We had a great time last night- Steve and Monica brought Lily Mei over and Reed got to enjoy some much-needed play time.
As you can see they had lots of fun!!
November 22, 2009
November 15, 2009
November 11, 2009
Before and after
Everyone wants to talk about the flowers, puppies and ladybugs but not many people want to share the anxiety, tears and helplessness that can be felt as a parent.
We chose to adopt through the special need program because we felt God's calling. Yes, we researched cleft lip and palate and read about the surgeries required to correct the cleft. No, we were not prepared to see our child turn into a different person. Don't get me wrong, he's still the same sweet boy that I fell in love with- he's just in pain and scared and confused. He is eating and drinking very little, not communicating and withdrawn.
One mistake we've made early on is being overly concerned about him not eating/drinking enough and making it too stressful for him (and all of us). A very dear friend (thank you April) reminded me tonight that Reed has been through so much and does not understand what has happened, or why. Our job is to love him, to keep our cool at all times and to reassure him that he has done nothing wrong and that we did not cause him to be in this pain.
The whole process of adoption is an emotional and traumatizing experience for a child. We must make sure he feels safe and loved and not insecure, angry or confused. Use whatever support network you have. We are fortunate to have friends, family and a church that loves us and offers advice or help when needed. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it!!
Please don't scroll down if you would rather not see the palate repair. I hope there is someone out there that can learn from what we've experienced so far. I know it's still early and there is a lot of healing left to do but I'm amazed at the difference. Every day I wonder what we did to deserve such a blessing. I am so thankful for our beautiful son, he brings so much joy to our home.
BEFORE:
AFTER: (yes, that's scrambled eggs from a couple of days ago smushed in the packing-- any ideas on how to clean it out??)
Counting my blessings,
Tina
We chose to adopt through the special need program because we felt God's calling. Yes, we researched cleft lip and palate and read about the surgeries required to correct the cleft. No, we were not prepared to see our child turn into a different person. Don't get me wrong, he's still the same sweet boy that I fell in love with- he's just in pain and scared and confused. He is eating and drinking very little, not communicating and withdrawn.
One mistake we've made early on is being overly concerned about him not eating/drinking enough and making it too stressful for him (and all of us). A very dear friend (thank you April) reminded me tonight that Reed has been through so much and does not understand what has happened, or why. Our job is to love him, to keep our cool at all times and to reassure him that he has done nothing wrong and that we did not cause him to be in this pain.
The whole process of adoption is an emotional and traumatizing experience for a child. We must make sure he feels safe and loved and not insecure, angry or confused. Use whatever support network you have. We are fortunate to have friends, family and a church that loves us and offers advice or help when needed. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it!!
Please don't scroll down if you would rather not see the palate repair. I hope there is someone out there that can learn from what we've experienced so far. I know it's still early and there is a lot of healing left to do but I'm amazed at the difference. Every day I wonder what we did to deserve such a blessing. I am so thankful for our beautiful son, he brings so much joy to our home.
BEFORE:
AFTER: (yes, that's scrambled eggs from a couple of days ago smushed in the packing-- any ideas on how to clean it out??)
Counting my blessings,
Tina
November 8, 2009
Food fights
We came home on Friday after spending 2 nights at the hospital. Nights have been hard; he cries and cries and will not let me put him down. What little sleep he gets is in my lap. I believe he is still trying to get used to breathing through his new airway and wakes up several times a night coughing and trying to catch is breath.
We've also had a hard time getting Reed to eat and were making some good strides until tonight. Each day has been a fight just to get him to eat anything. Today he woke up and had pancakes for breakfast, lunch was a struggle but he finally had some bites of applesauce, cream potatoes and peas. We were eating dinner and he started to cry. We checked his mouth and he has pieces of food stuck in the packing that is on both sides of his palate. Poor baby. He just cried and cried and would not drink or eat another bite.
This has been so hard. It hurts me to see him in pain and I can't wait until he is pain free. When I think about everything we've been through up until this point, I know that we are very blessed and I know that the Lord will continue to see us through these challenges.
One thing I was not prepared for is hearing the change in Reed's voice. He is very nasally sounding and does not say some words as clear as he did before- it was amazing how many words he could say with the cleft.
I pray that someday he will understand how much we love him and how much we want him to be happy and healthy.
We've also had a hard time getting Reed to eat and were making some good strides until tonight. Each day has been a fight just to get him to eat anything. Today he woke up and had pancakes for breakfast, lunch was a struggle but he finally had some bites of applesauce, cream potatoes and peas. We were eating dinner and he started to cry. We checked his mouth and he has pieces of food stuck in the packing that is on both sides of his palate. Poor baby. He just cried and cried and would not drink or eat another bite.
This has been so hard. It hurts me to see him in pain and I can't wait until he is pain free. When I think about everything we've been through up until this point, I know that we are very blessed and I know that the Lord will continue to see us through these challenges.
One thing I was not prepared for is hearing the change in Reed's voice. He is very nasally sounding and does not say some words as clear as he did before- it was amazing how many words he could say with the cleft.
I pray that someday he will understand how much we love him and how much we want him to be happy and healthy.
November 4, 2009
Surgery update
Here's a quick update for all my bloggie buddies :)
We arrived at the hospital at 7 am and they took Reed (crying for mama) at 8:30. The whole time we were waiting he was very unhappy and clenched on to me. I guess after the last hospital stay he has had all he wants of this place.
Around 12:15 the surgeon came out to tell us the palate repair was not at all a breeze (he has told us several times that Reed's cleft was very wide and would not be an easy repair) but that it went well. He also gave us a memento- a rather large tooth that had to be pulled because of the placement.
He still will not eat or drink anything, and has not had a wet diaper yet so we're very concerned. Please keep praying that his kidneys wake up soon and that the pain meds keep his pain under control.
We arrived at the hospital at 7 am and they took Reed (crying for mama) at 8:30. The whole time we were waiting he was very unhappy and clenched on to me. I guess after the last hospital stay he has had all he wants of this place.
Around 12:15 the surgeon came out to tell us the palate repair was not at all a breeze (he has told us several times that Reed's cleft was very wide and would not be an easy repair) but that it went well. He also gave us a memento- a rather large tooth that had to be pulled because of the placement.
He still will not eat or drink anything, and has not had a wet diaper yet so we're very concerned. Please keep praying that his kidneys wake up soon and that the pain meds keep his pain under control.
November 1, 2009
October 30, 2009
Moved~
Things are not even close to being put away where they go, but we're here and lovin the house. We went from 1480 sq ft to 2130 and I can't seem to find a place for everything. How does this happen? I love to move so I've been having fun trying to decide where to put everything. Yes, I'm crazy :) Someone was not afraid of color and it's not really my comfort zone so I'm sure I'll have a lot of neutral colors before long... Please ignore the mess.
October 17, 2009
Tonight is football night so we're watching the Tide. We're closing on our house on Monday and although I'm glad we're getting a house with more room for Reed to grow, I'm sad to leave this house. We decided to adopt while living in this house and we spent 3 Christmas holidays waiting on our precious child to come home. I always pictured our first Christmas together in this house. The awesome thing is that we are together now and we will have many wonderful years to create great memories together in the new house. Guess I better get packing :)
October 5, 2009
What's That??
Where has the time gone? It just hit me tonight as we were walking around in our favorite home improvement store (more about that later) that Christmas is just around the corner.
Reed's favorite words are "WHAT'S THAT?" and we heard them 1,000 times when we got to the seasonal section. He was so excited to see all the lights on the trees and the snow villages.
He has changed in so many ways over the last few months. It amazes me how quick he is learning- he is asking "what's thaaat" at every new thing he sees and it is just so cute!
So we're loving the cool weather and Alabama football (ROLL TIDE) and just hanging out waiting for the next surgery date. Oh- and we're in the process of selling our house and moving! More to come...........September 13, 2009
Growing up
Chosen shirt by Wild Olive Tees
I can't believe Reed has been home 6 months. We are so in love and a day does not go by that I don't wake up and thank God for such a blessing.
He's growing up so fast and changing every day. He's putting puzzles together, repeating every word we say, dancing, playing and not even having a tantrum when Thomas falls off the train track. My, what progress!!!
Next surgery date- Nov 4th, palate repair
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