It has been a long time since I have updated "what is happening" around here! I am happy to report that everything is going extremely well! Caleb is adjusting quickly and quite well - every day he understands more and we are down to one or none crying episodes a day. It would happen more often the first week and then became less and less frequent. It was usually a misunderstanding of what was happening or what was going to happen, such as one night; I think, he was hungry and just dropped to his knees outside and cried. Once he began that, there was no consoling him, where today he started to cry when we left the Pavillion, and I assured him we were going to eat and then he was fine.
Since the last post, we have been to visit a pediatric urologist and found out that he needs a minor surgery as he has an undescended testicle. It will be a same day procedure and the Dr. says he will be running the next day. We are just to let him know when we want to do that this summer. We will let him recover well from the palate surgery before we do that one.
We also did some speech assessing and he is eligible for speech services, which will began next week. It will be fun to see him progress, especially after the palate is fixed. He has been like a little sponge and just soaks up everything. He has began to point things out to me when we drive. It is so cute! Today he saw cows, and yelled, "Mama, mama, moo." We have been working with words and putting signs together with them, so that he can communicate his needs. As he learns the structure of the day and where things are located, he is doing much better with that also. If he can't get his point across, he just helps himself! I really like that a lot! That has also helped all of us with our frustrations. It is amazing to see him eat now also. In the beginning, he would eat and eat and eat until we stopped him. Now, he eats until he is finished and then will stop, even with food left on the table or on his plate, at times. Another amazing thing is watching him drink. He is able to drink from a cup with very little spilling and is able to swallow many times consecutively! He is just amazing! I'm sure that I have bragged enough for one night. I will post some new pictures also.
Good night and thanks for continuing to follow- I now call it- my journal (which I have never been consistent at, but will update it as often as I can!)
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
A new surgery date and additional surgery
We visited the ENT yesterday - yes another Doctor. Caleb did very well as the doctor wanted to check his ears for fluid and do a hearing check. They found a mild hearing loss in both ears and so he will need tubs in both ears to drain the fluid off. We are well versed with this procedure, as Keanan has had tubes put into his ears 3 times thus far. Dr DeSautel will go in and put the tubes into his ears right before Dr. Hussain does the surgery on the palate. We have re-scheduled both surgeries to be done on Friday, May 22.
He and I went to the school yesterday to visit the Early Childhood Speech therapist and then also made our way up to the Occupational Therapist and Physical Therapist, so we could show off his fine motor skills! With his speech delays, the speech therapist (Pam) would like us to start services right away before surgery and then continue after the surgery. He would need 2 tests (a receptive and expressive speech assessment (PPLS) and a Developmental assessment (BDI-2)). I give the BDI-2, so am hoping that I can just give that one here at home and things will move more quickly for qualifications. A speech therapist would come into the house and serve him through the summer and then after turning 3, he would get to go to school and be served with a small group of 3 year olds. He seems to be understanding a lot of vocabulary (receptively) and also tries to imitate much of what we say. We are working on body parts and adding words and signs as he needs them. He is so easy to work with and loves the attention and the exploration of everything!
He and I went to the school yesterday to visit the Early Childhood Speech therapist and then also made our way up to the Occupational Therapist and Physical Therapist, so we could show off his fine motor skills! With his speech delays, the speech therapist (Pam) would like us to start services right away before surgery and then continue after the surgery. He would need 2 tests (a receptive and expressive speech assessment (PPLS) and a Developmental assessment (BDI-2)). I give the BDI-2, so am hoping that I can just give that one here at home and things will move more quickly for qualifications. A speech therapist would come into the house and serve him through the summer and then after turning 3, he would get to go to school and be served with a small group of 3 year olds. He seems to be understanding a lot of vocabulary (receptively) and also tries to imitate much of what we say. We are working on body parts and adding words and signs as he needs them. He is so easy to work with and loves the attention and the exploration of everything!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Happy Easter!
Caleb enjoyed coloring eggs for Easter with Keanan and Abby. He also enjoyed an Easter egg hunt last night with friends, but was a little unsure when 2 excited kids pulled him from his bed this AM and expected him to be as excited as they about hunting for baskets and eggs! He enjoyed the toy from his basket and we have discovered that his favorite candies are gummy bears and m&m's (basically chocolate)!
After his shots last week and knowing that he has several Dr appointments this month, we have decided to postpone his surgery on his palate. He seems to be doing really well fitting into the family, and I want him to have his time to feel secure and not like he is constantly being poked and prodded.
We are using some sign language with him and he is picking it up really fast and using it with some prompting. He has communicated with gestures for so long though, that is still his main communication. He can make some of the funniest faces and do some really goofy eye things! Of course the kids laugh and so, why change that?
After church, Grandma and Grandpa came over for lunch (which they brought most of!). We had planned for them to come here, as Brett is on-call. The way things turned out, we could have just as well traveled to Colman, as Brett spent the day at the hospital. We had a nice meal here; and then after Caleb's nap, took the dog for a walk and the kids played on the playground in the park.
The kids are really good for Caleb. He is a "pain" already at times, but then the next second, "he is so cute and funny"; they just can't resist him!
We hope that everyone had a nice Easter holiday and were able to spend time with friends and family!
Jesus Christ has risen indeed! Happy Easter!
After his shots last week and knowing that he has several Dr appointments this month, we have decided to postpone his surgery on his palate. He seems to be doing really well fitting into the family, and I want him to have his time to feel secure and not like he is constantly being poked and prodded.
We are using some sign language with him and he is picking it up really fast and using it with some prompting. He has communicated with gestures for so long though, that is still his main communication. He can make some of the funniest faces and do some really goofy eye things! Of course the kids laugh and so, why change that?
After church, Grandma and Grandpa came over for lunch (which they brought most of!). We had planned for them to come here, as Brett is on-call. The way things turned out, we could have just as well traveled to Colman, as Brett spent the day at the hospital. We had a nice meal here; and then after Caleb's nap, took the dog for a walk and the kids played on the playground in the park.
The kids are really good for Caleb. He is a "pain" already at times, but then the next second, "he is so cute and funny"; they just can't resist him!
We hope that everyone had a nice Easter holiday and were able to spend time with friends and family!
Jesus Christ has risen indeed! Happy Easter!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
First Step toward fixing the palate
All seems to be going well with Caleb and his adjustment. He has gotten up and out of bed in the middle of the night the last 2 nights. But, when taken into our bed, he has gone right back to sleep. He has adjusted well with his days and nights, which was much easier than I can say about myself when traveling over there.
Caleb had his appointment with Dr. Hussain (cleft palate specialist and plastic surgeon) yesterday afternoon. Dr. Hussain looked his mouth and then took time to answer all of our questions. We have scheduled the surgery for May 1 at Avera McKennan. He will put a palate in at this time. He will plan another surgery in about 2 years to fix the nose, and thicken the skin under the nose. Unfortunately, he will not do the surgery in conjunction with the urologist, so we will have to plan for 2 sugeries, which is not appealing. Caleb goes to the pediatric urologist on the 21st of the month.
We have been out visiting every day and I am ready to stay at home for a day, but he really looks forward to getting out and going! I hope winter is going away and then we will be able to play outside more. Caleb doesn't really like the cold and the snow did not appeal to him. It doesn't help that he took his mittens off as soon as he got out in it! Hopefully after the hot summer, he will like the snow a little more. We will also be able to explain it to him better, as he will have a greater understanding of vocabulary.
Today, we went for lunch with Abby. I wasn't sure if Caleb would like the lunch, but I'm not sure why I thought that. He loved it and ate during Abby's lunch and was still eating 30 minutes later, when Keanan came out, so we stayed for his half-hour lunch also.
Caleb had his appointment with Dr. Hussain (cleft palate specialist and plastic surgeon) yesterday afternoon. Dr. Hussain looked his mouth and then took time to answer all of our questions. We have scheduled the surgery for May 1 at Avera McKennan. He will put a palate in at this time. He will plan another surgery in about 2 years to fix the nose, and thicken the skin under the nose. Unfortunately, he will not do the surgery in conjunction with the urologist, so we will have to plan for 2 sugeries, which is not appealing. Caleb goes to the pediatric urologist on the 21st of the month.
We have been out visiting every day and I am ready to stay at home for a day, but he really looks forward to getting out and going! I hope winter is going away and then we will be able to play outside more. Caleb doesn't really like the cold and the snow did not appeal to him. It doesn't help that he took his mittens off as soon as he got out in it! Hopefully after the hot summer, he will like the snow a little more. We will also be able to explain it to him better, as he will have a greater understanding of vocabulary.
Today, we went for lunch with Abby. I wasn't sure if Caleb would like the lunch, but I'm not sure why I thought that. He loved it and ate during Abby's lunch and was still eating 30 minutes later, when Keanan came out, so we stayed for his half-hour lunch also.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Day 3 Beginning
It is hard to believe that we have only been home for 2 full days! Without much sleep on the plane, we were all tired for the last 2 days, but able to get days and nights turned around much more quickly. I am happy to report Caleb sleeping through the entire night last night, as well as, Brett and I. I feel very refreshed this morning and it seems as though everyone is on track also.
After sleeping in on Thursday, Caleb and I took the kids to school, where we spent 2 hours. He was the show and tell in both classrooms, and loved all the attention in there and all over the building.
Caleb went to the Dr yesterday (Friday) and did very well, as we were there for almost 2 hours, and at the end of that time, he had to have blood taken from his arm. He cried as they took the blood, but did not even try to pull away, and was easy to console afterward. After nap and the kids coming home from school, we visited the zoo. We stayed indoors and only visited the stuffed animals. Abby and Keanan had a blast dragging Caleb from exhibit to exhibit and showing him everything! He loved every minute of it. If all this lavishing continues, he will be one spoiled little boy! I figure he might as well enjoy it, as it may not last forever.
We plan to attend church tomorrow, and then Caleb has an appointment with the plastic surgeon on Monday, and shots on Thursday (The Children's Hospital wants to redo all of his immunizations). I know that he will do well with them, but hate to see him have to go through all of that.
Take care and keep up the prayers for the little guy, as he is just beginning with needed medical treatments.
After sleeping in on Thursday, Caleb and I took the kids to school, where we spent 2 hours. He was the show and tell in both classrooms, and loved all the attention in there and all over the building.
Caleb went to the Dr yesterday (Friday) and did very well, as we were there for almost 2 hours, and at the end of that time, he had to have blood taken from his arm. He cried as they took the blood, but did not even try to pull away, and was easy to console afterward. After nap and the kids coming home from school, we visited the zoo. We stayed indoors and only visited the stuffed animals. Abby and Keanan had a blast dragging Caleb from exhibit to exhibit and showing him everything! He loved every minute of it. If all this lavishing continues, he will be one spoiled little boy! I figure he might as well enjoy it, as it may not last forever.
We plan to attend church tomorrow, and then Caleb has an appointment with the plastic surgeon on Monday, and shots on Thursday (The Children's Hospital wants to redo all of his immunizations). I know that he will do well with them, but hate to see him have to go through all of that.
Take care and keep up the prayers for the little guy, as he is just beginning with needed medical treatments.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Home Again!
We made it home after a long day of travel. Caleb did very well with the whole 29 hour day! We took off from Guangzhou at 6 AM on April 1 (which would be 5 PM here on March 31) and flew from there to Shanghi. After a 5 hour layover there, and an hour nap for Caleb, we took off for Chicago. The funny thing was, we left there (Shanghi) at 4:55 PM on the 1st and got into Chicago at 4:30 PM on the 1st. Caleb took a little nap on the plane from Shanghi to Chicago (2-3 hours), otherwise he was up for the flight (13 hours). He did very well, sometimes, I think, better than we! Once in Chicago, we had many stops, as we had to go through customs, then pick up our luggage, then go through immigration, and then go back through security for our domestic flight to Sioux Falls. Caleb officially became a US citizen!
Caleb fell asleep right before we boarded to plan to go to Sioux Falls, which left Chicago at 7:50 PM. Brett woke him up shortly before we landed in Sioux Falls, and he loved the lights as we came in. He was a real trooper!
We knew what lay at the end of this road, but he did not, so was not as in a hurry to get to the waiting area, as we. He was somewhat confused when those two kids, he'd watched on video and seen in pictures were right there in front of him! The kids, with the help of Mrs. McGuire, had made a welcome home sign for us and were standing there holding it. Through all my tears, I wasn't able to read it that night, but did read it today. Thank you 3M for the special welcome home! There were many hugs and kisses, and the end result was 3 smiling kids hand in hand getting on and riding down the escalator! What a beautiful sight, even with blurry vision!
Thank you for all of your support and prayers throughout this journey, they were much appreciated and needed. It was many days to be away from my kids, and I was reminded of the fact that I have always taken my kids for granted. I know that God sent us on this journey for many reasons. Just a couple are: One, to save Caleb and to give him a "forever home" where he will be loved and cherished; and Two, to stop and remember how much we appreciate what HE has already given us in the 2 kids we left at home for 15 days. Our love and appreciation for Keanan and Abby became crystal clear.
Through all of the ups and downs, tired days and sleepless night (rock hard mattresses), sickness, etc... what I truly missed while I was gone was Keanan and Abby. Even though I missed them so badly that I ached, I was comforted to know that they were safe, happy, and well taken care of by my mother; whom I have also taken for granted many times throughout my life. Thank you mom for giving up so much to be here and for taking such awesome care of the kids. Thank you also, mom and dad, for welcoming the new little addition with open arms and a loving heart.
May God bless you all. Good night from Brandon, South Dakota!
Caleb fell asleep right before we boarded to plan to go to Sioux Falls, which left Chicago at 7:50 PM. Brett woke him up shortly before we landed in Sioux Falls, and he loved the lights as we came in. He was a real trooper!
We knew what lay at the end of this road, but he did not, so was not as in a hurry to get to the waiting area, as we. He was somewhat confused when those two kids, he'd watched on video and seen in pictures were right there in front of him! The kids, with the help of Mrs. McGuire, had made a welcome home sign for us and were standing there holding it. Through all my tears, I wasn't able to read it that night, but did read it today. Thank you 3M for the special welcome home! There were many hugs and kisses, and the end result was 3 smiling kids hand in hand getting on and riding down the escalator! What a beautiful sight, even with blurry vision!
Thank you for all of your support and prayers throughout this journey, they were much appreciated and needed. It was many days to be away from my kids, and I was reminded of the fact that I have always taken my kids for granted. I know that God sent us on this journey for many reasons. Just a couple are: One, to save Caleb and to give him a "forever home" where he will be loved and cherished; and Two, to stop and remember how much we appreciate what HE has already given us in the 2 kids we left at home for 15 days. Our love and appreciation for Keanan and Abby became crystal clear.
Through all of the ups and downs, tired days and sleepless night (rock hard mattresses), sickness, etc... what I truly missed while I was gone was Keanan and Abby. Even though I missed them so badly that I ached, I was comforted to know that they were safe, happy, and well taken care of by my mother; whom I have also taken for granted many times throughout my life. Thank you mom for giving up so much to be here and for taking such awesome care of the kids. Thank you also, mom and dad, for welcoming the new little addition with open arms and a loving heart.
May God bless you all. Good night from Brandon, South Dakota!
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