Kryptonite

We’ve been able to see some of you all in person and were able to see where some of the informational holes are.  So, I will give you some answers.  

How is Lucy doing with Melissa?  I think we now have a mama’s girl on our hands.  We came home on a Saturday and that’s been the turning point day in our relationship.  Since then she seems to like me as much as Trav.  She actually seems a little mad at Trav for going back to work.  Lucy babbles on about him all day long, wanting to talk to him on the phone, but then is a little cold to him when he returns home for the evening. 

What are the doctors saying about her heart?  We met with our pediatric cardiologist this morning.  We went in to it with the expectation that it would be a quick consult and any tests that we needed would be scheduled at a later date.  To my surprise right after being put in a room they did an EKG on her.  Then Dr. Ellis (whom I can’t say enough good things about) came in and explained that we would attempt a cardiac echo in the office and if she didn’t tolerate it we would do one under anesthesia (not just sedation) at the hospital.  At this point Lucy was not really digging him or his exam so I would say that Trav and I were hopeful, but wouldn’t have bet the house on it getting it done, as we would need her cooperation.  All I have to say is Praise Jesus!  Lucy cried a bit but they were successful in completing the echo!  Woohoo!  She does have an ASD but it is very small, only about ½ the size that her Chinese files indicated.  The news gets better- it is the kind and size that doesn’t need any further care at this time.  Because she cried a little bit through the echo we DO need to come back….. when she is 3 years old.  Yup, not for at least 16 months.  Now of course we know that things can change but this is the news that we were reallllyyy praying for.  After the cardiologist we went to see our International Adoption Specialist (IAP).  We are just starting the process of getting her tested for all kinds of things and immunized to US standards.  Our IAP once explained it as doing newborn screenings but on an older child.  He will be following her weight, immunizations & all that kind of stuff.   At the end of the visit she had a PPD placed and then had blood drawn.  It took 4 sticks to get it all.  I thought that this would maybe set back our bonding but she seemed more upset with the staff and the procedures than with me.  This is just the beginning of this process so we’ll keep you updated.  Again, Praise the Lord!  Thanks for the prayers. 

How are she and Tyson getting along?  Tyson really couldn’t be a better big brother.  I wasn’t sure if he was really listening when we were prepping him for Lucy’s arrival.  Apparently he was.  For example, if she is crying he tries to calm her down.  Tonight in the car she was crying to get out of her car seat and he grabbed her hand and started singing his ABCs.  (She really likes any song that has the same rhythm as Twinkle Twinkle.)  He is starting to realize that she imitates everything that he does.  This does come in handy when we want her to try a new food or do something else that she doesn’t want to do.  It's not so handy when he is trying to do normal 5 year old things.  Now, as any brother would, he does antagonize her at times but in general he's always looking out for her.  

It brings so much joy to us to see them interact.  We praying and working and saving for years for this, and it is finally happening.

How is she doing in regards to her eating?  This is still a bit of a struggle but I don’t think that it’s out of proportion to most other toddlers.  Sometimes she eats a lot and sometimes just pushes it around her tray and then onto the floor.  Her favorite foods are sweets and meat products, ughh.  Poppop West introduced her to what has become kryptonite- Swedish Fish.  Lucy will do pretty much anything for a little red fish.  She has very little will-power against it. 

Okay, so no one asked but I’m going to tell you a little bit about Lulu & the cute things she does.  She apparently knows already that she can pray wherever she is.  Which she DOES… and it’s FUNNY.  She says something like ‘Ahmen’, grabs our hands, closes her eyes and tilts her head back.   Now it may appear to be a little televangalist in style but it is soooo cute.  I’m wondering if anyone at Costco caught on to this today. As you may have caught a few glimpses of in the video Lucy dances and screams like she is going to a Cindy Lauper audition.  She is living it up for sure.  In no way is she seeking anyone’s approval.  We have to work our way into her heart and life every day.  The looks that she throws around with her eyes seem to belong to a 30-year-old woman. 

Of course I don’t speak any Chinese so I don’t know what else that she is saying but here are some of the things that she says spontaneously in English.  She can be prompted for a bunch more.  Most of these start with the ‘Ahh sound’.

Go- mostly used at doctor’s offices and when she wants to get out of the bedroom at bedtime

Pee pee in the potty & poo poo in the potty- she is still doing pretty well in this area but I’m not sure if we’ll be off diapers anytime soon

Meow- in response to ‘what does a cat say?’

Tickle Tickle- when she wants to tickle someone or when watching Kai Lan

Candy

The names of her family

Milk

Boom boom pow

There are a lot more but I’m too tired to think of them right now.

She does sign language for more, all done and milk. 

She seems to understand a lot of the things that we say to her.  Mostly along the ‘are you hungry?’ or ‘do you want to go outside?’ line of communication.  

Trav will upload some pictures tomorrow. 

P.S.- Thank you for all of the warm welcomes and for letting us know that you are reading along.  It makes us feel so happy to know that you are all out there supporting us.