Well, it's been a busy few weeks. Two weeks ago, we spent an afternoon in an Urgent Care Clinic for Ella as her ear infection flared up again after the 1st round of antibiotics. That same evening, I left for a 2-day business trip and Charles & Ella had their first overnights together without Mommy. Things went great!!!
Upon my arrival back home, Ella decided that she would learn to crawl. The evening that I arrived back home, Ella crawled to Charles when he picked her up from daycare. What a pleasant surprise! By the end of the week, Ella was started to sit up in her crib and even play with the slats, as you can see! The same weekend, my parents celebrated their 30th Wedding Anniversary! Congrats Mom & Dad!!!
Monday evening (June 19th), I was talking to my mom on the phone (typical) and all of a sudden, Ella crawled over the couch, pulled herself up to a standing position and walked down the side of the couch to me. I was surprised that when I looked down there wasn't a hole in the floor from where my jaw hit. WOW! If I was ever surprised, this would be the day!
Needless to say, it wasn't too long till Ella learned to stand up in her crib and pull herself up on other various items. This is what Charles & I look at in the evenings when we eat supper -- Ella popping her head up & over the edge of the coffee table to watch us eat. At one point last week, Charles said that Ella even laid her head down to watch him. Apparently he was eating too slowly for her to hold her head up that long =) Charles and I spent some time away from work this week caring for Ella. What started out to be the continuation of the ear infection turned into Hand, Foot & Mouth disease. Not Hoof & Mouth like my grandfather likes to tell people, but a viral disease that is typical in young children. We assume that she got it from daycare. She could have went back to daycare, but we decided instead to keep her home and my mom graciously came down to watch her on Thursday & Friday for us, so we didn't have to miss anymore work. Ella seems completely back to her old self, which we are thankful for and are continuing to hope that the ear infection is gone!!
This past weekend, we spent Saturday evening at a going-away party for our nephew on the Anliker side of the family -- Kyle Hagen as he goes away to Basic Training. We pray for his safe travel and hope that Basics goes ok for him -- We'll miss you!!!
We also pray for a dear friend & relative of ours who passed away this past week -- Dean Banwart. We are thinking of the family daily and hope that they will find peace in their hearts. We love you!
