Ella's First Owlween

Get it?  Owlween-- Halloween?  I make myself laugh… sometimes.

Halloween has never been my favorite holiday, but having Ella sure has put a little extra treat in my “trick or treat”.  This season is all about pumpkins, and apples and owls.  Oh my!

We started the holiday festivities with a trip to Tanaka Farms, a real pumpkin patch.  I absolutely <3’d Tanaka Farms!  There was pumpkin picking (from the vine), vegetable picking, a corn maze, a petting zoo, and hayrides.  Definitely our family’s go-to pumpkin patch.

Tanaka Farms

A couple weeks later we went to another pumpkin patch (I <3 me a pumpkin patch).  This time we went to the Irvine Park Railroad.  There were so many activities for the kids.  The pumpkins were beautiful and had some of the coolest stalks I have ever seen.  I know, random right?  But the stalks were like I have never seen on a pumpkin.  They were impressive.  [Sorry, I didn’t get a picture of these stalks I speak about.]

Irvine Railroad

After pumpkin carving, a few glasses of hot cider, and another week or so we were all ready to celebrate Ella’s first Owlween.  The night started at Pappy and Nenie’s house for Nenie’s annual “Dinner in a Pumpkin”.  Yum!  We even got to spend time with Batman and a Flower Fairy, also known as Cousin Jack and Cousin Lily.  We knocked on a couple doors, ate a few pieces of candy and headed home where we met Scary-Creepy Swamp Guy and Hummungasauras, also known as Cousin Damien and Cousin Eric.  Mamaw, Grand-Mommy, Pa, Auntie Cole and Uncle Joe came too.  Everyone wanted to see our little Hoot.  More trick-or-treating and piles of candy later, and Ella’s first Owlween was a success.  Best. Halloween.  Ever!

 

Happy Owlween
XoXo, The Cutest Owl

· · ·  PS, Shout Out to My Mom-- Mamaw Made Her Costume  · · ·

Thank you Mom for working so hard to make Ella’s costume such a hoot.  I <3 that she was the only owl like it.  Thanks for making it happen!

Such A Hoot

CHOC Walk 2012 and Ella's Check Up

On October 14, 2012 our little family walked our first ever CHOC Walk in the Park.  Seventeen loved ones of family and friends joined us in support of team Ella Kate Daily.  SEVENTEEN!  Both our walker and fundraising goals were met and we couldn’t have done it without those of you that walked and/or donated, a big huge “Thank You!”  We have such a great group of family and friends and we are so blessed to have you all in our lives.  Your support means more than we could ever tell you.

As a family, we couldn’t be prouder to participate.  As we walked through the park I couldn’t help but feel a little overwhelmed with emotion.  There we were, seventeen of us, with our little Ella.  That day we got to hold her, squeeze her, kiss her, take pictures, and create memories with her-- All while so many (too many) parents and other loved ones walked “in memory” or walked “in support” of their little ones that were unable to be there.  And to see the recovering children, so little yet so seasoned with strength and courage!  It was an experience that I will never forget-- Today her Daddy I will hold Ella a little tighter, give her an extra kiss, and create a memory with her because we know just how blessed we are to have that opportunity.

· · ·  Fast Forward a Few Weeks · Ella’s Check Up with CHOC  · · ·

A couple tests and two weeks after the walk we had a scheduled 6-month check up at CHOC.  Ryan and I went into the appointment feeling confident, we left frustrated.

All tests came back normal!  Great, right? Ella has shown no signs of CF.  Great again, right?  Well, except one, slow/decreased weight gain.  In about six to eight months time Ella has dropped from the 80^th percentile to the 35^th in her weight (weight to height ratio that is).  Because of this her doctors are concerned and have recommended that our visits be at three months AND they would like us to have all tests retaken (plus a few more) at one year of age.  That's in about two months.

Insert frustration.  Without getting into all the nitty-gritty of it, Ryan and I are not 100% convinced that this is the right thing for us to put Ella through again (at least not right now) and are giving this MUCH thought before committing to anything.  It's a big decision for our little family.

As always, we appreciate everyone’s love, kind words, support and prayers.  We will keep you posted.