We are having so much fun with our sweet baby girl. Below are a few pictures we took of her...I'm sure there will be lots more to come soon enough :) So excited for Thanksgiving!

Ellie sleeping peacefully

She was screaming because she needed a diaper change, but she was out as soon as I put her down! So cute! Little outfit from Natalie, came in handy because she doesn't fit into too many of her clothes- yet!

Grandma and Grandpa Lopez- loving their first Grandchild

Hanging out in her bouncy seat- thanks Aunt Krissy, she LOVES it!

Pretty girl!

All is good!

After still not feeling great today, I called the doctor and got a late afternoon appointment. I didn't think it was anything serious, but wanted to have a peace of mind since it was the weekend. Thankfully, nothing is wrong. My blood pressure is actually really good- phew- and the doctor thinks my pains are just related to breast feeding. The nurse I saw before the doctor came in is actually the lactation specialist, so I was able to ask her some questions and tips. Needless to say, I can now enjoy the weekend and Thanksgiving week with a peace.

Ellie and I had a lot of fun today. I am trying to get her adjusted to some what of a schedule. We are going with a 2-3 hour eating schedule, much more realistic for her then 4 hours like the NICU had her on. She kept waking up "early" needing a "snack" as they called it- I think she just isn't big enough to handle that long yet.

We are enjoying relaxing with Esteban's parents and Ellie is sleeping peacefully. She is really a great baby. Once she is changed and fed, she is content- either asleep or awake. I am so excited about Thanksgiving- Ellie's first holiday!

ELLIE IS HOME!

We wanted to let you all know that Ellie is HOME!!! The nurse called this morning to let me know the "orders" from the doctor said she was being discharged today! I was home by myself at the time and started crying. Esteban was at work so I called my mom crying (tears of joy) but I think I scared her at first. Esteban's parents were on their way over so we caught up a little, I took a shower and we headed to the hospital. My mom and the Lopez's hung out with Ellie while I watched the discharge video for the NICU and started to get things checked off the discharge list. It was such a comfort to have them be a part of this with us and be at the hospital.

Although we were only in the NICU a week, I feel like I became friends with so many of the nurses. I can't say enough how sweet and caring they were, not only for Ellie- but for me too. Once Esteban got off work he came to the hospital so we could take our little girl home. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it even now. It's crazy how long a week can seem! Words cannot express how happy we are to be home!!!! My mom and in-laws met us at the house and we all hung out with Ellie. My mom's good friends, Sherry and Claudia, brought dinner over for us. We are so blessed by all those around us who truly treat us like family. Can't wait for you all to meet Ellie! I'm sure I will be posting lots of pictures soon!

One prayer request I have is for me...the reason I ended up being induced was because my blood pressure was a little high. They have done blood work several times and everything is fine, I honestly think it is from stress. After I was 37 weeks and met with my long term sub, I was mentally done with being at school. This past week has not helped me be less stressed by any means. I have been having occasional sharp pains in my chest. The nurses don't seem to be too concerned, but if it continues over the weekend I will probably call my doctor on Monday. Please pray that I would REST and that everything is fine with my blood pressure and that I'm healthy.

Thanks again for all your love! The fun part can officially begin!!! Can't wait to update on Miss Ellie as she grows!

Getting Closer...

Ellie is an all-star! She was moved to the "annex" nursery, which only has 6 babies and is the last one before she is sent home. It is more like an overflow nursery when things are really busy in the NICU. She is doing so well- finished her antibiotic today and off everything! (she still has the heart rate monitor on her, but that's it!) The nurses "orders" from the doctor said Ellie is "scheduled" to be discharged Thursday or Friday! I say scheduled because Ellie is still the one who will determine that. Ellie passed her hearing screening again (they have to do another one to leave the NICU). It has been so much fun getting to breast feed her and figure her out. She eats great for about 30 minutes, burps and all that good stuff. She starts to fall asleep and you would think she is done, but about 5-10 minutes later she is screaming because she wants her "dessert" as the nurses and I call it. She will eat just a little more from a bottle, burp and fall asleep for 3-4 hours. I LOVE LOVE LOVE when she is awake and alert. My mom has been driving me back and forth to the hospital and it has been so much fun to share this experience with her. It is crazy to watch a grandma's love for her granddaughter! Esteban's parents are flying into Atlanta tonight and will be here until Sunday morning. They are SO EXCITED to meet their first granddaughter as well! Ellie is such a lucky girl with all the overflowing love from everyone around her, especially her grandparents!

Esteban and I are so blessed and have really seen the Lord work through this time. Now that we are coming to an end, I can really say that I have cherished this time. Obviously, it is not where I would of thought I would be the first week of Ellie's life...but the nurses have been incredible and I have learned so much by spending time with Ellie and in their care. They have honestly met my "emotional needs" by just chatting and sitting with me while I feed her. They answer any and every question with such patience, but also talk about things outside the baby. I have felt more then confident with their care and knowledge. While learning to be a mom for the first time, they have given me a lot of extra tips and advice that I would of never even thought to try. The Lord has been so good to us and this time has really drawn me closer to HIM!

My sweet Aunt D sent me this encouragement this morning: For that which the Lord gives us the biggest challenge also brings us our greatest joy! Esteban and I have truly grown closer to each other and the LORD through this time and I can't wait to see what He has in store for our family!

I will update you guys as soon as we get an official word about when Ellie is coming home! Thank you all for your love, prayers, and encouragement!!! Please continue to pray for her to remain healthy and strong and that we would continue to lift her up to the Lord.

Love you guys,

Jenn

PRAY PRAY PRAY

Esteban and I just got home from hanging out with our sweet daughter. She is doing awesome, so alert and eating really well!! It is so much fun to see her wide eyed and alert! Ellie will be done with her antibiotic on Thursday and they usually wait 24-48 hours to discharge her. The nurse said she is showing GREAT signs of improvement- they are even moving her into a "open bed" like the ones in the mother-baby nursery upstairs. Basically, her x-ray of her lungs needs to catch up with what she is showing us. 

With that, PLEASE PRAY that her x-ray on Thursday will show the fluid is gone! Once her x-ray is clear, she is officially good to go! We are hoping and praying she will be home Friday, but we also want to do what is best for Ellie!! Thank you for your continued love and support!! 

OFF OXYGEN!!

Ellie is doing awesome!!! We are so proud of her. The nurse took her off oxygen at midnight last night and she has been doing great ever since. She is on an "on demand" feeding schedule- meaning she can eat when ever she wants, as much as she wants. I was planning on getting there at 9 am to try to breastfeed her for the first time. The nurse called when we were about 10 minutes from the hospital saying Ellie was crying and couldn't get her to stop so she was going to go ahead and feed her a bottle- which was fine by me, I'd rather her be happy and try at the next feeding. I got there for the end of it and she was so alert and had her eyes wide open! So much fun! She was waving her hand in the air and all the sudden saw it, so she focused in on it with her eyes. I went back for the next feeding and Ellie did awesome with breastfeeding! The lactation consultant was very impressed with her :) As of right now, Ellie has to finish off her antibiotic, be off oxygen for 48 hours and get another x-ray of her lungs to make sure everything is perfect! The nurse predicts she will be home FRIDAY! Esteban and I can not wait for her to be home and we can hold her and kiss her all we want. It melts my heart how in love he is with his baby girl!

Below are a few pictures I took of her today with her little pink headband. She is so sweet and I am so in love! 

Great Day!

Ellie is doing awesome! Her oxygen level is down to 21% (which is what we breathe) and they lowered it from 4 liters earlier today to 2 liters tonight! (I think it's liters, but I can't keep all the terminology straight right now). When Esteban and I left at 9:30 pm tonight the nurse said Ellie could be off oxygen by the morning! Once she is off oxygen it will be 48 hours before she can come home- so as of now, she will be home Thursday on the earliest. She has been being fed by bottles since 12 pm this afternoon, which is another huge step forward! I fed her a bottle at 3 pm and Esteban fed her a bottle at 9 pm. They have increased her milk intake as well. All good things! Ellie is now wearing a onezie, which I love! She was in just a diaper before and I hated seeing all the heart rate wires and such attached to her. The nurse put a pretty bright blue onezie with a watermelon on today and we brought one of her own for her to wear tomorrow. 

Esteban has been doing so awesome with Ellie and I love seeing him kiss and hold her! On top of being less than 2 weeks into a new job and having a baby, he has had incredible patience with me. I am so thankful for such a loving and hardworking husband. He is starting back to work tomorrow, which he is excited about- I pray that he gets enough rest with everything going on. 

Thanks for all the love and support!! I will update you guys tomorrow with more good news! The Lord is so faithful! It has been such an incredible experience to see God's love and faithfulness. The best thing we can be doing for Ellie is trust in Him and fall on our knees before Him.