Thursday, December 18, 2008

Emma Grace update

Hello Family and Friends...

Wow! What a week this has been! We are so thankful for how God has given us Emma to care for and raise. What a blessing she is! Thank you all for all of your prayers and support of us through this time. It has been a very busy week here caring for Emma. Thank you for your patience with an absence of pictures and information. I still need to learn how to put pictures and videos on the blog. I know it can be done, but I need a little help in doing that. So here is an update for you...

This week since Emma has been born, she has been battling a low temperature, dips in her heart rate and oxygen, and battling a moderate case of reflux. On Monday afternoon after she was born, she had a barium swallow. I couldn't believe that they could do that so soon, but they did it! They checked her for an infection from having a bowl movement on her way out. Those tests were negative, thankfully. All week long she has been in a special care nursery on the 7th floor. This is a step down from the typical NICU. These nurses and doctors have been very wonderful and helpful as we have sought to care for her and get to know her. She has progressed everyday this week as she has gotten a little older each day. They requested us take the infant CPR class to help know the signs and symptoms of a blocked airway and how to treat her. They also gave us yesterday an apnia monitor that she will wear for the next couple of weeks. Last night, they provided us a hospitality room for us to stay with her in the room on the same floor of the nursery. She has been stable and was expected to go home today (Thursday). We did have an episode last night of a low temperature again and they said to us this morning that they will want to keep her again for another day. So, we are expected to stay in this room and care for her while being near the nursery.

Please continue to pray for us as we battle these things with Emma. Pray for healing and her maturity through these issues. Give thanks that her feeding has gone very well this week when she isn't sleepy. Last night, sleepy wasn't the issue. She was hungry! Pray for our strength and focus during this time as we are new parents caring for her. We are so sad that she has to go through this, but know that God has her in His care.

Again, thank you for your prayers and your support during this time. Please feel free to leave messages here, Facebook, and emails. That is the best way to send your messages at this point. Thank you for understanding that we are unable to reply to all messages, including the phone. May God's peace be with you.

Dale

10 comments:

Carri said...

We will pray for you all as you wait for the ok take Emma Grace home.

Anonymous said...

DiZzy-Know that we are all praying for you precious baby Emma Grace. Give Emma Grace and Beth all our love!

Anonymous said...

I will definitely be praying for Emma and you guys.

This may sound like an odd question, but have they done an echocardiogram to check out her heart?

Anonymous said...

Praising God for the birth of your first born daughter, Emma Grace! We rejoice with you! We have been praying every day multiple times a day for you, Beth, and for little Emma. Jacob has been praying a lot! Thanks for the update on her health. We will continue to lift you all up in our prayers. May God, our Healer, heal Emma Grace and strengthen her that she may be able to come home soon! Amen.
Love, Katy for all the Sterns

The Crowley's said...

Praying for your new little one and you all.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Emma Grace, on your arrival! Dale & Beth, we are praying for you and Emma Grace. We know that God, having brought you this far, has a great and wonderful plan for you. Many blessings! Judi Stover

Anonymous said...

Beth and Dale,
Emma Grace is beautiful! What a wonderful Christmas present. Know that we're praying for you guys! Love, The Doyles

The Crabtrees said...

Dale and Beth,
I am so thankful to hear of the safe delivery of sweet little Emma. Glad to hear both Momma and baby are doing OK, and hope that the issues with Emma's temp etc. will regulate quickly. I'll be praying for her daily. She is beeeeeutiful!!!! No doubt with parents like you guys she will grow to be a dear, sweet young lady. Love to you all.
Carol Crabtree

Becky Leung said...

Beth and Dale,
I will certainly continue to pray for little Emma. I do hope she can go home soon; I will pray for her recovery and for strength for you guys as you go through this trial with such a precious little one!
Love you all!
Becky

The Sinks said...

What a sweet baby girl! We will be praying for sweet Emma as well as you two!