Jennifer is now back to work, as of last week; which means, last week was Ella's first week at daycare. Overall, she's done really well. Drop off is not so fun as she cries every time I put her down to play or eat. It will get better, I know. Jennifer picks her up just after 5 p.m. and every time Ella falls asleep on the car ride home. So, we believe she's having a very busy and fun day.
Ella's development has really begun to take shape. Early On, Michigan's early childhood development program, said that Ella is - developmentally - a six-to-eight month old. So, she has physical therapy and occupational therapy about every other week right now. The goal is to get her to her normal age within six months.
Over the past four weeks, she is:
- Self feeding using her fingers
- Holding her own bottle
- Crawling on her knees
- Pulling herself up
- MUCH more vocal
- Mimicking a TON
- Moving from a crawling to a sitting position and vice versa
- (has) pulled herself to a standing position in her crib
Jenn and I were talking the other day at how busy we've been... in fact, we have had more company at our house than in the past 10 years. Thankfully, we have a bit of a break until Thanksgiving. We will be able to just have some downtime while we get into a new routine with her daycare. We've loved having everyone here and visiting, catching up, but we've really only had one weekend to ourselves in late September.
Ella's swimming lessons have concluded, but Jenn is still taking her to her early music class, which ends in December. She has become more vocal in the class and mocking the music and programs.
Her teacher's at EC3 are Miss Ada and Miss Jen. They are wonderful. Miss Ada especially has been spending a TON of time with Ella and, the best part, is that they offered to put an extra teacher in the Dolphin room (Ella's classroom) so Miss Ada can spend more one-on-one time with her. We really couldn't ask for anything more. They are spectacular to work with. Anyone in the Lansing area who needs a daycare/preschool/kindergarten facility should utilize EC3... EXCELLENT!!!
With Halloween, this past Friday there was a parade with all of the children at EC3. Jenn and I attended and saw them march around the block. We were toward the end of the parade and when Ella saw us... well, she reached for us both. It was really cute to see all of the kids.
Tonight was her first Halloween with us. We went over to the Jaconette's (thank you) and Auntie Ariana took her trick-or-treating while mom and dad watched. It was hilarious. We probably went to a dozen homes or so and by the very last one, she finally understood it.
You'll see some pictures below of Ella as a Panda.
Thank you to all of you who have sent presents, it is so sweet. The UPS and FedEx folks ring the doorbell and hand us the boxes and say "here's another one for the baby." HIGH-LARIOUS!
Of course, Ella just loves the paper!!!
I think that's everything for now... I'm sure the next two months will be INSANE with the holiday's approaching.
Love to all!
