Still Waiting

Ella had another doctor's appointment on Monday... still no progress on the bone, but it has only been a week and a half since the second surgery. David and I continue to pray that this second surgery will be the fix!! Ella is being so good about the whole thing, but her patience is waining.

The worst thing is seeing her try to do all the things the other kids are doing... with one hand, even using a sippy cup is difficult. Hopefully the cast won't impede the use of her arm and hand in the future. We worry that she'll need physical therapy to learn how to use her hand effectively.

What's crazy is that she'll not remember any of this, while David and I are scarred. I think the reason we have gone over the top with our house (taking things off the wall/removing furniture cushions/etc.) is because of her break. We thought we had done a good job before, and we have a bone that won't heal... ugh!

We go back to the doctor on Monday - the doctor said that the pins may possibly get to come out... not sure why if the bone isn't healed, but I guess I'll ask when we get there.

Buy CAT for Uncle Scott

Since my brother now works for Caterpillar, Kristy and I have tried to do our part for the stimulus by getting the kids CAT toys. Below are a couple of their favorites. Also, Ella's cultures came back today. Negative. So, now we wait...

2nd time's a charm?

Since her pinky bone was not growing together, Ella had her finger re-pinned today in a surgical procedure. The doc said that the finger looked normal, but it just wasn't fusing. He sent a couple samples for testing to determine if it was either an infection or necrolysis in the bone, but he didn't see signs of either. The procedure went fine and Ella, as usual, was a superstar during the whole process. We should know about the lab results soon and the bone fusing in a couple weeks.

To the zoo

A couple weeks ago, Kristy and I took J and E to the Indianapolis zoo. We made it nearly three hours before the kids were done. We've learned in the last year that being at a place right when it opens is best. Less crowds, more space...

I think they enjoyed the rhinos the most because they could run around on the wooden deck.

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday loves... daddy and I miss you tremendously. We love you!

Third birthday

Claire and Gracie were born three years ago today. The words still don't come easily. We love you and miss you intensely.

Ella update - 4 weeks

It's been just a bit over 4 weeks now since Ella broke her finger and, unfortunately, it doesn't look like the bone is growing together well. It hasn't improved enough to remove the cast. We go back next week for yet another x-ray and if the bone still isn't mending, then she'll get a CT scan to gather more information on the bone structure. Then, she'd have a surgery to move the bone closer together as well as a deeper assessment of the current situation.

In the past, Ella was pretty uninterested in the whole wrap/re-wrap of the cast. Today, when the doc exposed her arm, we not only saw the beginnings of a bruise near her elbow but Ella was frantic when they tried to re-wrap it. I think losing the freedom of moving her fingers ticked her off...

Toddlers

Kristy still likes to call them her babies, but I think the proof that they're now officially toddlers is in the pictures...

Ella update: She's going back tomorrow to hopefully remove the cast, but she's still doing great according to the doc.

Eating real food (Ella loves salmon)


Climbing and playing on the chairs



Rolling through the new tent/tunnel we got today for them