Baby Bella Day 13

Well today has been a wait and see kind of day. We went up to the NICU at 9am and sat there for 2 and a half hours. She had an ultrasound and that came back just like yesterday, no major changes, which means they want to wait and see how she continues to react. She had a good night, after her neighbor settled in and was done with surgery, Isabella settled down too and had a peaceful night. No major de stats. I really worry about the other babies in the NICU too, there are so many little ones fighting for their lives, we continue to pray for them too. While we were there we read a little, talked so she could hear us, like when she was in mommy's belly and sat around talking to the nurses. She was very stable and quiet and continues to need minimal oxygen and her other vital signs all seem to be doing well. This is why they don't want to operate, she seems to be strong and fighting the infection/perforation well. They still aren't sure if it is NEC or a small perforation. We tried to stick around for the surgeon to examine her and listen to rounds, but we had been there for a while, Machel had already breast pumped and we were getting hungry.

After lunch we went to wal mart and bought some essentials, thanks guys!! Then returned to the hospital. We were there again for another nearly 2 hours, and this time Dr Zanelli, the assistant chief I think, was there and spent 15 minutes or so explaining to us everything that's going on and answering our questions. It seems that because she is stable they won't do surgery unless she worsens. She is doing very well and they want to see if she can't fight through this with only medication. They will continue to do daily ultrasounds and surgeons will do daily check ups. When the surgeons come they poke her little belly and feel around the inflamed area. If she continues to progress she might not need any surgery for her bowels. They are also not going to focus on the PDA until this is resolved. But the PDA is not having any adverse effects right now and she could actually close it herself with a little time. I have to say that all of the prayers and love are helping tremendously, the Lord is great!

We stayed a little while longer and spoke a lot with Jennifer, who has been her nurse or the nurse practitioner (she's training to be one) almost everyday Isabella has been in the hospital. It is so comforting having the same nurses and doctors watching over her and talking to us. The entire staff has been so amazing, so caring and so patient with us. Also, we met some Red Raiders in the NICU, Dr. Bowman and Nurse Kam, it's good to talk to some Texans here, even if they are RED RAIDERS!! Nurse Kam offered to make us some enchiladas, because the Mexican food here is not that good. They have been very nice, and I was even wearing an Aggie shirt today!

Well after the visit we decided to go to the church down the street because yesterday when we went we were reading in the book of common prayer some beautiful prayers for the Thanksgiving for a child. We wanted to go and copy it and put it on the blog.

O God, you have taught us through your blessed Son that whoever receives a little child in the name of Christ receives Christ himself. We give you thanks for the blessing you have bestowed upon this family in giving them a child. Confirm their joy by a lively sense of your presence with them and give them calm strength and patient wisdom as they seek to bring this child to love all that is true and noble, just and pure, lovable and gracious, excellent and admirable, following the example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

As we were writing this down the Lord again showed his graciousness. We were sitting in the church and 3 little girls came in with an older gentlemen. They went over to the piano and began rehearsing for Mass this Sunday or Christmas mass. They started singing, so beautifully a song about how the Virgin Mary gave birth to baby Jesus in a manger. All I could think of was how the Lord was showing us that one day your daughter will be like these 3 singing and praising the Lord. They were precious little angels and we thanked the Lord for filling our hearts with comfort, strength and his spirit.

Well we are heading back up to the hospital, but here are some new pictures of Isabella resting peacefully this afternoon. She looks bigger to us, a little bit longer and more filled out. She is back to her birth weight of 1lb 11oz. We also included a picture of her little incubator with her frog and turtle friends. Then I took a picture of her station, she has a sign which you have seen before but she also has an angel a pink stocking and a Christmas doll (Thanks Kathleen). Last is a picture of mommy Machel and nurse Jennifer Fox, mommy was happy to hear no surgery for Isabella today!