Where Have The Days Gone?

I have no idea where the time is going but the days keep ticking by.  I have had many checking in to make sure we doing ok and see how Ellie is adjusting to her new life.  I wanted to give you a quick update on what we have been up to. 

Miss Ellie was a bit overwhelmed by all the love that 4 siblings were willing to offer her those first days home.  She became pretty attached to her dad and mom and would cry these big crocodile tears when we put her down.  We had some tears from the big kids as they have been waiting to love on their little sister and it has been hard on their little hearts that she really just wants dad and mom right now.  We had some really good conversations about what Ellie has been through and how it is good that she is attaching to dad and mom and looking to us for security.  We assured them that in no time they will be yelling to get her out of their room just like Max.  I assured them that with time and by gently loving her they would win her little heart over.  

Last Sunday I felt like she was starting to feel more comfortable and less anxious but things took a turn when she spiked a 103 temp.  It was a bit scary to see her tiny little body and heart react to her fever.  It is such a different feeling knowing she has this underlying heart defect.  By Wednesday four out of the five had been to the doctor and were all on meds for Strep throat.  I felt like I needed a spread sheet to keep it all straight.  The counter definitely screamed the reality that we have five kids. 

 Ellie ran a fever for four days and so she spent most of her days in my arms and the evenings in her daddy's.  Needless to say this mom didn't get a ton done but that is ok.  Ellie also decided to stop eating for about 24 hours which also made us a little nervous.  I have a feeling this little girl is going to teach us a lot about continuing to lay her  and her health in the hands of the one who created her. 

By Friday everyone was back to school and mid morning Ellie decided to eat again.  We moved into the weekend with things looking up.  Ellie still has wanted to spend most of her time in the arms of her dad and mom.  It is a bit of a balance with four other ones that need us but we are also more than willing to hold this little girl as much as we can and as much as she wants right now.  We saw first hand what her first 13 months looked like, we know how deprived she was of physical touch.  She desires to be held close and we continue to see her reach out for physical contact and pull away less and less when we touch her little body. I know that in no time she will be off and running so we will soak up this cuddle time.  She also has found her voice back in the last couple days and is babbling up a storm. 

She continues to gain strength in those little hands.  It is crazy that just last week she couldn't hold a rattle for more than a couple seconds and now she will hold it and even shake it. She is also slowly letting her siblings into her little heart.  On Monday she was all smiles when she saw them when she woke up.  The girls were grinning from ear to ear as they said, "she knows us!"  The big kids have been so patient and amazing with her when they really just want to love on her.  We have seen some fruits of their patient hearts in the last 24 hours and it is a beautiful sight all around.  I can't wait to see what the next week holds in our house. 

 It is amazing to see the way that love is healing her little body, mind and spirit.  We have been overwhelmed once again by the outpouring of love and prayers after we received the news about Ellie's heart.  I will update you on where we are at with that in the next couple days.  On Thursday we head in to meet with the feeding team.  There will be a group of specialists observing her.  Pray for our appointment and guidance as we continue to find the balance of finding the resources we need to help Ellie but also just loving on her and helping her feel secure and loved before we throw doctors and therapists at her.