Picture Post - Part 1

Here's a picture post for you all. Most are from our Sunday School Picnic. I got some really cute pictures of Ellie with her cousin, who is only a month younger than Ellie, but I'm not posting those for you - Sorry! Ellie is about 21 months here.






Wearing a silly hat Daddy created out of our latest garage sale find.
Daddy reading a bedtime story from the Toddler Bible. She refers to this book as "Jesus?" or "Bible."


First time jumping on a trampoline. She absolutely loved it and wasn't afraid at all!


I have another picture post coming soon from Ellie's stay with her grandparents.

Menu Plan Monday

Last week's menu plan went smoothly, and I actually followed it pretty closely. We enjoyed some delicious marinated barbecued steak. My husband and I aren't really "steak people," but this steak was SO tender and juicy. I will share the marinade recipe soon. Definitely looking forward to more of that since it's FINALLY sunny and warm outside. Praise the Lord! We had a very fun weekend, and Ellie loved trying to jump on a trampoline for the first time at our church picnic. Today I tried to "get serious" about potty training, complete with a Dora potty chart and all. However, we had very little success today...as in, she sat on the potty once or twice and flat out refused the rest of the day
P.S. Picture post coming up as soon as I catch up on some more garden/yard work and can find some blog time. Hopefully after Ellie goes to bed tonight, I can get my tomato plants in the garden.

Here's the plan for this week:

Sunday, June 12
Sunday School Picnic & Visiting Family
Monday, June 13
BLT's for lunch
Tuna Macaroni Casserole with added chopped broccoli for supper

Tuesday, June 14
Chicken Fingers, Potato Wedges, Broccoli with Cheese Sauce

Wednesday, June 15
BBQing Marinated Steak, Baked Potatoes on the bbq, Caesar Salad

Thursday, June 16
Sweet & Sour Meatballs, Rice, Cooked Veggies

Friday, June 17
Italian Bread Wedges, Homemade Pizza, Veggies & Dip

Saturday, June 18
Leftovers

*For more great meal ideas, visit Menu Plan Monday hosted by orgjunkie.com*

Ellie Update

This morning (Wednesday, June 8) I got Ellie's blood test results from her last CBC done this week. She currently goes for check ups and blood work every 3 months. The results are pretty much the same as her last test other than a slight improvement in neutrophils but a decrease in total white blood cells. Her total white blood cell count is only 3.6 and the normal range is 5.0 - 17. 5. Her neutrophil count is at 0.46 , which keeps her borderline severe range (0 - 0.5). Since her platelets have been in the normal range, it seems her complete WBC has decreased. Her total WBC was actually in the normal range when her neutrophils were at their lowest. Neutrophils are just one component of your white blood cells. Other than the low overall count and the slightly improved, but still very low neutrophils, everything else in the test was normal. Her check-up went well, and the pediatrician is quite pleased with how she is doing. She really hasn't gotten sick much more than any other kid. In fact, I would consider her to be healthier (in terms of illness) than the average toddler. We did give her a vaccination last week and she seems to have tolerated that well. The plan is to go ahead with the next vaccinations (MMR and Varicella). I'm a bit nervous about the live vaccines - I won't lie. I don't feel great about giving her the shots, but I don't feel great about not giving her the shots. But, we've done a lot of research, and my husband and I feel like this is the best choice.

On to other Ellie news....

She's spitting out more words every day and says a few 4 word sentences. She is going through this super cute stage right now where she is SO cuddly and affectionate. We are loving it. Just today, my husband wasn't feeling well and she went over to him and said, "Kiss it better? I love you Daddy! (kiss!) All better!" That just melts my heart. She takes turns running back and forth hugging me and my husband and telling us how much she loves us. She even called me sweetie-pie today! Ha! Every morning when my husband goes to work, Ellie says, "I'll miss you Daddy. I love you Daddy. See you later Daddy. Hug. Kiss." She loves to take care of her dolly and play Mommy with her. She is really into colouring and building towers with her blocks. She loves to clean up and can't stand messes. If she accidentally spills something she says ,"ohhh..mess! Mess! Clean it up!" and then proceeds to wipe it up. Meal times are still an issue with her picky eating and difficult time sitting still. Bed times have improved drastically and at home we have no issues any more. Going to other people's houses is still touch-and-go. Sometimes she does well...sometimes she doesn't. She loves to sing and any time she hears music, she says, "Song? Song?" She will sit at the piano by herself and pretend to play and sing "Jesus Loves Me." She is starting to learn to count to 10 and sing her ABC's. All colours are still "yellow" to her! Her favourite shape is a circle. She is very observant and any time she hears even the faintest beep she will say "Beep Beep." She recognizes TONS of objects. Her memory amazes me as she has many songs mostly memorized already and will sing them to herself often. Whenever we drive past church, she yells out "church!" If we go through a drive through, she gets really excited and asks for either a "hamburger", "fries", or a "smoovie."
She LOVES to help with anything and everything. She puts things in the garbage, many times without me asking and puts her toothbrush in her drawer. She will follow almost any simple command...except for when she doesn't want to listen, of course! She sure is special, and I wouldn't trade her for the world.

Menu Plan Monday (June 6, 2011)

Here's the plan for this week,. Everything's pretty low-key.

Sunday, June 5
Visiting family

Monday, June 6
Probably just grilled cheese and veggies since it's just me and Ellie for supper

Tuesday, June 7
Spaghetti & Meat Sauce, Spaghetti Squash, Layered Lettuce Salad

Wednesday, June 8
Leftovers

Thursday, June 9
BBQed Marinated Steak, Garden Stuffed Baked Potatoes, Veggie Kabobs

Friday, June 10
Sausage & Perogies, Cooked Mixed Veggies

Saturday, June 11
Leftovers

*For more great meal ideas, visit Menu Plan Monday hosted by orgjunkie.com*

Little Family Update

I thought it was time for a little update. I haven't been blogging as much lately, and I have to admit it's been kind of nice :-). I was trying to blog every day for awhile, but I realized it was just taking too much time. This is my blog and it's just a hobby, so I might as well be blogging as little or as much as I want to. :-)

It's been horribly nasty outside today. We are currently on a tornado watch and severe thunderstorm warning. In fact, just a couple minutes ago, it got extremely windy and started pouring. I am keeping my eye on the sky to see if it's time to head to the basement soon.

Today I took Ellie to get a vaccination against meningitis. If you recall, we have been debating about whether or not to vaccinate her, especially with her neutropenia. All the medical professionals on our team have now decided that she can/should get vaccinated. There was debate about this for awhile. What my husband and I decided is that we will give her one vaccination for now instead of all the recommended ones and see how she handles that. If she does okay, then we might give her another one in a few months. I feel pretty good about this decision even though we aren't exactly following the advice of the doctors to a T. However, for our own peace of mind, this is what we've decided. I am especially nervous about the live vaccines (MMR, Varicella), which we have so far declined due to the fact they are live vaccines. Despite what our team of professionals have said, we are a little unsure still about giving her the live vaccines with her neutropenia as some of our own research is conflicting.

Ellie has a check up with her pediatrician next week, and he will likely order a blood count. I am very curious as to what her numbers will be this time. She hasn't had a count down now since the beginning of March. She's actually been very healthy since Christmas, with just 2 minor illnesses with fevers since then, neither of which warranted a trip to the ER or antibiotics. This is a good sign, especially since we've been out and about a lot more this spring. Sometimes we almost forget that she isn't entirely "healthy."

I am really hoping to give potty training with Ellie a go again soon. And maybe, if I'm ambitious, trying out the toddler bed. However, no rush on that. I am enjoying the no-fight bedtimes at home right now. Of course, when we go visiting, bedtime is another story. She fought for 2 hours the other night at a birthday party and discovered how to climb out of the play pen. That has added a whole new dimension to things.

She's being very affectionate these days, which is really nice. I get many kisses, hugs, and "I love you's" throughout the day, and I really don't mind! The tantrums, although not eliminated, are not nearly as intense as they were a few months ago. We are still working on the sitting still and picky eating issues.

Our garden has started to sprout, so I'm hoping it turns out this year. We have been getting a ton of rain lately, which has really slowed down seeding around here. My in-laws are not finished seeding yet, and once you get into June, that is very late.

My husband has begun the renovations again by taking down more doors and closet doors, sanding them down, and then eventually painting them. It is a ton of work, but the difference is pretty amazing for the amount of $$ we have to put in. I will be so happy when it's all done. I think my husband will be even happier. LOL.

I really need to get organizing more. I did organize our games closet and finally find a permanent spot for the kids video/dvds we own. Actually that isn't entirely truthful - my husband organized the games part of the closet and I organized the rest (videos and my huge collection of piano and music theory books.). It is just so hard to get motivated and started sometimes, but it sure feels good when you get something accomplished.

Since I started this post, it has really begun to thunder and lightning, and the rain is really pouring down.

Well that's about all for now,

God Bless Canada

Canada is not a perfect country, but I can say that I am so thankful we have a Prime Minister who stands up for Israel when most other countries are not.

Prime Minister Harper is standing among the G8 leaders as the lone leader defending Israel's borders. Read the article here.

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, ² for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. ³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

Here is what the LORD said to Abraham, which applies to the nation of Israel.

And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Genesis 12:3

I praise God for Prime Minister Harper's stance among much opposition. I feel so blessed to be a Canadian. God bless Canada.

Go here to email the Prime Minister's office to thank him for his stance on Israel. It only takes a minute and is easy to do.

Rhubarb Slushies

This is one of my favourite ways to use rhubarb. This stuff is seriously SO good, especially on a hot summer day...Of course, we haven't had many of those yet, but even on a rainy day, this was still really good. You can make a big batch ahead of time and store it in the freezer until you need it. I first tried this at my mother-in-law's place, and that's where I got the recipe.

Rhubarb Slush
8 cups rhubarb (fresh or frozen)
8 cups of water
2 cups sugar
2 cups boiling water
2 Tbsp strawberry jelly powder
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 cups pineapple juice

In a large saucepan, bring rhubarb and 8 cups water to a boil, simmer 10 minutes, then strain. Reserve the juice. Combine sugar, jelly powder, and 2 cups boiling water. Stir until dissolved. Stir into rhubarb juice. Add pineapple and lemon juices and mix well. Allow to cool, then freeze juice in smaller containers. To use, allow it to thaw slightly, scoop with an ice cream scoop and add an equal amount of ginger ale. Yields 35-40 servings.



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