Notice my hair ornament!

No, it's not one of those beautiful barrette's that my Nurse Rosemary bought for me, it's my new IV Line for my nutrients in my head!

My new thing - sticking out my tongue!

Visit from Grandma and Sis

I really love family visits. A special thanks to Uncle Greg for keeping me company a few days during my surgery recovery. Thankyou, Auntie Melanie for visiting while all my swelling was going down - sorry I didn't get to see you both. I know I didn't look so great - but don't I look beautiful now?!! Love, Gabriella

Can you tell I love the camera?

Saturday. Out with the foot "sticks" and in with the hand and head "sticks". I wasn't very happy during my family visit today, but I really like being pampered. I don't like my hair being messed up by that needle & bandage! It didn't feel the greatest either. And how am I supposed to hold anyone's hand with this splint on?! I'm hoping for a much better day tomorrow. (but I sure love the camera!)

See my foot!

Friday - Gabriella had her Central Line removed, as bacteria was still showing positive in the blood stream at the entry site. Temporary "sticks" to both feet were done -one for her meds, one for her Nutrient IV line. Nurse said she tolerated the change pretty well. (Notice the message on her blankie)

DADDY'S SLEEPING BEAUTY.

I am my daddy's girl. Bathtime was fun, but I have to rest now-whew!

MY BATHTIME WITH DADDY - RELAXING!

Thank you daddy.

I love it when daddy combs my hair.

HAPPY AND ACTIVE GABRIELLA!

Getting ready for bathtime! (daddy is here and going to bath and change me-yippee!)

Hold tight to Grandma's hand.

Met with the doctor today and Gabriella has an infection in her blood-source being the Central Line entrance. She is back on antibiotics and the feeding tube is back out for now-hopefully to try again next week. The antibiotics appear to be working, as her last couple of blood cultures were negative showing no sign of infection. The doctor advised us of the negatives, of course, the worse being that this kind of infection-in a worse case form-could be something Gabriella could ultimately die from. She admitted that Gabriella has triumphed before, and doesn't doubt that she will continue to beat the odds. I, of course, added that we still and always will, believe in miracles. After all, that is what she is.

Part 2 Video of Gabriella & Angelina!

Here is the other part of Angelina singing to Baby Gabriella. Please continue to pray-Gabriella developed 104 degree fever last night and more tests are being run/blood being given to her. She is strong and we know she loves us as much as we love her. Your prayers give us all strength. love to all.

Gabriella & Angelina

Gabriella & big sister, Angelina-what a beautiful site!

Gabriella's first video

Hello! I am new at adding videos to Gabriella's website, so hopefully this first one works! If so, look for more later! Thanks so much for everyone who loves Gabriella and is praying for her. She is recovering from this first surgery and will hopefully be feeding again through her feeding tube soon. We are always hopeful, giving God the glory for this wonderful & beautiful miracle baby girl.

we are currently at the hospital-Gabriella having another episode this morning around 8am-Teresa was here. Baby turned ashen and started sweating profusely, but the doctor/nurses (about 10 of them) brought her back once again.

Gabriella easily gets aggitated and her bronchial tube tightens up, thus causing a panic attack-thinking she cannot breath. she likes her airway free & clear. please pray with me that she will relax (she seems to be much happier when family is here holding her hand, etc) and not
get aggitated at the nurses trying to care for her. she did this previous to surgery-seems to be somewhat her nature at this point.

baby is off the paralying meds for good, and is being given the necessary meds to keep her comfortable now that she is moving. I see her make a "wincing" face occasionally and I wonder if she is in pain. a couple of times she has tried to cry and it breaks my heart.

Teresa held her yesterday and today for a long period-Gabriella loves it and stares at Teresa constantly, smiling and moving her tongue as if to be talking to her. Teresa thinks that she is.

An update from the neonatalogist today was again not so good news. We need a supernatural miracle-this is all that will save our precious baby girl. the stomach area is healing properly, but the surgeon is not planning to do anything else, as Gabriella's respiratory issues are at a critical level. the superficial diaphram that was added during surgery is not performing like a diaphram, as it is not a muscle so cannot act as a "bellows" to aid the lungs. Gabriella's lungs are limited in what she can do on her own w/o the diaphram.

we found out today that she is the only known case of a human born w/o a diaphram and only experiments on animals have been done, nothing on humans and nothing that any doctor would recommend taking a risk on.

she is more dependent on the breathing machine doubling yesterday's numbers and the doctor said there is only a limit they can reach before nothing more can be done-either she helps to breath on her own, or she will die. the doctor has asked Josh and Teresa to be on hand as much as possible at the hospital, as another episode could be her last.

we know that only God knows what is best for Gabriella-knowing what her future might hold should she stay, so ultimately God is in control. if she tires of trying-we will know the answer. we are concerned about her pain, though, as the doctor said that during each episode, she is in quite a bit of stress and pain.

Gabriella had another "significant episode" on Tuesday morning, almost having to use the IV injection to jumpstart the heart. She is stable at present with more meds (morphine too) as they think she was in some pain in addition to having a bronchial spasm (which they feared might start happening) which is basically an asthma/panic attack.

They took her paralytical meds off, reduced her meds and began drip feeding-all of which they see now was too much for her too soon, which more than likley triggered the episode. The new plan is, one change at a time-starting today with taking the paralytical med out of the equation. The doctor says it is not good for her or her bladder to be on it too long, so this in the new first step. she is our little fighter and wants to be with our family-keep praying.