Ella update

She is resting peacefully and seems to be doing better this afternoon/evening. She is moving her arms and not crying and was playing with her wubby bunny! She is still requiring the pain meds and not letting us hold her at all, but we'll take all the progress we can, no matter how small..We have complete faith that the Lord will heal her and once again be the happy HEALTHY baby we love so much.. Just a few things before I end this post.. she is not likely to give the illness to anyone other than other small infants or frail elderly patient, or those otherwise immune defficient. We are not sure how she contracted it, best guess is that it likely started during her ear or sinus infection and just progressed into what she has now. We did see a pediatric infectious disease dr today and he reviewed everything and examined her and agrees this is likely the viral strand..again.. she still has a long way to go, but is a trooper and has us and other friends and family and even strangers praying for her like crazy.. The Lord is good and blessed us with her after 4 years of praying for and stressing over having a baby and we know that he is going to carry her through this.. like my dad says, Gotta get through the valleys to appreciate the view from the mountain.. I'll post again tomorrow, and thank you so much to everyone that has called, text, visited and everything.. we are so blessed..

below is Ella on Christmas and me playing with photoshop and trying to get it down.. yes I'm just learning.. Mandi showed me a few things thanks to her inpromptu lesson of photoshop for dummies.. ;)

our ella bella is sick..

and could use any prayer and good thoughts sent this way. She had a sinus infection 2 weeks ago or so and was put on antibiotics. Fast forward to Christmas eve and she had finished her meds the day before and she was so cranky again. I assumed it was due to teething or just being held so much around family during Christmas dinners and stuff and treated with Tylenol and Mylecon. Then Monday she started vomiting and screaming, took her to the dr again and had an ear infection and a gastric bug. Tuesday same thing, worse though.. we took her to SJ owasso and they said she had some bowel disorder where the bowel folds into itself? anyhoo... so they cant treat it there, so we are transported to Childrens hospital at St Francis and immediately there are 5-6 nurses and the ER dr all over her. the whole time we are both crying and I feel like a awful mother.. why cant I sooth her or fix it? A quick blur and we are on our way to PICCU and ordering a CT of her head because her soft spot is too tight(brain swelling) umm.. I thought it was a stomach problem?? so they do the CT and then the dr tells us she thinks its meningitis and need to do a spinal tap..ugh sick. feel like I'm going to throw up.. I cry and then consent.. the pre tests came back positive, and apparently the antibiotics from before mentioned sinus infection had started to treat it, so the antibiotics from this started to treat the meningitis, and when she ended those it came back on stronger. so here we are. she is opening her eyes some today and a little more responsive, they are keeping her sedated for now to keep her comfortable. We are just pretty much setting around watching her sleep.. but I will keep everyone posted as we know more. . please keep her in your prayers.. she is doing better but still very critical.. here is a pic from today.. the IV is in her head =( but she doesnt seem to mind.


oh they think it is viral meningitis but wont have the results until at least tomorrow.. they are treating her for bacterial just incase that IS it.. We want it to be viral.. a lot quicker recovery..

my FOUR MONTH old...

wow.. where did time go? Ella is so sweet and such a fun baby.. I just love her so much and so does her daddy and big brother.. who by the way is amazing with her and so attentive.. We've had alot of laughs and a ton of happy moments, a few tears, from both of us... Anyway.. I took a few pics this morning of her, but someone had changed the settings on my camera.. and I of course didnt check it.. ugh.. I am going to attempt to retake them on the correct settings later.. Cayden doesnt know, but we got him his own camera for Christmas.. so MAYBE, crossing my fingers he will leave mine alone.. =) here are some of the pics..



and a few of my little Santa baby.. :)

tagged

1. Eggnog or Hot Chocolate? hot chocolate =)

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? unwrapped.. mom and dads are wrapped

3. Colored light on house/tree or white? tree are just white.. my little brother came and put up blue icicle lights while we were in branson for us.. I wouldn't have chose blue, but he and my dad said the kiddos needed them :)

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope

5. When do you put your decorations up?the weekend after thanksgiving normally.. this year was a little later..

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? green bean casserole..yummy!!

7 . Favorite holiday memory as a child? spending the day at my grandparents and show all the cool stuff I got with my cousins!


8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? probably my brother.. he was mean like that ;)

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Cayden and Ella opens his from my mom and dad and my brother and his family..

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?white lights..red and white bulbs and various ornaments..

11. Snow. Love it or dread it? love it as long as the roads are clear :)

12. Can you ice skate?I havent tried in a very long time!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? as a child was a my child doll and as an adult probably my dvd camcorder from Jay and Cayden..

14. What is the most important thing about the holidays for you? Being with family and friends and really remembering why we celebrate Christmas!!--ditto!!

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? chocolate pecan pie.. mmmmmm...

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? I dont know that we have any "traditions", but I love seeing my kids getting to play with all thier cousins and just laughing and having fun..

17. What tops your Christmas tree?a silver star

18. Which do you prefer - giving or receiving? Giving...

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? I dont like Christmas music.. but I guess if I had to choose it would be Mary did you know..

20. Candy Canes. Yum or Yuck? depends on what kind they are.. :)

21. What do you want for Christmas? I'm not sure.. =)

22. Do you attend an annual Christmas party? nope just family stuff.. and Caydens school parties?

23. Do you dress up for Christmas Eve or wear PJ’s? just normal clothes and then PJ's before bed

24. Do you own a Santa hat? yeah I think there is one in the garage

25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with? Family... different sides on various different days and I love it!!


Now, I get to tag five others.
1. Erin
2. Nancy
3. Kelly
4. Amanda Archer
5. Amy.. since it has been forever since she posted :)

All you have to do is copy the above questions and paste on your blog (with your answers, of course!) Then tag five of your friends. Come on, it's fun!

here is our tree this year.. it is a small one.. I gave my old one away last year and forgot to get a new one and just bought this last minute from Target, I think we'll let Cayden put it in his room next year.. :)

You better watch out

Better not pout, Better not cry.. I'm telling you why.. Santa Claus is coming to toooooowwn...
guess she didnt get that memo..
is it mean that I think its cute when she cries?


I just love her..

Branson was fun..

Although it was Freezing cold!! Erin, Tony, Ebeth and us went on Friday night and ate at shorty smalls in Branson Landing and walked around and did a little shopping.. Saturday my mom and Aunt Becky met us at our room and we went to lunch and then off to Silver Dollar City.. which was CRAZY busy.. We were told that Saturday was a record setting day! and I believe it.. After the parade and snacks and fun we were off to catch the bus to our cars.. so I thought.. an hour later of waiting in line and trying to keep the kiddos warm, we finally boarded the bus to our cars, grabbed a bite and went and defrosted before bed :) and of course outlet shopping on Sunday.. Ella was so good all weekend, especially after all the time spent in the car seat and stroller.. anyway here are a few pics


this is how poor Ella spent most of her weekend.. all trapped inside.. snug as a bug in a rug though..

this is what she did when her cocoon was opened.. she was taken back by all the lights and movement around her..


I am so glad Cayden had Elizabeth to do things with this time.. they had a blast together... silly kids were crazy..



they were pretending they were falling off of the bench.. haha..


we did let the baby out some.. for some quick kisses and hugs and then back in out of the cold real fast..

this is where we stayed.. its a resort/hotel/ time share community called westgate.. is was so nice and very affordable



I am so glad Erin and Tony went with us. .always tons of laughs and fun.. love you guys!

what else could a girl need..

comfy jammies..blankie that ninny made me...papasan swing..my favorite lovie bunny.. couldnt sleep with out it... ahhh the life of a princess..