Whew!

The last week and half is such a blur! We have been thrilled to be home with our baby girl, but it has been much more difficult and stressful than either of us anticipated. In addition to all the normal "bringing baby home" anxieties, we have had to manage lots of medical equipment and supplies, therapies, medications, and a nasty bout with baby stomach reflux. Things are calming down a bit, but we still have a lot to learn and figure out. The sleeping situation gets a little better each time, but right now we are still dividing the night into shifts. Nothing around here is ideal right now, but we will manage and we have faith that things will get easier. We have had to rely on our faith that God will see us through this challenging time, just as He has brought us over so many obstacles already.

Ellis seems to be feeling great and is loving her new home. She seems excited to have things to look at and places to go. She is also growing very well! As of Thursday, she is 13 pounds, 12 ounces and just about 24 inches long. (The doctor has now put her on a little diet because she is getting fluffy.) In the past couple of weeks she has begun to reach out and grab just about anything she can get her hands on and then tries to eat it. She is sitting up with assistance and has great head, arm, and leg control. And we love it when she mimics our facial expressions and mouth movements! Pretty soon she will start picking up the sign language we have been trying to teach her. Ellis is continuing her physical, occupational, and speech therapies now that we are home, and we are very pleased that the therapists can come to our place instead of us having to get her out five or six times a week.

We have loved and appreciated all the cards, calls, emails, and visits from our friends and family! And several of our angel friends have brought dinners and snacks, which mean more to us than we can say. Something so simple can make such a huge difference in a very stressful situation. We can't thank you all enough!

Ellis sends big hugs to all our CCHMC RICNIC friends. We appreciate all the love and care you have shown to her. She would not be here without you! Ellis especially misses her primary nurses Candace, Jaci, & Darci, and Morgan, who gave us a great send off. We promise to keep in touch and keep you updated on her progress. We wish you were here with us!

In spite of being in a sleep deprived panic mode since last Wednesday, we have paused a few times to enjoy our baby and snap a few pictures. When we look back years from now, we will focus on these memories and try not to remember the stressful ones.

We saved every single card we received in Cincinnati and looked at them often for encouragement. Thank you!

Ellis in the playroom at the hospital right before we left. She loved it! Thanks Val!

Cuddles the evening before we took her home.

The first time Ellis ever went outside! She was amazed at the sunlight, breeze, and sounds! It was so precious.

Since the sweet baby was not used to bright light yet, Granny Janny provided some shades. Ellis did much better on the ride home than I did.

Ellis has met some new pals at home, like Froggy Friend.

Her buddy Robbie loaned her a cutesie Halloween outfit. Dress up has become a favorite activity.

For me, at least.

Ellis loves the camera and is learning to pose and smile!