Conference in Switzerland!

This was a "milestone" week for us and for Ellie because it was the first time we ever left her alone with a non-family member or someone she did not know really well.  Steffie and the others who looked after her for several hours each day of the conference in Switzerland said she did really well, and seemed to really enjoy herself. 

We are grateful for this for many reasons, but most importantly because it gives us more hope that she will cope well starting in kindergarten next month.

She is also an EXCELLENT traveler, and even slept well ALMOST every night of the conference.  The last night she woke up at 3 AM and, except for one hour in the car on the way to the airport, she didn't sleep again until 1 AM the next night!

Switzerland was heavenly (the picture of the mountains and the moon, and the one of Vicki at the bottom of the page were both taken from the balcony of our room), and the only bad thing that happened on the trip is that the Swiss Air people broke Ellie's wheelchair.

If you are interested to see more pics of where we stayed (facilities and village) you can go to:  

http://www.gaestehaus.ch/ENGLISH/Pictures

Family Vacation Summer 2011

We had the joy of vacationing together with the Sirinides family when Kendra and Steve visited from Scotland.  We went to a wonderful villa in a small village about 4 hours away.  It was near the beach, had a nice swimming pool, the weather was perfect, the food prepared mostly by Donna, Themis, and Steve was excellent, we played games, Ellie got her toenails painted for the first time (by Becky), and we generally really enjoyed each other's company.

Ellie Update...May 31, 2011

This is what happens in the day when you REFUSE to sleep through the night!

We are grateful that the Lord recently provided for us to get a new seat for Ellie. She had outgrown her previous one, and it had been a while since she was able to sit in something that especially helped with her posture and special seating needs.


A few weeks ago, Ellie had another seizure (lasting about 20 minutes).  It had only been 3 months since her last one.  Previously, they had normally been spaced out about 5-7 months between each one, so we decided with her doctors to start her on daily anti-seizure medication.  So far, so good.  She has even slept through the night for about ONE WHOLE WEEK!!!!  (Not sure if it is related or not to the medication).  We are thrilled, but not getting our hopes up too high for regular good sleeping habits.

 Ellie attended the graduation ceremony of her brother Cody on Saturday night and seemed especially proud of his completion of the one-year Greek program at the Greek Bible College.

In the last several weeks, we have seen the following improvements in Ellie:  she seems to be reaching out more with her arms and hands for hugs, she kissed me several times at the beach during a baptism a few weeks ago (until now she would only kiss Vicki), she works hard to turn the light switch on and off, she is quicker on some days at choosing the video she wants to watch (by touching/grabbing/swatting it), and her physical therapist believes the Theratog she has been wearing is helping with stabilization, centering, and movement issues.


We have turned in what we believe is the very last of the papers from the U.S. government that can be produced to prove that we legally adopted Ellie and she legally belongs to us.  Unfortunately, they are not what the Greek government is asking for (because the Greek government requires something different than the U.S. government does in such situations).  So we are waiting to see what the Lord will do.  Ultimately, He is the one in control. 

If her papers are approved, and she finally (after 4 years) will receive a resident permit, we plan to send her to kindergarten in September at a Greek public school for special needs kids (which meets in the facilities of ELEPAP, a Greek non-profit that helps special needs kids).  ELEPAP will probably provide Ellie's therapy needs as well while she goes to school there. 
More info about ELEPAP at:  http://www.eurocharity.gr/en/member/331

If her papers are not approved...?  Only God knows.

Ellie's Birthday PARTY!

We CELEBRATED Ellie's party on Monday even though her actual birthday was on Sunday.  The Sanners, the Camis, and the Sirinides joined our family for an EXCELLENT meal of Vicki's grilled burgers and potato salad.  We played a game of China Trivia (I'll see if I can post it somewhere on this site), opened gifts and had excellent cake for dessert.

I think we may be getting some better photos later.

  

Ellie turns 5 today!

Ellie's FIFTH birthday is today (though we will celebrate with friends tomorrow)!  We can't believe that we have had Ellie for almost 4 years now!  Mother's Day 2007, when we first welcomed her to our family, does not seem that long ago.  I will post birthday pics after tomorrow.

Many thanks to Kevin and Beth Jordan-Krull for the new Theratog for Ellie!  Therapy she wears!

In and out of the "tunnel" at the Cami house

Another seizure today...

Ellie had a bad night and another seizure this morning.  She is sleeping it off.

When she's not sleeping or exercising, she's laughing...

Gait Trainer and Thumb

In the last couple of weeks two important things have happened:

1)  Ellie's gait trainer was adjusted for her to use!  I don't know how clearly you can see the photo, but her hands need to be strapped onto the bars, and she is wearing ankle-foot orthotics under her trousers.  We have to stand near and work with her at this point, but it won't be long before she will be scooting all over the place by herself.

2)  For the first time ever, she has started sucking her thumb!  It used to be that she couldn't even get her hand to her face, so this represents progress, though she needs to learn to stop poking herself in the eye with her index finger.  :)

Tomorrow, she has an appointment with a doctor who specializes in metabolic issues, and Wednesday she has an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon (because it appears that she is developing scoliosis).

New Year's Day 2011

Ellie is making some monumental efforts at crawling.  I hope to post video soon.

Lorie Delk is sending some games and exercises from the U.S. to help her with pre-verbal development!

Ellie's gait trainer arrived from the States the other day, thanks to the generous efforts of Kevin and Beth Jordan-Kroll but needs a few adjustments before she can use it.  I will post photos of her in it as soon as I can.  Meanwhile, here are a few pics between Christmas and New Year's Eve...

First Christmas ever without Kendra.  :(

                                            New clacker toy--my favorite!


















TOY STORY 3!!!!!!