Angeline's January Medical Update

Angeline is very picky about what she eats. She LOVES avocado and she especially loves it with a bit of salsa and garlic, my guac. baby. It's even better when its in a bowl with a spoon and she gets to feed herself. What a beauty even with the green stuff all over her.

I have a praise/blessing to share from last week... I had tried to get Angeline on our insurance. I read a lot about our insurance and I felt that she did qualify even though initially they denied her, I went back and tried again. Since Angeline is a child placed with us for the purpose of adoption, she qualifies! Or at least I hoped that she would qualify... and this week an insurance card came in the mail for her. So the past two days that we spent at Children's hospital getting all her "parts" checked on, we were able to present them with an official source of payment! WHOOHOOOO!!!!
Good things come to those who wait and those who are persistent. :)


The appointments went well. Leishan and Lulu came with Bean and I to Seattle for the two days. It was nice that we had some family to keep us company. Angeline is so patient with everyone bugging her, she just did wonderfully. First we had PT. The PT did yet another assessment on her development. (This was the 3rd one since July and is the 3rd different kind of assessment that has been done.) I realized that since they are using different tools to do developmental assessments and since they are allowing different people to administer them each time, that can't be very valid or reliable! So I took the results and didn't get too worried about them right now. We are really pleased with the amount of "things" that she can do. And she is developing and growing, that is what matters to us, not what equivalent "age" she is at. Angeline will be 1 on February 1st, so she should be at a 12 month level.
For physical development she is currently at a 6 month age level.
And for "all other areas" she is at a 7 month age level.
(I am not sure why they would group the rest of the developmental areas all together. Socially I think she is far superior of a 12 month old. Her communicate whilst not always verbal, is excellent and she has typical fine motor skills... but whatever, we hope that next time they at least use the same "tool" to evaluate her.)
The good news is that she DOES qualify for the developmental delay program and I will be calling them to get her in ASAP now that she has insurance.
We then met with the developmental doc and nurse. Angeline's weight is currently 16 lbs. Her height, weight, and head size have gone a bit down off the "curve" that they were on, but the doc said not to get worried about that either. We will keep an eye on things. I just adore this doctor, he sits and lets me ask a million questions and never makes me feel rushed. He is such a blessing.

After feeling Angeline's head he was a bit concerned about her skull sutures and her fontanel. So being the on the ball kind of doctor that he is, he called over his friend from craniofacial and she took a "feel" of Angeline's head. (I was having flashbacks of phrenology lessons from Psych 101.) She said that although Bean's head isn't the typical "skull" of most babies, he is the way that her skull adapted to the hydrocephalus that she had for quite some time. So she has a bone in the center of her head that seems to be thickening and this will hopefully eventually come up enough to that she won't appear to have a flat or sunken area in the front of her head. It's certainly not an issue because she has the most beautiful curly hair that covers it up very nicely.
We then met with the dietitian who is happy to hear that Angeline is on regular formula not the special pre-digested formula. She is also off her meds for reflux and is doing fantastic with her bottle eating! Angeline still hates all kinds of baby foods. I think she just has really dull taste buds and likes things with more flavor. Plus she wants to be an independent feeder so we are just working on her chewing and swallowing. (Still no teeth!) We will start to transition Angeline over to milk in the next couple months and we went over a list of really great starter finger foods that will give Bean a couple more options with her diet.

That was the first day. On the 2nd day we had a VCSG (I think!) test that was an xray of her bladder/kidneys and then they catheterize her and fill her bladder with dye... they continue taking xrays and watch how her bladder empties and they look for any reflux of her tubes into her kidneys. This whole event was fairly traumatic for Angeline. She apparently has a really small and hard to find urethra so it took several tries until they finally called down a urology fellow to do the cath. This was the first time that anyone ever successfully put a cath in Bean. She was really good but the whole time I was breaking into a panic sweat because if the professionals were having this much trouble, how was I going to be able to start doing intermittent cathing if she had urine refluxing into her kidneys?

After the test we went and met with the urologist so that he could go over the results. The good news is that no urine is refluxing into Angeline's kidneys. The bad news is that she has no bladder control at all. Her bladder is functioning very typically of someone with SB at her level. (The L-5 spine level.) Angeline just empties her bladder constantly. This is ok for now. Really it will not affect her socially because this is normal for a baby. But as she gets older it may become a consideration and in order for her to ever be "dry" she will have to have at least one surgery. Then the result will be intermittent cathing in order to control when her bladder empties. The best thing for her bladder and kidneys is just to allow the normal process to go on for now. There becomes a greater risk of infections and illness when you start doing surgeries and cathing etc. but at the same time we know that Angeline may want this independence some day! So we will just wait until she is 8 or so and then revisit the options at that time. Angeline will go back for more testing later in the Spring, where they will measure the pressure levels in her bladder, then from there we just monitor things to be certain that she doesn't start refluxing or getting any kind of UTI or kidney infections.

Our last appointment was for new "boots". Dr. M. was not impressed that I took her casts off earlier than I was supposed to but understood my reasoning as to why I did it. (The snow caused us a missed appointment and his scheduling staff didn't return FOUR phone calls to re-schedule...) Angeline had a blast going swimming with me and taking lots of baths so I don't regret it one bit. BUT... Dr. M. wants to see us TWO more times for casts. So the next two Friday's will be spent in Seattle... then I think they will schedule her foot surgery fairly quickly after the last casts. There does seem to be a bit of regression movement once the casts are off. I am praying that this doesn't fall before I go to Haiti or while I am there. I need to be here with her for the surgery, its a big deal. I will ask more questions at next week's appointment and see what the big plan is.

"Sam" who is the tech that puts the casts on while Dr. M holds her ankles in place said that children often like to eat the casting material. Thanks for letting me know after the fact Sam. (We have really enjoyed Sam over these past few months. He is always SMILING!)

Ok well off to clean, home school and exercise! Thanks for the continued prayers. Angeline is still my greatest blessing. :) :) :)
Sarah

Thanks for making me feel better

I just wanted to make a post to thank everyone who emailed or commented and made me feel a lot better about my adventures. :)

I am now recognizing that no one who works for Lynx Air cares about my waist size, that they are just going through the daily routine of making sure that the plane is absolutely as safe as possible for their passengers. Thanks for the tips about how to go for several hours without having to go potty... and of course the tidbit of help about the air sickness bag being used as a last resort. Also the airport at CAP does have a bathroom just may need to bring you own TP.

Thanks everyone :) I thought that I would post these pictures because they may help someone else who is traveling soon with their anxieties.

Blessings,
Sarah

Isaac's January Update

Here is Isaac's January update. Isaac is officially BIGGER than Angeline in size. Woohooo!! Great work COTP! I just adore the pictures this month. All the kids look so great!

Isaac continues to grow and learn, and seems thrilled with himself and all his new accomplishments! He’s so happy, and always is giggling and enjoying his little world that’s called the boat room. J He’s really getting mobile, and is all over the place. He’s trying to climb chairs, and is on his feet all the time now. He can take a few steps, but doesn’t really want to do it on his own. He has to be cajoled into trying to walk on his own, but will go everywhere if you don’t let go of his hands. As soon as you let go of him and let him try to stand alone, he plops down on the ground. J He loves toy trucks and cars, and is always pushing them back and forth. He’s trying so hard to talk, and can say “uh oh!” and uses that one all the time. Otherwise it’s mostly “ya ya ya!” We have big Rubbermaid containters that block off the hallway to keep the older kids separate from the little ones, and Isaac loves to bang on them and laugh. He and Wesley are good buddies, and as their cribs are right next to each other, they love to tease each other and play when they’re in their cribs. Unfortunately, Wesley’s mom came to take him home this week, but the good news is that there are still 10 other kids to play with! Isaac’s weight this month 16 pounds, 7 ounces.

All for you my boy! :) TMI WARNING

I am sorry that I am doing the mass update on the blog today. We have been so busy with getting home schooling done as it's the last week of the semester this week. The science fair is Friday and we have three children participating, so it's just been a whirlwind of "stuff" going on around here. Please be sure to scroll down to read other updates. :)

I am not sure if I mentioned this before or not but I will be meeting up with my friend Kelly in Florida to travel to Haiti together. We are both leaving "here" on the same day and arrive the next morning in FL. I had shared my worries and woes with Kelly about taking the flight to Cap Haitian from FL. When I went to Haiti for Angeline we flew into the capital, PAP, so we didn't have the kind of worries that we have this time. This is going to be one of those TMI moments. (Too Much Information!) I had thought about the tiny plane we fly in to get from FL to CAP and I know that if I was to go to PAP I would be flying on a big American Airlines plane... but then once in PAP I would have to get a cab/tap-tap to the "small" airport and then catch a tiny plane anyhow to get to CAP. So I opted to fly with Kelly, because she makes everything better. :) But here was my worry about the "small" plane. I was actually feeling excited because I bet it's a beautiful flight albeit a great likeliness of felling claustrophobic. The worry is because there is NO BATHROOM on the plane. I am one of those people who is constantly sipping on something and I pee a lot. It's just a fact of life for me. And the more I thought about the amount of time I would potentially be "holding" it got worse when I realized that the CAP "aeroport" is probably not where I want to use the toilet at... ? (If you have advice for me readers, please share!) I am thinking of some "options" if you have feedback, please let me know.

So as of last week this was my biggest worry about traveling to Haiti. (Shallow I know.) I didn't want to pee my skirt on the plane. My biggest fear. Public humiliation. LOL

But it got worse...

I am a chubby Momma... although I am treadmilling and weight watching these days and was planning on losing 20 lbs before I got to Haiti as my "mini-goal"... I am still a bit sensitive about my curves. I had asked about the "luggage" weight limit for the plane ride to CAP and was told 70 lbs. They don't care how many bags you have but you only get 70 lbs. (I want to be sure to bring the WHOLE 70 lbs since I will bring some donations with me.) BUT... this is the bad part... because its such a small plane, they have a weight limit to follow for the flight. SO... are you ready for this... we have a weigh in. They weigh the passenger with their carry on bag. Then they may drop some luggage or ask people if they want to fly out the next day. (I would imagine its a possibility to get stuck in FL or in CAP until the next day's flight.) I am just hoping that they don't call out the number they see on the scale... :*( And I am really hoping that they don't have to bring out the industrial sized scale for me. "It's all those BRICKS in my BACKPACK... yes... that's the ticket!"

Kelly and I have vowed to stay together and volunteer our luggage coming "later" if need be.

The prize at the end is all worth it. It's like labor... no one LOVES labor and all the embarrassing moments that go along with it... but it's SO WORTH it in the end!

See you soon Isaac!! :)

Blessings,
Sarah

Global Warming Part Two

We are very thankful that we have a very "earth smart" neighbor, Kendra, who emailed me after my last global warming post with an explanation. I hope that you find this informative and we are planning a home school lesson on Al Gore's documentary ASAP!

We have to love Mother Earth while we have the chance! :)

Thanks Kendra. We love ya!

Sarah

You mentioned the weather and an explanation. I am a huge environmental person and study Global warming etc. Ok, you’re probably thinking: “if it’s global warming…why is it so cold?” The North and South poles are heating up, due to the increase of CO2 in the air which is melting the ice (the poor polar bears may start drowning when their weight will no longer be supported by the ice) and the changes in the climates are fighting each other, causing more hurricanes, tornado's, storms etc. The CO2 level changes (major increase as the war in Iraq continues due to the bombings etc since 2005 are a huge part of the problem…though the problem has been continuous for several years) are causing the problems we are seeing now with all the cold fronts and warm fronts fighting each other…and it’s only the beginning. With the poles heating up and the ice melting, the oceans will rise and lowlands will be flooded at sea level…making sea level land becoming the sea. It will force people to move to other areas, animals to change to different locations and the effects to long to mention will take place. There is a huge change happening and we humans are the only ones to blame. It’s really sad…and the government is pretending there is no problem…

Al Gore preformed an amazing explanation of what’s happening in the world’s environment in his documentary Inconvenient Truth. It’s an amazing movie/documentary I think you and the older kids would be fascinated with and perhaps even start up some great family discussions. It sounds boring…like a school class movie…though he did an AMAZING job speaking in simple terms and backing up all statements with facts, pictures of before and after of what’s happening and charts to prove his theory. It’s on video now. With your kids in home school…it would make a GREAT lesson for science!!! I highly recommend this video and would be THRILLED to hear what you think of it!!! Get out the popcorn!!! It will be a movie your family (the young ones will be bored) will not forget. It could even change their lives. It’s that powerful.

Hair Jail and More

This morning Lulu was helping Sophie clean the girls bathroom and she said:

"Mom we have TOO much hair jail"

I told her that I know we have too much hair gel.

Then she said:

"Mom this is too much hair jail, we have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8... too much jail... Mom you need to send some of this hair jail to Haiti."

I giggled.

"Do they need that Hair Gel in Haiti Lulu?"

"Yes! Mom they LOVE hair jail in Haiti, and we have too much Mom, they need it and we don't need it!"

It's nice to see that Lulu pays attention to what I say even when it seems she isn't catching a word that I speak!

Friday came and went and we weren't able to get to Seattle for Angeline's cast appointment. I called several times and I wasn't able to get a date to re-schedule it for... so I am thinking that her next scheduled appointment next week is going to be "the one". And then maybe we will have one more after that... or the appointment next week will be "the last one". (Wishful thinking Bean!) She also have several other appointments there next week including a big involved bladder test that we will gear up for days in advance with antibiotics. Just keep Bean in your prayers as she is still going through an awful lot for a baby. She seems so resilient at times I tend to forget she was so fragile just a couple months ago.

On Saturday morning, bright and early, Robert got up with Angeline and I kept hearing him try to give her the bottle and she kept coughing... I knew that something was in her mouth. But given that there is nothing in her crib, I didn't know what it could be. Well lo and behold I did a quick finger swipe in her mouth and out came a large piece of cotton... BEAN ATE HER BOOTS! (A.k.a. Angeline feasted on her casts in her crib!) So now they are a choking hazard so we have her poor legs in leggings and big socks and then covered with a blanket sleeper... she has amazing fine motor skills that she was able to dig her little fingers down into her cast (either at the thigh or the toe) and dig out some "cast" to chew on. (Still no teeth btw!!)

On Saturday we (my sister and I) went for the night to the Hot Springs. It was lovely. We like to just swim and sit in the hot water and order room service and watch movies... read magazines and laugh way too much. (Thanks Mom for the gift certificate for Christmas!!) It is such a lovely place there, it makes me feel new and rejuvenated and smiley each time that I go there.

I don't know what happened while I was gone but my children are being so nice. I mean they are regularly really nice, but they are being freakishly nice. Grace (10) didn't complain when she did her chore this morning even though she had a friend spend the night. (Which typically means that Grace doesn't get much sleep and has a big attitude!) Danny offered to do the Easy Bake Oven with Cole. (Danny is almost 18, Cole is 10.) And Leishan (19) and Lauren (14) just took all the kids outside to go sledding. Last night they said "thank you" to me for making them dinner... and they even commented on how Dad did a really good job with everyone, even the baby while I was gone. (Since I thought maybe Dad was hard on them while I wasn't here.) I am being optimistic about these changes and knowing that spending a bit of time out doing things for me, is a good thing for everyone. :) (THANK GOODNESS!!!)

OK so Dominick (7) did throw his underwear at Tyler (17) this morning and then locked David (12) outside. :)

Off to enjoy my family while it lasts... :) heeheehee

Joy and Praises.

Sarah

Parenting words of Wisdom

I have really enjoyed this parenting newsletter that I recieve. The book is excellent. I haven't been able to implement all the techniques in the book yet, but I am a work in progress! Enjoy!

QUESTION:As a Christian, how do I "let go" or overlook some of the bad behaviors? Sometimes, it is very hard to overlook the behaviors that I know are true sins, such as being disrespectful and using foul language. It is clear in the Bible that these are sins. So, how do I get where I can go with the love based approach and be "okay" with overlooking these behaviors at times? I understand it and believe in it, but I still have a hard time dealing with some of this at times. Any suggestions?

ANSWER:Dr. Post and I are asked this question quite often, so I'd like to use this eNewsletter forum to respond. I do ask that no matter your theological stance or spiritual belief platform, that you relax and continue reading with religious tolerance. I am not trying to convert anyone, just answering this parent's question. Sin is about being outside of God's love. If we're outside of God's love, we're in a state of fear. "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18). The question then becomes, how do you shift back into a state of love? To "let go" of these behaviors means to understand these behaviors and to recognize your responsibility as a parent to teach your child how to shift back. Our parenting paradigm discussed in Beyond Consequences, Logic, and Control, demonstrates how to do this through love, understanding, and acceptance. Correlating this to Biblical examples, the Gospel is overflowing with examples of how Christ helped to shift the "sinful" back into communion with God through love, not fear. Scripture also demonstrates the principle of discipling, showing us that the purpose of discipline is to teach. The word discipline comes from the Latin word "disciplina" from "discipulus" or simply, "pupil". Unfortunately, our cultural and worldly understanding of this definition has become distorted to mean to "punish." If we look at Scriptural examples of discipline or disciple, it is clearly shown that this process of learning is with gentleness, safety, and peacefulness. "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) With this understanding of discipline, children learn to regulate through a safe, loving, and meaningful relationship. They learn to respect others, not from a place of fear, but from a place of love. As they are fully and unconditionally accepted through mistakes or poor decisions, they can change and "modify their behaviors" without shame, blame, or fear of punishment. This type of loving environment opens the doors for exponential growth in children. Unconditional love provides a foundation for a life free of limitation, lack, and scarcity. Abundance of love and forgiveness is far more powerful than consequences and control. One specific lesson that discipline teaches is responsibility. Again, the world has distorted this understanding of responsibility and has shifted the responsibility onto even our youngest of children. The philosophy of, "If they don't learn to be responsible now, even in kindergarten, then they'll never learn to take responsibility." Do you hear the fear in that statement? The truth is that children learn through modeling. As parents take responsibility for themselves and then for their children, this pattern becomes instilled in the children. Seeing adults take responsibility teaches children to take responsibility. Discipline is also an opportunity to develop strong relationships between parents and children. We see a great example of this in Scripture: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'" (2 Corinthians 12:9). It is in our children's weakness, that we have the opening to support them, love them, and provide our influence (not power) as parents to build them back up again. As they learn to regulate through the parent/child relationship, they learn to connect with others outside of their family. They develop the ability as young adults to develop healthy relationships that are void of manipulation, control, and conditions. The book of Romans provides numerous examples for our love-based parenting paradigm. "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink." (Romans 12:20.) And thus, if your child is acting out, give him attention. If he is talking back and rejecting your directives, connect with him instead of rejecting him in return with consequences. If he is picking on his sibling, provide your reassurance in his place in the family instead of ostracizing him in time-out. The most concise example is when Paul writes, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21). Taking the liberty to put this in the context of parenting, we can say that, "Do not be overwhelmed by negative behavior, but overcome negative behavior with love." May you always love and forgive yourself and accept yourself in order to be empowered to do the same for your children.

P.S.Do you like this eNewsletter? Do you find it helpful? Have your friend sign-in here or at www.beyondconsequences.com to receive his/her own copy.

Big Exciting News!

My husband is working in town until close to the end of March. Since we were blessed enough to actually know where he is going to be when (for once), I am taking full advantage of this knowledge and GOING TO HAITI IN MARCH!!!

I am so excited to get to meet Isaac and everyone else COTP. I am also looking forward to helping out in any way that I can while I am there and also seeing where my sweet Angel baby was living at. My sister Nina is going to help with the kids during the day and then my husband will be HOME at night. I will be gone for 10 days and in Haiti for 7 of those days. I will miss everyone, especially Angeline, very much. I would take Angeline with me but I think that move would be purely selfish and not in her best interest at all. We are hopeful that she might get to travel with us later this year when we return to bring Isaac home. (I am not accepting the fact that it might take longer than this year to get him home. That is my hopeful view from here on out.) And who knows... we may just keep going back to visit as often as we can until he can come home. Between Leishan, Robert and I, we should be able to go back a couple more times!

Visiting and leaving again will be difficult. But visiting breaks up the monotony and surreality of the wait. (Thank you Mom (Angeline and Isaac's Nana) for the Airmiles!!)

So that is my big exciting news. How the good news get's even better is that I will be meeting my dear friend Kelly, who is also adopting from COTP, in Florida. (Although we live 10 miles from each other, we are on different Airmile flights to FL. Free is good so we will meet in FL.)
Kelly and I will fly together to Haiti and be at COTP volunteering at the same time. It is a blessing to me that we can go together. Travel with a friend is always more fun.

There is also a chance that we may bring back a toddler with us that needs to come over on a medical Visa. She will be hosted by a family in Ohio and the host Mom will meet us in Florida. Please pray about this because it will be a miracle for COTP to be able to get the paperwork done in time for us to bring her back to the states with us. Of course getting here asap is in her best interest so your prayers are appreciated that is all works out. (I haven't gotten the OK to post details but once I do get the OK, I will post so that you know more specifically how to pray.)

Today we are having a snow day of course! I canceled Angeline's appointment for the morning already because its too iced and freezing to even go anywhere at all. (Plus we had a FOOT of snow that puts a damper on things.)

I am giddy with excitement.

Much Love,

Sarah

Global Warming?

We are on round two of the storm... last night started the WIND and RAIN... then overnight came the SNOW... today more SNOW and even some THUNDER SNOW (snow with thunder and lightening)... tonight the snow stops and WIND and FREEZING Temps come too. Why has the mid-west been so warm this winter and we have been so cold? Someone please explain?

8 inches so far today and still snowing!

The situation with the snow and the kids goes like this... they rush and get through all of the work for the day, so that they can get outside. They create 2-3 EXTRA loads of laundry for me each time they go out (everyone goes out, even my teens), then they won't come in (even with enticing hot cocoa waiting) until they are so cold they are crying.

Why are these fun times?

We just can't get enough of the white stuff. Just praying the roads are clear by Friday so Angeline can make it to Seattle for her casting appointment. She is still sick, thus my lack of blogging. I have a bit of a cough still but she is still miserable, my poor baby. We took her to the doc on Sunday. He came in on a Sunday to see her, I am still amazed by that, thank you for good doctors Lord. He felt it was viral but gave an Rx of Zithromax in case she didn't get better, he said to give it a day or two then start it. Well yesterday after hearing her cough and knowing that we were going to be stuck at home, I started her on the antibiotics. The pharmacist must have MIS-MIXED the prescription and didn't add enough water. I didn't realize this until TODAY which was after she had a too big dose yesterday. (UGH.) Just what she doesn't need on her tummy. The pharmacist's reaction was... "oh well if she is showing ADVERSE symptoms to the over dosage, call her doctor." (Rocket scientist pharmacist. Gee-thanks.) Then she mentioned "well at least she is getting the complete amount she needs"... *Angeline is getting it in half the time though, that can't be good. (Mixed remaining amount with more ml's of H20)

So please keep Bean in your prayers as she is ultra miserable with the cough and runny nose. the fever has stopped PRAISE!

Off to find the marshmellows :)

Blessings! Stay warm!

Sarah

***Excuse the spelling errors, spell check doesn't want to work*** :)
P.S. Good news and exciting post coming soon! :)

Angeline Christmas Pictures

I have been slacking on the new Angeline pictures. So I thought that I would write an update and put some of the cute Christmas pictures up on the blog. Angeline and I are both sick with nasty colds today so please keep my little bean in your prayers. She keeps says... "Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" that is her way of letting me know she doesn't feel good at all. We have already called the doctor and we hope that she is better by the morning! (Or else he is on call and will come in and see her hopefully even though it's going to be a Sunday!)

Even though Aunt Nina made sure to have a dressy Christmas dress for Angeline and a casual Christmas play outfit, I didn't do such a hot job of getting good Christmas pictures this year! I get so caught up in the moment sometimes that I forget to get my camera. Aunt Nina is Angeline's god Mom and also constantly is keeping Bean up on her couture. :)
These pictures were when Dad took everyone else ice skating and Angeline and I stayed home and made fudge. Yes that is a bit of fudge on her cheek and yes that is whipped cream. Not that I spoon feed her whipped cream, but its great to use in a bowl with a little spoon that she can feed herself. Excellent for fine motor skills and she LOVES whipped cream! (Who doesn't?)

Angeline got new casts this week and we got back two more times this month for new casts. After that it looks like we will schedule her feet surgery. We also have her big bladder testing later this month. The last week of the month she has one test, one casting and 6 other appointments! Phew... she is a one busy girl!

Angeline will have her first birthday on February 1st. Amazing.
Other than the cold she is doing FANTASTIC. She should be starting work with a speech therapist (to help with swallowing issues) in the next couple weeks and is also starting infant massage. :)

Not an hour goes by that I don't look into her beautiful eyes and count every blessing bestowed upon me. More soon. I am off to snuggle my bean, she is miserable.
Happy Saturday.
Sarah

Isaac December Update and more!

Here are some adorable pictures that added to my already happy day and just made it that much brighter! (Thanks Robin and COTP.)

Seeing the pictures of Isaac playing with his new Christmas toys is just priceless. It is so cool for all the kids to look at the pictures and see... "hey! That's the build a bear we made for Isaac!" It just makes the waiting that much easier for us all. And maybe no one will ask today... "When is Isaac coming home?" (Imagine that times 12, at least once a day, everyday.)

Isaac's cute little jammies we sent him for his birthday. He looks so handsome! :) They are size 6-12 month baby gap, it really gives us an idea of what size he is... TINY! But he definitely is growing!

I have a picture of Isaac on my necklace so that he is always close to my heart. Angeline likes to grab the necklace and each time I say... BIG BROTHER Isaac! And today she said... BRO BER... I kid you not. Come home soon big brother! Angeline misses you too! The picture to the right is Isaac with his build a bear that we made. He is probably looking completely freaked out because I put a little voice message in it from Mommy... :)

Here is the December update for Isaac:

Isaac gets cuter every day, those big sweet eyes capturing everyone’s heart who meets him. He’s such a good boy, and is really good at keeping himself entertained. He’s getting so quick, and can really scoot around quickly! He often gets up on his knees when he’s playing, like he’s kneeling, so he can reach something better. He’s not standing on his own yet though, just in his crib or where he has something to hang onto. The other day one of the volunteers was helping another baby learn to walk, and Isaac came up behind the child, wrapped his arms around her, and tackled her to the ground! So he’s got an aggressive side too. He loves his food and snacks, like crackers and bananas, and concentrates on eating until it’s gone. He’s really focused on whatever he’s doing, absorbed in whatever he’s working on at the moment. Isaac does not really like getting his teeth brushed though, especially with the scary one that moves! He’ll need some time to get used to that one! Isaac’s weight this month was 15 pounds, 11 ounces (they get weighed at the beginning of the month).

Isaac's weight gain was good this month so I am feeling better about his growth. I love hearing all about Isaac's personality. He sounds like he is going to fit in just great with our family and with his baby sister Angeline. Who has a bossy aggressive side already too! :)

We hope to see you soon beautiful beautiful beautiful, beautiful boy!

love you sunshine

Big College Girl

I can't believe it.
Leishan started college today.

I am finally realizing what my parents were feeling the day that I started college. It feels like... where did the time go?

The other day I was doing the laundry and although typically the older children, like Lei, who is 19, do their own laundry... some of her things got mixed in with the pile. I was began washing some underwear and bras that I had never seen before... they were PRETTY ones, and not ones that I had bought! The notion of having a child, become an adult, then suddenly they buy their own clothing, and they like PRETTY panties and bras, was almost too much to take! And then today she is off at college!

I can't hardly stand it.

We had many rocky, shaky, scary moments with Leishan where we didn't know if she was going to get done with her education. She had gone to public school and not done well, we had her tested for a learning problem, ADD/ADHD, there had to be something wrong with her! They could find nothing. For many years we spent at odds with Leishan because we couldn't "fix" the problems that she was having with getting an education. We tried home schooling, Internet school from home, a special public school program, we moved clear cross country and she went to a new high school, and nothing seemed to make a difference. (We didn't move because of Leishan, but we did move from a top notch public school system to an "OK" one, so that we hoped would make a difference in her success.) There was nothing that we could get through to her. We watched her in classes like drama and creative writing, she would excel. And other classes like math and science that she would have an F that was so bad it was difficult to believe that she was actually attending school at all!

After we realized that she was going to not be able to continue going to high school because she was too old and too far behind, we gave in. In May 2005, Leishan dropped out of school. She promised us that she would get her GED, she swore up and down that she would do the practice workbooks and that she would complete her education and months went by with nothing happening. She did nothing! Our extended family was very upset that she dropped out, and even upset with us that we weren't "making" her do her work! She spent the year babysitting for two different families, one full time, and the other part time. She babysat at my home, where she also had the company of all her little brothers and sisters to drive her batty with the children that she was babysitting. :)

Then the month came that my brother and sister in law with four children under 3 (at the time) had to can their nanny. They were desperate... Lauren and I took over her babysitting her so that she could help them out for a month. When she got to Ohio she was bombarded with people telling her that "she HAD to get her GED"... that she "HAD" to do something with her life! They drove her insane. But something that someone said DID matter to her.

I had always told her that I would take her to Haiti if she finished high school. Instead of signing up for the GED classes, she was confident enough that she could pass the tests without taking the classes. We were leery, but it was her deal, and we had to let her try on her on terms. Meanwhile we were working on getting Angeline's medical Visa and Leishan finished all her GED testing RIGHT before we left for Haiti, Leishan had passed ALL the tests.

So for the past couple months Leishan has been working full time and she has been thinking about what she wants to do with her education. (We were also waiting on the financial aid paperwork to go through.) Leishan is doing her pre-req. coursework to get into a nursing program. She knows that she wants to be an RN. After all the help that she gave me with Angeline's care and from talking to family and friends in the medical field... and the time in Haiti, she wants to become an RN and would like to someday travel and work helping people all over the world.

We are so proud of you Leishan our big college girl.

Love. :)