12 YEARS!!

What?  When did this happen?  How is it possible that I am the mom of a 14 and a half yr old, a now 12 year old and a 3 yr old?  I don't think I am qualified enough for this job on more than a regular basis, but apparently God thought I was worthy and I thank Him for that! (Most of the time) :D. 

Today my youngest boy turned 12.  We rented our local rink for an hour so the boys could play hockey, then we came back here and had pizza, sundaes, and cake.  I then gladly sent them all home! :)

Isaiah, we love you very much and we hope this coming year is full of amazing things for you!  

HAPPY 12th BIRTHDAY!

 XOXO

PLAYSCHOOL HALLOWEEN PARTY

Keely has really missed Playschool the last month, so when we were invited to come to the Halloween Party today, I decided it would be nice for her to get out and go.  She had so much fun!

 Little Miss Floppy Ear ready to go!

Play doh time!

Storytime!

Treats!

 Since today wasn't a great outside day, they went to the gym before we left and she has a great time playing with the parachute and balloons with the rest of the kids.  No pics because I had left my camera in the other room. :(
Not sure when she will make it back to Playschool, since she will be wearing the brace for another 6 or 7 weeks.  It is hard for her to climb and I am a bit nervous that someone may fall on her or Keely being Keely will try and do something dangerous that may hurt her leg.  I guess we will play it by ear.  

Why Do I Wait So Long?

Before I write a new blog post that is!  Busyness or lack there of.  Just not being able to put words together in this brain or a number of other things I could probably come up with!

It has been about 3 and a half weeks since Keely's surgery.  

Headed to IWK to get the Giant leg wrap off!

 We went back down to IWK last Tuesday (Oct 23) and she had her half cast wrap taken off which was not fun at all!  She screamed and cried and I may of felt a bit queasy myself.  I'm not sure if it was realizing the actual size of her incision or the fact that the Dr. ripped the rest of the bandages off that incision or just the fact that I knew she was very uncomfortable.  Either way it was NO fun at ALL! It broke my heart to see how upset she was over her incision as well.

Daddy trying to distract her from crying at her incision!

 He then sent us for an Xray to make sure everything was still where he had put it and it was!  Then it was brace time.  The brace they put on her wasn't actually the brace they had originally had wanted, but it was still in the process of being made just for her.  So for now we have this one, which still keeps her leg straight and helps to weight bare when she stands and walks.

That ordeal called for an ice cream!

Other than a full week and a half dealing with severe constipation and then being afraid of going on the toilet, she has done amazing with the knee situation. (Thankfully that is resolved!)

 She did have a rough night the first night with her brace on and was a bit more whiny the next day, but after she was used to it she has done great.  We have been able to take it off so she can have a bath and to do her exercises or if she is sitting still.  We may be starting Physio on Thursday with someone that will actually come to the house, which is awesome!

A pretty big cut for a little leg, but it is healing nicely!

 The rest of the clan has been busy getting ready for hockey season.  I fully become a hockey widow and single mom of a 3 yr old. for the next 6 months!  As if that isn't bad enough, my husband decides to let our oldest play on a team on the mainland as well!  Yup 2 hockey teams!!  Insert sigh!  Don't get me wrong, I love that my kids love to play and I love that my husband loves to be their coach, but there needs to be a happy medium.  I want husband/wife and family time that doesn't revolve around me sitting in a cold rink holding down a 3yr old watching from the stands!

This Girl Is A SuperStar!!

We arrived home Monday on the 7:00 ferry after a 41/2 hr drive home and an 11/2 ferry ride and this girl hardly said a word the whole trip!! She only slept about a half an hour of that too!  She was excited to get home and see everyone and apparently eat some home cooked food.  She ate two big bowls of carrots and some corn chowder that Grammy made.

We stopped in Saint John on the way home to fill her prescription for Morphine, which we stopped giving her as of yesterday morning(Tuesday) and she still has yet to complain.  We are still doing the Advil and Tylenol every few hours though.  This girl seems to have a SUPER high pain tolerance, (except when taking off a bandage or when the blood pressure cup squeezes her arm!) LOL

Stacey and Kellan stopped in yesterday with some sweets and a book and Aunt Sharon brought over some Ch Chip Cookies yesterday as well. Ok now for some pics:

Mommy getting ready to walk in her in to the OR!

In Recovery, still very out of it!  She looks so helpless! :(

Finally up to our room on the 7th Floor!

Our room was pretty big!

Eating a Popsicle

Sitting in the chair with mommy!

Crazy girl the day after surgery trying to walk and chewing on the IV! LOL

Our 1st visitors!

Finally home and already wanting to walk with Daddy's help of course! 

 

On The Mend

Yesterday, Keely had her surgery.  We had somewhat of a restless night and were awake for the day at 4:30!!! We arrived at the hospital around 6:30am, waited to talk to all of the Dr.s involved and then around 8:15 I walked her down to the operating room. I had never been in an operating room and I really hope I never have to again!  She didn't really want the mask on, but with a little convincing and the smell of chocolate going through the mask, she was out in a matter of a few seconds.  I kissed her little face and walked out. It was a very weird feeling leaving your child so helpless in the hands of strangers and basically trusting them with her life.


Then we waited, walked around, got coffee and waited some more, at about 11 we asked for an update.  The nurse came out and said everything was going as planned and they would be done in about an hour.  Finally, at 12:30 the Dr. came out and said things went well, but he ended up having to cut way up to her hip because the muscle wouldn't move in order to keep her kneecap in place and not twisting to the right like it has been the last 3 years.  Ugh, that did not sound pleasant!!  He also said that he couldn't get her leg to go perfectly straight without cutting the bone, which he didn't want to do in this surgery because he was afraid that it would mess up all of the other stuff he did.  The main thing is I guess is that her kneecap is back in the right spot!   He didn't end up putting a full leg cast on, she only has a part cast on the back of her knee, a splint and the rest is just wrapped really well.  So then we had to wait for the call that she was waking up and we could go see her.  This took another 2 hrs, yes 2 hrs!!  I think that was harder than waiting for the surgery to be done!  We were then called to go to Recovery where we found a disoriented, groggy, uncomfortable girl.  After about 2 hr wait in the hallway at Recovery, we were finally taken to our room.  Keely slept and was in and out for the rest of the day.

Today, she has been more alert, ate a couple bites of scrambled egg for breakfast and drank tons of juice.  So far her pain has been managed very well and she even was wanting to get down a few times today.  Robyn brought Lily and Jack in for a visit this morning and brought her a little gift.  Around lunch time they decreased her morphine to half, but so far hasn't seemed to bother her too much.  We have taken her on a couple walks down the hallway in her stroller and she has been from the bed to my lap more than a few times today.  It is hard for a 3 year old to stay in one position with their leg elevated, but she has done really well.  The nurse even said tonight that they actually can't get over how well she has done considering the amount of work she had on her leg.  They think she is a pretty tough little girl and I can't agree more.

So now we wait for tomorrow and see how her pain is and if it is manageable for us to take her home.    I'm thinking Monday will be the day, just to be safe.  Since we are so far away I would rather wait an extra day to ensure her comfort.  The next post I will put some pics up of her hospital journey.

T-Minus 18Hrs!!

The countdown is on for Miss K's surgery and this mama is starting to stress!!!  I was doing quite well until I went to bed last night and then my mind took over and I could not get to sleep!  I know she will be in great hands and things will more than likely go as planned, but still she is my baby and I don't want to see her in pain or uncomfortable!

We had family pictures done the other night, since she will be in a cast for six weeks, hockey will be starting, hubby is extremely busy and of course it will be getting dark by supper time.  So, no time like the present to make the family stop and take some pics!  I figure we won't see the men in this house once hockey starts, so it is good that we have pictures to look at! 

Let me tell you this girl is a ham, she was quite the little show off for pics, she would stick her tongue out, close her eyes, try to lick her brothers, etc.    She was really quite entertaining and I am hoping we managed to get a few decent photos.  

Right now we are on the ferry and then driving to Halifax for the next 4.5 hours, staying with friends and heading to the hospital for 6:30 a.m.  I think her surgery is scheduled for 8!  Oh man, I'm not sure that I am ready for this, but I guess it has to be done.  Will have a updated post very soon about how it all went.  Keep us in your prayers! 

PURE CUTESS!

On Monday, we headed to Halifax and our first stop was to our friends the Tilfords.  We met this family in China just before we all flew out of Beijing to get our babies.  Scott and Marcy were pros in the adoption seen, since they had previously adopted 2 girls.  We instantly connected with this family and were very excited to see them again. 

Here are the cuties playing,

 

 Pure Cuteness!!
Then on Tuesday, we had to be at the IWK at 8:30 for Keely's CT Scan.  They told us at first that she would probably need to be sedated because children under 5 usually won't lay still enough to get a good image.  Just moving a cm sets the whole thing off.  Since the scan only takes 10 to 15 seconds they thought we could try it first without sedation, otherwise we would be there for 2hrs after for her to come around.  So with Chris and I at her head and a nurse at her feet we were able to hold her and encourage her to stay still enough that the CT Scan was successful without sedation. :) YaY!
Then it was off to the Orthopedic Clinic for Pre-Op stuff .  We were seen by 5 different people and she did not want to be very agreeable with any of them.  Obviously this kid knows that something is up and this probably isn't going to be the funnest place around! Despite their measures of trying to give her stuffed animals, dolls, etc.   She would take whatever they gave her and throw it at them and anything they asked her if she liked she basically said, "No!"  Fair enough, I wouldn't want to be that agreeable if I was 3 either.  A lady came in to introduce her to a walker in case she wants to use it once her cast is on.  I did get a pic of that; but not one of the CT Scan; she just thought it was fun to push it around.

Then came the dreaded Blood work!  This girl has been poked a few times, so when I had told her earlier that we were going to see the Dr. that was the first thing she said.  Thinking that she was going to be sedated for the CT Scan and that they were going to do the blood work while she was out, I thought we dodged that upset.  Nope, it was over pretty quick though, but the aftermath lasted a bit longer than the actual poke.  Let me tell you that this girl is DRAMATIC!  As we walked down the hall past on lookers towards an elevator, she wailed and wailed, holding her arm straight out looking at the bandage!  Tears and snot flying and there was no way we were changing her mind!  She was upset and that floor of the hospital was going to know it! LOL
Finally, we convinced her that the happy face on her bandage was telling her that her booboo was all better and meant she could be happy.  All was well again and we went and played at the outdoor park/garden at the IWK for a bit. :)
Now onto preparing for her surgery and all that comes with that!

IWK We Will See You Soon!

So next week we will be heading to Halifax for Miss K's CT Scan and Pre-Op at the IWK.  We thought this was supposed to take place in Saint John, but we find out 3 months later that we never could have had it done there anyway.  Apparently Keely will have to be sedated and they will not do that to children her age in Saint John. :(

Then Oct. 5th is the big SURGERY day! :(  I have tried not to stress to much over this because I know it has to be done to correct her knee.  Don't get me wrong I will do my fair share of stressing the days before, during and after when she is trying to adjust to a cast for six weeks!  

This will be the first surgery we have had to deal with as parents.  I imagine a blubbering mommy as they wheel her off to the OR with her panda and blanket.  She has become more and more stuck to me lately and pretty much doesn't want me to leave her side.  It is always "mon mommy" as she pulls my hand to wherever she has in her head she wants me to go.  Ugh, this will be hard!

A few of my stresses for after the surgery: the pain that she will be in and not understanding why she is in that pain.  Why she has a hard, heavy white thing on her leg and that she can't move it very well.  Sleeping at night.(Because this mama likes her uninterrupted sleep) I feel like this may be an issue for a bit.  This doesn't sound like someone who hasn't been thinking about it does it??  Regardless, what will be will be and we will deal with all it brings. 

Week 1 Down!

We've made it through our first week of school.  There were some tears (and not from the 3yr old), but that is a whole other story.  

We have a High Schooler 

A Middle Schooler

And a PlaySchooler

I can't really believe that my kids are this old and I am as young as ever!(insert laughter)

I feel like my best blogging days are behind me!  I just don't seem to have the words or desire to update my blog on a regular basis.  I guess I feel our everyday life is somewhat boring and who really wants to read (if anyone even checks in on us here anymore) how many times we run to the potty or anything else.  Plus, I have a needy toddler and just started babysitting a 2yr old, so who really has the time? 

 I do want to try to become more regular with blogging and somewhat more insightful, but I'm not promising anything.  :)

1st Day of Playschool!!!

Well I had started a post about how busy August was and all the many things that we did, but this is breaking news of today!  My baby started Playschool today!  This is completely her doing.  I told her last week that the boys would be going back to school in a few days and she said, "my school" in which I replied, "you want to go to school?"  She said yes and got very excited.  This momma wasn't quite sure, but thought I should encourage her excitement, since the boys have always had a love/hate relationship with school.(More like hate!)

So today was the day and............

 As you can see she is pretty pumped!

 Cooperating nicely for mommy

 Eating her Nutri Grain bar on the go!(She had oatmeal earlier, don't freak out)

 Off she goes! :(

 Standing by her hook with her name tag.

 1st thing she went to in the room.

 Keely and Molly

 Not even looking up while mommy was leaving.

This went much better than I had ever dealt with the boys, so I was very relieved.  On the other hand questioned, why she wasn't clinging to me?  Is she not attached enough to care or is she secure in our attachment that this separation is OK?  Any adoption experts out there that have this answer?  I am hoping it is Option Two!!
When it was pick up time, I could see her outside on the playground in a little playhouse with her little friend.  When she saw the car, I could see her pointing to it and talking.(If I could only hear what she was saying!) When I got out, she smiled, waved, and hollered "There's my mommy!"  Phew, she was actually glad to see me! :0)
The teachers said it took her a little bit to warm up and talk to them, but after awhile she was talking away. Yay!  We said Goodbye, went in and got her picture she painted and away we went to take Wowa for his haircut!  That was easy! Day 1 of Playschool a success, now we will see if we can get Noah and Isaiah off to Gr.9 and 6 as easy!

1st Gotcha Day Anniversary - Part 2

I had imagined this day many times over this last year and really can't believe it is here.  

I really wanted to plan a special get together with Family and Friends, watch the movies from our trip, BBQ, eat cake and just celebrate our Year Anniversary, but sometimes life is just too darn busy to pull those things off.  Chris had to be away for meetings and we had a baseball game at 6, so this meant none of my plan were going to work out.  So we made the best of it and I took the boys and little Miss out for lunch.

When we were in China, we bought little souvenirs that we could give her over the next few years on her Gotcha Day Anniversary.  This year I chose to give her the Panda Nesting Dolls and I think I made the right choice because this girl loves pandas. 

She didn't have a whole lot of time to play with them because we were headed to the boys last ball game of the season.  She took along her Princess ball and glove that Noah got her for her Birthday and lets just say was pretty popular with some of the little boys who also wanted to play.

After the game, we headed home and she had a little bit of time to play with her pandas before bed.

 She is showing me Dada, Mama, Woawa, Zaiah and Tt!

 We hadn't realized when we got them that there were 5 Pandas!  (What a coincidence!)

Mommy panda may of just happen to mention, well if there had of been 6, then that may have meant we were to start making plans to go to China again. :)  Daddy Panda quickly stated that there were only 5 for a reason and TT was the last baby panda for this family!  OK, fine! (For now!) ;)

Anyway, though the day wasn't what I imagined, it turned out to be a pretty great day.  We are so glad you are here and can't imagine our lives without your infectious giggles, your sweet little voice saying, "up pees" (continually!), the way you call your bathing suit your bb soup, your gentle kisses you give mommy when I say I have a headache and how you hold my head and kiss my forehead to make it all better.  I love how you say your prayers at night and how you repeat Bepe(Grampy) and Duke over and over until I make you aware that we pray for God to bless others too. lol

HAPPY 1ST GOTCHA DAY BABY GIRL!

1st Gotcha Day Anniversary - Part 1

Wow, where did this year go??  It feels like this little girl has always been here!

Looking at this picture, I see the sadness in your eyes, but thankfully it didn't take too long that we caught a glimpse of your beautiful smile.

Now that we are celebrating our 1st year as a forever family, I look back over the year in complete awe of you and sometimes can't believe that you are actually here.  

You have learned to trust and love your family, speak another language, how to be gentle with animals, you quickly learned that Grandparents let you do more than mommy, you learned to scream GOAL during a hockey game, and you grew to adore your daddy. 

Even though there were times in this journey that were tough for all of us, we have come through it all closer and more in love with you than we ever could have imagined.