On the way to Pensacola, Lori sent a text that said "webcam at 11:30". This made Aunt Jennifer, Katie, Abbie and Audrey very happy. However, when we got to the hospital, I noticed that things were not set up just like they were last Saturday at the web cam viewing. John was leading us all to a different viewing room in a different part of the hospital and where we ended up was in the lobby of a very large conference room. In the lobby, there were WalMart workers, complete with name tags and vests, and they were registering and receiving tickets to win door prizes. Surely John was lost, but not so. The look on Lori's face was priceless as she stuck her head into this large room that seated about 200 people. She wrinkled up her nose in true Lori fashion and said, "I don't like this at all." Still very confused, I finally got to talk to the person in charge and learned that Bella's video feed would be part of a luncheon for WalMart-Sam's Club, The Children's Miracle Network and The Sacred Heart Foundation. Wal-Mart-Sam's club had donated a web cam projection system valued at about $10,000 and our Baby Bella had been chosen to be the baby that would demonstrate the new system!
We were escorted into this room full of people while John and Lori went back upstairs to be with Bella.
Bella's very own Doctor spoke at the luncheon. Here he is explaining how important the donations made by WalMart-Sam's Club are to the Children's Miracle Network and how important that money is to the NICU at Sacred Heart. He thanked them for donating life saving equipment that helped to keep babies alive. He also said that unlike Walmart, medical equipment companies didn't roll back prices.
Some of the money donated by WalMart-Sam's Club had been specifically designated for the purpose of the webcam equipment. The director of the Women and Children's Hospital explained that while babies were in the NICU they could only be visited by their parents plus four other designated visitors, and how sibling were not allowed in the NICU at all. This is why the webcam equipment is so important to families who have babies with extended stays. So to demonstrate the equipment to the whole gang...
Her sign is a little cut off in this picture but it said "Thank you Walmart & Sam's".
After Bella's brief spot on the program, the family was able to go to the normal viewing room and watch her for about 20 minutes while Nana finally got to go back and see her. With each visit, Bella seems to be more alert. When I spoke to her today, she started moving around, as if she was excited to hear my voice!! Could this really be? John did say that Bella was missing me! She also seems to be filling out somewhat too. She is still soooo tiny though and at times you can really see her little bones. Tonight I got to watch Lori give her a bath. Bella really seemed to like it and became much more alert during it!
Here are some pictures from today's visit:
Lori was holding Bella up so that the nurse could change out her bedding. Bella acted like she knew exactly who had her, staring at her mother's eyes.
Will and I are here through Saturday. I'm trying to take advantage of Spring Break and get in a little quality time with Will mixed into our visit with Bella, Lori and John.
As the cards and responses from our loved ones continue to pour in, we are reminded every day of just how blessed we are, not only that Bella is doing so well, but for all of the love and support you have shown us. Please keep us in your prayers as well as the other families here at the Ronald McDonald House.
Special thanks to all of you who ordered t-shirts. Lori and John turned in an order for over $700.00. 100% of that gets to stay at the RMH - Pensacola. The executive director said that she had been here 9 years and had never seen one family turn in that much money. Their story will be featured in the RMH newsletter and will touch many hearts.
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