A Photoshoot...Of Sorts

The Pretty Girl
The Sweet Girl
The Happy Girl


Shoot Gurrrl!
The Vogue Girl
The Innocent Girl
The "I'm Done With this Photo Shoot" Girl

Tummy Time!

Ellie's Stocking!

This is the stocking that Ellie's aunt Heidi (Ben's older sis) hand made for her! I just had to post it! I love it. It even has a little jingle bell on the toe. Heidi didn't even know that our stockings were red and white. I hope she knows that now she has to make matching ones for the rest of our kiddos. (Don't get any ideas...I'm hoping that is in QUITE a few years.)

Thanks, Heid!

Love, Whit

The little snuggle bean is gaining weight!

We had our follow up visit to the doc today...she has gained (drumroll please)...SEVEN ounces! AND a quarter of an inch to boot. The doctor said she is not worried about Ellie, which makes her mama so so happy. A friend of mine gave me some good advice this week, and told me to try waking Ellie up every four hours at night (she had been sleeping anywhere from 6-8 hours, and I wasn't super worried because she was getting all her daytime feedings in). I guess it worked! Ellie just needed a little bit more milk and wasn't waking herself up for it. The doctor said that by 2 months (which is in 2 weeks) she should be able to go all night without needing to be woken up. Praise Him!
We are still waiting to hear back about the heart stuff. I should hear back from the doctor this afternoon about that. But I have more of a peace now.
I'm just reminded of how good God is despite my worry. I have been asking him to fill me with joy and anticipation this advent season. This is really for two reasons: one because my heart NEEDS a prompting in longing for the Son of God, and two, because I need TRUTH to replace my fear and anxiety more than ever these days.

That's all for now, I guess. Thanks to all who are praying for my little blue-eyed girl. It means more to me than anything else I could think of.

Whit

An Update and Prayer Request

First, Merry Christmas Season to you! My mom wanted us to take a picture by the tree when she was down for Thanksgiving weekend. I had been in my jammies and no make up and Ben threw on a sweater. But hey! Ellie looks cute!!



Anyway,I just wanted to let you in on a bit of what has been going on lately. We are doing great overall, but I do have a couple of Ellie prayer requests. First, when Ellie was born, the doc heard a small heart murmur. She sent Ellie for an echocardiogram- translation: something that shows why there's a heart murmur. Anyway, Ellie has a tiny little hole in her heart that is causing the murmur. Our pediatrician wasn't too worried, and said that the hole will probably close on its own. Apparently about 30% of babies have this at birth. But to be on the safe side, she set us up with a pediatric cardiologist. We went to the appointment on Wednesday, hoping to hear that the hole had closed. The doc said that the hold is smaller but also noticed ANOTHER tiny hole, so we have to go back. He too thinks they will close, but it hurts me to have any little thing wrong with my baby-especially when I can't do anything about it.

AND, on top of that, Ellie has only gained a pound since birth. The doctor told us that she is below the normal range, and is now monitoring her to see if she gains weight (and if so, how much) within the next week. She didn't seem worried about this much, and just said that we will have to make adjustments if she is indeed slowed in her growth. I will let you know when I hear anything.

I just tell you these things to ask for prayer for peace of mind. It is VERY easy to let my mind run off about all of my worries-- is something seriously wrong with her heart? is there something wrong with my milk supply? why isn't my baby thriving? ...all of the questions. I don't want you to think that this is some horrible situation. I really have not been given much reason to worry by the doctors, and yet I do. The doctors have both seemed very optimistic, and our pediatrician said just today that despite her small weight gain, she is looking very healthy and great. Its just that.. She is our baby. I want to control her little life and I can't. I want her every fiber to be flawless and its not.
Pray that Ben and I give this wholly to the Lord, and be thankful to Him for our weakness and powerlessness, so that all glory might rest on HIM!

Thank you friends. Love to you all! Enjoy your December!