Bella Day 17

A glorious day of firsts!!

The day started off very early. Colleen, her night nurse the very first night and she has been Bella's night nurse every Friday, Saturday and Sunday since, was on duty last night and we left while she was attending to another little girl here at the NICU. We were unable to say goodbye and Merry Christmas to her last night, so we woke up at 5:45 this morning and ventured out in the 18 degree weather to say goodbye to Colleen who has the next 2 weeks off. So when we arrived Colleen was super excited to see us and we were excited that Beautiful Bella had a very good night. Her belly looked better, her color looked good and she was breathing very well. So Colleen asks Mommy Machel if she wants to Kangaroo her little angel. OF COURSE!!! Mommy replies!! So as an early Christmas present Machel got to hold our precious little one. They brought a recliner for her to sit in and 3 different nurses helped transport Bella onto mom's chest. Machel was glowing with excitement and anticipation, she was absolutely beaming!! Then they placed Bella on her chest and instantly mommy and baby were as one. They looked so relaxed together, so at peace, and I was a happy mess!! I had the camera and was snapping away!! I was so excited for Machel, I am sure she will blog about it later. I sat right next to them and was so happy to see my two girls hugging for the first time. THANK YOU LORD!!

After this we were very tired and went and had breakfast and then napped until almost 2!! When we returned to her bedside they had already done rounds and started the upper GI. We were there just in time to see them take an x-ray to track the fluid. It was moving down her bowels, slowly, but steadily and appeared to be going to its final destination, her poop!! We were very excited, if she poops it out tomorrow then surgery will come back and take a look at her, if everyone feels comfortable with her progress then they will continue to watch her, but it looks like her stomach problems are behind us for now. I personally think this is because of 3 things, the medicine and care that she is being given, all of the love and prayers that she is receiving, and of course the healing power of the Lord who continues to watch over her and fill her with his healing spirit. Machel and I were excited so we went back to the apartment and then took a walk to a nice little restaurant not far from our apartment. We ate and recharged.

So then this evening we came up to her bedside, and the final firsts occurred. When we got here Angela was about to give care to our little girl, change her, weigh her and take her temperature. She asked if we wanted to help and mommy said, why don't you do it daddy. SO I DID! I have been very apprehensive to hold, move or even touch our little girl, given my giant, rough hands and her tiny, frail frame. But she has been doing so well, I wanted to help out. (Plus mommy has already taken her temperature and changed her diaper several times, so I wanted to get a chance to do it too!!) Well, I took her temp and she was so sweet, she loves her daddy!! She felt so soft and warm, but then out of no where she reared back and tried to punch her arm out. (We have been telling you she's a little fighter!!) She was surprisingly strong, which gave me more confidence to then change her diaper!! I got the old one unstrapped and placed the new one underneath before removing the old one. (I have learned this is the best way to do it because on occasion she likes to pee with no diaper on, she is so fiesty!!) So as I was pulling the old diaper off, I saw a small mucus smear of poop, it was exciting, another pooh!! Then I changed her diaper and the x-ray tech came in again. It looks like the dye is continuing to flow well, but is moving slowly. Then I got to help weigh her. It was awesome holding her head and lifting her up and then placing her back down to see her weight. IT came up 930 grams, she is over 2 lbs!! Machel and I smiled, cheered and high fived!! It was so funny, like she just won a major award. Here are some pictures that mommy took.

So it has been a good day, we are very tired and heading home soon. I've been blogging from her bedside tonight, another first!! Well here are some more pics of our little angel. (I WAS CAMERA HAPPY TODAY!!)

Lord, through you all things are possible, thank you for your gracious love and continuing to watch over our baby and the other little angels here at the NICU. Please bless all of the wonderful people in this world and fill their hearts with the spirit of our Lord.