Warning Ella will steal your bone

Doesn't she look cute.

Ella thinks all balls and bones are hers. Fortunately Chloe and Boo are tolerant of Ella.

A few favorites

15 Month Check-Up

Today Ella had her 15 month check up. It seems like for the past 2 months we have had a trip to one doctor or another every week. Next week we have 2 more doctor's appointments and I think we will be through until her 18 month check up.


Weight 19 lbs 5 ozs. (5.5 percentile)

Length 29 .25 inches (17th percentile)



Ella has 3 new words this week "ball", "dog", "pa pa" and she is signing "please" and "more". We are are working on the signs for "all done" and "Thank You". Right now Ella still has just the 2 bottom teeth but it looks like 4 are about to cut through any day.




This past week Ella started scrunching her nose and making the above face. Now she is making this face all the time.

Ella's first time at the lake

Random Things

Ella got a new tent yesterday and has had a few vistors already.





Also Ella's new life vest came in the mail Friday. So here she is modeling it for you. Next weekend we be our first weekend at the lake with Ella.


Here is a picture of Ella with her best fur friend. Chloe went back to the vet on Thursday becasue she is still limping. Turns out she does have a partial torn ACL. For 2 weeks she is on couch rest and then back to being a dog and we wait for it to tear completely so she can have surgery.





Below is one of my favorite videos from our first visit trip with Ella. She was 5 months old. Many of you may have not seen this since my blog was private when first posted.

Ella is doing well

Below is a doll they gave her at the surgery center

We were the first appointment for tubes this morning. The whole surgery takes all of about 6 minutes. They did have to put Ella under general anesthesia so they could put the tubes in. She was not a happy camper as she was waking up. She actually cried for about an hour after the surgery. They warned us she would be mad/unhappy and they were right. I took the whole day off and I am glad I did because she has been very clingy this morning and rightfully so.

This afternoon I plan on delivering some of our re adoption paperwork to family court. I have been waiting on one form from DHEC for the last month and it came in the mail about a week and half ago. After I turn in the paperwork today the judge will review our file and either sign off on it or schedule a hearing. After we receive either the signed paperwork back then we can apply for her SC birth certificate in the name we have given Ella. Next we will change her name on her SS card and certificate of citizenship. At the same time we will submit paperwork for a US passport.

Yep, Ella is fitting right in with our family

ENT VISIT

Yesterday we visited the ENT and came to the conclusion that Ella needs tubes in her ears. The ear infections are not clearing up after 4 antibiotics. Tomorrow she will have the surgery to put the tubes in her ears. Please say a little pray that everything goes as planned and she has immediate relief.

A Mother's Day to Remember

Yesterday was a mother's day I will never forget because I FINALLY had my daughter home. This time last year we were only a few months into the process and the US Government was discouraging Guatemalan adoptions all together. Many times yesterday I thought about Ella's birth mom and the wonderful gift she has given to Mike and I. She will always have a special place in our hearts.

Mike and Ella gave me an ice cream maker for Mother's Day which I have been wanting for sometime. We spent the day first going to church then most of the day just hanging around the house. Last night we went to Mike's sister's house for dinner with his parents in Spartanburg. (Thank you Sport & Cathy for a great meal!)

ELLA NEWS:

-This week Ella has really been turning on the charm. She is hugging and kissing up a storm. She will also blow kisses. It is really sweet to see her affectionate with family and friends.

- This week Ella also learned her voice range. She will be walking along and all of the sudden yell or scream. (It is quite cute.)

- Ella saw the Allergist Friday and she has no allergies.

- We see the ENT tomorrow to discuss tubes for her ears.

Chloe's birthday this year

For obvious reasons we didn't have as much free time to prepare for Chloe's birthday. Either way here are a few pictures.

Happy 2nd Birthday Chloe!

Today Chloe is 2 years old in people years or 14 in dog years. The above pictures are from her birthday last year but I promise to post pictures from her party tonight. Frosty paws will be served tonight and all dogs are welcome.

In the last 2 years Chloe has been a special part of our lives. She was hit by a car and came out of that with bruising and a few cuts and scrapes. This past weekend we had to think about possible surgery before we had a diagnosis. She is a wonderful dog and we would do anything we had to for her. We love you Chloe!

A little of this and a little of that

Ella still has an ear infection so we are going to meet with the ENT and discuss tubes for her ears. She has now had almost 7 weeks straight of ear infections. We also are going to see an allergist on Friday to see if there is an underlying root to her problem.

Last night Mike had his end of the year soccer party while I went to the church for a parent/child dedication meeting. He has helped coach this group of boys for several seasons and he as made the decision to step down in the fall to be with Ella as much as possible. He has really enjoyed playing and coaching these boys so we will see if he can really stay away in the fall. Since I was at the church Ella went with Mike. Looks like she was well taken care of.

On June 8th Ella with be dedicated at our church. Our good friends Mary and Dewayne have agreed to be Ella's dedication sponsor's. This will be a very special day in our lives and we are honored that Dewayne and Mary have agreed to be a part of it.

A few pictures

Here are a few pictures from the Duck Derby. It wasn't what I expected so there wasn't much to take pictures of.




Ella has a new favorite place. NO Mike and I did and do not put her in here. She goes in on her own.

Mike and I have put off long enough teaching Ella to feed her self. I wanted to avoid the mess so a few weeks ago we started teaching her and this is what we have many more week or months of.
Just some Ella cuteness.

In other news Ella I think is off the bottle COMPELETLY. So far she has not had a bottle since last Thursday.

Pray for Chloe & Ella

Yesterday Chloe was playing in the creek near our house and came out limping. This morning her leg gave out while coming up 2 steps to our back porch. Mike has taken her to our local emergency clinic. Our worst fear is that she has a torn ACL right before summer and will require surgery. Chloe loves the lake and we will be spending quite a bit of time there this summer. Please pray she has just pulled a muscle or something else minor. I will keep you posted.

**UPDATE Chloe is okay just a pulled a muscle. She will be good to go for a summer at the lake.

Ella is going to the doctor Monday for another follow up appointment for her ear infections. If she still has one this time we will discuss putting tubes in her ears.

Today we are taking Ella to the Reedy River Ken Ducky Derby here at our local park. You purchase a duck for charity and then later in the day there is a race with the ducks. I will post pictures later.