Emmie's first road trip- The Bluffs at St. Francisville

Richard and Judy Campbell

L to R: Campbell, Liz, Emma, Emmie, Lauren, Fletcher and Amy

The Hughey/Grace clan

This is who Emmie was named after- Emma Hughey

exhausted after playing in the pool

We took Emmie to St. Francisville this weekend to see Lauren and her family. Emmie was finally able to meet Emma- her namesake. Emma, we hope Emmie grows up to be just as independent, strong, and tough as you! We all had a blast playing in the pool and then just hanging out with the Campbell/Hughey clan afterwards. We can't really travel with Emmie so it was nice to take a short road trip and see everyone. Thanks to the Campbell/Hughey clan for all of your support, friendship, and love. We think of you all as family and are so grateful to have you all in our lives. Thanks for including us in your family weekend.

ag

More pics from Memorial Day!

We had such a good time over Memorial Day even though Liz and I were on call. Mom, I can't wait to race you down the water slide on July 4th! Thanks to all of you for coming down and helping while we were on call. Love you all lots!

ag

Heart conditions run in the family!

Mom, Bill, Marsha, and Nicolas flew in Friday morning to help us this weekend since we were both on call. I'll post more pictures later, but the above clip has been the highlight of the weekend. We took Nicolas and Shalin (Anna and Rajiv's son) to BooKoo Bounce and Nonie decided she wanted a turn. Please pay close attention to the end where she states "I have a heart condition!" Marsha and I almost died laughing. Thanks fam for flying in and helping us! It's been so awesome to have you all here and can't wait for you to come back!

Love you all!

ag

Redneck Riviera

What is on my head?

Thirsty?

As most of you know, we sold our house (and the pool) last fall. Liz couldn't stand the thought of a New Orleans summer without her pool so we are now the proud owners of an above ground blow up pool. Yes, our Alabama roots are coming out. We are raising the property values all over Lakeview! Emmie thinks we are nuts and is actively shopping for new parents especially after she got a look at her hat and swimsuit! She loves the water though. She's happy as a little fish until it's time to get out and dry off. So if anyone is looking to cool off, come on over to the redneck riviera. We might even bust out the PBR!

Thank you Shannon!

Emmie, Liz and Shannon

Thank you Shannon!

Joan

On Wednesday, we made a special trip back to Ochsner West Bank where Emmie was born. Shannon was the nurse that noticed that Emmie wasn't doing well after she was born and checked her oxygen saturations. Because of her and Dr. Sharma's excellent clinical skills, she enabled everyone to diagnose Emmie's heart condition quickly and prevented Emmie from complications; therefore, we nominated Shannon for the DAISY Award. On Wednesday, she was presented with the award and we were on hand for the presentation. Shannon will always hold a special place in all of our hearts- especially Emmie's. Thank you and we appreciate all that you do. Thank you also to Dr. Sharma and Tammy. We believe that you saved Emmie's life and prevented catastrophic complications. Emmie was definitely in the right hands. Thank you to the entire staff as well. You all were fabulous! Thanks for taking care of our little girl.

All kinds of new faces

Cole and Emmie sitting in a tree......

Seine, we are so glad you are here!

Liz, Emmie, Betsy and Bethany

Check out my 10 lb 6 oz physique!

We have had an exciting few weeks. First, our friends Barry and Kelly introduced us to baby Cole, and then Anna, Rajiv and Shalin introduced us to baby Seine. Emmie is thrilled to have new friends and would like everyone to remember she will always be older and can be the boss.

Emmie also had her 2mo shots and saw Dr. Young (her cardiologist) this week. Emmie was 10 lbs and 6 oz and 23 inches long. She is crossing the growth chart and is back at the 50% mark. She started off in the 90% so she's catching back up. We have seen a doctor just about every week since she was born. Emmie is doing so well that we don't have to go back for an entire month! Woo Hoo! We, especially Emmie, are so excited! The plan for now is to do a heart cath at 5 months and her next surgery will be at 6 months if things continue to go well.

Liz's aunt Betsy and cousin Bethany came to visit on Wenesday. Emmie was excited to meet them and show them her house and the city. We went to the French Quarter and City Park. Emmie, Betsy and Bethany took their first stroll down Bourbon Street. Betsy and Bethany were especially fond of the fresh seafood and snowballs. Emmie even took them to their first Harrison Street Market.

Best of thoughts to Emily, Lee and Crete as they welcome baby "Snake" to the world on Monday and we are all anxious to meet Emmie's new cousin on Monday via Skype from North Carolina. Thanks again Betsy and Bethany for coming to meet Emmie!

ag

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope everyone has a fabulous Mother's Day. Emmie has officially finished her 6 week course of antibiotics and we are all very happy about that! Liz goes back to work full-time this week so if you drive between the West Bank and Lakeview- watch out for a crazed driver trying to make it home to see the little one as fast as she can! She thinks that tank she drives is invincible.

Is this better Steltz?

Emmie's first photo shoot!

Emmie's first photo shoot is finally ready! If anyone is interested, check out the site at http://amydrouetphotography.com/index2.php?v=v1 Click on proofing at the bottom of the page and the password is Emmie516. It is case sensitive so be sure to capitalize the E.

We are doing great and Emmie is growing fast. She was 9lbs 11oz last week! We are starting our last week of antibiotics and Emmie's tummy looks forward to next Monday. Hope all is well with everyone and I'll try to post some new pictures soon.

Amy

Sneak peek!

Emmie had her first photo session a couple of weeks ago with Amy Drouet. Check out her sneak peek at http://amydrouetphotograhy.com/blog/ Scroll down below the "c" family and you'll find Emmie's pics! There will be more in the near future and I'll post that link as well.

We are now accessory free! Emmie had her Broviac catheter taken out today and we are all very excited. Now, just two more weeks of oral antibiotics and then, dare we hope, a few normal months!

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend and to the New Orleanians- Happy Festin!

Fat belly!!!

Milk- yummm!

fat belly!

Emmie is doing great! Her chest is closed and we are finished with iv antibiotics. Tomorrow, she will have her broviac catheter removed. We are very excited about losing our last accessory! We can't wait to weigh her and see how much weight she's gained. By the look of that tummy, I think Dr. Kantrow is going to be proud!

Athletes and Antibiotics

Tanya- doing great in her triathlon!

Keep in mind that all this enthusiasm is after a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and about 5 miles in to a 13 mile run.

Leron Finger- one of Emmie's favorite doctors, also doing great in his triathlon. Her surgeon also completed the race but somehow we missed taking his picture. We had hoped to have a silly picture of him too. Maybe next year.

Emmie enjoyed sitting in the shade in a folding chair. She's getting ready for all the great outdor events in New Orleans that involve folding chairs.

She doesn't even have to bring a cooler- just Liz. Emmie and Liz just bought a new summer weight

wrap and this was their first time to try it out- they loved it.

We've had a great week and a half at home! Emmie feels great and is gaining some weight. Today is her last day of IV antibiotics and we are all thrilled. She has now had her first taste of strawberry flavored pink antibiotics to spit out and she feels more like an average kid with it all over her shirt. The iv catheter will come out in a few days and we won't miss it. Her chest incision has now healed too- so no more packing either. We really won't miss that- it was everyone's least favorite part of the day.

This weekend she saw her first triathlon- not sure if she was impressed or not, but her moms definitely were. Our friend Tanya and all her training team did great and looked great doing it. Could you smile and skip that far into a triathlon? The weather was perfect to sit outside and cheer them on.

Home Sweet Home!

Nonie, please don't go!

glad to be home!

Emmie got a Broviac catheter placed in the OR. She did very well and was discharged home- to our house, not the PICU or the floor!!!!! We are very excited to have her home and look forward to many more days at home and not in the hospital. Thanks for everyone's support.

We are also sad to see Nonie go back to Birmingham, but there's a little grandson that is looking forward to having his Nonie back. Thanks, mom, for everything you did and mainly just for being here. Our stomachs thank you for not making us eat hospital food and the nurses thank you for bringing us clean clothes! Thanks also for staying at night so we could get some sleep! Miss you already!

ag

Decisions, decisions, decisions

Contemplating.....

deep thoughts by Emmie

Well, we are still at Ochsner. We are trying to convince Emmie that we do not really live here. I'm not sure she believes us. She is doing much better. Her wound seems to be getting better every day and all of her "stats" look good. Her last couple of cultures have been negative so it looks like the antibiotics are working. The dilemma is we can't go home with the current access (central line) that she has because of infection risks. Unfortunately, they were unable to put a PICC line (one we could go home with) in today so now we have to decide whether to let them take her back to the OR to place a line that we can go home with. Obviously, we would like to avoid the OR because of risks with general anesthesia and line placement but we can't spend the rest of our lives in the hospital (risks there too). The length of antibiotics needed is constantly changing depending on who you talk to- damn doctors! :) Unfortunately, only time will tell how long Emmie will need antibiotics. If we knew Monday would be it, we could stick it out in the hospital until then but she may need them for 3-4 more weeks. We just want to do what's best for her and right now we are not sure what that might be. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers- we appreciate all of your support!

Thank you Easter Bunny! The many faces of Emmie....

deep thoughts

displeased with her care

Smiling

She's thinking we'll do for now

Sticking her tongue out

We are still in the ICU but Emmie is doing better. Her wound is healing though it's still day to day according to the surgeon. He does think it's getting better though. Dr. Finger thinks everything is going well. Her blood cultures and wound cultures are all sensitive to various antibiotics so that was great news. We will probably be in the hospital for at least one more week to complete the iv antibiotics. That's a little disappointing- we are certainly ready to take her home- but the folks in the PICU have been fabulous as always.

Nonie arrived Friday. She couldn't stand it any longer. She's been staying at night with us at the hospital and letting us get some sleep. Emmie can't possibly lay in her bed for more than 10 minutes (I know- spoiled) so Nonie holds her between feedings and that allows us to get some sleep. It's hard to put her little self down now that we can hold her. We are feeling much better mentally and physically- hopefully we won't wear Nonie out.

It's hard to believe Emmie will be 1 month old tomorrow. Happy 1 month Birthday my sweet girl! I hope your future birthdays are much more fun and not spent in the hospital! She is starting to focus on us and smile. It's the most precious thing I've ever seen. She's a tough little girl.

ag