Don't Step on the Cracks!

Fun with Ellie

The diapers we've had Ellie in lately have caused leaks with every diaper! Ugh! We finally went back to Sam's to get the Member's Mark diapers that have proven strong and cheap! Anyway after a diaper change I had taken Ellie's clothes off and let her walk around in her diaper for a while.  She LOVES being naked! While she was running around playing, she brought her shoes to Joey and wanted him to put them on.  So, he did! haha...she thought it was the coolest thing!

This was a taco night in the Torgerson household.  Ellie got a hold of her hair as you can tell.

Ellie went to her friend Gabe's first birthday party and got some sunglasses as a party favor.  She wouldn't let us put them on her for the longest time, but today she gave in...

This is the one appropriate bath time picture I will put up: 

And this is a video of Ellie receiving her Valentine's day present from Grandpa Steve and Grandma Merrilee:

She LOVES her new doggie.  She calls him "doggie" and makes doggie noises too! Super cute! :)

Good News for Matt

Here is an update from Nora's mom:

Good morning!
I'm just heading off to the hospital but thought I'd update you on Matt's progress.  On Tuesday they had Matt sit in a chair for about an hour to see if he leaked any spinal fluid and yesterday for a couple of hours.  Praise God - he didn't leak at all!  Today they will probably have him stand and sit up more - the only down side of that is the "clamshell" he has to wear on his torso that is quite uncomfortable and tight.  They're decreasing his pain medication so he's awake alot more and very much his old personality.  He's laughing now and telling stories just like himself - such an answer to prayer!!!  The hospital is going to move him to inpatient rehab on either Friday or Monday where he will have physical therapy three hours a day and also occupational/cognitive therapy and testing.  They even mentioned possibly performing the surgery to replace his skull in the next few weeks!  
 
Matt is such a miracle - it seems that everybody at the hospital has heard about him and are all amazed.  So many of his nurses turn out to be Bethel grads!  Emily is here this week until Saturday which is so nice for Nora and fun for Matt - she keeps them laughing.  Matt's dad, Jeff, was here for a day and a half and will be back with Ann, his mom, Friday nightuntil Sat. night.  
 
Thank you for continuing to pray...Matt has a long way to go but he has already come so far.
 
Love -
Anne

They're home!

Hi everyone! Here is the latest update we received on our friend Matt from his Aunt:

Hi All: Matt and family landed last night and went straight to North Memorial Hospital. He was tired and the trip was rough from Newark.
This morning brought new circumstances. Matt is leaking spinal fluid and needs another neck surgery. Matt will have his vertebrate re-attached because the surgery in Hong Kong did not attach the screw properly and he would not have healed correctly. His new surgery will be Wednesday (tomorrow) at 1 p.m. with Dr. Roach. They were confused why they had Matt walking and sitting in Hong Kong and even though they are glad he is in the states, not sure he should have flown. Of course, there are still many concerns and this new surgery has us all upset again, but he has been through so much, and our trust in the Lord gets everyone through.
Please keep the prayers coming. The Honson clan will all be staying in MN til Thursday at least now.
Lynnea

Remember it is not too late to support and donate money to help out the Honson.. We have raised almost $15000 so far, and have a long way to go. 

http://supportthehonsons.chipin.com

Thanks

Gym Class

Ellie has been taking a gym class at Gymboree Play and Music for the last two months.  She just LOVES it! It's 45 minutes long once per week.  It's been really nice to have in the winter months...  

There are things for Ellie to roll on:

Rock in:

Climb up:

Crawl/walk on:

Crawl in:

Jump on:

Slide down (though she's climbing up in this picture):

Swing in:

And hide in:

It's really an awesome place for Ellie and she loves it! For the first half hour of class the kids get free time where they can play on all the equipment.  The last 15 minutes they...

Play with bubbles:

Play games with the parachute:

And sing songs:

We love gym class! :)

A mind of her own!

Ellie has become an independent little girl (though she's always been quite independent) with a mind of her own! I know I've blogged about this before but this is the over riding theme in our lives as of late that we deal with from 7am-7pm everyday! Ellie has opinions. Now if only she could explain in words what they are...

For an update on our friend, Matt here is a note:

From Nora:

 

Hello everybody! I want to take a second and THANK EVERYBODY for all of the amazing effort that they are putting forth! Matt, me, and our family feel so blessed by everything that people are doing. We have such loving, wonderful friends and families. A quick update on Matt's condition:
The doctor confirmed that Matt has severely damaged the optic nerve in his right eye, causing total blindness. We feared almost total blindness in the left eye as well, as of two days ago Matt could only differentiate light and dark, and shapes. But as of today (because God is good) he can see quite well out of the left eye and was able to read words up close and far away, and can easily answer "how many fingers am I holding up?" something he could not do a few days ago. Pray for a miracle for his right eye and total restoration of his left eye!
His brain swelling is down, and he is able to walk short distances with help. Amazing! Thank you again for everything--keep praying! God Bless, Nora