tim & ella slatter

Just a quick update on what's been happening with our little family.

We discovered a swollen gland under Eli's arm about two weeks ago. Under the advisement of Micheline, we took Eli and Grace to see Dr. Neethling last week Monday. We were also concerned that they were not gaining enough weight so off we went to the doctor.

Dr. Neethling didn't seem concerned by the swollen lymph gland, which he said was the result of the BCG he had a few weeks ago. But he was concerned that Eli's head seemed out of proportion to the rest of his body. He said that, clinically, Eli is fine but that he wanted to see Eli again in a week to measure his head. I did a bit of research to find out what "big head in infants" is caused by. Hydrocephalus (water on the brain) is what the doctor was concerned about. The site I visited listed a lot of symptoms, which Eli displayed none of.

At the visit, Dr. Neethling also recommended a new diet of two teaspoons of porrige added to a milk bottle and two and a half mililitres of oil to another milk bottle, twice a day, just to add calories to their diet.

We visited Dr. Neethling again on Monday to find that Grace had gained only 150g but Eli had gained 350g in a week. Dr. Neethling also measured the circumference of Eli's head and said that 1/2cm of growth is considered normal and so there is no need for blood and urine checks or a sonar, which was the best news! Tim and I were quite concerned about Eli, naturally, but once I had done my own research, I felt a whole lot better, knowing that Eli did not display any of the symptoms. In fact, since the twins have been on the new diet, they are far more content between feeds and are very happy little babies. They are sleeping extremely well, which Tim and I also benefit from. We have really been enjoying watching their development of late. They are making cute sounds and squeals. They are both laughing and grinning a lot! Grace is particularly inquisitive. She observes everything happening around her. Eli is really chilled. He often stares at things in the room and smiles at them. They have both started grasping things within their reach and promptly placing them in their mouth. Grace seems very fond of placing her fist in her mouth. I have also noticed a lot of drooling from them both...could they be in the pre stages of cutting teeth? I don't know!?!

I started work three weeks ago and am happy to report that I only have three weeks left here. I miss the twins terribly when I'm at work but it's also nice to see some of my friends again. I am really excited at the prospect of starting something new, even though Tim and I are not sure what that is just yet. We are trusting that God will make a way for me to be an at home mom for this year at least, so we are praying that He will provide opportunities for Tim to earn more cash. Already Tim is privately teaching some old ladies how to use their PC's. How to email etc. We have two other business ventures that we are looking into, so your prayers would be much appreciated.

Our tickets are booked for Cape Town and words cannot express the excitement we feel at the prospect of seeing our friends and family. We will be sending invites out soon for the Christening of the twins...you'll soon know if you cracked the nod or not...just kidding! I don't know if this is forward or not but I'm just going to put it out there...For the Christening, Tim and I would really appreciate it if gifts were not purchased for the twins. It would be very difficult returning to Jhb with loads of gifts. If you feel you

would like to give them something, by all means do. But my request is what you would have spent on a gift, rather give the cash to them so that we can add it to their savings that we are going to buy shares with for them. This would be a much better investment of your money and it would then go to them when they are of a certain age and then they can decide how they would like to spend it.

Anyway, that's my story. I hope that this email finds you well. Thank you to all who prayed for Eli this past week.

Sending all my love,

God bless,

Ella

xoxox