"Elle"gant Surroundings

Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - Miss Elle slept for a majority of the day today. She woke up when the neurologist was messing with her - and once she finally calmed down - she fell back asleep. I wasn't able to get her fit on camera, but I did take a picture when she was not a happy camper. She woke up again when I asked her nurse to change the tape that is holding her breathing tube in place. Miss Priss made the discovery that her little fingers would fit under the tape and she conveniently began to pull the tape from her face. The nurse and Respiration Therapist were able to fix the tape and get it looking like new. I can't wait for the breathing tube to come out of her mouth. Sometimes it looks like the corner of her little mouth is being stretched so far. I hate it! I'm not too thrilled about the tube going down her nose either. Bright and early tomorrow morning, Elle will be going down to radiology for the PIC line. They are going to stop feeding her at 3:00am and she should have the procedure 4 to 6 hours from then. At least that is what they are telling us...I will believe it when they wheel her down to radiology. Lee and I decided to come home for tonight and go back early in the morning before the procedure. While it was super convenient to just walk out of the hotel and right into Texas Children's - we both needed to come home tonight and see our dogs! I think they have been spoiled by Grandpa David because they both look fatter than usual! Speaking of fatter - the Neonatologist upped Elle's feeding to 28cc every 3 hours today. While we are here at home - I wanted to post some pictures of Elle's home - She definitely has the pinkest crib on the block! My sister in law, Melanie, made some great signs for Elle's bed. Her

name is in bright pink above her crib and there are scriptures around the bottom. You can't help but smile when you see all the scriptures and then look at the little angel in the crib. I brought home all the stuffed animals everyone has given Elle and will wash them so they too can join her in her little corner of the NICU. Tomorrow is going to be a big day for us. Once Elle gets the PIC in - Lee and I will be able to hold Elle without the fear of pulling out her bellybutton IV. Lee hasn't held our little baby yet - but he has promised all the nurses that once the PIC goes it - he will definitely hold her. Tomorrow is also one day closer to surgery. According to Mary the Cardiologist - the incision on Elle will be about 3 inches long and will be on her side. They will go in through her ribs and put in the BT Shunt to help her heart pump blood to the lungs. We will find out more about the procedure tomorrow. Please pray for our little angel. Pray that God's will be done! Pray that everything goes according to plan with putting in the PIC and then for the procedure to take place on Thursday. Pray that Elle is strong enough for both procedures. Pray for strength and peace for Lee and myself as we entrust the doctors with her life. Pray for the doctors and nurses - that they will take care of our baby in the best manner possible.

Romans 5:1-5

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit,whom he has given us."