Avocados!!

Lower Baby

Since we've started worked on getting Ella to push herself into a sitting position they have suggested that we lower her crib mattress down incase she decides to sit up in her bed. It's the GREATEST news and change so far. It's the first step in baby-proofing and I love it!!













Ella decided to lay on the floor under her crib bumper while daddy did all the work.

Swallow Study Day

Before we left the house:









After a swallow study:

Pudding Anyone??

Ella is cleared for pudding consistency!! What does that mean? We did another swallow study this morning and Ella was cleared for the thickest foods. This includes mashed potatoes, avocados, puddings, cottage cheese...pretty much any mushy food you can hold in your hands and squish between your fingers. We'll post pictures has she starts trying foods. Also, we have to get calorie clearance as we are trying to make sure she doesn't get too many calories while we are increasing her food intake.

Say prayers as we start testing for honey consistency over the next 10 weeks!!

Oh, and if you have any thoughts or suggestions for what is pudding consistency foods, we'd love to hear them.

Love My Chair

This is the chair where we feed Ella...because it gets her in a good position and keeps her from rolling while feeding. We have to prop her up with her "friends" to keep her from leaning to either side.

My Legacy

As I think of how I want to be remembered I think of things like...I want to have been a great wife, I want my children to know I loved them and are proud of me. As I listen to the words of this song (which has been played about 100x since I bought the CD) I realize that everything I do I truly hope is pleasing to the Lord. It's hard in this world to always do the "right thing" and to try and avoid sin, but I hope I'm learning more daily on how to do both. Ella has taught me so much about myself and even more about our Savior. There is so much joy in the eyes of a child who can't eat or sit or walk or talk...and those of us who have all of those abilities, and more, complain daily that we don't have enough. I'm working on not needing more than exactly what God has given me...and I have been SO blessed.

Enjoy the Lyrics to this song and the video if you get a chance to watch it.

Nichole Nordeman-Legacy

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy
Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

15 Month Stats

So, we were a little late in getting the 15 month appt done, but here are her stats:

Weight: 25 lbs 14 oz (85th %)
Length: 31 3/8" (75th %)
Head: 17 11/16" (25th %)

So, needless to say I think we are going on a diet...even stricter than the one we are currently on. We'll be talking to the dietitian again tomorrow. It's not a HUGE deal, they just don't want her to struggle more to meet her developmental goals and have her weight "holding her back". Let's just say that she weighs the same as a 2 year-old should weight.

Other than that they said she was in great shape. She got 2 shots and didn't make a sound...a little worrisome...she reacted, just not by screaming.

Bow Heads

Carrying My Ghetto-blaster

Found Ella with her jam box or "ghetto-blaster" on her arm. I thought I was going to have to get the baby oil out to get her arm rolls out!! I think she has the FATEST elbow ever.

Ella's Newest Trick

We have been working on this and now she's doing it on her own...granted she only does it when I'm not ready with the camera. She pushes up on both arms making them straight with her legs underneath her. It's the next step towards crawling and with upper-arm strength. Keep praying for development!!

Ella LOVES going to church

Post-Bath Playtime (and curly pics)

Playing with Avery Poage

Dress Up

I looked over and saw this...had to take a picture of Ella "dressing up" with mom's purse. Notice in the second picture she has her hands on my wallet...smart cookie...just need to guide her to daddy's wallet!!

Happy Baby

Micah and Me