ROAR!

We got very brave this weekend and took Ellis to our church's Trunks of Treasure event. She loved it and got to meet some of the very sweet children who have been hearing about and praying for her for a very long time.

She has inherited my love for masquerade. Even the make-up. She didn't want to take any of it off. I love it! We are going to get her all dressed up again for trick-or-treating this week, so more pictures are to come.

ROAR!!!!!!

Ellis tells us her favorite animal is a lion. So this year's costume choice was easy.  It's one of the first signs she learned long ago. 

She is so cute I can't stand it. I just want to scoop her up all the time and zerbert her face.

After the event was over Ellis figured out she could supplement her candy stash by dipping in to our bowl. Smarty pants.

Perfect Weather

To celebrate the perfect weather lately and Greg's much-deserved day off, we took Ellis to the Children's Garden for fall fun. She was so excited to show all of the sights to Daddy on his first trip there with us. 

Ellis was very fond of the tall veggies the last time we were there and greeted each one with a sweet hug this time. 

Reused bottle caps! 

Such a good helper. She loves watering the plants. 

Fishing for...fish that would be willing to bite a line with no bait or hook.

Ellis enjoyed making her own antenna hat in the craft shack, then having Daddy wear it.

The sun is pretty today but the water is chilly! 

She was determined to do it herself. 

More veggie love

Growing Up

We were happy to help one of our sweet little friends celebrate her 6th birthday this past weekend. I can't believe how quickly time passes! And each time I put Ellis in a new outfit I can't believe how much less like a baby and how much more like a little lady she looks. Don't worry. She's always going to be our Baby Ellis. :)

This isn't part of Ellis's upcoming costume, but she is enjoying playing dress up and practicing "ick a -ta." (trick or treat)

Adventure!

Thanks so much to our buddy Joe for taking us on another fun adventure, this time to a local orchard. Ellis has tons of fun and I enjoyed the change of scenery. 

Yee Haw! We got all gussied up for a hay ride. 

After a few guided rides...

she actually got the nerve to slide down this one all by herself. Once. Then didn't want anything else to do with it. But no tears! 

She drives a tractor like a pro. She gets that from me. :)

I wasn't sure if she would like this or not but she seemed to enjoy it. Brave baby! 

And strong baby! She likes to pick up heavy things. Makes her feel like the little Wonder Woman she is. 

Beautiful orchards

Yummy sweet treats

Making buddies with the weird eyed goats

Saying "Moo!" to the cows. You know, in case they forget their lines. 

Feeding the overfed rabbits

Enjoying the ride...

in style.

Everything is very tall. 

Unc! Unc!

Ellis tried so hard this past weekend to say "uncle." She's been signing it for a long time but is now trying to accompany that with a sound. She managed to get the "unc" part out very well. But I think Unc Grant will be happy with that for a while. We so loved having him here for a few days and are wishing him well in his next big adventure. Ellis wants you to come back soon!

Helping to cook dinner

Showing off artistic talent

Hat!

"Hat!" has become of one Ellis's favorite spoken words. She asked for this hat then picked this DVD out of the pile for her lunchtime feeding entertainment. Such fun!

Fall Fun!

This week has been super busy. Ellis is enjoying some new tastes as her oral diet expands. With the green light to begin feeding her a tiny bit by mouth, she is trying new fruit and vegetable purees, small toddler poofs, and, of course, thicker treats like ice cream and yogurt. She's even allowed to take tiny, itty, bitty little bites of something dissolvable, so we started with one of her favorites: cheesy poofs. The speech therapist and I had quite a time, but also a little fun, teaching Ellis how to nibble with her teeth. She didn't know how to do it because she's never been allowed to before! I am reminded daily of just how far from "normal" Ellis's life has been so far, but also how blessed we are to have visible progress and hope for the future. I'm glad to report after a few days of practice, she's nibbling like a pro and perhaps we can soon move on to bigger bites. 

Cheesy Poofs!

Adorable Fall outfit #1, thanks to Robin Granny

Adorable Fall outfit #2, thanks to Granny Janny

Ellis and Miss B had fun decorating pumpkins. We love it when she visits! 

Ellis and I both have checkups this week. Hers is routine, for growth, weight, and a flu shot. I am still having some health issues, so we appreciate your prayers this week for both of us. I can't be at anything less than my best if I am to keep up with this little one. Thanks everyone!