We have quite a few doctors appointments to go with the cleft one on Monday. I am hoping next week will be more laid back and she will get on a better schedule.
I probably won't be posting as much in the next few weeks. I'm not even sure anyone reads this anymore.
Kerry and Grace have been home about four days. She is such a tiny little girl. She does eat and boy do I mean eat. She can pack away more food than Kerry or Jake. (and that is alot!) We had our first doctors appt. yesterday. She did pretty well considering.
I am not impressed with our doctor at all. She barely looked at her, said she was assessed at a 9-10 mth level and then sent us of for blood work. I am now looking for a new peds doctor with IA experience.
We have a cleft appointment on Monday. I am looking forward to this one. (insert sarcasm) He will look everything over and let us know what he thinks as far as timing and surgeries go.
Kerry and I have decided Grace's adoption will be our last. I know putting that in writing is so hard. As much as I would love to adopt again, it just isn't possible. We have five children, all pretty close in age, all needing us as they grow and I am feeling the pull. I want to give my children what they need and adding more well, I just couldn't do it. maybe when Hope and Grace are a little older we will go back and volunteer. That is something I would love to do. It would also give them an inside look at how an orphanage is run and maybe a sense of closure or understanding for the girls. They were so young when we adopted them, I am not sure how much they will remember. I hope they remember the good things and that their aiya's loved them very much and did the best they could.
I wanted to end this post with something extraordinary but Grace is waking up and I need to run. I guess in closing I will just say that I love all my children very much. Hope and Grace were meant to be our daughter's. I know this. Grace's adoption was especially meaningful. She waited so long because she was meant to be ours. I mean how could a nine month old baby girl go through all the agencies interested clients and then two yahoo groups and someone not say she is mine? It's because God chose her for Kerry and I. I believe that with all my heart. She is a special little girl and with time her true personality will come out, she will start to feel safe with us and know that we love her very much.
One more thing, if anyone is looking for a GREAT agency I would highly encourage you to call ours. (Wasatch) All their China people have been awesome. They went above and beyond what I expected. Marilyn is a wonderful person and always made sure I knew what was going on. The travel part of it was also great. Kerry said the guides were amazing, especially the Xian one. Sabrina, the lady who sets everything up was amazing, she called me at home most every day, mostly because she knew I wasn't able to travel, just to let me know what they were doing that day or that everything was going as planned.
Don't forget to enter the Give Away contest here: You have until Sept. 12!!
Ok, maybe he was going for the Elvis look with the hair?? Regardless, she is the most beautiful baby ever!!
Now, to thank all of you lovely people for ordering from me, my first giveaway!! This is a republican/star print reversible pinafore. I have two. One is a size 4 and the other a size 2. Leave me a comment (and a size request) and I will draw names on September 12.
The medical went ok in Guangzhou. Kerry said Grace did very well and didn't cry at all. She even got some smiles out of the staff. Hope never had that happen. She was much smaller though and still in the crying stages.
As for me, I seem to be having a bit of a relapse. I could really use some prayers. I seem to be getting sick again. This is not a good time, (is it ever?) I need to be on my A game in order to get Grace through her surgery. It takes a lot to parent five kids and I need to be healthy in order to do that. We are not sure exactly what is going on, could be colitis, could be crohn's or maybe just a real nasty bug I caught somewhere that isn't going away. The Dr. is leaning towards colitis but not a severe case. I don't know what it is but I can't stand it. I am so frustrated and tired of being sick all the time. I am missing out on way to much. I just hope that I start to feel better before Grace is home. I want this more than anything.
They are finally back in Guangzhou for the last leg of the journey. Five more days until I can hold her. Kerry is feeling better. They are planning on going to Lucy's, the Pearl Market and doing some local shopping. (I hope) Check the Travel Journal for updates again.
