Happy Easter

Another holiday and another day with our precious daughter Carley. This morning we woke up early and went to the hospital to give Carley her bath and get her ready for Easter. My parents and sisters came up and after that we all went to church. Little Carley looked beautiful in her new dress. She also got many Easter and candy baskets. Her little cousin Yulianna had a birthday party yesterday and sent her a birthday bag full of treats. Nurse Dusti got her some rabbit ears and movies. Nurse Bobbi and Nurse Misti got her some more bows. Perlita and her daughter picked out some pretty spring dresses and a pair of shoes. And my sisters also got her some new dresses. Naomi and family got her some onesies, head bands and some butterfly house shoes. She really did well in the gift department. It was almost like Christmas in March.

Since I have so many pictures to share and my Godson Daniel sent me an email the other day wanting me to play this song for Carley, I thought I’d try to make a video from him to Carley with all the pictures we have. I know I promised. But hey…

Teething

Seems that while I’ve been gone, Carley has been having some small issues that kind of worry me. I tried to get my wife to update this blog but apparently, her abacus is broken and cannot figure this internet thing out. Anyway, Carley is running a low fever everyday and is on Tylenol and Motrin to control it. They tell me that she is teething which is pretty exciting. However, in the back of my mind I worry about infection or some other ailment.

She has also been losing weight consistently and is down to less than 7 lbs after being as high as almost 8 lbs. I think she is probably working too hard as they continue to wean her dependence on the ventilator and is thus losing the weight. They have started to UN-wean her (not sure if that is a word, but in essence they are moving the settings back to where the machines do most of the work) The most important thing right now is getting her to San Antonio as heavy and chubby as possible. So we’ll see if this works.

Anyway, I miss “My Carley Faith” as Emiley would say and I think she misses me. Why else would she be losing weight? Here is a recent picture of my Carley Faith.

In case you didn’t know, I’ve been in China. Here’s a humorous picture of a Chinese menu. I’ll never tell you whether I tried it or not, but let’s just say I don’t have Carley’s problem of not being able to gain weight.


Be Home Soon



Al parecer, a Carley le esta saliendo un diente. Aunque esto es bueno, tambien sigue perdiendo peso. Despues de subir a casi 3 kilos y medio, hoy solo pesa apenas los 3 kilos. Ahorita los mas importante para cuando la llevemos a San Antonio es su peso.

The Chair

For Carley's 5 month birthday, we got her a little high chair that reclines. Hopefully it will allow her to be off her back for a few hours. She was put in it today and she's seems to be okay with it. I guess time will tell. I swore the chair looked so much smaller when we bought it. Now it looks huge.

Cinco Months

Today is Carley’s 5 month birthday. Early during the day Emiley and Bailey were able to go and see her through the window. Of course Emiley kept tapping on the window like kids do when they see the fish at the aquariums. Bailey quickly prompted her to stop as it was not allowed. And, Carley slept through the whole visit.

Later in the day we took Bailey and Emiley to my cousin Laura’s house and she watched them so Kristal and I could go to the hospital together. Again, she slept through most of the visit, but was awake long enough for Kristal to hold her. She’s doing really good and at 5 months is starting to get really fussy and tries to find sympathy in the nurses and trick them into doing the things she likes or try to stop the things she doesn’t like. Holly and Larissa, her nurses today, have her all figured out.

We are truly grateful for this milestone in Carley’s life and we look forward to many more, although we continue to take it one day at a time. As usual, without everyone’s thoughts and prayers this wouldn’t be possible. And of course, the CARE she has received at the NICU has truly been first class. I can’t say brag enough about the nurses that work there. They truly go above and beyond their responsibilities to not only help Carley but to help us cope with Carley’s illness as well.

Hoy cumple Carley cinco meses de vida! Gracias a todos por sus oraciones y por todo el apollo durante estos cinco meses de sube y bajas; alegria, dolor, esperanza, y felizidad. Aunque estos cinco meses han sido meses de incertidumbre, nunca hemos perdido la fe y eso se lo acreditamos al hecho de que nunca nos hemos centidos solos, que siempre estamos en sus pensamientos y oraciones. Y por eso estamos muy agradesidos.

Why is that light bulb moving?

For sometime now, Drill Sergeant Holly has been trying to move “Carley Louise” to the Growers portion of the NICU unit so that she can be next to a window. This serves two purposes. 1) Since sibling visitation is not allowed, her sisters can see her through the window. 2) Carley can look outside. Well yesterday she pulled it off and now Carley has a grand view of the International Center and the Ranching Heritage Center. My baby saw her first sunrise this morning!

And to think I told Kristal that Carley didn't need sunglasses! Wrong again!

Esta manana por primera vez en su vida, Carley desperto con la luz del dia. Hace tiempo que han tratado de moverla a orto cuarto del NICU que tenga ventana. Ayer la movieron y por primera vez, esta conociendo la naturaleza.

No news is good news

Things are pretty quiet and that is just fine by us. We already know that Summer 2008 is when she'll be flown to San Antonio for her evaluation. Any other news could potentially be bad. So lets just say our goal right now is to get her bigger, stronger and as healthy as possible. Besides a few bouts with infections, she is doing great. Bailey did catch a stomach bug but Emi is going strong. I can't say this enough, but once again, THANKS to all that donated to the Children's Miracle Network!


A little Mommy time!
What is that sound? I think I hear her tummy growling...

Oh NO!, I think she wants to eat me... Sombody please HELP me...

she's reaching for my nose... I better fight back...bring that finger closer

Gothca. Just ask my nurses whether I bite or not?






The inspiration

New Record!!

The KLLL/Children's Miracle network raised over $300,000 for the UMC Children's Hospital. Congratulations the the wonderful people Lubbock and the surrounding area. You have a great heart.

Thanks to all the sponsors, volunteers and especially the KLLL staff and DJ's. It was really great to meet all the wonderful parent's of past and present Miracle Children. It was truly an honor. So many kids will benifit from your noble endevour.