Saturday, March 13, 2010

Round 2 with an ENT. We visited yesterday with a new ENT. The one that we have been seeing since coming home with MK did not please me to say the least, so we decided to abort ship and see another candidate. LOVED HIM! He was soooo good with MK - she even let him pull her one tube out while she just sat there on my lap. He talked on her level to her. He played games with her. He gave her prizes. Such a different experience. The ENT we had been seeing is probably just as knowledgeable but very adult mannered, not pediatric. Yesterday they chose to do another hearing test which stated that she in fact does not have hearing loss. YAY. She is on the lower normal side of hearing but no loss was indicated. That is the good news. The not so good news is that her eardrums are not vibrating as they should. The ENT seems to think that this is being caused by some fluid build up that he cannot detect with his instruments in the office. Based on the fact that MK has not had an antibiotic in almost a year, he chose to place her on one now and take the "wait and see" method. He will see her again in 4 weeks. He stated that this may be something that she will grow out of, or we may need another set of tubes. He just isn't sure but he wants to watch her and get to know her little ears very good before jumping the gun. YAY. (On a side note, there was a little boy, 3ish, who was in the office with us.....he had gently placed a Tic Tac up his knows that morning - I steared MK away from him for fear that he would give her ideas!)

Friday, March 12, 2010

Adoption

For awhile now, I have been trying to think of a way to TRY to make others understand/see why adoption is what we sought to do and what we plan to do again, God willing. I have always said that most people do not understand and cannot honestly give an opinion on something unless they have experienced it themselves. A family, who has become very dear to us, is waiting desperately to travel to meet their son in China. They saw his beautiful little face one whole year ago. To say that the process has been agonizing would be an understatement. They are ready to meet him, hold him and, most importantly, LOVE him. They received an update on him and please read what she posted on their blog, the last sentence being very well said.....THIS is why we do what we do.

"I have to admit it was a little weird/odd/sad-I guess I don't know what to call how I feel- to get my child's measurements, to see that he has grown since the last update and to not have been a part of that growth. My children are always measured at the pediatrician's office with me standing right next to them and writing it all down and then later transferring it to their baby books. I also don't know anything else about him except the standard form they fill out to describe the child's abilities and habits. I find it sad that a little boy has gone 4 years without a family to describe in depth his whole being, his little soul, his heart. It hurts my heart. Please, if you have ever felt your heart tug, nudge, inquire, wonder about adoption, PLEASE look into it. There are so many orphans with no one to watch them grow or care if they even grow. Adoption is an incredible gift to your soul and I can't imagine my life without the experience."

On this same note, we have friends who we met while going through the process for MK. I am a true believer in things happen for a reason. We met this couple while waiting in line to be fingerprinted, exchanged phone numbers and have kept in touch ever since. We were in a large city, hundreds of people in line, and in all that we met this one couple. That was two years ago. Last Friday they made the "switch." They were with one agency waiting for a healthy baby girl and they switched to a different agency and entered the waiting child program. They found their beautiful baby girl who is just like MK, cleft lip and palate. That little baby girl now has a family....a mom, a dad, and three big brothers! I spoke with our friend yesterday who was so sad. She is getting not so encouraging feedback from those close to her. I shared with her our experience. I shared with her how we desperately wanted everyone to relish in our excitement and there were those times that they did not. I did know in my heart all would be just fine and it is. But I do say to you, those who do read, as we venture into our future ahead, be it with adoption, please encourage us and encourage those around you who may be considering adoption. Adoption is a gift, an opportunity, a chance to give a child life.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Cellimeter

Great news in our house this morning! (That is a side note, but I state it because we are excited for Ryan and his new opportunity that awaits him - yay!)

Now, for the "cellimeter" story....Pryce is studying measurement today. He had some work to do in a workbook and then he asked if he could just measure some different things around the house. Sure. So, I equipped him with some paper and a clipboard and off he went to measure. He came to me minutes later and exclaimed, "Hey mom, I just measured a raindrop!" Curiosity got the best of me and I asked him how he did this. He explained that he took a paper towel, put it in his hand, stuck his paper towel-ed hand into the rain, drew it back in and he measured the water that had accumulated in the towel. Pretty clever idea. Then he declared, "A raindrop measures 1 cellimeter." I have explained to him that it is actually a "centimeter" but he continues to call it his own thing....so cute, hate to harp on that minor wording detail!
As was stated in the previous post, our house has been zapped this week with an unfortunate illness. Yesterday was MK's day to shine with a fever. In an attempt to get her to rest, I tried letting her watch tv more than the norm. We set up a special place on the couch just for her. She was allowed to have both of her special sleep blankets with her at all times. Her temp did not spike like the boys did so I didn't give her fever meds hoping that she would slow down a bit. Silly me. I should know better. School has been somewhat on the backburner this week. We have managed to do the equivalent of two days but it has been very sporadic, not really the routine. Yesterday, MK was on her special couch place supposedly resting, C was upstairs in his normal working spot and P was in my room working with me. Every five minutes, MK would walk in, put her two little hands on her hips, click her tongue on the roof of her mouth(this is a new trick she has learned and she uses it in the most appropriate situations being the prissy little girl that she can be) and she would say, "Um, excuse me, but I have a little question" and then her right foot would pop out in front of her, kind of over the side a bit, as this was her way of indicating she was waiting for a response. These are the moments with her that make me just laugh. And wonder. Where in the world does she get the hands on the hip look, the pizzaz, if you will, the ever so present prissiness? It is so present in her phone conversations as well. She will talk to my mom or Ryan's mom, her pinky out, and she will just laugh and then say, "What? I didn't hear you? Oh, ok" and then laugh some more just like she totally gets it. Most definitely her own being. So cute. So expressive.

Monday, March 8, 2010


Poor boys have been sick since Friday. No good for anyone. Pryce is not himself. Colin is not himself. Both cannot shake the high temp thing. Both are camped out on our den couches having a movie marathon. Really, the movies sound fun, but not. Meanwhile, MK is full speed ahead. Keeping in mind that she is the only family member to have had the luxury to get the flu vaccine, we are waiting to see if the sickness overtakes her....hoping not.
MK is friends with a little girl from our homeschool co-op. Her friend's name is SaraKate. They are referred to by their teachers as "the Kates." SaraKate turned four on Saturday and we were honored to be invited to attend her fancy party. The theme was based on the Fancy Nancy book series. MK loves Fancy Nancy and can often be found in her room reading these books to her dolls. MK left our house adorned in her beautiful cupcake smocked dress and she arrived home in the dress coupled with bracelets, hats, boas, hair clips, sunglasses, freshly painted finger nails, glitter make-up on her face....in other words, she was princessed out! The girls took part in a tea party where they were given specific Fancy Nancy instructions on how to sip their tea appropriately, you know, with your finger tipped and all. It was precious! Unfortunately, I did not take my camera but I was able to snap a few pics of the before and after....
This is the before.
I was trying to get Mason-Kate to smile for the picture. I said, "Who do you love? Say, I love mommy!" She gave me this sly little look and proudly said, "I love BOYS!"....either she meant to say, "I love my boys!" or we have a lot to watch out for as she grows up!
This is the after.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Happy 10th Birthday Colin!


March 4, 2000 - Ryan and I awoke, went through our Saturday morning routine of cooking breakfast and reading the paper, not realizing that this would be the last time we would be doing that for awhile. Our goal for that day was to pack a bag for the hospital in anticipation of Colin's arrival. My due date was March 14, ten days away. We ventured out to the mall. I remember two things, one, I was a little miffed with Ryan because I wanted A chicken nugget, not an entire pack, just one. That meant that he would have to eat the rest and he didn't want any so we ended up not purchasing a pack - crazy the things one remembers, right? Two, we went to look for a gown for me to wear in the hospital. After looking for the perfect one and not being able to find it, we decided to leave. I told Ryan, "It's ok, I can come back tomorrow after church and get a gown. I need to get a few other things too." So, we left. No nugget, no gown, no loot for the hospital bag. That evening we had what was to be our last baby shower in Colin's honor. We mingled, I ate the best homemade pizza ever and all was well until we were asked to be seated so that the attendees could pray for us. There was a very large group of people there, our entire Sunday school class and then some. We all sat in this huge circle and the praying began. And it went on. And on. And on. And I desperately needed to go to the bathroom. Desperately. I just remember thinking, "Surely this is the last person who is going to pray for us. Surely they will understand if I, the pregnant lady, needs to get up mid-prayer to go to the little girls room. Surely, surely, surely." And all the while, the praying continued and Colin kicked and kicked and kicked. I managed to make it through the praying and then made a mad dash for the bathroom. Ahhhhhh, that was so much better. About an hour later, as we were packing our gifts up to leave, I had this very strange, piercing pain in my lower abdomen. I sat down for a moment and it mysteriously went away. I went to hug a few friends as we were leaving and the pain came again. I told Ryan, "Something is not right." We got into our car and he said, "What do you mean something is not right?" Well, I wasn't sure what I meant but I did know that I was having these pains. Then, I believe, my water broke. I was in denial that I could possibly be experiencing labor. 48 hours earlier, I had seen my doctor who had told me to begin walking because there wasn't going to be a baby anytime soon. Plus, I just knew I would go past my due date, not sure why I thought this but I did. So, I kept telling Ryan that I was most certain that I was experiencing an uncontrollable bladder as this is common in pregnancies and Colin had been so wild earlier, surely he kicked me in the wrong place or something. All the while, Ryan was timing these mysterious pains that kept occurring. We got home, called the doctor who gave us two options, drink water and call back OR come to the hospital. I believe at this point Ryan suspected labor. I, however, suspected nothing, it wasn't time, I wasn't prepared. Without unpacking the gifts, and without a bag prepared, we drove the longest 30 minute drive ever to the hospital. As we left, I remember Ryan said, "I have your pillow and a toothbrush. You will thank me for these later." And I kept thinking, "No way, we will be in and out of triage in no time. After all, we have lunch plans at one of my favorite restaurants tomorrow with some of our favorite friends. It just wasn't birthing time." Four hours later, in the wee hours of Sunday, March 5, we met our firstborn son, Colin, for the very first time. Ten years ago.
March 5, 2010 - Pryce woke up first, not normal at all. He woke Colin up and said to him, "Mom said that because it is your birthday we can watch tv, lets go." Colin looked at the clock and said, "But Pryce, it is only 5:30am!" to which Pryce replied, "Well, then, lets talk." And so they did. I love their relationship. Later Colin came down as I was decorating to inform me that P did not feel so well. High fever, not good. With a little Motrin intervention, the day went on as planned. Out to lunch with friends, ice cream sundaes, laser tag, Boyscout banquet, friends over for the night, cake, phone calls, presents, emails, texts, lots and lots of celebrating. Colin spent his 10th birthday much like he did his first day of life, he just simply took it all in.....and he (and his parents) got very little sleep! The one downfall that I have seen to him turning ten is that he informed me earlier in the week that he can no longer give hugs in public. So as to not upset me entirely, he came up with a different means of showing his affection in a "cool" way. Now, instead of me hugging him goodbye, he insists that we do "knuckles".....but he will still allow hugs within the home :)
Colin is a sucker for commercials. If it is declared "the best," then he tries hard to convince me to buy it. His most recent ploy has been to sell me on buying Charmin. I haven't taken the bait but I did think it would make for the most perfect gag gift!
There were two gatherings in Colin's honor. One with friends from his co-op class, one with friends from his old school. Laser tag with co-op friends, sleepover with old school friends.
The next morning, this was the scene in our living room at 8:00 AM :) All geared up and ready for combat, they took off outside and did not return for 2 hours!