CF: Ella Takes a Break from CHOC

This update is LONG overdue, and I apologize for that.  Last month, (Did I mention that I totally dropped the ball and that I’m really sorry?) Ella had her last monthly check up at CHOC.  This is great news for our little family-- It means that Ella’s additional tests came back normal.  An answered prayer!  It also means that her CF team is feeling confident with a diagnosis of “Cystic Fibrosis Metabolic Syndrome.”  Their fancy way of saying, “Ella has CF mutations, but shows no signs of the disease itself and may never.” 

Our check-ups are now every six months.  Another answered prayer!  No tests and no visits for six months.  Thank you, God!

Thank you again for those that have continued to keep Ella and our family in your thoughts and prayers.  We are more grateful than we could ever tell you all.

Ella's Pretty Happy About it Too

*Follow From the Beginning:  Cystic Fibrosis & Our Little Ella

Baby Signing Time

“Baby, Baby, Baby Signing Time…”  I already have the tune stuck in my head.  And, I’m actually kind of excited about it.  Daddy, not so much.

For those of you that aren’t familiar with Baby Signing Time, it is a series of DVD’s designed to teach sign language to infants and toddlers.  It teaches baby basic words and gestures so that baby is able to communicate before they find their voice. 

Today was Ella’s first go around-- And, I think she’s a fan (I know Mommy is).  She watched the first fifteen minutes of Volume One with a HUGE smile on her face.  I can’t wait to see what she’ll sign first.  I will keep you all posted.

Thank you Daddy!  [XoXo, Ella Kate]

My First Mother's Day

My first official Mother’s Day and it was everything that I wanted-- A whole day with my family, the three of us.  We had no plans-- No agenda and nowhere to be.  Just the way I like it.  It was a day that we set aside for us to simply spend time together.  To be a family.  So, that’s just what we did.

As I settle into motherhood I’m discovering that life is truly all about the little things and my Mother’s Day was full of the “little things”:  A special pancake breakfast, a late morning snooze, an afternoon bubble bath, and hours of watching Ella be a little rollie-pollie.   Nothing too out of the ordinary.  And then it hitt me...

My everyday is “Mother’s Day”.  My days may not be filled with a pancake breakfast, or a late morning snooze, or even an afternoon bubble bath, BUT they are full of little things.  Everyday I get the little things.  Every morning I wake up to a happy and healthy baby.  We have our morning “chat” and play time, and share our day together.  Before we know it Daddy’s home and ready to play too.  The days are usually nothing too "exciting", but nonetheless it’s what it’s all about.  Besides, you'd be surprised as to what I find exciting these days.

I’m so blessed to have my little family-- To have a Husband that appreciates the “little things” just as much as I do, and to have a daughter as special as Ella.  Life. Is. Good.

Mamaw's Mad Hatter

Ever since I can remember my Mom has been crocheting blankets for every new baby in the family.  It’s been her own little tradition, a wonderful keepsake for us all.  It was extra special when it was my daughter’s turn to get one, her first granddaughter, her baby’s baby (I’m the youngest of three girls).  I think Mamaw’s hands started to madly crochet as soon as she got the phone call, “Isabella.”

It’s the blanket that lays centered in her nursery.  It’s the blanket she nestles into when napping.  It’s the blanket that covers her and Mommy during those late night feedings.  And it’s the blanket that Ella will snuggle up to as a reminder of just how much her Mamaw loves her.  It’s a pretty great blanket!

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When I was eight months pregnant I ordered this darling hat from Etsy-- It was an owl crocheted hat.  The hat was seriously darling!  So adorable that I justified paying a silly amount for it.  Did I mention that it was freaking cute?  And owl?  With tassels?  Oh, and it was pink too.

Well, fast-forward to Ella being about eight weeks old.  Pregnancy brain has worn off a little:  If my mom can crochet this pretty amazing blanket, why can’t she crochet this pretty amazing hat?  “She’s pretty talented with that hook of hers, it can’t be that hard.”  I bought the pattern online and that’s how she became Ella’s personal mad-hatter.  This girl has hats for just about every outfit in her closet, and that’s A LOT.

She started with perfecting the owl hat, priorities first people.  Then quickly began perfecting all other types of hats and accessory frills.  She is just mad-hatten away, making cuteness after cuteness.

So, I had a serious talk with Ella and we decided that we can’t hoard Mamaw’s talent.  We talked to Mamaw about making and selling some of her pieces, she was so excited and loved the idea.  [Drum-Roll, Please]  We are happy to announce that Mamaw’s Mad Hatter is open for business and now taking custom orders. 

Please contact Mamaw for more details:

Email:  theresa.hitt@yahoo.com · Mamaw's Mad Hatter