She Likes Him!!

This girl finally likes her BaBa.

And I mean REALLY likes him!

When he gets home all she wants to do is play with him. And when he leaves and takes Trey somewhere- she wants to go along.

He's been working hard to win her affections.

He'll even go so far as to let her put pony tails in his hair!

Happy Birthday Mom

Happy Birthday to the youngest mom ever!

And I mean that in a good way. : )

Love you mom!!

Giving Thanks

Our trip to Denver proved to be a yet another chapter in little Isabella's life.

Trent had a meeting he couldn't miss, so he stayed home while Trey and Isabella and I made the trip on Wednesday afternoon. We had to be at the hospital at 5:30am on Thursday for surgery at 7:30am. Both kids did a great job getting up and ready to leave by 5am.

The Children's Hospital does a good job at getting you checked in and where you are supposed to be. Everyone was friendly and helpful. I'm so glad we chose this hospital.

We were put in a little exam room for about an hour and a half while we waited. We were the first surgery of the day- which is definitely the way to go! When we left the hospital it was BUSY!

Isabella did great and wasn't scared at all. In fact, she was excited to have the nurses listen to her heart, look in her ears, take her blood pressure, etc. Our nurse was wonderful. She herself had two adopted children and her best friend had a little girl from China. God put her with us for sure!

When it came time for surgery I got to carry her into the OR and stay with her until she was asleep. The only time I saw a little apprehension on her face was when we walked into the OR and she saw all the people, machines and lights. I was a little scared myself! But she never cried or tried to protest. I laid her on the table and she did everything asked of her. It was then that I got a little nervous with leaving her there with all 'those' people.

Putting tubes in ears is a very easy surgery and only takes 10-15 minutes. A lot of Cleft kids need tubes because their ears don't drain the fluid like normal. They were pretty sure this would help the hearing loss in her right ear.

Dr. Struebel came out of surgery and informed me that he didn't put tubes in because her eardrums were already perforated. Her right ear worse than her left. He gave a few scenarios of why this might be and said she would need a hearing aid. He wants her thoroughly tested by two audiologists first. I have to say that normally I would have been devastated, but the last few days 'hearing aid' has popped up in my brain. Most likely, God preparing me for this news. I feel so bad for Isabella that it will be one more thing for her to have to deal with.

The Dr. and I talked a little too long, which I was grateful that he took the time- but she woke up and I wasn't there. The nurse had to come and get me because she was getting upset. When I got in there she was crying. I felt so bad! I held and rocked her while she told me her ears hurt. As I did this I made myself give thanks to God for this. Yes, it is hard news (I mean...who wants to wear a hearing before the age of 75?). But, there are far worse things like cancer or some incurable disease! So, we will deal with it and it will be ok.

Trey had been starving this whole time (and yes, he let me know it!), so we all went down to the cafeteria and had hard boiled eggs and dry cereal.

And lived happily ever after.

The End

See how happy this girl is? She loved that she got purple p.j.'s and her own special bed.

Trey was happy that he got the TV. Crap...he's turning into a man already!!

Isabella was having fun taking pictures of me, Trey and herself!

This was our wonderful nurse. Why I didn't get a picture of her face instead of the top of her head I'll never know. Next time.

Trey did get in on a little fun with the camera and took this very cute picture of his sister.
He took this one also. Do you like my nice, blue OR spacesuit? I got a hat to go with it!

Not looking so happy in this scary OR while being gassed!

After.

After our hard boiled eggs and a ride in the wagon, we were on our way home!

Happy Birthday

Today is my little sister's birthday.

Happy Birthday, Ollie!!

I love you!!

Big GeGe

We went to Manhattan to pick up Wesley for Easter.

They simply adore each other.

Spring Soccer

The Latest

I've been lazy with the blog.

There are days I'd rather read everyone else's than have to figure out what to say on mine.

Last night I realized we had a really easy day and they've been more and more. I'm thinking that not only is it starting to feel normal to have two kids close to the same age, but that our adoption transition is ironing out and there are less bumps in the road. With Wesley and Trey I always felt like I had 2 "only" children at the same time. And it was too easy at times. Sounds weird, I know.

I really need to make her a new photo album of her own to carry around. When she looks at the one we sent to her in China she tells me that she's not in any of the pictures. I have so many feelings go through me when she does that. She now identifies herself as ours.

She loves when we are all in one room together. Saturday morning her and Trey got up and came into our room and we all laid in the bed together. She kept placing Trent and my hands on top of her and Trey to sort of wrap us all together and would then giggle and smile.

Yesterday, Trent and Trey left to go to 4-H and she ran after them and wanted to get into the truck. Trent told her no she had to stay with mommy. She didn't cry, but stood outside and watched them drive away.

Her English is coming along. She doesn't try really hard- but I've noticed new words lately. Right now we are working on speech as we do workbooks during the day. When she gets tired of trying she whines and wants to quit, so I am trying a reward system for her. So far she likes it and it's working.

Trey is going through the adjustment period of not being an only child. It's been hard for him. About a month ago the new wore off and he decided he liked being an only child. He still has moments of pride and joy that she is finally here and is the sweetest big brother, and then he gets annoyed with her easily and can be mean to her. (Just yesterday he told Trent that he thinks she's beautiful even with her cleft lip and palate.) I've learned it is normal for him to feel this way and we are teaching him how to share his space. He's getting more one on one time with dad while he adjusts. I really think this summer will be the turning point for the two of them. I'm so excited to have both of them here all day together.

Wesley, on the other hand, is so wonderful with her! Of course, he isn't here all the time and doesn't have to share like Trey does. He plays with her and helps her when she needs it. She adores him and it's cute that she calls him "Big GeGe". It will be nice to have him home this summer so they can really get to know each other better.

Thursday she will have tubes put in her ears. We are praying this helps the hearing in her right ear and her speech. I think the next thing will orthodontics.

Lot's of photos to share- then it's time to get to the garden- before the 35mph wind starts. Yea.

Trey and Isabella colored Easter Eggs. Thanks Grandma Joyce! Wish you could

have been the one to help. My patience ran out.

That's a lot of work!! (and mess!)

Their Easter presents from Grandma Joyce and Grandpa Rodney came in the mail. They have had a lot of fun playing with all the fun things in their baskets!

We tried to get some good family photos this year. With Wesley in college- it's really hard.

These next few are fun and silly. I remember when Wesley went through the "NO Pictures!" stage. Now Trey thinks he has to do the same.

Isabella got a new bike for Easter and she has ridden it every day!

I really miss my BIG baby and love when he comes home....and then loves when he goes back. : )

We took a thousand of these- just to try to get everyone at least looking in the same direction. It was so funny to see all of the different poses that we ended up with. Priceless, really.

Her first Easter Egg Hunt and she came out with the most!