I took Anna Kate for her two-year-old check up. As normal, she had blood work drawn and got another vaccination. I will take her back in March for another vaccination shot which should catch her up on all her vaccinations. Then we can wait till she turns three to return for shots. The doctor was impressed with how well she is doing developmentally and physically since she had major surgery in July. AK weighs 26lb 6oz and 34" tall. She if 50% in both weight and height. Anna Kate weighs more and is taller than Bennett when Bennett turned two. Bennett was 25lb 12 oz and 33" tall. So I would agree that AK is doing well. To think she has gained six pounds since we were in China is a testament to Anna Kate's healthy appetite. I am so proud of how well she has done.
I mentioned to the doctor again that Anna Kate' runny nose has still not stopped. I was hoping we could go see an ENT or allergist, but he said we needed to wait till she turns 2 1/2 due to false positive test results. I was disappointed, but hey what is another 6 months and 100 boxes of tissues. I was surprised to get a call from the doctor the next day. He said he reviewed AK's chart and did some research on her chronic runny nose. Since we do not know anything about AK's biological mom, he wanted to rule out some health issues that could be resulting in her runny nose. This was not what I was expecting. So, I will first take AK to have blood work done to test for a specific disease. If this is positive, then we are in for a long hospitalization trip. I truly don't think this is the case. If this is negative, then the doctor will order a sinus CT scan. It could be a tumor in her nasal cavity draining. If this is negative, then we wait to see the allergist. I am somewhat more concerned that it could be a tumor since she was born with a teratoma. I leave it all in God's hands. He has taken such good care of her prior to us having her that I know he can take care of her now. I am so thankful for AK having such a great pediatrician that does not discredit a nagging mom's request for solutions to a constant runny nose.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Monday, January 13, 2014
Another Encounter of AK's past
I mentioned back in the fall about meeting the a couple in Rack Room. This time we were at Taziki's. I was looking for a seat for us while Kevin was ordering. I heard someone seem to speak to me. I turned to see a ~12 year-old Chinese boy. I ended up talking to the family who lived on this side of town. They have an older biological girl, 12-year-old Chinese boy, and a three-year old Chinese boy. I told them that Anna Kate was at MBHOH and she automatically asked if we used CCAI and if we knew the Ayres family from Gadsden. Yes and Yes. I learned that they used Lifeline, but their youngest son was at MBHOH. After learning his age and that they adopted him in 2012, we realized that AK was there with him although she would have been a baby. God did it again!
I am completely amazed at God's timing and sovereignty. We have now met two children in Birmingham who were with AK in China. This story continues. When we finally sat down to eat, Kevin told me that the family looked so familar. I disagreed. I did not know them at all. So the next day, Kevin told me he realized how he knew this family. He had gone on The Masterson's blog (one of our travel families) and watched a video from you tube of a teenage girl tell about how adoption changed her life. He showed me this amazing video that brings tears to my eyes. This girl gets what as Christians we are called to do and the eternal importance of our lives. I am completely humbled that it took me 30 years to realize what this young girl has already learned. I have provided the video below.
I am humbled that God picked me to be Anna Kate's mom and He has blessed us with these opportunities to meet her China family. I am feel so inadequate to try to save these children, but I serve a Mighty God. He love his children. My goal for 2014 is to be more mission minded, to search and find those who need to see Jesus, to use my time and resources to serve others. I ask for your prayers since this is out of my comfort zone. I hope this video will challenge you to see how you can change your life and change the world.
I am completely amazed at God's timing and sovereignty. We have now met two children in Birmingham who were with AK in China. This story continues. When we finally sat down to eat, Kevin told me that the family looked so familar. I disagreed. I did not know them at all. So the next day, Kevin told me he realized how he knew this family. He had gone on The Masterson's blog (one of our travel families) and watched a video from you tube of a teenage girl tell about how adoption changed her life. He showed me this amazing video that brings tears to my eyes. This girl gets what as Christians we are called to do and the eternal importance of our lives. I am completely humbled that it took me 30 years to realize what this young girl has already learned. I have provided the video below.
I am humbled that God picked me to be Anna Kate's mom and He has blessed us with these opportunities to meet her China family. I am feel so inadequate to try to save these children, but I serve a Mighty God. He love his children. My goal for 2014 is to be more mission minded, to search and find those who need to see Jesus, to use my time and resources to serve others. I ask for your prayers since this is out of my comfort zone. I hope this video will challenge you to see how you can change your life and change the world.
Bennett 31 Months
I have not given an update on Bennett in a while. This past Saturday we converted Bennett's crib to a toddler bed. I have to admit that I got a little teary-eyed. My baby does not need a crib anymore. I know he has been old enough for a while, but he does so well in his crib why change it. I started asking him if he wanted his bed like sissy's. For the last two weeks, he has mentioned that he wanted to have his bed changed, so we did it. He did great. He still sleeps all night and sits in his bed till we go in for him.
I feel the one thing that impresses me the most about Bennett is his vocabulary. He regularly uses 4 word sentences and on occasion has used 8 words. The other night at a restaurant he said, "mommy I need down. I will be right back." Okay? I have since learned that I say "be right back" frequently.
Bennett's teachers say that he is a great child. He listens well and does what he teachers ask. They are amazed at how he would prefer to read books than play. I am not so surprised. He has started talking more to them. The only thing that Bennett is not good at is sharing. Is any kid good at that? As an adult, I don't really like to share what I am looking at.
Bennett is still really into cars/trucks/construction trucks. We have read this new truck book he got at least 10 times in a row before he would move on to another book. I realize that I truly did not know the proper names of all the construction trucks till now. I guess that makes me not smarter than a two year old.
Over the Christmas holidays, Bennett loved listening to Christmas music. He still sings Frosty, Rudolph, and Jingle Bells. I love hearing him sing. He has such a soft sweet voice.
I know June seems months away at this point, but I when I wake up tomorrow it will be here and my boy will be three. I hope and pray that 2014 goes slower than 2013. I truly don't know where that year went.
I feel the one thing that impresses me the most about Bennett is his vocabulary. He regularly uses 4 word sentences and on occasion has used 8 words. The other night at a restaurant he said, "mommy I need down. I will be right back." Okay? I have since learned that I say "be right back" frequently.
Bennett's teachers say that he is a great child. He listens well and does what he teachers ask. They are amazed at how he would prefer to read books than play. I am not so surprised. He has started talking more to them. The only thing that Bennett is not good at is sharing. Is any kid good at that? As an adult, I don't really like to share what I am looking at.
Bennett is still really into cars/trucks/construction trucks. We have read this new truck book he got at least 10 times in a row before he would move on to another book. I realize that I truly did not know the proper names of all the construction trucks till now. I guess that makes me not smarter than a two year old.
Over the Christmas holidays, Bennett loved listening to Christmas music. He still sings Frosty, Rudolph, and Jingle Bells. I love hearing him sing. He has such a soft sweet voice.
I know June seems months away at this point, but I when I wake up tomorrow it will be here and my boy will be three. I hope and pray that 2014 goes slower than 2013. I truly don't know where that year went.
Anna Kate turns 2
We may have missed Anna Kate's first birthday, but she was with us on her second. I had debated back and forth on whether to throw her a party or not. She seems to be very scared and clings to me when around a lot of people or in an unfamiliar place. I wanted her second birthday to be all about her and making her comfortable. Therefore, I took a cookie cake to her daycare for her and her friends to enjoy. We had some "baby bites" at home that night and she opened gifts. Bennett serenaded her "Happy Birthday" after she opened her gifts. I guess better late than never.
She takes such pride in receiving gifts. I call her my "hoarder" because when she gets something she holds it and takes it everywhere she goes (even to bed). She needs two beds. One for all her baby dolls, blankets, and stuffed animals, and a second bed for her to actually have room to sleep. We got her some pink glittery shoes and a pink airplane. She also had gifts from our family that she opened. I think the shoes were her favorite. She may be a rough and tough little girl, but she likes pretty things. I was lucky to convince her that she did not need to wear the shoes to bed that night. Her Aunt Cheryl and cousins (Hanna, Bre, and Isaac) face timed with her and sung her Happy Birthday. She so enjoyed seeing them and gave the phone (them) kisses constantly. Thank you to our friends and Kevin's family who made Anna Kate's second birthday special.
Beyond the celebration, I am reminded on that day of what she may have gone through two years ago. I am reminder how her birth mother went through the process of giving birth and then placing her in front of a Women's and Children's facility to walk away. There is no question Anna Kate is a tough little girl. Having no one, she stayed the first weeks of her life in-and-out of hospitals and having surgery with no mother to hold her and tell her it will be okay. I pray that on this very special day that her mother knows and is comforted by God that He has taken care of her little girl. She is perfectly healthy now, no spina bifida, no teratoma, no developmental delays. She recognizes all the animals and knows her animal sounds. She knows most of her colors. She can say numerous words and puts two to three words together. She has a caring and funny personality. She is such a helper. She helps me put up laundry and helps me load and unload the dishwasher. She bends over and walks so funny. I call her "old lady" because that is what she looks like.
Although she has accepted us as her parents and is adjusting so well, we have days and weeks where we are reminded that attachment is a process. Anna Kate and I have times where we battle. I have gone to my knees many times over the last 9 months needing grace. It has been harder than I expected. I have a heart for orphans, but when her past shows through it is hard. I am so blessed that those times are few and far between now. When I am on my knees, God reminds me that His grace is sufficient. He rescued me from my sin, my past, my shame. If God can love me through all that, I can love her when she won't listen, throws a tantrum, and battles bedtime for an hour. Really it seems so petty in comparison to what Jesus had to go through for me.
She takes such pride in receiving gifts. I call her my "hoarder" because when she gets something she holds it and takes it everywhere she goes (even to bed). She needs two beds. One for all her baby dolls, blankets, and stuffed animals, and a second bed for her to actually have room to sleep. We got her some pink glittery shoes and a pink airplane. She also had gifts from our family that she opened. I think the shoes were her favorite. She may be a rough and tough little girl, but she likes pretty things. I was lucky to convince her that she did not need to wear the shoes to bed that night. Her Aunt Cheryl and cousins (Hanna, Bre, and Isaac) face timed with her and sung her Happy Birthday. She so enjoyed seeing them and gave the phone (them) kisses constantly. Thank you to our friends and Kevin's family who made Anna Kate's second birthday special.
Beyond the celebration, I am reminded on that day of what she may have gone through two years ago. I am reminder how her birth mother went through the process of giving birth and then placing her in front of a Women's and Children's facility to walk away. There is no question Anna Kate is a tough little girl. Having no one, she stayed the first weeks of her life in-and-out of hospitals and having surgery with no mother to hold her and tell her it will be okay. I pray that on this very special day that her mother knows and is comforted by God that He has taken care of her little girl. She is perfectly healthy now, no spina bifida, no teratoma, no developmental delays. She recognizes all the animals and knows her animal sounds. She knows most of her colors. She can say numerous words and puts two to three words together. She has a caring and funny personality. She is such a helper. She helps me put up laundry and helps me load and unload the dishwasher. She bends over and walks so funny. I call her "old lady" because that is what she looks like.
Although she has accepted us as her parents and is adjusting so well, we have days and weeks where we are reminded that attachment is a process. Anna Kate and I have times where we battle. I have gone to my knees many times over the last 9 months needing grace. It has been harder than I expected. I have a heart for orphans, but when her past shows through it is hard. I am so blessed that those times are few and far between now. When I am on my knees, God reminds me that His grace is sufficient. He rescued me from my sin, my past, my shame. If God can love me through all that, I can love her when she won't listen, throws a tantrum, and battles bedtime for an hour. Really it seems so petty in comparison to what Jesus had to go through for me.
Anna Kate is 2!
Christmas Kids and Family Pictures
Kevin was able to get some cute pictures of the kids in their Christmas outfits by the tree.
Below are pictures from Kevin's self photo session when we took pictures for our Family Christmas card.
Below are pictures from Kevin's self photo session when we took pictures for our Family Christmas card.
Christmas Pictures
Christmas Eve we let the kids decorate a Mickey Mouse Gingerbread House. They had so much fun. AK ate lots of candy.
Christmas Day we let the kids decorate cupcakes and we had a birthday party for Jesus.
The weekend after Christmas, Kevin's family came in to celebrate Christmas with us. Bre brought Prissy, her cat. I was surprised that Bennett held the cat. No animals were harmed when taking these pictures. Ha Ha.
New Years Eve my sister's family came in to celebrate Christmas with us.
Christmas Day Pictures
Christmas Day we let the kids decorate cupcakes and we had a birthday party for Jesus.
The weekend after Christmas, Kevin's family came in to celebrate Christmas with us. Bre brought Prissy, her cat. I was surprised that Bennett held the cat. No animals were harmed when taking these pictures. Ha Ha.
New Years Eve my sister's family came in to celebrate Christmas with us.
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