Now for the long awaited beach photos.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Neurosurgeon Appointment and Beach Photos
The boys' appointment with the neurosurgeon was today. Caleb has complete absence of the corpus collosum and Jacob has partial absence of the corpus callosum. We really don't know what this means for the boys. We just wait and see how they develop. Caleb's does have fluid on the ventricles but we found out this is perfectly normal with his absence of the corpus callosum. Best news is there no need for any surgery.
Now for the long awaited beach photos.
The boys walking on the beach. Their balance wasn't good on the sand.
Jacob was more of an observer.
Caleb loved playing in the sand.
Bye Bye Beach! Hope to visit again soon.
Now for the long awaited beach photos.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Two Months
Two months ago today the boys became US citizens in San Francisco. Two months ago they met their Dad, Kristopher, Nicholas, Julia, Grace, and Alyssa for the first time.
Since my post a couple of weeks ago the boys have had some new experiences. I am going to use bullets again just because I like them.
- First overnight trip since China. They both did okay. Sleeping was interesting since there were 10 of us.
- First trip to Ikea. They weren't that impressed.
- First trip to the beach. We just went late in the afternoon for a few hours. Neither walked well on the beach. Dallas likes to say they walk like old men. I think this is due to their brain issues. It can cause problems with balance. Caleb took to the beach much quicker than Jacob. No surprise there. Jacob sat on a boogie board checking things out for a long time. All in all they had a good time. Looking forward to our longer trip to the beach in August.
I'll add some photos tomorrow. Too tired tonight.
Since my post a couple of weeks ago the boys have had some new experiences. I am going to use bullets again just because I like them.
- First overnight trip since China. They both did okay. Sleeping was interesting since there were 10 of us.
- First trip to Ikea. They weren't that impressed.
- First trip to the beach. We just went late in the afternoon for a few hours. Neither walked well on the beach. Dallas likes to say they walk like old men. I think this is due to their brain issues. It can cause problems with balance. Caleb took to the beach much quicker than Jacob. No surprise there. Jacob sat on a boogie board checking things out for a long time. All in all they had a good time. Looking forward to our longer trip to the beach in August.
I'll add some photos tomorrow. Too tired tonight.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Boys' First Haircut
A couple of weeks ago the boys got their first haircut. I had other things I needed to get done so Dallas, Kristopher, and Zachary took them. We really didn't think they would do well. They still get nervous about new things and places. So we were quite surprised that they did great! When they got home they were so excited to see me and show me their haircuts. They were so funny.
Before
After
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Monday, July 15, 2013
Two Months Ago
On May 13, 2013 we met the boys for the first time. I started writing this on the two month mark but didn't get it posted. So very blessed to have them home and that they are are sons.
The boys have adapted to their new home very well. Still some things we are working on but I am so proud of them.
On July 13, 2013 we had a Red Thread Session with Shelli Craig Photography. We had always wanted to do one but it just never happened. It was an awesome experience and we can't wait to see all the photos. The little boys weren't very smiley but hoping Shelli was still able to get some good photos. I know the more people you have the more difficult it is. We were so fortunate the rain held off long enough to get some photos. Up until the very last minute we thought we were going to have to cancel.
Some tidbits about the boys:
- Still absolutely do not like blankets of any kind anywhere near them
- Jacob can now walk up the 3 garage stairs into the house by himself
- Knows everyone's name in our immediate family even if they can't pronounce it correctly
- Finally tried ice cream for the first time the other night at Cold Stone Creamery. Once we convinced them to try it they both loved it. They ate my flavor of choice-Mint Chocolate Chip.
- Went to Chick-fil-A for the first time on Cow Appreciation Day(today), they loved it.
- Caleb prefers meats and Jacob prefers breads
- Took 1 nap that was longer than 30 minutes
- Can point to ears, eyes, mouth, nose, hands, feet, hair, and head with 95% accuracy
- Love hugs and kisses
- Clap and laugh in celebration every time I am gone and come home
- Will not sleep past 6:15 a.m.
- Still have to lay on the floor of their room until they fall asleep, at naptime Nicholas often lays with them and it takes about 30 minutes for them to fall asleep. At bedtime it usually takes a 45- 60 minutes.
- Caleb has a favorite chair in our family room and gets upset if he can't sit there
- They are still fairly picky about their food. Jacob will not eat any vegetables and the only fruit they will eat is bananas.
- They enjoy playing with some toys now. Big legos are their favorite.
- Jacob flips out anytime he has to walk on grass. Definitely not his thing.
- Jacob is still quite the singer. He has picked up quite a few songs. Caleb sings too but you really can't understand him.
- We still have many parades during the day. If Dallas or I get up both boys will follow us everywhere we go. Occasionally they do the same to the girls.
- Jacob is no longer scared of Alyssa but he doesn't interact much with her either.
- Both boys still have 1 bottle at bedtime.
- We are gradually clearing out our stockpile of cereal. The boys love almost any flavor.
- The boys would eat all day long if you let them.
- They like to listen to music when they are going to sleep. They have a Chinese Lullaby CD and a kids' worship CD that are their favorites.
- We still get the shaking of the hand and "bitta, bitta" when they don't like something. Thankfully this doesn't happen near as often.
I may add a few more bullets if I think of anything else. It seems like it has been so much longer than two months since they walked into the civil affairs office in Zhengzhou, Henan. They are treasures!
The boys have adapted to their new home very well. Still some things we are working on but I am so proud of them.
On July 13, 2013 we had a Red Thread Session with Shelli Craig Photography. We had always wanted to do one but it just never happened. It was an awesome experience and we can't wait to see all the photos. The little boys weren't very smiley but hoping Shelli was still able to get some good photos. I know the more people you have the more difficult it is. We were so fortunate the rain held off long enough to get some photos. Up until the very last minute we thought we were going to have to cancel.
Some tidbits about the boys:
- Still absolutely do not like blankets of any kind anywhere near them
- Jacob can now walk up the 3 garage stairs into the house by himself
- Knows everyone's name in our immediate family even if they can't pronounce it correctly
- Finally tried ice cream for the first time the other night at Cold Stone Creamery. Once we convinced them to try it they both loved it. They ate my flavor of choice-Mint Chocolate Chip.
- Went to Chick-fil-A for the first time on Cow Appreciation Day(today), they loved it.
- Caleb prefers meats and Jacob prefers breads
- Took 1 nap that was longer than 30 minutes
- Can point to ears, eyes, mouth, nose, hands, feet, hair, and head with 95% accuracy
- Love hugs and kisses
- Clap and laugh in celebration every time I am gone and come home
- Will not sleep past 6:15 a.m.
- Still have to lay on the floor of their room until they fall asleep, at naptime Nicholas often lays with them and it takes about 30 minutes for them to fall asleep. At bedtime it usually takes a 45- 60 minutes.
- Caleb has a favorite chair in our family room and gets upset if he can't sit there
- They are still fairly picky about their food. Jacob will not eat any vegetables and the only fruit they will eat is bananas.
- They enjoy playing with some toys now. Big legos are their favorite.
- Jacob flips out anytime he has to walk on grass. Definitely not his thing.
- Jacob is still quite the singer. He has picked up quite a few songs. Caleb sings too but you really can't understand him.
- We still have many parades during the day. If Dallas or I get up both boys will follow us everywhere we go. Occasionally they do the same to the girls.
- Jacob is no longer scared of Alyssa but he doesn't interact much with her either.
- Both boys still have 1 bottle at bedtime.
- We are gradually clearing out our stockpile of cereal. The boys love almost any flavor.
- The boys would eat all day long if you let them.
- They like to listen to music when they are going to sleep. They have a Chinese Lullaby CD and a kids' worship CD that are their favorites.
- We still get the shaking of the hand and "bitta, bitta" when they don't like something. Thankfully this doesn't happen near as often.
I may add a few more bullets if I think of anything else. It seems like it has been so much longer than two months since they walked into the civil affairs office in Zhengzhou, Henan. They are treasures!
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
MRIs
Yesterday the boys' had their sedated MRIs. We thought they did exceptionally well. Jacob didn't actually go back for the procedure until 11:00. These boys love to eat so we expected lots of tears. We didn't get them. They did the sign for eat a few times but other than that there was no mention of food.
The nurses were so nice and so was the Anesthesiologist and his team. The boys were very friendly with everyone when we were in the preparation room(can't think of a better name for this room) but once it came to leaving this room they only wanted Mom or Dad. I thought that was a good sign as far as attachment.
Caleb went first and woke up screaming. They were not able to get the rest of Caleb's blood at the doctor's office so it was done after the MRI. Fortunately they were able to get all they needed for Caleb. Jacob wasn't so lucky. They could not get the blood out of his arm so they had to use the main artery for blood in the groin area. Sorry I can't remember its name. They were able to get enough for all but one test. His IV also had to be placed in his foot because they weren't able to get it in his arm. We were greatly surprised that Jacob woke up peacefully. He is usually the more high strung one but he slowly woke up and never cried.
Today we received the results. Unfortunately the China CT scans are fairly accurate. We will be taking both of them to a Pediatric Neurosurgeon. We won't really know any additional information until that time. At least we now know and can get them additional care if they needed. Surprisingly I have peace with this. God led us to them, it is not a surprise to him. Nor is it really a surprise to us. They are our boys and we are very blessed that God chose us.
The nurses were so nice and so was the Anesthesiologist and his team. The boys were very friendly with everyone when we were in the preparation room(can't think of a better name for this room) but once it came to leaving this room they only wanted Mom or Dad. I thought that was a good sign as far as attachment.
Caleb went first and woke up screaming. They were not able to get the rest of Caleb's blood at the doctor's office so it was done after the MRI. Fortunately they were able to get all they needed for Caleb. Jacob wasn't so lucky. They could not get the blood out of his arm so they had to use the main artery for blood in the groin area. Sorry I can't remember its name. They were able to get enough for all but one test. His IV also had to be placed in his foot because they weren't able to get it in his arm. We were greatly surprised that Jacob woke up peacefully. He is usually the more high strung one but he slowly woke up and never cried.
Today we received the results. Unfortunately the China CT scans are fairly accurate. We will be taking both of them to a Pediatric Neurosurgeon. We won't really know any additional information until that time. At least we now know and can get them additional care if they needed. Surprisingly I have peace with this. God led us to them, it is not a surprise to him. Nor is it really a surprise to us. They are our boys and we are very blessed that God chose us.
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