Ellie, Matthew, and Daddy

Matthew Cami is the 6-month-old son of our dear friends and co-workers Kate and Ilir. Many prayed for a very long time for Matthew's arrival on our planet, so we are thrilled he is here and happy that he and Ellie seem to be getting along so well...

Miscellaneous from Last 3 months

Kendra's Wedding





















Kendra's Wedding

Happy with Gram and Grandad!
















Happy with Grandma and Grandpa!

Grandparents Together!




















I'm THREE! (April 10, 2009)

















Fun with with family!
















Birthdays can make me tired!





















It looks like she's happy to "flip us a bird"

















"Susie Sunshine"


















Ellie the Snake Killer

Wedding Day--June 13, 2009

Uncle Mark loves Ellie!













Our oldest daughter Kendra was married on June 13, 2009. Our youngest daughter Ellie was the flower girl. Although Ellie had a mostly good day, she wasn't terribly cooperative for the photos. We are still waiting for the professional pics, but here a few amateur shots until we get some better ones.

















Mommy gives the flower girl a pep talk

Aunt Dana and Gram love Ellie too!

Flower Girl(s)

Ellie Update Feb. 2009

Sorry for the delayed update!

* The results of Ellie's blood tests in Nov. (which we learned in late January)showed no problems to worry about

* Her head size seems to be within the range of "normal" on the Asian charts

* We are currently taking her to a Christian reflexologist who has helped several of our friends, and is teaching us how to do the therapy ourselves at home

* Between physical therapy, occupational therapy, and reflexology therapy we are currently taking her to 6 therapy sessions a week (outside the home)

* Everyone comments these days on how much she is growing

* Her sleep habits are goofy again. Some of these pictures show her falling asleep while eating or watching videos.

* We also continue to do therapy in the home, scheduled and spontaneous. The last photo here shows her in part of her exerise routine on the gym ball, resting her head on the dog who loves to be nearby at exercise time. I hope in the near future to post photos/video of parts of her exercise routine.

Christmas Sunshine!

I know that 3 of these photos are almost the same, but I just could not choose the best one so I added them all!

Movement and Light

Last month our dear friend Cyndi Karnoscak visited us and took some pics of Ellie. In some ways they captured the "essence of Ellie"--especially in the areas of her constant movement and the light she radiates with her smile.

November 2008

Took Ellie to the hospital for some tests on Wednesday to see if it can be determined why her head is not growing as it should be. We are still waiting for the results, but thought I would post a few new pics until then.

Portaits

When each of our our children reached the age of 2 or 3, Scott's dad (Bill McCracken) did a charcoal portrait of each of them. Last month, we were all pleased that Ellie joined the ranks!

Progress Update October 2008

Cuddling and Kissing with Mommy

LAZY LUNCH (she fell asleep while eating)

ELECTRIFYING EXERCISES

In the last week, Ellie has been to the neurologist, the ophthamologist, the pediatrician, twice to the physical therapist and twice to the occupational therapist. In addition to the twice daily therapy sessions at home, time in her "standing frame", and the spontaneous activity between holding her and playing with her, she has had a full week.

The good news is that although her improvement has been very limited and very incremental, it does represent progression (not stagnation or digression). 

Here are a few examples...

1. The neurologist was very pleased with her improvement in head control, muscle tone, and interaction with the doctor (she didn't freak out and cry like the previous visits).

2. The eye doctor had said back in February that she would need glasses and we should come back in the fall when Ellie would hopefully have better head control. However, she informed us this time that Ellie's stigmatisms had improved quite a bit and we can defer the idea of glasses for at least another year.

Ellie also did really well at the eye doctor (not freaking out and crying like the last visit). She didn't even cry after they put in the eye drops to dilate her pupils.

3. The physical therapists say we still have a long road to travel but they are pleased with the small (but important and foundational) improvements they are noticing.

4. The pediatrician says she is developing mostly well but she is a little concerned about her head not growing much. She will consult more with the neurologist about that. Unfortunately, Ellie still gets upset when we go there (likely due to the shots she gets each time). :) But we have a GREAT pediatrician (Dr. Arlene Chung--a Korean American, married to a Greek) with whom we are well pleased!

Thank you so much for your continued interest and prayers on her behalf!

"BEAUTY"

Smiling Beauty in the hotel room with William where we had our family vacation.














Sleeping Beauty (she was taken from her bed to get ready to go to physical therapy...she never woke up on her own even after getting her hair washed and her diaper/clothes changed, and it took me and the therapist 10 minutes of trying hard to wake her before she finally awoke).
















Bathing Beauty at our vacation hotel

More Pics!