Two months

I can't believe that it has been two months since "Gotcha Day."  It has been a wild ride and I am in complete awe at the miracle who is Maggie Holt.  When I look at her and think about what I know of her beginnings, I am amazed.  I am also saddened when I think about those 11 months she spent in the orphanage, but thankful to her caretakers who clearly loved her and took care of her.

A short outline of the amazing progress she has made since November 27, 2012 (and I am sure that there are plenty things that I am leaving out!):

• Silent tears streaming down her face as we entered the hotel room, her first "home" away from the orphanage TO NOW screaming and fussing and reaching for mommy and/or daddy when she is scared/hurt.
• No sounds coming out of her mouth at all TO NOW babbling constantly and even trying to sing along with the radio.  Her favorite sounds are still in the "da da" range, but she is starting to attempt to say "mama" even if it has more of a "ba" sound.  I love hearing her sing though - hearing her for the first time in the car made me laugh, but also cry with joy.  
• Crawling around TO NOW taking 5-7 steps at a time.  She will be fully walking VERY SOON, much to my dismay! She loves to push the baby stroller around and our little bee. She can even climb the stairs (and is so fast that I had to put a gate at the bottom of them)!
• Insisting that I hold her almost every minute of the day TO NOW freely exploring rooms (if I am in them) and even pretending to leave the room and laughing as she crawls back to me.
• From never seeing a phone (much less an iPhone) TO NOW holding it up to her ear and "talking" and even holding it between her ear and her shoulder just like I do!
• From never seeing a television TO NOW loving Baby Einstein (at least the ones about animals!)
• From never seeing a computer TO NOW hitting all over the keyboard like she is typing!
• Waving bye-bye
• Giving "five"
• Playing peek-a-boo
• Leaning in to "give you a kiss"
• Playing chase with Ward
• From not playing with toys at all TO NOW playing with age-appropriate toys, including blocks and everything in the play kitchen!
• Not being outside except in a stroller TO NOW loving the outdoors and especially the swing.  She also loves to be in the yard on nice days, but is still unsure of the grass.  Hopefully once the nice green, soft grass of spring replaces the hard, itchy grass of winter she will learn to like it!

Another thing that I have been amazed at is how she has dropped almost every orphanage behavior - even the sucking of her thumb that she would do when she was tired and about to fall asleep!  She would also "rock" herself to sleep and I don't see any sign of either any more.  Of course, now she loves her paci and her lovies in her bed!  One way of coping to another, I guess!   One thing that she still does that I think is a little strange is that she places objects behind her back/behind her neck.  She thinks that it is funny and it is some sort of game that I have yet to figure out!

We have gone from THIS (November 27, 2012):

TO THIS (January 20, 2013) in NO TIME!!

Fat Tuesday and other thoughts

Sorry that I have been very absent. I make no excuse other than I find my time consumed by 4 kids and starting back work. I also don't want to spend my nights on the computer. Not that nothing is going on. Maybe I'll just post as I sit in carpool line? Better use of my time than Facebook and Instagram for sure. And I'm still working on a Maggie update.

As for Mardi Gras we live through my sister and her family in New Orleans. We had a blast a couple of years ago when we took Ward and AP and are hoping to get back soon ... maybe even next year. But for now, Sam's school parade will have to do.

And don't get me started on Lent. Can't believe it is already here. Not sure what I am sacrificing. Last year was Facebook. I've done the typical sweets, diet cokes, etc but want to be more meaningful this year. Stay tuned.

GREAT Report

I am preparing a blog post on Maggie's 2nd month anniversary of Gotcha Day (last Sunday), but I wanted to quickly report (while I have a free moment to myself!) that we had an INCREDIBLE report at the International Adoption Clinic today.  First Maggie had her hearing tested.  Although she still has some fluid on her left ear, her hearing was perfect.  We will have an ear re-check with our pediatrician in a month to make sure that the fluid has resolved.  If it does not resolve on its own, we may have to get tubes just to make sure the fluid does not hinder hear hearing in the future.  Nothing is infected though and she is not in pain.

Next, we went to our follow-up with the International Adoption team.  I was anxious (and didn't sleep well) at getting the results of all the blood work.  So many "what ifs" floated through my brain (most of them irrational) but I just needed to hear from an American doctor that all was okay.  And not only was the news that all was OKAY - the news was that Maggie is doing INCREDIBLY WELL!  We first met with the occupational therapist who literally was laughing at how well Maggie was doing.  She said that there were not many children who she has seen in the clinic who are where Maggie is after 2 months home.  Not only did she meet all the goals for a 9-12 month old, but she met a lot of goals for a 12-18 month old (such as putting a cube into the square hole, climbing stairs, etc.)  The OT kept on saying that "good" for these kids is being 6 months behind - that such a delay is expected - and she could not believe that Maggie was not delayed at all.  I was beaming!!!

Then the doctor came in.  Maggie has gained a pound and a half in the past two months home - bringing her to a healthy weight of 18 1/2 pounds!   This puts her in about the 17th% - up from the 5th% where she measured on December 5.  She did not measure length or head circumference - those measurements will be take at her 6 months check-up since that growth is not as big.  And then what I had been waiting to hear - ALL HER BLOODWORK WAS PERFECT!!!!  Nothing abnormal AT ALL.  And she received every shot that she should have (and that was recorded by the orphanage).  The doctor kept on saying how wonderful this was and definitely out of the ordinary from her experience.

All I know is that Maggie is a miracle.  I am convinced that God placed angels around her and in her life while she waited on us.  The orphanage is part of her story and will always be, but she was protected, cared for, and loved by her caretakers.  She is attaching to us so well, and I cannot take any of the credit for it.  Yes, I am working at it and have done everything the experts have told us to do, but God's hand is ALL OVER HER.  She is destined for something so amazing.  I just can't wait to sit back and watch Him work in her life!!!  Praise God!!!!!!

New Years at Grey Rocks

We had a great New Years at Grey Rocks.  We headed down on Thursday after Christmas.  I took all the kids because Ted had to work.  He didn't make it down until Friday.  Papa was down there when we arrived and he was a huge help (as always) while I unpacked.  I had a bunch of stuff since we were staying until the following Wednesday.  And I forgot what it is like to travel with a 1 year old again!  So much stuff!  Cher Cher got down there Thursday night and my sisters and their families arrived on Friday.  It was the first time for then to meet Maggie and I think that everyone fell in love with her the way we are!  I was a bit worried that she would get really overwhelmed with all the cousins, but she did really well.  I was impressed!

All the cousins got along so well.  Tripp and Ann Park were two peas in a pod the whole week.  They played just about every game we have down there and I think that the "Go Fish" cards have never been used so much!  Sam got along really well with Hope.  They are 6 weeks apart and I loved seeing them play.  Louise was her usual entertaining self (pretending to be animals, playing dress up, etc.) and Ashton is a total joy to be around.  Liam is just a chilled out kid who sleeps more than I have ever seen and is probably bigger than any 11 months old I have ever seen either.  Seriously, he is the size of a 2 year old!!  And poor Billy wasn't feeling well much of the week, but he hung in there!!

mid- Go Fish game!

Sam and Louise (notice Hope growling in the background!)

Maggie and Liam

playing at the barn

Sam giving us a show!

being pulled in the wagon - so fun!!!

Precious Ashton

buddies

fun swinging!

happy happy Sam

And the best part of the week?  Ted killed a 205 pound, 10 point deer!  It was the biggest at Grey Rocks this year and definitely the biggest deer I had ever seen.  Ward was with him (they had been out probably 3 days in a row) and he is still talking about it!

Ward in his camo!

Maggie loved the horses, and said her first word while we were there  - "dog"!  She is obsessed with dogs and when we go on walks (the few days it has not been raining in the past 2 weeks) she goes crazy whenever she sees one.  She does have some confusion as she is calling our cat "dog" but we can work that out later!  She is so proud of herself!!

meeting her first horse!

loving it!!

playing at the barn

so fun!!

Christmas Catch Up

We had an amazing Christmas as a family of 6.  We celebrated with mom and dad the weekend before Christmas since they spent Christmas with Kit and her family in Tennessee.  The kids loved getting their presents and mom and dad nailed it, as usual!

The entire set of Star Wars on Blue Ray!!

Watch out!

our budding rockstar!

fun game for Ann Park!

another soldier

Ann Park loves boxes!!

Daddy and Maggie

Maggie getting into the action!

Christmas Eve we went to Mass at our church at 4:00 with Grandmom.  We then all headed home for a nice dinner (cooked by Ted!) and some fun with Grandmom, who spent the night with us.  And we were all so excited to see that SANTA CAME, even though we had been threatening coal and ashes due to bad behavior!!  The kids were so excited and it was like pulling teeth to get them toe wait until after 6 AM to go downstairs!  ALthough there was still some usual CHristmas chaos, this year was much better than in years past.  The kids actually played with their toys and wasn't going from one thing to the next.  I loved watching their excitement and seeing what they wanted to play with first.  For lunch we went over to Uncle Bill and Aunt Barbara's house so I could see a little bit of my family!  We loved hanging out with them and Hank, who is such a kid at heart, was great with my older three.  Maggie was her usual wonderful self and loved meeting more of her family!

Sam showing me all his loot!

Ann Park is so happy with her presents from Santa!

Loving the Alpine Crazy Creek Chair

Batman Sam (with guns, of course!)

Maggie got into the action too and loved her toys!

My smiling girl!

She loved playing in all the tissue paper!

and eating ribbons

standing up all by herself and so pleased!

who could resist that smile??

Ann Park in her matching American Girl outfit all ready to go to Uncle Bill's house!

Good News

This morning Maggie had an appointment with a pediatric eye doctor at Children's Hospital.  The International Adoption Clinic recommends this appointment (as well as a hearing test) since we don't have any information about her biological background.  It is good just to check it out to make sure that there is nothing going on.  There is also a way for the eye doctor to potentially tell whether or not there was alcohol abuse on the part of the biological mother.  (Something in the retina is either longer or shorter - I can't remember.)

So with all this I knew that today was an important appointment.  I was anxious to see what Dr. Cogen would see inside my precious baby's big brown eyes.  Would we learn that her mother abused alcohol while she was pregnant?  Of course this really wouldn't change anything - I love her no matter what and am prepared to help Maggie in every way she needs.  But it is a piece of the puzzle and I was concerned.

We arrived at 7:45 on a cold, cold and very rainy morning.  We had to wait for a bit (so frustrating even when you get the first appointment of the day!) and then they called her back for the initial intake questions and to dilate her eyes.  To say that she didn't like the eye drops is an understatement!!  But it made me smile to see her fighting the nurse - it showed some sort of normalcy that we have not seen at a doctor's appointment.  She has been so passive with people poking and prodding her that it just hurts my heart at what happened in those 11 months before she was ours.  But this morning she fought - and I loved it!

We then had to wait about 45 minutes for the drops to take effect.  At first it was fine but then as things started to get a little blurry for her, she got fussy.  And there were a lot of people in the waiting room!  I ended up putting her in the stroller and she calmed down with the movement.  We were called back right in time, and she was fascinated by Dr. Cogen and all his toys.  She cooperated pretty well and then I got the best news ever --- Dr. Cogen gave her a gleaming report!  Perfect vision.  Perfect eyes.  Perfect everything.  AND although he was "looking hard" (his words) he did not see any signs of alcohol abuse in her eyes!!!!   He told me that it was the absolute best report he could give any child.  I beamed.  I think that I got a few tears in my eyes.  God has been protecting this baby ever since she was formed in her mother's womb.  Of course this isn't 100% and of course we know we will still have to deal with a lot of other issues (and are prepared to) but this was just really good news!!

Praise be to God!

I know, I know

I know that it has been FOREVER since I have posted and for those of you who check the blog regularly, I apologize!  Life with 4 kids is crazy - especially considering we had croup and strep, Christmas, New Years, Maggie's baptism, and lots and lots of doctor appointments!!  But I am going to play catch-up and have TONS of pictures to post.  For now, enjoy some recent shots of Maggie.  She is growing like a weed and I think that she will be walking before the month is out.  She has taken a few steps here and there and is very determined.

Standing on her own!

pushing the cart!

I took this today after the doctor's appointment.  Her hair is crazy but you can see how much it has grown.  I can't wait to get some bows in her hair!!

She is always smiling!!

Ward is her favorite!!!

On Maggie's First Birthday

Maggie is one today.  When I look at her petite frame I can hardly believe it.  I still marvel at this wonderful gift that God has given us and how blessed we already are by her addition to our family.  However, my thoughts all day today were on Maggie's birth mother.  What was she feeling today?  Was she thinking about Maggie and wondering where she was?  Was she remembering the delivery?  Did she even see Maggie before she wrote the statement that gave her up for adoption?  So many questions were running through my head all day.

But my prayer is that she is comforted by the Ultimate Comforter that her baby girl is with a family who loves her more than life.  A family that will take care of her and lead her on the right path.  A family who will always do what's best for her - even when she doesn't know it or appreciate it!  (That's what good parents do, right?)   We don't know much about Maggie's birth mother, but I pray for her salvation and protection.  She brought life to Maggie and for that I am forever grateful.  When I look at Maggie, I know deep in my heart that she was always meant for our family.  There is not one ounce of doubt in that.  But I know that it took a great sacrifice on the part of a woman whom I will most likely never meet.  I will always pray for her and will continue to praise God for the choice she made that cold December morning in Moscow, Russia on December 19, 2011.

Happy Birthday Maggie!!!

Mom to an 8 year old

I can't believe that I am actually the mother of an 8 year old.  Eight?  How in the world could he be eight?  I mean, I am still 27 right?  In all seriousness, I could not be any more blessed by this little 8 year old than I am.  Yes, we have our moments, we all do, but when I see into Ward's heart, I see the beginnings of a man that I know will make a great husband and father.  I see a little boy who loves Jesus and tries to do the right thing (most of the time).  I see a little boy who is giving and kind and even shares his brand new birthday toys with his 3 year old brother.  I see a little boy who loves the outdoors and everything in it - frogs, lizards, birds and bugs, just to name a few.  I also see a little boy who loves to climb trees and discover the world around him.  A little boy with a gigantic imagination who is always coming up with fun new games and creative ways to entertain the neighborhood who always ends up in our yard.  Most of all, I see a little boy who I love with my whole heart - more than I love myself.  I don't know how that can be but God knew what he was doing when he gave me Ward as my first-born.  He may not be perfect, and may have his challenges, but I wouldn't trade him or anything about him for the world.  I love you buddy!

with his little turtle he caught this summer at the lake

(with his requested birthday cookies - he is his father's son!!)

One week done

I can't believe that this time last week I was packing in our hotel room in Moscow preparing for the very long journey home (and dreading every minute of it!).  To be honest, this week has been a blur.  I feel like so much has happened, and yet I also feel like nothing has happened.  I am still struggling with jet lag (they say it takes a day for each hour time difference so that means I have 4 more days to go!) and just adjusting to having 4 kids and an almost 1 year old in the house again.

Maggie is really adjusting well.  I think that her attachment to us is going as well as it can be - she is learning minute by minute, day by day, that Ted and I are her daddy and mommy and that we are going to be here for her forever.  Sleep is still a bit of an issue, but we are working it out.  I think that the vast majority of her issues right now are also related to jet lag.  She goes to bed quite well, but if she wakes up in the middle of a nap or in the middle of the night, she is very scared and it takes a while to settle her down.  Poor girl - I cannot imagine the emotions her little body is experiencing.  It is something that the vast majority of us will never experience, much less as a baby who cannot understand what is going on.

The other issue that people have warned us about with adoptive kids is food, but that doesn't seem to be an issue as of yet.  She had never had anything other than "baby food" or "mushy food" and we have already introduced her to more solid foods like puffs, cheerios, bananas, and even pancakes.  With the introduction of this food, she does not want to eat off the spoon!  She is having way too much fun feeding herself!  I am trying to remember what I fed my other kiddos at this age.  I guess she can eat pretty much anything as long as I cut it up small enough.  Any advice is welcome!

I'll leave you with some more pictures from the week.  The older kids are really being great with her and I love to see Maggie watching them as they play around her.  I can't wait to watch these bonds grow stronger and to see her personality and how it will change and play into our family dynamic.  In the quiet moments, when it is just the two of us, I keep on having these "I can't believe that she is really mine" moments.  God is so good!!