Going to China!!

Check out our little man's blog! We are going to China soon!

Adoption Update

Just wanted to remind you about our adoption blog. We received some exciting news! ;)

Where to Begin

I've been such a bad blogger! A lot has happened over the last couple of months, probably too much to try to blog about. I'll just try to hit a few of the main things in the next couple of the posts.

Bebo had surgery on September 1st. He received his 1st cochlear implant. It will be activated on September 1st which is next week. We are excited and nervous all at once. Many of you know we were not going to do the cochlear but things have come up and felt that it was a MUST for him.

His recovery has gone well. He had pain probably the first couple days but the pain meds took care of that. He is back to himself and full of spunk. Here is a picture of his surgery site just two days after.They used surgical glue instead of stitches and the site looks much better today.

He will receive his processor on September 1st and his ear will be "born" that day. Meaning he will start hearing just like a newborn would. He will have to learn how to hear. He will have to take his processore off when he goes down any slides, trampolines or plays with balloons. Otherwise he could damage it.

I'll post his progress with his CI when they turn it on. :)

Teeth

Or the lack there of! It seems that for awhile Spitfire and Bebo where neck and neck with teeth falling out. Bebo had lost two before he had come to be a part of our family. As soon as Spitfire had loose teeth it seemed Bebo's teeth started to wiggle. He lost a bottom tooth and she lost her two front bottom teeth. He then lost a front tooth. A few months went by and no one lost any teeth. Bebo lost his "odd" shaped tooth right after Christams and I'm waiting to see how it is going to grow back. Now they are back to "competing" again! LOL Spitfire lost her first front tooth a couple weeks ago and it has changed her little smile so much. Both have other teeth that are ready to come out. They are keeping count how many each have lost.

Twink's teeth are nowhere near ready to come out. She will come to me wiggling when she sees the other kids doing it to their teeth.

Speech Progress!

It's been awhile since I've blogged about anything especially about the progress with the children. I'll start with Twink for today. She has made some amazing improvement in the last few months that has shocked everyone. When were were told she would never talk we didn't want to believe it. I knew it was a possibility and the longer she struggled the more I started to believe maybe it was true. I'm not sure I'm going to say this how I actually feel it but I hope it comes out right. I'm not good with words at times.

One always wants what is best for their child and will expect them to try to do their best. That is all we want Twink to do. If her best was to make sounds and point, then so be it. We were still going to push her with speech therapy but she was always trying. That is the only thing we can ask of any of our children, their best. The hope was there that she would talk but reality was always knocking at my door. You could feel the frustration level from her when she could not get her point across. I guess what I'm trying to say is don't expect more from your child when they physically can't, meet them where they are.

Today it is different. Our girl can talk and 90% of the time we can understand what she is saying. Not only that she is using ASL with her brother. She still requires speech therapy four times a week but we have come so far!

Introducing...

Our new little guy!! :)

http://oursuzhoubabe.blogspot.com

Bebo's Christmas Concert

I know I've been gone a long time but that is going to change. I finished my ASL 2 class and don't start 3 until the end of January. :)

This is Bebo's very first Christmas with us and he is so super excited! His school did a performance last night and the kids did about five songs. This is my favorite though. Enjoy!

Well apparently it is too long for blogger. :( After an hour or so of trying to load the video, blogger let me know it was not working.

Seizures or Tic?

Tell me what you all think of these video's of Bebo. I have brought it up to our family doctor but he seemed to think it was behavioral, I'm not so sure. I would think that after 6 months these behaviors would slow down and they are not.

**Let me add that the head movement is not in anyway related to what he is watching. Remember we have watched him do this for the last 6 months. Also in the bottom video the leg movement is involuntary.He does this when he is relaxing, watching TV and when he is trying to fall asleep at night. He does do it for a bit when he firsts falls asleep as well.**

Just a side note, Twink is letting me know that she tooted and that she has a stinking butt in the second video. :)

Never Underestimate

Never underestimate someone/something based on what is on paper! So many people let their fear stand in the way of some really beautiful moments. They depend on experts to know what is best and to know it ALL!

Here is our daughter who we were told would NEVER speak! That very doctor that told us she would never talk made a statement (in a condescending tone) that spoke volumes to his personality. This is his statement to my husband and I, "And you adopted her knowing all of this?" I really wanted to scream at him what makes her less desirable than any other child? We wanted a child and she needed a family. She has medical needs that take lots of time and patience. We prayed and knew this was our child! He obviously only saw her as a medical case not a child who was loved dearly already.

Twink has made HUGE gains in a years time (she's been home now 32 months). Actually it has been the last 3-6 months where she has blossomed in her vocabulary.  In another year, I plan on sending a video to that doctor to show him just how well she is talking. I think they way he treated us was wrong and I plan on telling him.

Oh the first statement she makes is she wants to see the picture and then she wants to see *** (herself).

Coming Up For Air

Wow, life has been rather busy around here! Yesterday was the last day of my ASL class. It was a five week class that met M-Th for two hours in the a.m. I must give a shout out to my wonderful daughter Jewel who made it possible for me to attend this class. Everyday for the last 5 weeks she was up at 7:30 helping to get the littles off to their summer programs. She knew how important this class was to our family and she really stepped up. Teens don't like to get up that early in the summer but she did it without complaints. Much love to to her!

Both Bebo and Twink have 6wks of a summer school program so they do not regress in the things they have come so far in. They have one more week left and then a couple weeks off before the school years starts back up. Dash and Spitfire both had 4wks of summer time fun at the local school. It was almost like a day camp. Dash attended a sheriffs camp and totally loved it. Jewel has had a friend pretty much live here for the summer. I call her our fourth daughter as she says with us four to five nights out of the week. Jewel attended field hockey camp for 4 wks and their season will be starting in two weeks.

We've had a few bites on our house but they have totally low balled us. They offered 50 G's less than what we were asking after we lowered the price. I'm content to stay here for the school year and maybe try again after the holidays. It's so stressful living limbo.

I've started two home based business (no I'm not doing photography!). I love them both and am doing very well with them. I'll tell you more about them in my next posts. I'll also update you more on Bebo and Twink. There has been some amazing stuff going on there!

Oh and I'm sorry there are no pictures but I have not taken any since I started my class! I know, bad mamma!

Anybody Still Here?

Quick update before I head off to bed. First I can't believe it has been a month since I've last poseted! I've been without my computer forever. I am using dh's and it is not my favorite. Mine had mulitple viruses on it and has since been fixed only now I have a black screen with some error message. Hopefully it will be fixed for good this weekend. It is probably for the best as I have started my ASL (American Sign Language) class at the college. I am in love with this language. I'll have more on that later.

We are alive, doing much better emotional as well. Between field hockey, swim classes, summer enrichment classes, summer school for Bebo and Twink, and trying to sell our house it has been insane. I hope to be back soon! I miss you all. :(

Wordless Wednesday

Virus Alert!

I have a virus attacking my main computer. If you receive an email from me today, PLEASE do not open it!

Going Through The Motions

Not very well either I might add!

Happy Birthday!

My niece, Special K had her first birthday party this past weekend. Just look at how cute she is! We had a great time at her birthday party as did the kids. SK is already signing to her mama thanks to Baby Signing Time Videos. I love to watch her sign, it's so sweet!

Enjoying the first couple tastes of her cake. I'm SURE she did not sleep that night due to all the sugar! LOL

She loved the feeling between her little fingers. She worked at it until it was tiny little piece.

The aftermath! ;)

Bebo loved these glasses. He is one silly little boy!

Twink enjoying her juice and trying not to get wet!

See what I mean when I say she was trying not to get wet! LOL This is Spitfire who LOVES the water.

Umm, yeah this was my idea! hehe Poor Jewel went swimming.

Bebo's Art Award

Last night Bebo was honored for an art piece he drew. Seven schools participated in the Build A "Framework" Of Character Contest. There was one winning participant overall and seven 1st runner ups from each school. Bebo won 1st Runner Up for the Deaf School! :) We were all so excited and proud of him. His principle was so excited to share the news with us last week. 

Bebo loves to draw. It is one of his favorite things to do. I will say he is very, very good at it too. Some of things he does is just mind boggling. I have one piece on camera from when we were in China. This is coming from a child who had just turned seven mind you. My almost six year old does not draw nearly this good.

Bebo, we are so proud of you! Keep up the great work and do what you love for as long as your little heart desires.

Too Painful

Today's eye testing was too much for Bebo. He went to the eye doctor to have an ERG performed. Unfortunately when they placed the contact in his eye it was too much. If you'd like to view how they go about this procedure you can check out a video at the bottom of this page.

After they place the three main leads on him as well as the dilating drops we all sit in the dark for 20 minutes. Then the numbing drops are placed in his eyes by the use of red lens flash lights. (remember we are sitting in a dark room) After that is when they place the contacts in. Or should I say try.

He did great! They were all so impressed with how well he did. Unfortunately we will have to wait a VERY, VERY long year to repeat this test again, all the while worrying. *IF* insurance pays for genetic testing we may find out this fall.

Prayer Request

Tomorrow Bebo goes for further eye testing as his eye doctor was concerned after his routine vision test last month. Could you all please say a prayer for him as the test is not a comfortable one. That we would also receive the test results tomorrow and not have to wait any further with questions. Thanks!

Wordless Wednesday

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Looking Fear In The Eyes

Have you ever looked into an animal or a persons eyes and seen fear? I don't mean just any fear, I mean shear terror? I have and I see it more than I would like.

Twink has an extreme fear of doctors, dentists, etc. She is fine walking into the office but as soon as it is time to head back for her to be weighed and measured it is a total melt down. This is where her fear starts and my lack of muscles come into play. As long as it is a routine check things are pretty good. I call pretty good screaming, crying, and kicking. If the visit is one where she needs to be held for something then it is a different story.

Twink does not like to be restrained. It does not matter if I do it or someone else does. For the record, I prefer to be the one to do as I can be the one who looks into her eyes and talks to her. She has had so many tests where we have had to hold her. Numerous sedations, Castings, Botox, EKG, Echo, X-ray's, Lab Work but the worst two have been the EEG's and her eye exams. Both have to deal with her super sensitive head which has major sensory issues compounded with us holding her down. She goes into this fight or flight response. The only thing is she does not do the OR it's both!

Holding her for these procedures is nothing short of a miracle. The physical strength this child demonstrates during these times is mind boggling. It takes every ounce of energy and all my strength to hold her. Most times that is not enough.

Looking into her eyes during those moments breaks my heart. She looks like a scared trapped animal looking for a way out. Many times I have to look away when she is like that. You see her fear, her terror in her eyes. They are scanning the room searching for a way out. Searching for a reason as to why this treatment is being done. Soaking in every face that is doing this to her. Screaming at the top of her lungs that it hurts and she does not want it. Shaking her head back and forth. Her face soaked with tears and snot streaming down her face. It's all I can do not to cry with her. I know what they are doing is only helping her but times like those it's hard. It's hard to see her react like that.

All is better within a few minutes of each procedure with a little love and some holding. Oh how we dread those appointments though.