We raised $740 for the March of Dimes: March for Babies 2010! Wahoo!

Well, it was a RAINY Saturday for the March of Dimes: March for Babies 2010 here in Fort Worth, but we still walked anyway! David (Ben's brother) and Audrie came to visit us for the weekend, so they were troopers with us in the rain walking! Also, one of Ben's co-worker, Greg's family walked with us too! Thanks so much Abby, Chloe and Aubrey! AND...drumroll please.....we actually raised $740.00! Thanks so much to all who donated. We are so grateful! It was actually kind of emotional when we first started off. So hard to see that so many people have been affected by a "preemie" in their lives...too many, I thought. I know I wish I could have been the last mom to go through the NICU experience. So hard. It was neat to see all the people who were walking for their miracle babies. It was also inspirational to see the families who had even lost their babies walk in memory of their little angels, and support this cause. What strong mamas and daddys. We got to see Ellie's preemie profile posted in the Garden of Hope at the end of the walk! Again, so glad that Team Gramkow could "give back" and help support research to take care of all the other "tiny babies" in the world, like our Ellie. Uncle David, Ellie and Aunt Audrie Look at my cool new princess chair from Grandma and Grandpa Weber...although, I still have a hard time getting down! I'm becoming quite the ham lately. My latest word is "shoes," but it sounds more like "suussh" AND, I like to wave at everyone in the store and will even wave to pictures. :) I also know that Aunt Anna, Aunt Wendy and Uncle Greg would appreciate this picture! Go lefty!

Grandma and Grandpa Weber's Visit

Dear Grandma and Grandpa Weber, Thank you so much for coming to visit me. I know it was a big risk, Grandpa, to get on that plane to come see me. It sure shows me how much you love me! I was so excited to show you some of the cool things here in Fort Worth. I knew you would love Central Market (with LOTS of fresh produce, bread, cheese) and I knew it would get you back into the mood for gardening. I'm so glad you convinced my mom to get her balcony, container garden started. Our peppers and tomatoes are still growing strong and mommy hasn't killed them yet. Finally our daisies came back to life, I think the secret was that Daddy was watering them. Thanks Grandma for the cute outfits and for hanging out with me while Mom, Dad and Grandpa cooked the CARES brunch for our apartment community. They really liked Grandpa's cinnamon rolls. Thanks also for spending so much time with me outside at the park, botanical garden, and children's museum. I loved that you got to see me try and run and jump. I am so glad too, Grandpa, that you let me have cookie dough for the first time. It's so good, and now I know just how to whine for when Mommy makes them now! It was fun to have you here for Easter and to color some Easter eggs too! Well, I can't wait to see you in May when I come to Minnesota and Iowa! Love you, Ellie P.S. Here are some pics from Grandma and Grandpa's trip here!

Ellie's Ears

Well, poor sweet Ellie. We've had a bit of a rough month and a half. Ellie had like I previously posted, perforated ear drum, ear infection, bronchiolitis, croup at her 18 month check up back in March. Since then, she's had two different cases of double ear infection, and a case of hives! Finally this last one, we got a different antibiotic to do the trick. We had a follow up check up with the nurse practicioner last Thursday, and the infection was gone (Praise Jesus), but there is still a lot of fluid in both ears. So, they prescribed nasonex to see if that would help the fluid. Ellie is such a champ. Seriously, I think she does the nasal spray better than I would! She also gets to have Zyrtec every morning until about June or July. Yeah, I know. Seriously, allergies! The NP said that you have to have 6 ear infections in 6 months to qualify for a tubes consultation with ENT. So we're half way on our way! Yippee. Notice sarcasm here) Oh well, what ever will get her little Ellie ears back to healthy, we'll do it!

March for Babies is tomorrow!

We are so thankful for all those who've donated to our March of Dimes: March for Babies efforts! We've raised $585 and my new goal is to get to $710 (for Ellie's 71 days in the NICU)! We're a walkin' tomorrow! And for any of you Fort Worthians who want to join us for a Hot dog BBQ afterward...let me know!