Bell’s Week

Looking cool in her shades….          This eating thing…some days yes, some days no. 

So sweet with her sister.  I just LOVE this picture!  

 

 

And this, be still my heart!  She hates the gait trainer.  I’m not sure hate is a strong enough word.  But we pulled it out again and she did it.  She walked with it!  maybe it’s because we took her outside and onto the dangerous street.  But whatever!  She took steps with the gait trainer! Awesome!

 

 

Ornaments made with teacher – so cute

Getting used to tagging along.  With nursing hours cut, she is getting hauled to more and more “normal” places.  Headed to the orthodontist….

Visiting a nursing home to carol with the family.  I love that she can come and just be another member of the family.

Playing with her cousin            Watching her sister and cousins decorate cookies – she held the sprinkler container, that was her contribution, but she was there!  Wonderful!

Bella’s Fortnight

Due to a technical glitch, I bring you two weeks of Bella’s life.

Going out to eat with her parents and grandparents. 

She loves to have her skin stroked (thank you OT – she couldn’t STAND it for the first 3 years of her life!)  PT said she was just happy Bella was standing (leaning, really)!

Eating – how I want this little girl to eat!  Since Brother is eating puffs, they are cool – so cool in fact, that she dumped the whole container on the floor! :)

Playing with sister - Love her expression!

We are working with Bella on drinking with a straw.  I tried.  OT tried.  Nothing.  Sammi interrupts us with “Bella can drink through a straw.”  Show us I say.  She hands Bella the cup and presto, magic, Bell does it, but only for Sammi!  Sammi you are awesome!   

The wreath she and her teacher made.  Such a cute idea!

We took her to PetSmart – she loved it!  So many animals to stare at!  Reading with sister.

Music therapy

Because we are going to be gone to Iowa for Christmas, some of the big presents get to opened early!  Introducing Joy, Bella, and Alex’s new turtle filled with beans.  So fun!

 To finish off, a picture of Bella loving on Brother

Random Videos

The girls don’t sleep together, but I brought Bella into Joy’s bed for a snuggle one morning.

The girls LOVE Five Little Monkeys!

How we entertain ourselves while we wait and wait and wait for doctors.  We’ll make a video and then watch it and watch it, then repeat.

While I got ready for the girl’s piano recital, I put Bella in front of my dinner bowl with Daddy watching her.  She took the bait!  If we could just get her to take more than a few bites!

Thanksgiving Week

Trying as ever to get her to eat, we tried some rice rusks that Brother eats, she likes them!

Happy to be playing with sister!

Speech eval – she played pretend!  When asked to put the bear to sleep, she put a wash cloth on it.   When asked to give the bear a drink, she put the cup to its mouth!  Wahoo.  Six months ago she looked at us like “you must be kidding me.”  But this time, she did it.  Progress, it’s all about progress over here!

Thanksgiving at Grandma’s  - playing with cousins on the trampoline. 

                                                                                                   Gotcha!

Bella and her interesting way to use headphones :)  A wonderful view of her crazy leg and why I’ve pretty much given up that she’ll ever walk normally.  Human legs aren’t meant to turn that way.

Cuddling with sister early on a Sunday morning.

Tuesday we spent all day going, being, and coming home from downtown for our endocrine appointment.  I pulled the “since we have been decannulated” card out and asked if we could please find a doctor closer to home.  And she agreed!  Hallelujah.  So excited to be moving away from the medical center!  Slowly, but surely.

So many firsts and greats things…

Bella is doing so well.  I am so proud of her.  She is doing well in her therapies.

She is having so much fun with her siblings.

She got croup and handled it just like the rest of us.  Her o2 got a little low (88), but she is pulling through.

She is doing so well that I changed her primary doctor.  No longer do we have to go down to the hospital for every little thing.  No, she sees the same pediatrician as her brother.  I am so happy!

Bella got her four year old shots and her flu shot.  She reacted just like she always does.

We went in for labs and our sweet phlebotomist about cried. She couldn’t believe we were there without any tubes, wires, or vent.  She is our little miracle!

She is doing normal things – like grocery shopping.  Wahoo!  Love it!

We decided it was time to let go of some equipment.  We donated her stander, kid kart, tomato chair, and boxes and bags of medical equipment.  Amazing!  Way to go sweet girl!  You have traveled so far.  I am so proud of you!

Happy 4th Birthday!!

 

 

Happy 4th Birthday

Arabella!! 

 

 

 

 

 

Four years old!!  So very, very proud of you little one!

Investigating this bag…..trying to figure this all out.

Later in the day doing it again

More presents?

Her therapists remembered her birthday which was so kind.  Her teacher brought over a gift. Grandma Turpin sent money.  Grannie Annie sent her sheets.  Grandma Ball, Nathan, and Mandy dropped by for cake and present opening.  So much love for our little girl.

Bella, you are an amazing little girl!  We love you!  May this be a wonderful year for you as you begin to explore and discover the world around you!

Other amazing events this week (besides pulmonary), Bella went to the dentist. No cavities!  G-tube feed kids usually don’t get cavities, but they get terrible build up.  He wants to wait a little more before putting her under and taking care of those teeth.  Gives me time, too, to get some other things set up.  Like taking care of her hernia (from one of her many chest drain tubes).  One sedation, two procedures – effective use of sedation!

 

And another first – a movie with the family!