The More the Merrier!

So my last blog entry was Oct. 7th - not quite a month ago.  We are coming up on our two months home mark pretty quickly (Nov. 11th)!   Since I last updated the blog we have had yet another exciting change happen to our family - our sweet Au Pair (live in nanny) from China, Morgan,  has moved in. She arrived on Oct. 9th and really has just hit the ground running. It's like we have known her for years and for that I am so grateful.  God is good!

 Here we are waiting for Morgan to arrive at the airport. Each of the kids made their own sign (Gabby stayed at home with Grandma :)....okay except Lily's sign - she had a "little" help :)

Oh she is a cutie!! :)

Morgan, Mariah and Gabby the morning after Morgan's arrival to our home. Mariah (Gabby's part time nanny and one of her very favorite people in the world :) is showing Morgan the ropes!

Gabby on the way out to school with Mariah and Morgan :)

So I have to say that I was actually really nervous once we arrived home from China with Lily and I started thinking about the fact that I had hired a Chinese Au Pair that would be arriving to our home and MOVING IN with us in a little less than a month! I REALLY needed the help - that wasn't the issue. What I started thinking about, that somehow never crossed my mind before, was the fact that my new sweet Chinese daughter might decide she liked her Chinese Au Pair more than me!  I mean, why not? Morgan would look, sound, act and probably even smell like "home" to her. Morgan could be the only "familiar" thing to Lily in this new world of complete change and people that speak a language she can't understand. I did a lot of praying in those weeks leading up to Morgan's arrival and thanked God for His provision for all of us. 

When Morgan did arrive I asked her not to embrace Lily or show her a lot of overt affection until the 60 days of recommended bonding time with Lily was up (Nov. 11th) so that I would be sure Lily wouldn't become confused and think Morgan was the "new mom".  Morgan was so gracious and understood right away and did such an amazing job loving Lily but respecting my wishes. The plan has worked so far... It is clear that Lily really likes Morgan, but that she loves me as Mom  (sigh :)

Maybe one the most incredible parts of Morgan joining our family is that not only did God answer our prayers and hers, but that through Morgan Lily has opened up even more and a new life has come into her!  Morgan was able to tell us that Lily has indeed been speaking toddler Mandarin and has been saying all kinds of things that we didn't understand. When Morgan validated those mutterings you could just see the spark in Lily's eyes! What an amazing transformation she made over the first few days of having Morgan here!! 

The depressing days that Lily had been having have completely disappeared. I am not saying that she doesn't get upset or angry or frustrated because she certainly does, but he depression is gone! I now think that not only was she grieving the loss of many things familiar, but I believe it was mostly over her lack of ability to be understood and to understand. The basic need for communication had been taken away from her. I realize how frustrated any of other children get when we can not understand what they are trying to communicate - especially our other toddler - so this makes complete sense! We have also noticed that she is trying to do more physically. I think there was a huge mental and emotional block going on there and that was also eliminated. Lily still struggles with basic strength to complete many tasks, but the desire to try them has grown and she is making huge progress.

This morning, Oct. 27th, we had a follow-up appointment to discuss all her blood work labs that came back and to update her immunizations. It was a great appointment and we received excellent news that all her blood work looked great! We also found out that she was in the 25% for height,  75% for head circumference and 50% for weight on the growth chart. All great news!  We did meet with the Cardiology team a couple of weeks ago and were able to get a successful echo and EKG done on her heart so they knew exactly what was going on in there. The appointment turned into a 5+ hour ordeal because of Lily's apparent difficulty becoming sedated. After 3 separate attempts and doses of medication she finally nodded off (typically takes one dose we learned!). The team said that they have no doubt she is a fighter and that same iron will that kept them from being able to properly sedate her the first 2 times is the same iron will that has kept her alive her first 2 years of life.  Talk about an emotional conversation :(  Of course, I know that they are right and this precious little girls proves to us a little more every day how tough she really is. There is so much life inside her and I am so thankful that we were able to come alongside side her so she doesn't have to feel like she is fighting alone anymore. She just inherited a mighty army of soldiers for life :)

So as expected, she was diagnosed with PDA (same condition China had diagnosed her with).  Apparently hers is a "large" PDA and has been causing her body quite a bit of distress. She does has high blood pressure, an enlarged left ventricle and decreased lung function. It is amazing that she does all that she does with the truly limited physical abilities she has. 

Laying with my baby girl for the Echo.

This is the chart that the surgeon used to draw us an idea of where to blood vessel is that shouldn't still be open between her aorta & pulmonary artery.

More info on her general condition found HERE

On December 3, 2014 we will go in for her heart surgery.  The best news that we have heard is that while her condition is grave if left untreated, the procedure to correct the problem with her heart is relatively minor and should yield absolutely incredible results for a perfectly normal and strong heart in her future.And the most amazing part of the surgery is that she will most likely go home that very evening!  A.MAZE. ING! The surgeon also let us know that she will feel like a totally different person after the procedure. She has lived her entire life with a struggling heart and decreased lung function. When those things are "normal" it will open up a while new reserve of energy to her that she has never experienced before. So watch out World - Lily is about to who us what she is made of! 

Before I wrap up this entry I want to say thank you again to everyone for your continued prayers and support! All the love that has been poured into and shown to our family has been incredible. It is absolutely what I personally draw on when I am having a difficult day or dark moment. I am not sure I could ever express fully how grateful I am for that . Please know that I ask God every day to bless all of you and to turn that love and blessings right back on your own lives and families!

Now for a few fun photos from the last few weeks!

Lily is trying so hard to get stronger!

Go Lily!

Checking out their new dress box filled Anna and Elsa dress up - so exciting for two sisters :)

Two princesses!

Watching a video of them riding in their Power Wheel Jeep :)

 The girls enjoying some time behind the wheel :)

Lily and me at our neighborhood's annual costume parade

 My incredibly gorgeous and amazing husband, Derek, me and our darling Lily :)

Some slide time! 

 Racing down the side by side slides with her big sis :)

 Celebrating Tanner's 13th birthday!

I love this shot of Lily with her American girl doll dressed alike...so sweet :)

All my sweet kiddos and me on a walk/bike ride to Weller Park.

 Playing in the leaves with big brother Parker.

 For a recent costume event Derek and I dressed up as Cinderella and the Prince.  I got the most amazing moments captured in pictures with each of my girls and "princess mommy" as Gabby called me :)

One last thing - since the last blog update Lily has been doing so many new fun things that I want to share and I have listed them below...along with a few more fun pictures. In addition to all the things listed at the end of the last post here are some additional updates: 

• Lily is up to 8 steps on her own now! She is deliberate and slow in those steps and it shows me how much stronger she is getting every day :)
• She now prefers to stand up and try to walk to any other form of movement. She will almost always try to walk before crawling where she wants to go!
• She LOVES the trampoline!  
• Lily told Morgan (our Au Pair), in mandarin, that she knew I was "her mom"...sniff, sniff ;)
• She has been threatening to "bite" Gabby in mandarin when Gabby takes a toy from her - no kidding! LOL ;)
• We have discovered she does NOT like carrots in any form!
• Lily loves all things "girlie".  I mentioned in the last post that she loves headbands and bows...well, now she has discovered the plastic dress-up rings and bracelets. The only problem is that everything is too big for her petite little frame so she ends up just holding 4-6 rings and 2-3 bracelets in her hand while she tries to play - she is so funny :)
• Lily's hair is amazing!  It is now jet black, shiny, soft, thick and growing so super fast!
• Lily has gained another 2lbs since our lat appointment for a grand total of 6lbs gained in just under 2 months with us! She is now up to 29lbs at almost 31 months old :)

Until next time.....Lots of love!!

Jessy 

Climbing mountains...even if they do just look like chairs!

Lily has been a part of our family now for 5 weeks - home for a little over 3 weeks.  The last month has certainly been a blur! And even as I sit and write this I am staring at 2 suitcases that are only half emptied!  I can't believe I have been home almost a month and still haven't unpacked all our suitcases from the trip....thought I should give you a good picture of how NOT together I really am just in case any of you were living with the allusion that I somehow do have it together. Not that any could possibly really think that! LOL ;)

 When we were in China it was almost as if life was a "pause" but once we returned home in almost feels like someone pushed the fast forwarding button and now we are running across the screen just to keep up (and more often than not it isn't working out very well!). Even as I sit here to write this now my mind is racing with all the things I need to do and should be working on to prepare for all the things we still have coming up this week. The girls are napping right now though and I really wanted to catch up my blog so I sit here with my laptop and keep telling all those other thoughts to "take a hike"!  The girls are napping and I really need to catch up on this blog so I don't lose all the info I want to make sure gets in here for future reference. 

How have things been going since my last post which was about 2 weeks ago? Well, up until yesterday I would have said everything was about the same. Lily really hadn't made a lot of "progress" per say and we hadn't really got any more answers in her medical or physical struggles, etc. She is still having "off" days where you can just tell she doesn't really want to smile. I feel there is just a deep sadness and sense of loss inside her that she allows to bubble up every few days. The good news is that she has more good/happy days in-between the not so happy ones.  Of course, she deserves all the time she needs to grieve and we are giving her that as much as we know how, but it is so good to see her beginning to spend more time happy than sad.

So why was yesterday the turning point in progress for her?  Well, in the morning we met with a professional that will be working with us to co-ordinate a team of occupational therapists and physical therapists and speech therapists to get started helping her to catch up to where she should be. She was very encouraging in and agreed with us that Liliana is very smart and just needs help getting stronger and adding to her set of skills. Part of the evaluation had her asking me several questions about things that she had not had the opportunity to observe whether Lily was able to do or not. One of the questions was if she attempted to climb up onto any furniture to sit. I told her "no" as I had never seen Lily even have any interest in sitting on a chair or the sofa (with the exception of the child sized princess fold out couch we have). I had to think she had probably never even seen such a piece of furniture before coming here and just paid it little to no attention. For some reason that question really got to me and as I sat there thinking about it I was so very sad. I couldn't even tell you why that question had that effect really. There were many others that I had to tell them she wasn't able to do as well. Maybe it was the build up of it all and I just kept thinking about all she had missed out on it her first two and a half years and it was hard to swallow answering question after question I guess. 

Later in the afternoon Gabby, Lily and I were playing in the floor of the living room when Lily made her way over to one of the leather side chairs and began to try and climb into the chair. I couldn't believe what I was seeing and couldn't help but be amazed! Here she was trying to do the very thing that I felt such sadness about her not being able to do just this morning. I grabbed my camera and began to video her as she tried. I recorded three failed attempts filled with frustration and tears for her before she finally made it up into the chair and smiled at all she had accomplished! She was sweating and her face and eyes were red from crying, but she had made it!

Gabby and I cheered and cheered for Lily and I thanked God for the nugget of encouragement in the exact way I needed it. I have no doubt that was His way of saying "don't doubt what she is capable of and what I have in store for her!".  I am listening Lord - I am listening!! Liliana is no doubt a little MIRACLE!

 She made it up! 

 Big Sis, Gabby, joins her for a little "Max and Ruby" cartoon time. The undisputed favorite in this house :)

 A little JOY anyone?! This is what happy looks like :)

Oh how I love those precious smiles!

This week started out exciting and there is no sign of that excitment going away anytime soon! We are preparing for the arrival of our Au Pair from China, Morgan, on Thursday evening.  We are so excited to meet her in person after corresponding for months with her over Skype now. She is just so sweet and I, for one, can't wait for the help and adult company throughout the day with kiddos :) She flew into New York city yesterday for a 4 day training and sightseeing excursion before she will fly into Cincinnati Thursday evening and to what will become her new home for at least the next year. 

I am not going to pretend that adding yet another person to our home - albeit this one temporary - isn't somewhat terrifying! But I am convinced that we will enrich our lives, her life and the lives of all the kiddos so much by venturing out on this adventure, too.  There is no looking back now.....

And one final update is to mention that Liliana will be meeting with the cardiology team for testing this Friday. We will get a much clearer picture of what struggles her heart may be having and what next steps are in the plan to get her healthy and whole!

I am including a few more pictures from over the last couple of weeks.  And an update on what Lily is able to do since arriving home as I am sure that her skill set will continue to get larger as the days and weeks progress here. 

This month (Oct.) Lily is 30 months old (2 1/2 years)

• Liliana can crawl  (quickly enough to catch Gabby who runs away with a toy she took from Lily :)
• Liliana can stand up on her own without holding anything
• Lily can take up to 4 steps on her own before she sits back down on the floor
• Lily can cruise all over anywhere she wants as long as she has something to balance her - a wall will work just fine!
• Lily can climb up on to the sofa and chairs in the family room on her own (just started this!). 
• Lily naps from 1-3:30pm every day and sleeps from 8pm until 9am every night..in the room she shares with sister, Gabby.
• Lily LOVES eggs - in any form!
• Lily is still afraid of the dog and cat, but will get very close to where they are laying on the floor and clap and laugh as she looks at them - she only touches them every now and then and it's a very quick pat that is followed by hysterical giggling :)
• Liliana is very good at pouring tea for us from her Fisher Price tea pot set and even joining in the pretend drinking of said tea ;)
• Lily loves jackets and sweaters and if she comes across one she will grab it and insist that you put it on her - even if it causes her to sweat! 
• Lily LOVES headbands and bows - seriously! She often has to go to bed with one because of you take it off her when laying her down she screams.
• Lily is the best behaved toddler I have ever seen at meals out in a restaurant. She is truly super good and has excellent table manners :)
• Lily can say "hi" and "mama" even though most people would not know she was saying either, but they are new sounds she has acquired since coming home and that is super exciting!
• Lily has learned to point, wave and blow kisses since coming home and if I call for her she will come find me. 
• Bath time is one of her very favorite activities by far and has been since the beginning.
• Lily has now given me 4 official "kisses" even though they have come from much coaxing! 
• Lily can show us her belly when we ask "where is your belly?" I always tickle her so now she starts laughing as soon as I ask the question :)

Dancing queen...with the wall not far behind her she was feeling confident enough to show off :)

Sisters :)

Modeling her "Babiators" - a gift from a great friend :)

I love the sweet look on her face in this picture.

She is pretty good and maneuvering this Little Tykes ride on around and takes it everywhere inside and outside the house!

That's our bunch!  At Shaw Farm's pumpkin patch this past weekend.

With my little ladies :)

Thank you for staying tuned and to all of you that are still sending emails, making comments and cards I want to say a special thank you!  I love the encouraging words and have read and re-read every one that I have received...they truly are food for my soul :)

Blessings, 

Jessica (and family)