Thoughts and Prayers...

Hello everyone...

Emma is doing well today. However, at ~ 4:30pm today Emma is scheduled for cardiac surgery to close her PDA (murmur). It is a relatively simple operation, although it is cardiac surgery and Emma is really small. The doctors have told us that Emma may have a rough couple days ahead as a result of the surgery. While doing the surgery they have to deflate (?) one of her lungs. In addition, she will be on pain medication and is recovering from a bout with pnemonia. The primary issue for her recovery is how quickly Emma is able to get her lungs reinflated.

Aside from that, everything is going well. Emma has consistently been gaining weight (up to 775 grams!) and is eating well (although they have backed off her feedings due to the PDA and surgery). She looks well and is quite energetic most of the time.

Emma continues to take meds for pneumonia and some other fun issues. But, she is doing well overall, and we look forward to a quick recovery.

ok... this one is upside down (Sorry)... but, notice the feetprints on the wreath...

Emma's growth chart... the nurses all predicted that Emma would stay low on weight until after the carebear, and now she'll gain to miss the next sticker (the sticker theory seems to carry a lot of weight with the nurses)

Emma's Christmas stocking and ornament

Dad changing Emma's diaper... (boy was this a chore. While I had changed Emma's diaper before, I learned a lot about changing diapers when a baby is pooping... Let's just say that due to my impatience, she went through five diapers. Good thing insurance is footing the bill.)

Sleeping...

Emma and the nurse's arm...

Eating time for Emma... If you look in the upper right, you will see a syringe w/ a green tip. That is Emma's milk. (yummy!)

This is Emma telling her dad to stop taking so many pictures....