Doctor's Visit and First Post Placement Visit

Today was the boys' first doctor's visit.  We had to delay it a little to get our favorite doctor.  We had an earlier appointment but he went out of town at the last minute so we had to reschedule.  Luckily we had an appointment for Alyssa the next week so the boys just took her appointment.

The boys kept the doctor entertained the whole time.  They looked over his shoulder as he was typing on the computer, Caleb tried to tickle him, and they were they usual busy selfs.  Heart, lungs, and overall general health looked good.  Their tonsils are rather large which may require surgery down the road.

Jacob weighed 33.6 lbs and Caleb weighed 34.5 lbs.  Jacob has gained almost 4 lbs since coming home and Caleb 2.5 lbs.  Not surprising since they love to eat.  We forgot to get the printout of all their measurements.  I may be able to get it Friday.  If so I will be updating this post.

Lots of labwork was ordered.  Unfortunately our visit to the lab didn't go well.  So many tests had to be run it had to split in half.  Caleb was fairly easy and they were able to get what they needed for the first visit.  Jacob went nuts and they had a difficult time finding a vein.  They were able to get a little blood but not enough.  We have to go back to the boys' doctors' office Friday because the nurse there wants to try herself.  Caleb is definitely still the more laid back one while Jacob completely flips out.  He will scream until you are done whether it is hurting hime or not.

The most concerning thing about both boys' health is the abnormal CT scan report we have from China.  The wording is a bit confusing and if it is true it could mean surgery rather soon for Caleb.  Praying it isn't accurate and no surgery is required.  Tuesday, July 2, both boys will have sedated MRIs before we can be referred to an appropriate specialist.  Need to see exactly what the problem is before it can be determined what the next steps will be.

This does not come as a surprise to us.  We knew the boys both had an abnormal CT scans in China.  Of course we are hoping it is inaccurate and their MRIs will show nothing wrong but we are prepared for that not to be the case.  Since the boys were in a Show Hope Special Care Center we are thinking the information from China will be more accurate.

A couple of hours after our doctor's visit the social worker came to complete the boys' first post placement visit. She was here about an hour.  The boys were their usual curious selfs and were very interested in what she was writing.  Everything went well.  One down, five more to go.  Seems silly to have so many post placement reports now.  Back when we adopted Grace I think only 2 were required.   Oh well, we will do whatever it takes to bring them home and this was one of the requirements.

Part 3- May 14, 2013- Jiaozuo CWI, Show Hope Special Care Center

Lots of great photos to share.  The boys were so excited to come back.  They were so different from how we had seen them.  We knew it was going to be okay once we saw them around the caregivers they knew and loved.  As you can imagine it was very traumatic leaving but I do think it was good for the boys to see them one last time.

                                  Please excuse Zachary and my expressions
                                      it had been a very stressful morning

                                                       The boys' cribs

                                             The room where they sent us to rest

                                               The outside of the orphanage

Part 2 of May 14, 2013

Was planning to post this yesterday but was hit with strep throat.   Photos from Jiaozuo and the Notary Office.

                                                      Almost to Jiaozou

                                       

Lady from Orphanage with Jacob

Caleb at Notary Office

May 14, 2013 - The Boys Were Officially Ours

May 14, 2013 was a very difficult day. There are many parts of this day I would like to forget. There are some regrets and many unanswered questions. The joy is the boys officially became Braxtons.

Lots of good photos from this day a month ago. Thought I would share my favorites.  I ended up having 41 favorites so I am going to break them up over several days.  Today's photos are just the trip to the Civil Affairs Office in Zhengzhou before heading to Jiaozuo.

                                             Jacob before the day became traumatic

                                       Caleb before the day became traumatic

                                                   Caleb making it official

                                                     It's Jacob's turn.

                      A short ceremony officially granting us parents of Caleb and Jacob.

Headed to Jiaozuo- All 3 boys are exhausted.

May 13, 2013 - The Day We Met the Boys

One month ago today we met the boys for the very first time.  What a difference a month makes!  They are so different.  We don't see the vigorous shaking of the hand and saying "bitta bitta" near as much.  That means whatever you are doing they do not like and they want nothing do with it.  In China that was pretty much anything.  As I have mentioned they are definitely not go with the flow kids.

They are getting better at our names.  They usually refer to me as Mommy and Dallas as Daddy.  They will repeat all the other kids names after you but won't just call them.  Jacob knows his name is Jacob and likes to say it.  He also knows Caleb's name but doesn't call him that without prompting.  Caleb likes to joke with you and say his name is Lala(his Chinese word for potty) but I think he really knows it is Caleb.  He will tell you Jacob's name is Jacob.

They can do the sign for eat when they are hungry.  They are starting to get the more and please sign too.  Their language is a bit hard to understand so the signs help.

They are walking much better but still a little wobbly.  Stairs are difficult for them.  I have noticed they don't look down at the stairs, they just walk.  Several times if I weren't holding their hand they would have landed on our concrete floor in the garage.  They will completely miss the step.

They are eating lots of different foods now.  Fruits except for bananas aren't a big hit.  I don't think I have found a vegetable that they like either.  Cereal is their favorite.  We are finally getting rid of all the cereals nobody else in the family likes.

They are funny little guys who are showing us more and more affection everyday.  I think they are really starting to like their new home and their new family.  Their little smiles will melt your heart in seconds.

I wasn't able to post these photos while I was in China because my computer wouldn't work right with the VPN.  I was primarily just posting photos from my I- Phone.  Below are the best photos from the day we first met them and a couple from this afternoon.

                                           Our First Glimpse of the Boys

                                             Warming Up to Us

                                     Zachary's First Photo with his Little Brothers

                                                     The Four of Us

                                           Back at the Hotel - Caleb

Back at the Hotel - Jacob

My sister video taping us meeting the boys. 

                                                June 13, 2013

June 13, 2013 

Three Weeks,1 Day Home, almost 4 Weeks with the Boys

I meant to update sooner, I thought about it often but just couldn't make myself do it. Still processing a lot of things that happened in China. I am wrestling with some regrets and things I wished I had done differently. I finally sent a couple of emails that needed to be sent about things that happened on our trip. I don't like complaining, I am typically a go with the flow type of person. Glad it is done but still worried I didn't word things just right. Need to give it to God and move on.

The boys are settling into their new home. They immediately warmed up to Dallas. Makes me wonder if he had went to China if they would have adjusted quicker. not that it matters. it really wasn't an option.

The last week the boys have slept from 8:30 p.m. until 6:00 - 7:00 a.m.  A couple of nights they have woke up around 4:00 but will go back to sleep. They go to sleep fairly easy, you just have to lay on the floor in their room until they fall asleep. They want to be able to see you.

Jacob is still known as the screamer. He is the littlest of the two but definitely has the bigger lungs. This boy can scream loud and long! Thank goodness he doesn't scream often. He is also the cuddlier, he gives the best hugs.

Caleb overall is louder in everything he does. He talks louder, plays louder, and walks louder. He gives hugs they are just quicker. He likes to give you kisses on your cheek too.

The boys still love music. We listen to a Chinese kids' cd every night when we go to sleep. They love when I pull up Chinese kids' songs on YouTube.  The boys have definitely come a long ways from China.  We have successfully been able to eat out a couple of times with them and have taken them to a park.  You can see they are trusting us more and more every day.

Alyssa is still not sure she likes the boys. She is very possessive of her toys and is prone to throwing fits.  We know it is quite an adjustment for her.  I think it is harder for her because they are her size but developmentally probably a year behind her.  She expects them to communicate better and be able to do things she can do.  They aren't there yet and may never be.  In time we are hoping they will become best friends.

Still adjusting to having three 3 year olds.  We knew it would slow us down and it definitely has.  It is much more difficult to take three 3 year olds places especially when two of them are more like young 2 year olds.  Wouldn't change a thing though, they are our boys and it will get easier.
           
                                            First Spaghetti - It wasn't pretty!

                                                     
                                   National Donut Day - It was a big hit!

                                          Always the Center of Attention

         
                                                         Pullen Park

                        Big Kids Can Have Fun too - Notice Grace's evil look