Updates

So, it dawned on me that I haven't really posted anything but pictures in quite awhile. Here is what has been going on these past few weeks...

We visited a new pediatrician in early April, our new insurance through Chris' job did not kick in until April 1st, and lets just say that I did not like her at all. She did not seem very receptive to any thing I had to say regarding Ella, and overall I just did not have a good feeling about her. So, for the first time in my child's life I could just pick a new doctor (for those of you not familiar with the military you get what you get). Anyhow found a pediatric office that I really like. The nurse practitioner that we saw whipped out a sheet with recommended tests and screening for children with Down syndrome and low and behold their were a couple of things Ella has never done. So, fun fun fun we are appointment heavy these next couple of weeks! We have already done the recheck of her thyroid (it was low last year) and it turned out in the normal range!! Both kids had their first ever dentist appointment, Hunter did wonderful, Ella was not so crazy about it but the dentist said that both looked wonderful! Ella got her new braces last Friday, they have put her in the Sure Steps, so we had the fitting appointment with the orthotist. This week we have the ENT (she still has never passed a hearing test) and then on Friday we have a swallow study. This is a new and troubling development to me, her speech therapist that she sees on Wednesday's and Friday's at her school, has been working with her drinking out of an open cup. ( All of a sudden Ella has been leaking more fluid out of her mouth when drinking out of a bottle, sippy cup or open cup. And she has been doing this weird tongue thrust thing when she is eating that she had never done before.) I brought up my concerns to the ST and she has been working with Ella on these, anyhow through this work she has noticed that whenever Ella drinks she becomes very raspy and wet congested sounding and thinks that Ella is aspirating some of her fluids. Ugh. So, Friday we have an appointment at the children's hospital, which her speech therapist will go to with us. They are going to feed her food and drink laced with Barium and watch as she swallows. I dread this. I mean really what can you do?? We (her speech therapist and I) have already tried thickening some of her fluids and it seems to not make a difference. Let me just tell you that there is no possible way that that child will stop eating and drinking so what can you do? Next week we have her hip X-ray and ultrasound (on the recommended list) and then the week after that we have a three hour allergy testing (because she has tested positive for egg white and peanut allergies.) Fun, let me tell ya.

Last Saturday (April 26th) was my birthday and I started out the day by going to a ladies tea with my friend at her church, it was fun and nice to get out with no kids : ) We had to cut it short though because I had to go to the airport to pick up my dad and his girlfriend that flew in from Georgia. As soon as we picked them up we went to Ella's school for their annual Penny Drive to raise money, so we all stood out on the side of the road with signs and jugs and got money from people passing by. Even Ella helped out, she was so stinking cute, she held a milk jug shaking it the whole time while waving at every car that passed by with her other hand. We had a great week long visit, too short of course, but it was good and fun. The kids got a ton of attention, now of course they are not very happy to just have boring old mommy here : ) Anyhow, that is what's been going on around here, here are a few pics.....

my dad his girlfriend Debbie and

the kiddos on their last day

here I am saying "everybody look

happy!!!" No one wanted their picture

taken

Excuse me, clap for me!!!

So naughty!!! Standing in the rocking

chair.

I'm afraid this is what would happen

to a real diddy (kitty) good thing

I don't like cats!

free standing in middle of room!

she changes activities like the wind

busy busy busy

here is the look I get when I don't do

what she wants fast enough. she wants me to read her this book.

oh so naughty again. she pushes the

rocking chair up to the couch and climbs on up. Naughty, but smart!

hmmm, how do I turn on the tv?