Disneyland

We had so much fun today!  Ella loves rides and is go, go, go!  She LOVED the mickey ferries wheel ride in the swinging gondola. The cart SWINGS. There were two guys across from us couldn't believe her!  Her screams of joy are so awesome!  She really wants to ride a rollercoaster. She is our daughter and we have year of crazy vacations ahead of us! 

I'm happier than her!

She doesn't sleep except at bedtime when she is exhausted or in the car. I haven't opened any of the books I brought.

Playing on the beach

Things are good

We have heard from everyone in New York. We are thankful we didn't go there.....it would have been miserable and I'm not sure our plane would have made it. I'm so relieved everyone is safe. How scary!

Life is good in California. We've been busy and getting Miss Ella to sleep at all is a challenge. Joe and I have had zero downtime....but the joys of our lives watching her scream and dance when seeing elmo, riding rides, and playing on the beach.

I'm a planner and we had less than 24 hrs to plan this trip. I've done well for me.....

We are having fun. Many awesome stories and pictures to post.

Keep us posted everyone affected by Irene.

Tonight we are enjoying the perks of Joe's crazy travel schedule and just found out we were able to book a 2nd night at this awesome resort I would never pay for tomorrow night.

We are headed to Ella's first Disney experience tomorrow.

This trip is insane...

Prayers for those in the path of Irene

We were supposed to be having dinner with Aunt Karol, cousin Darlene and family tonight. I prepared for months for our trip to New York. We cancelled 2 sets of flights! We are thankful we were carefully informed and warned and chose to change our travel plans, but as I watch the weather channel after our day in sunny southern California....my heart hurts and I say payers for those in the path of Irene. It's devastating!

Keep us posted and be safe!

The Update

New York is cancelled.  Flights are being cancelled into almost every East Coast Airport.  Delta allowed us to change our flights without fees.  The hotels allowed us to cancel/rebook.
Ella was super tired and went to bed without an issue and the medication may have helped us all!  It's Cozy day at school tomorrow and I encouraged her to sleep in since she gets to wear her PJ's to school!

We have rebooked our flights and hotels and will be traveling to San Diego and Palm Springs.  We booked based on best deals we could find with Joe's Sheraton perks.  We just realized that it is 112 degrees in Palm Springs....

This will be CRAZY!

Ella is devastated about not going to New York.  We have cancelled more trips this year than we have taken!  We are so sad and there are many sad family members in New York!  Joe such a hard time making all the calls tonight.  Ella says, "there's a big storm coming". 

Safety comes first and we just can't risk having a 2 year old in a hurricane and all of it's effects.

We are bummed....but we will make the most of a last minute Southern California trip!  It was easier to get our money back if we transferred it to other plans. 

Sea World is in our plans so Ella will get to see Elmo and friends.  We'll make it to the pool and beach and attempt some much needed R&R for all of us!

Life is crazy....

I'm going to lose it....

Ella slept from 9:30PM to 5:05AM.  I have NOTHING done.  I spend every second before and after work dealing with her lack of sleep or trying to get to sleep.

Between stressing about Irene and dealing with sleep issues.....we really may not make it to NY.

Seriously?

Due to Irene....we may or may not be able to do our New York trip as planned!  I'm frustrated....

Meet the teachers!

We had our first ever school open house at the daycare tonight.  It was a meet and greet with the teachers and explanation of their class structure.  I usually pick Ella up after work, but the meeting was from 6-7 without the kids.....so Joe and I met at Caffe Molise downtown and had a fabulous early dinner.  I may have enjoyed some wine before our meeting with the teachers.....
I am so excited for Ella to move to this classroom!  I've been so sad since I got the letter about moving up because Ella LOVES her current teachers and so do we!  It will be hard to say goodbye on Friday, but the move will be great!

They use the High/Scope method (which means nothing to me).  It emphasizes active learning!  We will sign Ella up for the optional computer class.  OH MY!  I'm not sure I want her using my desktop....but we'll see.  Ella will also be learning Spanish! They tried it last year and it was a success so they are going to expand the program this year!  One of her teachers is from Guatemala who moved to Louisiana at age 18 and then she came to Salt Lake after Hurricane Katrina.  I feel a Louisiana connection with Alyssa living through Katrina as well!  

They really tailor the class to the kids needs.  There are 35 kids in her class and with all the crazy healthcare schedules....there are up to 18 kids/day.  It's the biggest class she's ever been in and a bigger age gap than she's used to, but with 3 teachers, they break them up into smaller groups for certain activities.

I left tonight so excited for Ella! 

Her class is mostly boys and definitely a group of "older" parents.  I consider myself involved and I will always push for the best interest for my child.  I worry I'm a "crazy mom" sometimes....but after this meeting, I would consider myself laid-back, calm and go-with-the-flow.....and any of you who know me well know that isn't really me.....but in this group, I was!  I couldn't believe the questions and if you know Joe.....his mimicking everyone after the meeting has me still laughing!

Night out with my girls!

Marlow (missing from pics), Andrea, Cindy and I made it out for our every 9 weeks Mista's Night.  We sat on the patio and enjoyed great wine, appetizers, salad/cold soup, entrees and dessert!  I do love these girls! 

BBQ

Dorothy invited us over for a BBQ on Sunday. The food was fabulous and Ella had a blast! I have had ZERO time for cooking, so it was a big treat for all of us!

Grandma got Ella a pool

Ella LOVES the pink sand!

Chillin'

Her own table and dinner in her swim suit!

I love my friends!

It's the magical time in our schedule that happens once every 9 weeks or so.  It's Mista's night with the girls tomorrow night!  I cant' wait!  We have dinner planned at Fresco's outdoor patio.  It will be wine, good food, conversation and laughter!

The best part....I had to text my vote in American Idol style......#1 for Fresco!

LOVE IT!

It will make going to work easier tomorrow morning knowing I have an evening of fun after my long day!

I'm going to try to remember to take a picture to post!

I did it!

We laugh about this expression and Joe and I both cannot say it without at least hearing the Dora "I did it, we did", etc in our heads!
We made a plan of errands and driving if she didn't nap!  BUT.....I was firm, I was direct.  I sat in the rocking chair in room fake sleeping and the little girl is napping on her floor --- IN HER ROOM!  It's the small defeats.....

What a relief!

Welcome Home Alex!

My Dad, Grandpa and brothers went to Alex's graduation from bootcamp in SanDiego.  The family gathered yesterday to welcome home our Marine.  He's home for 10 days and then back to SanDiego.

I'm so proud of him!  I talked to my mom for a little bit last night and it was awesome to hear some of the stories.  Looking at this photo this afternoon puts a lump in my throat and makes my eyes a little teary.  This is my little cousin.  We grew up together and he was always the baby.....

Steve, Crystal, and Alex need prayers right now!  Say a prayer for them all!

Thanks Alex for your service!  Enjoy your days at home and we may make out to SanDiego in the next year and stop by for a visit (if possible).

Confession

I went to bed at 8:30PM Friday night and 9:30PM Saturday night.  I'm officially old and boring!  I also get up super early (5:30 or 6AM) with a toddler who wears me out! 

Communication....

Joe and I do pretty well with communication.  I'm pretty detail oriented and he deals with it.  This morning I needed to go to Target to buy a baby gift and then I had an appointment for Ella to get pictures taken at 10AM.  I encouraged him to leave later than me, but we left at about the same time because Ella wanted to get goggles so we could go to the waterpark.

I thought it was strange I didn't see them along the way or in the parking lot.  I also thought it was odd that I didn't hear my child yelling while shopping.  WOW!  I got my Target list done in record time (no child).  He had texted me and came looking for me, but claimed he couldn't find me.  He called me and we were going to meet at the checkout line.  I waited and waited and eventually started a text saying, "are you at the XYZ Target?".  Mid-typing, he called.

I asked, "are you at the XYZ Target?"
He said, "NO, why would I be there?"
I replied...."because it's the only Target with a portrait studio"
He said, "OH, we're on our way!"

There was no reason for pictures really.  I had gotten a $25 coupon in my email and my Mom had asked me for pictures in the adorable "lil' cupcake" apron/hat she had given her!  Ella slept for 10 minutes in the transit from one Target to the other which was AWESOME!  A ten minute nap and she is ALL SMILES!  The pictures were AWESOME and I spent WAY OVER my coupon....but whatever! 

FYI - Target seems to always have the $3.99/sheet deal, but now they charge a $9.99 sitting fee which is waived if you are a portrait privilege member ($29.99 for 2 years).  I like to send pics out to family so we go a few times a year....so I bought the membership.  I was also informed only a "few select people" got the coupon.....so I guess I'm a frequent flyer there!  It's easy and very affordable!

In other events....Joe's office building was on fire yesterday!  Everyone is fine....

Daddy's Song

I sing the typical songs at bedtime...."hush little baby", "twinkle, twinkle", "rockabye baby", "Jesus loves me".  NOT JOE!  He sings Bob Marley.  It's called "daddy song" at our house! 
The other day I put the Dora channel on Pandora on my phone in the car.  After the Dora song....the Chipmunks began singing Daddy Song.  Ella was so excited and she said, "Awwww....they're singing Daddy's Song just for you, Mommy".  She melts my heart.....

I read these lyrics and this could easily be Joe's theme song for life!  That's why I love him. 

"Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin': "Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right!"

Rise up this mornin',
Smiled with the risin' sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin' sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin', ("This is my message to you-ou-ou:")

Singin': "Don't worry 'bout a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right."
Singin': "Don't worry (don't worry) 'bout a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right!"

Rise up this mornin',
Smiled with the risin' sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin' sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin', "This is my message to you-ou-ou:"

Singin': "Don't worry about a thing, worry about a thing, oh!
Every little thing gonna be all right. Don't worry!"
Singin': "Don't worry about a thing" - I won't worry!
"'Cause every little thing gonna be all right."

Singin': "Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right" - I won't worry!
Singin': "Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right."
Singin': "Don't worry about a thing, oh no!
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right!

Fingernails?

I don't paint my nails.  I've had a french manicure done a few times (one for our wedding).  My nails chip and so does the polish and it's just not my thing.  Ella wanted to paint her toes and nails last night.  My toes were done.....and I was NOT to be left out, so I have dark pink nails.

I've felt a little odd about it all day!  It will likely start chipping off tomorrow.....

*** not my photo, but when I googled fingernails and this popped up, I had to use it!  This was my day....staring at similar nails that couldn't possibly be mine!

ACPE Presentation DONE!

What a relief!  The presentation had to be submitted over a month ago with a ton of paperwork and all my slides.  I had read and read on the subject of influenza vaccine in patients allergic to eggs and some new guidelines were released as I was working on the timely topic.  BUT....it had been over a month since I looked at anything and it's kind of been a crazy few weeks in my life!

I made it.  It's over.  It went OK.  It's over.  There were typos. And the best part.....IT'S OVER!

We did it!

We all survived our day.  Work was busy for me.  I barely had time to make 2 phone calls for appointments for Ella.  Joe had an insane day and says his blood pressure is back down to normal!
Joe took Ella to school.  Yesterday we were doing a puzzle before her nap and she said she would like a new puzzle.  Reasonable request, right?  She's ready for a new challenge!  He didn't promise her a new puzzle....but an ELMO puzzle.  She didn't live up to her end of the bargain and there was no puzzle yesterday.  But this morning at drop off a puzzle was promised.  But in the form of "Mommy will take you to buy an Elmo puzzle after school!".  Seriously? 

I selfishly LOVE that moment when she spots me at daycare.  Today I got the shriek of joy and she RAN to me leaping over anything in her way almost like a cartoon character!  That moment is so awesome!  She screamed "MOMMY, followed by.....ELMO PUZZLE!"

I had planned a grocery store run.  Instead we went to Toys R Us.  Along the way she told me all about her day.  Her favorite teacher was "at work" today and hopefully tomorrow she will be there to sing the Bumble Bee song.  Only Miss Stacy can do it right!  I also learned her favorite snack is cookies and goldfish crackers.  Really....my child now says, "goldfish crackers"???

At one point she told me that "her mommy was better than Dora's mommy".  OK....toy store it is!  No Elmo puzzle to be found (that was my fear), but a $4.99 Dora puzzle quickly got her mind off Elmo.  Whew!  Joe, don't do that to me again!

I'm so proud of her for doing so well at a very long day at school.  I called to check in and they said she was just like she was before surgery!  Even better her sweet teacher asked, "how are you?  we worry about you too.".  That was so sweet.  These ladies love my little girl and worry about all of us!

Ella still has a SHORT fuse and you don't know when she's going to blow and when she does.....WATCH OUT!  We are seeing more and more of her real personality and it's reassuring. 

Sleep is still a huge issue.  We've just decided to bite the bullet and appease her.  We worked so hard to create good sleep hygiene, but it's all lost!  We take turns sitting in her room until she is OUT and we can sneak out.  I used to multi-task and catch up on Facebook and blogs.....but tonight I was BUSTED!

From the little girl:  "turn your phone off and go to sleep". 
I did as I was told.
I thought I was in the safe zone for my phone, but not quite time to sneak out.
From the almost asleep little girl: "turn off that phone now"

At least she didn't have to start counting to 3! 

2 hours later.....bath, PJ's, books, songs, a story, and sitting in silence.....she's finally asleep!

Joe's saving grace....HE went to the store while I was working on bedtime!

Oh how I do love my little girl and husband!

Daddy's Girl

Today Ella was all about Daddy. 

She set the table and was ready for a date with Daddy!

Major Accomplishment!  We got a 2nd set of cubbies
and everything has a place again!  Coloring, painting,
play doh, moon dought, tea party, etc!

The Hot Dog!  Tonight Joe bribed her with "the hot dog"
to get her to eat her dinner! 

This bean bag chair was one of our best
investments!  It's called "the red chair".

These two are hilarious together!  I LOVE IT!'
There is Nicky's tail....he's always in
the action too!

Day at the zoo

The last 10 days have been challenging!  I asked Joe to please take Ella out this morning so I could attack the mountain of laundry and clean!  I got NOTHING done all week!  They went to the zoo and sounds like they had a blast.

The carousel was a hit!  She rode 4 or 5 times.

This is FRED.  She sure likes him and this time she almost
touched him.  I guess she goes running into the display
looking for him! 

Joy and excitement!

The dinosaurs are still on display.  This time she let
them squirt her.  They are all over and some
spray water. 

Bringing Home a Baby Bumble Bee by Ella Age 2.5

She started singing this song out of nowhere yesterday.  She must have learned it at school.  I remember this from preschool myself and I just couldn't stop laughing!  Her version includes: taking home, ouch it stung me, squishing up, licking, and wiping off the bumble bee.  She skips the word "proud" today and I'm not sure why.  It's not her clearest enunciation, but super cute!

Thanks, I needed this!

I'm hanging this where I see it daily!  Thanks Tiff! 

Morning Hike

It felt great!  Nicky was thrilled.  We let Ella hike around a bit.  She rides along well and it's hilarious to hear her singing.  We do love the mountains!

Utah Fan?

I'm wearing a Utah t-shirt today and it feels kind of strange!  I'm a Hawkeye and proudly wear my black and gold often.  The shirt is red, cute and was on sale.  I bought it thinking I'd need it if we really do make it to a Utes football game this fall. I have no ties to the school and feel like a fake!

Even Ella asked me what was on my shirt!

Things are better

She is getting back to herself.  We ALL got some much needed sleep last night.  We are all excited for our fun evening!  Cooking hasn't happened all week so it will be Buca di Beppo TO GO!  They even have curbside pick up and a $10 off coupon......it doesn't get any better than that.

We had to go to the hospital to get her antibiotic (we are on month 4 of 6-8) and we went to the park on the way home.  She waited so patiently for the swing and we ran into a friend from daycare.  Both kids wanted to swing, but settled for the slides.  It's comforting to see her interact with a buddy!  ALL the parents know Ella.....I'm slowly learning all the kids.  We were headed to the car when the large group left so we headed back to swing! 

I'm blaming the last week on narcotics and I will be so fearful to give them to her after the next surgery!  One day at a time......

Rough few days

Ella has not been sleeping.  Joe and I have not been sleeping.  Our house is a wreck!  She really hasn't napped all week.  Joe laid on her floor on Sunday during her nap, Monday was a no-go, and with a big fight I did get her to nap on Tuesday.  Wednesday she was so over tired, but she just wouldn't sleep.  I asked Joe to come home from work and we drove and drove and drove and she slept.  We ran errands and took turns going into places while driving around.  Last night we took turns going into her room and following her demands.  She wasn't throwing a major fit, but she just kept telling us, "I can't sleep".  Seriously.....insomnia in a 2 year old, it exists and we are living with it!
WE DID EVERYTHING!  We finally let her just run around the house and she was like a 2 year old on speed.  She just couldn't settle down.  At about 12:30AM we drove around and she was asleep in her carseat within minutes.  We transitioned her to her bed and we all got to sleep by 1:30AM!  We blamed it on the narcotics and decided to try motrin and tylenol only today. 

This morning she woke up crabby and remained crabby all day.  She cried, she threw fits, I cried, I wanted to throw fits!  I just walked away from her over and over again!  It was one of the hardest days ever as a mom.  Joe even took Nicky to daycare knowing that he would only get in her way today!

It's a horrible balance of pain meds that make her feel like crap and pain.  As adults we can decide which is worse....she can't and WE PAY THE PRICE!  I'm a pharmacist, I have expertise in meds and I still can't find the right balance for her!  I KNOW all the tricks and they still don't work!

Joe came home to save the day before I completely lost it.  I went to bed.  He tried every trick he had to get her to sleep and finally just held her (kicking and screaming and waking me up) until she finally gave in.  It's worse than I remember from the infant days!

She woke up GRUMPY!  I am so scared.  Where is my little girl?  This just isn't her.  She has been through A LOT and we cut her a lot of slack.  But where do we draw the line?  I feel like such a failure!  She has moments of happiness, but today they were few and far between and usually only when she was doing something she shouldn't be!   There is moon dough EVERYWHERE!

She won't eat.....the only bites we get in her are while she is running around and we trick her into a few bites.  I've made mac n cheese several times in the last few days!  I have a recipe from the dietitian at work for high-iron peanut butter cookies.  I endured the pain of her "helping" me make them this morning and they were gross!  There is a typo in the recipe and I stupidly added 1/4 cup of baking soda......

Eventually she was happy tonight.  She started to perk up when we picked up Nicky.  She normally LOVES to see all the other dogs....but she wasn't that excited.  We grilled and ate outside and I freaked out when a grasshopper was on my shirt and she laughed her head off.  During bathtime she was hilarious and it was so comforting to see my little girl back.  Joe did the rest of bedtime and I pray she sleeps tonight!

I'm fearful for tomorrow and thankful it's Friday.  If Ella isn't a total wreck Joe and I plan on going out to see Hangover 2 tomorrow night.  We NEED a thoughtless break and laughter is always good.  It's at the dollar theatre and we can leave if we need to.  Ella will have fun with Grandma and her friend and if she's still awake when we get home, we'll survive!  I hope a few hours away will bring me sanity.

I need to go back to work on Monday and she will go back to daycare.  It seems distraction is the best thing for her and I hope a few more days make a world of difference in her demeanor. 

I'm stressed.  I've ignored phone calls and emails today.  I just don't have it in me.....sorry!

It's 9PM and she's still not sleeping....wish us luck!

Camping Trip - CANCELLED

Tonight we were supposed to begin our trek to Colorado for a camping trip with friends.  Sadly, we just don't feel good about being so far away with Ella.  Her incision looks great and the thought of being in the great outdoors and putting her at risk for infection is just not worth it.
We put away all the gear and just dropped it and thankfully she hasn't even brought it up.

Next year.....we WILL go camping with our Colorado peeps!

Have fun and we'll miss you....maybe we can roast marshmallows in our chiminea this weekend!  I wish good weather, safety, laughter and lots of fun for everyone!

The 3 Little Pigs (I failed)

Ella's bedtime routine now includes a little story while tucking her in.  Joe started this and usually would tell her about what was happening the next day.  Then it morphed into a random story of her request.  Tonight's conversation:
E: Mommy, tell me the worm story, you don't know the pig story
L: Yeah, I need to learn the pig story (I know it but I just don't do it right)
E: Learn the chiny, chin, chin; big bad wolf and huff and puff
L: Ok, I'll learn it
E: Daddy knows it

*** Joe will add that I better learn it in the correct ORDER straw house, stick house, brick house and it also ends with all the pigs letting the big bad wolf in the brick house and becoming friends

Elephant Birthday FLOP

I put Ella in her stroller and we headed to the zoo.  She LOVES birthday's!  Zuri, the baby elephant turned 2 and the zoo advertised a big party.
Zuri's Birthday
Start: Wednesday, August 10, 2011
End: Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Times: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Help us celebrate Zuri, the baby elephant's, second birthday! Get to the Zoo early to get your seat to watch Zuri eat her cake and unwrap her presents at the 10:30 am pachyderm show. Don't forget to sign her elephant sized birthday card located in Elephant Encounter Lodge.

 

 

What a FLOP!  We arrived early and fought the crowds and held a spot towards the front so she could see.  Fortunately I brought cupcakes and she got to enjoy that. 

 

The event lasted 10 minutes.  The only birthday part was singing happy birthday!  I sold it to Ella as a party and she was disappointed. She kept saying, "where's her cake, where's her presents?".  Looks like the photo on the website was from last year.  Bummer!

 

We did get some cotton candy and watched part of the bird show.  It's so strange to see my high energy child content at the zoo in a stroller.....that's what surgery will do to anyone!

Grandma is back from New York

Grandma Dorothy promised Ella an Elmo cookie and it's all she's been talking about!  She brought the cookie and tons of gifts from everyone!  Thank you for providing many fun distractions tomorrow (I appreciate it)!  Miss Ella, you are sure loved (and very spoiled).

I love all her faces!  Her hair is mighty crazy due to the ointment we put on her incision.....

She was thrilled!

A hidden treasure

We've lived in this house for almost 5 years and about 1.5 miles of our house is an awesome park with open space hiking and creek.  Thanks Mike and Cindy for showing us!  We were there this morning and we went back tonight with Joe and Nicky.  We picked up gyros and had dinner in the park.  Ella was happy to chill out in her stroller and Nicky is the happiest dog in town!  He got to run, fetch and SWIM!  We all had fun and we will be back to Wasatch Hollow often!  See you there, Chance!

My arms and back were so glad
she was up for the stroller.
She was living it up....but
you know she doesn't feel quite
right if she doesn't want to RUN!

Such an awesome area, just behind a park and a neighborhood.
The creek is awesome and Ella says, "we're going into
the forest".

He LOVES to swim!  Look at that smile!

Joe was chasing down Nicky's
ball and found 10 other
tennis balls!

We call this "the silly tree"

Little Miss Planner

I'm a planner!  It's just who I am and it will likely never change.  Miss Ella might be just like me.  This was our conversation today:
E: What's after my nap?
L: We need to return the movie.
E: What's after that?
L: We can pick out a new movie.
E: What's after that?
L: We can get some ice cream.
E: What's after that?
L: Grandma may come over.
E: What's after that.....

And she can go on for hours....

Poor Joe has to deal with BOTH of us!

Oh how I miss you!

I've gained a lot of stress weight.  I have cut myself a lot of slack because we've been through a lot this year!  I'm stress eater.....I always have been and I always will be.  I like food, I love eating out and I like beverages with bubbles (coors light and diet coke being my favorites).

A few weeks ago I committed to giving up bubbles as well as changing other diet habits.  Then....this all hit!  I do great when I'm at work.  I completely lost it in the hospital! 

I miss diet coke so much!  I know it makes me feel like crap.  It makes me so hungry and crave sweets....and the cycle begins! 

It's so easy to just grab a can out of the fridge.  It doesn't need a lemon or a cup and it's so portable and it just plain tastes good!

Coffee and Iced Tea don't cut it.....but I am committed (again) to giving up the bubbles!  But I'm very bitter as I sip on this iced tea.....

I had to promise ice cream to get Ella to nap, so maybe a little frozen yogurt will fill the soda void!

Ella Update Tuesday

Every day it is getting better.  We woke her again for pain medicine in the middle of the night.  I couldn't wake her at 1AM, so I reset the alarm for 2AM and this resulted in Joe sleeping on Ella's floor to get her back to sleep!  Tonight we are going to attempt to go without a middle of the night dose and hope we all get more quality sleep even if we have to get up much earlier!
We met friends for bagels and then headed to a park.  She actually ATE at least half of her bagel (which she still calls a donut most of the time).  She did pretty well, but started hitting poor little Patrick.  She's just not herself....

We checked out a new park and she wanted to swing.  She wanted to do the slides, but in the end she just wasn't up for it.  We hiked back into the woods and let Chance (Mike and Cindy's dog) swim in the creek.  I had to carry her (so not Ella), but the fresh air was good for all of us and she had fun. 

She was DONE and we came home to chill out with the rest of Despicable Me.  It is hilarious to hear her try to say despicable!  She ate a few bites of lunch and said she was tired.  She's in bed now relaxing and I'm hoping she falls asleep.  We'll see.....

Ella's Incision

After 2nd surgery in May.  He had to add to the incision
to remove part of her bone

The same spot as to the left today.  He fixed that
area and it's just one solid line

This may be a little much for you, but he really fixed her incision with this surgery!  In looking back at pictures, it will look worse before better, but overall, it's a better incision! 

Presents!

Ella was thrilled to get the mail today! She is so spoiled! Thanks for all the cards and gifts! It really made her day and she was VERY crabby prior to this!

She always looks at the cards...it's adorable!

She's so serious when opening them!

Oooh...a package!

Cranio Care Bears were so kind and after seeing my post
on Facebook mailed her a package!  These cranio moms are
AWESOME!

Rock-a-bye Boo Boo Beaver.  She is such
a comforter!  She amazes me and he's too funny
with the ice pack on his head!

From Cranio Care Bears (Elvis sings)

Her prize for eating some brocoli and 10 garbanzo beans!
She's not so into eating yet.....