Where did January go?

Happy New Year everyone . . wow, where did January go?  With 2013 in full swing, I had very high hopes of having a much simpler year, with far less appointments now that Elliana has been home for over 9 months.  And - then - January - hit.  Eleven is the number of appointments and meetings we have (so far) in January.  And, with the flu being in full swing in our State, I'm not too thrilled about taking otherwise healthy girls to the doctors office for well-baby check ups, etc., ya know?? 

Although Ellie is finished with her speech therapy (yay!), we are still battling Giardia!  I am literally ready to lose my mind.  I'm not joking!  Ellie has had 2 negative lab tests (which is good), but I'm not buying it.  Let's just say the proof is in the 'smell' and leave it at that!  Faith is still showing up positive.  Neither of the girls have symptoms -- which is good -- but the positive results are driving me crazy and the extra precautions with diaper changing, bathing, etc. is just so time consuming and creates a lot of extra laundry.  Can't wait to throw them in the tub together with a bunch of toys and let them enjoy their bath! 

Bath 1

Bleaching the toys

Bath 2

 The girls are scheduled to see an Infectious Disease specialist in February.  At this point, we have refused any further treatment until we meet with the ID doctor.  The girls have been treated eight and nine times, respectively, and I'm not crazy about trying different meds and doses.  I'm sure once we go to the ID Doctor, we will have many other appointments to follow (ugh) although I'm hopeful they can shed some light on this issue.  I'll be happy to have another lab and pharmacy involved, to see if that makes a difference.  Otherwise, both girls are very healthy and extra spunky!  

In March, we will complete our final post-adoption report by our social worker.  After March (which will be one year that we've had Ellie home!!) we will be able to submit the yearly reports our self, without the expense of a social worker (yay!!).  It is fun to do the quarterly updates to see how much Ellie has grown physically, mentally and spiritually.  We are in the process of readoption in our state, but our local court wants proof that the translated documents are true and correct... funny that the U.S Embassy, Immigration, or Social Security office didn't have any issues with the documents . . . just sayin.... ;)  So meanwhile, Ellie is still stuck with the name Geneme Bradley.  The court wanted us to contact the person in Ethiopia that did the translation for a certified/notarized letter.  Um, yeah right.... Anyone that's been through an international adoption knows just how silly that request is!  Hopefully our Agency can help us come up with some type of sworn statement that the documents are accurate.  Geshz.  

We did have some snow recently, and the girls were able to go outside and play.  They loved it!  Of course it took us the same amount of time to dress and undress their layers, as the amount of time we were outside ;)  Guess that's to be expected!  Although I think they both would have been just as content to zip and unzip their coats, buckle and unbuckle their boots and pants and take their hats on and off.... ahhh.. the life of a two-year-old! 

The boys are starting back into baseball and soon that will be in full swing.  For now, we are enjoying our quiet nights at home playing, having tea parties and just hanging out with the boys.  Colton has engaged me in the Ruzzle app, so we've been having Ruzzle games almost every night.  At least it is brushing us up on our spelling ;)  

Two Baxter birthdays are coming up in early February... so I'll be sure to share pictures of that.  "Baby" Faith will be TWO and Dylan will be FOURTEEN!  Yikes... where does the time go?  

Jesus vs Santa

We didn't really accentuate the Santa thing this year, and are teaching the girls that Christmas is about Jesus, not Santa.  The girls love Baby Jesus and now think EVERY baby they see is Baby Jesus.  One of their favorite things to play with this season was their Fisher Price Nativity Set.  They have "Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus and even the "Wipe" Men"... he he.. so funny, but they are learning.  They also call Mary,  "Mommy Jesus" and Joseph is "Daddy Jesus."  Too cute.

Looking at their "Baby Jesus" book

I also purchased the book, "The Very First Christmas" last year, which was a Hallmark recordable book.  This has turned out to be a favorite for both of the girls because it has both mommy and daddy's voice on it and tells the story of Christmas.  They have other various books about the real meaning of Christmas too.  Those have also been favorites this time of year.

Ellie playing with Baby Jesus 

Faith hiding the "Wipe" Men in the tree

We did have breakfast with Santa and Frosty this year.  The girls were excited, until we approached Santa.  As you can see below, Ellie wouldn't have anything to do with it.  Faith, being her social self, went right to Santa... and then promptly stuck her finger up her nose... ha ha!!  Priceless!  

One thing we didn't get out to do this year was visit a church down the road from us.  They always have a live Nativity Scene.  I love driving through, listening to Christmas music and seeing the REASON for the Season right before my eyes.  Faith was sick this year so we didn't take them out -- but next year it's a must!  

Faith saying she's a little bit excited! 

Waiting to see Santa 

This is as close as Ellie would get

Faith's not so sure!

Our attempt at a Christmas Photo!

Faith was sick over Christmas, so she was super cling-on baby.  Here is our attempt to get a picture of the kids (and me... since Faith wouldn't allow me to put her down). . . . Needless to say... we really didn't get a good shot, but it was fun trying....  Enjoy!!  LOL!!

How is it everyone else has fabulous, wrinkle free, all smiles, Norman Rockwell-looking pictures?  Not possible!!

Snow for Christmas

We were blessed to have a little bit of snow action on Christmas Eve.  The girls enjoyed it!!  

Happy Meetcha Day!

One year ago we were in Ethiopia and met our sweet daughter for the first time.  I cannot believe how fast time has gone by.  It really seems like yesterday that we stepped off that plane in Ethiopia.  I can shut my eyes and still hear the sounds and and smell the smells of Ethiopia.  Oh how we miss it so much.

We are also forever grateful for the wonderful connections we made with other families who where there for the same reason.  So glad our paths have crossed and it's been so fun watching their children grow too.

So what's Miss Elliana been up to?  She is literally talking up a storm -- full sentences, answering questions, reasoning and just doing so well at using her language skills.  She says everything... and I mean everything!!    She's very smart and loves to see if she can outsmart any adult!  She loves pretend play and loves to feed her babies, diaper her babies, cook meals in her kitchen, serve tea to anyone who is interested, and fix your hair.  She's also pretty good at operating an Ipad or any piece of technology.  So inquisitive and always wondering how things works.  Her sense of direction is ridiculous!  By ridiculous, I mean she almost has a sixth sense.  She ALWAYS knows her way around and where we are going by the roads we are taking.  It's crazy... she always amazes us.  She also remembers everything... which can be good and bad ;)  We are praying that maybe she can 'forget' about some of her unpleasant experiences early in life -- and pray that she replaces them with warm memories of being 'home' for the last 9 months!  She is a fabulous sister to Faith.  They are just so cute together and Ellie loves to be the 'Mother Hen' looking after Faith.

It's hard to remember a time without Ellie in our family.  So so glad she's here!

Meetcha Day - December 29, 2011

First Morning Home from ET (March 2012)

Christmas Morning 2012 (9 months later)

So happy to have her home this Christmas!! 

Yay look what I did

Trying out a few new hair-'dos' on Ellie.  These are called piggy-back braids or faux-french braids.   It turned out ok, for the first try, I guess.  Two Strand Rope twist will be next!  Thank you Chocolatehairvanillacare -- I was getting tired of puffs!

One down... one to go!

We received news last week that Elliana's Giardia is gone!!  Praise the Lord. . . I'm sure the nurse thought I was crazy when I began screaming!  (No -- actually we have many nurses and doctors following both the girls -- and they are as happy as we are).  Faithlynn, however, is still testing positive.  Arrgh!  Faith starts a 2 week re-treatment again (per the recommendations of Dr. Jane Aronson) in combination with recommendations from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.  She will be done just before Christmas... then we can retest her (oh joy!).  Thankfully, Faith is not showing any symptoms of Giardia.  Just the positive result.  

I was beginning to think (and am still wondering) if the pharmacy is compounding the medicines incorrectly or if there is a mistake at the lab.  I just can't believe we can't get rid of this nasty parasite, and at about $30 per treatment, per child, times 8 treatments... plus 16 stool samples later... we are spending lots of money on this!!  Not to mention the bathing ritual and diaper changing rituals we have to go through to ensure we do not spread it back and forth.  I'm sure Clorox bleach is loving the Baxter family right now.  Bathing the girls separately with sanitizing and bleaching the tub in between and before, and after... has been a real chore.  We also keep their towels and wash cloths separate and they cannot play with toys in the tub (because then they would all need sanitized and bleached too).  Any comb or cup for combing and rinsing their hair in the tub must be sanitized too.  For the past 8 months, bath time isn't too much fun at our house... it's serious business and takes a long time :)  I'm looking forward to the day when I can throw them both in the tubby together and they can play and splash and have fun. 

Did I tell you we received a phone call from the Heath Department?  Yep, apparently when a child tests positive several times for Giardia, they must investigate.  Once I rambled off all of the medicines and treatments we have used on the girls and the measures we are taking to keep everything uncontaminated, they backed off.  She said I knew more about the parasite than she did!!  LOL... I guess it's just something they have to do to ensure kiddos are being taken care of.

So... wish us luck!  My Christmas wish.... to say good-bye to Giardia forever!  It's one souvenir from Ethiopia we don't mind getting rid of!     

A Conversation with Toddlers

Ellie is almost 2 1/2 and Faith is 22 months. They are getting to the age that we can sometimes exchange a short conversation. They make me chuckle. . .

Conversation #1

Me: girls we are going to Memaws today to eat turkey for Thanksgiving

Faith: tuwkey??

Ellie: Memaw... Turkey??

Me: yep. We are going to eat turkey.

Faith: {pause while she thinks about it}. Ewwww. Gwrose!

(we are teaching the girls about animals -- I'm sure she was picturing a turkey -- feathers and all . . . He he)

Conversation #2

I had gotten some Christmas mugs out for over the holidays and the girls took notice.

Ellie: mommy -- Duckie??

Me: no, that's a snowman on the mug.

Ellie: no-man??

Me: yes a snowman? Isn't he cute?

Faith: yes-man!!

Ellie: no-man!!

Me: ;)

Happy Thanksgiving

Giardia and the "down" side of adoption

 Yep, I haven't mentioned it lately, but both girls still have Giardia. They've been treated 6 times with different medicines, different combinations and yet it still remains. Can I tell you how tired I am of collecting samples? ;( Ugh... I'm so tired.... Luckily, they do not really have any symptoms of Giardia, just the positive results indicating that it's still within their tiny system. Even the doctors at the Children's Hospital in Philadelphia said this is, by far, one of the most extreme and longest case they've had. They are working with infectious disease doctors right now to come up with a plan for the entire family. (Yes, they want to treat all of us -- oh joy). And, I told everyone else in our family, they are responsible for collecting their OWN samples. Momma ain't doing that -- that's where I draw the line.. :)  

Other than the Giardia, the girls are thriving and growing, gaining weight and getting taller and talking up a storm.  They play so well together -- it's so fun to watch and listen to their interactions.  Ellie is still getting services through our Early Intervention program, so she's currently seeing a speech therapist and a behavior specialist. She is very quick to please, so she's doing wonderfully and her behavior specialist has dropped back to only 2 times a month. Speech is coming along too... especially considering she had no language when she came home 7 months ago and she has made huge strides in just the last 2 weeks.  

The rest of the family has had their share of weird ailments too -- lets see... we've had colds, strep, strange heart palpitations, weird viruses, one concussion, and mystery virus I had for 6 weeks that secluded me to mostly bed rest.  Fun times here, but yet we continue to persevere.  We just roll with it...

As we prepared to talk about our adoption journey for Orphan Sunday, we were asked by a few people if we were going to address the 'down' side of adoption.'   I've heard that terminology before, and always wondered what people were talking about -- you know.. life after the airport.  I'm still wondering what people are talking about.  I guess there are people out there who adopt and then think it was a mistake...something I can't really understand...   Don't get me wrong... there's been a time or two that I've thought, "oh my gosh.. this is really hard..." and sure, our life has been super crazy, but I would never change our decision to add Ellie to our family.  I guess all of our appointments for Ellie (and our other 3 kids!!) and our therapies for speech and behavior (mixed in with sports) probably looks overwhelming to most.... not to mention that I'm a working mom who travels one day a week... but I would not change our decision to adopt EVER.  I can only see positive things in adding a sweet little girl to our family and she continues to teach us things (about ourselves) as well as how to put ourselves aside to serve someone else (her)!  

But, craziness and all, we are exactly where God wants us. No, it hasn't been easy, but it's been our experience that anything worthwhile is NEVER EASY. It's EASY to ignore; it's EASY to do nothing and it's EASY to walk away. But, God can't change and mold us by asking us to do easy things all of the time. We knew going into the adoption process that we'd have a season of busy-ness and would probably be looking at some support services for Ellie --- and we are ok with that. And although the waiting period was horrible, it really helped us practice our patience and trust in God -- all things He knew we'd need to effectively parent Elliana.

So, although to the outside world our family looks a little crazy from time to time, (and yeah, I might have missed your birthday... or your get-together) our family is exactly how God created it to be... Giardia and all!!