Level Two!

Another week in Houston! Mike, Conner and I had a blast this past weekend. Stan and Jayme came down too, and we all really enjoyed spending time together as a family. It was very encouraging to me to see them all - especially my two handsome boys!

Today was a big day, yet uneventful at the same time. Here at TCH, there are two levels of the NICU. Level three is the most critical and level two is a step down. Level three patients are quite severe and require one on one attention from doctors and nurses. Level two is for patients who are holding their own, so to speak. Well, today Ellie Kate was moved to Level two!! This was a big step, seeing that she is stable and doesn't need the most intensive of "intensive care". We praise God for the changes He has made in Ellie Kate and for allowing her to come this far. It is a miracle.

Also today, Ellie drank her first bottle. She did quite well! She drank 3 oz in 15 mins, which is great. I was very proud:). Occupational Therapy will be administering her bottles for the next few days to make sure she isn't aspirating at all.

Ellie Kate has been hospitalized for one month today. It all feels like a blurr to us, with many ups and many downs. God has and continues to be so very faithful to our family. Each of you are a huge part of why we can handle this situation! Thank you for your emails, cards, phone calls, etc. They lift us up more than you will ever know.

Right now we just are waiting for those test results to come back in. Yes, more waiting! If you feel led to do so, please pray for the following:

1. That Ellie Kate will continue to feed well on a bottle and will not have any aspirations

2. That we will have a diagnosis that is clear to the doctors

3. That the diagnosis we recieve will have a treatment

4. That God will continue to heal and restore Ellie's little brain.

We love each of you and will post more as it develops!

Ryan