Monday, September 15, 2008

our little elephant girl=)



hi baby!

look at this! you are now our little elephant girl! this is called a CPAP machine (continuous pulmonary airway pressure). it looks a little more intense than the ventilators that you've been on that have gone in your mouth, but it's much better for you! this is what you graduated to once you came off the conventional ventilator, and we are so proud of you! you started this yesterday, and at first you were pretty mad about it and you were working pretty hard to get your breaths. but your blood gases have all been great and today you have calmed down! this morning ms lindsay dressed you in a pretty little pink outfit (your first outfit!) and you were wide awake for us. the cpap machine makes you blow bubbles (better known as drooling on yourself;)) and we think you are the cutest drooly baby we've ever seen.

guess what else? so you know we've already established that you look just like your daddy in female form, but we discovered something that you and i have in common! we both have very expressive faces=) it's been both a good and a bad thing for me, my girl, but mommy and daddy love that we can tell how you're feeling! it makes us so sad when you're upset-especially right now because you're hoarse from the tube touching your vocal chords and your cry doesn't make any noise-but we love when you look so content and interested in what you're doing-especially when you look at those crazy bright colored cows hanging in the mobile above your hospital bed!! ok my girl-keep up the good work. we are so proud of you=)

i love you!

mommy

46 comments:

Unknown said...

There is NOTHING cuter than a baby girl wearing pink!!! She looks SO cute!!!!

Unknown said...

I love the PINK outfit!! She looks adorable!!
I just sent out a message to all my Twitter followers to check out your blog and send you all their prayers...
Bless you all!
xo,
Audrey

The Madsens said...

Katie, she is so adorable! And I love the little outfit on her. It's so sweet to see her beautiful eyes open. I wanted to share with you that Mackenzie was born on Catherine's original due date! I was thinking about you while I was in labor with her. Enjoy your sweet baby girl.

Dana said...

Katie,
I do not know you personally but have been praying for you for a long time. I know your sweet grandparents (Robert and Janie) through church and your cousing Gail. I praise our awesome God that He has worked such wonders in the life of your precious baby. Your letters have moved me to tears, and even more prayers. May our Heavenly Father continue to bestow His richest blessings of Grace upon you and your precious family. Thank you for being such an awesome living testimony of who we should depend on in times of uncertainty!

MelissaR86 said...

Awww! Katie she is adorable! I love her little pink outfit! I'm glad she is doing so well! We're all praying for yall! ~Katie~

Deb said...

Pretty in Pink!!I know that you all are bursting with happiness at all Miss Catherine has accomplished! Prayers and good wishes continue to flow your way!
Deb CMC-NBN

Anonymous said...

OMGosh! Catherine, that is the most beautiful thing i have ever seen. keep making bubbles my dear, God is awesome!

Our Life said...

Ms Catherine is the cutest baby I've seen in a long time!!! Keep up the good work baby girl!! We are still thinking about you and praying for you every day!!

Sis. Gail from Camp Creek said...

Katie and Donnie, Your sweet baby is so beautiful. I've been reading your blog from the beginning and I've been making copies for Aunt Janie and Uncle Robert. We've had everyone in our churches praying for all of you. Praise God for answering our prayers. We're calling little Catherine, God's miracle baby, because that is exactly what she is. I just wanted to tell you that your journey with this special little baby has been a wonderful example of trust and faith in God to take care of her and willingness to be reconciled to His will in your baby's life. You and Donnie are such a remarkable and courageous couple, and I thank God for His wonderful mercy and Grace He is giving you all at this time. We serve an Awesome God and that is certainly evident in the life of your precious little girl. Your sweet baby Catherine has touched more lives in her short little life through your recording of her beautiful story than most of us ever do. She will be telling her own story one day. Praise God! We will continue to keep your precious family in our prayers and thoughts. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing journey with all of us reading your blogspot. Kiss little Catherine for me; I hope to see her one day at your Mom's lakehouse and kiss her for myself. Much love to you all, your cousin, Gail

Unknown said...

Beautiful catherine. I am sitting here with all the ladies in my neighborhood who have been praying for you. I am finally letting all of them see you now. I am soooo happy you are doing so well. Aunt Robyn tries to keep me posted when I cant check the blogs. You are sooo beautiful just like your momma. All your friends and family are waiting to see you here in Atlanta. Hurry and talk so you can tell your Aunt Robyn to have a baby for you to play with. Katie you to lol:0)

Kristy Rayside-Grissom

Abby said...

oh sweet catherine in pink! you are the prettiest elephant girl ever. yay for graduating to cpap!

Unknown said...

So sweet! Love the pink outfit!!!

Sharon - Mom Generations said...

I truly have never seen a more beautiful little pink rose of a little girl in all my life... and if you must be a "little elephant," then a perfectly precious pink one is a perfectly precious one indeed!! Prayers and blessings and love are coming your way... !!

Unknown said...

What a little doll. Sending well wishes and prayers your way. She definitely looks lively and beautiful.

stephanieandjoey said...

That is so exciting! I love to check on your sweet baby girl each morning! So glad to see all of her progress!!!

Stephanie Durham Polk

*super dude and super dog* said...

She's so beautiful! Keep up the great news. :)

AJ Macc said...

She is beautiful!!!! I especially like the little hat that keeps the cpap in place :) We are so excited that she is continuiing to amaze us!

Unknown said...

Katie and Donnie

Words cannot express how proud your mother and I are of you and Donnie or how much we absolutely love all three of you. I think we are living for the time we can come back since now we can hold her. One of the earlier messages above is right, you two and Catherine have done more to express a true love of and trust in God than I think I can do in my whole life, but I will keep trying and will thank him for the rest of my days for the miracle he is doing for our little girl. We love you beyond description.

Mom and Dad

E said...

Hey, an elephant baby girl is not a bad thing! SHe is breathing, she is alive and doing better. Praise God! I love the elephant look! It's much better than the other looks she has had.

She is beautiful!

Beth Goff said...

Precious! I just love her outfit!

Thanks for the update!

Teri from CMC NICU said...

Congratulations Katie!! She's beautiful. Amazing to hear she is doing so well! Everyone looks great! You and your family are in my prayers always! P.S. Bryce (my 6 mos. son) has found a new crush. Hope they will meet one day soon! Love to you and your beautiful family. Teri

Anonymous said...

The tears are coming from reading your dad's message Katie. Your sweet heart speaks truth to all of us about trusting God's love & plans. You continue to get prayers from our friends here in Japan. Catherine is testifying to so many. Thank you for sharing such intimate thoughts & moments. Much love,
Molly

Mary Ann said...

Catherine is looking so alert! I can see that she is very focused --just like her parents.

She is a beautiful girl.

God Bless all of you

Tiffany said...

Kaite is she is so precious and I am continuing to pray that she will continue improve. I am so happy for you.

Tiffany Carreker said...

I randomly found this page through an acquaintance's facebook page. I don't know you, but I cannot say how touched I am by your story. I have a 3 month old little boy who is perfectly healthy and I never, ever thought about what it would be like to be in your shoes until now. I cannot imagine the strength and courage it must take to deal with the situation. You are in my prayers and my heart forever, now. I know God will bless you through this and he will work his very hardest to keep your baby girl safe. I will tell my son, Jackson, about her every day and make sure that as he grows, he prays for her, too.

Mrs. Southern said...

thank you for sharing your story of catherine. she is a beautiful baby girl and He has amazing plans for her and your family. trust Him and know that He is in control. you all are in my thoughts and prayers and i'll be checking back on here. i just saw something about atlanta in one of your entries, i live close to there!

Debbie said...

Catherine - you and I have something in common, I use a CPAP also. It keeps my air passageways open when I sleep thru the night.
However, you do look much prettier with yours than I do with mine.
What a precious angel you are in your pretty pink outfit. Love to you and your mommy and daddy....I look so forward each day to reading about you.
Love, Debbie in Decatur

ilse sears said...

Amazing what all of you are going thru. I am amazed at how well Catherine is doing and the way you behave: so full of joy!! Catherine is gorgeous and pretty soon you will be holding her in your arms at home. These are the sincere wishes of "Aunt Spanish" Ilse and Jack Sears.

Anonymous said...

She looks so adorable! Tell her she's in good company...David has a CPAP machine, too! She looks cuter in hers! We are so proud of her and so happy for y'all. We are continuing to pray.

Anonymous said...

Hello Sweet Elephant Girl!

Happy 1 month birthday love!

Hannah D said...

You just get more and more beautiful with each picture that I get to see of you precious one! Not just anyone could pull off the elephant look either and you're totally rocking it :) So glad you're on CPAP now and doing well with it.

Much, much love!
Hannah

AtlantaMama said...

Cute outfit. Oh... she is just amazing. I can't believe that she looks like Donnie!!! What? (Well, I guess you thought that from your 3D sonogram too.) Mine looks just like Daddy too!! It's not a bad thing. It's just funny. I mean... Mom wants to be in there somewhere. = ) Either way, Catherine is BEAUTIFUL and we are just thrilled for all of you!!!

Anonymous said...

you can tell she has grown already, praying for her and you.

hugs..

Anonymous said...

she is so beautiful! praying for you guys always!

Miche said...

Hi, I found your blog from Audrey at Mom Generations, and I want you to know we will all be saying prayers for sweet little Catherine. And she looks SO cute in her pink outfit!!!

I love the letters you are writing to her, and I know someday when she is big enough to read she will love reading them with you.

vmdalton14 said...

You do not know me however I received a link to your blog in an email one day several months back. I've been following your story and praying for your little girl ever since. I'm in awe of your strength through out this journey. You've maintained the peace that The Word talks about and I know that it's through Jesus that you're able to faithfully believe in HIS purpose in all of this. I'm so happy for your little blessing and will continue to pray for you and your family. She is truly a gift from above!

Megan said...

Simply Beautiful! Praying for your from Philadelphia...

Melissa said...

I think she looks more like a mouse with a bow on her head than an elephant! :o)
I love reading her story, and how feisty she is! While I can't imagine how tough this is for all of you, I do know that your story is touching thousands of people's hearts, and I am sure that more than a few are seeing a new side of God than what they hear about on the TV -- your personal story is such a testimony to God's love and mercy and miraculous ways. Thank you for sharing it.
Also, Katie -- I have to tell you that I think you always look beautiful in the photos and videos. I know when Catherine looks back at these photos later, she'll be very proud that you always took care to look beautiful for her. That will be a special memory for her, I'm sure.
We'll keep praying for you all!

Sarah said...

Hooray for CPAP! Catherine, you are a miracle and it just blesses my socks off to hear how you're doing! (and you are so pretty in pink!)

Unknown said...

I have been following your blog and its so amazing! Catherine is such a strong lil' girl and she looks oh so cute in that outfit!

Hugs to you all...

Angie

Allison said...

You don't know me, but I came across your blog from a friend of a friend of a friend's.

Your faith in Christ is so amazing that it brings tears to my eyes. God bless you and your family and I will be keeping you in my prayers as you journey through this.

May God continue to bless that amazing daughter of yours!!!

<><,
Allison

Posh Mama said...

Keep up the good work sweet little Catherine! You are always in our prayers here.

meredith said...

I don't even have words on how excited I am about sweet little Catherine's progress!!! I mean extubated (sp???).... I had to re read a couple of times I was so excited and I always share the fabulous news with Graham b/c then he can explain it to me :) I read every post and just admire every sweet picture!!! I love her little outfit, too!!! We are praying for y'all continuously!!! Y'all are a BEAUTIFUL family!!

Much love and prayers,
graham and meredith calvert

Anonymous said...

Hi Catherine,
This is your great aunt hazel in mississippi. I just found out about your special blogspot today and am so excited! I feel like I've missed so much of your life already. Your are so beautiful, although you do look quite a bit like your dad. We are all so proud of you and can't wait to kiss that sweet face. We love you all,
Dan, Haze and kids

Fer said...

Hello, my name is Fer and I've been following your blog and I wanted to introduce myself. I am mom to Juan pablo who is 15 months old and a CDH survivor. I will keep your precious daughter on my prayers.

Laura Kirkland said...

Such a cute little face.. I could scream.. And she does look a lot like Donnie.. Too cute!!!