July 31, 2008

Gabbie & her Chaplain, Marta.


Marta is such a great support for the family-as a Hospital Chaplain, she has also become a very good friend. We know we can always count on her to be there for us. She always has kind and uplifting things to say. We know that she is another one of the "angels" that God has sent our way. She is also Teresa's favorite Spanish/English interpreter. We love you, Marta!

Gabbie trying to talk!


Gabbie wide awake today!


Nurses loved the pink floral dress today. Notice the hand got "wrapped and cuffed" as soon as it was discovered free and searching for something to "pull out".

(sorry about the fuzzy pic)

Gabbie & her Nurse today.


Gabriella & Hello Kitty.


Hello Kitty is Gabriella's new favorite toy in addition to the new rattles. The nurse today said that Gabbie broke free from her "sock" today and immediately picked up her Hello Kitty stuffed toy!

July 30, 2008

Care Conference with Dr. Tiffani today.


While Gabriella has had some movement forward (instead of just maintaining) this month with gaining weight, getting the feeding tube in and keeping down the Lactose free milk, as with every Care Conference with the Gabbie's doctors, we have another issue with her that has developed. In testing this month, it has been discovered that Gabbie has some Neuro Atrophy developing that will most likely result in brain cells not continuing to grow. I think he called it a "shrinking brain". While her body may continue to develop, her brain may not, or at least on the same level of development. This may be what has been causing the frequent spiking of fevers (common in Neuro Atrophy), the rapid heart beat and profuse sweating due to room temperature, heavy blankets, etc and even possibly the reason she keeps sticking out her tongue and losing control sometimes of her left eye. (sometimes it wanders) Nurse Rosemary seems to think also that she is not interacting as much as she has previous. As usual, we were hopeful of some good news, but always bracing for the not so good news. Prayer, faith, hope and love is all we have. We depend on it.

Sister keeping watch over me.


My "friends" keeping me company.


My little "friends" continue to watch over me.


Grandma loves this picture.


A Kiss from My Daddy.


Daddy helping to change my bed.


Daddy takes every opportunity to hold me in his arms. I feel very safe.

Gabbie-The All American Girl.

Hi family. This next series of photos are from today (Wednesday). This All American Girl dress seems to be one of the Nurses favorites.

July 29, 2008

Noticing My Lambie.


I noticed my friend, Lambie, is keeping me company today. I have many "friends' that take turns "standing watch" over me.

Looking out the Hospital 4th Floor Window.


My bed is next to the window of the 4th floor NICU. I often times look out the window as I am today. (Tuesday)

More Peaceful Pictures with Lambie.


Me and My Lamb Sleeping Peacefully.


Some good days. More chapped lips-using a lot of chapstick.

July 26, 2008

Trying out the New Cradle Swing.


No more fever. Seems it comes and goes. Maybe just the start of teething? So far, no positive results to any of the blood tests taken each time there is a fever. Nurse Linda found a cradle swing and decided to see if Gabbie likes it. So far today (Saturday) the results were favorable! The professional pictures with photographer Charles went very well last night-Gabbie was in fine form sticking her tongue out at him in lots of the pics-look for some of those pics in the near future.

July 25, 2008

Gabbie & Nurse Rosemary


Nurse Rosemary always makes sure Gabbie is comfortable. We are blessed to have this "angel" care for little Gabriella.

Looking Good in Orange!


Notice my Orange Flower Hair Ornament.

More Gabbie Pics from Today-Friday.



Gabbie and her Hello Kitty.

Today is Picture Day with Family.


Grandma visits with Gabbie today at noon. Tonight, the professional photographer takes family pics courtesy of the "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep" program.

July 24, 2008

Enjoying the New Chair!

Camera ran out of battery-sorry about the short video! I'm enjoying my new chair & watching my kitty cat!

A Good Day!


A couple of really good days-no more fever, no infections showing from recent bloodwork, Dr. Greene got the Central Line re-placed after yesterday's "slip out", and taking in 9 ml per hour of Lactose free formula without issue. Received chair today for more upright sitting and interaction with mobile toys. Professional pictures with family members scheduled for tomorrow night at 7:30p. Neonatalogist has requested a Care Conference next Wednesday to update on Gabbie's progress/status.

Notice new chair!

July 20, 2008

Sister Interaction.

Gabriella and Lila Rose


Sisters Photos Continued.


Angelina, age 10.5 years


Lila Rose, age 3.5 years


Gabriella, age 6 months

Sisters - Three Amigos.

Gabriella's #2 sister, Lila Rose, age 3.5, is here for a two week visit. Finally a photo op of all three sisters.

More Sweet Dreams!


Having sweet dreams. Where's the chapstick and hair stylist when they are needed?!

Gabriella enjoying her new rattle.

Favorite Nurse Rosemary attending to Gabbie while she is busy checking out her new rattle.

July 18, 2008

Progress these days!


Hello all. Progress these past few days-instead of maintaining, Gabriella is starting to progress again. Her stomach area is not infected as previously thought and the surgeon has not determined to do the minor surgery as of yet to remove the mesh covering her open wound which seems to be progressively coming to closure. Also, she has begun PT (physical therapy) again having had two sessions of exercising her limbs, sitting up, etc. The last PT was right before her emergency surgery at 3 months old. They tried the feeding tube again yesterday afternoon, and all of our prayers were answered-it went into place! (notice all the tape securing my tube!) She is currently taking in "sugar water" and will be trying a lactose free, thinner, formula this evening, before trying any breastmilk in the tube. For now-great news! While Lila Rose is here (her 3.5 yr old sister) visiting, the hospital is providing free professional pictures for the entire family. It is a service called "now I lay me down to sleep" and is provided for "terminal" patients. This is the category that Gabriella is listed in at present. But, of course, we believe. We have faith in God for miracles. So, we should be having pictures taken either this coming weekend or sometime early next week. It will be good to have all three girls together in "forever" pictures. Thanks so much for all the prayers! May God be glorified.

Gabriella waving hello to her family!

Sorry about this "sideways" video! I tried to edit it and flip it, but to no avail! The nurse had taken it with the camera flipped. Hope you can turn your head to the left and see just how adorable our little Gabriella is!

Another Gabriella & Mommy Photo Op.


July 15, 2008

Loving my music!


Family-I am starting to feel better these past few days. I know you are praying for me! Love you!

Kisses for Daddy!

Mommy is teaching me to send kisses to daddy-listen closely!

A funny face for mommy!


Look, I'm sitting up!


July 11, 2008

Mommy trying to cheer me up.

Mommy & Me.


Feeling sleepy again.


Later today-still feeling under the weather.


I'm trying to feel better....

Fighting a fever.


The surgeon thinks that a slight infection is starting to set in at the stomach area, due to the "foreign body" mesh still covering the top of her open wound. The open wound is in fact starting to grow together, thus causing the skin to reject the mesh. Another surgery is imminent (next week) to take the mesh out. This is not supposed to be as invasive a procedure and should help Gabriella. Here we go again.

How do I break out?!!


I'm starting to figure out how to break free from some of this tubing!

July 10, 2008

Finally comfortable.


All that kicking. I need a little rest.

Kicking is my new thing!

Since this weekend, everyone has noticed that I am kicking my feet a lot. I want to get out of bed!

A new Position.


Nurse Michele tried a new position for me today. Not sure if I like it yet!

July 09, 2008

Styling?!


Grandma, can you be "styling" if only wearing blue ballet slipper socks, a diaper and a big bandage?

Hi Family!


So sorry to give you a scare.

Please keep me in your prayers.

And the love of my mommy.


With a little love from Dad.


During mommy & daddy's visit tonight, was feeling a bit better. Medication helps too!

Feeling a little better.

July 08, 2008

Rapid heart rate.


Gabriella had a better night last night, but was not feeling too well again today. A couple of areas around her wound were "oozing" a bit, and her heart rate was more rapid than normal. (202, upon my lunchtime visit) The nurses were concurring that possibly some pain around the wound area might be causing the increased heart rate and some pain medication was authorized to help combat any pain she might be in. She was not running a fever today and the testing that was done proved normal. The neonatalogist ordered more bloodwork and summoned the Surgeon to take a look at her stomach area. Mom and dad are visiting baby at this time (evening) before daddy takes off for Albuquerque to pick up Gabriella's 4 yr old sister, Lila Rose, for a two week visit. Thanks for your continued prayers.