appointment with the cardiologist

Ella's heart continues to do well and blow people away.  I mean her cardiologist even specifically said, "she's the bomb."  Her echo showed that the function has improved since the last time and her heart size is basically normal.  There are only a few trivial concerns, but they are small enough that they are comfortable taking her off of her main heart medication (digoxin).  Also took her off of zantac, which was for reflux.  So now she is down to 1 blood pressure medication, which if she continues to show improvement, they will most likely take her off of it in 2-3 months.  ?!?!  Off all medications by the end of the summer?!  Can't say how amazed and thankful we are.  She weighed 10 pounds 9 ounces at the doctors today.  She's still at the very low end of the growth chart, but she is growing.  Just waiting for some fat rolls!

We also stopped by the NICU today and saw a few of the nurses that Ella had.  It was great to hear the comments about how good she looked since it has been a while since they last saw her.  We hope it brightened their day to see how far she's come and to see the fruits of their labor as they continually work with premature and sick babies.  Forever grateful for the nurses' caring hands and hearts.

We think Ella has probably had cabin fever for pretty much her entire life, and with some nice spring weather finally here, we are itching to get her out more.  She's got so many people to meet & places to see, so there will definitely be more Ella sightings in the very near future!

priorities

trying to juggle, remember, enjoy, simplify.


i really do love my kids and husband, but (going to put myself out there) find myself constantly having to remind myself that it is all a gift and to be grateful.  grateful for breathing, laughing, living, togetherness, just being.  trying not to get stuck on the shallow ins and outs of life, but truly enjoying and remembering what is and has been given....life.

i want to cut back on all that complicates and focus on what matters.  trying to picture what that means and how to do it.....random thoughts.




ella has an appointment with her cardiologist on wednesday.  she is taking different combinations of 3 medications (digoxin, captopril, zantac) 4 times a day.  hoping that she will eventually not need these medications.  she weighs 10 lbs 4 oz.  she has only been nursing and really loves it, but i think i am a little concerned for her weight.  need to make sure she keeps an upward trend.  she has been sleeping really well and is establishing a routine for naps, eating, and awake time.  makes it a little easier to plan our day with her having more of a schedule.  all in all we are still in awe and so thankful for her in our life....for all 3 of our kids.  

ella

elijah

ayden

                    they are little miracles.