Kiya had her Birth to 3 evaluation on Tuesday. It was over nap time but she did great. She was quieter than normal but she did show off a little too. She followed simple directions, like go get your baby or can you bring me the ball, etc. She completed a shape puzzle, she sang the ABC song, kicked a ball, rolled a ball, she pointed to pictures in books, etc. She even used her push walker toy when asked and dumped out the contents of a small bottle and put them all back in.
The Early Ed Teacher was impressed with Kiya's problem solving skills. The physical therapist thought Kiya was making nice progress. She commented on her rolling in on her ankle and gave us some suggestions. She also noted that since Kiya has only been crawling for a few months, she may not be ready to walk just yet. She was excited that Kiya will walk a few steps independently between her chair and another person or between two people.
So now we wait for the report and see if she qualifies for services.
Ortho update and frustration are tied together. We had Kiya's ortho appointment yesterday and if the doctor was in the room for more than 5 minutes that would shock me. He called her Anna and was VERY brief. He said he was pessimistic that her curve would get better. He mentioned body casting and back braces and asked what we thought. I immediately asked what body casting would entail and got no answer. The doctor responded with well we can wait 3 or 4 months, repeat x-rays and make a decision then.
I expressed my concern that Kiya is making progress on walking and catching up to her peers and asked how either of these treatments would affect her mobility etc. Again no response. We got the wait and see, a handshake and he left. That was it. Nothing else. I was really frustrated. I had more questions than answers at that point.
Why is it that specialists have to be pompous jerks? Seriously, this is the second specialist we have seen that has ZERO bedside manner. No wonder Kiya wound up screaming at him.
I do believe we were the doctor's last appointment after a VERY long day and with Kiya screaming it was probably just enough to make him want to run fast out of that room.
We did discuss Kiya's right foot also. He wasn't concerned. Yes she rolls in on her ankles but he doesn't think it is that bad. The physical therapist disagrees and recommends an ankle brace or having Kiya wear her walking shoes in the house. So we are going with that. She has been wearing her shoes more in the house as she is less likely to roll in on her ankles with the extra support.
Once we got home, I did some research online about types of braces, etc. I know typically not a good idea but in this case it made me feel better. The braces aren't nearly as scary as they sound and some even are designed to only be worn at night. Most modern braces will allow her to have full range of motion and just be a kid. This was reassuring. There is one scary looking old school brace that I want nothing to do with but if that is what is best we will cross that bridge when we get there. I am seriously hoping her type of curve will work with one of the night time braces but we shall see.
Sigh. Really that is all I can say at this point. Sigh.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Little Man Update
I haven't talked much about our journey to our Little Man as they just hasn't been much to say until now. We are DONE with the paperchase. Dossier went out in the mail today. It took me so much longer to complete the paperchase this time but I have a little more on my plate than I did 2 1/2 years ago when I did this last time :)
So as I wrote out more checks than I write in 6 months today, photocopied a bazillion pieces of paper twice and tried to figure out how to fit all of this paper in an envelope, I got a little misty eyed. The journey seems more real now. Before it was just kind of out there like yeah we are adopting and we are officially waiting etc. But today it kind of sunk in. This is real. We just mailed off our entire life to bring our son home. We still have lots of waiting left to do but today I feel like our Little Man's space in my heart got a little bit bigger.
We are still at least 1 year away from seeing his face for the first time. Next summer. We could see his face in our email next summer. Wow. As to when he will be with us forever. Tough to say. The process is taking a lot longer with the two trip rule. Based on current estimated wait times which I am well aware may change but it appears we will wait around 20/21 months for our referral which puts us in July/August of next year.
We would then need to travel for court. However we will very likely hit court closure again next year. This year courts in Ethiopia are closed from August 6 (or so) until the end of September with the reality that it will likely be weeks into October before things are fully up and running. So if that stays true for next year, the earliest we would travel for the first time is next fall sometime. We had hoped our son would be home for Christmas 2011 but reality is setting in that he will likely not be home until 2012. I hope I am wrong but I am trying to not be overly optimistic only to be disappointed when things change. Been there done that and it is a nasty roller coaster ride that I am trying to avoid this time around.
I know the wait is long but really I am okay with it. First, I have Kiya to keep me plenty busy. It gives us time to work on her needs and medical stuff. It gives us a chance to hopefully get her out of diapers before baby brother comes home. Second, we stuck with the same agency even given the long waits because getting a son fast is not our goal. Sure we could have switched to some agency that would have produced a son for us in no time at all but at what cost???
So we hit 8 months of officially waiting this coming Sunday. Little Man, just know that Mom, Dad and your Big Sister are waiting for you. We will wait as long as it takes. We are praying for you, your first family and all those that will be taking care of you along the way.
So as I wrote out more checks than I write in 6 months today, photocopied a bazillion pieces of paper twice and tried to figure out how to fit all of this paper in an envelope, I got a little misty eyed. The journey seems more real now. Before it was just kind of out there like yeah we are adopting and we are officially waiting etc. But today it kind of sunk in. This is real. We just mailed off our entire life to bring our son home. We still have lots of waiting left to do but today I feel like our Little Man's space in my heart got a little bit bigger.
We are still at least 1 year away from seeing his face for the first time. Next summer. We could see his face in our email next summer. Wow. As to when he will be with us forever. Tough to say. The process is taking a lot longer with the two trip rule. Based on current estimated wait times which I am well aware may change but it appears we will wait around 20/21 months for our referral which puts us in July/August of next year.
We would then need to travel for court. However we will very likely hit court closure again next year. This year courts in Ethiopia are closed from August 6 (or so) until the end of September with the reality that it will likely be weeks into October before things are fully up and running. So if that stays true for next year, the earliest we would travel for the first time is next fall sometime. We had hoped our son would be home for Christmas 2011 but reality is setting in that he will likely not be home until 2012. I hope I am wrong but I am trying to not be overly optimistic only to be disappointed when things change. Been there done that and it is a nasty roller coaster ride that I am trying to avoid this time around.
I know the wait is long but really I am okay with it. First, I have Kiya to keep me plenty busy. It gives us time to work on her needs and medical stuff. It gives us a chance to hopefully get her out of diapers before baby brother comes home. Second, we stuck with the same agency even given the long waits because getting a son fast is not our goal. Sure we could have switched to some agency that would have produced a son for us in no time at all but at what cost???
So we hit 8 months of officially waiting this coming Sunday. Little Man, just know that Mom, Dad and your Big Sister are waiting for you. We will wait as long as it takes. We are praying for you, your first family and all those that will be taking care of you along the way.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Video of Kiya walking
As promised a while ago, here is some video of Kiya walking. I know it is dark video but you get the idea. See how my lovely little one, wants everyone to clap for her? Oh boy are we in for it with her :)
Thursday, July 15, 2010
The results are officially in
After a phone call yesterday at 11am with no info from the doctor and a promise of a call back later on, I was discouraged. My mood got worse when it hit 5pm and no call back. I called again and left a message. At 6pm much to my surprise, the nurse called. She had our MRI results. And it is official....the MRI WAS NORMAL :) minus the curvy spine of course.
Huge sigh of relief to have the official news. So what's next? We have an appointment with the Ortho doctor next Wednesday to discuss treatment options. While we are breathing a sigh of relief, I ask for good vibes, prayers, whatever you can muster for another adoptive family who didn't get the same good news we did and may be looking at spinal surgery for their sweet little one.
We also had what will likely be our last physical therapy session this morning at the medical clinic. The therapist was thrilled with Kiya's progress. She thinks her new shoes are really helping. She is impressed with her muscle tone development. She thinks she is still a little weaker in muscle tone than other children her age but she is making positive progress. We went through some exercises to continue working on. She also referred us to Birth to 3 if we wanted to seek their assistance.
Well, Birth to 3 is coming next Tuesday for our evaluation so we will see if she qualifies for physical therapy through them and then decide what to do from there based on what they recommend.
So there are still some questions as to what is next but at least we know what we are dealing with. Kiya is a trooper so we are encouraged that in time all will work out.
Huge sigh of relief to have the official news. So what's next? We have an appointment with the Ortho doctor next Wednesday to discuss treatment options. While we are breathing a sigh of relief, I ask for good vibes, prayers, whatever you can muster for another adoptive family who didn't get the same good news we did and may be looking at spinal surgery for their sweet little one.
We also had what will likely be our last physical therapy session this morning at the medical clinic. The therapist was thrilled with Kiya's progress. She thinks her new shoes are really helping. She is impressed with her muscle tone development. She thinks she is still a little weaker in muscle tone than other children her age but she is making positive progress. We went through some exercises to continue working on. She also referred us to Birth to 3 if we wanted to seek their assistance.
Well, Birth to 3 is coming next Tuesday for our evaluation so we will see if she qualifies for physical therapy through them and then decide what to do from there based on what they recommend.
So there are still some questions as to what is next but at least we know what we are dealing with. Kiya is a trooper so we are encouraged that in time all will work out.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Fortunate
I have started and deleted this post with various titles for a couple days. So much on my plate right now so hence the blogging absence.
Even with the unknowns floating around, I am feeling very fortunate. Here's why.
1) Last week we walked into the PICU with our daughter and were able to walk out a few hours later. This isn't lost on me. Not every mom could do that that day.
2) While we are still waiting on results and could be until Wednesday, I am fortunate to be able to be in the US and we can deal with whatever this is with the best medical care we can find.
3) I went to Minnesota this last weekend to the EKC Mehaber. Wow....great event and some really great people. I met so many of my online friends in person. The people who have stood behind me, posted on this blog or sent hugs on facebook. In person, in the flesh I got to meet so many of them and hang out and talk. It was incredible. I am very fortunate to be a part of this wonderful community. Sure we are all spread out but it is so nice to know that we are there for each other. Whether we need some words of support from those that have been there done that, which I got this weekend, or whether it be to enjoy a couple beers and just laugh and vent and laugh some more, which I got this weekend too.
I walked away from this weekend exhausted and refreshed. I know that sounds weird but true. It was like I had this "they do exist" moment. People I have called my friends but yet I didn't know them and then here we were in the same place, enjoying the same fun and laughing at "tails" and "mushrooms". For those that aren't in this wacky adoption community, this may all seem weird but for those of us that have used online tools like forums and blogs and facebook to maintain our sanity it was just nice to all be in the same physical place and be reassured that yup I do belong and yup you all are real and yup you are just as awesome in person as you are online.
And talk about some cute kids too....definitely a favorite moment which I will post pictures of when I figure out how to get them off my phone that is, is watching Kiya and Miss T share pretzels. And I am talking bite for bite, Kiya would take a bite and then Miss T. They would grab ones and hand them to each other and then take them away. They were in their own little world sitting on the ground while T's mom and I chatted. It was adorable.
So I guess I am saying that life has thrown a few lemons at us lately, but I am feeling fortunate. I wouldn't be able to tackle any of this without this amazing community and I feel so much more connected now that I have met people face to face.
Even with the unknowns floating around, I am feeling very fortunate. Here's why.
1) Last week we walked into the PICU with our daughter and were able to walk out a few hours later. This isn't lost on me. Not every mom could do that that day.
2) While we are still waiting on results and could be until Wednesday, I am fortunate to be able to be in the US and we can deal with whatever this is with the best medical care we can find.
3) I went to Minnesota this last weekend to the EKC Mehaber. Wow....great event and some really great people. I met so many of my online friends in person. The people who have stood behind me, posted on this blog or sent hugs on facebook. In person, in the flesh I got to meet so many of them and hang out and talk. It was incredible. I am very fortunate to be a part of this wonderful community. Sure we are all spread out but it is so nice to know that we are there for each other. Whether we need some words of support from those that have been there done that, which I got this weekend, or whether it be to enjoy a couple beers and just laugh and vent and laugh some more, which I got this weekend too.
I walked away from this weekend exhausted and refreshed. I know that sounds weird but true. It was like I had this "they do exist" moment. People I have called my friends but yet I didn't know them and then here we were in the same place, enjoying the same fun and laughing at "tails" and "mushrooms". For those that aren't in this wacky adoption community, this may all seem weird but for those of us that have used online tools like forums and blogs and facebook to maintain our sanity it was just nice to all be in the same physical place and be reassured that yup I do belong and yup you all are real and yup you are just as awesome in person as you are online.
And talk about some cute kids too....definitely a favorite moment which I will post pictures of when I figure out how to get them off my phone that is, is watching Kiya and Miss T share pretzels. And I am talking bite for bite, Kiya would take a bite and then Miss T. They would grab ones and hand them to each other and then take them away. They were in their own little world sitting on the ground while T's mom and I chatted. It was adorable.
So I guess I am saying that life has thrown a few lemons at us lately, but I am feeling fortunate. I wouldn't be able to tackle any of this without this amazing community and I feel so much more connected now that I have met people face to face.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
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