We had another big day today. Leighton got her feeding tube removed today and now we have NO tubes! She's taking all her feedings by bottle which is a huge relief. Unfortunately Iorgot my camera today, so have no new photo to post. I spent the entire day at the hospital with her and Darren is heading to the hospital to spend a few hours with her tonight and give her her 9pm feeding--this will be his first so he's looking forward to it. Right now they are telling us to aim for a Thursday discharge today. We're really hopeful but are fearful of getting to excited quite yet.
Thought I'd add a little update about how things are going with Leighton and the NICU. On Friday the oxygen tubes were removed from her little nose and her IV was taken out. We were really excited to have the tubes taken out as it was the first time we'd really seen her face since she was born--she's either had an oxygen mask or tubes. She also had her first bottle today (she's been fed solely by the feeding tube up until this point). All these firsts are huge and we're so happy. We were aiming to bring her home on Monday since things were going so well. Then we had a little set back this morning with what the hospital calls a "spell". Her heart rate dropped really low for more then 10 seconds and at this point they make you basically start over at 5 more days. Each time there's a spell, they start at again and it's 5 days. This was very disapointing to say the least but part of the process. We want her healthy and strong before we bring her home but our family isn't complete until she's with us. We've added a couple of new photos with her big tubes gone and only the feeding tube left. Keep us in your prayers!
Leighton Joy Gibbons was born at 12:23pm Tuesday April 22nd (5 weeks early)
She weighs 6 lbs and is 18 3/4 inches long.
Ellis got a new Swingset as a Birthday Present from Grandma and Papa.
Just hit play and watch Elli's 2nd year of life!
Lets just say Elli picked out her own outfit today to the dismay of her parents. She thought she looked good though...
Yesterday we celebrated Elli's 2nd birthday with a Dora the Explorer Fiesta Party for about 25 friends and family. It was a wonderful day and she had such a great time (even without a nap!). We had a taco bar for the guests and Dora cake with ice cream for dessert. She finally fell asleep at 9pm last night still hyper from her big day--she nearly outlasted Darren and I who were exhausted! Today (April 14th) is Elli's official 2nd birthday. She will be enjoying a small party at Julie's Daycare with Diego cupakes and we're taking her out for dinner tonight to keep the celebration going. Thank you to all our friends and family for helping us celebrate Ellis' birthday and for the wonderful gifts she received. It feels like just yesterday we were just 5 hours away from bringing her into the world and now she's already 2 years old! Where does the time go (if you sense her Mommy is a bit emotional about her baby turning 2 today, you're right!). Here are some highlights from her big day...
Sporting her new football kit from Nana and Grandad Gibbons.
Opening a few pressies early in the day. Elli definitely understood what presents were this year!
We got Ellis a Dora quad for the birthday (a battery operated bike) that she absolutely loved! The only problem was that there wasn't a place for Elmo to sit and he kept falling off. We're thinking we may need to add a jump seat for him.
A Dora Memory game (thank you Leah and Tom!)
Darren with Charlotte, our neighbor, and Elli (still wearing her whole birthday outfit including hair ribbons which didn't last long).
Just trying out a wee bit of the frosting...
Opening the birthday party pressies!
Blowing out the candles on her Dora cake (notice we've lost the pants and hair ribbons at this point).
Ellis isn't a fan of cake but she loves the frosting!
Daddy, Ellis and Mommy
Ellis with Julie and Dale (her daycare providers who are more like family than anything!)
Charlotte and Ellis playing in her new dress-up outfits (she wouldn't wear it without Charlotte, but the minute Char put it on, she was game).
Just out of the bath and still wrapped in her towel, Ellis fell asleep around 6:30pm on her Daddy's shoulder. We had to wake her up to put her pj's on and then she was up until almost 9pm still hyper from the day talking about presents, toys and such.
Taken this morning in her new Dora shirt from Nana Gibbons and playing with her new tea set (thank you Hastings family!)
If you haven't noticed a theme already, Ellis is absolutely crazy about Dora and our house is now filled to the roof with Dora stuff! I guess it's no wonder I go to bed at night singing the Dora and Diego songs in my head.
Ellis and Kiley
Ellis with twins Ashlynn and Kennedy in the background (Julie's grandaughters).
Eating a cupcake--notice the frosting in the hair as well.
Nana Gibbons...we really, really love the red Dora coat you sent. It gets worn all the time outside AND inside!
Enjoying the view outside in matching bibs (the picture on the bibs is also Elmo and I guess they came in a 2 pack so Elmo could have one too).
A fun spot to hang out!
Enjoying last Sunday's nice day outside (note it's nearly 70 degrees and Elli chose to wear a wool stocking hat and winter boots).
