31 for 21

Okay, so I am attempting to take part in this - Get It Down; 31 for 21. October is Down syndrome awarness month and Tricia at Unringing the Bell, http://unringingthebell.typepad.com/my_weblog/ is challenging us all to post everyday on our blog all 31 days of October. We don't have to write about anything speciafically and somedays she may come up with themes or questions, so bear with me as I may run out of things to say : )

I'll start with an update.... Ella is now 13 months old, can you believe it???? We have been busy attending all of those wonderful checkups and tests that are done on a yearly basis for children with Down syndrome. Today we went up to Oklahoma City to the eye doctor, which takes over 2 hours each way to drive to, for a 5 minute appointment. Ella's eyes are great. (While we were sitting in there my husband and I were remembering a year ago when we went up there. Ella was 3 weeks old, all of about 6lbs and we had no clue what was going to happen. We had read about eye problems that DS children could have. Needless to say Ella was fine, but I remember that that appt was the first "good" appointment we had had. Unless of course you count the pediatrician telling us that Ella had the "good kind of hole in her heart." GOOD HOLE IN HEART what in the world???? Of course now that we know that too, it was the good kind and closed all on it's own. But really, I think that doctors should be more careful with their words when talking to clueless devistated parents.) ANYHOW, Ella's therapy evaluations went wonderfully and she met ALL of her goals that we had set for her and then some. The speech therapist came and met Ella for the first time and said that she is doing great, she came for a 2nd time this past week and fed her lunch to watch how she used her mouth and she said that Ella was doing everything how she is supposed to and uses her tongue appropriatly!! Whew!

The thyroid thing, well that is a headache. The end of June Ella's thyroid tested at a 5.02 which is just outside of the "norm" so we were referred to an endriconologist. So up to Oklahoma City we went 2 weeks ago and basically he said that he wasn't worried about it but since it had been 3 months go ahead and retest it and if it had gone up again we will talk about treating it. SO at her one year well baby checkup, they retested it and it came back at a 1.34, is that even possible???? Ugh.

Ella's one year well baby checkup was good. She is 28 1/2 inches tall, 23lbs 10ozs, and has a big head : ) Basically she is a chunky monkey with a head like her brothers and is actually above average in height for a girl with DS. Later that same day we had an appointment with a developmental pediatrician. Ella kicked butt. He did several different tests such as placing a cup upsidedown over a block (which Ella picked up the cup threw it on the floor and then played with the block.) and Ella aced them all. He said there was no need for him to ever see her again. Sounds good to me.

And then there is the ongoing ENT sagga. They too are out of town, though it is only a one hour drive. Basically Ella has had 8 sinus infections in a year each one taking 10 to 14 days of antibiotics. Also they did a hearing test last week and said it looked "flat" the doctor said he could see fluid in her right ear. He is under the impression that Ella has allergies and is trying her on meds for that. If this doesn't work he said we will talk about tubes, and having her tonsils and adnoids out. Not so thrilled about anything coming out but am fine with tubes if that will make sure that she is hearing properly.

So that is what we have been up to. Hunter is still loving school, has several girlfriends, and is a soccer star!! He cracks us up on a daily basis and is just a true joy. Ella thinks Hunter is the greatest thing in the world and lights up whenever he is around. Of course now that Ella is more mobile Hunter is becoming increasingly annoyed with her because she of course wants to play with his toys. About a hundred times a day I hear "Mom come get your daughter." "Mom, keep Ella Grace safe." "Ella, NO you are not a big kid play with your toys." It is so funny. And better yet when she is told no and redirected she now yells at me in a scary growling should not be coming out of such a cute face voice. Anyhow, if I am going to write everyday for 31 days I better stop for now!!!