Keeping Everything in Perspective

A lot of people have told me that they can't really tell how small Eloise is from the pictures I've posted. 
Here is one to put her size in perspective. 

This picture was taken during Eloise's 'carseat test'.  This 'test' involves buckling the baby into the carseat and having her sit for 90 minutes while her vital signs are monitored.  The purpose is to make sure the baby's small body can withstand the 'rigors' of sitting upright in her seat for an extended amount of time without anything going wrong.  Eloise passed with flying colors!  (That is if flying colors means fussing a bit then falling asleep for the duration.) 

This is one more big step toward coming home!

(The hat in the picture is one from Eloise's new collection, made (of course) by her Grandma Williams.)

Vocation

I am so thankful for vocation and for people who remind me of my vocation.  Five weeks ago a new school year started.  I never would have imagined that three days later my vocation would drastically change.  I went from the daily routine of teaching school and keeping a house to being on bedrest in the hospital.  Now I sit in the nursery at Tacoma General and watch my baby Eloise sleep.  (I do change her and feed her, as well, but she mostly sleeps.)  Instead of teaching math, I am learning math.  I count grams as she grows.  I now know that thirty grams equal one ounce.  Eloise is now 1994 grams, or 4 pounds & 6 ounces.  It's incredible how happy each additional ounce makes me!  Eloise is my vocation.  She is what I am doing. 

One week old

Two weeks old

Today - two and a half weeks old

First Craft Project!

Isn't this so cute?  The nurses did these with the babies during the day and had them hanging by the babies' bedsides for the parents. 

Look!  No more feeding tube!  Eloise is now 4lbs & 6oz, and she wakes up to eat so she no longer needs her feeding tube. 

Even though it is difficult for me to leave my baby girl and go home each night, I'm very thankful that she is being so well taken care of by her nurses. 

Moving up in the nursery!

This evening Eloise qualified to move out of her isolette.  This is a big step toward getting to come home!

We don't need this anymore!

No more changing diapers through glass!

Eloise's new crib

Now her Daddy can really tuck her in.  Goodnight, sweet girl!

"O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in Him."  Psalm 34:8

Two weeks old already!

Our baby Eloise will be two weeks old on Friday!  She is doing very well.  Very soon she will move out of her 'isolette' and into a little crib (open to the room air).  Her big goal right now is to gain weight and get stronger. 


I love how Nathaniel can get Eloise to laugh & smile!



God has been so good to us!

Blessed with so many aunts & uncles!

Last night, Eloise had a visit from three of her uncles - George, Jordan, & Chris. 

Also, Aunt Naomi made Eloise a new video with lots of pictures and some footage Aunt Grace took. 

Eloise is blessed to have so many aunts and uncles who love her!

Our house is becoming a home

Yes, even though our daughter Eloise has been dominating the blog, our house is still being worked on!  (By the way, Eloise is one week old today!  Thank you, Jesus!  We're so thankful for her, and thankful that she's healthy, and thankful for all the nurses and doctors who are taking care of her while she grows big and strong enough to come home with us!) 

In the meantime, I was going to update you on the house.  A lot has happened in the three weeks I was not there.  The painting is nearly done.  We're ready for the trim, then the flooring will be installed.  The electricians started putting up lights yesterday.  They installed the switches and outlets, as well as the new heaters.  It's really starting to feel cozy.  I'm so thankful for my husband Nate, who is making our home so nice. 

I do not have house pictures to share right now, so I'll share these!

Meeting Auntie Susie

Baby Steps

Eloise Joy graduated yesterday from the NeoNatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) into the Intermediate Care Nursery (ICN)!  This is a very big step for her.  She no longer needs her IV with supplemental fluids, because she's eating the full amount of food she needs.  Even though she drinks her bottles so well, she gets to keep her feeding tube.  As small as she is, drinking all her food through bottles would take too much energy.  We want her energy to go toward growing bigger.  All of her nurses keep telling us how well she is doing.  Good job, Eloise!

Daddy & Mommy love Eloise!

Smiling for the camera!

Looking up when Daddy is talking to her



Her aunties love her too!




Do you think Eloise can tell them apart?  :-)



Daddy's Little Girl

Our little Eloise is doing so well!  She's eating from a botle and taking a binkie.  She also gets to sleep under a special light (for jaundice).  That's why she's wearing 'sunglasses' in some of the pictures.  Aren't they cute? Her daddy told her she's practicing for Maui! 

I have a feeling this Daddy's girl will be the star of many little videos!

Prayer at the Birth of a Child

Prayer at the Birth of a Child

With joy and thanksgiving we praise You out of the fullness of our grateful hearts

that You have gladdened our home and life with this newborn babe.  

We know that this child is a gift of Your bountiful hand. Grant us grace and wisdom

to bring up this precious soul in the knowledge and understanding of Your Word,

which makes us wise unto salvation.  Watch over her with Your tenderest care

and continued grace until the day we bring this little one to the font of Holy Baptism.

         As surely as You will endow our child with faith and strengthen her in spirit,

so too endow our child with a healthy body, and strengthen and preserve her

according to Your good and gracious will. Grant that our child may grow in favor

with You and bring sunshine and joy into our hearts and our home. 

Keep us all in Your grace, forgiving us daily our sins and filling our souls with peace.

You are our hiding place. And now to You be praise, glory, and thanksgiving,

for this precious gift, this day and forever; through Jesus Christ,

who is the Friend of children and the Savior of all.

Amen.





Our lovely Eloise Joy

We love our little girl so much! 

Eloise and Daddy

Eloise & Mommy (Eloise is snuggled up in her new blanket from Grandma Williams)

Eloise drinks her bottle so well when her Daddy feeds her!

Our first family photo

Welcome Eloise Joy Williams!

Our daughter, Eloise Joy, was born at 1:39pm yesterday, 10/08/10 at Tacoma General Hospital. 
Born seven weeks early, she is 3lbs & 15oz, and 17 inches long, but doing very well. 
We love her so much!  God has blessed us with such a precious gift. 

 

 Click this link to see a a video of her that Nathaniel made yesterday, just after she was born. 

One room is almost ready!

As I stay home, literally doing nothing, my faithful friends and family work on my house.  (I know we do nothing for our righteousness, but imagine do nothing and having your home remodeled for you!)

I think the baby's room will be the first room ready, partly because it was one of the first to have the walls repaired and re-textured, but mostly because Nate is very excited to get it ready!  (I am too, only I can't do much except look at photo updates!)  We decided to go with yellow and Bavarian Cream for the walls.  Veronica, Victoria, & Susie painted it on Saturday.



Thank you, girls!

Home!

Yesterday afternoon I was released from Tacoma General to come home!  While I'm not returning to 'normal life' at least I'm in my own home now. 

Speaking of homes, I wanted to share some updated pictures of our new home.  Even while we've been pre-occupied in Tacoma, progress is being made. 

Thank you so much, Chris & Isaac, for all you've been doing! 



Isn't the kitchen looking so nice?  I can't wait to work in it.