Love #4

I love my kids (enough said)!

I do want to do an update on Ella, since a couple of you have asked. As most of you know we had our "Christmas Miracle." Ella took her first steps three days before Christmas. I remember saying back in September that it would be so nice if she was walking by Christmas. When December came, I was pretty sure that it wouldn't happen, so to me it was such a miracle to see her walking.

She is doing very well. I would say that she is walking about 80% of the time and scoots the other 20%. She has a hard time getting into standing positon from the middle of the room. She usually scoots to furniture, pulls herself up, and then walks from there. She is still pretty slow and reminds me of a penquin-- straight, wide legged, waddle. She is scared to walk outside or on uneven surfaces. I still carry her alot in public, and usually up and down the stairs or whenever she needs to get up onto a chair (hence the bad shoulder flare up).

Here is what she usually looks like-- water in hand and belly hanging out. (just like her mama - he he)

We went to the park with one of her developmental specialists today and practiced walking on uneven surfaces. I think her depth perception may be off a little, but she did very well.

I also went to the opthamologist again. It was a very promising appointment. He estimated that Ella's vision is between 20/40 and 20/60. I hope he is right, because this is good enough to drive. This vision will never change, nor will glasses help it. As she gets older and is able to read eye charts, we will be able to tell exactly what her vision is. He did say there is a good chance her peripheral vision or depth perception could be off a little.

As far as the pituitary goes-- we are waiting to see a pediatric endocrinologist. Our appointment is February 26th (Jill's b-day). I've had to wait almost two months. There are only a handful of pediatric endocrinologists in Phoenix-- I hope I picked a good one.

Ella continues to make progress with her language as well. She surprises us sometimes. Hailey was singing her ABC's and Ella chimed in with her. I hear her sing, "Happy Birthday to you" to her care bear (tare bear) with a cake on it's tummy. She went up to Hailey's room by herself and when I came to check on her she had a crown on, a ring on her finger, a necklace and bracelet on and a purse in her hand. It's cute to see her doing age appropriate things.