Ella's "Crib" - current weight 3 lbs 12 oz

Grandma Burnell was there when Ella was born; Grandpa Burnell made the 12 hr drive to bring all the shower stuff down (and painted her room...). We (and Desmond) were thankful to have them around.

Ella's nurse Shannon took this picture right after putting her in clothes for the first time...

The day after surgery the breathing tube came out, and before they put the feeding tube in, Ella's face was tube-free. Thanks to Maggie (a.k.a Dr. Walkup, chief resident on the Pediatric Surgery service) for making the sign in the background, complete with pink faux-fur. And Dr. Creighton, Ella's OB, who thought every girl needs bows in her hair.

NICU day 1

Day 1 in the NICU was probably the hardest on everybody - a lot of uncertainty, and Ella having surgery the next day - but Ella didn't seem bothered by the ventilator (or anything else). But we figured out what Andrea kept feeling in the right side of her abdomen while she was pregnant (see the video below).

Ella's birthday

Ella's arrival was full of surprises from the beginning, but from the delivery room we could tell we had a little fighter on our hands.
Weight: 3 lbs, 14 oz.
Length: 15 3/4 inches.