Picture of Mommy and Daddy taken yesterday in the cafeteria by my friend Kelli. 
Elli was awake for several hours yesterday just looking around, but behaving. Even when we were sitting in the chairs next to her little bed, she would wake up and try to peek out at us from under her little light blocker (the pink and brown polka-doted thing aka I call it the square of softness). It's so funny because she can't move her head so she looks at us from the corner of her eyes.
And now....FIRST KISSES!! Up until now Brian and I had not gotten to give Elli even a kiss. Late last night around 12:30 after the nurse changed Elli and did her assessment, Elli was still wide awake. The nurse said that she would take our first family picture, which she did and then she said she would take one of us giving her a little kiss. We were kind of shocked, since we were told that we couldn't really do that before, but of course we wanted to.
I took this picture, you cant really see it but Elli made a funny little face when Brian kissed her forehead, his mustache hairs must have tickled her.
Now Mommy's turn. I cannot believe how soft her little skin was to my lips, makes me want to cover her whole body in kisses, but I resisted. We will try to limit our lip germs to just "goodbye" kisses at night.~SURGERY BUMPED TO THURSDAY~
45 comments:
Just God's way of saying it's not time yet. Everything will work out according to His plan not ours. So here's to a quiet, restful couple of days and more time for mom and dad to prepare!
God Bless,
Amber & Jesse Thompson
I am glad to hear miss elli gets one more day of rest. Will for sure be praying for you on Thursday. I work that day and I know we will all be praying for you. Hope elli continues to do well with her blood pressure. Take care!!!! -Kim-
Those pics are so adorable!
Cassi and Brian,
Hey just wanted to say how beautiful she is (of course you already know that) and that Derek and I have been keeping you in our prayers. Good luck on Thur. let God carry you through. I will not only pray for a strong Elli but strength for her parents as well.
Emily and Derek Sunderman
Awww, first kisses. So glad you are getting such precious moments with your sweet girl.
Another day to rest sounds good and yeah for the good BP!
Amy
Prayers are with you and your family on a daily basis. We read the update every morning and know that Eli is a fighter. She is a hero in letting someone go in before her for their surgery. She is a beautiful little girl and we are enjoying the updates and the pictures. Let us know if we can do anything to help you. God Bless. Gail Ingram
Hey just seeing if I can send u a comment!
Emily
I am so excited that the two of you finally got to kiss your precious little girl! Those pictures made me cry (but we all know I'm kind of a wuss).
Jus and I will make sure to say an extra couple of prayers on Thursday. We love you all bunches and bunches and you are constantly in our thoughts and prayers.
We're so impressed at how strong you both (as well as Elli) are being. You make us proud.
Love you!
Justin and Jenny
Ok now that I got it working so that I can actually comment on the blog I will be writing a lot more. I wanted you both to know that I look up to u guys becasue u both are very strong and Cassie I really look up to u for everything u have done for me. She is so cute and I can't wait to see her. I started school yesterday and I had to show everyone your blog and show them how beautiful she is. I also have to get on here like 4 or 5 times a day just to look at the pics even when there isn't any new one's. Well I will stop typing now since you probally got tons of comments to read. I want you guys to know that I think about u everyday and pray for you guys all the time. One more thing my mom is going to post something right after me just so u know who it is. Take care and keep looking up!!
P.S. I think I might come see you after I take my boards on the Sep. 19th but I will call you before then to tell you for sure.
Emily
Christy Schmitz (Emily's) mom.
Cassie and Brian,
I wanted you to know that I have been reading your comments on this blog ever since you found out about Elli (20 wks). Emily keeps me informed, she has never been accused of a short conversation.
I read where you added a counter to the blog a couple of days ago, I think I had 250 times where I got in, just kidding, but I do check it usually 3 times a day. I think it is wonderful how you guys have been able to keep everyone updated.
So here is my philosphy on little Elli: God has a plan which we do not know, but an angel she is for sure. Keep this in mind "faith makes things possible, not easy, yes possible."
So keep going forward. Not much can be gained by looking back, only going forward. I will keep Elli and the both of you in my prayers.
Yay for one more day of rest for Elli.
Surgery on ECMO is definitely a scary thing-but it can be done. Makena had TWO surgeries on ECMO! I will be thinking of you guys these next few days as you soak in all that you can of your sweet girl before her big day.
Best,
Libby Cohen
Mama to Makena
www.caringbridge.org/visit/makena
She is so beautiful!!! You all remain in my thoughts and prayers! I will be praying extra hard on Thursday!!! Take care- Ashley Bates
Elli is so beautiful -- we will be praying for a successful surgery on Thursday and pray that she will be able to come off ECMO soon after. Elli is such a strong little girl and I look forward to watching her get stronger everday. God bless you both and your precious little girl.
Tracy Meats - Wy. State Rep. for Cherubs and mom to Ian (LCDH, 4/3/04)
That is awesome that they are letting you kiss your beautiful Elli!!!Sounds like her blood pressure is stabilizing. You guys are all so strong and we'll be praying for you guys and Elli's big surgery.~Miranda
I was so excited to see that you finally got to express to Elli how much you love her by kissing her precious lil forehead! I have given my CDH bracelet away 7 times today to make it easier to explain to people about my beautiful niece. I keep putting a new one on to replace the one i gave away, to show off my lil sweetie pie!!!! Im so proud of her and you and Brian, Kitty. Im sending my prayers up everyday, an know he has his hands around precious lil Elli, keeping her comfortable and at ease!!! I love you very much and appreciate you keeping the blog posted, i check it several, several times a day, and seeing anything new is very exciting!!! Thanks a lot!!!
Love,
Auntie Staci
So Sweet! Glad to hear things are going well. Praying lots and lots that surgery goes well.
Hang in there! Way to go Ellie for keeping the BP mean up without Dopamine! I know that the ECMO run can be a tough time, and surgery on ECMO can be scary. Mason and many others are proof that surgery on ECMO can be a success! We will be praying for your little one!
I am so glad that y'all got to kiss Elli! We are continuing to keep y'all in our thoughts and prayers.
God Bless Reed Family,
Jessica
Elli is a beautiful and strong little girl! You have many prayers coming your way from Kinley's family in MN. Stay strong and positive. Take care.
Jody Dear
Just stopping by to check on Ms. Baby Girl Reed. I'm a pal of Ms. Sofia Miller. She just raves about her partner in crime - Elli. Sofia says that Elli is one of the strongest chics she knows.
Take care and know that many people are rooting for you guys!
I am so happy that you guys got to finally kiss your little princess. I am sure she was happy too.
Don't get discouraged about surgery being bumped. It may happen again. (Kinley's was bumped twice before she finaly got her repair.) I believe things work out for a reason and when Elli is ready for surgery, the surgeons will be ready for her.
Stay strong and take care, I know it is easier said than done.
Cassi and Brian,
Congratulations on your little girl, she is beautiful! I have been addicted to your blog. Please hang in there and keep the faith. We are all praying for the three of you. Teresa, Stepahnie and I are planning to come down to see you all soon.
Sue Nichols
That is so awesome you guys got to give her kisses!!!
Keep up the awesome energy, you guys are amazing!!
Constant thoughts and prayers headed your way!!
Nicole M
Brian and Cassi, I just wanted to thank you for letting us share your precious time with Elli. She is so beautiful!You know that if there is anything we can do, just name it and we'll do our best to get it done. You are doing so awesome with all that's going on. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Will ask the Sisters to add a second prayer chain for Elli's surgery. I will continue to pray for you as well as pray for the hands that help make the miracles happen. We love you.
Nancy and Perry
just a note to tell you how much gpa and i are praying for strength for all of you. we are in awe at the way you both are dealing with the past week. we know elli will be in good hands with the drs and also with God. Greatgrandma Bonny has been "watching" out for our miss elli for a long time and will continue to do so. so glad you finally got to give elli hugs and kisses. hope some of those were from gma tooo! we're hoping for a restful night for you all. hugs and kisses to elli.
Brian, Cassi & Baby Elli,
You have a sweet and beautiful baby girl. Glad to hear that all is going so well for Elli and glad to hear that you were able to give her kisses. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Take Care!
Lisa & Jon Nickerson
Cassi & Brian -
First of all, congratulations on your beautiful new daughter! We have been following your blog over the past few weeks, and checking it many times per day since Elli made her appearance to the world just one week ago. Please know prayers are with the three of you - prayers for strength for little Elli as she shows the world what a fighter she is and prayers for peace for you, knowing that God is with your precious little angel every step of the way. Stay strong and know there are so many people praying for a successful surgery on Thursday.
Lanny and Kris
It's just me again I just can't get enough of her. She is so cute!!!!! The pics of u guys kissing her make me melt and I can tell how much you both love her jsut by the pics and u can tell she loves u bak by the way her eyes look in the pics. Stay strong and keep up the good work Elli
Emily
Cassi, Brian, and Elli--
So many beautiful pictures! Take advantage of the extra day of rest for all of you. I send my prayers and support to all of you.
Numbers 6:24:
The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.’
God Bless you all
Cassi, you look awesome, wouldn't know you had a baby a week ago. Hope you are feeling as good as you look. I just noticed that there are over 2600 people who have checked in on Miss Elli, can you believe that? And what's it been two days since you put the counter on? INCREDIBLE! We'll be saying extra prayers today, tomorrow and Thursday for all of you as well as the entire medical staff who will be taking care of little Miss Elli. Hope you and Brian are getting some rest, too. I'll be checking in tomorrow to see how you are doing. Praying for strength for both of you, for Miss Elli.
BeLieVe iN MiRaCLeS!
Love to all,
MaryBeth
Brian & Cassi,
I'm one of Brian's Shadduck cousins in CA. Just got word of your blog last night. You are all on my daily prayer time and also at our church. Last Sunday I was teaching the children's Bible study and was reminded that God has the best plans for our lives, after reading your blog and getting to know Elli that seems so easy to say and hard to live. I pray God's peace and faith will overflow in your lives. God gives such good gifts to us, and Elli is evident of the tenderness and strength of God. Enjoy God's awesome gift.
Darla Bland
God will be with the three of you on Thursday!!! Try to get some much needed rest I am sure and hold onto one another-you two are the strongest people I know!!! All of my love-Salena
Brian and Cassie,
I find myself checking your blog every chance I get. As you can tell I'm up at almost two o'clock in the morning thinking of you guys. Your strength is phenomenal and I look up to you both for being such wonderful parents. Elli has truly touched our hearts. She is such a beautiful, precious, little angel. I am glad to hear that she gets another day of rest and continues to do well. We will continue to keep you guys in our thoughts and prayers! Thank you for the updates…keep in touch!
Best wishes,
Rachel Peter & family
Kisses, yay! Physical contact with one's baby is such an amazing thing...I can only imagine that it is something taken for granted by parents of healthy babies. Sending you prayers for a restful Wednesday for all 3 of you in prep for the big day!
Paula
Thinking of you. I can only imagine how it felt to give that little angel a kiss. We do take that for granted. Hope you have a good day.
hi its shana elli is soo cute me and my mom where on the blog last night and my mom read everything
she was in tears cause how cute elli was i think she is very very pretty to thanks shana and lana
We are so glad to hear Elli is doing so good. She is so beautiful!Just know that your family is in our thoughts and prayers daily!
Be strong and Take care!
Thomas and Amanda Linville
Brian, Cassi and sweet Elli, just wanted to add my thoughts and prayers to the seemingly thousands you are getting, which is totally awesome. You are all proven fighters and Thursday will be another day to keep fighting.
Hugs and kisses to all of you. Your little girl is adorable and well loved.
Love Aunt Joan
What a joy to finally kiss your baby. She is such a beautiful little lady and has a HUGE fan club @ Cardinals Nest! You are in my prayers.
Angie Lang
Brian & Cassi,
What a treasured blessing in one little kiss, huh? Wanted to let you know how proud we are of you..all three. What a powerful testimonial of strength to everyone out there!
The Lord's message rang out from you ...your faith in God has become known everywhere. 1 Thessalonians 1:8
Some words of comfort for the next few days and hours...
"God is with you in the good times and in the rough ones." God has said, "Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5
The Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. Psalm 32:10
For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10
Last for little Elliott...
I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers. Philemon 4
Love you all.
Cassi and Brian, Hardly seems possible that Elli is more than a week old. Thank you for letting a great aunt have a couple of minutes with her and with you last week. All of us are with you, and greedily wait for the new posts. Prayers and the best possible wishes to you and the surgical team tomorrow.
Love, Sue, Larry, Dawn and Jeremy, Angie and Doug... and all of Columbia, Mo.
Cassi and Brian,
I am glad that you are able to put up this blog. I have been thinking about you and praying for you ever since I learned of your daughter's condition from your family. Take care of yourselves even as you watch over your little girl. I will continue to pray for her.
Pastor Norris
First of all, Cassie you look great and Brian, you look so proud standing next to her!! I love it! I can only imagine what you are going through emotionally and physically, but always know that God is walking with you. I will start a prayer chain here at home for surgery day, but every day also. Remember to take care of yourselves (Mommy and Daddy), Elli has a whole team watching over her. I just can't express enough how proud I am of all of you! I wish I could give you a hug Cass, so since I can't give her one for me Brian.. Thanks!!
Strenth in prayers,
Lindsay Alexander
Cassi
Your little Elli is so precious. Jon, Sophia & I are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers!! Best of luck in the upcoming surgery. Are you planning on moving back to the Co. Bluffs/Omaha area.
Take care
Abby
Hey, just wanted to let you know Melissa and I will be praying for you all three today and tomorrow. You're in our thoughts and Melissa's even checking you blog daily. Elli is so beautiful and she has some of the cutest expressions in the pictures you've taken. Glad you got to kiss her!
Andrea Ury
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