Wordless Wednesday

What's Wrong?

You've probably all been wondering where I've been. OK maybe some of you have and some of you could careless! ;) I've always said I would be honest with all of you on this blog. It helps others who are adoptive parents learn. If we can't share and learn from each other than what is the point of our blogs?

Please know that I love my family and my children with all of my heart. They are my life. Also know that I love Bebo as well. I am forever grateful that God chose our family for him! We entered his adoption much like Twinks, with no exception.

The past couple of weeks have been hard. I am really struggling. I wish I could pin it all on one thing but there is so much going on around me that I become so overwhelmed. Bebo has adjust better than we could have ever asked for but I wish I could say the same for me. Some days I do better but other days I'm terrible. Sometimes I feel a huge rage just well up inside of me, it is kind of scary. I'm not even sure where it comes from. By the end of the day I've had enough noise, kids, fighting, tattling, etc. I just want to hear myself think for a few minutes.

Dealing with chronic pain on a daily basis does not help. Not much I can do to relieve it, just pray that warm weather comes quickly. We are tossing around the idea of moving and what that would mean in terms of schooling for Bebo and Twink. We would not be close enough to the state school for the deaf for Bebo which has us a bit stressed. Twink has other options so we are not worried about her.

It was suggested we buy Bebo hearing aids. We are working on trying to find possible grants that work with children who are deaf for the aids. We were told they cost about 2K  for each one. With that said The Count and I are not in agreement with cochlear implants. We have to do at least 6 months of HA's before we reach any decision of CI. We see the cleft team the first week of May. Our dentist told us that there is a possibility there may something more going on with Bebo but will not know anything until we see this team of doctors.

As you can see there is quite a bit going on and this mama is feeling a bit stressed. I know we are still trying to adjust as a family. I've been here before, I know it will get better but the road seems long and dark some days.I am struggling.

Small Update

Please don't forget to help pass the word about Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. The month is almost over but there is still many people to educate about CP. I've only had one person (Carla) help in my efforts to raise awareness! I know there are more people out there who would love to win a beautiful apron and help out the children still sitting on the China waiting child list or in our local foster homes find forever families!

Bebo went to the dentist yesterday and we thought for sure he would need some major dental work. To our amazement he does not. Seven years in an orphanage with a repaired cleft palate and his teeth are beautiful! He had severe plaque build up that made his teeth look like they had cavities. They were able to use a high powered "water pic" and take every last piece of plaque off his teeth! His brown and in some areas gray teeth are now white. Praise God, we are amazed! He did great but his gum line is very sore.

We received Bebos progress reports from Half the Sky Foundation. They are priceless! We received 14 new photos and brief little snippets about him. We are awaiting MORE in paper form. You see HTS change to a digital format a couple years ago so we will receive paper reports from his early years! I am forever grateful for the people who may have sponsored our little guy over the last 6 years! We are planning on waiting until all the files are together and making him two books, one he look at now and one for later.

I have something important I'll be talking about in the next couple of days. Hope you all are having a great week!

One Month!

Bebo has been a part of our family for one month! I can hardly believe how fast time has gone by now that he is with us. Life at home is going very well. He has adjusted great to his surroundings and his new family. I don't want to give the illusion that we do not have any problems because we do. It seems that when we correct a behavior Bebo automatically turns into himself. He stops making eye contact and just refuses to move. I'm not sure what he is thinking and to be honest it makes me a bit crazy. It's almost as if he is testing me. He does not do it as much with The Count but then again I am home with him most of the day. If anyone has any suggestions I am open to them.

Bebo is picking up sign language at lightening speed. He knows 3/4 of the alphabet and I've been working with him less than a week with it. I broke it down for him and it's almost too easy for him. He is practicing his hand writing, letter and color recognition. He does not like to sit down and do work but once he sits to do the work he is fine. He is so bored at home and ready to go to school. We go for his intake process next week so that should be exciting and scary all at once for him. I'm not sure where we go from there though.

Did I mention that he and Spitfire are connected at the hip? She just adores him. She helps him with whatever he needs and just looks out for him over all. Lia thinks nothing of him. Bebo loves to rub Twinks head or her cheek. It's very sweet to see him interact with her. He is definitely used to playing with younger children. Maybe I should say looking after them. If she cries he will pat her head or her arm. He loves babies!!! Anytime there is a baby around he needs to see that baby.

The above pictures were taken yesterday. Neither were very willing at first. I had to tell them that after we did pictures we could eat lunch! LOL Both were very happy to hurry and have their pictures taken. I also had to place some silly action figure on my head for them to even look in my direction. Oh what we won't do for a couple of pictures! ;) I have pictures starting from Lia looking at Evan like there was no way she was sitting next to him having her picture taken with him, to him smelling her hair and the two of them cracking up. Too sweet!

Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month

March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. I am passionate about cerebral palsy and any kind of awareness I can bring to the disorder. I want to teach people that there are MANY levels of CP.

I'm asking that you please post the following You Tube video on your blog to help promote Cerebral Palsy. In doing so you will receive an entry into a drawing for a Scarlet Threads Apron of your choice! If you point them in the direction of my blog you will receive two entries! :) If you just let me know that I've educated you I'll give you an entry as well! :) I will draw the winner on March 31st and post who the lucky person is!

There are many children on the China Waiting Children Shared List with mild cerebral palsy. Many just need a loving home with a family to meet their full potential. Our daughter has mild cp and she has blessed the pants right off us! If you have any questions please feel free to ask and I'll try to answer to the best of my ability.

Resources for Cerebral Palsy
Reaching for the Stars
UCP- United Cerebral Palsy
CHASA - Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke Association
Adopting Children with Cerebral Palsy Yahoo Group

Awe Struck!

If you have not seen this video please take the time to view it. I believe most who follow my blog will have the same reaction I did when I saw it today. :)

Confirmed

It was confirmed today that our silly guy has severe/profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears. This is not a surprise to us and we are actually very relieved. We know now that without a shadow of a doubt that he will be accepted to our State School for the Deaf! :) He had to have an 80dB hearing loss in at least one ear and he exceeded that. He will not dorm at the school but will be transported by our local school district everyday. We are only 20 minutes from the school which makes things very convenient.

For seven year he has had NO language other than gestures. He will finally have a language to learn and will understand! He is ready and willing to learn. We will learn right along side him but something tells me he is going to fly past us in no time.

Thank you Lord for our sweet, sweet son!