Wow!

We have had so much going on the past week that there hasn't been a spare minute to update the blog. To start off, last Sunday (April 27) we participated in the Washington, DC March of Dimes March for Babies. We didn't actually DO the walk, but we supported the cause and went to the opening event. As we were walking up this mom and her little girl (probably about 8) walked past us. Like every little girl, she just had to see the baby. In all sincerity she asked "What's wrong with her skin" to which I gave the standard line, "She has sensitive skin." The little girl looked at me and said, "That's why we're here. To help babies like her." I almost lost it! We we were walking around we learned that Team Joella isn't as original as we thought. Maybe the Joella part is, but not the "Team" followed by your kids name. We saw Team Mia, Team Christoper, etc. We also got to catch up with 2 of Ella's nurses from the NICU. It was so great to see Meghan and Clarissa and hear how they are all doing. And we of course got to show off how well Ella is doing.

This week was followed by an conference for my work. The American Diabetes Association hosts Call to Congress every 2 years. During the conference I met a woman from PA that had actually known a family who had a kid with EB. This is the first person I had met outside of the EB community. Also, while I was there I had the opportunity to hear the stories of parents who have kids with Type 1 diabetes. For the first time since Ella was born I felt like I met parents who were kindred spirits. It's a different disease...but similar issues. I felt like I met others who actually understand what its like to live with something day after day, never letting your kids out of your sight, and wondering what it would be like for just 1 hour to not have to worry about every move your kid makes. It was a good conference all in all, but I think it was really good for me personally.

And finally...I'm officially in my 30's. Until yesterday I was able to say that I was just 30, but now I'm 31, which means that I'm in my 30's. So far I don't feel any different, but Joe says I sound more mature. Joe took me out to lunch at a Japanese hibachi steak house just down the street. It's one of our favorites, but we're afraid to take Ella so we haven't been since she was born. Then my co-workers and I went out for birthday drinks at a Tapas place in Crystal City. When I got home from work Joe had made me my favorite birthday cake, strawberry cake with strawberry frosting. He makes a cake for me every year and does a terrific job! Joe asked me a couple of weeks ago what I wanted to do for my birthday and I told him that I wanted to go to a movie in a theatre...again, something we haven't done since Ella was born. So last night we went and saw "Baby Mama." I thought it was hysterical! And after the movie we went to dinner at a fancy French restaurant. It was a great birthday!