Taking low quality pictures of food

Today we went to Batson for Ellie's follow up visit for being a high risk newborn.  We did the PT stuff first.  They perform the Bayley test, where they check different motor skills, to make sure she is meeting her milestones.  A lot of the tests looks really silly. But, there is a method to it all.  Last time she took the test she was labeled "Emergent", and now she is labeled as competent! So, that is progress.  She was a little shy of the lady, always looking at me or reaching for me, like I was going to leave her there.  She wouldn't take anything from the lady's hands, you see, teaching her right, don't take anything from a stranger! Haha. So, most times I would put the item she was supposed to grab in my hand, and she would take it from me.  Ellie was a little unsure about it all, but warmed up eventually.  She is lacking a little in her communication skills, but I am really not worried. She makes a lot of pterodactyl noises, so I know she is getting there!  She understands some words, like bottle! And Mama, I think!
   Next we got to talk to the doctor and the dietician.  They knew my question, could we finally get her off the high calorie formula.  They both hesitated, but looking at her growth, and that most preemies don't quite grow that big that fast, and that she isn't taking in more than she needs in formula, they agreed we could wean her off of it.  I am going to slowly do it, so she doesn't have too much gas with it.  She weighs 24 lbs 1 oz today, and she is 2'4" tall. She currently is wearing some size 2 T clothes. She can squeeze into a size 12, 18 mo is good in a onesie and dress.  But 2 T covers her belly the best!  You can't help but love all her precious chub, this little miracle baby has come a long way and has earned it!
  We see them again in July, and then in a year after that, we see the specialist of specialists, that will check to make sure she is all caught up.  They say a preemie should be mostly completely caught up by their 2 year adjusted age mark.  So, only a few more appts with the hospital and we should be home free.  It is always humbling to go up to Batson Children's hospital, and to see so many kids with so many problems.  I really count my blessings of how perfect Ellie is.  She really doesn't have any abnormalities or problems.  Looking at her you would never guess how things started with her, you would never guess she was a preemie.  It is amazing how far she has come!  She will be 11 months on April 4th, I can't believe it! We are almost to a year!  It has crawled and flown by at the same time.  I will say it is nice to go to the Children's hospital and leave with your baby!
Oh, and Ellie cut one of her top front teeth this week! And it looks like the other one is trying the make it's way through! I am looking forward to a 4 tooth grin!!

Here are a few pics of our happenings!

I love dressing Ellie is Addie's old clothes and putting it side by side! Sweet sisters!

A lot of food pictures approaching!  I threw out my back, and took
the week off from the gym, and had a cooking binge!

German pancakes, GREEN German pancakes for St. Patrick's day!

A trip to the zoo with the crew!

Addie at the zoo

Addie and Grant!

Ellie loves to be outside and pick the grass

St. Patrick's Day dinner, spinach ravioli 2 ways, green alfredo and pesto!

Sporting one of her first little sprout pony tails

About to roast vegetables

Family Home Evening Success! The Armor of God, Uno, and free ice cream at Dairy Queen!!

The flowers can be tasty

Sweet Goose!  For some reason, she has picked up the nickname Goose!

High chair with a sucker! Yummy!

Holding a bottle for the first time!

At the park with friends

We are at the Eli Manning Clinic at Batson, for her follow up

Aww, sweet friends!!!

Elam, Ellie's best friend cousin!

Spring Break ...

Spring break is supposed to be about fun, and joy and vacations, right?  Not this time for us!

Sisters in the Tub!

First Thomas got some weird stomach virus that started Sunday, here it is Wednesday, and he still isn't 100% back to normal, poor guy. But he has forced himself to work the past two days.  Then Monday morning, I was taking the kids to the library, to keep the house quiet for Thomas to get some rest.  Well, when we got there, I reached into the glove box to look for something, and suddenly my back started to seize up, like I threw it out or something.  I tried to shake it off, hoping it would disappear.  We found a spot in the library and I tried to stretch it out.  I made plans to take the kids to see the Lego Batman movie that night.  My back got progressively worse, but I tried to tough it out at the movies.  Sitting wasn't bad.  The next day it was bad, and today it is bad.  I had a steroid dose pack called in, and started it today, so hopefully it will kick this pain right out of my back.  So, I feel really bad, the kid's have had a zero fun spring break, thus far.  We had toyed with the idea of going to visit Thomas's brother down in Florida for a long weekend. We were planning to leave tomorrow. That is not looking like it is going to happen.  I feel so bad!  I am a totally active person, I teach my HiiT class everyday.  My back shouldn't do this stuff!  And for it to happen just with a weird reach into the glove box!  I am super frustrated, and had to cancel all my classes for the week.  I hope to be improved significantly by tomorrow, fingers doubly crossed!  And maybe we can hit up the zoo, or museum, or some parks.  The weather has been pretty chilly, so we might not have been able to be outside anyway??  I still feel guilty.  I know they are bored!  And I would invite friends over for them, but I am just not sure I can handle all the clean up I would have to do afterwards!  Thomas is going to take them to the bowling alley tonight, so that will be good.

Well, in other news, we went to the Pediatiric GI doctor for Ellie, for a follow up.  She has officially been discharged from them!  YAY!  That is 2 specialists that we no longer have to see! (cardiology was the other)  I love those check marks!  Ellie is doing great. Up to 23 lbs 4 oz!  She also had her last synagis shots this month.  Those are to help combat RSV.  I still feel like her lungs are a little weak, because her allergies always lead her to a lingering cough.  Seems like it happens at least once a month.  But for the most part, she is a healthy little girl!  She is very vocal, and yells and coos and makes all manner of precious noises.  She can kind of clap, kind of! ha, I am not sure she is totally meaning to, but it looks like it!

I wonder what she dreams about...

Eating lunch at school with big sister

Edamame was a hit!

Tried our hand at macaroons. Turned out pretty good for our first attempt!  Porter has been wanting us to buy the frozen ones at Sam's forever, but I just can't want to spend $18 on a pack of cookies that would be eaten all up in one sitting.  So while you have a thrown out back, and it's spring break, and it's cold out, you need something to do!  We made a lot of mistakes, like try to make almond flour out of raw almonds... you grind that up, you got almond butter. But, if you blanche the almond, peel off the skin, then grind it, you have almond flour. Tedious.  Then if you want a meringue to work you need room temperature egg whites.  Porter had a brilliant idea to put the cold eggs, in a bottle, in water, and put it in the bottle warmer.  Worked like a charm!  Then we traced circles on the parchment paper.  We colored them with blue dye, but they came out a green color.  The filling we made up.... whipped cream, butter, cream cheese and lots of powdered sugar, we added nutella to half the filling.  So you know, I get why the macaroons are so pricey.  Sure, there is almond flour at the store, but I wasn't about to get out.  They are yummy, and look like they should. I was very surprised! Not sure I will make them again any time soon, but that is one big check mark!  Been watching a lot of the Great British baking show, and we awarded ourselves star baker for our macaroons!

March already?!

I love seeing this two in side by side pictures! So cute and similar!

I just need to come to terms with it.... I am a bad blogger!  I try to be consistent. But, I kinda stink at it!  So, no more apologies, it's out there, out in the open.

Life has been busy. Sometimes the thought of summer creeps in, and I long for those lazy days, minus the sweltering heat! Bleh! My brother is getting married this summer, so we will make another trip to Utah, it's always nice to have a reason to go and see family.  And just to smell that mountain air. Summers aren't nearly as sweltering there. 

Isn't she the cutest! My little Valentine!

We have some pretty big news.... we might be moving soon!  Only across town, but still a big deal.  It is next door to Thomas's parent's home, and down the street from his sister, and across the pasture from his cousin and Aunt and Uncle.   So, much closer to family.  Nothing is official. Nothing has been signed. But it is a very likely possibility that may soon come to pass!  So I am just keeping my fingers crossed and not getting my hopes up too much.  So many things can go awry with houses and banks and all that jazz.  But, stay tuned!!

Ellie has two bottom teeth only, but she can bite the stew out of you and leave a mark!

Lots of pictures this blog, I will caption then and count it as blogged! ha

Randomly, this elder who came to eat with us, his family lives across the street from my sister in Utah, small small world!

Addie is my artist

Ellie likes to watch her sister

These two <3

What a doll!

We always have fun at the Valentines Dance!

Ellie was so excited to have a friend over!

BFFs

Made with coconut; flour, sugar, oil and shredded coconut
meh.

My coconut, coconut, coconut, coconut cookies

I love Addie's school work!

Porter being Porter! haha

Porter won first place for the 11 year old scouts!  He won with "Swift Cheese"

Wacky hair day at school!  This is a big deal for Addie, she is usually
anti-particiapte in the silly type of dress up days for school! So I was
happy to oblige her when she was willing! I love dressing up and be silly,
but neither Porter nor Addie like it.  Maybe Ellie will be my side kick!