the gifts of Christmas

The biggest gift has been that Dahlia has been feeling much better these past few days, having overcome major issues with her right lung and a potentially serious bacterial infection. Check out Emily's blog for cute pictues of her in her Santa hat and reindeer booties (my camera battery lost power that day).

After our day in the hospital, Jessica and Walter took us for a drive around nearby River Oaks.

Yes, Walter is finally home from the Carribean, and sporting a new hairdo, thanks to him losing a bet that U. of Houston would win the Conference USA Championship. He had to shave his head.



It was magical!

A few more of the older grandkids got to sit at the "big" table on Christmas Eve

while the younger ones had to sit at the kids table. (I should have replaced Super Man with Santa Claus.)

After a Christmas Eve "program" , the kids were excited to open their "secret pal" gifts.

Christmas is always about the children ...

We are so thankful for the gifts of two new precious grandbabies, born 10 days apart, Lorelei and Dahlia. They will be so cute playing together next Christmas.



Laila was so amazed to get what she had wished for

And so, another Christmas has come and gone, with much to be grateful for, especially our Savior Jesus Christ who is with us in our joys and our trials.

quite a week (3rd week of December)

It was a rough week for Dahlia, as she fought a bacterial infection (the risks of being in a hospital). Then, just as things were looking good as far as recovering from the infection, she had to undergo two surgeries within 24 hours. Both involved a serious complication in her right lung involving blood clots. Fortunately, they had to make just an inch and 1/2 incision in her side, and by the end of the week, the doctors were able to feel positive about the recovery of that lung. So the week ended with hope for much improvement next week.

We all love this little angel so very much. It's very hard seeing her have to undergo so much.

On Thursday, it was wonderful to attend the temple to feel of the love our Savior has for us, and to recieve peace and comfort in the midst of trials.

On Friday nights, Brian and the kids come to our home (they live 1 1/2 hours away) so Brian can be with the baby in the hospital and the kids can be with their mom.  What a surprise for the kids, when they discovered that a "secret Santa" had paid a visit.

Thank you so very much "secret Santa"! The kids were so excited and felt so loved. They loved their gifts, as did Emily and Brian.

The weekend was fun for the children as they celebrated Dario's upcoming birthday, made gingerbread houses, and played with their cousins.

Inside & Outside the hospital -- 2nd week of December

"Hello, King Tut!" We see this guy every morning while waiting to hop on the light rail that takes us to the hospital.

"Good morning, Miss Goldfish". She seems to swim through the air instead of her aquarium in this photo I took on the 17th floor family lounge area at Texas Children's, where we take a few breaks during the day.

"Hello, Christmas!" It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Texas Children's.

And this is where our hearts are this Christmas season. We always feel a special spirit when we enter Dahlia's room in the ICU.

Dahlia is recovering from the big surgery she had last week for the Berlin heart. Her big brother Dario said all he wants for Christmas is for his baby sister to get better.

Big brother Aiden calls Dahlia's Berlin Heart her "little glass heart".

"Good Evening, Jessica". It is a pleasure to see your sweet face at the end of most of our days in the hospital. Thanks for putting us up in your Ronald McDonald house that is so very close to the hospital.

And now, for a peek of our life outside of the hospital --
On Monday, my daughters took me to Nikos to celebrate my big fat Greek birthday with wonderful Greek food.

On Saturday, Sharon and Bill hosted the annual Ellis siblings Christmas party.

Stuart is the "baby" of the bunch, the youngest of Maxine and Art's eight children.

After a delicious dinner (Texas style barbeque), we gathered for our "white elephant" gift exchange.

It's no surprise that no one wanted to steal the "present" Donna and Hank brought -- a stunning collection of nature items Hank had gathered from their yard, complete with a slithery guest.

 Stuart got his secret wish -- a Hillary Clinton mask.

Niece Breeana's rockin' it with her new aviator sunglasses -- perfect for her upcoming trip to New Mexico.

Nephews Matt and Justin will love cuddling with their new Christmas Teddy bears. How cute are they?

Presenting all the Ellis brothers and sisters--minus Billy (in Pennsylvannia) and Beverly (in Utah), and Jerry who has passed on (miss you guys!) . They don't look a day older than last year. (Granny would be proud.)

Thanks Sharon and Bill for such a wonderful evening!

She is in His hands

"Chief for the Medical Staff", by Christian artist Nathan Greene

Our sweet little 9 week old Dahlia has been officially put on the heart transplant list.  Tomorrow morning, she will spend 6 to 8 hours in the operating room, where the most skilled surgeons in this country will implant a left ventricular assist device (not an artificial heart) called a "Berlin Heart". This device will assist her heart in pumping the blood. It will allow her to get off the ventilator and live as a more normal infant on the pediatric heart floor, instead of being all hooked up in ICU, while awaiting a heart transplant. We are so blessed to be at Texas Children's --  only one of 17 hospitals in the nation participating in the study of this device, which is only 2 weeks away from being approved by the FDA. Texas Children's Hospital is the only hospital in Texas offering the Berlin Heart and the first in the southwest to do so. The surgeons operating on Dahlia tomorrow are the head doctors who are over the trial program and who teach other doctors about it. We approach tomorrow with peace in our hearts knowing she is getting the best of care and is in His Hands.  We are sustained and comforted by our faith in, and knowledge, of a Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ who love each of us more than we can even imagine, and by all of your prayers.


unbreakable bond between mother and child



the greatest love



Thanksgiving week in Utah

Two days before Thanksgiving, Jeremy and his beautiful bride Nicole were married in the Draper, Utah Temple. The temple is set up high in the hills, which made for a very chilly, windy photo session.

At the luncheon Dad and I hosted after the wedding.

at the wedding reception

Dad and Philip at the reception

Jeremy's best buddies are happy to help decorate the get-away car.

After the wedding day, it was back to the real world, as Dad spent the day trying to fix Philip's car.

Meanwhile, I walked to BYU campus, where I discovered the Paleontology Museum

6 ft.long  prehistoric alligtor skull belonging to this 37 foot dinasaur eating monster

Beautiful weather to enjoy the last of the fall leaves and the first of the snow on the mountains!

Dad and I and Philip had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day with Dad's oldest sister Beverly, her husband Denny and our nephew Paul and his wife Kelly, who cooked a wonderful dinner.

Beverly and Carl (Dad/Grandpa)

So, it was a happy week for us -- sunshine amid the rain of the past few weeks. We had left Texas with happy hearts, because baby Dahlia was doing so well, and was goint to finally come home right before Thanksgivng. But that was to last only for a day, as her failing heart couldn't keep up any more, even with the medicines, and had to be brought back to Texas Children's. She will be on the waiting list for a heart transplant. So, we are feeling very sad with this turn of events, but know that she is the Lord's hands and He will take care of her, and do what is best for her. Besides this turn of events, something else was there when we got home. Our mission call! We will serve for 23 months in the Rochester, New York Mission!

So thankful for ....(summary of Dahlia's last 2 weeks in the hospital)

This baby has been making remarkable progress!! Here are some highlights from the week of Nov. 7-12, Dahlia's last week on the 4th floor NICU.



sweet smile for Mama



visit from Aunt Emily



no more feeding tube!!!

  

more smiles for Mama

safe in Daddy's arms

On Monday, Nov. 14, Dahlia was doing so well, that she was moved to a regular room on the 15th floor. What a luxury compared to NICU -- a room with a view, it's own bathroom with shower, and a place to sleep. We had been spoiled by NICU nurses taking care of Dahlia at night, while we went to Jessica's apartment to sleep. Here we were in charge of baby care around the clock, 24/7.  Back to reality with feedings every 3 hours, along with sleep deprivation. From our perspective, however, it's something not  ever to complain about!




During this past week on the 15th floor, another huge step ahead!  On Wed., Nov. 16 , the pic line through which the intraveneous heart medicine was given, was taken out of her arm.  We were now free to carry the baby anywhere in the room. Dahlia had met all the requirements for going home -- being able to feed by mouth, gain weight, and be able to take all medications by mouth.

This Friday, Nov. 18, we recieved the joyous news that the baby is doing so well that she'll be able to come home tomorrow, Monday! They are putting the idea of heart transplant way back on the back burner.

These past 6 weeks have been a journey we would wish upon no one. But what a journey it has been. We have seen direct answers to prayer and have witnessed the power of the Lord, which has worked along with the miracles of modern medicine. She was dying, yellow with a failing liver and other organs when first brought to the emergency room. When she was transported to Hermann, the doctors were amazed she was still alive. Since that day, we have witnessed one miracle after another. Doctors were fearful she might never come off the ventilator, her lungs were in such bad shape. 

so very thankful! for everything -- for every single prayer said by every single person, for a loving Heavenly Father and the great healing power of our Savior, and for the restored gospel and the priesthood that is upon the earth today. I am filled with gratitude that this sweet baby is still here upon the earth and for the many lessons that she has taught and will continue to teach us.