So much for the "posting every two weeks" idea...It has now been a month. Sorry.
This past month has been really great. Dusty had interviews at Michigan, Baylor, Colorado, Florida, and Oregon Health Sciences University. Again, he loved a lot about each of these programs, so we're preparing for a very difficult choice.
Ella and I have been keeping busy running errands, taking naps, eating, cuddling, entertaining visitors, etc. Megan came down for an ultrasound, so she stayed for a few days while Dusty was at his Florida interview. We had a blast shopping for all of Baby George's necessities. It was so much fun to have her around. I LOVE having her and Josh so close. Two and a half hours really is nice.
Ella had a very eventful month. She took her first airplane ride! My cousin Sarah lives near Portland with her husband Nathan and her nine-month-old daughter Molly, so I arranged for all of us to go and visit for a weekend while Dusty interviewed at OHSU. Ella handled flying really well. She never fussed, even during take-offs or landings. We just made sure she was either nursing or taking a bottle during those times, and we never had a problem. I also have to say that learning how to do a wrap with a simple piece of cloth was VERY helpful. It is extremely easy to tie, and is so portable. Nathan and Sarah really rolled out the red carpet for us. We had a GREAT time with them. I loved seeing them so settled and happy. Their little Molly has to be one of the cutest kids. Ever. She is always in a great mood, and she smiles incessantly. We actually got to see her crawl for the first time, so that was exciting, too. Sarah, Nathan, and Molly, we love you guys. Thanks so much for having us!
When we returned from Oregon/Washington, we had two days home, then it was Thanksgiving. My family were all able to come to Denver for the weekend, which was fantastic and culminated with Ella's blessing. Dusty blessed her, and was assisted by Josh, my dad, my cousin Paul, Bishop Garth Jensen and his counselors Hardy Anderson and Joe Tippetts, and our friends Ryan Gunderson and Jim Earl. It was a lovely blessing. Dusty didn't even cry (which he claims was his main goal).
Ella was blessed in the same dress I was blessed in 26.5 years ago. I know it sounds like such a long time, but I know it is really just the blink of an eye. As Dusty and I reflected on the blessing and on our lives, we both felt really strongly that Ella has a very strong and good spirit. We also realized that, while she is our daughter here on earth, she really is our sister. Heavenly Father has entrusted us with one of His precious children to love, to teach, and to guide back to His presence. It is such an overwhelming and sacred responsibility. I think realizing this has made Dusty and me love her even more.
Today was Ella's two-month check-up. She is now 22 inches tall and weighs 11 pounds 12.5 ounces (25th and 70th percentile, respectively). I've been dreading this visit since before she was born...she received her first shots. She had five total, two in the left leg, and three in the right. I was amazed at how well she handled it. She cried, of course, when the nurses were sticking her, but as soon as her Papa and I held her, she calmed right down. I think the process was tougher on me! We've been giving her Tylenol, and she seems to be doing great. She was in a pretty cheerful mood all evening. Such a trooper!
Well, we love you all. I'll try to post sooner than January 2nd...
And the pictures:
Dusty found this fishtank in the dumpster ourside our apartment. He completely designed and made the aquascape, and I think it looks great! I was a little less than pleased about his bringing this huge thing (more than 30 gallons!) into our already-bursting-at-the-seams apartment, but I now really like it. And Ella LOVES it. She'll just stare at it for hours.
When Dusty was cleaning it out, he noticed there was something very small scurrying about...it was a baby fish! Apparently our platys think the tank is natural enough to have babies in, so we now have probably more than a dozen babies (in varying stages of growth) swimming around. They're very cute.
Here's a close-up of one of the babies...he's actually a big guy.
As you can see, Ella and Abby have a love-love relationship. Ella loves Abby and Abby loves Ella.
In fact, Abby loves Ella so much that it sometimes seems like Abby wishes
she was Ella! We found her curled up in the bouncer yesterday. That thing has been around since before Ella, so we're not quite sure why this was the first time Abby used it...
Ella love Abby, but she REALLY loves her Papa. He walks around with her like this all the time, telling her about the world around her. Usually, she holds onto his index finger and "steers" him around.
Our Ella Bella loves to smile.
One of mom's third-grade students made this litle outfit for Ella. It was SO CUTE! She hand-stitched the whole thing. She even stitched Ella's name into it.
And this is why the wrap is so nice. On our last day in Washington, we wanted to go to Multnomah Falls, but we didn't have room for all of our luggage and a stroller...so I took the wrap. And Ella slept.
The falls are gorgeous. A little tidbit...parts of Twilight (which I just saw with my mom and sisters) were filmed here.
And the blessing. We took this picture after we got home from church, and Ella was totally starving and miserable. Dusty, if you'll notice, has an official Susan Kommen Breast Cancer Foundation tie on. He thought it appropriate to wear a pink tie to her blessing. I LOVE that! He is too cute!
Ella in her Mama's blessing dress, complete with bonnet, socks, and booties.
This dress is so cute!
Apparently it tastes good, too!
And Dusty thinks this picture is totally lame, but I LOVE the little shoes with the flowers.
Today we set up our Christmas decorations. Mama and Papa did most of the work while Ella supervised. She was, however, in charge of the angel.
She even put it on topof the tree! Well, not really, but this picture almost makes it believable.
And the finished product:
