Update From The Weekend
Don and Ella had a nice outing to Century Park over the weekend. It was a pretty good walk from the hospital, lots of parents pushing strollers! It is still hot there, unlike this cool July weather we are having here in Iowa. Don said there was a lot to see and that the whole group of stem cell families were a big spectacle in the park among the natives. They continue to swarm around all the little ones and talk to them. Some even try and take your child to hold them but Don is taking the “hands off my child” approach. You can look but don’t touch! I am sure this must be a bit frightening because Lord knows if someone did that here we would panic but that is apparently just their way. They are just very fascinated by Westerners.
Ella has developed a new little laugh which I shall call her “Revenge of the Nerds” laugh. Now for my younger followers (Hazel,etc..) I am sure you have no idea what on earth I am referring to so you will just have to wait and hear it for yourself. I was cracking up last night listening to her and apparently she has been a big hit down in the commons area with her entertaining new little skills:) She makes herself laugh this crazy little laugh and then throws her head back and just cracks up at herself! Don also says that she is now making funny little faces and she is very aware of what she is doing and again thinks she is very funny. (I think Blake is rubbing off on her!) So, just some more new little things going on with Ella. She continues to make her legs go like crazy when we tell her to run although her leg movement has always been very strong but I am noticing that she is really making them go on demand. She wants to please:)
Ella will get her next stem cell treatment on Wednesday so please say another little prayer for her that they take hold and do their magic. It will be such an exciting year as we watch those stem cells take over and see what they can do for Ella. It will be very important to keep Ella very healthy, fever free, lots of good/healthy food and tons of therapy over the course of the next year and of course beyond but while those stem cells are still maturing we need to be extra careful. I have already started shopping online for a bubble to house her in during cold and flu season! LOL
Thanks again for the continued words of support! I saw so many people in my hometown over the weekend and I loved talking to all of you. You offered so many kind words and it really meant a lot. Thank you!
I get overly excited when talking about Ella and stem cells but I can tell that you all care so much and really want to hear all about her journey. I am so proud of my brave little girl. She has been through so much in her short little life thus far than what most people experiance in a lifetime and yet she continues to smile that beautiful smile and warm our hearts.
Lots of Love to all of you!
Tanya
2 comments July 21st, 2009
