feeding her again tomorrow.

Pray for her digestion and especially her bowels to clear. Also, continue to pray for her lungs because they are still very immature.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Big girl

I stand by Ella's bed everyday and notice everything about her...the way she starts getting fussy about an hour into her feedings (full tummy), how she smiles when I call her my baby girl(it might be gas but I don't care), that she doesn't like getting her diaper changed, and today I learned that when she is crying during kangaroo care that she likes to be rocked. Micro preemies don't like to be touched and stimulation like singing, touching, and rocking upsets them because they are not ready to be touched.

Today, I got to rock Ella when she was fussing and she enjoyed it, that makes her a big girl. Now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. They also increased her feedings today and hopefully she will have gained weight. She is still at 1 pound 11 ounces but we are looking for more weight gain soon. Her lungs still need to mature so pray for them to grow so she can get off the oxygen. Otherwise another good day here for our BIG GIRL Ella.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

More calories


Ella is now 1 pound 11 ounces! Our little girl is gaining weight slowly but surely. Her lungs are still immature and need to grow but overall she is doing well. Everyday that she holds on to her extra grams is another day closer to going home. Continue to pray for her lungs, digestion, and also for the broviac IV to stay infection free.

This picture is of Ella wearing Aaron's wedding ring as a bracelet and I know it shows how small she is but when I see it I realize how big she is because when she was first born his ring swallowed her arm. She has doubled her weight since she was born and I am sooo excited.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

1 pound 10 ounces

Ella went up by 50 grams yesterday and now weighs 1 pound 10 ounces...750 grams. Since she went up by so many grams she will probably come down today but as long as she doesn't come down by much we'll be happy.

Dr. DeYoung talked to us today about Ella's eyes and he is much more optimistic about her need for surgery. He feels that because of her gestational age she is not as high of a risk as the eye doctor thinks. She may still need laser surgery but I believe that with prayer her eyes will be whole.

Ella's lungs still need maturing and she needs to grow, but otherwise we are doing great here in San Antonio.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Eye Doctor

Ella had her first eye exam today and she probably reacted like all kids with their first exam, she cried, turned her head away from the light, and then after it was over she fell asleep. The doctor let us know that because of her low birth weight, Ella is at high risk for ROP (retinopothy of prematurity - veins in the eyes that grow too fast and sometimes retinal detachment) which causes eye problems and sometimes blindness. Today, he was only able to tell that her eyes are premature but he will do another exam next Monday. At this point he is almost sure that she will need laser surgery on her eyes and possibly more intense surgery in Houston. I know that Ella was small when she was born but I know with even more confidence that my God is able to do immeasurably more than even I can ask or imagine. Pray for Ella's eyes that the veins will stop growing at the right place and that she is protected from the problems that could come from her being so small.

Ella is still having issues with her blood sugar but I think we have finally found the right balance because they have been normal today. Pray for her sugar levels that they will continue to be in balance and that they will be able to take her off the glucose in her IV fluids.

Today Dr. DeYoung and I discussed Ella's lungs and it looks like they are still young and immature. Since Ella was so small her lungs are underdeveloped and because of this she will probably be on the oxygen for another month and in the hospital into 2009. Pray for her lungs to mature and for no problems in later years because of her low birth weight.

Ella's eyes and lungs need some miraculous intervention.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

1 pound 9 ounces

Our girl Ella is 1 pound 9 ounces today or 720 grams for the metric people out there...We have passed 700 grams. yipee!

She is doing well on her feedings but her blood sugar still has to be monitored because it continues to fluxuate. Her lungs are still doing well but we need them to get stronger. Overall a good day.

Friday, October 31, 2008

Trick or treat smell my feet



Today is October 31st and here at the hospital they made a cute little sign on Ella's bed with her footprints on it. : ) She lost 10 grams and is at 680 today but we are looking at 700 really soon...that's my prayer anyway. She is still the same on her oxygen so continue to pray for her lungs. When she is off the oxygen my heart will be much relieved. Overall, it is a good day and we are believing for a good weekend...in Jesus name no infection, strong lungs, and great digestion amen!

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Miss Independent

I have nicknamed Ella Miss Independent because our goal as she grows up is to raise her to not let her birth and first 4 months of life hold her back in any way. In fact, we know she will use the miracles of her life to touch others just as she is doing while she is in the hospital. She thinks that she is the only baby in the hospital because she wants all the attention.

They raised her feeding from 12ml to 17 and half ml...isn't that awesome...and she is eating all of it there is nothing coming back. YES! We expect our little girl to get bigger everyday. Today she is still at 1 pound 8 ounces but has gained 20 grams...690. We should be past 700 by the weekend. Pray for her lungs to get stronger, her digestive system to get stronger, and infection to stay away.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Still truckin'


Our girl Ella is still truckin' along. She is at 1 pound 7 ounces, which is good because she jumped up so fast to 1 pound 8 ounces that we suspected it was water weight, and we want good calories. They have started her on medicine for her lungs which should clear the fluid so they will get stronger. She is doing well on her oxygen levels so this leads me to believe that we are moving forward. Her blood sugar is still up where it should be and so they are lowering the amount of glucose (sugar) in her IV fluids. Overall, Ella continues to improve, just pray for infection to stay away and her lungs to improve with the medicine. Here is a picture of my fingers and Ella's hand while Aaron was doing kangaroo care.

Ella is looking like a big girl now with more personality in her features. The nurses have commented that she has my mouth (usually they say this when she has it open hahaha) and Aaron thinks she has his nose. For the parents of a preemie this is a heart pulling time because it has taken her 6 weeks to reach the point where she looks like a baby instead of a wrinkled preemie. Yeah! Thank you Lord for the answers to prayer that we have already seen.

Monday, October 27, 2008

1 pound 8 ounces

Ella weighs 1 pound 8 ounces today...680 grams. Everyday she seems to be getting bigger, and her features are more like little girl instead of preemie. She is doing well on her oxygen and the settings were lowered today so pray that her lungs will get even stronger...I can't wait until she is off the nasal canula.

Continue to pray that infection stays away as well as for her digestive system to get even stronger for more weight gain : )

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Right hand

I have avoided a subject in the blog that is getting to the point where I can't ignore it, and that is Ella's right hand. As you know, if you have been reading this blog, that Ella's right hand was damaged by the IV line (or something related to it) and it has slowly died. At first, it was a devistating loss for a miracle girl like Ella, but during my prayer time I feel like God let me know that we are to raise her to be a strong independent woman that doesn't let the loss of her hand bother her or stop her from doing everything she wants to do. Looking at her future I can see her speaking to children about what they can do if they have a set back like her hand. I'm sure that Ella will be a beautiful girl that will attract people by her big personality, strong spirit, and loving heart. We have no doubt that she will accomplish everything she wants to....who knows maybe she will become a neonatologist and heal small babies like her.

I tell the story of her hand today because when the time comes it will come off by itself and will not require surgery. From the looks of her hand now, the time may be soon and we would like your prayers for it. Pray for her protection from infection, for Aaron and I because that may be a trying time, and that it will happen without pain to her. Thank you for all the love and support during Ella's time in the hospital and for the love that she will receive when she gets to come home.

620 grams

Ella has gained 10 grams...since she was born at 395 grams 620 grams is amazing...it still equals 1 pound 6 ounces but we'll take it. Her blood sugar is doing so well they are going to lower the amount of sugar that is in her IV and her blood gas test was textbook this morning : ) this tests the oxygen, ph balance, and carbon dioxide in the blood. Her lungs seem to be improving since she is only needing from 21 - 25% oxygen and we breath 21% oxygen normally in the air. This is a step forward and hopefully they will be able to lower the liters per minute from 4 to 3 and move toward breathing on her own...yipee!!

Overall, Ella continues to improve...pray for infection to stay away, her lungs to improve even more, and her bowels to stay clear.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Daddy care



Aaron got to come to San Antonio on his days off and I let him do kangaroo care since he hadn't held Ella yet. She seemed to enjoy time with Daddy and I think her role is solidly set at Daddy's little girl. Overall, she is doing well, still a hungry little girl and back up to 1 pound 6 ounces. Continue to pray for her lungs since we want them to get strong and pray that she starts gaining weight.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Back in San Antonio

After an overnight visit to Victoria, we have traveled back to San Antonio. Ella is back at 1 pound 5 ounces or 600 grams if you like the metric system. This is normal for preemies to go back and forth for a bit but I'm ready for her to gain weight. Her lungs look good but they are not ready to lower her oxygen yet because they are not quite where they need to be yet for them to do that. She is up to 11 cc of milk per feeding now and handling it well...yipee!! We expect her weight to shoot up at any moment : )

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Victoria bound

After a week and a half of being in San Antonio by myself, I made a trip to Victoria for an overnight visit. I come to the point after staying by Ella's bed for a week or so where I lose myself and need to recharge. Being by her bed everyday and realizing that she may not come home for another 3 months can be very trying at times and I'm sure every parent that has had a sick child will tell you that there are times when you have to reset. Even the people at the hospital were telling me that I didn't seem like myself, but I am now feeling much better. I went to my church last night and saw my church family and they shared love and hope with me that you can only get in person. It also recharged me to know that even though Ella is a month old they have not forgotten her struggle and are still lifting her up in prayer.

This morning I spoke to the students at my school and it gave me hope seeing them and getting their hugs and hearing them say they are still praying for us. Ella still has a road ahead of her but that road is easier knowing that so many are praying and loving us even if it is from afar.

I got an update from the hospital this morning and our little super girl is doing great...in fact, she weighs 1 POUND 6 OUNCES!!! YEAH!! Her sugar levels are also good and she continues to eat and poop. hahaha

Pray for her hand because it seems to be close to the end and we don't want any infection. Also, continue to pray for her lungs (I can't wait for her cries) and liver. Thank you to everyone who is praying and loving, we couldn't make it down this road without your support.

We love you, Aaron, Christy and little Ella (she may be small but she's a fighter)

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Another day in the Nicu

Still 1 pound 4 ounces, but each day brings hope that she will gain more weight. Her levels are good and at this point she just needs to grow. Pray for Ella to get stronger in all areas as well as to grow.

I found out today that Ella will probably be in the hospital at least another 3 months so we will see 2009 before she gets to come home. The reason for her lengthy stay is her size. She needs to gain weight and grow but just like grown-ups it is dangerous for it to happen too quickly. She has been in the hospital for 5 weeks, pray for Aaron and I because at times the enormity of it all becomes overwhelming.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Monday morning

Ella is doing well today. She is still tolerating her feeds well and in fact she gets fussy when it is time for her to eat again. Her liver seems to be improving but continue to pray for it because we want it to be healthy and strong. Her bowels are doing well and since she is eating it doesn't seem to be an issue. Her sugar levels have been low so they are monitoring them and adding glucose to her IV fluids (they have to run fluids through the IV to keep it viable).

Continue to pray for her feedings, as well as her sugar levels.

Welcome Back 2


Here is another one of our favorites who came back to work with princess Ella. This is Benton. Also, welcome back to Dr. DeYoung who was on vacation...we're glad you're back : )

Saturday, October 18, 2008

More food

Ella's feedings have been increased again...yipee!! She is now getting 9 ml of milk every two hours and then they vent her tummy for an hour and start the milk again(this helps the air escape instead of going into her bowels). They have increased the medicine for her lungs because they want them to improve faster and also her sugar level was low because they stopped the IV nutrition and the same medicine helps with that as well. Overall, she is doing well just continue to pray for her lungs and bowels.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Kangaroo care

Here in the Nicu when a baby is stable, parents are able to hold them using kangaroo care which is skin to skin contact like a momma kangaroo and her joey : ) This technique was discovered in South America out of necessity, since it was a poor area and they were unable to provide incubators for all the preemies. The mothers served as living incubators holding the babies against their skin and they found that the babies using kangaroo care went home faster and were healthier than the babies in the incubators. The mother's body will actually heat up when it senses the baby getting cold.

I get to hold Ella using kangaroo care once a day and the effects for the both of us are amazing. While I am holding her she sleeps soundly and the smile never leaves my face. I like to think that I am doing my part to get her healthy. She is off the IV nutrition today and is continueing to do well on her feeds.

Pray for Ella's lungs that they will get stronger and for her bowels to continue to improve.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Pacifier magic


I put a picture of Ella's passy next to my watch but I don't think it is an accurate display of how big it is on her so here is another picture to show you. The marks on her back and side are the glue from her surgery so no need to panic.

We have discovered that Ella's passy is magic. Whenever we put it in her mouth it causes her to breath better. When her mouth is closed, she breaths the oxygen from her nasal canula and it calms her as well. I'm sure some of the parents out there understand pacifier magic but to me it is a blessing because the nurses have said that it usually causes the opposite effect by causing them to forget to breath. God knew that I needed a bit of pacifier magic...thank you Father for a way to comfort our little girl.

1 Pound 3 ounces

We have reached a milestone today - Ella weighs 1 pound and 3 ounces or 550 grams to all of you who are in metric land. You may be thinking that I have lost my mind (which is possible)since I am celebrating an ounce but to everyone that has been following this blog you know that small steps in the NICU are a reason to celebrate. They have increased her feeds again and she is up to 6 ml every 3 hours - this is fabulous since she started at .3 : )

Ella's lungs look better today, but they are going to continue the medicine and see how they look tomorrow. Her bowels are still large but her girth (measurement of her tummy) is smaller and everything is moving well so they are going to continue watching.


Pray for Ella to gain more weight, lungs to continue improving, and the bowels to clear. Also, pray for me because I am solo right now since everyone had to go back home to work and attend to things there.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Extra calories

They have increased Ella's feedings again and are also going to add some calories because she is still 1 pound 2 ounces and our little girl needs to be a big girl. Her lungs are still not looking good so they are going to start her on some medicine to strengthen them, pray that it works and her lungs mature.

Ella is a month old today which means she has been in the hospital for 4 weeks with probably 2 more months to go. I can do all things through Christ that strenghtens me. : )

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Princess Ella


Every nurse that works our corner of the NICU always has to deal with - Princess Ella. She is quite a drama queen already (I think she gets it from me) they have to adjust her oxygen all day because she goes high then low, high then low...etc, etc. also, she throws a fit whenever they have to do their assessments. She likes to be dramatic and I say whatever it takes for her to be strong.

They have increased her feedings again today (great!)and are still watching her lungs. They are the same today, but her lab work which measures the oxygen in her blood looked really good.

Pray for her lungs to continue to improve, her feedings to go well, and her liver function to improve.

Welcome back


During the course of Ella's stay here in San Antonio, we have had a number of nurses, respiratory therapists, and specialists come through our little corner and today we have one our favorites back again. So, here is the welcome back to Barbara - we love ya.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Love from San Antonio


The x-ray of Ella's bowels look better this morning, so they have increased her feedings and pray that they will continue to improve. The x-rays also showed that her lungs were a little cloudy (too much moisture) and they are keeping an eye on them for now.

Overall, it was a stressful weekend for the Jeson household, but we gain strength from all the prayers and love that you guys give so we are sending love back to you. Right now as I write this, Ella is sleeping soundly after sucking on her pacifier 4 times and then spitting it out, so I thought you guys might like a picture of the passy. : )

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Feedings today

They have started Ella on milk again, just a small amount to see how she handles it, because her bowels look better this morning. Yipee! They are still going to closely monitor her intestines with x-rays and continue the antibiotics just to watch for any infection. For now we are hopeful that the feedings will continue and they can up the dose everyday : )

The IV in her foot was taken out yesterday because it wasn't viable anymore. Her leg and foot look really good today and we will just continue to monitor it. Overall, this is an up day and after the several down days we have had this week, it is a welcome change! Pray for Ella to do well on the feedings and for her bowels to continue to improve and her liver function to get better.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Nervous Mom

This morning when I arrived at the hospital they were trying to start an IV on Ella and needless to say it sent me into a panic. Since Ella's hand was damaged I tend to get protective when they need to do any procedure. The new IV is in her foot so please pray for her foot that it will be protected. (and for me that I get my peace back)

Ella's bowels are still full of air and they are keeping her off the milk, giving her antibiotics, and watching it closely for signs of infection. Pray that the bowels clear up and that the liver continues to function properly because they are still unsure about it.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Ups and Downs

Ella had a preemie night last night. That is to say she had a bad night, but this is one of those things they said you have to watch for with preemies....ups and downs. Her stomach is very large (full of air and fluid) so they had to stop her feedings for a couple of days and they are trying to get everything out of it. She is also on more oxygen than she has been before and they are hoping if this is the start of an infection that they caught it early.

Ella has been very restless and upset today and this in turn makes her mom restless and upset. Pray for her stomach, that it will go back to normal, her oxygen to return to normal, that any infection will leave her body, and also for her to rest and have peace.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Oh Happy Day!!




I GOT TO HOLD ELLA TODAY!! This statement makes me want to run around handing out flowers and balloons. I imagined that this is what it would feel like to carry your baby full term and have the doctor hand you your baby in the delivery rooom. Instead of this feeling, I had to watch my daughter be placed on a ventilator and rolled down the hall to be flown to San Antonio.

In the three weeks that Ella has been here at Methodist we have felt a full range of emotions and I have to say that today has been my favorite emotion. Being a parent for the first time and getting to hold your child in your arms is one for the record books. Let it be known that Christy Jeson got to hold her daughter today and will never be the same again.

Red letter day

We have reached many milestones today which makes this a red letter day. Ella weighs 1 pound and 2 ounces!!! That may not seem like much but it means that she is gaining weight the right way with milk instead of swelling. Also, they have stopped the IV nutrition which is also another great sign that she is getting her nutrition from the milk and is tolerating it well. The blood tests came back and her bilirubin is lower - her liver is getting even healthier!!

Ella is 3 weeks old and we might get to hold her today...we'll add a picture if we do!!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Ella the Great

Another day, another good report. Ella continues to improve and her feedings have increased once again. Dr. DeYoung thinks that Ella will be on full feedings very soon and will stop the IV nutrition tomorrow or Friday...Yipee!! This is very good news for her liver because the IV nutrition is helpful but not as good as the milk.

Pray for her broviach IV line because Dr. DeYoung said that infection from the site would be devasting for Ella.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Good times in San Antonio


Ella is doing good on the nasal canula which is the last step before she is breathing on her own. They have increased her feedings again and lowered her IV fluids which is a sign of good times! They are going to run a dopler scan on her right arm and hand tomorrow to see where the blood flow is and if it continues like last week it will show good flow in the forearm. Overall a good day for our fighter!

Here is a picture of the nasal canula.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Happy face

Today marks another milestone for little girl Ella, she is on a nasal canula (oxygen tube that goes in the nostrils). This is big for her since it means that she is breathing on her own but just needs a little oxygen. Yipee!! Also, they have increased her feedings yet again - AWESOME!

Pray for Ella to be clear of any infections since this is a danger to preemies, also pray that her liver continues to improve.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Good times are here again!


Each day is bringing more improvements to our superhero girl Ella. They have taken her off the automatic breaths with her breathing machine in preparation for putting her on the oxygen that is just in her nostrils. This is a very exciting step for us because it means we will get to hold her soon!!

Life in San Antonio is good but I do miss home. We were watching our church service this morning online and I have to admit that it made me very homesick. Sometimes I let myself have a thought of what it will be like when we get to go home with Ella and it always brings a smile to think of everyone's response to our baby girl, but for now I am content to watch her improve everyday.

The picture is Aaron and I on a date, the first night we have really gotten away and acted like normal people instead of just the parents of a preemie. (I actually put on lipstick)

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Moving Forward

Each day brings us more hope and closer to the day when Ella can be home with us. She is doing great being off the ventilator and is on continuous feedings which she is handling better but still has some residual milk back every two hours. The hand surgeon says that her arm is doing better (looks like her hand was without blood flow too long and will not be saved) and the medicine that she is on for her right hand and arm is improving the circulation. All in all a good day for our little girl...she weighs 1 pound still.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Good Morning World!


Ella continues to improve, her feedings are going well with the poop still coming.hahaha Also, her liver is improving and Dr. DeYoung is not as worried about it now. Yipee! She has now been off the ventilator 4 days and unless she has a major set back will be off it for good.

My blood pressure is doing much better thank you for the prayers.

Blessings to Formosa

Aaron works at Formosa Plastics as a Chemical Operator and all his friends and co-workers got together and raised money for us and Ella and we want to shout out our thanks to them for their generosity! Blessings to everyone at Formosa! Ya'll are awesome!

New Friends


This is Terri Lynn one of our favorite Respiratory Therapists and someone who just seems to know when I need a hug.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Keep on truckin'


Ella is continuing to improve...Dr. DeYoung is excited about the improvements to her liver. He is stopping her feedings for a few hours because she has a follow up on her liver test today, but she has also been spitting up quite a bit so he will start her on continuous feedings to help prevent the spitting up. Dr. DeYoung has become a friend here at the hospital and I have been praying that God would bless him and his family for the strength and friendship he has shone Ella and us. Once again this is an example of how God gives you rainbows when there is rain.

This is a picture of Dr. DeYoung but make sure you don't tell him he looks young. : ) just an inside joke...I have found my joy in the midst of sorrow.
Continue to pray for Ella's digestion and liver. My love to everyone...we can't wait to come home WITH ELLA!