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
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