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!