First Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving past

This was the girls first Thanksgiving and I think it was a success. They ate, and ate, and ate some more. They loved all the food, and actually got a surprise when Ellee signed finished letting us know that she was full. That is a big deal because for so long we have had to decide for her when she has had enough and that is hard as a parent, because you want to make sure they have had enough, and you want to make sure you don't overstuff them either.

Also a year ago on Thanksgiving we got the best call ever that we had been submitted to the girls country and that our paperwork had been accepted, then all we had to do was wait for a date to travel. So many things to be thankful for this year. And it's hard to believe how much can change in a years time.

Here are some pics from our amazing day!

School Pics

The girls very first school pics

Ellee's Kindergarten pic

Johannah's preschool pic

Family Pictures

We have been trying for months to get family pictures and every time I had it set up something would happen, but not last Saturday we were all able to get there and able to get our family pics done. I have to say they are fantastic ;) Pam, the lady who done our pics, is actually Ellee's teacher in school. She does wonderful work!!! She helped us fund raise and was one of our biggest supporters when we were in the adoption process and loves Ellee so much. So enough talking here is the sneak peek that we got too :)

Ellee's recovery

Ellee is recovering wonderfully! She doesn't complain of any pain, and doesn't complain when I clean her incision. I gave her first bath tonight since her surgery and she did great with it and actually seemed to feel much better afterwards. You wouldn't even know this kiddo even had surgery. We were told to try to keep her calm over the next couple of weeks, well that hasn't happened and doesn't look like it will. lol I have had the perfect little patient :)

Love my beauties!

Ellee's ear surgery

Our morning started out bright and early this morning. We headed to the hospital around 5:30 this morning which is a little over an hour away. Once we got there we got all checked in and went to Ellee's room. She did really well with the process. They checked her blood pressure which she really didn't like all that much but she dealt with it. Her blood pressure was a little high because she was nervous. We had lots of different people in and out of her room just because they wanted to see her. They just doted all over her and spoiled her rotten :) (Let me just say Johannah was out in the waiting area and they were doing the same thing with her) I can't tell you how many people asked me today to take my girls home with them. Ummm no I don't think so lol Around 9:00 they came in and told us that the dr was running behind on his first surgery and it wouldn't be too much longer, about 15 minutes later the dr came in, explained to us what he was going to do, and answered all of our questions. He told us the nurse would be in soon to get her. About 15 minutes later the nurse came in and got us, they told us they were going to let me to take her to the door. So off we went, and once we got to the door they took her from me and I lost it. I had held it in as long as I could. I didn't want to upset Ellee so I waited but in that moment I couldn't hold it in any longer. The waiting room wait was the longest wait ever, and after 2 hours the Dr. came out and told us that the surgery was successful. He was able to clean all the tumors off her eardrum, repair the hole, stretch the ear canal, and reconstruct the bone. He told us that Ellee done great and that they were getting her all tucked into recovery. He told us that the nurse would out to get us in about 5 minutes. Ummm 20 minutes later (and when I thought that 2 hour wait was long, that 20 minute wait seemed longer) they came out and got me, they told us it was better for a little one to see their mommy first and I was ok with that (sorry honey ;) I went back and she looked amazing. She opened and looked up at me with those big bright eyes and smiled. They said she done amazing but when she woke up her blood pressure was a little high but that was to be expected. She was so precious as she was trying to wake up, everytime she would look at me she would just smile. Finally she looked at me and signed drink. I told the nurse and she said she could take care of that so she brought her some apple juice, and boy was she thirsty. She drank 2 cans of apple juice. About an hour of being in recovery she was released. She was very groggy, but she knew exactly what she wanted food hehe. So we tried to find a restaurant that would have soft foods. We found her some mashed potatoes, mac and cheese and applesauce. She was very happy with that. She held everything down, and has anything else that she has eaten or drank the rest of the night. She came home and wanted to play. She did really well. Around 7ish she started to get really tired again, she dozed off and on in my arms. At 8:00 she was out. It is now 10:21 and she is still sound asleep. She does have this cup looking thing over her ear, but it doesn't seem to be bothering her, and she is sleeping with it on. Will keep everyone updated with her recovery.

Right before surgery

Johannah's first pageant

Johannah was in her first pageant today. She looked fantastic (which of course she already did) and she done wonderfully. She got up there and tried to steal the spotlight. She blew kisses at me, at the audience and even clapped for herself.