It was a year ago today

On December 1st, 2008 we found Elle in her crib in what we initally described as a catatonic state. Little did we know that the next few hours would prove to be life changing for us. It was in those next few hours and days that we learned that Elle had been born with a rare brain disorder that was just now being discovered. Hopes and dreams died in a small room filled with emergency nurses, Doctors and Neurologists. The news continued to come and with each new update, it got worse. I could go on and describe everything else that happened over the next 5 days that Elle was in the PICU at Wolfson Childrens Hospital, in detail, because I will never, ever forget it.

Instead, today I choose to reflect on all the amazing things that Elle CAN do, many of them things we were told she probably wouldn't do. Although Elle has many, many challenges ahead of her, she has already accomplished so much. Here is her amazing list...
At 21 months Elle CAN:
Roll around the living room for hours, transfer toys between hand, jump in her jumper while interacting with the toys that are connected to it, Elle understands and reacts to us asking her if she wants to "get up", "want milk", "Elle want to eat". Elle laughs hysterically when I give her big kisses in her neck or daddy throws her up into the air. Elle can hold her own bottle and even manages to get the top unscrewed about once a week! She can pick up and drink from her sippy cup and finger feeds herself. She eats orally and loves turkey, chicken, fish, black beans, peas, sweet potatoes, carrots, grilled cheese sandwiches, bananas, apple juice, fresh blueberries, strawberries...I could go on and on :-) These are all food that she feeds herself. Elle has even started to take steps when we hold her in a standing position !! She has always loved being upright. Elle is even able to sit up in a grocery shopping cart with the help of the safety strap. Most recently, Elle is beginning to show signs that she may be learning a few colors. We have a puzzle that we practice with. it has 5 puzzle pieces. Each a different shape and color. 7 times out of 10, Elle will grab the correct piece when I say the color !!

Elle's challenges remain...she is still unable to sit unsupported for longer than a minute and although she makes a plethora of sounds, she doesn't say any words yet...yet! Elle's seizures have become farther and fewer between and we pray that this too continues. Although we are always on alert. It has become second nature to me. At every given moment of the day I have an eye on Elle and am sub-consciously watching her. Her last 2 seizures were in July '09 and September 28, 2009. I continue to have high hopes for my daughter whom I love with all of my heart and all of my soul. Today is not about mourning all the losses again, but celebrating the achievements and the blessing of this amazing little human we call Elle !
Here are some of my most favorite Elle moments from the past 21 months :-)