Chilly 1999-2009

I don't know her birthday, but she died on 3/22. She was our first pet for our new apartment in 1999. We weren't allowed to have dogs, and since Brad's allergic to cats, that wouldn't work either. So, we decided to go with a less conventional pet & get a chinchilla. We tried to play with her & get her accustomed to being held, but she never really liked to be out of her cage. I have a few short videos of us playing with her, but that's about all. I don't have a lot of pictures, either, since they had to be taken with her inside the cage. Nevertheless, she was a part of our lives for almost 10 years, and we were sad to see her go. I was hoping that she would live a little longer, maybe 15 years or so. Some live to be in their 20s.
We were getting ready to go to bed on Sunday night when Brad noticed her laying at the bottom of her cage - on her side. She didn't do that too much, so he was worried. He opened the cage & she just laid there. He picked her up and held for a bit. She was breathing really slowly, and we knew it wouldn't be long. We tried to give her some banana, but she wouldn't even open her mouth. It must have been old age, everything else seemed to be fine. She had been hopping around a few days before, in usual Chilly fashion.

We will miss you.

Stinker!

This morning, she pulled herself upright using the rails on her bed. I went in the other room to get some clothes for myself, and came back to see this! Actually, she had her hands in the air pulling at the animals in her mobile. I suppose it's already time to lower the bed!

She loves trying her new foods! I started sweet potatoes this week. I'm not sure if she really likes them, or is getting used to having new textures, but she didn't make the "yuck" face when I first gave them to her. I baked 2 sweet potatoes & mashed them, then I put most of the puree into a silicone ice cube tray. Once they were frozen, I popped them out & put them into a baggie. I like to be able to make her food, I know exactly where it's been & don't have to worry about contamination or weird things being added.

She also like it when Brad grabs her head on each side with his hands. She grabs onto his hands & giggles when he moves her head around. She really loves being with him. This week, he had a Neurologist & Optometrist appointment. Carol came up to watch her while Brad was in the office. She only wanted daddy! She's really beginning to prefer our company over other people. I would think that Carol would be preferable too, since she sees her so much.

DADA!

As of yesterday, Ella is constantly saying Da & DaDa. I'm not sure she knows what she's saying, but it's adorable anyway. I can tell she's really trying to listen when I talk. I don't think it will be long before she says Mama. She makes the sound too, but not as often as Dada.

On March 6 (her 6 month birthday), I got her to really giggle. It was precious! I had to record her. I should upload the videos to YouTube so people can see my little sweetie! She was really entertained with a sock in my hand.

We went to the doctor yesterday and she now weighs 15.11 lbs. & is 26 inches long. The pumpkin seat that we have says you should only use it up to 26 inches. Yesterday was the last day she rode in that seat. I'm going to give it to one of Brad's clients so she can use it when she has her baby. It's going to expire before we can use it on our next baby. I think the bases will be good, so we can just get another seat next time.
She always lifts her head when she's laying on her back - whether you're changing her diaper or playing with her. She doesn't like to lay down. I think she feels like she's missing something when her head is down. The doctor felt her ab muscles & said they were really strong. I said that they should be, with all of the crunches she does!!