tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85919642674144428742024-03-13T05:09:40.774-07:00Ellinger EnquirerBecause enquiring minds want to know...Stephanie Ellingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10469890467641003695noreply@blogger.comBlogger240125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591964267414442874.post-21829281912486393892012-09-06T17:17:00.000-07:002012-09-06T17:17:14.702-07:00Another Cleft Palate SurgeryThis morning I woke up at 4:30 a.m. to get ready to take Nathan to Primary Children's Medical Center to have Dr. Park perform another cleft palate surgery. There was a lot of thought put into Nathan having this operation. All of the doctors in in the craniofacial team said that Nathan needed it done. Not one of them could agree on the timing. Up to this point in Nathan's surgical history, the choice of when was never given. Its always been he needs this and he needs it now! The concern with this operation is that with all of the work we have put into giving Nathan an optimal airway, this could have set us back. Nathan has such a small mouth and jaw in comparison to what he should have. The flap that exists in everyone to close off their nose when they speak is missing in Nathan. He needs that flap! However, he is not and probably never would be a candidate for the operation to help him. So, we improvised... and had to beg Dr. Park to do this for him. Typically children like Nathan do not have this operation until they are 6 or 7. But Nathan is not a typical little boy. He's had several nasal endoscopies this year and did not cry or figit when the camera was stuck down his nose. He is a mature little boy with a lot to say and yet everyone has such a difficult time understanding him. This operation should help immensely. Even more than that - we want to be done for quite some time before Nathan needs anymore operations in his mouth. We are desperate for him to eat through his mouth. We have the potential to be done for a few years till his next open heart surgery. This break could make a significant difference to Nathan!
The surgery is done and it went well. The only issue Nathan is having is that when he falls asleep his airway compresses and his oxygen levels dip down to the requirement of needing oxygen. His poor mouth is swollen and he is having a difficult time speaking. But he is in good spirits. He will be staying overnight for observation and Jake is going to stay here with him. This is going to be the start of good things to come! Stephanie Ellingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10469890467641003695noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591964267414442874.post-63196251382602826402012-09-04T15:02:00.002-07:002012-09-04T15:02:22.878-07:00A Push ForwardI took Nathan to his preschool open house during lunch today. He was so excited to see his teacher at Cherry Creek again. We adore Mrs. Foster and Natalie, her technician. Natalie has been WONDERFUL with Nathan and he loves her so much! I'm excited for the progress that I think will happen at school this year for Nathan. He's having a cleft palate surgery on Thursday. We are a little nervous, but happy to be doing something more for his speech. You wouldn't think that a cleft palate surgery would be a big deal, especially when compared to open heart surgery. I remember Nathan coding in the Intensive Care Unit after his tonsilectomy. This surgery has the potential to go really right or really wrong.
But the big push forward really came this afternoon. I sent the necessary documentation to "Our Children's House" in Dallas, TX to request Nathan be seen in a more intensive feeding clinic there. They are comparable to Primary Children's, but offer a more comprehensive feeding therapy. If Nathan is accepted for an evaluation and is seen as a patient whom can be helped, I will be taking off 1-2 months of my life to take Nathan to Texas to teach him how to eat. We have also looked into the Hershey Penn State program.
I'm feeling scared - mostly for the what-ifs. I want Nathan to succeed so badly and we have been at this for 4 1/2 years. This is new territory even for us; and a costly one. Our insurance will likely not pay - but Nathan is in desperate need for this care. We'll know in a few days a little more information.
Stephanie Ellingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10469890467641003695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591964267414442874.post-40010009639927371452012-08-29T08:57:00.001-07:002012-08-29T08:57:06.596-07:00"Dad, You're Fired!"In my way of trying to keep up with the kids and the things they do and say I have to post this about Nathan: He fired Jake as his dad, which is actually kind of funny since Nathan loves Jake fiercely!
I had gone visiting teaching one evening last week during Nathan's regular g-tube feeding. Jake, bless his heart, was trying to take care Emmaline and Ellie's dinners as well as keeping the house under control. He had fed the kids at the table (which Nathan worked on his eating too at the table) but Jake completely forgot to tube feed Nathan. After I came home we all sat down on the couch together to watch "Anerica's Got Talent". At 8:30 we told the kids it was time for bed. Nathan exclaimed, "But I'm HUNGRY!" At first I didn't believe him, but then the mom in me started to wonder... was he fed? Sure enough when I asked Jake about it he sheepishly admitted that he had forgotten. Nathan was standing right next to me and exclaimed "Dad, You're Fired!" Silly boy. As soon as Jake fed him the next time he became "unfired".
As a mother, I love watching the interaction between Jake and Nathan. Its fun to see them play together and to have such a good relationship. I love to see how Jake is teaching Nathan to treat his sisters and I with respect. I love to see them get excited about football together. I love that Jake sees Nathan beyond his inabilities. I worried that Jake would feel hurt that his only little boy wouldn't be able to do the things like playing football that Jake would want him to. I should feel stupid for worrying about that because Jake has never thought of Nathan in that way at all. Jake really is the perfect Dad for Nathan.Stephanie Ellingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10469890467641003695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591964267414442874.post-73769899777773478402012-08-27T08:58:00.002-07:002012-08-27T08:58:22.145-07:00Too Much....Lately Nathan has been doing much better on his eating skills. This is of course all relative to where he started. Much better is generally taking 4-5 bites of food and swallowing about half of what goes in his mouth. He has finally figured out this summer that eating is as much social as it is for nutrition.
This weekend was an exceptional weekend for Nathan in regards to eating. It actually started last weekend when I gave him a cup of yoplait yogurt and told him if he ate the whole thing he could choose the movie to watch as a family. It wasn't perfect, but in the time it took our family to eat dinner, Nathan had tried to eat the whole yogurt. He was so excited to be able to choose the movie!
This weekend Ellie had a soccer game on Saturday morning. She had done very well at her first go at being the goalie so as a reward, we took the kids to get a snow cone. Nathan absolutely loves the tiger's blood flavor so Jake bought him a child sized cone (of the soft shaved ice) and Nathan ate about a cup worth.
On Sunday evening we made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Now if there is one food that Nathan will eat consistently its chocolate! The heavenly smell of the fresh baked cookies were too much for him so he took a cookie and worked on eating it while we watched "Secretariate" as a family. Nathan was an ooey-gooey mess at the end of it, but he had managed to eat one small cookie and LOVED IT! He came over to me to show me the evidence (which was quite noticeable since it was all over his face and hands). When I asked him how much he ate, he rolled his eyes and me and said "Too Much!"
Too much Buddy? At 31 pounds and 38 inches you are the only one in our family who can afford to pile it in!
We are so excited for Nathan's progress in eating. Baby steps... that's what this process is.
We are looking into sending Nathan to Baylor for an intensive feeding clinic for which the child would be hospitalized for aprox 4-8 weeks. That would be a huge sacrifice for our family, but we want Nathan to be able to get rid of his feeding tube. It may take a couple of years, but we have to try and encourage him the best we can. We have one more year until Nathan reaches Kindergarten and we want his peers to accept him as normal. Sigh. Sometimes this whole process is frustrating! But we will get there and everything will be ok.
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Stephanie Ellingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10469890467641003695noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591964267414442874.post-17647724591559302512012-08-20T14:02:00.000-07:002012-08-20T14:02:41.623-07:00The I can't believe I've neglected my blog for a year....I can’t believe it’s been a year since I’ve written on this blog. Sure, I have semi-regularly stalked other people’s blogs, but in typical Stephanie style I have neglected my own. And unfortunately, it was my journal. I am determined to not necessarily play catch up, but I do want to keep up!
Today was the first day of school for Elisabeth as a 2nd Grader. She has been growing up so fast and the things that she says and does just floor me sometimes. She is a Tomboy at heart but she does love her American Girl dolls and to get dressed up in skirts and dresses. I find it funny that since starting school, she has always worn a dress/skirt on the first day of school.
This year for school she wanted her hair all curled up. I’m not the kind of person who has patience for that kind of stuff, but since it was her first day of school and she wanted to make a good impression, I happily obliged. Last night she got in the shower and then after I rolled her hair up in sponge curlers. She looked very cute this morning. Jake had a good chuckle last night with Ellie in her nightgown and her hair all rolled up in curlers like a 60 year old woman. Ah, the things we do for beauty!
I have high hopes for the good things to come in school this year. She’s not in the same class as her other friends Brynley and Mia, but I think that will be to Ellie’s benefit. Ellie’s teacher is Mrs. Christensen who is a brand new teacher at Reagan Academy this year, though it is her fifth year teaching. Ellie was very calm and excited to start school again!
And as an insight into Ellie, this is a quote from last February:
Ellie on Nathan getting to go Salt Lake today: “Nathan, you get to go to the upper case of Utah!....I mean capital....”
<b>First Day of Kindergarten:</b>
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<b>First Day of First Grade:</b>
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<b>First Day of Second Grade:</b>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDIGR97fKcg8sarRmx4lDZXSMdvX9lgoeKmW91HRfA-z1IV08VThitIU69CdJdP94Uge0K1ol8YsuMzA5o288ys5ua9CLtUTanB6WqAjblM0PJgoiI33bhg2fNyYxvdsjXu4vf-Y2qw/s1600/photo+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDIGR97fKcg8sarRmx4lDZXSMdvX9lgoeKmW91HRfA-z1IV08VThitIU69CdJdP94Uge0K1ol8YsuMzA5o288ys5ua9CLtUTanB6WqAjblM0PJgoiI33bhg2fNyYxvdsjXu4vf-Y2qw/s400/photo+%25283%2529.JPG" /></a></div>Stephanie Ellingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10469890467641003695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591964267414442874.post-35660636965213323322011-08-24T15:14:00.000-07:002011-08-24T15:24:04.328-07:00Sisters
<br />"A Sister is God's way of proving He doesn't want us to walk alone"
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<br />Author: unknown
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<br />Stephanie Ellingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10469890467641003695noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591964267414442874.post-65084813770270531702011-08-24T14:58:00.001-07:002011-08-24T15:13:54.039-07:00In LoveOn the day I was married, I thought to myself... The is the best day of my life EVER!
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<br />On the day Elisabeth was born I recanted that statement when I saw Jake holding her in his arms looking so excited to be a Dad.
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<br />Though the day Nathan was born was very scary and many tears were shed for the unknown, I counted my blessings and thought that his life was going to help make mine happier and more complete.
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<br />I again recanted my statement when Emmaline was born. I was excited for Jake to once again hold a healthy baby and for Elisabeth & Nathan to have a sister. As I watched Elisabeth and Nathan hold her together for the the first time again I found myself thinking "This is the best day of my life EVER!".
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<br />I took these pictures on a Sunday morning when Emmaline was one month old. Though I was a little frustrated that each child wasn't entirely cooperating with me and the camera, I had this feeling of love come over me for each of my children. I am very much in love with each of them and cannot wait for all of the good days to come when I can think "This is the best day ever!". I feel very blessed to have them in my life.
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<br />Stephanie Ellingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10469890467641003695noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591964267414442874.post-63960417531930154052011-08-23T07:46:00.001-07:002011-08-23T07:58:28.725-07:00A ConspiracyMonday nights for the last three years have ALWAYS been hectic at our house. Its hard when I get home at 6:00 p.m. from work and bedtime is at 8:00. We rush through dinner, try to clean up somewhat, and then pull together a family home evening lesson or activity. Since yesterday was the first day of school, it was particularly hard to get everyone moving to have fun. Everyone was EXHAUSTED from Jake & I right down to Emmaline. We had a fun family activity of making sand art in leftover orange cream soda bottles and then got the kids into bed.
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<br />Our children are usually pretty good about going to bed when they are supposed to, but last night they were having a hard time. Nathan, especially, was so tired! Jake tried to put him in bed and Nathan just ran into Ellie's room. He was crying that he wanted to sleep by her in her room. I guess Ellie has been reading stories to him at night before bed and he wanted to cuddle by her and listen to a story. He was crying so hard that Ellie put her arm around him and proceeded to tell him to just go in his room and that when Mom and Dad weren't watching he could come back and cuddle with her. I was standing right in the room when she told him that! I'm not sure if I should have been mad at her or pleased that she wanted to make her brother feel better. So Nathan walked back to his room and got into his bed. I went downstairs for a couple of minutes and when I came back up Nathan was on Elisabeth's bed asleep and Ellie was on her floor with her head on a bean bag also asleep.
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<br />I love that my children love each other and try every now and again to make each other happy. I wish I would have taken a picture of them last night, but I didn't want the flash from the camera to wake them. It was very satisfying to see them together like that.Stephanie Ellingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10469890467641003695noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591964267414442874.post-87351161474168222612011-08-22T09:58:00.000-07:002011-08-22T10:29:51.443-07:001st Day as a "Grader"This is Elisabeth's first day of Kindergarten:
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<br />First Day of First Grade:
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<br />Elisabeth is officially a "grader", the term she gave to the older kids while she was in kindergarten. She wanted desperately to be a "grader" and be at school all day long with her dad and her friends. Today she got her wish. She woke up very excited and ran into my room at 6:15 a.m. to wake me up. She was quite upset at me for not already being up. It had been a long night with the baby and I just couldn't pull myself out of bed! She matter of factly told me I had to help get her ready for school so that she wouldn't make her dad late!
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<br />I pulled myself away from the clutches of my soft pillow and a warm baby I had cuddled up next to after feeding her at 5:00 a.m. and proceeded to help Elisabeth get ready. The first drama was that her socks (which were knee length for her skirt) did not EXACTLY go to the same length on each of her legs. After a little adjusting, we moved on to the next problem... her hair. I brushed her hair and flat ironed it to put her headband in. She was very perturbed that her hair length on each side wasn't EXACTLY the same length either. I ended up adjusting the headband and straightening out her hair a bit more and for some strange reason her hair length was the same again! She also needed the perfect breakfast of scrambled eggs. Jake made the mistake though of making YUMMY eggs instead of the plain eggs Ellie had asked for. Oops. Mental note - she is not a fan of fresh tomatoes and ham in her eggs for breakfast. After she picked at her breakfast Kathleen and Shanowa came over. I quickly took some pictures of Ellie outside, Ellie called grandma, and then Jake and Ellie were on their way for the first day of school. I should have taken a picture of her and Jake together, but Jake was frantically trying to pull his life together to get out the door! It was so cute to see them leave together and I'm so grateful that Ellie gets to go to school with her dad.
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<br />Even with the drama of the morning, I have to be grateful that Ellie didn't take it as far as my other niece, Jessica. Jessica was such a perfectionist that some days she would refuse to go to church or school because her hair wasn't just right, or her clothes were wrinkled, or she didn't like what she had to wear! There must be something about those girls who are headstrong. Jessica starts medical school next week in St. Louis. I wouldn't mind if Ellie followed in her footsteps! First things first... gotta make it through the 1st grade!
<br />Stephanie Ellingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10469890467641003695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591964267414442874.post-8426639465813299552011-08-18T15:01:00.000-07:002011-08-18T15:41:43.271-07:00Emmaline's Blessing DayEmmaline was blessed on August 7th in our ward. You would that by having 1:00 church that it would be a piece of cake to get 3 kids ready, take some pictures, have the food for the luncheon ready, and make it there on time. Easy peezy-super cheesy (which is Ellie's new favorite term). Not so. Getting all of the kids bathed and dressed tended to be more of a problem than it should have been. Nathan's dressing needed changing, Ellie had wet the bed, and sure enough just before putting Emmaline's dress on she had a blowout. To the tub all 3 children went, even though they were all bathed the night before so it wouldn't be a problem! It wasn't that getting dinner ready was hard, it was just took time. Emmaline must have sensed that we were in a rush to get ready so she put a halt to all of that by needing to be nursed more than usual. And the list goes on and on...
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<br />We were at the church at 12:50. I count that as a small miracle, especially since I had to play the organ that day. After everyone was seated I breathed a sigh of relief that we were there and in one piece!
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<br />Jake blessed Emmaline and thank goodness after much teasing that her name ended up being Emmaline Reagan Ellinger. It was a beautiful blessing. Jake was very calm and collected in his thoughts. She was blessed that she would be a leader. She has such a calm personality and I believe that she will be some day.
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<br />After sacrament meeting, we went to the clubhouse and had small luncheon. It was so fun to show off the baby to everyone. After we went home that evening and I had a moment to think while nursing the baby, I decided that was the perfect way to end my maternity leave. We celebrated being a family, which in my book, means more having all of the diamonds or gold in the world. My husband and children are the crown jewels of my life.
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<br />It feels so nice that for the first time since having children I am not afraid of my baby. You know that first time you brought home your first child and the thought of "What on earth am I doing?" haunts you? I loved Ellie, but it was very different being a first time parent. Then Nathan came along...if I thought I was scared of Ellie, I felt that I had just walked out unarmed on the front line of a battlefield in the Civil War. It was new and very scary territory. But just like with Elisabeth we were blessed with the ability to be able to learn and appropriately respond to his needs. Emmaline's birth was so much different in that respect for our family. We were excited and felt prepared for her. I can hold her and am still in awe of being her mother, but not afraid to face the challenges that might come with her. I feel very blessed beyond what I truly deserve to be the mother of Elisabeth, Nathan, and Emmaline.
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<br />Stephanie Ellingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10469890467641003695noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591964267414442874.post-53345951399863718452011-07-15T19:43:00.000-07:002011-07-15T21:23:53.185-07:00Yes - She was born a month ago and I'm finally getting around to posting about her...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzoOh3RUN0YZsl2bU03C5U34HeSxMawfXfwYmm6JexMH5dF7Ps_RA0vOKp_TPXbgIb-DbvLBh6qAS7_AEO65dLEF35_vWHRtqmC2HT4Bfk68iZEbEB0m5Eh8QGJjTpRztZoab-h6s4w/s1600/Emmaline%2527s+Birth+064.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzoOh3RUN0YZsl2bU03C5U34HeSxMawfXfwYmm6JexMH5dF7Ps_RA0vOKp_TPXbgIb-DbvLBh6qAS7_AEO65dLEF35_vWHRtqmC2HT4Bfk68iZEbEB0m5Eh8QGJjTpRztZoab-h6s4w/s400/Emmaline%2527s+Birth+064.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629776927346007522" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUF5IsrNfNZOL_MrZopshmkJi3j2dRD4E89DcRN4A_7tg1FujgGQrCKsv1i3JS-UnClWT6W0JUJ480W0k-rPotwe4mefGPyg4a9_MtOZQMh2uKIGiB3x0NO9qmjcO7X6MxTpODXx16Uw/s1600/Emmaline%2527s+Birth+049.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUF5IsrNfNZOL_MrZopshmkJi3j2dRD4E89DcRN4A_7tg1FujgGQrCKsv1i3JS-UnClWT6W0JUJ480W0k-rPotwe4mefGPyg4a9_MtOZQMh2uKIGiB3x0NO9qmjcO7X6MxTpODXx16Uw/s400/Emmaline%2527s+Birth+049.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629776923970809186" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90KGdZPeBbewlfACnMXYIEo8YlWYQeeMNmzmQSKXOBXQw9cWgHCo6mEO_TM7isAdnwYHP2CVi933czPkr3kunILSU-0yaqOILd1i23tJxHFruXrX2hwLkrjbmdAAJQpMza3L0rS1t0w/s1600/Emmaline%2527s+Birth+035.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90KGdZPeBbewlfACnMXYIEo8YlWYQeeMNmzmQSKXOBXQw9cWgHCo6mEO_TM7isAdnwYHP2CVi933czPkr3kunILSU-0yaqOILd1i23tJxHFruXrX2hwLkrjbmdAAJQpMza3L0rS1t0w/s400/Emmaline%2527s+Birth+035.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629776907516483794" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzI1sxc1eGG7J-YjogvyY2P9tcuM-cokKYQmquKqCzBcIKR6LBDVlQKuHuzmRKcfuBb1HH8fUyVFN7EJh_Ho_zx9Sl0fRu8QuC8D0aIpnYMKX7WCtgmTG-3MqgpyE8luBx_uiy_Zzb2Q/s1600/Emmaline%2527s+Birth+030.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzI1sxc1eGG7J-YjogvyY2P9tcuM-cokKYQmquKqCzBcIKR6LBDVlQKuHuzmRKcfuBb1HH8fUyVFN7EJh_Ho_zx9Sl0fRu8QuC8D0aIpnYMKX7WCtgmTG-3MqgpyE8luBx_uiy_Zzb2Q/s400/Emmaline%2527s+Birth+030.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629776902239657746" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Zc8JFFcbOkQjPvsdpiz-wLZBTEjKBWTC1_1OWAirYp2qnVj08Rihs_4jTNSMancLyJRMGDx2c2mzh6qUGhyphenhyphenZZ2UGA5nW9HEvJsEQaNhWw0G7bWSAZw03TUs_w5HOHx2f1D0AKpryFg/s1600/Emmaline%2527s+Birth+013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Zc8JFFcbOkQjPvsdpiz-wLZBTEjKBWTC1_1OWAirYp2qnVj08Rihs_4jTNSMancLyJRMGDx2c2mzh6qUGhyphenhyphenZZ2UGA5nW9HEvJsEQaNhWw0G7bWSAZw03TUs_w5HOHx2f1D0AKpryFg/s400/Emmaline%2527s+Birth+013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629776898463842210" /></a><br />Meet Emmaline Reagan Ellinger -<br /><br />Born June 13, 2011<br />8 lbs 3 oz<br />21 1/2 inches<br /><br />As far as the birth went compared to the other 2 kids, she was as easy as can be. Emmaline was a scheduled c-section. We got to the hospital at 5:30 a.m. (we should have been there at 5, but I just couldn't get myself moving that morning!). The kids had spent the night with Jake's sister, Kathleen, and so we didn't have anyone to drop off. The night before I was reading a book and just couldn't put it down. I had no kids to take care of and I really was into that book! Finally at midnight Jake and I decided to go to bed. I tried my best to get up and moving at 4:15, but I just couldn't do it. We quickly got ready and left our house at 5:15 or so. We arrived at Orem Community Hospital at 5:30. The nurses quickly got me to a room and I got dressed for the surgery. As usual, it took 4 pokes to find a vein for an iv. After dealing with that, I walked to the OR with Jake by my side and slid onto the operating table. No problems with the spinal. The best part was that a friend from my ward, Kayla Augastine, scrubbed in the surgery to help out. Dr. Judd arrived and everything went very quickly from that point. Janice, my little sister, and Patsy, Jake's mother, were waiting very patiently outside of the OR watching it all happen. After Emmaline was taken out, she was shown to me. She had a good husky cry. When I heard it I was relieved! She was not gasping for air like Nathan was. She was big, beautiful and PINK! She looked so much like Elisabeth when she was born. After the operation was complete, the dr's and nurses helped move me to a bed which was when I got so sick! I began throwing up and the nausea and vomiting didn't end till late that night. <br /><br />Once I was back in my room and made comfortable, Emmaline was brought to me. I almost cried holding her in my arms. I guess I didn't realize how much that moment would really mean to me. I didn't have a 3 minute glance at my child and have her wisked away wondering what was going on. I was able to hold her, smell her, and appreciate that little life that was given to me. She did have a hard time learning how to nurse, but that was so mild compared to any other problems.<br /><br />The problem with having a c-section is the sleepy, loopy feeling that I always have. This time was no different. After trying to feed the baby, she was passed off to a more that willing Aunt Janice and Grandma Ellinger to be loved and smothered! The best part of the day was when Nathan & Elisabeth were brought to the hospital to meet their new sister. Nathan just kept asking if she was his sister that came out of my belly and Ellie was love-struck! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnb6OGLxyvYwLBomS1aUWlptefLinFe53Q-yRL-UdKbQMT27B1HSEff8RpId6b2Ul-c1K5h4TIyuKVS1qQXDX449wnOtXKUGbPb7BZTRhB0eC4y5T7jF446s-XTjFAh5uieJKq57Z8CA/s1600/Emmaline%2527s+Birth+082.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnb6OGLxyvYwLBomS1aUWlptefLinFe53Q-yRL-UdKbQMT27B1HSEff8RpId6b2Ul-c1K5h4TIyuKVS1qQXDX449wnOtXKUGbPb7BZTRhB0eC4y5T7jF446s-XTjFAh5uieJKq57Z8CA/s400/Emmaline%2527s+Birth+082.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629791602149244594" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rmQ_QPtBn6Dd3G_Cvk44BUmfOTvrSNt9aviqluqHiZ4lyBrRVs_U-DkudnQl2PjKREAzRKa9Rhnp0tDKMDTg3dwUvN3cfEcLJumGZzbG9LhP-hKNzXcoiDJNghVnvFOVMgMqpQvb7w/s1600/Emmaline%2527s+Birth+077.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rmQ_QPtBn6Dd3G_Cvk44BUmfOTvrSNt9aviqluqHiZ4lyBrRVs_U-DkudnQl2PjKREAzRKa9Rhnp0tDKMDTg3dwUvN3cfEcLJumGZzbG9LhP-hKNzXcoiDJNghVnvFOVMgMqpQvb7w/s400/Emmaline%2527s+Birth+077.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629791596949280306" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0i7WUHtJYVBp1rFVwGwXat8N_j7t6iExXQNpguBLTdksTXOHdOl-eSizoEVt1fFHsaE2WMpaQ2f6VoxwqsafjT58V94UBSLJ30WEOE2aGYtc8hjYWLvKUD6idNV4xzbSbRgqM2pOOg/s1600/Emmaline%2527s+Birth+069.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0i7WUHtJYVBp1rFVwGwXat8N_j7t6iExXQNpguBLTdksTXOHdOl-eSizoEVt1fFHsaE2WMpaQ2f6VoxwqsafjT58V94UBSLJ30WEOE2aGYtc8hjYWLvKUD6idNV4xzbSbRgqM2pOOg/s400/Emmaline%2527s+Birth+069.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629791592797174402" /></a><br /><br />Nathan sat and read Emmaline Mickey Mouse and Elisabeth kept telling Emmaline that she was her big sister and how much she loved her. There's just something so satisfying about seeing your children respond to another sibling like that.<br /><br />As for Emmaline's name... Jake and I couldn't reach an agreement on her name till she was 3 days old. I loved the name Emma or Emily, but Jake wasn't to hip on either. Kathleen suggested Emmalyn and Janice said she liked Emmaline. Once I told Jake that Emmeline Wells was such a prominent figure in both Mormon History and American History he was all for that name. At first it seemed like such a proper name for a little baby, but it really does seem to fit her. I was released from the hospital on Friday morning. I felt ready to go home and to be a mother.<br /><br />As an older woman in my ward put it, Emmaline is the reward for taking care of Nathan. Before having kids I couldn't understand how you can love your children so much and each of them on an individual basis. I love Nathan for who is he and what he has overcome and will yet overcome. I love Emmaline and feel so blessed that she is healthy and content. To be a mother of 3 has been an interesting change, but a welcomed one.Stephanie Ellingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10469890467641003695noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591964267414442874.post-21630016331271913972011-04-21T07:21:00.000-07:002011-04-21T07:43:12.131-07:00KSL & Reagan Reads<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYZZZjxbxaFbE8dU-jlz4VJ_cp4DTWYov2gGhZOrVZXI7yr-BLZLSbY8hKjBCLHkzCRBhCKugljb9eYkp5XGa145SN_-_kU0cBLocdEGlmoISOW5X9LRMl-ON2KBpduM6D0ZUvbXwNQ/s1600/208339_1991451508520_1310365318_32425222_8156906_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYZZZjxbxaFbE8dU-jlz4VJ_cp4DTWYov2gGhZOrVZXI7yr-BLZLSbY8hKjBCLHkzCRBhCKugljb9eYkp5XGa145SN_-_kU0cBLocdEGlmoISOW5X9LRMl-ON2KBpduM6D0ZUvbXwNQ/s400/208339_1991451508520_1310365318_32425222_8156906_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598041857141015202" /></a><br /><br /><br />Elisabeth has been participating in the Reagan Reads program at her school. Her goal every month is to be the first one in her class to be part of the 500 Club, which is a group of kids that read 500 minutes every month. Ellie has been a member of the 500 club every month of this school year. They get rewards like free miniture pizzas from Pizza Hut, an ice cream from McDonalds, or a hamburger from Burger King. Her reading abilities have really picked up since January and it has been nice to see the progress she is making!<br /><br />Yesterday KSL's Chopper 5 paid a visit to Reagan Academy since it is one of the top schools in the state for the number of minutes tracked on KSL's Read Today program. Ellie was chosen by her teacher to be one of the "greeting group" of students that got to go meet the Easter Bunny. She was SO EXCITED to be chosen. At dinner last night we were talking about how her day was at school and she told me all about the helicopter and meeting the Easter Bunny. I told her that when I was in school that I didn't ever get to do anything that cool. Jake piped up and said when he was in elementary school he was able to meet Govenor Bangeter. Ellie was very unimpressed. "Dad, that is no where near as cool as meeting the Easter Bunny!" Apparently meeting a fictional character outranks the leader of a state.<br /><br />All of that aside, having this visit and seeing herself on tv last night made Ellie even more motivated to keep working on her reading. This is a great program that KSL offers to the kids!Stephanie Ellingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10469890467641003695noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591964267414442874.post-22511970031147309252011-04-12T12:26:00.000-07:002011-04-12T12:38:35.760-07:00Intermountain Healing Hearts 5KIn January I began my term as the acting treasurer of Intermountain Healing Hearts which is a non-profit organization that supports families with loved ones of congenital heart defects or onset childhood heart disease. We are so excited that this year the organization will be adding a 5k to its list of events. We are working towards raising money for the Heart Camp in August which is a family camp for heart families that is held at Camp Wapiti. If you are a runner and/or knows someone who loves to run - this is for a great cause! <br /><br />This year I will not personally be running (with a pretty good excuse of being 36 weeks pregnant :), but next year I plan on participating even though I have never been that great of a runner!<br /><br />Registration can be done through IHH's paypal account. The registration form is as follows:<br /><br />http://intermountainhealinghearts.org/registrations/5k/<br /><br />Hope to see you there!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ43QjpglK_O7lE7EmDIenwhBn9ElBf30aWDfncPuQhLAsTBY2_bRLgNR4sWaVAOpRNp5VoWRZymawqtnUnA8ywEhTVY6yT7-9AaVwYp19klbO8U-ncue3tjOsEPSKe9g-Y8sput3cYA/s1600/5k.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ43QjpglK_O7lE7EmDIenwhBn9ElBf30aWDfncPuQhLAsTBY2_bRLgNR4sWaVAOpRNp5VoWRZymawqtnUnA8ywEhTVY6yT7-9AaVwYp19klbO8U-ncue3tjOsEPSKe9g-Y8sput3cYA/s400/5k.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594780661360474754" /></a>Stephanie Ellingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10469890467641003695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591964267414442874.post-85858014070836210762011-04-05T08:39:00.000-07:002011-04-05T09:00:32.931-07:00Grandma Ellinger's Funeral & Trip to Northern CaliforniaJake's grandmother, Marion Ellinger, passed away on March 18th in Sacramento, CA. We drove to Northern California to hold a memorial service for her with Jake's sisters Kathleen and Kristin. Since it was snowing heavily in the Sierra Nevadas and Donner Pass was closed, we opted to drive to Las Vegas, then over to Bakersfield, and then up to Sacramento. We were fortunate that we were able to stay at Jake's Uncle Tom's home in St. Helena.<br /><br />We arrived in St. Helena on Sunday evening. The following day we drove to Sacramento to meet Sheena and Maryn at the Nut Tree. We were disappointed that the rides were not open yet for the season, but the kids still had a good time playing with each other on the wooden horses, the teeter-totter, and the merry-go-round. I am so grateful that my kids have cousins so close to their ages that they can play with!<br /><br />On Tuesday morning we held the memorial service at the LDS branch chapel in St. Helena. What a beautiful spirit we felt. Jake's dad, Bruce, gave a wonderful history on his mother. Kathleen and Sheena sang a duet, Jake gave a talk for the children on what happens to our spirit after we die, I played a piano solo, and Kristin helped the children sing "I Am a Child of God". Libby, Mallory, Elisabeth, Nathan and Maryn sounded WONDERFUL! I think grandma would have been very proud of their little voices that sang with such conviction. Even Nathan tried to sing some of the words and to be somewhat reverent. We also gave a memory of grandma and talked about her for a little while.<br /><br />I wished that we could have stayed a couple of days to enjoy being together as a family, but alas, with the snow clouds looming we drove home after the luncheon for the funeral. It was much better to drive home on I-80 than the detour we took to get there!<br /><br />I know that Grandma was not LDS, but her character and convictions in life helped to shape many other's lives. Her choices brought about many grandchildren and great-grandchilren who are pretty special people. We will miss her dearly.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwsZYs7dVtT1ttYJJ9DTdi2gUT6HEswaJ2U7kQ9Gq35bwMaW9RLM5D8j1vFvYVqMW2IVns7rfIu70K7ewDXuaHaT5X6t2o4QCWSVnluJffB4V8MMvFSBxaJIeXEc_eYdzG88ykbkgmA/s1600/08292005+014.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwsZYs7dVtT1ttYJJ9DTdi2gUT6HEswaJ2U7kQ9Gq35bwMaW9RLM5D8j1vFvYVqMW2IVns7rfIu70K7ewDXuaHaT5X6t2o4QCWSVnluJffB4V8MMvFSBxaJIeXEc_eYdzG88ykbkgmA/s400/08292005+014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592126034482572210" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Qr748_vbJjXLEkffHjo445mx5vlC4T3lP39PO2zSCDoDJv2yNcmg-kxN1WohLTVgus4VQVwBJBJo8yXAO48s4PjgSmAbeZh5R_KPfMSkK1QByGGamB9RQegNagvepsLZfjwXZXtMmQ/s1600/Picture+047.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Qr748_vbJjXLEkffHjo445mx5vlC4T3lP39PO2zSCDoDJv2yNcmg-kxN1WohLTVgus4VQVwBJBJo8yXAO48s4PjgSmAbeZh5R_KPfMSkK1QByGGamB9RQegNagvepsLZfjwXZXtMmQ/s400/Picture+047.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592126027011575730" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXx3bLEDY2CPUPk1cKzeLG32XeelRxi6jMxv-B34gNdzL-IMNMfuWHSxe_3xtk9s9F5xRL6LtnYCr0NT51wvubLieKqF0ja1Eefmhe8uXc4kGCJEqd0t9TbJoNJmhL3KzcY6txzIlKsA/s1600/Picture+043.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXx3bLEDY2CPUPk1cKzeLG32XeelRxi6jMxv-B34gNdzL-IMNMfuWHSxe_3xtk9s9F5xRL6LtnYCr0NT51wvubLieKqF0ja1Eefmhe8uXc4kGCJEqd0t9TbJoNJmhL3KzcY6txzIlKsA/s400/Picture+043.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592126018587627906" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwB4JbuoDAympGn6p5yreX3Kk0FJ3-mDsihV44W3IbboTLtBsPYUhr9I-E6NwReVedME-bF1qY-hBKAaUbNhWf8k9MJ9to_ap73EG81YQTIW8MQhTZMUPphflU5cvUP2edSrY6AgoBQ/s1600/Picture+042.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwB4JbuoDAympGn6p5yreX3Kk0FJ3-mDsihV44W3IbboTLtBsPYUhr9I-E6NwReVedME-bF1qY-hBKAaUbNhWf8k9MJ9to_ap73EG81YQTIW8MQhTZMUPphflU5cvUP2edSrY6AgoBQ/s400/Picture+042.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592125472116041346" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMYzGBUD9iAZgxYYxRCPx5igmxAebwr9DfoSWteT6_LXceY44sDmQfhyphenhypheni19m8mm7zZFBWZ8ciZeUECvKaG2S4FKaybgO0yt-fPiONzXZ2qqNtOWuKNEhjlnkS5NDFCGmhIwg6Lit7ug/s1600/Picture+040.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMYzGBUD9iAZgxYYxRCPx5igmxAebwr9DfoSWteT6_LXceY44sDmQfhyphenhypheni19m8mm7zZFBWZ8ciZeUECvKaG2S4FKaybgO0yt-fPiONzXZ2qqNtOWuKNEhjlnkS5NDFCGmhIwg6Lit7ug/s400/Picture+040.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592125462767532370" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzS0Ybvj2H8TM1SdzZ2t8zaHj6JU1HAjhRWGK6Yws8774eZJ8hGs1NTuZff0ECYlgjEPuJ3A2MiJJPkQcE7HtwGr-paLZqX9o84tDzVgn44FXbcyHQqfaQHZkWWy5NQ5SMo1EMiYc-g/s1600/Picture+037.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzS0Ybvj2H8TM1SdzZ2t8zaHj6JU1HAjhRWGK6Yws8774eZJ8hGs1NTuZff0ECYlgjEPuJ3A2MiJJPkQcE7HtwGr-paLZqX9o84tDzVgn44FXbcyHQqfaQHZkWWy5NQ5SMo1EMiYc-g/s400/Picture+037.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592125448214859202" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VjcsZgre2aA7gIvTUId_b5-bwcAMzV3AECN1E58ju8JGPww4NVw1-6uWl-XqdoeEu2Gc7UU0Nl9n0PmHWqmLSnoJ311Q407sJRJS2dtx4_uT01XCFmdp16eZaq1tfT3Jgs7k6V69ig/s1600/Picture+032.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VjcsZgre2aA7gIvTUId_b5-bwcAMzV3AECN1E58ju8JGPww4NVw1-6uWl-XqdoeEu2Gc7UU0Nl9n0PmHWqmLSnoJ311Q407sJRJS2dtx4_uT01XCFmdp16eZaq1tfT3Jgs7k6V69ig/s400/Picture+032.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592125433190573362" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfoCbcSUhbAjl5vn_tUHeDvnm3L61RU3gzt3EE2WdSYwp4OriOSZlZiMQlPtfbz3cK3yaAMvkjgiOUJI7fY63GC6EwpHoyvix2rOOztm9rAMJpde8dUIMfXubZt6y1jmd9sj5HmsVig/s1600/Picture+029.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfoCbcSUhbAjl5vn_tUHeDvnm3L61RU3gzt3EE2WdSYwp4OriOSZlZiMQlPtfbz3cK3yaAMvkjgiOUJI7fY63GC6EwpHoyvix2rOOztm9rAMJpde8dUIMfXubZt6y1jmd9sj5HmsVig/s400/Picture+029.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592124978102994770" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCFnd8PFLljkBN_ajjgW0800BWhYJY1wfOCVmq4K9sXlianUfSTqkGlbGjYWvWLEUry3fL5vlsmc0ag_xL9eVwNnvS9QePxCHIS1R0nef5dvkL2xUcxQb2oZ6W0EWmlc2SakG3lApaA/s1600/Picture+024.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCFnd8PFLljkBN_ajjgW0800BWhYJY1wfOCVmq4K9sXlianUfSTqkGlbGjYWvWLEUry3fL5vlsmc0ag_xL9eVwNnvS9QePxCHIS1R0nef5dvkL2xUcxQb2oZ6W0EWmlc2SakG3lApaA/s400/Picture+024.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592124967470424850" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuVFAc7q_fbHrnv4nNzIFSA76SkCU2kaAKrBWcVk6c-QEV36RI4Xx_sOAF0S1AS2NlmImwvQuUYCC_uKCKb5tfURrClgE15QHM_k_xXL862MP1HiCgjCPS2Eos_Sp0j6hhCLFcKauyg/s1600/Picture+021.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuVFAc7q_fbHrnv4nNzIFSA76SkCU2kaAKrBWcVk6c-QEV36RI4Xx_sOAF0S1AS2NlmImwvQuUYCC_uKCKb5tfURrClgE15QHM_k_xXL862MP1HiCgjCPS2Eos_Sp0j6hhCLFcKauyg/s400/Picture+021.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592124954194524242" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlyAaJDWb0toKeoafzGxwgXHZqe8m2ZI6lWhCp4NjN3Z1U2_DrjwSdibFi5xw6Su9lmCODTmtFon3gjYXHWUoWHBqVrUqkbxm3UY9ZK5HTuoc8vLWV12jkJOh1S2HkTle0rQKud1y5g/s1600/Picture+009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlyAaJDWb0toKeoafzGxwgXHZqe8m2ZI6lWhCp4NjN3Z1U2_DrjwSdibFi5xw6Su9lmCODTmtFon3gjYXHWUoWHBqVrUqkbxm3UY9ZK5HTuoc8vLWV12jkJOh1S2HkTle0rQKud1y5g/s400/Picture+009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592124944784500818" /></a>Stephanie Ellingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10469890467641003695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591964267414442874.post-43409811430107396192011-03-31T08:38:00.000-07:002011-03-31T09:09:41.821-07:00Cardiololgy UpdateOn March 17th Nathan, Jake and I went to the extension of Primary Children's at Riverton for Nathan's annual cardiology visit. I LOVED going to Riverton because it was so much quieter, cleaner, and efficient! But I digress...<br /><br />Before Nathan was able to see Dr. Cowley, he was tested for his oxygen saturations, had a blood pressure check, weight check, an EKG, and his first Echo where he was awake for the technician. I was a little nervous about the echo since it took about 50 minutes to complete and the child is required to hold absolutely still the whole time. That had potential to be a lot for a little 3 year old and even more headache for Mom and Dad! Nathan is such a trooper though and knows the drill. He weighed in at 28lbs (he had a bad week this past month where he was very sick and throwing up most of his food). His oxygen level was 93% which is EXCELLENT! I can't remember what his blood pressure was, but there wasn't any indication for concern.<br /><br />The only problem we encountered with Nathan is that lately he is VERY into Superman (as you can see by the shirt that he wore that day.) He didn't want to take it off and it took more time convincing him to take his shirt off than it did to do the EKG! Once he had his shirt off though, the EKG went by very quickly with the expected results that a child in Nathan's stage of heart function should be at.<br /><br />I was so nervous for the echo part of the visit, but it actually turned out to be pretty easy. Nathan was a little nervous as we laid him down on the bed, but once we had Toy Story on and the room was dark he zoned right into the movie and didn't pay attention to the cold gel all over his chest. Jake and I found watching the screen with the images of Nathan's heart very interesting. We could actually see where his pulmonary valve should be and the amount of backflow from the pulmonary artery as there is no valve there to push all of the blood to the lungs. It amazes me that a child can live his life without an essential part of his heart like that.<br /><br />The results of the echo showed:<br /><br />1. Severe pulmonary insuffiency<br />2. Moderate tricuspid valve reguritation<br />3. Mild mitral valve reguritation<br />4. No increase or decrease in the right ventrical from the last echo<br />5. Pulmonary hypertension<br /><br /><br />When we spoke with Dr. Cowley, he indicated there was no major changes from Nathan's last echo. That means that his heart has neither gotten better or worse. We know that Nathan's heart will not get better... we are buying time before there is enough evidence to support his right ventrical is in failure or getting too large and that he will need another open heart surgery to place a brand new pulmonary valve. Once a new valve is placed in Nathan, he will be having a valve replacements using the catheters through the groin every 3-10 years of his life. Jake and I are praying that in the next 3-5 years there will be enough advancement in the knowledge of pulmonary valve replacements that Nathan will not need a new valve put in using the traditional heart/lung bypass that occurs with open heart surgery. Nathan will also still need a tricuspid valve replaced in early adulthood. <br /><br />We are very grateful for the news about Nathan's heart. It is also to our advantage that Nathan does not grow quickly which is causing less strain on his heart. Dr. Cowley was supersweet with Nathan. He drew a picture of Nathan and then placed him in a superman outfit. Nathan thought that was awesome and he is now referring to himself as Superman.<br /><br />Yes, Nathan... you are our little Superman!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCoRZacfOoY75x_3tAj4Tqhhnr16fjq4BvplWmIBsxmtYa1xjHvase5EbTh049pu-mC4Yoo5lCfXkkQLjgSt73-goyODo0KtNX1WT0sqiK8VR1mj7bgs9AEAhLV05FWkeRbzaYVCzIA/s1600/Picture+005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCoRZacfOoY75x_3tAj4Tqhhnr16fjq4BvplWmIBsxmtYa1xjHvase5EbTh049pu-mC4Yoo5lCfXkkQLjgSt73-goyODo0KtNX1WT0sqiK8VR1mj7bgs9AEAhLV05FWkeRbzaYVCzIA/s400/Picture+005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590269124701441250" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEita-aF2zNYJL27H6xoKZFWcm2kB75QC8H4LhvsqHseVIz0F5JBswPVvYpYqu7JIwXbKWKj2DbuN1weqJuArdEEjSoei20Z5Eo2bAmArnSQCxDxm9IKHzd5DKPE1T2iCOnjlWkza5nnBQ/s1600/Picture+003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEita-aF2zNYJL27H6xoKZFWcm2kB75QC8H4LhvsqHseVIz0F5JBswPVvYpYqu7JIwXbKWKj2DbuN1weqJuArdEEjSoei20Z5Eo2bAmArnSQCxDxm9IKHzd5DKPE1T2iCOnjlWkza5nnBQ/s400/Picture+003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590269122131612562" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73-DEBC5XDMhGCbtPbpdKkqw46hxAhX1gDYBl-mg_QT3AKWRCEXoaBpDx-WFZKzma8X8xyxLyX7o07KEap5IsyQ0L8bvC1gfw5iVWov8lIDEH6Uj3Dr6-YJIPqpqDHu1MPEjbrUKTbA/s1600/Picture+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73-DEBC5XDMhGCbtPbpdKkqw46hxAhX1gDYBl-mg_QT3AKWRCEXoaBpDx-WFZKzma8X8xyxLyX7o07KEap5IsyQ0L8bvC1gfw5iVWov8lIDEH6Uj3Dr6-YJIPqpqDHu1MPEjbrUKTbA/s400/Picture+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590269110694230898" /></a>Stephanie Ellingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10469890467641003695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591964267414442874.post-68175314380419281082011-03-28T09:30:00.000-07:002011-03-28T09:54:35.110-07:00Debit Cards vs. Cash<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6b1dZZ4K59hpqEQSHr-zTINztZQFV0vzT_elqZwxm_jIl0DVGRqJwR-XsB7-Z20RdMQB97TRSWlIMOxicW9JDYVGoDuK2KopKStzVIEQ3Il-wsSeWA1IR5bclayNTwcVNEIL1DKeZ0w/s1600/DSC_0467.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6b1dZZ4K59hpqEQSHr-zTINztZQFV0vzT_elqZwxm_jIl0DVGRqJwR-XsB7-Z20RdMQB97TRSWlIMOxicW9JDYVGoDuK2KopKStzVIEQ3Il-wsSeWA1IR5bclayNTwcVNEIL1DKeZ0w/s400/DSC_0467.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589174842647369266" /></a><br />Over the past couple of weeks Jake and I have decided that Elisabeth is old enough to work for an allowance. We are chinsy... she gets a measly $1.00 a week to be paid in nickels. We have been having problems in our house with having toys put away after kids are done playing, with not flushing the toilet, and being too sassy. Ellie earns $1.00 for doing her assigned chores for the week. It costs a nickel if Mom or Dad had to pick up a discarded toy on the floor and put it in "The Store of Mom and Dad". If Ellie wants the toy back she has to pay us a nickel. She is also notorious for not flushing the toilet. In order to break this disgusting habit it will now cost her a dime for every time she forgets. Being sassy or back talking about doing chores makes it so that she cannot earn her dollar at all. She knows the drill and has had to pay up Mom and Dad for the things she has forgotten to do. Thankfully she also realized that she has the money to do it and having the toys picked up and the toilet flushed has become much easier for her!<br /><br />So after several weeks of this, Elisabeth has earned enough money to purchase some sidewalk chalk and a mini paint set she has had her eyes on for a while. She took her money jar into Target with me on Saturday and after we picked out her purchases, she was very concerned. <br /><br />Ellie: "Mom, are you sure that Target takes nickels and dollar bills? I mean, you ALWAYS use your debit card. I don't think they take cash!"<br /><br />Me: "Its ok. Cash is better than a debit card any day."<br /><br />Ellie: "Ok..." (I could tell she didn't believe me at all).<br /><br />So we got up to the checkout line and she proudly handed her purchases over to pay for them. She pulls out her money and proceeds to count by 5's the correct amount of change. She eyed the checker very closely and said, "Mom says you take cash; its all I have. I'm too young for a debit card!"<br /><br />But something magical happened at that checkout line. Ellie learned the value of money and hard work. She used her math skills to figure out what she could afford to buy and didn't ask for anything more than what she could afford by herself. She used her math skills to count the appropriate amount of change by herself and even if the cashier couldn't believe that it took so long to help Ellie, Ellie and I could have cared less.<br /><br />Maybe for a month that it how I should choose to do my grocery shopping... maybe I could "relearn" the art of buying only what I need and can afford. It gets to be too easy sometimes to just swipe the card without truly thinking about the amount of money I just spent. Strange that a 6 year old could teach me a lesson like that.Stephanie Ellingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10469890467641003695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591964267414442874.post-57451779396774884322011-03-15T12:27:00.000-07:002011-03-15T12:54:27.333-07:00Some Food for Thought<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBAwo_plIcST7koGRjo3NMEA6VxXT9UYt4ZneW4hkUP5QUDQ8kPhq4nSKZJ-s24kQn3v90xIObu0HhKPwEaUGvHrBb98Jmxie6rvLBunxi8hyphenhyphenrx55b0H1XpLmLpD-_q_gnMHVxfJJrQ/s1600/DSC_0617.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBAwo_plIcST7koGRjo3NMEA6VxXT9UYt4ZneW4hkUP5QUDQ8kPhq4nSKZJ-s24kQn3v90xIObu0HhKPwEaUGvHrBb98Jmxie6rvLBunxi8hyphenhyphenrx55b0H1XpLmLpD-_q_gnMHVxfJJrQ/s400/DSC_0617.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584396113433525810" /></a><br />I was reading a blog post this morning from a mother of a 3 year old boy who has cerebral palsy. It was very thought provoking and I thought that I would paraphrase what she said because it caused me as a mother to rethink what I should say about Nathan. I'm going to put this in my perspective as Nathan's mother.<br /><br />When I tell people about Nathan or describe him to others, I typically mention that he has Pierre Robin, Tetralogy of Fallot, and a host of other serious birth defects. Not because this defines him, but I think it will help answer questions about him when they see he doesn't speak clearly, eat or doesn't do other things a typical three year old does. I tend to focus on the things he can't do when talking about him. The biggest reason I can come up with is because of MY OWN insecurities. I feel like if I tell people he had these birth defects up front, then we avoid any embarrassing situations. If I tell people he has had jaw surgery twice and a total of 18 surgeries in his mouth and face, I don't have to explain why he can't and doesn't want to eat. If I tell people he has these problems, I don't have to step out of my comfort zone. But if I continue telling everyone he has Pierre Robin and Tetrology of Fallot as a basic introduction, I'm skipping over the most wonderful and amazing and cheerful and energetic and happy-go-lucky little boy I've ever met. I'm still working on it, but this post has definitely challenged me to find a way to describe Nathan in a positive light, leaving out everything he "can't" do.<br /><br />So here's what Nathan can do:<br /><br />Nathan is the kind of brother every kid should have. When Ellie is hurt he is the first to tell us even if he was the one who caused the problem. He immediately runs to give kisses and hugs to make things all better.<br /><br />Nathan is great at volunteering and saying prayers (with help) when we pray as a family. He is ALWAYS the first to volunteer.<br /><br />Nathan is a great singer. He has mastered Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Old MacDonald, and Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes. His articulation could be better, but he loves to express himself through music and because of this we have found this to be a great outlet to teach him both in church, school, and therapy sessions.<br /><br />Nathan still has times when he needs to go to Time Out. However, he will always stay in place without kicking, screaming, or crying. He is always quick to say he was sorry for what he did.<br /><br />Nathan has a great imagination and loves to play with anything. His current favorites are having the IKEA plastic forks, knives, and spoons talk to each other and to dance around the table.<br /><br />Nathan loves to play catch with footballs and baseballs. He is getting much better at kicking soccer balls as well. He is developing into a normal 3 year old boy right before our eyes!<br /><br />I don't introduce Elisabeth as being exceptionally stubborn and strong willed so why should I not introduce Nathan in that same positive light?<br /><br />So - this is Nathan. Nathan is a typical 3 year old little boy who loves to sing, play with footballs, and is extremely kind hearted. He's the brother that every child should have. He will be a great big brother in a couple of months!Stephanie Ellingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10469890467641003695noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591964267414442874.post-55952305934095128152011-03-14T07:36:00.000-07:002011-03-14T08:14:59.875-07:00Waiting for the Bus to ComeNathan started preschool the Friday after his third birthday in January. The first day was a little hard for him, but he loves going to school now. Nebo School District started a "Baby 3" class for preschool where the new 3 year old child attends school with one of his parents on Fridays for an hour and a half. Since Nathan had the first birthday of the year, he didn't have any classmates for a month. Jake and I were very concerned that he needed to be with "model" peers and so we stated that he needed to be in preschool at least 2 days a week. I felt as if we were having to negotiate his education, but a least Nathan was able to be put in another class with other children who are eating and speaking better than he is.<br /><br />Nathan's team of teachers are really nice and I am impressed with what they are doing to help him in school. I am disappointed with the feeding therapy that is being given by the speech therapist and will be asking for a referral for an occupational therapist to come and work with Nathan as well. A portion of Nathan's Individual Education Plan states that he will eat and drink so much by next year and so far the speech therapist has left the feeding completely up to me. Then she had the gall to say that she has so much time allotted to Nathan and did I want him to have more speech therapy or more feeding therapy? That's why I want another therapist... Nathan needs both equally but apparently even though its in his IEP its no big deal to her. I understand our responsibilities for working with Nathan at home. We have been working very hard eating for 3 years. That included weekly visits from the occupational therapist from early intervention, bi weekly feeding therapy from Orem Pediatric Rehab, quarterly evaluations from the Dysphagia Clinic at Primary Children's... and daily home work with Nathan. We have put so much into this and we are very invested as a family to help him. He has an opportunity to get help at school and the mama bear in me is angry that his therapist is acting the way that she is. Sigh. I am going to be speaking with Nathan's teacher this week about getting the referral so we'll see how that goes.<br /><br />Nathan's very favorite part of going to school is being able to ride the bus on Thursdays. He loves to wait for it and every Thursday when I come home from work when I ask about school he tells me about riding the school bus, or as he pronounces it ("Cool Bus"). I think Elisabeth is a litle jealous that she isn't able to ride the bus to school, but when I remind her that she is able to go to school with her Dad and that Nathan doesn't she usually quiets right back down.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEzpWdBEFb39nq3wHGxmsfleuiz6WLHehW-MxWcVVu1cWF9sXduu0llyx-c_x-4Bsj0yOfWgMY5UAe20Y2NHjqlC7_Tnv-UnNdqFR2UgU1mh2lUgFKs-3AELDvF_4H_5UP_lceELvGQ/s1600/Picture+023.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEzpWdBEFb39nq3wHGxmsfleuiz6WLHehW-MxWcVVu1cWF9sXduu0llyx-c_x-4Bsj0yOfWgMY5UAe20Y2NHjqlC7_Tnv-UnNdqFR2UgU1mh2lUgFKs-3AELDvF_4H_5UP_lceELvGQ/s400/Picture+023.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583945020441376754" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RPLOSl3GMVNg2d5rGSKatefhH_YxM5wxqxJh8uWCvQbxEKm6V958pIjg69FX-DKk-L7hwD9V2aw3kT8qVJ_pf7f4X70p_bfdc7LPl8vbUIfevorSCkJ1sTu6Fh7Z4aLoCa9XgV9lrg/s1600/Picture+027.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RPLOSl3GMVNg2d5rGSKatefhH_YxM5wxqxJh8uWCvQbxEKm6V958pIjg69FX-DKk-L7hwD9V2aw3kT8qVJ_pf7f4X70p_bfdc7LPl8vbUIfevorSCkJ1sTu6Fh7Z4aLoCa9XgV9lrg/s400/Picture+027.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583944850325632690" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKG9oNPycE8vb3vv8x9whmG8dUP5XcwW_cSlOxByCjCryQ5kI6ZZDV1AL9kiHrU67T8ZEtxyhB_FWYGsQhC-WoiU9lZqyhFwM1rPoA0q_Rs7-J_zgRJeSy0rdl6EPeJ7aMfiGQtOlNEg/s1600/Picture+025.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKG9oNPycE8vb3vv8x9whmG8dUP5XcwW_cSlOxByCjCryQ5kI6ZZDV1AL9kiHrU67T8ZEtxyhB_FWYGsQhC-WoiU9lZqyhFwM1rPoA0q_Rs7-J_zgRJeSy0rdl6EPeJ7aMfiGQtOlNEg/s400/Picture+025.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583944839916638626" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6ZttiJcysPPZmFfjgEVnXpZCzwilmSa2SUA8slEFXqdAYkfCxtZU77YN7sVacAm_t34OMkhaouv4TKudQ8bLidDP_vs0tVgmqMXpeuXwLjwmhrv70CR155kxI9umCGHxsBf6MFNTkA/s1600/Picture+022.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6ZttiJcysPPZmFfjgEVnXpZCzwilmSa2SUA8slEFXqdAYkfCxtZU77YN7sVacAm_t34OMkhaouv4TKudQ8bLidDP_vs0tVgmqMXpeuXwLjwmhrv70CR155kxI9umCGHxsBf6MFNTkA/s400/Picture+022.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583944836817307746" /></a>Stephanie Ellingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10469890467641003695noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591964267414442874.post-67735603805182403672011-03-10T07:49:00.001-08:002011-03-10T08:01:52.707-08:00Crazy Hair Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNg9Bjq6FbSMKGPaoCUB-IcZexDuffFVljqK9rlP9jfm15jT9c0cYyxQTm4OZBKgeUP47CAvDmPUuhzpwLcZqaBQy4ImoTjheL-CPFhZmnpIMh2p6Ccxo4FkQpDl_PGxPoD48Y8DNXrw/s1600/Picture+032.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNg9Bjq6FbSMKGPaoCUB-IcZexDuffFVljqK9rlP9jfm15jT9c0cYyxQTm4OZBKgeUP47CAvDmPUuhzpwLcZqaBQy4ImoTjheL-CPFhZmnpIMh2p6Ccxo4FkQpDl_PGxPoD48Y8DNXrw/s400/Picture+032.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582479599031103426" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2Wd-sd6yMvQzNk2TfdvRpGyyFts6uUmbY-Poo8SOVwm7cv9zdysIHSJzDDkQNVW6ej32DfjdsPlum1s9ZGHr0T3BborUoy_XRM25fcI91UwevGgBKjyBK8sqw_BmVtIdQVWTXSF8RQ/s1600/Picture+031.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2Wd-sd6yMvQzNk2TfdvRpGyyFts6uUmbY-Poo8SOVwm7cv9zdysIHSJzDDkQNVW6ej32DfjdsPlum1s9ZGHr0T3BborUoy_XRM25fcI91UwevGgBKjyBK8sqw_BmVtIdQVWTXSF8RQ/s400/Picture+031.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582479595428637458" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFE7350uwV5xaELlDeW05byuK9Hja_jAmRCCWqDsvG7n-64jRvaYDm8W-VHz1FfK6uXJas8nOLZRlrBMrF5BeefRKp-bBsoysv4J5y_FM7pb637KP3HzD5K2WOX8V7j8ZYZgrBQB02A/s1600/Picture+030.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFE7350uwV5xaELlDeW05byuK9Hja_jAmRCCWqDsvG7n-64jRvaYDm8W-VHz1FfK6uXJas8nOLZRlrBMrF5BeefRKp-bBsoysv4J5y_FM7pb637KP3HzD5K2WOX8V7j8ZYZgrBQB02A/s400/Picture+030.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582479592692953490" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iH9j1EORqQCNBwLdLAG1B8kP-1fhWv57elJiu6YdLAod2CDWNBJW-EjxvHyc5pi0rGlGGgM3_rmJA2RdHGm6cTKYkIo2aLQjMZjHiL0QmI7uQPXrsaRuUIe6UTfWXAVyYdhnEQS14Q/s1600/Picture+029.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iH9j1EORqQCNBwLdLAG1B8kP-1fhWv57elJiu6YdLAod2CDWNBJW-EjxvHyc5pi0rGlGGgM3_rmJA2RdHGm6cTKYkIo2aLQjMZjHiL0QmI7uQPXrsaRuUIe6UTfWXAVyYdhnEQS14Q/s400/Picture+029.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582479589246257442" /></a><br /><br /><br />Yesterday was crazy hair day at school as part of Spirit Week. Ellie and Jake have both really gotten into in the "spirit" of things. Nicole was super sweet and did Ellie's hair yesterday. It took her almost an hour to do it, but I think it turned out awesome! Jake grew out his hair really long and then he had Nicole give him a Mohawk. I cringe looking at the Mohawk because he wants to keep it till Friday. Friday at school is Decade Dress-Up. He wants to be a punk from the 1980's... only Jake!<br /><br />Ellie is getting to the awkward stage of picture taking. Even when she looks at the camera, she always squints or pulls some funny face. It doesn't help either that he teeth are coming in and falling out. I hope that this stage of her doesn't last long because she is a really cute kid with a great smile when she decides to show it off!Stephanie Ellingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10469890467641003695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591964267414442874.post-16012523010679595762011-03-09T14:07:00.001-08:002011-03-09T15:04:25.749-08:00Elisabeth's 6th BirthdayElisabeth - 1 week old<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUV6oeWUGcY-j8CliJtSUuvVHqXaJcJ7dxUKh7kpiaDiJODnuuBuYJRFHkyFBCSffC1TTbJnC4cUV-lPrmC8a-eAcJvMsqwR6VTDrhvMzFLUDxAkZp1OQ-0LCmNzBoD5CPGn6d2esFag/s1600/02252005+022.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582207447801397218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUV6oeWUGcY-j8CliJtSUuvVHqXaJcJ7dxUKh7kpiaDiJODnuuBuYJRFHkyFBCSffC1TTbJnC4cUV-lPrmC8a-eAcJvMsqwR6VTDrhvMzFLUDxAkZp1OQ-0LCmNzBoD5CPGn6d2esFag/s400/02252005+022.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />1 Year Old<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLB9bIxRLGNz8ygLwJuOSxZDdavRsUGDkuhsVzSDgBgQqqpCMiqU2GXRJrFljQeMjnOVnUGPpt5joPZDmbskQg7UvUWq1PNF3sOqG4NfHao2sqLuO_UCmVKv9ElayA_fNyMz8lxVm2Q/s1600/03202006+013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582207470879083682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLB9bIxRLGNz8ygLwJuOSxZDdavRsUGDkuhsVzSDgBgQqqpCMiqU2GXRJrFljQeMjnOVnUGPpt5joPZDmbskQg7UvUWq1PNF3sOqG4NfHao2sqLuO_UCmVKv9ElayA_fNyMz8lxVm2Q/s400/03202006+013.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />2 Years Old<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZTp7KQ-beCPG_XcjqfFJ1qytSVsiQ5rn-5mljQR1hRt_GkfC0yoHt4Fg5JR3dzLrPPekaQ5rAR2XCmiF1JTfYqh9kcJRRAdWslKYoUGoWJNGPtF2C8ugpN0X3RCdc67dP6_AdfzAyg/s1600/05182007+020.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582207491730793458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZTp7KQ-beCPG_XcjqfFJ1qytSVsiQ5rn-5mljQR1hRt_GkfC0yoHt4Fg5JR3dzLrPPekaQ5rAR2XCmiF1JTfYqh9kcJRRAdWslKYoUGoWJNGPtF2C8ugpN0X3RCdc67dP6_AdfzAyg/s400/05182007+020.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />3 Years Old<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PfTW64cQklgo-oaHNAtlvCdmeHhiLB6SZjUFU-04Zr11OZJvFAmvB2UHZ4M3qQ4pJMzeUSkhoy1bZxLFlMeUgM3CEEr1MwcscJLtQvrM1RHf7RHu9Fj4D3BVHIiVzro3ozJcFGJnxQ/s1600/2008+June+12+014.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PfTW64cQklgo-oaHNAtlvCdmeHhiLB6SZjUFU-04Zr11OZJvFAmvB2UHZ4M3qQ4pJMzeUSkhoy1bZxLFlMeUgM3CEEr1MwcscJLtQvrM1RHf7RHu9Fj4D3BVHIiVzro3ozJcFGJnxQ/s400/2008+June+12+014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582216436681728690" /></a><br /><br />4 Years Old<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtWyX5vONqiykCRRdbTbA1TF3TwgAuog9tztxMiAYW4FACaj-tV2n87NHZTDaNkvOrnFt12DDDqzZXRKYCwIdi_EUOEvdJYx42lT7jdxCV7p-wtPWRoCrdS3rqegdeEVbOcQSdNEyRg/s1600/DSC_0231.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582207520652181922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtWyX5vONqiykCRRdbTbA1TF3TwgAuog9tztxMiAYW4FACaj-tV2n87NHZTDaNkvOrnFt12DDDqzZXRKYCwIdi_EUOEvdJYx42lT7jdxCV7p-wtPWRoCrdS3rqegdeEVbOcQSdNEyRg/s400/DSC_0231.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />5 Years Old<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9y0hxAAZbV5aH664vTFTSvZElZ-BIqdzG7X78l0tABvLB05OeOK8ED6PwDkwKGkG6DdE2qwZDJWo_nBwip00HaZJ0fqwQ1L4Yki3540es6cuTOY7-4u66GFduv5zlN0kbuQvv-sM6A/s1600/Picture+046.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9y0hxAAZbV5aH664vTFTSvZElZ-BIqdzG7X78l0tABvLB05OeOK8ED6PwDkwKGkG6DdE2qwZDJWo_nBwip00HaZJ0fqwQ1L4Yki3540es6cuTOY7-4u66GFduv5zlN0kbuQvv-sM6A/s400/Picture+046.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582209133464364370" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />I can't believe that Elisabeth is already 6 years old! Where did the time go? I vividly remember the day she was born... there was a huge snowstorm that morning and I was worried that we wouldn't make it to the hospital safely or that our families wouldn't make it either! But nothing could hold back 2 excited grandmas and they were both there. <br /><br />Elisabeth was born with a big personality. Its not necessarily a bad thing - her biggest weakness is also her biggest strength in many regards. Because she is a forward thinker I believe it has also be easier for her to accept Nathan and to also help mold him into the cute little guy that he is today. She doesn't hold back with him and encourages him to eat and to play like any other normal kid. Ellie has a very strong will, but that has also has helped her do very well in school because she wants to do and be the best at everything she can.<br /><br />Elisabeth at 6 Years Old:<br />1. Loves kindergarten and is on a D-E level of reading.<br />2. On the Measure of Academic Progress Test at her school tnat she recently took, she scored in the 87% nationally for her math skills.<br />3. Her job at home is to remind us to read scriptures nightly as a family. She is reading out of the Book of Mormon and able to read and recognize a great majority of the words.<br />4. She loves being in the 500 Club at school (where the student reads 500 minutes every month). It is her goal to be the first one in her class to make it every month.<br />5. She is VERY EXCITED to be getting a sister in a couple of months and loves to constantly remind me of how big my stomach is getting. I wish she wasn't so eager to remind me of my growing pains!<br />6. Her favorite food is spaghetti. The odd thing is she won't eat it with the spaghetti sauce. Just a little cheese on the top...<br />7. Her favorite activity is taking cooking lessons with her Grandma Ellinger. She looks forward to just spending time with her and is actually doing very well in learning how to cook. It has been the best Christmas present ever for her.<br />8. She is learning how to play the piano and is doing a great job.<br />9. She has lost 4 teeth and another 2 should be coming out in the next couple of months.<br />10. She loves to hang out with her friends and especially to play outside riding her bike or playing with Addison. She loves that it is almost springtime so she can be outside more.<br /><br /><br />For Elisabeth's 6th birthday we had a very low key birthday party for her. Libby, Mallory, Shawn, Kristin, and Kathleen came to celebrate with us. Grandma and Grandpa Ellinger were at a conference that weekend and weren't able to make it. We had the good ol' cake and ice cream. Kristin made Ellie's birthday cake and did a great job with it. The birthday party was held the Saturday before her birthday and so we decided that Libby and Mallory could sleep over as part of Ellie's party. The girls had such a fun time together!<br /><br />On Elisabeth's actual birthday on the 15th of February we invited Grandma, Grandpa and Kathleen to come over and have dinner with us. Ellie loves salmon too and so we had salmon, asparagus and rice for dinner. Afterwards Ellie and Grandma blew out birthday candles together since they share the same birthday. Elisabeth loves that she has that in common with her Grandma.<br /><br />On the day of Elisabeth's birthday party we had raspberry crystal light. Ellie loves that stuff which is why in every picture of her she has a red ring around her mouth. She can be such a silly kid sometimes!<br /><br />Jake and I are grateful to have Elisabeth in our lives. She is a great kid and we couldn't imagine what life would be like without her!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNCRbRbR_WMQMZdm4xPREU9KCO96XjBZVW-mXpa0AsMqyF0dPEK8_wWzezerF9VPN4d8kVrmzm5DCHZAW1yjSKynr9UcIqNclswqRvCAYKQbJeEP5L9liEg8bYcrb-5CFL72zF903jQ/s1600/Picture+021.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582206295164918466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNCRbRbR_WMQMZdm4xPREU9KCO96XjBZVW-mXpa0AsMqyF0dPEK8_wWzezerF9VPN4d8kVrmzm5DCHZAW1yjSKynr9UcIqNclswqRvCAYKQbJeEP5L9liEg8bYcrb-5CFL72zF903jQ/s400/Picture+021.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvViiWLXPvEIk3_XTCPvAT4vCw6VvvOHmQUNQwKWGHXPvOb2e5XMRaaGjNqd-U7daz4lCDgm_si77bSI6B9EVetXwdJA7F_k1CKqyfNdOf4bXtQn1nmkKPVrQqeebjC1yk6YDx48klug/s1600/Picture+014.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582205926295302578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvViiWLXPvEIk3_XTCPvAT4vCw6VvvOHmQUNQwKWGHXPvOb2e5XMRaaGjNqd-U7daz4lCDgm_si77bSI6B9EVetXwdJA7F_k1CKqyfNdOf4bXtQn1nmkKPVrQqeebjC1yk6YDx48klug/s400/Picture+014.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8c0RXhPWtTsNP4A_dTCi0wXMFONl_osZMq7n0UqvcUbVyhI9dfnf42rRuSBdkcMZ51UfGREGxR-m8V3miXpxvTobFHKRu0o5L5-oU2dpnyk23Lt2wKMB6decbkClwdjQnQBZBYzGURA/s1600/Picture+018.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582205757044715698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8c0RXhPWtTsNP4A_dTCi0wXMFONl_osZMq7n0UqvcUbVyhI9dfnf42rRuSBdkcMZ51UfGREGxR-m8V3miXpxvTobFHKRu0o5L5-oU2dpnyk23Lt2wKMB6decbkClwdjQnQBZBYzGURA/s400/Picture+018.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dCL6ZPNbg1OeLUD6ohSEN_dIOJiTOgPndNS2Q-xeND8N4N6gjnTeeyEd0COtgWis6gbyux1DkE6cL7qdyLJYiXaSlxLG09etJp4SoOWTPm2RvFUf9d29pdDv79pKF7kL38j8sHdKow/s1600/Picture+017.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582205736717393282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dCL6ZPNbg1OeLUD6ohSEN_dIOJiTOgPndNS2Q-xeND8N4N6gjnTeeyEd0COtgWis6gbyux1DkE6cL7qdyLJYiXaSlxLG09etJp4SoOWTPm2RvFUf9d29pdDv79pKF7kL38j8sHdKow/s400/Picture+017.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PGrqO0-AnXTL-LFtlJ92MRC0p-CTWtPVOB9V2schAHGkHiMXZPDVrQSkffBPdcNLfVMYsGlqs56-_Ge1qXjHXpWT9CJIYbFNl0CB5Zae1DuS137LgK1x6Hcfd0bL7MFL7C9CMVhTPg/s1600/Picture+009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582205713732426306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PGrqO0-AnXTL-LFtlJ92MRC0p-CTWtPVOB9V2schAHGkHiMXZPDVrQSkffBPdcNLfVMYsGlqs56-_Ge1qXjHXpWT9CJIYbFNl0CB5Zae1DuS137LgK1x6Hcfd0bL7MFL7C9CMVhTPg/s400/Picture+009.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgPSbif2agVJO_lrgf_XC5u0-DSvZcoDfprVQkaYczvHrr8RCtGhs_EvVAJYXDfR4z1MH5hB5896fGNFM2xxu2WuksvUHtd1RJ7N3NJeZrJ1rbOyE4DziHWSWdMnJcnUCuBIJn8sA_A/s1600/Picture+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582205689435643202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgPSbif2agVJO_lrgf_XC5u0-DSvZcoDfprVQkaYczvHrr8RCtGhs_EvVAJYXDfR4z1MH5hB5896fGNFM2xxu2WuksvUHtd1RJ7N3NJeZrJ1rbOyE4DziHWSWdMnJcnUCuBIJn8sA_A/s400/Picture+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9ewWUd5zEuSbIWPK0xgZOPkX7askTjS9ycimoFnfO5ZHJUWsdi9BIDpSQravRtDIiqkD9PnQn3_RhADHDOcH59O8-5DukMokKLx0b3NZkIRH2Y_Ppj6U3sebFjtBYwE5hYoltw8uRw/s1600/Picture+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582205671000661602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9ewWUd5zEuSbIWPK0xgZOPkX7askTjS9ycimoFnfO5ZHJUWsdi9BIDpSQravRtDIiqkD9PnQn3_RhADHDOcH59O8-5DukMokKLx0b3NZkIRH2Y_Ppj6U3sebFjtBYwE5hYoltw8uRw/s400/Picture+003.jpg" border="0" /></a>Stephanie Ellingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10469890467641003695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591964267414442874.post-30724509563031036872011-03-02T14:39:00.001-08:002011-03-02T14:44:36.598-08:00Fetal EchoI went up to Riverton Hospital to see Dr. Su, one of the pediatric cardiologists for Primary Childrens. Even though the baby did not appear to have any birth defects, the perinatologist wanted a fetal echo done to verify if there would be any problems. I wasn't really worried going into it and had a feeling of peace. Sure enough the feeling of peace wasn't for naught, and our little girl will be born heart healthy. What a relief! Now I can just sit back and enjoy the swelling and normal aches and pains of being pregnant...Stephanie Ellingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10469890467641003695noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591964267414442874.post-28637593325079991532011-03-02T06:55:00.001-08:002011-03-02T08:01:57.200-08:00Nathan's 3rd Birthday - January 22nd<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkNIMe0BwqqIy1JpxakA9eOn-jo9WRJT0yLdVs8nTK8ghMjyTnYhcTCnqk_zLYWpq0ePPjB58Lg5VO20b-gC0QxPOrVbiGVKDjQ9JcGwziYr4YGHYmgJWZdcuFHo-7zL7ZMXUYu-9wQ/s1600/DSC_0645.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkNIMe0BwqqIy1JpxakA9eOn-jo9WRJT0yLdVs8nTK8ghMjyTnYhcTCnqk_zLYWpq0ePPjB58Lg5VO20b-gC0QxPOrVbiGVKDjQ9JcGwziYr4YGHYmgJWZdcuFHo-7zL7ZMXUYu-9wQ/s400/DSC_0645.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579497244486799538" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4R-2E8epojIyZn_ihB0vyMSCQkk_tAZ93vFrLdxcjRfdBcUYQg1rigbxFctdKxY3xebWgd8JouqNAzxX8oZM52Z1yZPdY2C6iB3ICgf-r18tKKxp4ga7zIBwu6STeG7Juwipco4gTtg/s1600/DSC_0644.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4R-2E8epojIyZn_ihB0vyMSCQkk_tAZ93vFrLdxcjRfdBcUYQg1rigbxFctdKxY3xebWgd8JouqNAzxX8oZM52Z1yZPdY2C6iB3ICgf-r18tKKxp4ga7zIBwu6STeG7Juwipco4gTtg/s400/DSC_0644.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579497240568021506" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfKgVJpFpOuhID6PpiL_7toxmWT5M8j4Vfi9LgRbX6ShdcRUpSxaYVSfviVzG6TpIKSJzT9BPowI5LgZRimeUk1JbDyLg-WLY7odqFFGAzS0EXQGJb4K5oHM93fDoqHlWQcN7XgtYeg/s1600/DSC_0642.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfKgVJpFpOuhID6PpiL_7toxmWT5M8j4Vfi9LgRbX6ShdcRUpSxaYVSfviVzG6TpIKSJzT9BPowI5LgZRimeUk1JbDyLg-WLY7odqFFGAzS0EXQGJb4K5oHM93fDoqHlWQcN7XgtYeg/s400/DSC_0642.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579497232826643634" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLngafuOmEdvYrG4EvmY9H0gi8jqtZcrWXr5Cknq5B-SL9hgPv9p6JAT-Q0zdOp-9elZrIbeTsHsL7mtXjQTDtIGEFVFVpQuQi1DLsiSuhhaR5HQcQJn5BKF-9ETNtQshjHQGmOyQv5g/s1600/DSC_0639.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLngafuOmEdvYrG4EvmY9H0gi8jqtZcrWXr5Cknq5B-SL9hgPv9p6JAT-Q0zdOp-9elZrIbeTsHsL7mtXjQTDtIGEFVFVpQuQi1DLsiSuhhaR5HQcQJn5BKF-9ETNtQshjHQGmOyQv5g/s400/DSC_0639.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579497222923011730" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8GzbEUC11VoElBcU8UkEMIFPibT754KCrq-87qD4k54dd0W6oI_f3DhE4CqH0K1XUSchfiMZ1GFZHsHT52rnlMYupE_85B5BY9U-OP0s-usGtFYg3vJlIz-3j92yEskIa6JhSzH9Rw/s1600/DSC_0637.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8GzbEUC11VoElBcU8UkEMIFPibT754KCrq-87qD4k54dd0W6oI_f3DhE4CqH0K1XUSchfiMZ1GFZHsHT52rnlMYupE_85B5BY9U-OP0s-usGtFYg3vJlIz-3j92yEskIa6JhSzH9Rw/s400/DSC_0637.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579497216581543570" /></a><br /><br /><br />Happy Birthday little guy! We celebrated Nathan's 3rd birthday with a very small party at our house. Nathan was very clear that he wanted a Buzz Lightyear birthday cake, so Aunt Kristin made the cake and cupcakes and we supplied the ice cream. The problem with giving Nathan a Buzz cake is that he didn't want to cut it or eat it. He did love his mint chocolate chip ice cream and had fun licking it and trying to feed himself with his own spoon. Nathan's very favorite part of the party was getting a brand new bike. I just wish that his birthday was a little closer to the warmer weather months so that he could get more use out of it.<br /><br />I really didn't want Nathan's 3rd birthday to come. It brought with it the end of early intervention and the start of preschool. I will have to post some pictures of a few of Nathan's therapists that did so much to help him!<br /><br />I'm really pleased with the progress that Nathan is making. He has come so far in the past three years. I just have to keep reminding myself that Nathan's Pierre Robin just adds to the normal oral aversion that many heart babies are prone to. He is making progress but typically children like Nathan need to set their own time table. Its going to be a L.O.N.G. time before Nathan no longer needs his g-tube. We just need to keep giving him lots of positive eating experiences and to work very patiently with him. I still feel very fortunate that we are just struggling with eating, frustrating as that can be sometimes. What a blessing it has been to have so much support from family, doctors, therapists, babysitters, and above all a loving Heavenly Father. <br /><br />Here is Nathan's stats at 3 years old:<br /><br />Weight: 29lbs 1 oz.<br />Height: 36 inchesStephanie Ellingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10469890467641003695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591964267414442874.post-28965979582153606992011-02-01T10:53:00.000-08:002011-02-01T12:05:22.126-08:00My WILD Imagination and our little one...In the last 3 years my priorities have changed somewhat. Well, maybe that statement isn't entirely true, but certainly my perspective has changed. I have to admit, I would loose some sleep 2-3 times a week at night wondering about this baby. Would it be healthy? Would it be like Nathan? Would we be able to adjust as a family to meet the needs of that particular child? <br /><br />We met with a perinatologist and genetics counselor today at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. I have been told by many people that this baby would be just fine. My head believed them, but the emotional part of me couldn't get past the what ifs? I think that is a natural consequence of sitting those many months with Nathan in the hospital. 22 surgeries... my imagination had a great time running wild with the endless possibilities. Especially when the great majority have all included a stay in the newborn intensive care unit or the pediatric intensive care unit. The things you see... the people you meet... I guess I still carry around with me a small amount of post traumatic stress disorder. I had a fear of putting another child through the suffering that little Nathan has been through.<br /><br />So when this little critter had the ultrasound done, it wouldn't cooperate very well. Maybe its a sign that it will be just like its sister, her way or the highway! After quite a bit of poking, prodding, and a little gentle pounding from the doctor, they finally got some ok pictures of it. There are no markers for any major birth defects. The baby does not appear to have Tetralogy of Fallot. However, the little mover and shaker wouldn't hold quite as still as the dr would have liked. So in another month I have a fetal echo at Primary Children's to make absolutely certain that its heart is ok.<br /><br />What a blessing! I would have taken another child like Nathan, but I didn't know if I could have dealt with the extra stress or scheduling more dr visits and therapy visits. I guess I could have, but I just need a break!<br /><br />So we should be adding a HEALTHY little girl in June. Ellie is ecstatic to say the least. Every girl should have a sister.<br /><br />And now I can tell my imagination to STOP IT!Stephanie Ellingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10469890467641003695noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591964267414442874.post-48587759415138601672010-12-21T09:21:00.000-08:002010-12-21T09:42:23.163-08:00Let In Snow!!! (Except Where Are the Snow Plows?)Jake got an early Christmas present this morning... school being cancelled for today and tomorrow! He was as giddy as a school boy when he learned that he didn't have to go to work! It would have been better though if he hadn't gotten his car stuck in the driveway and had to help shovel the whole driveway this morning with Brad, Carlee, Tyler, and myself. The kids came outside too and had an absolute blast! (I think Jake and Brad were having a little too much fun too!)<br /><br /><br />This is Brad pulling Emmett up the snow in the driveway before we had everything cleared.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhys-Nf0vTgJmNj5NN8CyBpQaRaXqNVpSps2dqIgHzJhNndaXmCPo7Fmm0wYsldDZKuVYb3hwdbFQwh9IBCgm7V11DxQGLIb7lScjF7WMguZm_n_wMU-iBSKsQYXRUFhyphenhyphenlCifDwVCvVqQ/s1600/DSC_0563.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhys-Nf0vTgJmNj5NN8CyBpQaRaXqNVpSps2dqIgHzJhNndaXmCPo7Fmm0wYsldDZKuVYb3hwdbFQwh9IBCgm7V11DxQGLIb7lScjF7WMguZm_n_wMU-iBSKsQYXRUFhyphenhyphenlCifDwVCvVqQ/s400/DSC_0563.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553187535824316354" /></a><br /><br />Brad sat on the sled while Jake pulled him down the driveway. At the bottom of our driveway is a steep slope. The guys had a fun time going down the bottom of the slope into a snow embankment.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoXaXEp6_-YOHebMnnGCqz0B5hZ7DRga4-L37MrfkIr0KWSxImB44rpGTn1dQIXnD2pQYHtlk91C3UzU8lAIabqA7bcRPo_lV_5Xba4NP0W7Hx91wtREgNTECvXHUDOSSQvIO1FxR1A/s1600/DSC_0562.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoXaXEp6_-YOHebMnnGCqz0B5hZ7DRga4-L37MrfkIr0KWSxImB44rpGTn1dQIXnD2pQYHtlk91C3UzU8lAIabqA7bcRPo_lV_5Xba4NP0W7Hx91wtREgNTECvXHUDOSSQvIO1FxR1A/s400/DSC_0562.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553187531526848322" /></a><br /><br />This is Jake smiling and having sweet dreams of not shoveling snow for the next 6 weeks because of his leg surgery on Thursday. The stinker did that on purpose! I am positive of it!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOD_IYZArm5mwJjV-YWmn8KMFRKgdCo2Ztmd2E3vPNDBcOoGgqYBQCi5QypAlY5IsDs0Tuetq1VaBTUBUCYDzeeY0mpvaGihlVmkVKHBw_UeJbp28sBryxHbMtXiZoS04xH-l2ijTWg/s1600/DSC_0560.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOD_IYZArm5mwJjV-YWmn8KMFRKgdCo2Ztmd2E3vPNDBcOoGgqYBQCi5QypAlY5IsDs0Tuetq1VaBTUBUCYDzeeY0mpvaGihlVmkVKHBw_UeJbp28sBryxHbMtXiZoS04xH-l2ijTWg/s400/DSC_0560.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553187518123555330" /></a><br /><br />Nathan liked the snow for about 10 minutes. Then he decided it was too cold and went back in the house by himself to play with his trains. (Notice Ellie and Addie in the background. They were trying to throw snowballs at Brad and Jake!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZ2p0pMQlhYBPExOfZmiHKbxHlcluqvvXuQTbpDTb3KQQO3wig2bmN0w3zEb6tvvNAJmshJUYeky-LcWF-yN9bUgsh3ZtRDBXLm-FadJkk_L3fp48kW4KxbjE-TFNebFIfjYx27yPxg/s1600/DSC_0556.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZ2p0pMQlhYBPExOfZmiHKbxHlcluqvvXuQTbpDTb3KQQO3wig2bmN0w3zEb6tvvNAJmshJUYeky-LcWF-yN9bUgsh3ZtRDBXLm-FadJkk_L3fp48kW4KxbjE-TFNebFIfjYx27yPxg/s400/DSC_0556.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553187353567718242" /></a><br /><br />Nathan wanted to help clear the snow so he picked up a plastic child's hoe and tried to push the snow around.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq934q8AcGsc-JL9hDK4IeYt9BLfC6_aFnAHyBw7rYEI0codhGbNlpskle9zp7O4Gtv8AKs3fENLgWnNtSaYiZwJcaErwlKzjOPO7eLD2pdTPXgoU5EizgyB2ALVoBF_bvQDx3_cPjLg/s1600/DSC_0555.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq934q8AcGsc-JL9hDK4IeYt9BLfC6_aFnAHyBw7rYEI0codhGbNlpskle9zp7O4Gtv8AKs3fENLgWnNtSaYiZwJcaErwlKzjOPO7eLD2pdTPXgoU5EizgyB2ALVoBF_bvQDx3_cPjLg/s400/DSC_0555.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553187347621867474" /></a><br /><br />Ellie thought she was on top of the world. At least in this picture she was 3 feet taller than Jake when she stood on the snow mound.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJdPt5FdF-zE8gA051vEHcdMYFDeihRoVS1DrxJkFzbHGJ5C3GikmjrUba9WUYy94MYVcoY3aNH9RwUBspyKTr3ai68QKuYmyJaMO31ZNNYXN9tngTChvOT1eXPjeBbSHi_HUX6lVjg/s1600/DSC_0554.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJdPt5FdF-zE8gA051vEHcdMYFDeihRoVS1DrxJkFzbHGJ5C3GikmjrUba9WUYy94MYVcoY3aNH9RwUBspyKTr3ai68QKuYmyJaMO31ZNNYXN9tngTChvOT1eXPjeBbSHi_HUX6lVjg/s400/DSC_0554.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553187345252644338" /></a><br /><br />Ellie and Addie are best buddies. They were so excited to play with each other in the snow!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6qZvPLoONbRYjPM6cpUAYQ-hlNp_g0La554tiZl2P5nJ-q3z_RvgfMteFcJWUFY7kfwFjaTo1yQRkN7orjjE6YJr6k9JTlv8gKXZHwq3wTDJ7c8OkRPc1RzIpPxD23eYmmD79gJWsw/s1600/DSC_0552.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6qZvPLoONbRYjPM6cpUAYQ-hlNp_g0La554tiZl2P5nJ-q3z_RvgfMteFcJWUFY7kfwFjaTo1yQRkN7orjjE6YJr6k9JTlv8gKXZHwq3wTDJ7c8OkRPc1RzIpPxD23eYmmD79gJWsw/s400/DSC_0552.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553187337460017378" /></a><br /><br />Ok - so even with all of the playing Brad and Jake did get the driveway cleared. No sign of the snow plows that are supposed to clear the driveway for us! Jake and Brad kept calling themselves the "Sweaty Dudes" and are offering classes for a physical workout in our driveway each time it snows. They thought it was a pretty good take off of "Sweaty Chix Fitness" that Carlee and I like to go to!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBqgus0j-idYs9z5nSfSsfu_GOjPWYWWGFmT_lpuW0BuCEBD-NM7CvHimMJwuGZ_lLbOf0Fqzi3zSLUcv72CRqxRUTDp-sh4AEGUVi9BFRAzFMmqxt2hFa7uT9eclmMb-kyd44s2_-Q/s1600/DSC_0550.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBqgus0j-idYs9z5nSfSsfu_GOjPWYWWGFmT_lpuW0BuCEBD-NM7CvHimMJwuGZ_lLbOf0Fqzi3zSLUcv72CRqxRUTDp-sh4AEGUVi9BFRAzFMmqxt2hFa7uT9eclmMb-kyd44s2_-Q/s400/DSC_0550.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553187329959659106" /></a>Stephanie Ellingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10469890467641003695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591964267414442874.post-65010936899565801732010-12-20T14:44:00.000-08:002010-12-20T14:57:20.078-08:00Gingerbread HousesOn December 11th we met up with our friends the Hansen's and Hamricks at the Blue Lemon to make "gourmet" gingerbread houses. The girls had such a fun time together! We hadn't seen the Hansen's since they moved away in July... Heidi and Ellie were good buddies and went to preschool together. The girls talked about school (kindergarten is a BIG deal to these two!) and babies. Lisa is due in January and us in June. We wished that they hadn't moved but totally understand the reasons for doing so!<br /><br />Our class had everything necessary to build the houses. It was really interesting to see the couple who had taken their child to the class that was sitting next to us. Their house turned out beautiful! Except the little girl didn't seem to have any fun doing it since the parents did all of the work. Now, Ellie and I for the life of us could not get our house to stand. The gingerbread that was supposed to be the roof weighed too much and kept collapsing. Once we got a better roof and had some serious help from Carlee and Lisa we were on our way to a fun house building experience. It was fun to spend some girl time with Ellie. We don't get to do stuff like that very often and it meant a lot to me. Especially when she said, "Next year Mom we HAVE to do this again!". Yes, Ellie we definately HAVE TO do this again. And hopefully the Hansen's and Hamricks will be there too!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOJt0mIK-le4DMxPrtqvrBuCRLpcWCYBChHVTSeka6GVP1LkGOmp-QZIKocLbgd6dYBiDL5jAz5BJdRrrRZbCbbNfLcXq2qUpb-bxQsxXdMza7smuZwIgxl1eUJnZVDWOQZq4FBz_9A/s1600/DSC_0549.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOJt0mIK-le4DMxPrtqvrBuCRLpcWCYBChHVTSeka6GVP1LkGOmp-QZIKocLbgd6dYBiDL5jAz5BJdRrrRZbCbbNfLcXq2qUpb-bxQsxXdMza7smuZwIgxl1eUJnZVDWOQZq4FBz_9A/s400/DSC_0549.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552899650084970002" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-1Zg3ZcUcyx6_Yl9Nz6ojBKXgztmqAK1a3Wn_0OWouUgBj8meJoch_KfOdq3WGaJ_U_kXXbSn6ZKUnkG-wTuyEXN2_w1dgUmsZIdmgtdcW45fx_tH-y4dQzx6eY7Q-H88a1sPveI3A/s1600/DSC_0548.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-1Zg3ZcUcyx6_Yl9Nz6ojBKXgztmqAK1a3Wn_0OWouUgBj8meJoch_KfOdq3WGaJ_U_kXXbSn6ZKUnkG-wTuyEXN2_w1dgUmsZIdmgtdcW45fx_tH-y4dQzx6eY7Q-H88a1sPveI3A/s400/DSC_0548.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552899559186937794" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRP064nCmV8uOSEWGBULLx4vQJiuuQlIob6s-2Ihz3ne8Fq7vYuGXXWRWLYit03wJAWuw4Y34SNnPeaJ7UyXVoFpGXSKT9m-Lyr6bXpGucbNujuBAtU3uAmNwkvlqJD-A-iT56Tr4uA/s1600/DSC_0544.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRP064nCmV8uOSEWGBULLx4vQJiuuQlIob6s-2Ihz3ne8Fq7vYuGXXWRWLYit03wJAWuw4Y34SNnPeaJ7UyXVoFpGXSKT9m-Lyr6bXpGucbNujuBAtU3uAmNwkvlqJD-A-iT56Tr4uA/s400/DSC_0544.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552899555495098450" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpYeysEBdEfSuArgF4gVzE4CFPjgdC1OLYACY94yC6qq_YzCQyHwmBCzWY0UDE4vmwUmDp1jiP5VmFv8JWYTOZILtfqAHfXivIjH-XhfI6aSwSwmfhspgzyO5S7nvV5-VMYh-tamy4A/s1600/DSC_0538.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpYeysEBdEfSuArgF4gVzE4CFPjgdC1OLYACY94yC6qq_YzCQyHwmBCzWY0UDE4vmwUmDp1jiP5VmFv8JWYTOZILtfqAHfXivIjH-XhfI6aSwSwmfhspgzyO5S7nvV5-VMYh-tamy4A/s400/DSC_0538.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552899550438665810" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUdph5CKbUSrehc_wHTb4_ryhe9-hu_1b9ciR3-bvi4ILhll-RNzGDUMph5BH4Rkh7mKlIRR8CrbhvSpEcimCltaxCsb7J3cw5ACQ3Cuby_TgMdZuiy-7_9f-IgkFy3GGz1MGpM-BrQ/s1600/DSC_0535.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUdph5CKbUSrehc_wHTb4_ryhe9-hu_1b9ciR3-bvi4ILhll-RNzGDUMph5BH4Rkh7mKlIRR8CrbhvSpEcimCltaxCsb7J3cw5ACQ3Cuby_TgMdZuiy-7_9f-IgkFy3GGz1MGpM-BrQ/s400/DSC_0535.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552899545939245746" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTfkutwUDascdCqPysaITs8yjy67vNWQCVnmBrqd3tyDNkbROj3G1Ew_JzjOMyH7WMu9iL8_0kkY4YYWVJ0ijqSmDwLLX10sM112bd4ag7Y60EpEztSkGq3nE3nU9dqeaTGqNm5SgAg/s1600/DSC_0536.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTfkutwUDascdCqPysaITs8yjy67vNWQCVnmBrqd3tyDNkbROj3G1Ew_JzjOMyH7WMu9iL8_0kkY4YYWVJ0ijqSmDwLLX10sM112bd4ag7Y60EpEztSkGq3nE3nU9dqeaTGqNm5SgAg/s400/DSC_0536.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552899538258570786" /></a>Stephanie Ellingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10469890467641003695noreply@blogger.com1