Good Reports

Ellis had a marathon check up yesterday with several specialties in a row. We like these kinds of visits, even though they are exhausting, because it's much more efficient than making separate trips up to Cincinnati. Yesterday we saw high risk doctors, speech pathology, nutrition, and squeezed in an audiology referral. Everyone was very happy! Except Ellis. But all her doctors gave her very good reports, and we are now scheduled to return a few times in the next couple of months for follow up testing. She's still in the 75% range for weight and 65% for height, with very nice growth and mental development that is off the charts. Her speech is coming along nicely, although she does still have a long way to go in that area. We hear new little sounds every day. We thank everyone, as always, for your prayers for Ellis's progress.

Here's a new favorite picture of Ellis and Greg playing in the sprinkling rain. She insisted they switch umbrellas and like a good Daddy, he relented.

And she is becoming a very big help in the kitchen, especially on tasks that require sorting or tasting.

Blooming Beauty

I'm so excited to share these pictures! Greg and I took them one perfect afternoon, just after it rained and the sun came out. I think Ellis gets more beautiful every day.

Mess Maker!

Ellis is a mess maker, but this time it was our idea. She was glad to help out our buddy Moe make some colorful new wrapping paper!

The other really fun thing we did this weekend was to make another visit to the game farm! Ellis loves to feed the ducks with Janny and Granddaddy. 

Shout Outs

What a busy, busy week and weekend! I haven't gotten to be very bloggy lately. Let's have a catch up day!

First, happy birthday to Robin Granny and Sgt. Uncle Grant! Ellis loves you both very much, and we do too!  It was great to have an extended visit from Uncle Grant and buddy Rachael. Ellis loved playing with you both and showing off some of her new signs. Come back soon! And Ellis hopes Robin Granny had a great celebration with lots of gifts and special treats. She worked very hard to make your present, which we hope Grant has delivered by now. We hope to see you again soon, too!

Next, happy actual BIRTHday to the newest member of our extended family, precious baby boy E.M.! We are sure he and Ellis are going to be fast friends, and we can't wait to spoil him in person. Baby Boy E will be making a debut on his own blog at the right time, so I'm not going to spoil the fun by leaking too many details. But we are so excited!!!!! Ellis did a happy dance when I told her she had a new friend.

And another big happy BIRTHday to the sweet baby Abel! Ellis's buddy Owen is a big brother! We are so happy for this amazing family and can't wait to squeeze his little cheeks. What a tremendous blessing!

So in other news, Ellis has been doing great with her trach cap, wearing it all day, every day. She's still not ready to sleep with it on, but all that hard work during the day will surely pay off by strengthening the muscles around her airway. She's also learning new things every day. It's such a fun age to watch. She knows lots of colors now, all her letters, and numbers from 1 to 10. She can't write them, of course, but she can find these things on a page (or the side of a truck, building, puzzle, etc.) when asked. And now we are working on the sign language signs for letters and numbers. She's got the color signs down. I am constantly amazed at how her little mind works.

We want to thank Rachael Sherman for taking these pictures this weekend and letting me share them here. Maybe soon you will be hearing her name listed among the best professional photographers out there, and we can say we knew her when. :)

Colors & Shapes

Ellis had a good checkup yesterday at her eye doctor. We will continue patching her eye two hours a day, but maybe it won't be long before we can quit. She was a perfect baby through the whole day, even in spite of extremely long waits and one terrible blood test experience.
I have managed to get a little more video of Ellis showing off her newly acquired knowledge. She's on to my usual camera hiding places, so I have had to become a little more creative. In this one, she will show you some shapes and colors. You'll see the signs for red, blue, green, yellow, and orange. She also knows the signs for brown, black, pink, and purple. Yes, this is what I do for fun now. I document every new thing she learns. I promise not to wear you all out with it, but every now and then I just have to share. So proud of our sweet baby!