Happy Easter

Ella celebrated her first Easter in the US last weekend.    She had a lot of fun.   Saturday (before Easter) she colored eggs and we discussed the Easter bunny.    She left a carrot out for the Easter bunny to eat.   He has a lot of baskets to deliver and could get hungry.  :)

Sunday morning started with the realization that the Easter bunny had come.  The carrot was mostly eaten.   :)    She proceeded to find her Easter basket.  She was happy with some bubbles, a chocolate bunny and an outfit for her baby-Layla.

We went to church that morning.  It was a beautiful service.   I love how Calvary covers the wooden cross in the sanctuary in Easter lilies.    They are beautiful.      Our church is generally full, but this was super full.      The sanctuary was packed and they were simiculasting in the chapel area.  It is good news that people came to hear the message.

We went out to grandma and grandpa Hagelin's after church.  Ella was very excited to see Grandma and Grandpa H.   She kept saying fun fun.   Ella had a wonderful time playing with her cousin, Isabella too.

Hunter enjoyed Easter with his mother and her family this year.  He said he had a good time.  On Wednesday, he went searching for his Easter basket.  When I got home from work he had enlisted Ella to help him find his basket.       Kind of smart idea since Ella has a lower viewpoint.      Hunter evenutally found it and enjoyed his reeses peanut bunny, a chocolate bunny and  a itouch giftcard for apps.

Ella's First Birthday Party

Ella had her first birthday party this past weekend.    She loved being surrounded by friends and family.    She is enjoying all her gifts.   She is reading her princess books at night and then puts on her princess pj's, she loves to vacuum, we have Pony's throughout the house, her nightstand is full with animals and books and she likes the quilt to keep warm.    She is also waiting to try on some new dresses!

Ella & her number 3 candle

Ella nad Mary Jo with her new quilt

Ella with Grandma & Granpa H with her new nightstand

Most of the kids who came to the party

Palm Sunday

It was so much fun to see Ella participate in the Palm Parade at church yesterday.     I remember watching Hunter, Jared and Skylar participate and now it is Ella's turn.

Ella walking in church

Ella with her Palm branch after church

Ella & Hunter

Ella giggling



Highlights of this weekend

Zak and Cupcake
I don't know what kind of face this was

Ella and Kayleen

We had a very busy weekend this weekend.

Friday night, we went and saw "The Stations of the Cross" at Victoria's church. Her school did a wonderful play/presentation. Ella behaved herself at church and really enjoyed the playground at Nativity.

Saturday, Ella started swim lessons. I don't really think you can say they did good or bad, it just is getting more comfortable with the water at this age. Her favorite part: Zak is in her class.

Saturday afternoon, we attended Zak's 3rd birthday party. She met a new friend there, Kayleen. She thinks Kayleen is the son, stars and moon. Steve was talking about her this morning and Ella sternly said "No, my Kayleen". She also had fun at Maple Maze which was the activity for Zak's birthday.

Today, we went and saw my friend's new house. Bernetta's house was beautiful! My dad and brother are coming over for dinner tonight so that will be good.

Highlights of the Weekend

Ella and her hero, Hunter

Ella and Emma at Emma's 3rd Birthday Party

Hunter with his first place award at the snowmobile show

Ella ready for summer

We had a fabulous weekend this weekend. First, there is no way we could ask for better weather in March. It has been in the 70's. I think Robin must have brought this weather from Arizona.

Hunter went with his dad and grandfather to the snowmobile show on Saturday. I am so happy the boys had a "boys day". It is so good for all.

In the morning, Ella and I had a playdate with Zak and Lisa. Ella and Zak play so nice together at the park. Ella is really starting to get the hang of some of the equipment.

Ella and I went with my dad and brother to Emma's third birthday party. We had such a great time celebrating with Emma and her extended family. Emma is so lucky to have so many people who love & adore her. It was so great for me to see everyone too.

Today, we just enjoyed the day. It was so nice to have a day where we were just home.

The only sad part of the weekend was we made the decision that it was best for our dog, Cheyenne, to go live with my dad and brother. They live in a rambler and it will be better for her. Poor Cheyenne is doing the splits on the hardwood floors. She is also having a hard time getting up the stairs to the deck and to the bedrooms.

Growth Hormone

We received a call yesterday that Ella did not have enough growth hormone. They asked us to meet with an endocrinologist right away (today).

The end result of today's visit is that it's a "wait and see" thing. The dr believes it is due to the lingering effects of too little protein. He wants to see us back in 6 months. He is hoping she will do a lot of catch up growth in the next 6 months and that her human growth hormone will increase.

Ella loved her visit to the University of Minnesota Children's hospital. She loved the murals in the parking ramp and the rooms. There are so many neat toys in the lobby and exam room. She likes the doctors stethoscope which had a toucan flash light built in. So Ella was playing with the flashlight as he listened to her lungs.

Ella's 6 Month Check Up

Ella went for her 6 mos follow up visit at the University of Minnesota-International Adoption Clinic. It is hard to believe she has been home almost six months. We moved her appt up a little since I'm off this week. If anyone is looking for an international adoption dr, we love Dr. Howard.

Here are some statistics: Ella is 33" inches tall. She weighs 26 pounds.

They were hoping she would have grown a little taller by now so they are mesuring her Human Growth Hormone and Thyroid function. Her belly is still slightly distended so they are doing a check of liver function and if there is any ongoing issues. They believe the belly distention and short stature are due to protein malnutrition while in Ethiopia. They believe she will continue to grow in height over the next 6 months. :)

They are very pleased with her progress developmentally. The occupational therapist stated she is right on track. They are also pleased with her language development.

The cutest part of the exam was when we were talking about family. She kept saying I love Hunter, he's mine. :)