Thursday, September 25, 2008

We Need A New Goal For Buddy Walk!!

Wow!! Thank you so much to all who responded so quickly and signed up for Ellie's team, made donations and/or passed the word along to friends and family. Thanks a bunch also to my sister Shelly for hosting a last minute garage sale to raise funds (she did practically everything...all I did was bring stuff over to sell). She set up a sign at the entrance letting everyone know what the funds from the sale would be used for and some people didn't even buy anything, but just gave donations. We made $350 to contribute to our team!! With that addition, our team reached the $1,000 goal in 5 days!! I'm setting a new goal, so keep passing the word. We have until October 11th to collect donations. You can also still register to be on Ellie's team, your t-shirt will just not have Ellie's Mission on the back, but we will know you're with us!!

As for Ellie, she continues to be busy. She now has a total of 11 teeth! I believe 5 of those were just in the last few weeks. She has also figured out how to get into a sitting position from being on the floor. Unfortunately, it is the wrong way (she does the splitz, bad on her hips). We've been working on the correct way, and she is getting soooo much better at it. We've also gotten her Hip Helpers (they look like biker shorts that have been sewn together). She has to wear them twice a day for 30 minutes. She does not like them. They really make her work hard and don't allow her to be so flexible with her legs. It really seems to be helping her get stronger.
The big news: 2 weeks ago we were told we could take her off her tube for 9 hours straight a day!!! This has been so awesome!! It is so nice to pick her up and not worry about a tube. Unfortunately, the girls have forgotten to be as careful when she is hooked up, but I just keep reminding them. The other big news: She said "Shoes" and "Ball" (ball is not as clear, but is definitely what she means). I think Dave grinned from ear to ear when he heard her. Her signing is sporatic but she has made signs for milk, more and drink. If she wants to talk instead though, I am very okay with that!!

1 comment:

Cortney said...

What a beautiful family. We just, well almost a year ago now, had our 3rd little girl. Ella was our first after Anna our daughter with DS. I don't think I truly relaxed and was able to believe everything was OK with her health until I saw her with my own eyes. I also had some cervix issues and still do. We would like to have more children but, like you we have the fear of preterm delivery. You are one brave Momma we waited 7yrs in between our younger two. I wish we wouldn't have now it has been so good for everyone in our family. I wish you well in the rest of you pregnancy and will pray for a 40 week delivery!!