In lieu of flowers, we would ask that donations be sent to Families for HoPE or Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. There are links to both organizations on the sidebar of the blog.
Thank you for your kindness, love, and support. We are blessed by the love each of you have given.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Memorial
A memorial service for Ellis will be held at 4:00 pm on Friday, July 1 at Parkview Community Church in Glen Ellyn. The church's address is 764 St. Charles Road.
This is an open service. We would love to have you join us in a celebration of Ellis's life.
Soon we will post an update with some details and pictures from Ellis's birthday, but we are way too tired right now.
This is an open service. We would love to have you join us in a celebration of Ellis's life.
Soon we will post an update with some details and pictures from Ellis's birthday, but we are way too tired right now.
Welcome little guy
Ellis Timothy Henry was born at 5:08 this morning. We were able to meet him and cherish him while he was full of life. Ellis has gone home to meet his Savior.
Happy birthday buddy. Love, Mom and Dad.
Happy birthday buddy. Love, Mom and Dad.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Baby Bump
There are some curious to see how big Ellis is getting. So, here we are: Henry Family Photo at 32 weeks!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Not much has changed...
Well, another week, another appointment, another "things are looking about the same." Fluid is still on the low end, but Ellis's little heart is beating strongly and that makes the doctors (and us!) happy. The doctor said he doesn't worry too much about fluid levels being low if the baby's heartbeat is strong and there isn't any cord compression. So, for now, we continue to wait, hope, and pray.
Conversations with the specialist and my regular OB brought up a few interesting things for us to consider this week:
1. My doctor recommended we begin looking for a pediatrician for Ellis. I was so surprised to hear him say this. It felt so good to hear him talking about the future with a positive outlook. This doctor has been wonderful and very kind, but he's been very careful to not paint any rosy pictures for the outcome of this pregnancy. I think he's pleasantly surprised by Ellis's strong heartbeat and continued growth at this point.
2. The specialist said that as we continue to keep an eye on things, he and my OB will be discussing the possibility of intervening early, if necessary. He isn't saying this is the direction we're headed, but that they're open to it if it provides a better outcome. There's a lot to consider with Ellis's development and his breech position in the womb. Either way, we're thankful for the good relationship our two doctors have and their desire to do the very best for us and Ellis.
Looking back over the last couple of months, it's hard to believe this is where we are. If you had told me at the beginning of May Ellis would still be here and that he'd still be happily growing inside of me, I would have cried tears of joy. At that point we thought it very likely that he wouldn't be here anymore. So, despite the continued waiting and longing, we are so thankful to be enjoying each new day with our little guy. Tim and I are striving to make the most of every day, recognizing that each is a gift. We find great joy in the little things, like his squirms and pokes, but also find that each new joy is followed quickly by sadness. Without knowing the outcome of this situation, we always wonder if this is the only time we'll have with him. Regardless, we're thankful for this time. And we're thankful for you. Your prayers, care, and concern continue to be a great blessing to us.
With love,
Tim and Rebecca
Conversations with the specialist and my regular OB brought up a few interesting things for us to consider this week:
1. My doctor recommended we begin looking for a pediatrician for Ellis. I was so surprised to hear him say this. It felt so good to hear him talking about the future with a positive outlook. This doctor has been wonderful and very kind, but he's been very careful to not paint any rosy pictures for the outcome of this pregnancy. I think he's pleasantly surprised by Ellis's strong heartbeat and continued growth at this point.
2. The specialist said that as we continue to keep an eye on things, he and my OB will be discussing the possibility of intervening early, if necessary. He isn't saying this is the direction we're headed, but that they're open to it if it provides a better outcome. There's a lot to consider with Ellis's development and his breech position in the womb. Either way, we're thankful for the good relationship our two doctors have and their desire to do the very best for us and Ellis.
Looking back over the last couple of months, it's hard to believe this is where we are. If you had told me at the beginning of May Ellis would still be here and that he'd still be happily growing inside of me, I would have cried tears of joy. At that point we thought it very likely that he wouldn't be here anymore. So, despite the continued waiting and longing, we are so thankful to be enjoying each new day with our little guy. Tim and I are striving to make the most of every day, recognizing that each is a gift. We find great joy in the little things, like his squirms and pokes, but also find that each new joy is followed quickly by sadness. Without knowing the outcome of this situation, we always wonder if this is the only time we'll have with him. Regardless, we're thankful for this time. And we're thankful for you. Your prayers, care, and concern continue to be a great blessing to us.
With love,
Tim and Rebecca
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
June 14 - Update
Today's fluid check revealed a decrease in amniotic fluid, but the doctor did not seem too concerned. He seems to think that our fluid levels are just going to fluctuate like this. So, we're praying that he's right and the fluid levels go back up again soon. Otherwise, he indicated that everything else is looking about the same. So, another "status quo" appointment. We're always a bit relieved when there isn't any bad news delivered at an appointment, but we, of course, would love to receive really good news at an appointment. Such is the nature of this experience.
Thank you for all your prayers today. We're feeling very at peace today and know that so many of you have prayed that would be true. We're blessed by the love and support each of you provide.
Each new day with Ellis is another one of thanksgiving for us. We hope God will grant us many more. We'd love to share our little gift with each of you.
With love, Tim and Rebecca
Thank you for all your prayers today. We're feeling very at peace today and know that so many of you have prayed that would be true. We're blessed by the love and support each of you provide.
Each new day with Ellis is another one of thanksgiving for us. We hope God will grant us many more. We'd love to share our little gift with each of you.
With love, Tim and Rebecca
Monday, June 13, 2011
Next appointment
We see the specialist again on Tuesday morning. As usual, we appreciate your prayers during this time. This week's appointment is a fluid check, but they usually take a peek at Ellis's brain, heart, and bowels. We go into every appointment unsure of what's to come. Always a little apprehensive, but hopeful. We love getting a chance to see our little guy on the screen, but it's not easy to hear about his problems week after week. We're looking for hope and joy in these days. Thanks for supporting us in this.
With love, Tim and Rebecca
With love, Tim and Rebecca
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Fluid Check
Today we went in for a fluid check with the specialist. Although the numbers were slightly lower from last week, they were still within the normal range! A quick scan of the other majors (his brain, heart, and bowel) looked about the same. We're thankful for a "status quo" kind of appointment. Every time we go in we're hopeful that we might hear some good news, but for now, no change is good news.
As always, thank you for the love, prayers, and support. We feel blessed to know that Ellis is loved by so many.
With love,
Tim and Rebecca
As always, thank you for the love, prayers, and support. We feel blessed to know that Ellis is loved by so many.
With love,
Tim and Rebecca
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
June 7 - Update
Yesterday we met with the head neonatalogist at our hospital. There are a few things to be very thankful for here. One, our hospital, the one we would've been at no matter the circumstance, is partnered with Children's Memorial. They have a Level III NICU, which is the highest level available. Second, this means the neonatalogists work out of our hospital and Children's. We know these doctors are good at what they do. Third, this doctor was wonderfully kind and knowledgeable. He also comes from a similar faith background to us, which is no small thing for us right now.
With the doctor, we discussed what it might be like for us and Ellis after delivery. He talked us through some of the scenarios we might encounter and decisions we'll need to make. He also explained the varying levels of intervention, as well as what it would be like should we decide "heroic" intervention is not what would be best for Ellis. These are hard things to talk about. These are scary things to consider. But, we are thankful to have the time to think through it. So often, we remind ourselves that some people find themselves in these situations at delivery with no warning. They are asked to go through the shock and grief while making heavy decisions. Please pray for us as we consider the birth and care plan for our little guy. We have no idea what his needs may truly be, but we need to be ready for anything.
Something else he made clear to us yesterday is that Ellis's ability to breathe at birth will be one of the most crucial indicators of survival. Along with all our other prayers for Ellis, we are praying that his lungs will develop strong and healthy. We're praying for healing, all the while asking for God's grace to meet us no matter the outcome. Thanks for praying and waiting with us.
With love,
Tim and Rebecca
With the doctor, we discussed what it might be like for us and Ellis after delivery. He talked us through some of the scenarios we might encounter and decisions we'll need to make. He also explained the varying levels of intervention, as well as what it would be like should we decide "heroic" intervention is not what would be best for Ellis. These are hard things to talk about. These are scary things to consider. But, we are thankful to have the time to think through it. So often, we remind ourselves that some people find themselves in these situations at delivery with no warning. They are asked to go through the shock and grief while making heavy decisions. Please pray for us as we consider the birth and care plan for our little guy. We have no idea what his needs may truly be, but we need to be ready for anything.
Something else he made clear to us yesterday is that Ellis's ability to breathe at birth will be one of the most crucial indicators of survival. Along with all our other prayers for Ellis, we are praying that his lungs will develop strong and healthy. We're praying for healing, all the while asking for God's grace to meet us no matter the outcome. Thanks for praying and waiting with us.
With love,
Tim and Rebecca
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