Mitchell Update

I feel like it's been a while since I've just written. This week has brought a lot to light and made me thankful for where we are in life. My family is healthy. Yes Ella has cerebral palsy and we are still "cooking" William, but as of tonight I know that she is sleeping soundly and he is moving like there is a full-court basketball game going on in my womb. My husband and I are having a wonderful time settling into our new house, even with the headache that have come with home ownership (seems harder on the second house for some reason). I've done nothing at all to get ready for Will's appearance and I keep thinking that since I have 2 months left I've got PLENTY of time...I keep forgetting the HUGE celebration of Christmas right in the middle of everything. I've been in more pain this pregnancy and have been SO busy with Ella and the house that decorating for baby and Christmas haven't been at the top of my productivity list. We've started to realize how much more our lives will change with another kiddo in the mix. Luckily Joe's parents have moved to Dallas and are already helping out so much. Also, my good friend Maggie's mom is a respite care nurse and so we've hired her through Medicaid to help us out on nights when we have events, or just shopping to do. Ella is moving a TON!! She never stays still and we are having to look into getting her a lightweight helmet so that she doesn't knock herself silly. She'll drop her head on anything (shelves, floors, baby gates, etc.) and it doesn't hurt her at all...therefore we have to try and protect her noggin from getting banged around. William is healthy. We had a sonogram a week or two ago and he's measuring about 3.5 lbs. I'm still healthy and I think I'm doing better this pregnancy than I was doing last time around. Will is measuring long in his legs, which isn't a huge surprise. We are still looking to induce about 10 days early, so Jan. 23rd looks like our goal date, but that could TOTALLY change. I can't think of anything else right now...it's late. If anyone writes and reminds me of something then I'll add it on here...otherwise, that's the update for now.

May God bless you and your family wherever you are right now.

Mothers Blog

I would like to encouarge of all you who are mothers (or really anyone) to at least visit this blog, if only to take a look and help another mother out: http://we-will-survive.blogspot.com/

Following is the email from the blog-creator:

I have to create a website that has to deal with something we've discussed this semester for my women's studies class, for our final project. I've chosen to create a website for moms, with multiple resources to hopefully make our job a little easier... I've just begun constructing the website, but if you could all visit (we get credit for how often our site is hit, etc.---- as one criteria), and participate, too if you wish (and have the time!)...it would be greatly appreciated!

In time, I am hoping to have a network of mothers who can chat, create playgroups, or just share stories, information, and materials with each other. I hope it is something that I will extend beyond the semester and would love it if you all came back to the site again later to check it out!

Thanks again!

I hope all is well and you all had a memorable and meaningful Thanksgiving!

God Bless,
Jodie

Sunday Afternoon w/ The Roughton's

Sara's 27th Birthday

Happy Family

2006

2007

I'm Ready for Food Network

Yep, you might have heard the rumors, I...Andrea Elizabeth Mitchell...did Thankgiving all by myself. I didn't spend it by myself...nope, I cooked it all, again...by myself!! I made the turkey, the dressing, gravy, mashed potatoes, candied sweet potatoes (minor disaster here), green bean casserole, corn, cranberry relish and rolls. It all actually turned out REALLY good, according to my husband and in-laws anyway. I feel pretty dang proud as I sit here in a clean kitchen with leftovers in the fridge...leftovers that are actually good enough to eat AGAIN!! The timing of everything will need to be honed over the next few times I try this feat, but I am still pretty impressed with myself...and my wonderful husband keeps telling me how proud he is of me...which doesn't hurt. I will tell you, getting up at 6am to stuff a bird that is cold and raw is NOT my idea of a holiday, but after we were all sitting down and eating it was totally worth it. I also know why chefs wear clothes that look silly but comfortable, especially the shoes...8 hours of cooking nearly killed me...oh, did I mention that I'm 7 months pregnant!! My son has decided to sit on a nerve in my hip and today I think he thought it was a good idea to dance on said nerve...silly boy. If we had hot water on the west side of our house I would be soaking in a bath instead of typing, but alas it's been 4 weeks now and we still haven't gotten anyone to fix our "issues" with that. Back to Thanksgiving...it went wonderful. The 5 of us talked and laughed and played with Ella, we ate a ton of food and watched some football...at least 2 of us took a nap (Andrea and Ella) and we just talked about how thankful we are for each other in specifics...Joe wanted to make sure and start that new tradition.

I feel like I should write a picture disclaimer...I'd been up for 8 hours cooking, mangaged to squeeze in a shower at some point, realize that I look 9 months prego when I'm not wearing makeup or have my hair done, not trying to impress the turkey at this point:

Mashed Pototoes whipped and ready for the table

The Bird ready to be carved

The last 3 deviled eggs...Joe started late on pictures

Sweet Potatoes On-Fire...okay, they weren't SUPPOSED to be on fire, but Joe fixed it and they ate them anyway...this totally freaked me out, we had FIRE shooting out of our oven! (Joe would like me to note that he stood calmly to the side, taking pictures, and then took the flaming dish out and fixed it)

Ella getting ready to consume her Thankgiving meal.

Therapy Me

Pool Therapy:

Making a Turkey picture in Occupational Therapy (once it got messy the pictures stopped):

Night Out

Last weekend we went to a birthday party for our friend Michael Aars. Although neither Michael nor Joe are in these pictures I thought I would share.




Andrea and Becky Page










3 Pregos: Sara Byers, Andrea, and Taylor Wells

Give Her a Drink!

Ella had a swallow study yesterday and we are "cleared" for liquids. You heard me correct folks, the child can drink by mouth! HUGE PRAISE!! The Lord has been so faithful to us and our prayers. We are still going to do 10 more sessions of VitalStim to strengthen her swallow, but she's cleared to drink. As of right now there isn't a lot that will change. We are going to start VERY slowly to incorporate liquids into her daily routine, but for right now we can at least get started. We are also working on getting her to chew better, jaw strength is a huge factor, so start your prayers for food. Thank you for always keeping our family in your thoughts as you speak to God on our behalf.

Some of my favorite things...

Ella LOVES to pull off her left sock and eat it...we aren't sure why, but it's funny. She only pulls off the left one and then chews on it...good thing her feet never hit the floor.

Daddy's Girl

18 Months

Stats

Height: 32.5" (75th%)
Weight: 24 lbs 9 oz (60th%)
Head: 17 1/16" (15th%)

Look at Me NOW!!

Ella decided to sit up all on her own at therapy yesterday...she sat like this for over 2 mins STRAIGHT!!

Just Chilin'

As we left for the wedding, Ella was just chilled out on the couch: