Happy post!

Since my last few posts have been about serious things, I thought I'd post some new Claire photos for everyone to enjoy. By the way, Lee is doing good and got a good report on Monday!

All dressed up and ready for church

Getting ready to brave the elements in the beautiful sweater and hat set from Mrs. King

Free at last!!!!

Lee came home yesterday!! Hooray!! He is finally eating again and his symptoms have improved. We did receive the results from the biopsies and they were negative. Praise the Lord! The doctor was cautious to say that this could still be the beginnings of IBD, but we are believing that it is not! We do not have a lot of confidence in the GI group that's been treating him. So, we are going to a new specialist on Monday (thank you, Stacy!!) that will hopefully be more helpful. We are still waiting on the results from another blood panel that can show IBD. These results may take a couple of weeks to come back. In the meantime, he is being treated with medications for ulcerative colitis and he seems to be improving. Please keep praying that this will turn out to have been a terrible infection and nothing more. I will try to post something more fun and uplifting tomorrow--I sure am tired of talking about sickness :)

Here's the latest...

Lee had the colonoscopy this morning. According to the doctor that performed the procedure, he has colitis. We are awaiting biopsy results to find out if the inflammation is from severe infection (this is what we are hoping for) or if it is chronic. If the results indicate that it is chronic, that would mean IBD. IBD is a "catch-all" term for conditions such as Chrones disease or Ulcerative Colitis. We do not want this diagnosis. Please pray for a good report!!!!

He seems to be in better spirits today and is ready to leave the hospital. If he is able to tolerate food and his symptoms continue to be controlled by medication, he will get the green light. This could be as early as tomorrow evening. This all depends, of course, on his body's response and the test results we receive tomorrow. Thanks to all of you that have called, e-mailed, commented or 'facebooked' me. I have passed along all of your well wishes to Lee. I'll keep you all posted!!

Lee's progress....or lack thereof

Yesterday Lee had a great day. He was eating some oatmeal, walking around, and back to his usual sharp-tongued self :) Unfortunately he had a tough night. This morning he was feeling much worse. So, the doctors have ordered more testing. He will have a colonoscopy tomorrow morning and has already had more lab tests sent--we are awaiting results. The doctors still feel that his symptoms are consistent with an infection, but he isn't improving on the current course of treatment. They are going to make sure there is nothing else going on that needs different treatment. If this is in fact an infection, it is the mother of all infections!! I'm staying with him tonight helping him prepare for the morning's procedure. Please continue to pray that the doctors will find out the cause of his symptoms and there will be nothing seriously wrong. Also pray that we will have knowledgeable, kind doctors that will be helpful to us. So far this has not been the case. We are accepting referrals from anyone with experience in this area :)

Update on Lee

Thank you all so much for your concern for Lee. He is doing some better. For those of you that aren't up to date, I"ll try to fill you in.

Lee has been battling some sort of stomach problem for over a week now. It started out with severe abdominal pain and has progressed from there. We ended up in the ER on Tuesday night but were sent home and followed up with a specialist on Wednesday. By Friday we were back at the hospital and have been here ever since. We talked to the new doctor today (the first one was HORRIBLE) and he believes he has a viral infection. He said it was a "whopper". Luckily his CT scan, xrays, blood work, and other tests have been normal. They have ruled out all major problems (Chrones disease, colitis, etc) and feel like it will pass, thank the Lord. The doctor is allowing him to venture into "full liquids" today to see how he tolerates it. He will be reassessed in the morning and we will find out when he may be able to go home.

I will try to keep you posted. I'm pretty much sitting in Lee's room, killing time, and trying to keep him entertained! Thank the Lord for a good report and a loving family that is always there when I need them. I have the most incredible mother in the world that always puts others before herself. Again, thank you all for your concern and prayers.

Healthy 9 Months!

Yesterday Claire turned 9 months old. Can you believe it?? It seems like we brought her home last week. I cannot believe how much she's grown. Lee and I sat on the couch the other night and went through all of our pictures of her since birth. She was so tiny and fragile. I have loved watching her little face and personality develop. She has turned into a little lady! We have so much fun together and enjoy new adventures everyday. She is undoubtedly the light of my life. How can such a tiny thing bring me so much joy? She doesn't even have to try--just being near her is pure happiness.

Today she visited Dr. Smith for her 9 month checkup. We got a glowing report! Claire is now 28 inches long and 17 pounds, 9.7 ounces. She is little! The doctor said she is the picture of health. She smiled and babbled for him and the nurse threatened to take her home. She is quite a charmer and has little stranger anxiety. We were given the okay to begin eating meats and more solid foods--table foods such as cereal and crackers. It looks like we will be making a trip to the grocery store today to pick out more big girl foods! She did not have to have any shots today, but did have blood drawn. She was a trooper and even began smiling and laughing before it was all over! Thank you, Lord, for my healthy, happy baby. What a blessing she is!!

Oh, how this post pains me...

I told you I'd deliver. This one's just for you, Debbie:

Bell Family Christmas

Our Christmas celebrations lasts for at least 2 weeks--which of course I love. This year we had an unexpected party at our house on Saturday after Christmas. We usually travel to my cousin Julie's house for a get-together with my dad's side of the family. This year, due to a family illness, Lee and I were able to host the festivities. We had such a fun time visiting, eating, and opening gifts. It's so great to love your family and look forward to seeing them!! I just wish we could all live close and see each other more often.

Nathan enjoying his potpourri :)

Lee sporting his new elf outfit from Aunt Debbie. Thanks, Aunt Debbie.

Todd and Julie with the beautiful Nativity scene that they will proudly display in their home.

Annabelle and Uncle Michael

Where it all began...Daddy, Uncle Danny, and Aunt Debbie