The Ellis Family

On the eve of Kat's second birthday

2009-07-24T21:58:00.002-05:00

I am thinking of Brookwood and so thankful that we are not there!! Seriously, I can not believe that it has been two years with my blessed miracle caboose! Kathryn is a genuine firecracker, a funny little comedian, a tremendous snuggler, and a devil in an angel's disguise. She has eyes that reel me in, a laugh that melts my heart, and a love for life that is contagious! I am so thankful each and every day for the answered prayers that brought my baby girl home!!

So on the eve of Kathryn's second birthday, I say good night my sweet angel and Happy Birthday!

Love, Mommy

Where to even begin

2009-07-16T22:10:00.002-05:00

It has been so long since I last posted on this blog. I honestly thought that maybe I had just abandoned it permanently, but something kept drawing me back to it. Anyway, so I won't even try to play catch up, but here are some highlights of our life since April 2009.

So we left for Destin in April and the next day, April 24th, my nephew was born at 29 weeks. We enjoyed our beach weekend in late April. May was a crazy month with Mother's Day and Maddie's kindergarten graduation. Then began our summer including an overnight trip for Greg and I to Atlanta for Greg's brother's wedding reception, VBS for Maddie, a trip to the Chattanooga Aquarium (where we are now members!!), a father's day camping trip, Maddie's swimming lessons, a gymnastics class for Kathryn at Kid's Gym in Vestavia, Maddie's two week gymnastics camp, and a recent vacation to our favorite beach ever, Rosemary Beach!! Kat is doing so incredible without oxygen and we go in two weeks for her official checkup with BPD clinic where we hope she will graduate. Kathryn will also celebrate her second birthday in just nine days. Maddie lost her first tooth on vacation last week, learned how to do flips and handstands in the pool by watching other little girls do it, and officially starts Kindergarten in just under a month. Greg is becoming friendly with the airlines lately as he has been traveling quite a bit for work to Texas, Louisiana, and now Missouri. I was having a pretty flexible work schedule until about 3 weeks ago, when we were asked to put in extra hours and now I am working 6am to about 5pm each day. My brother Beau and his wife Brittany stayed in Washington, DC until about a week ago when Gaines was finally transferred to a hospital back in Alabama. He is doing much better but seems to continue to require oxygen and it appears that he may come home with oxygen also. He is a handsome little thing.

Well, better run. I am making a promise to myself to be better about blogging since I really enjoyed it when I did it before! It's a little more enjoyable now that we have a new laptop at home that isn't a slow old dinosaur like our desktop was. (It was seven years old though which is great great grandfather age in computers!)

Faithfully, Kelly

It's all gone!!

2009-04-23T08:10:00.002-05:00

Pediatric Specialists of Alabama pulled into and out of my driveway yesterday for what I pray is the last time EVER! The oxygen tanks, concentrator, pulse oximeter, and all the various medical supplies are gone!! I feel like the chains have been lifted! Kathryn truly knows no limitations now and I am so proud for her.

On other news, we also had a checkup on Monday with her opthamologist, Dr. Metz. He said that her eyes have not changed in the past 6 months which is a huge blessing and another prayer that has been answered. She has a tiny bit of nearsightedness, but nothing that would require glasses. He said that even if she was 5, the amount of her nearsightedness is so small that it wouldn't require glasses! It may progress over time, but we thank God for the current blessings we are receiving! Because she is doing so well, we do not have to go back for a year! (Enter the theme music, "another one bites the dust", that we use to describe how quickly Kathryn knocks out doctors and medical equipment!)

A few last ramblings: Kat is doing very well sleeping in her room now. Greg and I love having our room back for the first time since July of 2007 - I know, it's been a long time!! Maddie's papers came in the mail yesterday for Kindergarten registration. I can't believe it's coming so soon! Just a few months away and my baby is growing up to be in big school. We are leaving today for our long weekend beach trip!!! Yea for Destin Florida!

And last but most certainly not least, please keep my brother and sister in law, Beau and Brittany, and their baby Gaines in your prayers. She is now 29 weeks on bedrest at GWUH, but this morning started having contractions. Please pray for more tummy time for little Gaines.

Faithfully, Kelly

Results are in - no more equipment!!!

2009-04-15T10:21:00.001-05:00

Kathryn's results came back this morning!! The doctors have discontinued her equipment and will be picking it all up!! We have a normal baby and she will finally go to bed tonight for the first time in her life with NO CORDS!

My God is an amazing God and he is so faithful!!! Praise God for Kathryn's strength!

Faithfully, Kelly

Still no oxygen

2009-04-15T05:57:00.004-05:00

So, Greg and I made the executive decision without the consult of our doctors that we would just not put Kat back on the oxygen since the study last Wednesday night. She has now been SEVEN nights (and days) without oxygen. This morning when I checked on her she was 100 for her O2 reading. How great is that??? To be honest, we thought we would have had the results by now, I mean come on, a week??? Anyway, I called yesterday and raised a stink and we should hear something this morning!

We have another big step for her too - she has slept two nights in her own bed now. I know what you are thinking, she's closing in on two and had been sleeping in our room all this time? I was a little leery with all the equipment and such to put her in her own room, but now that she is off the oxygen, it was definitely time to try it. Mind you, the last two nights have not been easy; she cried for almost 40 minutes last night!

In other news:

1. my sister in law Brittany is now 28 weeks - you can visit them at http://beauandbrittanydaniel.blogspot.com to check up on Beau, Brittany, Reed, and Gaines
2. we are planning our first beach weekend getaway since Kathryn's birth -HALLELUJAH!!
3. Maddie's kindergarten orientation is coming up soon - when did she become so grown up?

Better Run to get dressed for work!
Faithfully, Kelly

No Oxygen!!

2009-04-09T09:23:00.002-05:00

We did Kathryn's pulse oximetry overnight test last night - for you non-medical folks - (that includes me), that means she slept all night with oxygen! And she did wonderful!! No alarms. The oxygen company comes today to pick up the machine to download and see if she passed, but I am pretty certain that she did pass!! Our house was creepily (is that a word?) quiet last night with the concentrator turned off for the first time in over a year - but I am not complaining!!

I am sorry for being such a crappy blogger lately!! We are so enjoying living life now that unfortunately, my time at the computer has gone by the wayside. Plus our computer had some viruses and we were getting them fixed!

Anyway, please pray that the results are as we expect they will be. We should know in a few days! Keep praying for my nephew Gaines to stay in his mommy's tummy for a while longer. She is now 27 weeks!

Faithfully, Kelly

Done!

2009-03-25T21:23:00.001-05:00

Done with taxes - yea!!! Finally.

Kat's clinic update

2009-03-24T17:35:00.002-05:00

We had a clinic visit on Monday with our favorite Dr. - Dr. Lozano. As of now, we are decreasing her Viagra to once a day for two weeks and then we will just stop giving it to her!! Wow - what a big accomplishment. Also, about a week after we stop Viagra, we will do an overnight pulse oximetry study (at home) where they monitor her sats all night without oxygen. If she passes, we will stop oxygen all together! So by mid to late April, we may be able to pack up all this oxygen equipment!! I never thought that I would see that day. We also now will be going to BPD clinic every three months instead of every two and when we go back in July, if Kat is doing well, we may even graduate from that clinic. At that point, we would default to the regular pulmonary clinic which is every 4-6 months. What great strides my little miracle is making. And she finally hit 16 pounds!!

All of these wonderful accomplishments aside, please continue your prayers for my sweet nephew to be, Gaines and his wonderful parents Beau and Brittany. And also pray for Reed while he is away from his mom and dad. They are holding steady at 25 weeks and Gaines is still with his mommy where he belongs!

Keep praying - the prayer of the faithful is powerful and effective!

Faithfully, Kelly

Please be in emergency prayer with us

2009-03-19T20:58:00.000-05:00

As many of you may remember, our second daughter Kathryn was born at 24 weeks, 1 day weighing just 14 ounces in 2007. Our family is praying for another miracle now and we ask that you pray with us. My brother Beau and sister-in-law Brittany are expecting their second little boy, Thomas Gaines Daniel. Gaines is due on July 7th, but God may have other plans. Brittany was on a business trip in Washington DC and started having complications yesterday. She was admitted to George Washington University Hospital last night and they determined that her water has broken at 24 weeks. The great news is that she is at a wonderful hospital. The bad news is that she is now in DC possibly indefinitely until Gaines is born. The doctors have said that she could go as long as a month (or more we pray) or as little as a week. Their firstborn son Reed is with family.

As you can imagine we are praying for God's hands in every step of this. I have created a blog for them, with their permission of course, that they can use to update us all. Please feel free to comment on the blog as that is the best way that you can support them right now. You can also pray for them. I for one know EXACTLY how Brittany feels right now and Greg can TOTALLY understand where Beau is. Prayer is one of the most amazing things that you can do to lift up this family. The blog address is http://beauandbrittanydaniel.blogspot.com.

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up . . . pray for each other so that you might be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:14-16

Faithfully, Kelly Ellis

Closing

2009-02-26T05:48:00.001-06:00

Yeah - we closed on our refinance yesterday - 4.625%! Never thought I would see interest in the 4's!

Yes we did but now we're not

2009-02-25T06:12:00.001-06:00

So, yes we did have to make a trip to the hospital yesterday, but no we did not have to stay!! They took chest x-rays to look at Kat's lungs - which looked good - and then they did a breathing treatment. They also sent us home on breathing treatments, a liquid steroid, and an antibiotic for the ear infections. Poor thing, she sacked out as soon as we got her home!

Thanks so much for your prayers.

Faithfully, Kelly

Prayer Warriors needed

2009-02-23T17:14:00.002-06:00

Kathryn has had a small cold over the weekend and she was sounding worse today so we headed to a 3:00 doctor's appointment. The prognosis is that she has a double ear infection, but also a significant "rattle" all over her chest. For Kat that can be dangerous because it can get into her lungs. She has been free of daytime oxygen for about 4 weeks now, but today she had to go back on daytime oxygen at 1/4 L (which is also her nighttime amount). Right now it is precautionary in order to keep her oxygen sats where they need to be. We are at home and treating her for her ear infections. Please pray that Kathryn will improve, this will not spread to her lungs, and that she will not need to go back in to the hospital. She has been hospital free for one year now and that is the last place we want to go back. Right now, we just kinda wait and see how she does (and we pray a lot!).

We covet your prayers!

Faithfully, Kelly

Today is an anniversary

2009-02-22T20:24:00.002-06:00

Today we celebrate one year hospital free with Kathryn!!

What an outrageous 12 months it's been.

Off to watch the Oscars. (and to Facebook)

Faithfully, Kelly

More random thoughts

2009-02-11T05:46:00.002-06:00

So here we are, another week has gone by and I have neglected the blog again! I used to have much more free time! Anyway, on to the news . . .

1. Maddie - Greg went this past Saturday at 5:30am to stand in line to reserve her spot in after school care starting in August. He was #8 in line and we still got first on the waiting list! I did talk with them on Monday afternoon and it seems pretty positive that we will get a spot, we just won't know until later this week. On the sickness homefront, Maddie is much better. A week and a half and now Maddie is back! She is thrilled to be back at school this week too.

2. Kathryn - had been hanging in all week and not getting sick, and now . . . she's getting sick. So far so good though with the oxygen. We had one little spell last night where she started to breathe funny and her sats were a little low so I put her on oxygen early, but other than that she has been doing well with nights only for about 2 1/2 weeks. Her sickness so far seems to just be really high fevers - 103 is the highest and that was last night with the crazy breathing spell. We went to the zoo and the park this past weekend and she loved running around without an attachment.

3. Greg and I - working, errands, etc. Greg was scheduled to go to Texas again this week on Monday and Tuesday and Monday morning after he had taken his travel bag to work, the trip was postponed. That trip will now be next week. Today he is headed to Mobile. Travelling fool! I'm in town, working, juggling appointments, holding down the fort, etc. For Valentines, we are doing the BE&K 5K this Saturday morning to help raise money for Kid One Transport. That's right, while you guys head out for your dinner dates, our date is a walk! (we save money and we get exercise - and I get some time with just my husband!)

Anyway, better run to get dressed for work!
Faithfully, Kelly

Random Things

2009-02-03T05:51:00.002-06:00

1. Kat is doing very well without oxygen during the day. She has been doing it about a week and a day and is doing excellent! She loves the freedom to go places in our home that she couldn't go before! She walks with a passion. She has now converted "Bay Bay" to "Bai-ly" to call our dog. If you ask her, where's Maddie, she turns to look straight at Maddie. In this fashion, she knows who the following people are: Maddie, Mommy, Daddy, Nini, Pawpaw, and Miss Cheryl. She waves bye bye with a vengeance and is just starting into "uh-oh".

2. Maddie is still recovering from a weekend of sickness. You name it, she's had it. Let's just say that our washing machine keeps getting a workout from all the sickness. Poor thing, her fever has been as high as 104, coughing, vomiting, chills, no appetite, etc. I hope that she is starting to round the curve to wellness because she isn't herself at all. I am also very tired from little to no sleep for the past four nights!

3. We went to the circus on Saturday night because Maddie seemed fine and we had the tickets. 10 minutes after intermission, Maddie threw up all over Greg so we left. Kathryn seemed to have a ball though! I have pictures of them that I will post later.

4. I joined FaceBook - that thing is fun, but is a definite time hog!

5. Greg's company won a job in Texas for some huge amount like $60 million that he helped to find! Go Greg!

6.Greg and I had a date last Friday night at the Comedy Club. It was very nice to get out and Nini and Pawpaw were gracious babysitters!

That's all for now! Faithfully, Kelly

Sancticty of Life

2009-01-29T05:53:00.003-06:00

Friends of ours (actually one of our dear nurses who cared for Kathryn in the Brookwood NICU) emailed me a few weeks back asking permission to use some pictures of Kathryn for something at her church. It's called Sanctity of Life Sunday and it was this past January 20,2009. This is a day to celebrate the life that each one of us is given by our Creator. Our friends made a beautiful slide to share with their church family on this important day and I wanted to share this slide with you.

For this child I have prayed! I Samuel 1:27

Great accomplishments

2009-01-28T05:55:00.003-06:00

Again, getting terrible with regular updates!

Kathryn is now walking without holding on. About two weeks ago, she completely let go and is walking full force. She actually sometimes appears to run! She does say mama now and we are fairly certain that her first "official" word that she is calling out correctly is when she calls our dog, Bailey. She runs to the back door and says "Bay Bay". Funny that this would be her first word since Bailey is primarily an outside dog.

She is doing very well without the oxygen and has even had two days of 8 hours or more off of it. She had a cardiology appointment on Tuesday the 20th and they told us that her heart looks just fine and we can start to ween the viagra! This past Monday, we went for our BPD checkup and they officially told us that Kathryn could go to nights only on oxygen as long as she was doing ok throughout the day. That is a huge step!! They also told us that we could start to ween the viagra, so for the next two weeks she is on only three doses a day and if she has no adverse complications (don't worry, they told us what to look for), then after two weeks she will go to just two doses a day until we go back in March. If all looks good in March, we will go to one dose a day for two weeks and then discontinue the viagra!!!! So by mid April, she could be viagra free!!!! Please pray for that! Also, in March if she has been doing well with the nights only oxygen, then we can start to talk about weening her off of nights for her oxygen and she may be oxygen free by May!! We are obviously excited about these possibilities and are prayerful that she stays extremely healthy right now. As we saw this past Thanksgiving, one little cold can send her back on oxygen, so we will be praying for great health for Kathryn right now!!

Maddie is head first into school. They are learning their phone numbers and their addresses. She has grown up to be such an impressive five year old. We have real conversations and she is such a help with her sister. And my how the two of them adore each other. I actually think that Kathryn probably loves Maddie the most of any of us. Sister bonding is pretty neat to watch.

Greg is staying busy at work and is travelling a little bit. Mostly in state, but yesterday he took a trip to Texas. The weather was icy, so his trip ended up being a 6:00 am flight to Dallas airport, waiting all day in the airport since his second flight was cancelled, and turning around to fly home at 3:00pm. We are just thankful that he is staying very busy right now because in this economy construction can very easily be placed on the backburner. My job is actually pretty hectic right now. I am on a big project so I am working extra hours and am very ready to get back to my normal hours.

We are taking the girls to the circus this coming Saturday night and Maddie can't wait. I can't wait to see how Kathryn responds to everything. Maddie was about her age when we took her the first time, so hopefully she will enjoy it!

Take care! Faithfully,
Kelly

Christmas Pictures - Finally!

2009-01-17T16:46:00.004-06:00

Playing at McWane.

Christmas morning and toys with Santa.

Maddie's Barbie house from Santa.

Maddie and her Christmas jammies!

Maddie and her Pawpaw!

Our new year so far. . .

2009-01-12T05:27:00.002-06:00

So you can tell that the blog is taking a backseat lately. We have been so busy or so busy resting from being busy. Here's our world in a nutshell lately.

Kathryn:
Now walking. She still cruises mostly along furniture, but she has taken as many as 20 steps in a row unassisted. She seems VERY proud of herself with this new accomplishment. The teeth are still busting through and the bottom two are much more visible now. No new ones though. Food is becoming more interesting - yea!! Her favorite foods are meats (even steak), cheese, squash, crackers, and last night we finally had success with our first fruit - banana. Not really a vegetable or fruit eater yet though. Her OT to improve her eating is going well and is now once a week since her eating is such an important issue to gaining weight, dropping the oxygen, and becoming healthier. Oxygen is still with us, but we are trying to start weening again. She did an hour off of it two days last week. I am pretty sure that she finally said mama last night too! Of course, she wasn't calling me that yet, but it was nice to hear her finally say the "ma" sound so that I know that she can say mama.

Madelyn:
She started back to school on Jan 5 and is now 9-2 instead of 9-1. I guess it is getting her ready for big girl school in the fall. She really likes it and they are learning sooo much. She is becoming one smart cookie and is spelling, reading a few words, and writing like crazy (many times the same words over and over because that's what she knows). She still supposedly has the same "boyfriend" and just adores Alex Redmond, although some days he seems a little in competition with Jackson and Josh that are in her class.

Greg and I:
Back to work. Trying to be more healthy and shed the extra pounds we put on through the crazy past year and half living in and out of hospitals. We had the opportunity this past weekend to have a "date" and attend a baby shower and then go to a movie while the girls spent the night with Nini and Pawpaw. We saw Seven Pounds - very good but a little depressing. It was very nice to sleep restfully, but getting them both out for the night took a small army for all the equipment!

I promise to get new pictures posted soon!

Kelly

So I was tagged

2009-01-02T15:14:00.005-06:00

Here is the 4th picture in the 4th folder from my computer. Wow! What a difference from fall 2007 to January 2009! I have humbly decided to not pass the tag along because so many of us have already been tagged!! Enjoy.

By the way, the cannula in this picture is the same size as the one Kathryn wears today. Kinda puts things in perspective, huh? I'll put her current picture just below this one so you can compare!

Kelly

My Grown Up Christmas List

2008-12-30T07:35:00.003-06:00

So I had this idea over the holidays to share my grown up Christmas List. I know that Christmas is officially over, but I still wanted to share. Maybe you can share yours too - either here or on your own blog.

1. First and foremost, I pray for everyone to have a wonderful relationship with our father and our savior.
2. I pray for each marriage to be a celebration of the covenant we make to each other as we vow to love, cherish, trust, and obey each other. I pray that we continue to make Christ the center of our marriages and that we love each other unconditionally each day.
3. I pray that my children see each day the love that Mommy and Daddy have for each other and for them. I pray that that they live a happy and fulfilling life and that hurt stays far away from them. I pray for their safety and for their health.
4. I pray for this economy to turn around soon. I pray for those losing jobs and homes and that they can find some stabilization. I pray for those with jobs and homes still in tact to continue making wise decisions and living as simply as they can for a little while.
5. I pray for peace for all of us - just simple peace.

And last, but certainly not least,

6. I pray for Pediatric Specialists to soon be able to pick up all their oxygen equipment so that my youngest daughter can go everywhere she wants to and no longer be limited by oxygen cords. I pray that the rest of her life she knows no limits - anywhere.

I'm a firm believer that some of the best gifts are those that can't be wrapped in a beautiful package beneath the tree. These to me are some of the best gifts.

Kelly

So I've become a terrible blogger!

2008-12-30T06:53:00.002-06:00

Sorry for the delay family and friends - we have been so busy enjoying the holidays! Let me catch you up!

Kathryn:
She never did catch a cold!! We came very close, but in the end she has yet to develop anything more. Christmas was very special having her home the whole month. We actually were able to enjoy it this year versus last year. She really seemed to understand a little about the presents and her eyes would light up with each new toy. Santa brought her a rocking piano and a little people home play set. She also got a new toddler rocking chair from Nini that seems to be a big hit! She loves to climb in it and has learned to turn her self around, then flashes the biggest grin because she is so proud of herself. Other toys that were a hit were a Fisher Price train from Miss Cheryl, our nanny and a matching zoo playtoy, fromGreg's parents. She also got a few outfits, a huge, adorable, pink and green travel bag with her name on it, some books, and some stacking blocks (and some money and giftcards!) Her biggest treat though is that we took down the twin bed in her room and have made a toy corner in her room! She loves it. Maddie gave Kathryn her old kitchen for Christmas - it was Maddie's present from Santa last year and Kathryn adores playing (loudly) with it! Maddie gave it up to make way for this year's present from Santa - more in a minute. Kathryn also qualified for Occupational Therapy through Alabama Early Intervention and we started that yesterday. She did great! Her therapist, Andrew, brought a straw cup for her to start learning from and by last night she had it down pat! Of course, she does better with sweet tea in it, than her Pediasure. (There's a southern baby for you!) Kathryn took five steps unassisted last night and is getting braver about walking each day. And last but not least, Kathryn has FINALLY cut two teeth, just in time for Christmas (come on folks, "all I want for Christmas is my two . . . ")

Madelyn:
Madelyn had a wonderful (two hour!) end of the year Christmas party with her class at school on Thursday the 18th and has been out of school since. Miss Cassie gave them their presents at the party and I think that my five year old was the only one who put her hand over her heart and said "oh my heavens" as she opened her gift! It was too cute. Maddie went with Nini and Pawpaw that next Sunday to the McWane Center to see the Polar Express in the Imax theater. the kids got to go in their jammies and she had so much fun! Maddie absolutely could hardly wait this year til Christmas. She asked me frequently if Curtis and Bernard were helping Santa get ready - guess we watched the three Santa Clause movies a little too much? Anyway, Christmas Eve we went to service at church in the afternoon- Maddie's choir sang and then we came home for our Christmas Eve dinner of homemade beef stroganoff. We put out the reindeer food so Rudolph could find his way and then headed off to bed early so Santa could deliver the toys. On Christmas morning, Maddie ran to our room, said she was off to see what Santa brought and then took off - so we have no Christmas morning paparazzi pictures of the big surprise face. She got exactly what she had been asking for - a Barbie doll house. And Santa even left a Ken doll to compete with the 12 or so Barbie girls that she already has! Other big hits with Maddie for Christmas was the Leapster she got from Nini, a Barbie car and two beach barbies from Uncle Beau and Aunt Britt, a Barbie styling set and bedroom from Greg's parents, a Leapster game from Uncle Eric, a book, a Hungry Hippo game, and the game Guess Who Extra.

Greg and I:
Nothing special with us! I had off the 18th and 19th of December to spend time with Maddie at her Christmas party at school. Then the week of Christmas, I was off on Christmas Eve at noon and don't go back to work until January 5th!! Greg only worked two days last week and will work two days this week. It's been a nice schedule for a few weeks. For Christmas, we received a check from Nini and Pawpaw so we purchased a Blu Ray player for ourselves! That was a wonderful gift since our DVD player had begun to call it quits! We also got an outdoor firepit from Greg's parents, a waffle maker, some wonderful gift cards, and a little bit of money to pick out something for oursleves. We also received a McWane Center membership AND renewal of our Zoo membership. These are probably some of my favorite gifts as we can use them as a family ALL year long!! (We are actually headed to the McWane Center today to break in the membership!)

I think one of my favorite gifts is something that my sweet husband gave to me. On Christmas morning, as we all sat around our prematurely DEAD Christmas Tree (I mean ours died EARLY this year), my sweet husband told me in front of my parents that he would concede and next year we can get an artificial tree!!!!!!!! I was so excited! I know that we have only been buying real trees for nine years now, but those pine needles stick with you for months people!! Anyway, that was the biggest treat to me. If you know Greg, his Christmas "thing" is that you should buy a real Christmas tree. Anyway, he loves me that much that he has now blessed the artificial tree. I want you to know that I wasted NO time and the day after Christmas, we went to Lowe's with some Christmas money and bought not one, but two artificial trees!! Next year we are planning to do one in the living room like we usually do and now one in the den too with all the kids ornaments on it! The one for the living room was originally $248 and we got it for $37 on clearance - oh yes we did!! The kids tree is a slim one and was originally $198 and we got it for $44. So two trees for $88 total - call me a bargain shopper!! Just so you know, Greg still plans to get a real one each year too, just a smaller one to put in the yard with white lights on it. (As long as there are no pine needles in my house, it's fine with me!!)

So there we are in a large nutshell. I have had so much fun living life at home this year and out of the hospital, that I keep forgetting to share it with you. I have several wonderful blog ideas and then just ran out of time to actually sit at the computer! We hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Faithfully, Kelly

Nothing?

2008-12-23T06:05:00.001-06:00

Still a little bit of a rattly (a word, really?) cough and a stuffy nose, but nothing major progressing just yet!! Still praying for minor ailments!!

And anxiously awaiting Christmas through the eyes of a five year old!

Cold, cold, here it comes?

2008-12-19T09:21:00.001-06:00

But praying a LOT that it won't. Or at least that we can get it treated before Christmas day when the only option is Children's!

Pray with me!!

So what are the mittens really good for?

2008-12-19T07:28:00.003-06:00

Ever wonder what the mittens that the Starbucks gift cards come in are really good for? Well, leave it to a preemie mom to figure this one out.

So, how do you comfort a five year old?

2008-12-19T07:01:00.004-06:00

Tuesday night we had dinner with Maddie's two best girl friends in the whole world, Jalyn and Logan. The reason for the dinner was twofold - hey, it's Christmas, AND dear little Logan (and her family) are moving to South Carolina the Monday after Christmas. So Greg and I have known for about two months, but we weren't sure how to tell Maddie. Well, we decided to tell her on the way to dinner. We tried to play it up a lot and explain how excited Logan was to live at the beach, but it didn't really fly. Maddie's first concerns were how Logan's toys were going to feel about the move, and when did she plan to come back to visit her house. When Greg and I explained that the toys (and stuff) would go with her and that the house would not, I think she felt a little bit of comfort. It took about five more minutes of thinking, then the backseat of the car became very quiet and the tears began to roll. Poor Mom - because when she began to cry, I did too. It's hard for a five year old to grasp this kind of thing.

Dinner went very well and I think that the girls sorta forgot about the moving thing and just enjoyed playing together. The girls swapped presents and Jalyn and Maddie gave everyone a Snapfish flipbook of three years worth of photos. Logan gave the girls a picture frame with a picture of the three of them from her spend the party a month ago and a collage frame with pictures from the past three years too! And Logan gave each of the girls a shell from her new home. (On a side note, Maddie has a wooden nativity set in her room because she loves to play with my mom's collection of them when we go to Nini's house. We would frequently catch her carrying Jesus and she would always say "Nini, I'm being very careful," which meant "I'm carrying your Jesus around." Anyway, Maddie's nativity set is now complete, because the manger that Jesus is lying in is the shell from Logan's new home.) Anyway, that night would not have been complete without a few more tears over our sweet friend Logan. And as a mom watching a five year old contemplate this big life change, I think I shed the most. Maddie has an absolutely huge heart and I love to watch it grow.

Here are the three amigos (Logan, Jalyn in the middle, and Maddie)!! We will miss Logan, but look forward to her visits!!

Praying for nothing, but anticipating something

2008-12-17T20:51:00.002-06:00

Well, Kathryn sounds like she is coming down with a cold again. She has started to have a rattle sounding cough so we are holding our breath and praying that she is not sick, but anticipating that she might be. Guess we will know within a day or so! There goes the cough again - sounding yuckier by the hour. Oh pooh - here we go again, possibly.

Pray with us for no cold!

Kelly

One Year Ago. . .

2008-12-12T05:59:00.003-06:00

We were just settling in with Kathryn at home for the very first time! My how things change in a year! Kathryn had her synagis shot this past week and she is weighing in at 15 lbs, 4 ozs - hefty!! Anyway, she is now facing forward in the carseat - I know she isn't 20 pounds yet, but we have a doctor's ok to do it!! She absolutely loves it - she looks around as if to say, you mean you guys were here in the car with me all along and I never knew it!! She smiles from ear to ear almost every time in the car now (for short trips, mind you!)

We haven't been able to start the weening of oxygen again. Her little sickness over Thanksgiving must have inflamed her lungs. On oxygen she is fine, but when we take her off she doesn't last more than 10 minutes without dropping her sats. I called Dr. Lozano's office to ask about it because it worried me a little (since she had done so well with 8 hours before). Anyway, they said that it was amazing that Kat, with lung conditions, was able to weather her little sickness at home without increased oxygen. They said that ususally "lung babies" would require increased O2 or possibly rehospitalization for winter time sicknesses. All that said, they told us to be very cautious about having her around large crowds of people that would want to hold her and to definitely steer clear of wood burning fireplaces or smoke of anykind, and she should be good to try it again soon! (No complaints here, we definitely would like to stay away from the hospital this year!!)

Maddie had her school and church music programs this week and today her class is going on a field trip to the Old Baker Christmas Tree Farm! She is so excited!! Tonight the girls are spending the night with Nini and Pawpaw while Greg and I go to our Sunday school Christmas party! It's Kat's first night away, so I am a little anxious. Maddie on the other hand has been looking at me as if I am chopped liver because she can't wait to get to Nini's house!

Uh oh, the munchkin is waking - gotta run!!

Faithfully, Kelly

Some new pictures - finally

2008-12-07T05:43:00.006-06:00

So, everyone is well again at our house and I thought I would finally post some new pictures! We are headed to Colombus Georgia for the day for Gause Family Christmas with my stepdad's family! This coming week, we are busy each night with holiday gatherings and then we just sit back and enjoy the rest of the season!

Daphne and the Chicken at Riverchase UMC Trunk or Treat

Kathryn Ellis unplugged!

Kathryn on the move at Nini's

Kathryn and Maddie at the TCDC Thanksgiving Feast-no cannula!

Maddie, Kat and Dad - Kat unplugged

Talking about the Christmas angel

Kathryn

Picking out the tree

My two angels at Hanging of the Greens!

Small Hiatus on the Weaning

2008-11-29T07:03:00.002-06:00

So we have taken a small hiatus on the weaning process. Kathryn got her second dose of the flu shot on Monday and has been sick ever since. What do I mean by sick? Try fevers up to 104.3. But don't worry, at 3 am in the morning, the nurse keeps telling us that we are ok to keep her at home as long as she is under 105. Excuse me? I think that children were not meant to have fevers that high. Her only other symptom is that she has a very congested nose - poor thing. She frequently blows large snot bubbles during the middle of the night and sounds like a grizzly bear. But her sats are just fine!! Anyway, after 4 days of this, I am taking her to the pediatrician today (again). We went on Tuesday and they thought that everything looked fine, she was just having a flu shot reaction. Well, after 4 days of high fevers, I would like some answers! Stay tuned on this note.

On other news, we have had a nice week (if you can overlook a cranky little one!) We have had my aunt and uncle in from St Louis and my brother, sister-in-law and baby Reed in from Montgomery for the Thanksgiving holidays! We have enjoyed some wonderful family time, excellent food (including Dreamland ribs - yummy!!), and sleepless nights!! Maddie has actually spent three nights with Nini and Pawpaw because she wanted to be around all the "fun". (Guess that means that me, Greg, and Kathryn aren't fun.) We are decorated in the house for Christmas with the exception of the tree, which we had planned to get this weekend, but it hasn't stopped raining since yesterday around lunchtime. Greg also plans to decorate the outside of the house once it stops raining! We are also headed to Lowe's this weekend to get a new grill. Our gas grill called it quits last week and Greg has since found out that the company who made it is now out of business. We thought we were out of luck, but Lowe's (where we bought it) has offered to give us a store credit for the value that we purchased it for almost three years ago, which means that we will get a new (free) replacement. I love free replacements!!

Better run to get ready for the doctor's office!

Kelly

Happy Thanksgiving - Please Don't get the Flu Shot

2008-11-27T07:45:00.002-06:00

When Maddie was one, she got a flu shot and stayed sick for several months. I swore I would never do that again. Kathryn got hers on Monday, at the doctor's instruction, and now . . . sickness. I HATE the Flu Shot.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Kelly

we did it!!

2008-11-24T15:47:00.001-06:00

8 hours today!!

We'll try again!

2008-11-23T18:11:00.001-06:00

We didn't quite make it to 8 hours today - will try again, but she made it 5 1/2! She fell asleep for a nap around that time and her sats dropped to low 90's and upper 80's. She couldn't bring herself back up so we put her back on the oxygen. Next go around, we will hook her back up at nap time and then take her off when she is awake. (that was our instructions anyway - guess that's what we get for disobeying!!)

Kelly

Up to 4 hours - trying for 8

2008-11-23T07:17:00.001-06:00

We have been doing just fine with 4 hours off of oxygen! Today will be the first try for an 8 hour day!! Pray for Kathryn - she's just beautiful without her cannula!!

Kelly

I passed!!

2008-11-18T16:00:00.002-06:00

That's right, I am now Kelly Ellis, Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist!! That and $1.29 will get you a 20 oz coke at Walgreens, but I still feel special!! It was pretty tough!

Up to 2 hours

2008-11-16T19:11:00.003-06:00

Tomorrow we are up to 2 hours without oxygen - we kinda did it today too, but not officially. She is doing so well without it!! I took some pictures yesterday of Kathryn unplugged at Nini's house. She was so thrilled to have free reign. I will post them soon.

I am busy studying for my certification exam which is this Tuesday - please pray for a passing grade! I'm nervous and anxious and VERY ready to get it over with!

Kelly

Good so far

2008-11-13T05:52:00.002-06:00

Kathryn has had 2 days now of 30 minutes without her oxygen and she is doing just great. Her O2 saturation is exactly where they want it to be - in the upper 90's! One more day of 30 minutes and tomorrow we double it to one hour!! Keep praying that her little lungs are ready for this!! She is one tough fighter! We all knew that in the hospital, but now that we can see her personality, she truly is strong willed!! She is definitely going to be our tough one to raise - you can see the rebellious streak already.

Keeping on the weaning process . . .

What we've been up to!

2008-11-10T19:54:00.003-06:00

My time is so limited lately, so the thing that suffers . . . . my blogging time. I know, I know, I created this thing so that I could keep family and friends in touch with us and now I am becoming out of touch. I honestly even debated on continuing with the blog and here I am again. Who am I kidding, it's my outlet and I get to pretend that I am an author occassionally. It's some great ME time - which all you moms know is pretty rare and VERY precious!! So, here is what we have been up to lately. . .

Kathryn is now on Periactin for her appetite and it seems to be working well. She received her second injection of Synagis today (they come to our home - FABULOUS!) and she has gone from 13 pounds, 10 ounces last month to 14 pounds, 11 ounces in just 28 days!! Half way to porker! She is a fantastic crawler and will be walking any day now - can you believe that? I think that she will be one of the tiniest and shortest walkers I have ever seen. She still wears size 1 shoes which is very difficult to find in anything other than a crib shoe - because, HELLO?? , kids with size 1 feet aren't expected to be walking!! We officially discontinued the diuretics last week and as of today will be starting to wean her oxygen. Today will be just 30 minutes, but by next Monday we should be up to two hours a day. She continues to impress us and prove that she is God's little miracle!

Since I last posted, we had a wonderful end of year soccer game and party afterwards, a fun trick or treating experience at Greg's office, and a nice Halloween night at Nini and Pawpaw's! Maddie and Kathryn enjoyed trick or treating and Kathryn officially said Mama for the first time that night!! Go ahead and scold me though because I have no pictures. That day, my camera battery died and I was unable to take any pictures. Pawpaw took some wonderful ones so when I get them, I will be sure to post a few!

I have been studying a little the past week or so for my certification next Tuesday the 18th. At this point I am ready to get it over with, but I certainly pray that I pass!! This past week, Maddie and I also fought a cold, mine a little more significant than hers. It resulted in a trip to the doctor for me complete with a steroid shot in the backside and now I am finally feeling better almost a week later. Kathryn showed a few signs of catching it, mainly just a stuffy nose, so she is on a five day steroid treatment too, but she is just fine now. Greg and I also had the March of Dimes Blue Jeans for Babies kickoff last Thursday morning and were on the early morning news again. You can watch a clip here .

I also visited Christmas Village last weekend - one of my favorite pre Holiday events. It's a huge craft show and I was able to get a few wonderful Christmas presents!

Well, that's about it for us right now!

Hope all is well with your families!

Faithfully, Kelly

String of Posts coming

2008-11-10T06:07:00.001-06:00

Stay Tuned!!!

My days are crazy lately!

Wacky Week

2008-10-28T05:47:00.003-05:00

Kathryn is taking to the Pediasure a little bit, but not like gangbusters. I called her nutritionist yesterday and they are prescribing a baby dosage of Periactin for her. This is an appetite stimulant to hopefully help encourage her to eat like a crazy woman!! I hope to pick it up today and get her started on it right away and be able to report next week that we have a small semblance of a porker! (Hear me when I say that I am joking - I hardly believe that Kathryn will be referred to as a "porker" for quite some time in her life!)

Last weekend, we sorta stayed quiet around here. Maddie had a birthday party to go to on Saturday and Sunday afternoon was our church Trunk or Treat! Maddie dressed as Daphne from Scooby Doo and Kathryn is a chicken. I will try to post pictures soon!

We have a crazy fun filled week this week also! Last night, I took Maddie to see High School Musical 3 - very cute movie!! Tonight is our last soccer game of the season (and thus a party)!! Tomorrow night is choir, Thursday we do trick or treating at Greg's work in the afternoon, and Friday is Maddie's Halloween party and parade at school and then trick or treating that night! Whew!! Then on Saturday we collapse!! Actually, I will spend a fair amount of time each weekend from here on out engrossed in study as I prepare for my certification exam on November 18!!

Anyway, that's our world this week!

Kelly

Great news at clinic

2008-10-20T22:57:00.003-05:00

So last week was filled with birthdays! Cousin Reed turned 1 and Nana - my grandmother - turned 89. Greg and I also got the opportunity to go out without the kids for our quarterly Sunday school supper club and we had a great time! On Sunday, Maddie's choir that she is a part of sang in church and they did just fabulous!

Today was BDP Clinic and I think it went wonderful! Let me back up a bit, last week was Kathryn's 6 month checkup with her eye doctor and he said that her eyes have flip flopped from far sighted to near sighted in the last 6 months. He said it seemed significant and that he didn't doubt that Kat would acquire glasses before she is 3. As a mom, I left in tears because I can imagine all those mean kids out there making fun of my precious miracle one day. Plus I am ready to get rid of equipment, not acquire more, and to boot - glasses aren't cheap! Anyway, after I sucked it up and realized that this is truly not an end-all-be-all type issue, I was much better. Kat also received her first synagis injection of the season last week and her weigh in was only 13lbs, 10ozs. I was devastated - I just knew she would be 15 or 16 pounds by now! We also went to her pediatrician last week for her 15 month check up and shots and they added back Zantac. So needless to say, I was praying hard for good news today!! (And God heard me!)

Here are the changes in a nutshell:
1. We discontinued her iron supplement - FINALLY!!
2. We changed from Neosure formula to Pediasure - FINALLY!!
3. We have a weaning plan for her diuretics that would hopefully lead to discontinuation of those by Nov 4!!
4. We are turning her Oxygen down to 1/4 liter!!
5. One week after discontinuing her diuretics (Nov 11), we can start weaning her oxygen
What that means:
3 days of 30 minutes off of oxygen, then on the fourth day double it to one hour
3 days of 1 hour off of oxygen, then on the fourth day double it to two hours
3 days of 2 hours off of oxygen, then on the fourth day double it to four hours
You get the picture!!!!!

This O2 weening is only for daytime hours until we go back to clinic on December 1. If she is napping or sleeping at night, she'll still get the oxygen. If my calculations are right, this will mean that she is doing 8 hour stints of daytime without oxygen (and possibly longer by that point) by Thanksgiving - !! What a gift!! Fear not though, especially if she comes off of the oxygen as planned, we will be keeping her away from large crowds and any travelling to limit any possibility of illness that could push her backwards!

I have been praying for this good news!! We are on our way to a cordless baby!!

Pray with me for one other issue we are facing - Kathryn is apparently on food strike and is not interested in bottles, baby food, people food, anything! We get small levels of cooperation, but not much! Please pray with me that it improves soon!

We actually have a quiet week the rest of this week!! How amazing!

Faithfully, Kelly

Happy Birthday to Maddie!!

2008-10-13T06:17:00.004-05:00

We had a wonderful birthday weekend for Maddie!! She had her birthday party last weekend and invited her two best girl firends over for a spend the night party - we know, we sure are brave!! The girls were sweet as ever! They had pizza for dinner, then we decorated our own cupcakes, and then they watched the new Barbie movie. For breakfast, we took them to Chappy's in their jammies and they all thought that was great fun!!

Friday Maddie took cupcakes to school. At school, she wore the birthday crown, the birthday t-shirt, and got a lot of special treatment. I also went to school and was a "celebrity" reader to her class. This past Friday night, we asked Maddie what she wanted to do for her birthday. She wanted to go see Beverly Hills Chihuahua at the movie and then eat dinner at Joe's Crab Shack!! The four of us went with Nini and Pawpaw to see the movie and eat and we all had a great time. I absolutely can not believe that she is really five years old!! I was telling her Friday afternoon that five years ago at that moment, Greg and I were meeting her for the first time and she said, "Could we talk about this in a minute, I'm reading a book!" Promptly put in my place!

Saturday, we went to get Maddie a Barbie case for her newly found Barbie collection. She got 6 for her birthday from various people - two from Greg and I. Barbie is her new favorite thing and she has promptly decided that every other doll that she previously had is complete mush and NOTHING compared to Barbie! Isn't it funny how quickly Barbie becomes important? She also went Saturday night with Nini to see a magician! She definitely had a wonderful birthday!! She also racked up with 6 Barbies, 3 movies, a butterfly pavillion, Color Me Gems, a painted bulletin board (also her new favorite!!), money, and plenty of wonderful new clothes from the Children's Place.

Here are a few pictures!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAWPAW!!

2008-10-08T18:04:00.002-05:00

It's Pawpaw's 62nd birthday!! Happy Birthday Pawpaw!

Happy Fall Y'all

2008-10-06T05:55:00.005-05:00

Hope you like the new picture above - we had a wonderful time on Saturday at the Pumpkin Patch! (And notice - baby's got a new pair of shoes!! Kathryn's first shoes! She needed them since she is now standing up a lot!)
Here's a few more pictures from our house lately. Enjoy!

Kathryn lost a toy under the table so she went in to find it!

With her new found talent, Kat crawled into the kitchen!

Maddie and the Great Pumpkin!

Maddie did the bungee jump at the Great Pumpkin Patch - she's fearless!

Sisters in their jammies! They adore each other.

Have a great week! Kelly

The Past Week

2008-10-03T07:15:00.002-05:00

Sorry for not posting the past week, but it's been a week of soccer, choir, and study!! Nothing wild and crazy for us. I have really picked up studying lately for my certification exam! I am studying to be CAMS certified which is certified anti-money laundering specialist! I am well on my way in the books, but still plenty to go and the exam is on November 18!! I am trying to spend any of my free time lately preparing for that (what free time, right?) I do plan to spend the weekend before the exam locked in a room so at least that will be two-three days of extreme study!!

This week, we are gearing up for the Pumpkin Patch (Sat), a visit with Uncle Beau, Aunt Britt, and cousin Reed (this weekend), Maddie's starfish week at school (means I have to make a poster for her - HOMEWORK), soccer (Tues), choir (Wed), two United Way speaking engagements (Tues & Wed), Pawpaw's birthday (Wed), my monthly committee meeting at Children's (Thurs), and celebrity reading at Maddie's school (Fri) (oh - and studying in my free time!) And did I forget to mention work somewhere in there! WOW!

I don't know about where you are, but the weather here is so nice lately!! I wish our house windows weren't painted shut, or we would open them and enjoy the breeze!

Oh and we got wonderful news yesterday that our insurance has approved for Kathryn to receive her monthly Synagis injection at home this winter with no copay!! We start those in October and they go through April!

Have a blessed week!! Kelly

ABSOLUTELY WIPED OUT!!

2008-09-26T15:12:00.001-05:00

So I am writing this post at work because I am officially brain dead and will be leaving work (for the week) in a little while anyway! So what has the Ellis Family been up to this week you ask . . . . what have we not, I answer. Monday Greg and I were on the lunchtime version of the ABC local news talking about the Breakfast for Babies event this week to raise money for the March of Dimes. I did not actually see the clip, but several folks tell me they saw it. Tuesday, Maddie's school had a field trip to the Homewood Library and then we had her weekly soccer game that night. I don't think her team won, but the kids have so much fun!! Each week at the end of the game when they ask who won, we keep telling them that both teams keep winning. So far, they have not caught on yet!! Wednesday morning, Greg left on a business trip to Washington DC, Kathryn had physical therapy and Maddie had choir. Greg was due back from DC last night around 6:30 and this is what happened to change that:

2:30 EST he called to say that he had made it to the airport but the flight would be an hour late 3:30 EST he called to say that his flight had been cancelled and they were trying to figure out how to get them home
4:15 EST he called to say that he was on a flight leaving at 5:20 to NJ that would then turn around to get him home to Birmingham (go figure)
5:30 EST he called to say that they had gotten on the plane to find that the flight had been delayed until 5:40 but that now due to rain, they were going to have to sit in the plane on the runway until they could take off at
6:30EST
7 something EST he called to say that he had finally gotten to NJ and that he should be leaving sometime after 8:00 headed home
11:15 CST - he makes it home to find me, Maddie, and Kat all in our room asleep. He carries Madelyn in her room.
2:15 am we wake to Maddie crying who has thrown up in her bed (she says that she just coughed too hard??)
4:15 alarm goes off to get up for the Breakfast for Babies event this morning at Chappy's Deli

The breakfast went well this morning - it was very early and dark out when we started at 6:00am!!!!! We were interviewed on the local Fox station at 6:15 - here is a link to check it out - notice that we are a bit tired!

http://www.myfoxal.com/myfox/pages/ContentDetail?contentId=7519132

So tonight we have some friends staying with the girls so we can attend a Sunday school function. It's a wine tasting event and I am certain that I am sleepy enough to fall asleep BEFORE they even pass out the wine samples. I believe that Saturday and Sunday will include some large amounts of rest as we gear up for next week!!

We have Maddie's birthday spend the night party in just one week - I can NOT believe that my baby is going to be 5 years old!!

Wishing you a restful weekend and praying for one at my house!!

Faithfully, Kelly

More words, officially crawling, and TV appearances

2008-09-21T06:53:00.003-05:00

So Kathryn is official crawling. Mind you, she is not a speed demon by any means, but she goes all over the den floor now!! She also has perfected da-da and she loves to call Greg from across the room and then she gets tickled when she succeeds and gets his attention! Much to Greg's dismay however, she also gets my attention and Maddie's attention by calling us da-da too!

Gotta run, Greg and I are giving testimony in church services this morning and we will be on the noonday news on ABC3340 tomorrow. We are speaking tomorrow on behalf of an upcoming event next Friday called Breakfast for Babies in benefit of the March of Dimes. As you may remember, we are the ambassador family for the Blue Jeans for Babies event in Birmingham coming up in November. This coming Friday there will be a $6 breakfast at Chappy's Deli that benefits the March of Dimes as well. We are being interviewed tomorrow about the event and how March of Dimes has touched our lives. We will also be at the breakfast on Friday so we hope to see you there. Email us if you would like more details!

Faithfully, Kelly

Lucky me!!

2008-09-21T06:45:00.003-05:00

I was fortunate enough last night to get to see Jim Brickman in concert at the Hoover Library. It was a very small setting and very neat to get to see him play. Greg kept the girls and I went with my mom and two of her friends!

First words, Pizza, and Gas

2008-09-13T16:16:00.002-05:00

Kathryn said her first word last weekend - she is now a huge proponent of "Bye-Bye!" Our nanny, Miss Cheryl taught her that and low and behold it was her first word. She has since moved on to the occasional "da-da" and of course who gets left out in the cold as the last word spoken (again), but ma-ma! (Can you tell that Maddie said da-da first too?) I am trying to reassure myself that da-da must be easier to say!

Maddie came home from school on Friday and told me that they had pizza for lunch and that she had brought some home for me. I am looking at my dear thoughtful almost 5 year old like "yeah right" when I look into her school bag to find a gallon sized zip lock baggie with a styrofoam plate holding a large slice of lunchroom style cheese pizza. I turn around to tell Maddie thank you and am slapped in the face with the world's largest grin and Maddie says, "I love you mommy!" She said that they got two pieces of pizza each and she didn't want her second one, but she didn't know if I had eaten lunch so she asked her teacher if she could bring it home to mom. I didn't eat it, but what an adorable thought!! Madelyn has such a kind heart!

Friday afternoon I was feeding Kathryn and about halfway through her bottle she rared back and pushed the bottle away. I am the self proclaimed Nazi baby feeder because I desperately want my tiny tot to grow, so of course I shove it back in her mouth and she again pushes it away. I can't figure out why she is being so ornery as Kathryn continues to squirm in my arms. After a few seconds, she lets out the largest poot I have heard from that small of an individual and then get this . . . she laughs. The little devil actually thought that passing gas was funny!!

I love being a mom. Faithfully, Kelly

First Soccer Game

2008-09-09T21:18:00.005-05:00

Madelyn and her friends had a great time at their first soccer game. The girls played so well and went head to head with the boys. I was so proud of Maddie!! Her team wears burgundy jerseys and they picked their name tonight, so we are now routing for the Red Strikers!! Here is a quick picture or two from the game!!

Here are a couple of other photos too from the last few days. The first one is of Kat this past Saturday. She was all dressed up in her Auburn gear and I was changing her cannula and stickers so I snapped a photo of her without both - doesn't she look beautiful without them!!

This next one is of Kathryn in her new dress that our dear friend Kate made for her!! It looks just adorable on her!! Thanks Kate for making it. (Here she is showcasing her ability to go from lying on her back to getting back up to sitting - you heard me right!! - And Daphne, you won't believe how she does it!)

Here is one of Maddie and Kathryn snuggling in Kathryn's crib.

Kathryn's new favorite way to play. She thinks her toy bucket is an excellent hat!! (And she thinks that it is very funny to put it on her head.)

Last but not least, a new video of the girls playing in Kathryn's crib. Kathryn thought that this was very funny. Turn up your sound and listen to the giggles!!

Faithfully, Kelly

Camping, First Day of School, & First Soccer Practice

2008-09-03T15:59:00.008-05:00

We had a wonderful time camping this weekend. It was very nice weather and the girls and Greg and I enjoyed being outside all weekend. We got up to the campground on Friday afternoon and got our stuff set up while we waited for Nini and Pawpaw to arrive that evening. (The camper was already there!!) We enjoyed a weekend full of fishing, relaxing, swimming, football, and enjoying some really great camping food like wings, hotdogs, and steaks!! The campground was just outside of Gadsden so only about a 45 minute ride for us!! The van looked like we were leaving for weeks (concentrator and oxygen will do that to you), but after two nights we were headed home Sunday afternoon!!

When we got home, we decided that Sunday and Monday (Labor Day) would be great days to finally tackle some outdoor projects we have wanted to do such as putting up lattice around the base of the deck and tilling/seeding a part of our backyard. Well you can sense what happened next, it ended up that Greg did all the work because someone had to watch Kathryn (who by this point was a little put out with the idea of spending anymore time outside). Poor Greg spent all Sunday afternoon and Monday from 8 am til 5pm working so hard and he finished!! It looks so great - I really do wish that I had been able to help!

Tuesday I had one more day away from work and Maddie had her school tea in the morning. It was so nice to get her back to school and seeing all of her friends! She seemed so excited to see everyone. Here is a picture of her on her first day back to school!

Tuesday night, Greg and I had to split up for events! It was parent orientation at Maddie's school so off goes mom to that at 6:00 and at the same time was the first soccer practice for Maddie (Greg got that duty). (And Kathryn stayed home with Nini!) Here are some pictures from her first soccer practice.

Let me just say that I love her new teacher this year. Miss Cassie seems just great! She is very detailed and organized which is right up my alley!! They are going to learn so much this year in 5K - they are scheduled for math, spanish, phonics, writing, reading, etc. They have homework every week, fieldtrips every month, and tons of neat things that they will do in the classroom to learn responsibilities. I can't wait to see how much she grows this year!!

I'll leave you with some random pictures from our house lately - sorry it's been so long since I have posted pictures!!

Faithfully! Kelly

United Way Video??

2008-08-29T07:01:00.003-05:00

Ok, so I am trying to figure a way that I can share the video. I am hoping to cut only my part, but the only way I can share it is if I make it a private post. So, if you are interested in seeing it, please email me or let me know and I can forward the password. I will let you know when I get it posted.

Kelly

The zoo and our upcoming weekend!!

2008-08-28T11:53:00.002-05:00

So yesterday, I took the girls to the zoo and then we had lunch with Nini and Pawpaw and went by Pawpaw's office to meet his work friends. Both of the girls behaved themselves quite nicely. We were planning to go bowling in the afternoon because it said on the website that it is smoke free - WRONG!! Poor Maddie was so sad that we couldn't go bowling but when I explained to her that the yucky smoke wasn't good for Kathryn's lungs, she said that if it meant not going bowling, she just wanted to make sure that Kathryn could breathe - AWWWWW, too sweet!! Maddie is such a protective big sister! Anyway, last night Maddie had choir so she was pretty thrilled with that and quickly forgot bowling.

Greg is headed home in just a little while and we are taking the girls to the McWane Center for the afternoon. This evening and first thing tomorrow we are preparing for another camping weekend away. This is only our second time to go away from home with Kathryn but we really enjoyed the last camping weekend so much and it seemed like a mini vacation!! We are going to a campground near Gadsden and will get to stay for two nights with Nini and Pawpaw in their camper. We figure we better travel now before fall/winter comes back around and we have to go into semi "lockdown" again during the flu season! Hopefully this is the last winter we have to worry about this with Kathryn!

We hope that everyone enjoys a long Labor Day weekend. We should have plenty of wonderful pictures to share from our weekend!

Faithfully, Kelly

Celery, Soccer, and the Big Movie

2008-08-26T07:35:00.000-05:00

So, I'll bet you are confused by the title? Friday night we went to eat dinner with Nini and Pawpaw at the Cheesecake Factory and Kathryn remained fussy at the beginning of the meal. Puffs were not keeping her satisfied. So I gathered her up and sat her in my lap - which is a little tougher now that she is a reacher and a grabber! Anyway, she reached and then she grabbed my celery from my plate and then she gummed every single piece! So we have a celery gummer!!

Maddie is all ready for soccer - we got her cleats, shin guards, soccer socks, soccer shorts, and her new bag came in the mail. She and Greg practiced on Sunday and I must say that she seems to be a natural! Of course, both of her uncles played so I think that she comes by that talent in the family genes!

I am on vacation this week and am spending the time with my girls (and cleaning the house during rest time and in the mornings while they still sleep). Anyway, yesterday we went to the big movie and Kat did so wonderful!! She feel asleep at first and then woke up as soon as the first loud noise started. She never fussed, watched some of the movie, and then took a nap. Of course, it was a Monday afternoon 2:00 movie and luckily, Maddie, Kat, Nini and I were the only people in the entire theater!! Our own private showing!

I think I have been failing to mention Kat's milestones, so I thought I would give a brief update:

she has been sitting unassisted for several months now
she is attempting to belly crawl, not very well yet though
she is "eating" some finger foods - like Gerber puffs, small amounts of bread, mushy banana
she still has no teeth
her bottles are still only 4 ounces or so
she does ok with baby food, but she could easily take it or leave it
she pulls to standing from her knees in her pack and play
she loves the exersaucer and her bebe pod (like a bumbo)
her favorite toy to play with appears to be books
she still takes the type of paci she had at the hospital as a preemie - she won't even consider another kind
she still wears 3-6 month clothes and some 6-9 month, and about to move to size 3 diapers
she adores bath time!
she looks beautiful without the cannula and stickers (I get to see it briefly when I change them)
she still has never slept a night in her bed
she smiles a lot and she does a lot of baby babble - no words yet
she adores Maddie - they already have the sister bond
she loves pulling a blanket up to her face and "hiding"

Better run - time to feed the munchkin!

Kelly

Ellis Household Happenings!

2008-08-20T15:45:00.002-05:00

Kathryn is now officially pulling to standing as of this past weekend. She only does it in her playpen and her bed, but still enough to frighten you when you walk around the corner expecting to see a baby sitting down and there she is staring at you!!

Madelyn is signed up for soccer this fall -- her first stint in organized sports. Well, she's almost 5 - I don't know that you can call it organized, but I think that she will love it!! We ordered her a soccer bag for her cleats, shin guards, and ball. She is so excited!!

Greg and I are just the boring parents - we know you check the blog to see what's going on with the girls!!

Faithfully, Kelly

Maddie and Dad at "work"

2008-08-18T19:08:00.005-05:00

Maddie and Daddy hard at work at Camp Cosby! Maddie thought she was something else in her girly pink hardhat!!

I love my family!!

The rest of our week

2008-08-17T07:29:00.002-05:00

Kathryn is doing just great on 3/4 L of oxygen - I think we will have no problems turning her down to 1/2 L in another week!! I am so glad to see her dropping her oxygen levels and handling it so well!

Wednesday of this week we had our Wednesday night kickoff program at church so the whole family went!

Thursday, Kathryn had her six month follow up with Cardiology and they gave her an excellent report. They advised us to come back in a year and a half when she is almost 3 - isn't that wonderful!? One less doctor visit!! Thursday was also my first meeting with the Children's Hospital Patient Parent Advisory Council that I was asked to be a part of. We were able to see some information about the new Children's Hospital that they are building in Birmingham by 2012 and it looks fantastic. I hope we don't have to go back to living at Children's again, but if we ever do, I hope we wait til then!

This weekend has been filled with snuggle time and errands for me and Kathryn. Madelyn and Greg went to Camp Cosby yesterday to help clean up with a group from his work. Maddie was so excited all week about going to work with Daddy!! She told me when they got home that Daddy works pretty hard when he is at work - I think Maddie thought that was what Daddy does everyday. She said she helped pick up the biggest sticks I ever saw - Greg says they were about the size of a ruler, but she thought they were huge. Isn't that cute?

Faithfully, Kelly

Oh - and I got my United Way video back from Regions. It's very neat!! I'll figure out a way I can share my part (if I can).

Clinic Update and the United Way Lunch

2008-08-12T18:24:00.003-05:00

Clinic Update:

Great Clinic visit. We got the ok to drop two meds!! We also were told to ween Kat to 3/4 liter of oxygen for the next two weeks and if she tolerates it, then go to a 1/2 liter!! (That is amazing!!) So far today, she has done excellent!! Kathryn's weight gain has slowed the last two months to 10 grams a day where for the previous four months she was at 14 grams a day, so that was a little bad news, but the doctors aren't making any changes right now. So. . . . until October, that's the clinic news.

United Way Lunch:

All went well - at least I thought so!! I think I was asked to do another one right after I spoke, but I am not sure. Will update more on that later!!

Thanks for the prayers for the United Way event. My fears were calmed!

Kelly

Monday Madness at the Doctor

2008-08-11T05:55:00.001-05:00

BPD Clinic visit today at 2:00. I am hoping for some changes today!! Will update later . . . .

Chocolate milk - am I allergic?

2008-08-08T06:04:00.003-05:00

Well for those who know Maddie well, you know that she has thrown up every time in her life that she has had chocolate milk. So recently she told my neighbor that she was allergic to chocolate milk just as she had ordered a chocolate milkshake for Maddie (because that is what she had asked for with her lunch at Krystal)! Of course I received a panicky call at work from Christine . . . "um, Kelly, is Maddie allergic to chocolate milk? She just asked for a chocolate shake, I ordered it for her, and now she tells me she is allergic to chocolate milk!!" So I of course tell her, "no, she's not allergic" and then I explain why Maddie might have said that.

So yesterday afternoon, Maddie says that she would like to have some chocolate milk and here is the conversation:

"mom, can I have some chocolate milk?"
"no maddie, you know that you always throw up when you drink chocolate milk"
"well, moooooooom, you said I'm not allergic"
"that's right, maddie, you aren't allergic, but you still throw up each time you drink it - do you really want to get sick"
"well, I just won't talk to you each day I can't have any"
"that's wonderful - it will be a very quiet week - thank you maddie"

PAUSE FOR APPROXIMATELY 1.5 SECONDS (probably less)

"but mooooooooom, pleeeeeeeeeeeease?"
"i thought you said you weren't talking until you could have some"
"well that starts tomorrow"

What a simple and adorable conversation with a 4 1/2 year old. It reminded me of how quickly we, as adults, abandon our convictions too! Whenever it becomes inconvient for us to stand up for what we believe in, we jump ship. I challenge myself and each of you to hold strong to your convictions and be steadfast in what you stand for and the choices you make! Wow, I hope to uphold my challenge!

On another note, I ask that you start praying feverently for me and my upcoming speaking challenge - I mean engagement! I speak on Tuesday at the Birmingham area United Way Agency Kickoff luncheon about our blessed receipt of services offered and funded in part by the United Way through Children's Hospital. I haven't been nervous until today when I began to talk through my "speech" and started to wonder how I will make it through without tears in front of a large group of executives! The only way I know is with prayer - so I humbly ask for your assitance in joining with me to pray that words from my mouth will make a difference!

Faithfully and humbly his servant!

Kelly

Oh shoot - I got called!!

2008-08-06T20:24:00.002-05:00

In the mail today was my notice that I have been called to my first ever jury duty. September 15 it is. Like I really have time for that right now. Oh pooh!

A nice relaxing night

2008-08-06T15:38:00.002-05:00

Last Friday night, Greg and I spent the night away from home for the first time since Kathryn's birth (other than Children's Hospital - which doesn't count!) For our anniversary in May, my dear sweet husband gave me a gift certificate for a night to Ross Bridge Resort. Well we finally were able to use it and we checked in Friday afternoon around 3:00 pm. We spent the afternoon around the pool and I was able to enjoy a massage. For dinner, we ate there at the hotel and had a nice time relaxing on our balcony overlooking the pool. Around 6:45 pm, a bagpipe player stood overlooking the pool and the golf course and played Amazing Grace. We had a wonderful uninterrupted night of sleep and woke to a fantastic breakfast buffet!

All in all, it was time wonderfully spent and a very relaxing night away from home. My mom, Nini, stayed at our house with Madelyn and Kathryn and they enjoyed every minute of their time here too!

The rest of the weekend was spent with fun chores, yard work, church, and a diaper shower on Sunday.

Nothing eventful this week so far. Gearing up for next week when we have three doctor's appointments, Wednesday Night Kickoff at Church, a speaking engagement for Birmingham United Way, and a meeting at Children's Hospital for the Patient/Parent Advisory Council that I was asked to participate in!

Please pray for the Birmingham United Way event. I was asked to speak at the United Way Agency Kickoff luncheon for the Birmingham area next Tuesday August the 12th. From what I was told, the attendees are executive directors of the agencies that benefit from funding through United Way. I am speaking of behalf of my association with Regions Bank and our experience as a family with Children's Hospital. I know that it will be easy to speak since Kathryn's story is so easy for me to tell, but please keep me in your prayers that the right words are spoken and the right meaning is conveyed!

And last but not least, it appears that Greg and I will be appearing on local news on ABC 3340 on September 22 at the lunchtime news hour. There is an event in Birmingham on September 26 that is called Breakfast for Babies that will benefit the March of Dimes. Since we will be the Blue Jeans for Babies Ambassador Family in November, they asked if we would be willing to help for this event too. Sooooo, . . . . we will be interviewed during the lunchtime hour that day and talking about our association with the March of Dimes and about our beautiful preemie daughters!

Faithfully, Kelly

The photo shoot

2008-08-01T05:41:00.005-05:00

We had a great time at our 1st birthday photo shoot! They took 108 pictures - here are a few of the best ones!! Sorry it took a little time to get these posted!

Look Who's One?

I love my girls!!! Kelly

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!

2008-07-28T07:22:00.001-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GREG!!

WE LOVE YOU DADDY!

Love, Maddie and Kat

Our Birthday Weekend

2008-07-27T19:28:00.002-05:00

We had a WONDERFUL weekend celebrating Kathryn's first birthday!! Here's a recap:

Friday - Kathryn and I spent some time together just the two of us on her birthday morning while Greg was at work and Madelyn at gymnastics camp. She and I then took a little trip to the Brookwood NICU where it all started and we were able to see many of the nurses and Dr. DiCarlo. He was so amazed at how big she is. Kat and I picked up Maddie from camp and had lunch with Nini - just the girls (which was very nice)! Friday afternoon, Greg and I took the girls to have professional photos made and they turned out incredible. (I'll try to share a few in the next few days!) Friday night, Greg and I and the girls had dinner out with Nini and Pawpaw to celebrate Kathryn's birthday at Firebirds.

On Friday Kathryn received many birthday phone calls from Nini and Pawpaw, Uncle Beau, Aunt Brit, Uncle Eric, Nana, Pops, our dear friend Nurse Ginny, our sweet nanny Miss Cheryl, ans so many of our close friends. It was so nice to hear from everyone who remembered Kathryn on her very first birthday!!

Saturday - We spent lunch time with our dear friends, the Redmonds, for Jacob's first birthday. Many may know that Alex Redmond and Madelyn plan to marry one day, so Greg and I have decided, along with the Redmonds, that Kathryn and Jacob will marry in the same ceremony. Much cheaper that way and much easier since both children have the same set of inlaws!! (And we really enjoy spending time with the Redmonds, so that makes holidays very easy!!)

Saturday evening we had Kathryn's first birthday party. We were very fortunate to have a house full of people! We shared our evening with college friends, the Mungers and Sawyers; new friends, the Redmonds, the Anglins, and the Randalls, our nanny Miss Cheryl and her husband William, and family of Nini and Pawpaw, Nana, my Aunt Dahl and her roommate and about 10 children!! It was a wonderful celebration of the last year with Kathryn and of Greg's birthday tomorrow!!

Sunday, as you can imagine, was a wind down day from the weekend festivities! We were all very tired but we enjoyed every bit of our celebration and our time with dear sweet friends and with wonderful family!

We look forward, with anticipation, to what the next year holds for our family!!

Faithfully, Kelly

Happy Birthday Kathryn!!!!

2008-07-25T05:51:00.007-05:00

What a difference a year makes!

Birthday Eve

2008-07-24T22:21:00.005-05:00

Happy Birthday to my dear sweet Kathryn!

I wanted to take some time tonight to think about how I felt this time last year on the eve of Kathryn's birthday. Of course this time last year I didn't know that tomorrow would be her birthday. What I felt was extreme pain, a throb in my head that sounded like someone pounding on a drum, a thump in my heart that felt like someone jumping up and down, and the buzz of several nurses and family members when my blood pressure elevated so much that they were concerned I would have a stroke. Throughout the night, the doctors and nurses monitored me constantly. I was fairly knocked out on pain medication. Over the next 24 hours we experienced God's grace and the prayers of many friends and family.

The next morning, July 25th, 2007, they started my magnesium sulfate (or mag sulfate to my fellow pre-eclampsia mothers) around mid morning. The first thing I told Greg when they mentioned the drug was that they must be considering delivery because that was what I had received prior to Madelyn's birth as well. He assured me that it must be precautionary, but my worst fears were that they were preparing us for Kathryn’s birth. I say worst fears because our meetings with the neonatologists up to that point had been very grim. I mean it’s their job to inform us that babies born this early have very strong possibilities of brain hemorrhages, feeding concerns, lung concerns, and fear of infection. So, as bullet proof as I wanted to feel, I was terrified!

Greg later told me that he knew early that day when they started the mag that they were planning for delivery later that afternoon, but that he couldn’t worry me. I spent the afternoon in pain, anticipation, and fear and then at 3:00, Dr. Kennedy said that she could no longer wait to deliver or it would endanger both of us.

Around 4:45 they took me back to the delivery room and prepared for delivery and a few minutes before they started Greg came in to the Operating Room. I remember feeling so helpless, but I also remember feeling like I was floating. I think that I knew that feeling was the prayers that were surrounding our family of three, soon to be four.

Kathryn Bryan Ellis was born at 5:01 pm on Wednesday July 25, 2007 at 14 ounces and she was beautiful. Greg said she was moving and she made a small cry before they bagged her and then rushed her to the NICU. I’ll never forget the first time I visited her in the NICU as they wheeled me in still lying in my hospital bed. I was amazed at how tiny she was.

On the eve of Kathryn’s first birthday, I can’t believe the last year of our lives. We have experienced a miracle. Madelyn and Kathryn adore each other. Greg and I have grown stronger in our marriage and the four of us have a bond that is untouchable. We thank everyone who has prayed for us!

Faithfully,

Kelly

Please send up prayers

2008-07-24T05:58:00.002-05:00

Today is the day one of our NICU friends is having her colostomy reversed. Please pray for Addie and her parents and that everything will go just perfectly!! I know that they are ready to move past this chapter!!

Kelly

Gymnastics Camp,Where do Babies Come From, and the Mystery Curve

2008-07-21T21:31:00.003-05:00

Gymnastics Camp:

Maddie started gymnastics camp today and she said that there were two girls in her class that were sassy and popular and weren't nice. I asked her what popular meant and she said, "not sharing, not nice to you, and just mean." Hmmmmm. . . .

Where do babies come from:
She also told Greg and I tonight how babies happen - she said that you ask God for a baby in your tummy and you get one. Then you wait lots of weeks for it to get bigger and then your tummy hurts. Then your doctor says it's time to get your baby and you go to the hospital and they cut your tummy and reach in and get the baby. Then they rinse it off and give it back to you and you both stay in the hospital until you aren't sick and then you go home. So, Greg and I asked how long does the baby stay at the hospital and I kid you not, Maddie said, "ummm, like 16 weeks." Well, I guess in our family that's not inaccurate!

The Mystery Curve:

Maddie kept asking me for help in how to write the mystery curve. I had no idea what she was talking about. Then she tried to draw it for me and I realized what she was drawing - ? So, a question mark is also called a mystery curve.

She is so smart. It's great learning through a child's mind!!

Kelly

One Year Ago Today

2008-07-21T06:02:00.003-05:00

I was admitted to the hospital around 6:30 am for Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH). Little did we know that we would meet Kathryn in just 4 more days!

Only one more week . . .

2008-07-18T15:31:00.002-05:00

til Kathryn is one year old!!! I absolutely can not believe it has been a year almost.

We have a busy week coming up. Next week Maddie has gymnastics camp and private swim lessons. Kathryn has physical therapy, Greg has a day trip to Tuscaloosa and a second day trip to Memphis, I am working and getting ready for the birthday party and then we are taking the girls for some professional photos next Friday on Kathryn's birthday. It will be Kathryn's first time! I can't wait to see how they turn out!!

Have a wonderful weekend - we sure plan to!

Kelly

The Good and the Bad

2008-07-15T18:05:00.002-05:00

The bad news first . . .

Kathryn had a temperature today as high as 102.9.

The good news . . .

Because of the temperature, the doctor wanted to see her and he said it looks like a viral infection - no big deal. But, as a result of being in his office, he weighed her . . . say hello to our 12 pound, 11 ounce Kathryn!!

Oh and the United Way Video Shoot went well today. Thanks for your prayers!!

Kelly

United Way Video Shoot for Regions

2008-07-12T06:40:00.002-05:00

Ok, so my United Way Video Shoot for Regions is this coming Tuesday at 1:00. Please pray that the right message comes through so that the right purse strings will be tugged!!

We made it through with Greg gone this time and no major incidents!! All is well and Greg will be home today!!

Kelly

Comparison!!

2008-07-08T16:31:00.003-05:00

I noticed both of these pictures recently and the girls were wearing the same outfit - 4 years apart!! How much they look alike!!

Kathryn's first 4th of July!

Maddie's first 4th of July! (same outfit)

What's been happening at our house . . . .

2008-07-08T15:37:00.005-05:00

Well, I finally was able to schedule an appointment to have my massage that Greg gave me for Valentine's Day (and it was wonderful)!!! Valentine's in June - who would have thought. Other than that, we have had a relatively uneventful two weeks. Maddie finished up zoo camp in June and then had a week at home with Kathryn and Miss Cheryl. We all celebrated the Fourth with our friends, the Rains, and watched the fireworks in Birmingham. It was a nice, quiet, long weekend. Nini and Pawpaw were out of town for the weekend and they returned on Sunday. The girls were so thrilled to see them (and Greg and I too!!)

Greg is headed today to Baltimore, so I am praying for several days of quiet around here. I am certainly hoping for no major events!! Maddie is in swimming lessons this week and next and she enjoyed her first class yesterday!! We are also looking forward this weekend to Uncle Beau (my brother),Aunt Britt, and cousin Reed coming to visit this weekend. We haven't seen them in quite a while and we can't wait to let Reed and Kathryn play together!!

Kathryn also has new tricks - she can sit up for a minute or so unassisted, she holds 88-90 on her oxygen sats without her canula (a huge improvement!!!), and she has taken to blowing raspberries with her mouth - which is wonderful except when her mouth is full of baby food!!

Here are a few pictures of the girls recently!!

Hope that you all had a great 4th of July!!

Kelly

Happy 11 monthday Kathryn - Here's a sample of our year in review!

2008-06-25T18:58:00.003-05:00

I hope that you enjoy this. I had a great time making it and even shed a few tears. I'm sorry that it's six minutes long, but I just couldn't leave anything out!! You'll want to pause the music player on our blog before playing the movie!!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Exciting news!

2008-06-25T15:59:00.001-05:00

Each year the Regions Bank internal communications department produces a video that is shown to all associates as part of the company's United Way efforts. And each year, Regions Bank asks its associates to share how United Way has touched their lives. Usually I can't respond to such a request, as Greg and I have been fortunate enough that we have not needed the services provided by United Way - until this past year.

One of the services affected by United Way is Children's Hospital and we have certainly appreciated having this wonderful hospital right in our own back yard. I hesitated two weeks before responding to this call and I prayed about it. In the end, I feel it is a privilege that Greg and I have to be able to share the miracles we have faced over the last year of our lives. So I decided to submit our story of Kathryn and the benefits we have received through Children's Hospital.

I was notified today that they would like to include our story as a part of the United Way video campaign that will be seen by all Regions Bank employees in the Central Alabama area, at least. Kathryn and I will be part of a video shoot which will touch on some of the medical victories Kathryn has overcome with the help of the services offered by CHS and the BPD team there. I feel honored to be able to share her story.

Please pray for me on the upcoming video shoot - I would like to think that I can relive the story without tears, but I think I'll need prayer to do that!! I will let you know more details about the date when I have them.

Faithfully, Kelly

Daddy came home, we hosted a picnic, and Maddie's in Zoo Camp

2008-06-24T21:28:00.005-05:00

Greg got home safely from his trip last Wednesday night and we were all glad to see him!! Saturday, we had a picnic at our house with our wonderful Sunday School class, the DINKS, and I think that everyone had a great time. Here are a few pictures:

Monday, Maddie started Zoo Camp and is having a great time. It's one week long and she will be a junior zookeeper/animal adventurer for the week. They are talking about special things with all the animals, riding the carousel, riding the train, and walking a lot!! She is absolutely loving it!!

I have not gone a-wall!

2008-06-24T05:53:00.001-05:00

I will try to post tonight - finding the time some days is fairly tough!!

Greg's trip to Los Angeles

2008-06-18T17:39:00.002-05:00

So Greg left Monday morning at 4:30 to get on a flight to LA by 6am. I think we both slept about 3 hours all night on Sunday because we were afraid he would miss the plane! Monday, I went to work and came home to Maddie with a red swollen left eye. The doctor said it could be pink eye so he called in eye drops. So we started the battle of eye drops Monday night. Then about 10:30 pm, I was awakened to Grilled Cheese and Strawberry throw up all in my bed - which was where Maddie was sleeping! She had a fever of 101 and I called my mom in the middle of the night to come help (since Greg was out of town). Kathryn was crying because she was awakened by all of the commotion, Maddie was crying because she was gross and had a fever, and the bed was a mess. My mom came and stayed until around 12:15, and then I got another 3 hours of sleep or so before time to get up for work.

Tuesday Maddie seemed better, but her fever wouldn't come down completely and I called the doctor to see if there was anything more to give her. He wanted to see her in his office, of course, so my mom left work early and stayed with Kat while I took Maddie to the doctor. He said it was a 24 hour viral thing - not contagious - and oh, by the way, she didn't have pink eye (purchase of medicine wasted!)

Maddie's temperature as of today, Wednesday, is completely gone and she is perfectly fine. Of course, just in time for Greg getting back from LA tonight.

Oh and during these three days, Bailey, our dog, had some type of eye thing - a clogged tear duct, so I have also been to the vet to pick up her medicine and been applying it to get her better. Of course, she is now much better - just in time for Greg getting back in town.

When he is here, nothing goes wrong at our house. He goes to the other side of the country and our household decides to go all nutty on me!!! Pray for me in July, he heads to Baltimore for 4 nights!!

We sure are glad to have him home tonight!! Welcome home daddy!!

Kelly

Happy Father's Day!!

2008-06-15T08:09:00.002-05:00

Happy Father's Day to my sweet husband. You are a wonderful father and your kids absolutely light up when you walk in the room!! The smile on your face when you see them is worth a million!! We love you Greg!!

Quick catch up post

2008-06-15T07:56:00.003-05:00

So I haven't posted in a while, we have been a little busy lately!! After our clinic visit almost two weeks ago, we also went in to Kathryn's Medicaid pediatrician on Wed the 5th of June. In the room next to us was a dad with his child who had evidently cut his head wide open and was screaming so loudly I am surprised you all didn't hear!! And to top it off, this dad had not taken his child to the CHILDREN's emergency room, the dad had not taken his child to the child's pediatrician, no, he had taken his child to the first pediatrician he could find. So this doctor didn't even know the poor child while it screamed incesantly for almost 45 minutes while we waited in the room next door with Kathryn naked and her oxygen tank running low and Madelyn trying to climb the walls to get out because she was so bored and we couldn't find anything else in the tiny box of a room to play in "I spy!" Anyway, we finally left and the visit went fine!

That Friday night, Greg asked Madelyn on a "date" to the 5:30 movie and she raced to her bathroom to get ready. She frantically brushed her hair, applied her Cotton Candy lip gloss, and her Strawberry Shortcake spray glitter perfume and they were off to see Kung Fu Panda. I think they had a great time.

Last week, Madelyn was in Vacation Bible School at our church and had a great time!! Her teacher's name was Hannah, who Madelyn called Hannah "not Montana" everyday!! Wednesday afternoon, I took her and Kathryn to the zoo for an hour of playing in the fountains with her dear friend Logan and Friday night she had Jalyn spend the night at our house. Logan and Jalyn are her best friends from school and they are not seeing each other much this summer so we are trying to do extra things to get them together!! All day yesterday, Maddie went with Jalyn to the pool and had a great time!

Last night we celebrated Father's Day for Greg! He got new outdoor speakers, a foot massager, a photo book, and a jewelry box that Madelyn made for him. We also took him to Dreamland for dinner.

We are preparing for another crazy week as Greg leaves tomorrow for LA for three days and it's just me and the girls!!

Kelly

What an Honor - Our March of Dimes Story

2008-06-11T05:59:00.003-05:00

For those who are not aware, our new & dear friend, Lurenda, recommended to her contact at March of Dimes that the four of us would make a great choice for a March of Dimes Ambassador Family. So we were asked to be the Ambassador Family for the Birmingham Chapter of the March of Dimes Blue Jeans for Babies event this year. This is in honor of our preemie, Madelyn, AND our micro-preemie, Kathryn!! It's a tremendous honor. Our pictures and story will be highlighted in literature for the event and the four of us will be interviewed and introduced at the kickoff event in November. I will let you all know details closer to the time, but for now, I thought I might share the story I submitted. Bear with the length, and I hope that you like it.

We are the Ellis family: Greg, Kelly, Madelyn, and Kathryn. Our two daughters, 5 years old and 1 year old, were both born prematurely due to Preeclampsia or Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH). Here’s our story…

My first pregnancy was a wonderful blessing in our lives. Everything was going smoothly until around 24 weeks, when my blood pressure began to slowly elevate and there were concerns of Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH). At around 29 weeks, I was placed on bed rest in our home for three days until the doctors realized that my blood pressure was increasing day by day, at which time I was placed on bed rest in the hospital. While on bed rest for weeks 29 and 30 of this pregnancy, I received steroid injections to stimulate the baby’s lung functions. At 31 weeks, the doctors could no longer safely hold the pregnancy back since the only cure for PIH is delivery of the baby. As my blood pressure reached record heights, an emergency C-section was scheduled, I was administered magnesium sulfate to aid in the prevention of seizures, and Madelyn Dane Ellis was born on October 10, 2003 at 3:35pm at 31 weeks gestation weighing 3 pounds, 3 ounces and 16 inches in length. We were very fortunate that Madelyn was born with healthy lungs and required no mechanical ventilation or supplemental oxygen. Madelyn received the drug Surfactant to supplement her lung function and spent 15 days in the NICU in order to learn to eat properly before being discharged home on October 25, 2003. Madelyn is now a healthy five year old with a beautiful spirit and a happy heart!!

Our family was blessed again in February 2007 when we found out that we would have a second child. The doctors monitored me very closely in this pregnancy and it seemed to be a text book pregnancy with little weight gain and a healthy and active baby. In July 2007, I was again hospitalized for dangerously high blood pressure bordering on the level of a stroke, but this time at 23 weeks gestation. I experienced a rapid spiral of health concerns including high blood pressure, swelling, elevated liver enzymes, and the beginning of kidney failure when the doctors again ordered an emergency C-section to deliver our second daughter.

Fortunately, I again received steroid injections to stimulate the baby’s lung functions and on July 25, 2007, Kathryn Bryan Ellis was born at 5:01pm at 24 weeks, 1 day gestation weighing 14 ounces and 11 inches in length. Kathryn was immediately rushed to the NICU and placed on mechanical ventilation in order to sustain her life. Kathryn received the drug Surfactant over the next few days in order to supplement her lung function. Kathryn remained on mechanical ventilation for the next 3 ½ months. We waited 83 days to hold our tiny miracle. During her 143 days in the NICU, Kathryn endured mechanical ventilation, countless blood transfusions, received numerous medications to strengthen her lungs, and fought septic infections. She battled the odds and miraculously beat them. At 143 days in the NICU, Kathryn was discharged on December 10, 2007 on supplemental oxygen, which is the last reminder of her tiny start. Since her initial discharge, Kathryn has had three additional hospital stays, which ended in a diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension that the doctors expect she will outgrow shortly along with her need for supplemental oxygen due to BronchoPulmonary Dysplasia (BPD). Kathryn has been on supplemental oxygen at home along with numerous medications since December 2007 and the doctors expect that by Spring 2009, she will outgrow them all and live the life of a typically developing child with no medical concerns.

Our children are miracles. The March of Dimes raises money that can help to identify factors that predispose women to an early delivery. Thanks to breakthroughs in amazing medications, advances in research, and the generosity of strangers, March of Dimes is making a difference. It certainly has made a difference in our family and in the health of our daughters.

Later in the year when this event comes up, please think of our little family of four and do everything that you can to support the March of Dimes. The money raised will help March of Dimes continue to fight for the littlest of God's miracles and the money already raised is part of the reason that we have two healthy girls!! May God bless you as he has blessed us!

Faithfully, Kelly

Great Visit at Clinic

2008-06-03T05:37:00.002-05:00

At Kathryn's clinic visit, she was 11.15 pounds (up from 9.39 pounds in April). She has increased her length by 1 inch and the circumference of her head by 1 inch. All in all, she is in the 33rd % for both height and weight, but for height to weight ratio, she is in the 50th %. What that means is that she is still small in both weight and height, but she is perfectly proportionate - just tiny in comparison to other children her age!! I just keep thinking that she will be the perfect size two that women with average builds wish they could be!! They said that average 6 month olds (her adjusted age) gain around 12 grams a day and Kathryn's weight gain over the last two months was 14.5 grams a day. So she is gaining what an average child her adjusted age would gain and then a little "catch up" weight - they just wish she could gain a little more "catch-up" weight, but for now she is still doing wonderful!! The only nutritional change at this time is to move her to a little bit more caloric formula which simply means making her formula a little bit differently, but the same stuff!

Two of her diuretics had to be increased because her CO2 levels were a little elevated in her blood sample. So they increased her Diuril and her Aldactone, but the good news is we are getting rid of one of the medications!!!!!!!!!! Her Lasix has become so minimal in comparison to her weight that we are going to drop it. She had been getting 0.15 ml twice a day, so for the next two weeks she will get it once a day and if she tolerates that, after two weeks, we can stop giving it to her altogether!! So we may be down to only 9 medications by Monday June 16!! And Dr. Lozano said that she is outgrowing some of her other meds too, and they are going to let those do the same thing - gradually get to the point that they are minimal doses compared to her weight and just let her drop them!! So even though we are still giving the same meds and the same doses, she is still weening from them because she is growing!!

She did excellent with getting her blood drawn. My little trooper just watched the nurse draw her blood and she did not even cry. That partly makes me a little sad because it means that she is so used to it, but at least she didn't cry!

Dr. Lozano was very pleased that her oxygen is down to 1 liter per minute and he said to hold there for a while, but he was very impressed with how much progress Kathryn had made since April. He suspects that she should be off of a lot of her meds and possibly her oxygen by Christmas or at least the first part of next year!! That would be amazing!! Of course, it would mean that we have to be super careful with her through next winter so she doesn't go right back on it, but we can certainly do that!!

We go back again for follow up in August!! Thanks so much for your prayers!! My fears can calm a little now!!

Faithfully, Kelly

Prayers

2008-06-02T06:19:00.002-05:00

So, pray for a good clinic visit today - it's at 2:00!!

Faithfully, Kelly

So, allow me a moment to be happy and a moment to sulk

2008-05-29T22:24:00.002-05:00

So, I took Kathryn to the doctor today because she has had some tummy troubles (we'll just leave it at that!). Well, the good news is that she has finally crossed the double digits in weight and weighed in at 11 pounds .5 ounces. I am so thrilled to even be able to say that she has grown so much. The bad news about that is that although she has gained, Dr. Stansell mentioned that he felt like her weight gain is probably slowing over what it used to be. She will see Dr. Lozano at BPD Clinic on Monday and his team is who directs her nutritional requirements. I would imagine that Monday will include some nutritional changes and I pray that whatever is recommended will start to work and pack some pounds on our little munchkin! Otherwise, there may be some larger changes that they would consider making that could involve minor or major invasive procedures that I do not even want to think about yet!

I haven't asked for a specific prayer for Kathryn for a while, but I feel the need to ask for one now. She is doing so well and I ask that you pray for some really aggressive weight gain for her over the next few weeks. I pray that she can pull out of this "slump" by herself without the needs of medical intervention!!

Faithfully,

Kelly

Pictures

2008-05-26T07:55:00.000-05:00

There were way too many great pictures from our night away so I had to post them this way! Hope that you enjoy.

Reflection over the last week

2008-05-26T07:07:00.002-05:00

So I haven't gotten a chance to post in a week now and I never posted about our crazy weekend last weekend. We had a wonderful time last weekend with Madelyn's recital and Kathryn's baptism. Saturday morning before the recital, we took Madelyn to breakfast with her two best friends Jalyn and Logan. The recital was hectic backstage, especially for a four year old, but the girls had so much fun getting into their costumes. They did a great job on stage! After the recital, Greg and I gave Maddie flowers and she was so proud! Sunday at the baptism was vedry special to Greg and I to look out and see so many of our family and friends who were there to support us. There were even new friends we have made since the birth of Kathryn, work friends, and friends and family that drove great distances to be there with us to celebrate the sacrament of Holy Baptism with Kathryn! She did an excellent job and only gave a small cry about the water on her head. Sunday afternoon was the annual NICU reunion at Brookwood Hospital where Kathryn stayed from July to December so we went back to let her see all of the sweet nurses who took care of her! Dr. Mena was also surprised to see how big she had gotten!!

We spent the rest of this past week, just as crazy as the weekend. We both worked on Monday, then on Tuesday, I took the day off for Madelyn's end of the year school picnic in the park. Kathryn and I went to her school, we all walked to the park and spent two hours there with all of her classmates! She had a great time and I know that she will miss them over the summer. Also on Tuesday, Greg and I celebrated our eight year anniversary by going out to dinner!! We love our girls but we had a nice night out while Nini and Pawpaw stayed with them. Wednesday was the end of the year dancing party at school. Then Thursday was Maddie's last day of school. And on Friday, we took the girls on a much needed overnight camping trip away from our home (for the first time in almost a year). Like I said it was much needed but we literally packed the van full with the oxygen tanks and the concentrator and everything else. We had a great time and certainly needed a little relaxation, but it will be a while before we get out again!! I will try to get some pictures up from the weekend. Today we are just enjoying a wonderful Memorial Day and saying thank you to the men and women who put their lives in harm's way to defend and protect our country!

Faithfully, Kelly

The baptism

2008-05-19T16:38:00.005-05:00

A picture of the baptism

Pastor Jim with Kathryn

Jim and John baptising Kathryn

Kathryn's Nanny ,Miss Cheryl with Kathryn

Kathryn with our favorite nurse, Miss Ginny!!

The Recital

2008-05-18T06:31:00.003-05:00

Madelyn and her friends had a great time at the recital!! She did just great!!

Getting ready for the recital and baptism

2008-05-17T06:52:00.002-05:00

As we get ready to start our busy weekend of recital, family, cookout, baptism, and NICU reunion, I am absolutely excited about celebrating the lives of my daughters. Madelyn is such a beautiful, sweet little girl with a tremendous heart and she has become such the big sister. She tells us all the time how much she loves Kathryn and that she will always be her best friend. I myself never had a sister, but I can only imagine the bond that these two will share as they grow older!! Madelyn looks at Kathryn like she hung the moon, but then again so do Greg and I sometimes!!

Madelyn performs today in her very first dance recital and is the second to last routine in the 2 1/2 hour program and yes, we have to be there (get to be there) for the whole thing!! She is so excited to be on the big stage and of course when she got up there for the rehearsal she too looked like she was perfecting the "deer in headlights" look! Last night before bed, she said "tomorrow is recital day" and had the biggest smile ever on her face!! Greg and I are taking her to breakfast with her best friends that are also in her dance class as a pre-recital party!!

As we get ready to celebrate the baptism of Kathryn this Sunday, I think back almost 10 months ago when Kathryn came into this world a fragile 14 ounces and my heart is overjoyed that this day is here!! There were so many nights that we never thought Kathryn would remain with us and the fact that she has still amazes me everyday. It's not too often that we get to personally see God's grace and His miracles, but we have the pleasure of staring into the face of His grace every day and she always smiles back at us. It's as if her smile means, "see, Kelly and Greg, I said to trust in me and I would bring her home!"

What a blessing this weekend is too us! We celebrate our children this weekend!! And we thank everyone who plans to celebrate with us!

Faithfully, Kelly

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

2008-05-15T20:49:00.001-05:00

We received a phone call last night from some new friends that we have had the pleasure of knowing since the birth of our baby girls, Kathryn and Addie. Addie has been in the hospital (both Brookwood and Childrens) since birth, which is about 7 months. The family finally received news yesterday that they were able to take their baby girl home to Cullman for the first time today!! So welcome home Penn Family!!!!

At our house, we had Maddie's church choir program last night where all the kid's choirs sang. Maddie's choir, the Cherub Choir, sang three songs including the Tarzan song, My God is so great, and the third one escapes me (what a bad mother!!) Nini, Pawpaw, and Nana came too and then we went to dinner afterwards. Kathryn really enjoyed the singing and watched a lot!! She also enjoyed playing with the program!

Today was Maddie's (2 1/2 hour) dress rehearsal for her dance recital this Saturday. Of 21 groups, Maddie's is #19. It was a pleasant 2 1/2 hours, but at least I had the pleasure of Jen and Lisa's company - Maddie's two best friend's moms'!! (Smile)

Thanks for checking in on us!! We are keeping busy for sure! We are awaiting family from out of town this weekend as we celebrate Maddie's dance recital on Saturday and Kathryn's baptism this upcoming Sunday. It will definitely be a busy weekend !!

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would have not a single bit of talent left and could say, "I used everything you gave me." erma bombeck

Faithfully, Kelly

Who's Ready for a Laugh?

2008-05-13T17:35:00.002-05:00

One of the sweetest sounds I know!

Happy Mother's Day!

2008-05-11T08:02:00.003-05:00

These are from Maddie's Mother's Day party at school.

Keep it a secret from Kathryn . . .

2008-05-05T15:49:00.002-05:00

but she's been on 1 1/2 liters for a week and 1 liter since Saturday and her sats are still staying at 100 almost all of the time!! She is doing so well lately!! But don't let her know about it - we want her to think that she is still getting the same amount of oxygen!!

Kelly

Week in review

2008-05-04T08:40:00.002-05:00

Nothing much at our house this week. Greg had a busy week with work and the Annual Summit on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Annual Summit is Hoar's annual meeting. Monday was a stay at home day for me and the girls and we enjoyed our day! Tuesday was a sick day for me because Miss Cheryl couldn't come to work. So Wed, Thurs and Fri were very busy days at work!! Friday night, Maddie spent the night with her best friend Logan and evidently had a wonderful time at the Movie in the Park!! Greg and I went to the Spouse dinner at Hoar's Annual Summit while Nini and Pawpaw babysat and hung our new screen door (which is wonderful!!!) Greg and I had a great time on our night out and ended up bidding on McWane Center tickets and won them at the Silent Auction. The money went to the American Cancer Society which is a great cause and we got the tickets for a great deal!!! Yesterday, Greg finished up the Summit, Kat had physical therapy at 12:00 and Maddie had a birthday party from 2-4. Last night we just relaxed and had a nice dinner on the deck!

Here's to a great start to next week!!

Kelly

Pictures from Dad's Derby Day at TCDC

2008-04-28T15:15:00.005-05:00

So finally we can share pictures of Maddie's car. She wanted to be an M&M (or at our house those are known as "minnows" - not sure why!!) Anyway, Greg and Maddie did an excellent job on the car and everyone had a great time at the event!!

Kelly

Thank you to everyone for supporting us!!

2008-04-24T15:43:00.003-05:00

Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us and emailed us about the ridiculous interchange of words we have shared with Mr. Parks of The Birmingham News. It amazes me that someone could be so hard hearted, but it just makes me that much more appreciative of the positive people with which we have the pleasure of sharing our lives!! We have tried not to make any pointed comments about Mr. Parks on this blog other than those that we have already shared with him via email. But I think that just posting his comments and ours to him in return speaks volumes about his character without me needing to say a word. For my career, I am basically a writer of sorts and I learned a long time ago that stating just the facts (and keeping personal opinion out of it) is much more professional. Where Mr. Parks overstepped his bounds with Greg and I was by making it a personal attack on Kathryn. Once again, thanks to everyone who responded to us with such kind words of support. I didn't just stand up for Kathryn, but all of the miracles we have come to know.

Now for some new pictures of my beautiful girls who have benefitted from "fruitless medical technology"!!

Can anyone find Kathryn? (It's like ET.)

Sister snuggles!! (The best kind!)

Faithfully, Kelly

Mr. Parks' oh so wordy response

2008-04-23T15:18:00.003-05:00

Thanks for the feedback. Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you.
--Dave

I think his words speak volumes about his character!

Dad's response to Mr. Parks Email

2008-04-23T00:07:00.001-05:00

Mr. Parks and all Senior Editorial Staff,
I would like to take this opportunity to share some thoughts and commentary on the recent article that Mr. Parks published last week and the resulting correspondence between Mr. Parks and my wife, Kelly Ellis. As you know, Mr. Parks wrote an article last Thursday, April 17th regarding the "New Guidelines to Help Determine Premature Survival Rate". In response to the article my wife submitted an Opinion response to The News which was published in yesterday's paper. In all honesty, I figured that the debate would likely stop at that point, or at the very most we would receive a stock "thank you for your opinion" form letter from either Mr. Parks or The News editorial staff. Boy was I wrong!

What I share with you all is a truly heartless, cold, and disturbing response that smacks of an absolute disregard for humanity, not to mention my family. I hope that upon reading Mr. Parks' email response that you will be embarrassed that your fellow co-worker had the audacity to send such a response as an employee and ambassador of the Birmingham News. I find it interesting that Mr. Parks was not brave enough to courtesy copy any of his editorial staff or management to enlighten them to his private reply to my wife. I would also surmise that it is not routine or approved practice to address a reader in this manner without clearing such a response with an editor or member of management first. At this point, I am sure that you think that I am completely overreacting to a poorly thought out or hastily sent response by Mr. Parks. To give you all the necessary background to understand why I expect to receive a published written apology to my family and the other parents of extremely premature babies I ask you to indulge the rest of this email. This email will be quite lengthy; however, I hope that after you have finished reading you will see why my wife and I are so troubled by callous private response and the poor reflection that it has on the integrity of the staff at the Birmingham News.

In early July 2007 my wife was passing the halfway point of her third pregnancy feeling great and on her way to a healthy third trimester. Our first baby was lost to a miscarriage early in the second trimester. Our second pregnancy (first daughter) was delivered at 30 weeks due to complications with pre-eclampsia. As a result of the various complications that my wife faced during the first two pregnancies our doctors monitored her very closely during her third pregnancy. On Friday evening July 20, 2007 my wife began complaining of excess swelling and decided that the doctors should be called. As a measure of precaution the doctors admitted my wife to Brookwood Hospital for observation. By mid day the following day we were informed that she was again experiencing the onset of pre-ecclampsia and that since she was just past halfway in her pregnancy the doctors were going to keep her in the hospital as long as possible to allow for further development of our daughter. At this point we were introduced to the neonatology team and given all of the knowledge and common statistics regarding the viability of life at various gestational stages. We were informed that at 22 weeks that there was little hope for survival, and that at 23 & 24 weeks there was a slightly increased chance of survival but that survival would likely be accompanied by lifelong and very serious health risks. We were also informed that at 22-24 weeks gestation that the methods and practices required to help a child survive could be difficult, painful, and potentially result in more damage to the child. We certainly were given the opposite side of the spectrum as well and informed that we could likely be faced with making the decision to allow our child to pass if the potential for survival was decreasing. The interesting part in all of the discussions that were had in that first 24 hour period is that never did any of the doctors or nurses give us the slightest impression that at barely 23 weeks gestation, our child was not going to be given the absolute greatest chance and care to promote survival even given the grim and doubtful future that faced her. There was never a second that I felt that the doctors, nurses, administrators or anyone else felt that they were wasting dollars or time on a "risky" and likely "fruitless" efforts.

On July 25, 2007 at 24 weeks gestation our second daughter Kathryn was born. She was 11 inches and 14 ounces at birth. Immediately following birth she was rushed to the NICU and immediately ventilated and placed into an incubator where she would stay until late December 2007. I will tell you that 11 inches and 14 ounces may not resonate in words, but as a man, and as a father I have neven been so scared, fearful, and humbled in my life as the first second I saw my youngest daughter. All of the bad decisions and wasted moments of my life to that second flashed before my eyes. I was immediately terrified that there was something that I had done in my life to cause my daughter to be born into this world in such a fragile and completely unprepared way. As soon as my wife was recovered enough to talk with the doctors they were careful to inform us that she was very pre-mature and was what they termed micro-preemie. Her chances of survival were minimal, and that there were enormous obstacles she would have to overcome from that day forward to give indication as to whether she would survive and in what state if she did. Again however even at the depth of our confidence level there was not a second that I sensed that the doctors, nurses, administrators or anyone else felt that they were wasting dollars or time on a "risky" and likely "fruitless" efforts.

As the days and weeks progressed were given small amounts of hope from the hospital that while things were not necessarily improving, but that our daughter was surviving. She was receiving countless dollars worth of x-rays, CT scans, bloodwork, ventilation, therapy, medications, not to mention the 24/7 monitoring and attention by the NICU staff. She was receiving expert consultation from doctors at UAB and Childrens Hospital as well. All of this costing ridiculous amounts of money and time by the healthcare system. All for one single 14 ounce "risky" and likely "unviable" life. All of this was until late August 2007 when we were called by the doctors and informed that our daughter was experiencing some complications and there was concern for her life. My wife and I were again taken to the brink of a decision we did not want to make. The concept or notion that one night could potentially bring us to a decision point to proceed with treatment or whether to stop was suddenly upon us. As that night went on the doctors came to us and informed us that all the efforts they were attempting were not working and that they were running out of options. They asked us to talk to them, pray with them, and to brainstorm with them what to do next. I remember in the early morning hours my wife and I walking back in to the NICU to check on our daughter and seeing the incubator lid raised for the first time in her short life exposing her to outside air. This immediately scared us thinking that there was another downturn and that the decision was upon us. Amazingly, every single nurse and doctor on call in that NICU was around our daughter carrying on normal conversation, laughing, and crying because it seemed that the only thing that was causing our daughter's vital signs to stabilize were the sounds of life going on around her. At this point in my life I knew that while medical science was allowing my daughter to "survive" and improve her viability in this world, it was pure human compassion and caring and God's divine grace that was allowing her to "LIVE". Yet again there was never a second that I felt that the doctors, nurses, administrators or anyone else felt that they were wasting dollars or time on "risky" or "fruitless" efforts.

From the time we entered the NICU with our daughter we were asked to approve countless procedures and tests to be performed on our daughter. She suffered from infections, required potentially damaging steroid treatments, and was temporarily medically paralyzed for three weeks to allow her body to recover and heal. All of these had drastic and disfiguring affects on her body. She lost tips of fingers and toes due to lack of blood flow, and was swollen immensely due to paralyzation, all of these things were particularly difficult to see as a parent and even more difficult to impose upon your child. However in her best interest and at the advise of her doctors these were the treatments that were needed. Again all of these procedures were being done for a "risky" and likely "fruitless" life and likely taking valuable medical attention from someone else who was much more "deserving".

Finally, in late December 2007 our daughter was released to come home for the first time in her life. For the first five months in the NICU our daughter likely cost the healthcare system approximately $2-3 million dollars and untold man-hours of medical staff time. Since December she has returned to Children's Hospital for two additional 2-4 week long admissions due to complications which have likely cost the healthcare system another $1 million dollars and more man-hours of medical staff time. Additionally I would like to make you aware that both times we were readmitted to Children's Hospital there were massive amounts of time and sometimes days to get into a room because the hospital was booked solid. The interesting part is that because my family has experienced the benefits of the millions of dollars of medical time and research I don't remember complaining about having to wait for a room while another "risky" child was being attended to by more "fruitless" medical technology.

I will say that I am honest enough to admit to the world that I am 100% selfish and 100% human and I feel like my child deserved every fighting chance that was afforded to her to survive. I will also say that I do not consider myself to be more deserving than anyone else nor my child to be more deserving than any other child. I am appalled to think that Mr. Parks is equating a child's life to a "business decision" based on which children offer the greatest return on investment. I cannot imagine if I were a doctor having to make that "business decision" as to which children deserve the benefit of our healthcare system. I assume based on Mr. Park's logic that allocation of healthcare resources is purely business driven decision then his next article should be based on study related guidelines for when to advise families to terminate care for cancer patients, AIDS patients, stroke victims, or the elderly. I guess Mr. Park's pointing out to us that if there is a point at which life and the viability of life become a decreased potential for the healthcare system to make a profit then doctors and researchers will continue to come up with guidelines to help set the boundaries so we will all know when to throw in the towel on a life!

Last but not least, I am particularly insulted by Mr. Parks last statement "I certainly am glad that your baby lived, particularly given the amount of money, effort and care that we as a society have expended on your child. I pray that God continues to bless her." In case you can't tell from my email I am forever grateful to the doctors, nurses, administrators, researchers, and anyone else that directly or indirectly cared for my daughter and brought her home to our family. If you can't tell as well I am also fully aware of the amount of money and effort that it has cost to bring our daughter home, and I am forever grateful as well. But do not have the audacity to throw that in to justify in some deranged backhanded way your argument for making life or death decisions based solely on which babies you feel worthy of the care. If you said what you really meant to say then it would have gone something like this... "I am certainly glad that your baby lived, particularly given the amount of money, effort and care that we as a society have expended on your child. Because had your child had not lived then I as a member of society would be sending you a bill for the money, effort, and care that we as a society extended to your child that was taking time away from another more deserving child".

Mr. Parks your original article was essentially a piece that outlined widely known information that many neonatologists have been using for quite some time. Our family was given much if not all of the information that these new "guidelines" state. In the end our family in consultation with our doctors and God made the only choice available to us which was to take every chance possible to preserve the life of our daughter. I still agree with my wife's original Opinion that the research data is there to provide information and educate, but is too dangerous for our society to use as a "guideline" to determine life or death. I do not know if you have been faced in your life with the decision to care for the well-being of a dying or struggling loved one. I do not know whether you are a parent or not. I would guess by your email to my wife that you are not a parent and have likely not had a significant experience in your life that requires decisions that can determine if life continues or not. Either way, it is not my place to assume, simply to point out that if in fact you have then I am not sure what wisdom it granted you otherwise your comments might have been more humane. In the end I hope that you see my perspective and now fully understand the level of disgust I have with your email to my wife. I would expect a reply from yourself or anyone that receives this email in the editorial staff. I would also hope that the News as a whole has the integrity to stand up and admit when a writer has overstepped the bounds of decency and has insulted a reader to the degree that I hope you all now understand and can respect.

Sincerely
Greg Ellis