Today marks one month since I found Ella unresponsive in her bed, and what a month it’s been. Nothing can ever prepare you for a moment like that. I pray every single day I never have to experience it again.

As much as that moment totally sucked, so much has come out of it, and I wonder if the universe is trying to tell me something. The response to my blog has been so great. I hear from people daily letting me know they are keeping up and sending prayers. I have connected with old friends and made some new incredible ones as well. Most importantly though, Ella was well cared for and put on the medicine she needed to be on to improve her quality of life. That has been the biggest blessing from all of this.

That being said, in the last few days we have seen some amazing things from her. The weighted blanket really seems to be helping control her moods and has given her an opportunity to get more sleep, which is helping recharge her brain. I have not tried the compression sheet yet because I don’t want to make too many changes at once. In the next week or so I will be putting that on her bed to see how she does with it. She likes to move around. It might be a tough sell.

The most exciting thing has been her increased movement. Two mornings ago I heard her awake in her bed and went in to find her on her stomach. Ella NEVER voluntarily rolls on her stomach. We have been seeing her roll to her side more and more, but this was new. In the past she has gotten frustrated when she gets on her belly, but that morning she was happily playing with a stuffed animal that she found on the other side of her bed. I kind of made a big deal about this accomplishment and think I scared her. When she heard my loud cheers she rolled back over to her back and started laughing. Today she attempted this move again but Jack ran right into her and she didn’t quite make it completely over.

While I didn’t witness this myself, Dani and Steve also told me the other night she waved to Steve and tried to sit up to get to him. Waving? Wow. She naturally moves her arms a lot but this time it was with purpose. I wish I could have seen it. I have tried to recreate that moment again, but no luck yet. We will keep working on it. If she can get this down it will be a huge step in her developmental progress. She still can’t quite sit up on her own from her back. That is something we are continuously working on.

Today also brought some major movements. Ella and I were sitting on the couch together and her legs were at my side. As I was talking to CJ she lifted her foot up to my face, and with all her might, pushed it in the other direction. Something we have never see before and something she did repeatedly today. She was really testing me. It’s a well known fact in my house that I hate feet. Once she was done with the mommy torture she laid on the couch with one leg crossed over the other and stayed that way for quite some time. Also, a new move for her.

There have also been other random movements in the last month that we have not seen before. It’s almost as if she has found her limbs and is trying to figure out what she can do with them. She has always had crazy go go gadget reach (a trait Jack also possesses) so combining the two has worked to her benefit. We are taking all of these new movements as positive signs and hoping to see more in the future.

I heard from nurse Jane today regarding Boston. No new news on a date, but she did send me some information about resources that will be available when we go, and suggestions for lodging. She wanted me to take a look at them so I was ready and informed when I get the call. I am hoping this means it’s coming soon. She said the call will also come with a plan for Ella’s visit regarding the specialists that she will see. Jane did make it seem like those could be amended based on parental input. I am more than ready for that call.

We are chugging along here, taking one day at a time and celebrating any and all progress. Locations are starting to open up so my hope is to get Ella back into some therapies soon. It’s been way too long since she has had the type of stimulation her body needs.

This summer will surely be busy for everyone. There is so much going on with both the immediate and extended families. As always, your thoughts and prayers mean so much, as well as your support. Thanks for sticking with us.

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