Since Andy has spina bifida, our new pediatrician thought it would be a good idea to have a MRI done, and to get him an appointment at the Spina Bifida Clinic at the local children's hospital.
The MRI was last week. He did really well, and Geoff, our nurse, was wonderful. Evie had a good time with Nana and Papa in the waiting room while I got to stay with Andy the whole time. (did you know that MRI machines are LOUD? I had to wear earplugs, and so did Bubba!)
Our doctor got us a referral to the neurosurgeon, who rushed us in for an appointment right away. We were worried that she saw something very wrong and that's why she wanted to see us right away.
Nope! She thinks that Andy is doing really well, and not having any problems with his SB currently. She ordered a couple tests, got us an appointment with the SB Clinic, and basically told us that we just need to wait and watch him for any issues that might come up. She also confirmed that his diagnosis from China was correct, and he has the meningocele form of SB instead of the more severe myelomeningocele form. We are so blessed, this is wonderful news!
Next step: SB Clinic, August 10, 7 am.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Em's first day at her new school
She is going from a small, private middle school with maybe 100 students to a very large public middle school in our new town.
As tradition, a first day of school photo:
As tradition, a first day of school photo:
Andy and Evie, digging in the dirt!
There is a nice shady spot behind our shed. The kids like to dig back there and make castles.
They were a bit dusty after they were done digging, so I popped them in the tub. This is the aftermath!
They were a bit dusty after they were done digging, so I popped them in the tub. This is the aftermath!
Three Months with Andy
We met him Jan 31, 2010. He has been our son "officially" since Feb. 1, 2010.
Andy sitting on a chair, and dancing on the patio at our new house:
Andy sitting on a chair, and dancing on the patio at our new house:
Thursday, April 15, 2010
WE ARE THE TRUTH
...for Adoption Blogger Day, in support of Artyem Saviliev, and to encourage the continuation of safe international adoptions from Russia to the USA. To ensure the world knows about every successful adoption, on Thursday, April 15, 2010 blog about your adoption or the adoption of someone you know.
WE ARE THE TRUTH. For every horrible adoption-gone-wrong story that the media loves to play up, for every horrible story that people insist on telling you when they know you are adopting or have adopted... (do you know what happened to my second grade Sunday school teacher's third cousin's neighbor's aunt in Toledo... blah blah blah), for every Madonna and Angelina Jolie, there are THOUSANDS of successful adoptions.
Have you ever wondered why you don't hear about the successful adoptions, just the tragic ones, the unethical ones, or the sexy ones? It's because that, for the vast majority of adoptive families, we are just plain, normal families. The truth is boring, and doesn't make for catchy news titles. We are REAL FAMILIES, who love and laugh together, who argue and cry together, but we DO NOT abandon or abuse (or worse) our children, whether they joined our family by birth or by the miracle of adoption. We take our kids to school, go to the grocery store, walk the dog, are together in sickness and in health, just like your family.
Yes, we adopted our children, but we don't continue to live and breathe adoption for the rest of our lives. I don't refer to "my biological daughter Emily", "my adopted daughter Evie" and "my adopted son Andy", I just refer to my children Emily, Evie and Andy. Of course, that's on a good day. On a bad day, I might refer to "my children, the monsters"! My point is, I don't differentiate between my children based on the way they joined our family. The child who grew in my body is not worth more to me than the child who joined our family in a dingy office building or a faded hotel room in China. I love them all equally, treat them all equally.
In most cases, adoption is a beautiful, wonderful thing. It is important to show the world the good side of adoption, those of us who adopt and then go on to live an average, happy life.
WE ARE THE TRUTH. For every horrible adoption-gone-wrong story that the media loves to play up, for every horrible story that people insist on telling you when they know you are adopting or have adopted... (do you know what happened to my second grade Sunday school teacher's third cousin's neighbor's aunt in Toledo... blah blah blah), for every Madonna and Angelina Jolie, there are THOUSANDS of successful adoptions.
Have you ever wondered why you don't hear about the successful adoptions, just the tragic ones, the unethical ones, or the sexy ones? It's because that, for the vast majority of adoptive families, we are just plain, normal families. The truth is boring, and doesn't make for catchy news titles. We are REAL FAMILIES, who love and laugh together, who argue and cry together, but we DO NOT abandon or abuse (or worse) our children, whether they joined our family by birth or by the miracle of adoption. We take our kids to school, go to the grocery store, walk the dog, are together in sickness and in health, just like your family.
Yes, we adopted our children, but we don't continue to live and breathe adoption for the rest of our lives. I don't refer to "my biological daughter Emily", "my adopted daughter Evie" and "my adopted son Andy", I just refer to my children Emily, Evie and Andy. Of course, that's on a good day. On a bad day, I might refer to "my children, the monsters"! My point is, I don't differentiate between my children based on the way they joined our family. The child who grew in my body is not worth more to me than the child who joined our family in a dingy office building or a faded hotel room in China. I love them all equally, treat them all equally.
In most cases, adoption is a beautiful, wonderful thing. It is important to show the world the good side of adoption, those of us who adopt and then go on to live an average, happy life.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
another earthquake in China
This earthquake struck Qinghai Province, the province just to the west of Gansu Province, where Andy lived in China. I don't know if it was felt in Lanzhou, the city where we met Andy, or in Qingyang, which is Andy's hometown.
At least 400 people have died, and 10,000 more injured, and thousands of buildings have been damaged.
Please pray for the people of China.
At least 400 people have died, and 10,000 more injured, and thousands of buildings have been damaged.
Please pray for the people of China.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Two months with Andy!
Andy has been with us just over two months now. He is adjusting very well, and it feels like he has been with us much longer.
Andy, Evie and Emily the day before Valentine's Day.
Evie and Andy. Evie's preschool teachers gave her an "I'm a Big Sister" sticker!
It's not easy to have big sisters...
Hanging out at one of Emily's volleyball tournaments
Sitting with Evie
Andy on his little bed with the quilts that Nana made for him
At the little park by our house
Em's new highlights
Playing outside. Andy saw Evie's old tricycle and was very excited. He pointed at it and signed and said "SIT"!!!
Andy, Evie and Emily the day before Valentine's Day.
Evie and Andy. Evie's preschool teachers gave her an "I'm a Big Sister" sticker!
It's not easy to have big sisters...
Hanging out at one of Emily's volleyball tournaments
Sitting with Evie
Andy on his little bed with the quilts that Nana made for him
At the little park by our house
Em's new highlights
Playing outside. Andy saw Evie's old tricycle and was very excited. He pointed at it and signed and said "SIT"!!!
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