Ella Belle's Belly

Ella's loving brothers.

Ella's brother has 'officially' given his sister a nickname.....Ella Belle.  After she was born and we were sitting in the hospital room, Elijah asked "what should her nickname be?"  Before we could answer, he blurted out.....ELLA BELLE!  I just love hearing the boys say her name and talk about their baby sister.  They love her so.....and it warms my heart.





Ella Belle's bellY needs to start working.  I would like to ask for prayer specifically for her belly and digestive system.  She has been spitting up, which would just be an inconvenience with normal babies.  I remember telling people with the boys "he's a spitter so watch out!".  She needs to keep things down to grow and absorb oral medications.  I feel like I am sounding like such a mom....eat your food!  do you want more?  you need to grow strong!  there's more, have more!  I remember my grandmas, mom, and mother-in-law always encouraging food for growth and strength.  Now here I am encouraging the same.  Ella has been given a little breast milk through a line in her nose then she needed to have an oral medication through the same line so they stopped the feedings.  The volume of milk with medication would have been too much for her to handle.  Then they were giving her pedialite to see if it would help things move.  She has been spitting up a lot so they stopped the pedialite, but she was still spitting up today (stomach bile, spit, and random fluids).  My mother's heart would really love to see her stomach absorbing medications and feedings.  Please pray with me.

Ella eating via mama.  I love feeding my babies. Even when they are in my belly. :)

I am always intimidated to write about Ella's medical status.  My husband, Erik, is such a blessing when it comes to that area.  He talks to the doctors and nurses and then remembers what they say.  Me, on the other hand, I feel so emotional and....overwhelmed by all that needs to be done and overcome, but at the same time my mind can't stop thinking about all the medications and her small little organs that need to be strengthened.  Ella is always on my mind and heart so I will randomly ask Erik questions about her medications, what the dr's report was for the day, and why this is happening to dear Ella.  He has been such a constant for me in this storm.  He reminds me of the simple things that get washed away in the midst of this storm.  Things like how we need to keep our trust in Jesus and Him alone, how Jesus has already paid the price for our sin, how we need to believe and go to Jesus in prayer and ask for our heart's desire.


I am asking, dear Jesus, that you will heal Ella's little body and please heal her little belly.  I am asking that we will always treasure every breath that we and loved ones take.  Life is a gift and we need to love.....just love.  God, help us to love.  Ella is teaching us how to love and we thank you for that Jesus.  Amen.