Stroller and iPad and Bed...Oh my!!!!

We've had a tornado of activity in the house this week!  We worked on getting Ellie three things this summer and the last two of them arrived this week!


The first was the stroller we got back in May.  It's been very handy and is durable and Ellie always seems to enjoy being in it.


In what seemed to be a longshot effort, we applied for an iPad through a grant that focuses on children with speech delays.  I didn't know how many applications these agencies approved/accepted each year so we applied six places.  We applied back in May for a July 15th deadline.  Last week we got 4 denial letters in the mail stating there was a greater need elsewhere.  But then one day there was a call from a non-profit in Pennsylvania that helps kiddos with special needs buy things they normally could not afford.  They wanted to help Ellie!  They approved our grant of the newest iPad just released, a super nice case to protect it from being dropped and a generous amount of money on a giftcard for games and applications. 


The exciting box arrives in the mail!

She's been using an iPad in speech therapy and the apps they use there get her excited about identifying objects and following the directions on the screen.  Here she is when it first came playing an app that came on it that allows you to play musical instruments.  She loves it!!!

What a big, big girl she is becoming!

We are working on a video of her using it to send in to the agency.  They show videos at their annual dinner fundraiser which is how they get the money to then award families.  We are so thankful, it is a very nice device with endless possibilities to help Ellie develop. 


And lastly, months ago we realized Ellie was too big for her crib but not quite ready for a big-girl bed.  We found out about a bed that was a good transition for children who still needed a little more time to be kept safe.  It's considered medical equipment so we processed it through our insurance unsure if it would be approved.  We were so happy a few weeks ago when it got approved!  It arrived this week and it's so nice!  It's a great idea someone designed that makes staying safe seem fun and exciting.  She, and the other three, all love it!  It's been two nights now since she's had it and she's getting used to it very well.  I lay with her some and she looks around and pushes on the sides of a little but then she's happy and I think she loves the space!

An opening that zips from the outside.  It's so cozy and she uses it as a little "house" to read/play during the day time.