Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Is this really happening?

Sorry for the gap between updates!  We have been pretty busy catching up on a lot of things we were behind on.  But we promise, this post will have enough eventfulness to hopefully make it worth the wait.

Notice anything missing?  This Saturday was the 1st time in her life (after 67 days) that we've seen her face without a single tube sticking in it somewhere.  Wow, she is beautiful.

To cut to the chase, it looks like Ella will be able to come home within the next couple of days! (insert today's equivalent of an old "Hip-Hip-Hooray" chant here).  I know, kinda short notice.  But we'll roll with it!  We knew that there was a possibility that she'd be able to come home by the end of the month, but there always seemed to be something holding it up.  In fact, she had been recently throwing up certain medications that she gets with her feedings so we figured this would take a while to get past.  But apparently she's at the point where we will now "room in" with her at the hospital for a night or two to familiarize ourselves with her medications & round the clock needs while under the nurses' supervision.

This has really snuck up on us, and we are both excited & a bit edgy - mostly because we weren't really prepared for this yet mentally (or household wise).  The biggest cause for our nerves is the way she has been handling her meds (well, that and a hundred other things).  We just want to make sure she is going to consistently tolerate them so we don't run into any problems that we'd be unable to solve without the constant care she's been getting at the hospital.  So we're praying that she'll handle them well and that they'll help keep her heart strong & allow it to continue healing.

We are heading in tomorrow afternoon and will keep you posted on progress when we can.  We are simply amazed & humbled that the day we once thought might never come is close upon us.

Thank you, Lord for your great love.

37 comments:

Coby said...

I so clearly remember the day that my twins went "tube-free" in the NICU. It was so wonderful to be able to hold them and look at their sweet faces - "unplugged!"

I am doing a happy dance and rejoicing with you! What a miracle! What a beautiful little girl! Thank you Jesus!

Brandi Hennessy said...

I'm thrilled! Will continue to pray for God's miraculous healing and that her homecoming is calm and uneventful.

Kathy said...

How cool is that!!! What a beauty -- and what a work God has done! Our prayers continue to be with Ella for healing and wholeness, and with you all as you learn to meet her needs in the comfort of HOME!! Praise God!

Cathy said...

Wow! SO thrilled for your family. I'll be praying for you as you begin to provide the care the nurses have given to Ella - that you will have supernatural confidence in your abilities and the Ella will transition home smoothly and without incident.

We're praising God for his healing hand on little Ella and can't wait to meet her!

Unknown said...

I am so excited that she is well enough to go home. You and Erik will know what to do before you take her home. She is absolutely beautiful, and I will continue my prayers for all of you.

Love,
Cheryl Dobson

Meegan said...

So very happy to hear this news! Praying that all will continue to go well!

Chelle said...

The squeals and shouts and " thank you Jesus !" are going up around our house this morning for you guys...and we will so be praying for you in the next couple day...that bringing your exquisite little Ella home goes as absolutely smoothly as possible and that the Lord gives you complete peace about ever single aspect of the transition!

Jennifer Howard said...

Congratulations to you all! Such wonderful news to hear! Wow! We have prayed every day for Ella and your family and what a blessing to see these photos and to know she is doing so well! Happy blessings to you all! :)

Cottage Mommy said...

Hip hip hooray here too! She is truly a miracle baby! Thank you Lord for healing and loving and never giving up! We are so, so happy for you guys!

Courtney Henson & family

Ruth said...

Woohoo! She really is just gorgeous. We will continue to pray for all the little details. Rejoicing with you today!

-The Stoops Family

Jenny Mertes said...

What incredible news, unbelievable after such a shaky start, and only through the grace of God. I don't know you, but we're sisters in Christ, and I've been praying for Ella. (And checking your blog daily for an update, eagerly, anxiously.) Congratulations on Ella's imminent homecoming!

The Boggs Family said...

Wow.. what a beautiful praise!! Am all welled with excitement and thankfullness for the work God has done here... awesome, awesome, awesome news!! We will continue praying and be asking the Lord's favor to continue with you as you transition home with your gorgeous baby girl!

Jen said...

We are in complete awe of God's work and will continue to pray for your family as you transition to this exciting time. Our little family loves Ella so much and we are so thrilled that she gets to go home!!

Praise the Lord!!!

Love, The Snider Family

Linda said...

Oh my goodness! I am almost speechless! What a morning surprise to get such wonderful news!! Praise God for his mercy and love.
I pray the transition will go smoothly from hospital to home.
Blessings and love from Bob and Linda.

Jess Neil said...

I am soooo excited for you and your family! YAY!!! Kind of speechless like a few have said prior to my post. I dont even know how to put into words how happy i am for you guys! Ella is FINALLY coming home!!!!! She is so beautiful and very loved! Congrats!!!

~Jess Neil

Diana said...

Praise the Lord. This post made me cry for the glory of our God. How wonderful He is. And yes, she is just beautiful. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. God Bless you and your family.

Jennie said...

Halleluiah!

The Cummings Family said...

Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!
Will continue to pray as transitions arise!
Patti

Unknown said...

I am so Happy for you guys and Ella. I cant wait to read the next update how things are at home.

Miller Family said...

What wonderful and incredible news! We hope the transition goes smoothly for all 5 of you.

Jenny said...

I can't believe this! I just can't believe this!!! Thank you, Jesus!

Katye said...

Congratulations!!! I'm doing a happy dance for you guys right now. I pray that Ella continues to heal, and grow stronger every day. She is so beautiful!!!

Becca said...

Oh! Wow, wow! So thrilled for you. So amazing and wonderful!

Jessica Morgan said...

Hallelujah!

I'm praying for his wings to shadow and protect her as she transitions. His arms are tightly wrapped around this little one. Thank you, God. We'll pray you through this. There is a mighty band of people walking with you. Amazing.

Unknown said...

Praise God!! He is so good. Cheering here with you and praying for continued protection as she transitions from hospital to home.

What a beautiful, strong girl you have! No doubt He has big things in store for her life:)

Dan said...

PTL!! How exciting. Really at a loss for words. Very happy for you all and especially little, Ella.

Amy Hook said...

Praise the Lord! That is the best news I've heard all day/month/year. Really your miracle has touched so many lives. We'll keep praying for Ella - and we're celebrating with you!

Linda said...

O My! Halleluijah! Praising our Mighty, Awesome God!!!
God knew all the time!
Love you guys...praying for peace as you journey to new places :)

DahlHouse Co. said...

That is such wonderful news! What a beautiful little girl you two have made!

Kathleen Cavender and Mark Ritter said...

TEARS OF JOY!!!!

jonesfamily said...

AMAZING!!! I was bummed I didn't get to see the boys today but SOOOOO excited for the reason why!!!

Love you guys an am so excited for your family. I was tearing up looking at the pictures with no tubes!

Julie

Blomgrens said...

BOOYAH!!! We are celebrating this awesome news... can't wait for the next update. Yeah, yeah, yeah!!!

Wes Stanton said...

Too thankful for words.

Unknown said...

"For the Lord our God is Almighty, the Lord our God is omnipotent, the Lord our God He is wonderful!"

Malisa @ Sanity in Small Doses said...

Praise God! What an awesome thing that He's doing in the life of your little Ella. I am so very, very happy for you!!!!!

Kyrsi said...

We are so happy for you all! Praise God for his wonderful healing. Will be praying for you also as you make this wonderful transition!

The Lochheads said...

This is amazing!!! Rejoicing with you...in awe.
-The Lochheads