Summer!

Hello!  Ellie's summer has been so full, she's not had much time to write!  So we'll catch up here a bit on what she's been up to :).

First, she's really starting to crawl on her knees and use those strong arms to support herself!  Hooray!  This is a recent skill we've focused on at some therapy appointments but ultimately, Ellie had just starting doing it all on her own! She just feels it out minute by minute if she wants to try the new way or stick with the old (fast!) way of crawling around on her tummy!

We go to a special place that's been wonderful at making suggestions like putting toys higher and higher on tables so she has to stand to get what she wants.  The kids love doing that!  One therapist comes to the house and has alot of faith that she is very close to walking!  She's so cute when she pulls up on the couch - we're enjoying the progress that she has made so far.

A tired girl from all her exercises!

A rough day for little Ellie.  She had a cold for a couple days and wanted to tell Daddy alllll about it.

Ellie having some time in the prayer room - she's happy about the Last Supper!

And off we go to Tennessee for only her third time!  This time she was all over the place!  First, she found herself a box to sit on.

"Now...should I stay here or try to climb on the couch?"

"I'll use my box to help me get on the couch!"

"This is a nice place - yeah, I think I like it here!"

"There are so many things for me to climb and sit on!"

"Why don't we have a thingy like this for me to climb and sit on at home?"

We went to a local water park but with the heat sooooo bad, we left Ellie at the house.  We missed her so much and tried to honor her in this picture by all making an "E" with our hands. It seemed like a good idea at the time but I think a few people wondered what in the world we were doing!

Back at home Ellie found herself a little part of the porch to climb as she watched the kids get in the sprinklers.

 

"I got up here all by myself!"

A great job sitting on her knees!! 

 Ellie gets in on some of the fun.

 

Happy summer everyone!

Back in a bit

Hi everyone!

Sorry about the delay in a weekly update - looks like this next post will have to be bi-weekly!

See you all soon!

Laundry

Hello all!  

Ellie slept a little late one day so I enjoyed watching her sleep for a few minutes.  Since it was time to get up and get to church, I decided to take a picture and...

...yes, the paparazzi woke her up!

A lazy summer morning lounging around the house - Ellie is so happy to be up there with them!

And here she is on the other couch pitching in doing some chores!  Fold Ellie, fold!

"Like this, Mommy?"

"You've got it, girl!"  She's happy to help :).  (extra large photo to emphasize sweet smile)

Couch time

Hello friends!

Ellie has been seeing us watch golf on t.v. from the couch long enough - she's decided she wants a comfy seat up there too!  She pulls up on the couch and beats her hands against it while fussing until you put her up there with you!  Here are some cute pictures of how happy she is to finally see what all the big folks are doing!

She actually does hike her leg and try to get up all by herself!  All steps toward getting stronger and hopefully one day soon - walking! 

"Don't even think of getting me down, people."

We made a change in the food she's getting - something with more fiber and closer to nature.  There's some other stuff out there that we want to pursue too, so we'll see how she handles this and go from there.  She is getting better at licking stuff off your finger and a spoon so she's doing well with that but it's not enough to help her healthy and growing. That will come in time too though!  One day I'll be posting a picture of Ellie walking, WHILE eating - how's that sound?!