Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Phew!

It's been awhile since I posted. Sorry, I've been crazy busy! I'm finally moved out of my house in Orem and am looking for a place in or near Bountiful. For now, Ben and I are still staying with my friends Colleen and Najee. School ends next friday, so I'll be able to have a little more flexibility with my move after that point. I'm hoping that things will go smoothly and that we can be in our new home soon.

We had a pretty good Mother's Day. Ben woke up that morning not feeling well, and by mid-day had a fever. He slept a good part of the day and had very little appetite. Needless to say, I didn't make it up to Bountiful to see Elaina. Monday morning, he was full of energy, and even though he still had a yucky nose, I decided to send him to school. No problems Monday. I sent him to school Tuesday. He came home and told me he had a headache and started with a really bad cough. By bedtime he had another fever and was throwing up. He had a really rough night, so I decided to take him to the doctor on Wednesday. Well, the doc didn't like that his chest still sounded crackly after he coughed. So Ben got to have his first chest x-ray and the doctor determined that he had a case of Pneumonia! Poor kid! After a 5 day course of anti-biotics, he's getting back to normal. His cough is still lingering, but it's less frequent and he's back up to full energy.

With all the time I spent moving and then taking care of Ben, I wasn't able to see Elaina until this past Sunday. She's so cute. She has finally figured out how to get the nurses attention. She can pull off her leads! Of course, being the sweetheart that she is, she'll either put them back on (the sticky ones) as soon as the nurse comes in the room, or she'll smile and hand them to the nurse to put back together! She knows how to get attention! When the alarms go off, the nurses come in! It cracks me up. She's still trying to roll over, but doesn't like that her g-tube gets in the way. She also likes to try and pull herself up by grabbing the rails on her crib. She doesn't get very far, but she's getting stronger. I really think that her high chair has helped a lot. She loves to play with toys and watch movies in her chair. Sometimes she's out in the hallway so that she can see all the action and sometimes she's in her room watching movies with her roommate. Too cute! Her upper body strength and stability are increasing. She likes being upright! As I was holding her on Sunday I noticed that she would try to pull herself more upright. When I sat her up on my lap I got a great big smile! Little baby steps I know, but I am so proud of her!



I realized that Monday (the 18th) was a 1 year anniversary. It was the date she was admitted to Primary Children's last year. I can't believe it's been a whole year since I've had my baby girl home. What a year it's been, too! Crazy. Hopefully she'll be home soon and this can be all be behind us. She's getting there, my little turtle-bug!


This is just after her admission to Primary Children's last May. Dated May 19th in my photo archive.



This is now. Holy cow, what a year!

Well, that's about all I've got to report for now. We see Cardiology on the 27th, so I should have another update then. For now, we'll just keep on keeping on! Have a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend!

Thanks for checking in on us!
Hugs,
Hollie, Ben and Elaina

15 comments:

Stephanie Ellinger said...

She's looking so great. What a year it has been for you guys. Nathan didn't like rolling over because of the g-tube too. Hopefully it will come soon for Elaina!

Kristine said...

Thanks for the update! So glad she's doing well. She's adorable. :)

The Hood's said...

Can't believe how big she's getting and how well she's doing! Glad to see an update! Hope Ben keeps feeling better too poor thing!

Tina:0) said...

OMG - a whole year?! Where does the time go?!!

She looks wonderful! Glad to hear that things are going well & that Ben's doing better.

Baby steps are the way to go. We just had Vaeh's speech therapist here & she's almost on track with speech. She goes for a play-based assessment on Friday to see if she qualifies for... preschool!!! Can't believe it:0)

Hope you all have a wonderful long weekend this week!

The Portas said...

Wow, one year?? It's unreal what ALL of you have been through in that time. You are all amazing!

Poor Ben, sorry to hear he was sicky. I hope he's feeling better.

Good luck finding a place, as you juggle about 8,004 other things! As I always say, I was closer to help out. Thanks for the update, kisses to the princess!

Lady said...

Wow, what a year! Where did it go?
I love Elaina's new picture with the flower dress! She's looking so big and strong (and beautiful! but I reserve my Auntie-bias rights for that one).

Kathy said...

ohh...she's getting so big. She looks so grow up sitting up in that high chair!

Hope Ben is feeling better and you guys get all settled in soon.
kathy

Unknown said...

What a little stinker she is to have learned how to get the nurses to come in. :)

I'm so glad she is doing so well. I can't believe it's been a whole year. She looks so big! Give her some love from us.

Pam said...

I cannot believe how big she has gotten. I am so happy that she is doing so well.

I hope things continue to go well with the move.

Rhett still doesn't like anything touching his G-tube. He has learned to roll onto the side that it's not on.

But he never was a tummy kid. Hated it from day one.

Can't wait for a new post.

((HUGS))

My Three Sons said...

Elaina is looking so much better. I can't believe it's been a whole year that I have been following your blog. A lot has really happened!

Hope the cardio went well.

Sherri said...

How are you doing? What is going on?

Becca Jane said...

She's beautiful! I'm so glad to be back in touch with you! Much love,
Becca

Kathy said...

Hollie...
it's almost July!
Where's new pics of our baby??
Hope you guys are good!
kathy

Melynda said...

Have you taken her home for the night yet? Looking forward to hearing whats new. :)

Heart hugs

Melynda and Mariska

Mami Adame said...

How are you all doing? Hope you are having a good summer!