No Helmet for Now

We took Ella to the orthotist this morning, and they don't think she needs a helmet.  We are still planning to take her to the specialist at Children's next week, but are hopeful that she will agree with the orthotist.  Her symmetry is perfect, and the orthotist said that at 4 months she isn't likely going to get much worse, and that unless the issue is asymmetry, there is typically some rounding once they are rolling, sitting up, etc.  Fingers crossed!  Ella was an angel and sat so quietly for the entire appointment.  She thought the laser they used for the scan was really funny.  Here is Ella in her special hat for the scan, and the images they produced.

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Sesame Street Live

Hannah and I went to Sesame Street Live this morning with Macy, Nate and Jake.  When we first got there Hannah said she was scared and wanted to leave, but felt much better once she was sitting on Aunt Sara's lap with Macy and Nate.  Poor Aunt Sara! Jennifer and I had a very relaxing time with just Jake who was sitting quietly in his seat watching the show.

School Update

Hannah and Ella are both doing so well at school.  Each day when we pick up Ella, her report card says great day!  Her teachers always tell us that she laughed and smiled all day, and most days never even cries.  When she is going through the terrible twos (or 1-3+ years), I will try to remember these moments...

Hannah is learning a ton at school, it is amazing.  Today she got to go to visit the preschool room for a 30 minute spanish lesson, and she came home counting to 8 in spanish. She's such a little sponge.  Between school and Dora, her spanish vocabulary is really growing.  She is constantly telling us "vamanos!" when it's time to go.  I can't wait for her to go to the preschool room next year.

Sledding with Macy

Hannah and Macy loved sledding down the hill in the front yard, while Ella and Lilah took naps.  Ella did get some time with Unky Ian when she woke up, and as you can see, he LOVED Ella's shirt.  Go Blue!

First Haircut

Ella has been growing a bit of a mullet, so I decided to give her a trim today.  She sat so nicely in her bumbo, and I was amazed by how long and thick her hair was!

 

3 Year and 4 Month Check Ups

We took the girls for their check ups today and everyone is doing great.  Unfortunately, they want Ella to be evaluated for a helmet.  We'll see what Dr. Rozelle says, but I'm not convinced that Ella needs it.  Her head is certainly better than Hannah's was at that age but worth getting a second opinion.

Both girls were excellent at the doctor - Hannah even peed in a cup and had her eyes checked this visit.  Ella was smiling and talking until her shots, but wasn't a fan of the shots.  She's sleeping it off now, so hopefully she will feel ok when she wakes up.

Hannah's Stats:
27 lbs 4 oz: 25% (No shoes or coat - last visit she was wearing both)
37 3/4 inches: 50%

Ella's Stats:
12 lbs 6 oz: 50%
24 1/4 inches: 50%

Too Late to Turn Back Now!

Standing in kitchen looking toward family room - opening on left will be a three panel glass french door to the patio

Front hall without the ugly marble

In kitchen looking into walk in pantry

Exterior of addition - opening will be three paneled french doors

Dining room without the ugly marble

Ella at School

Here are a couple of shots of Ella taken by her teachers at school.  Her buddy Kendyl stoppd to say hi.  I'm guessing Josephine was too busy racing around the room if she is anything like big sister Charli was at that age!

4 Months Old!

Ella will be 4 months old on Tuesday!  Hannah didn't want to be left out of the photo shoot, so she helped me get smiles from Ella, and then wanted to be in the photos too.

Getting So Big

Ella is getting to be such a big girl! She can grab toys now and get them to her mouth - definitely a favorite activity.  She is very smiley and has started laughing too.  Nothing beats baby laughs!  Still no interest in moving, but when I roll her over, she thinks it's hilarious.  Her eyes still seem to be changing, and we aren't sure what color they will be.  They are grey with a tinge of brownish green.  Maybe they will be hazel?

Sledding Down the Driveway

Grandma's house has the best driveway to sled down.  There wasn't a ton of snow, but enough to sled, eat (Hannah's favorite), make snow angels and throw snowballs.  Hannah can't wait for a real snow storm!

Sisters

Demo Week One

Happy 2nd Birthday, Macy!

We all had a wonderful time celebrating Macy's 2nd birthday.  The birthday girl was all smiles the entire party, except when she was concentrating hard on blowing out her candles.  It's hard to believe that Macy is already 2, and Hannah is almost three!  Jordan got some quality time with baby Lilah tonight, while baby Ella stayed home with Mina.  Happy birthday Macy!



So Grown Up!

50 Degrees in January?

Moving Out to Remodel

We moved to Grandma Joanie's while they remodel our kitchen, and only had a few days to pack up our house and move all of the necessities to grandma's.  It went surprisingly smoothly, thanks to the help of Safta, Zayde and Mina.  Ella was oblivious to the whole move. She took a nap in the fully furnished family room, and by the time she woke up, daddy had packed up everything but Ella and her swing.  Such a good little sleeper!  The first night at grandma's was easy for Ella, she slept great in her pack n play.  Hannah had a rough time adjusting to her new bedrooom, but by night two she was sleeping great and loving to just hang out in her room.  We brought over a lot of the toys, chairs, linens, decor etc. from her room to make it feel like home.  Sadie is LOVING the move because the bedroom is on the first floor so she doesn't need to climb stairs.  The poor cats have been relegated to the basement because I'm afraid they will ruin grandma's furniture and rugs.  They are definitely having the toughest adjustment.  Thankfully, we will be moving home soon.  I can't wait to have a brand new open kitchen!  Thank you for letting us move in, Grandma Joanie!

Ella's First Day of School

Ella started school this week and is doing great.  She has been giving her teachers lots of nice smiles, and has been napping and eating well.  Her first night home she passed out at 7pm and slept until almost 6:30am the next morning - all of the stimulation really wore her out.

Last Hannukah Celebration of 2011

We had our annual Hannukah gift exchange at Safta and Zayde's, and Hannah got to hang out with all of her cousins.  She was too busy playing to eat, but did manage to join us for dessert and to open her presents.  She got a chalkboard/dry erase easel, complete with chalk and dry erase CRAYONS!  Very cool - not stinky or messy.  Big cousin Mitch had to give Hannah a piggy back ride out since she didn't want to leave her cousins.  Ella slept quite a bit, but did enjoy hanging out with her Aunt Debbie.