Happy Halloween

We were a 50's family (missing one little greaser) for Halloween. Bella thought it was so cool that we were both wearing poodle skirts. Even her build a bear had one on!


Our little pumpkin




Ezra continues to do well. His feeds are increasing every day and he is doing well in the poop department also. We are actually hopeful to have him home within 2 weeks. He'll need to increase to full feeds (which will take another 3 or 4 days) and then he'll need to do well on full feeds for another 3-4 days before he can come home. We are allowing for some setbacks also but so far, so good.

Witches Night Out

The other night a bunch of my witch friends all went out to dinner at Chilis (yes, we went out in public looking like that). We got a lot of stares but we had a total blast...cackle, cackle, cackle.

Got Poop?

Ezra does! We don't mean to make light of this bodily function but this really is a highly important feat for our little guy. Of course, we aren't totally in the clear yet being that his poop was like a pea size today but it does mean that something has gone completely in and completely out, which hopefully means that he doesn't have a blockage in his intestines. We'll learn more as the poops progress. :)

The surgean explained today that we are feeding him (yes, the feedings are back on...this status seems to change from hour to hour though) only 4 cc's every 4 hours (which is less than a teaspoon full) not to give him nutrition but to make sure that his intestines receive nutrition and continue to function. Ezra is basically still getting all of his nutrition intraveniously, which can get dangerous after awhile if his liver stops processing it well. But, we continue to hope and pray that he can hold the little feedings down and that he will start pooping more so that we can increase feedings gradually and decrease TPN over the coming days. So, that's the scoop on the poop...

1 teaspoon full at a time

This is one of those very small hospital bottles and the amount in the bottle is how much formula Ezra is taking every 4 hours. It is about 1 teaspoon full. Although he has spit up a few times, it hasn't been anything too concerning. Just in case, they are starting him on zantac for acid reflux. He sucks down his little teaspoon full of formula so quickly now and then he licks his lips for awhile afterwards. He must be so hungry! We are hoping that by tomorrow they will start to increase the formula, but of course, it will just be a little bit at a time. And, still waiting on the ever important poop to make sure that what goes in, can come out and that he has no blockages in his intestines.
This is where Ezra lives for now...

All of the nurses comment on what a sweet little guy he is. They say usually babies that don't get to eat are very fussy but he just takes it all in good stride.

Thanks for checking in on the Ezra updates. We've been told by so many people that you read our blog frequently to know how he is doing and we so appreciate your love and concern for him. He is one loved and supported little guy and we love you all back!


*UPDATE* I guess I spoke too soon. I called the hospital before going to bed as usual and found out that Ezra had thrown up quite a bit and it was brown (like old blood) so they have suspended his feedings once again. Luckily, they did not put the tube back down his throat as they actually believe that is the cause of the blood from the tube irritating something. Once again, it is discouraging but we know that this is just an uphill battle that eventually we'll win.

So far so good...

Today I was able to feed Ezra twice. Both times it was just about 1 to 2 teaspoons full of that predigested formula but he did so much better today than last Sunday. And since he started nearly 12 hours ago, he has only had one very little spit up, which isn't much to worry about. This is great news! He will continue on this feeding schedule of just a little bit of formula every 4 hours just to stimulate his intestines, and we will gradually work the feedings up. So far so good and we are so very happy at his progress...After 3 weeks of nothing in his tummy (just the lipids and TPN that go straight into his blood stream) he is anxious to eat. He is also 4 pounds, 8 ounces already. He is getting to be a "plump" kid :).

A better day

Today they took Ezra's tube out again and we will try feedings again tomorrow. We are hopeful that it will go better this time around. Honestly, feedings are the riskiest part about this whole process. If his intestines aren't ready, he could get a blockage in his intestines which could kill a portion of them and require surgeries to cut out what is dead and possibly to lengthen the intestines, etc. Or he could be allergic to the different formulas. There are so many variables. What we are hoping for is the following: 1) that he will take his feedings with a bottle and not have to have an NG tube down his nose 2) that his little body will tolerate the feedings and he won't spit/throw up the formula or bile and 3) that as he tolerates feedings, he can work up to a regular full feeding schedule and 4) that his bowels will work and he will start pooping. After all of that happens, our little Ez will come home. We expect this process will take anywhere from 1 to 6 weeks.

Ezra was so smiley today as we held him. It was so obvious how happy and content he was with out the big tube down his throat. He looked so comfortable and like such a little angel. We just love this little guy. He is a bit camera shy though and hates the flash so we usually only get pictures of him asleep or with a really bothered or surprised look on his face. :)

Two Steps Forward...One Step Back

Well, yesterday Ezra had his first feeding. I was happy to be there and to be able to give him his first bottle. It was about 2 teaspoons of predigested formula and he took it pretty well. We were so happy. I tried again at his next feeding, and he didn't want anything to do with it. He was breathing heavily and acting agitated. They decided to give it to him through an NG tube in his nose. Later he started throwing up what little formula he had taken and a lot of green, mossy bile. So, they determined that his little body was not ready for feedings yet and the big, yucky tube was replaced in his throat and into his tummy to pull out the bile. We were pretty discouraged today when we saw him. He was visibly uncomfortable and kept gagging. The medical staff keep reassuring us that this is normal for these babies to have these ups and downs but we were hoping that he would be one of the few that just do exceptionally well. Anyway, we are back to waiting until they think we should try the food again. Blaine gave him another priesthood blessing today and I am so grateful to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life that gives me so much comfort and hope. I am also so grateful for all of your wonderful love and support. It is just a bump in the road and hopefully we will find smoother pavement soon.
These first two pictures were of him yesterday, before they put the tubes back in.


Bella had a fabulous birthday weekend. We went to build a bear on Saturday and to dinner and then on Sunday her cousins, Aunt Tiff, and Grandma were here to help her celebrate. We had pizza, cake and ice cream, a pinata, and presents.

Isn't her build-a-bear cake so cute?

Bella got her bear, chocolate (pronounced in Spanish), lots of new clothes and accessories. Way too cute!