The Last Time I Was Here......

I promised you all a big announcement. This is not it. 
But it occurs to me that I haven't posted any updates in a while, so here goes.

Several people have told me they were praying for us, especially in regards to my post about Millie.  Let me say, I have been noticing some changes in her in recent weeks.  She doesn't have any new words yet, (only just Momma), but she does seem to be producing some new sounds more frequently. More verbalizations overall. Mind you, she still can't imitate someone else when you ask her to, but still, new sounds are good.

Still trying to get some private therapy for her. I was quite naive in dealing with insurance companies, never really having much experience in that area. After how many conversations, I was finally told they will not pay for apraxia treatment. Sad, frustrated Momma. Not done fighting and praying on this front. Just taking a break while I muster up some more strength to re-enter the fight.

Still, Millie just seems happier overall now. She has not been constantly into mischief the past few weeks. Maybe she's just maturing. Whatever the reason, I'm so thankful. I feel like I can relax more.  She's also really accepted her new sister now, I think. We're not seeing the jealousy we saw at first.  So often now, I'll catch them just happily playing together.  Of course, Millie sees herself as the much older sister and is often trying to mother Vika. It's not extreme like it used to be, though. For instance, check out Millie and Vika's little dance number. Can you just see the enthusiasm on Vika's face?

A quiet moment with my littles.

I love my little Millie! She has the cutest habit now of blowing kisses when she leaves a room. Especially when she's about to do something naughty!

Both little ones are still in diapers and whenever I suspect Millie has a dirty one, she always points to Vika as the culprit. Every time. It's kind of a joke now. 

BTW, anyone have any surefire ways of interesting a 3-and-a-half year old in using the potty?  Our checking account would appreciate it. I felt sure she would be the one to train a little bit earlier. I'm kind of a fail in that department. 

Our little Vika continues to do amazingly well. Today is her 4th birthday!  We're celebrating tomorrow though. 

  The last week she's had the most horrible cold. In all my years of mothering, I've never seen so much mucus come out of a child's nose for so many days. Poor little thing's nose is so red and raw from so much wiping and suctioning. Finally, today it seems she's getting better.

 

She doesn't usually nap, but I guess with her sickness this week, she was just so tired. Anyways, caught her taking a little snooze on the floor.

We have her surgery scheduled for getting tubes in her ears in late February. So hoping that will help with the almost constant drainage and improve her hearing, as well.

And may I add, she's just about the cutest thing around?  Sometimes when I pick her up and feel her squishy little body, I can hardly stand. I just want to eat her up!

 

At this very moment, I notice that she's managed to get her pants and diaper off and is trying on her sister's shoes.  Now, she's going for a stroll, sans diaper, but wearing one boot.  Excuse me for minute, I'll be back!

 

Now where was I?  Oh yes, V. will also be starting preschool soon. At least I think she will. We have already been there 4 times to get her evaluated. Four! Really? And we're not done yet.  Honestly.  In the school's defense, I guess they're not used to dealing with Russian-speaking, post-orphanage-dwelling, preschoolers with Down's syndrome.  

 

Okay, that's it for now. Check back soon for some good news. I promise.

 

 

 

 

Big News!!

Stay tuned for an exciting, crazy, wonderful announcement. 

Coming very soon!!

Why?

I see the question in people's eyes, even though it's rarely spoken -only by one acquaintance (bless her heart) who rather rudely blurted out, "Why?" when she found out we had adopted Vika.  The unspoken question is "Why would you want to take on such a responsibility? Don't you have your hands already full enough with 3 children? Isn't she a lot of trouble?" Most of the people we know well are actually very nice, Christians, in fact, and probably understand already the value that God places on all human life. Regardless of IQ, appearance, national origin.  

Still I know the question is there. So, just for the record, here goes.  You may think we're a bit crazy for spending tens of thousands of dollars and much more in energy and time to adopt a child with Down's Syndrome.  Truth is, I think you're a bit crazy if you don't.

Not necessarily a child like Vika, but any child. I mean, really, what could be better?  You've gotta to spend your life on something. You know what makes me happy? Seeing Vika "get" something, like a new sign or sort of saying a new word or learning how to give a kiss.  

Especially when I consider where she would be if she were not here. She would be clamoring for the attention of one or two caregivers and left to herself the vast majority of her waking hours. Rocking on the floor perhaps or staring vacantly at the ceiling. And when she leaves the baby house, the conditions would probably be far worse. 

We get to be a part of changing her life. That's so exciting to me.  And yes, fun. 

Goodness knows, adoption is not for everyone.  If you have zero desire to adopt, you probably shouldn't. But if the idea of adopting a little one who really needs someone  tugs at your heart, maybe you should give it serious consideration and prayer. Maybe you should consider turning your life upside down and allowing chaos to reign for a little while until everyone adjusts. Maybe you should say goodbye to your fear and hello to faith that God will supply all your needs when you go where He sends you.

If you are intrigued in the slightest, go now to http://www.reecesrainbow.org/       Maybe, just maybe, there's a kid there who really needs you.

Welcome To My World

In my world....

I get LOTS of attention!



I can go around naked all day if I want to.

In my world, I get to eat ice cream for dinner! (well, once or twice a year)

In my world, I get to express my emotions.

I get to lay around as much as I want.

I get to travel to exotic places, like Oklahoma!?

I get to be reunited with old friends (that's "Ivan", now Samuel from my groupa). If our friends could see us now! Pretty cool!!



I get to "push people around." Sorry, for the lousy quality, a videographer, my mom is not.

But mostly, I get to make Mom and Dad's day with smiles like this.  My life is good!



I also get to see lots of doctors. Lately, I've been to the cardiologist. My heart looks perfect! Yay for me!

And the ear/nose/throat doctor.  Looks like I'm gonna need tubes in my ears. Boo for me :(   But if it will help me to hear better, it will be worth it. 

I'm also getting evaluated to get ready for preschool. Lots of people are interested in helping me grow and be all I can be. I love this place! 

I still have trouble chewing my food, my mom is working on getting me some help with that. Maybe one of these days, Dad and I will get to have a burger together. He would love that.

I can't say any words yet, but I'm so smart I've already learned how to sign "more," "eat," "drink," "all done," and "good." I am a master imitator. I can play the "tickle game" with the best of 'em. I even know how to "shoot off my little-big toe." Don't ask, it's something my Daddy taught me, he's funny like that. 

I've been blessed with a family of my own, but so many children are still waiting.  Please visit http://www.reecesrainbow.org/  and consider being a family to a child listed there or helping another family bring their child home. Then you can help make another child's world a whole lot better.



How Do You Solve a Problem Like.........

MILLIE!

Well, maybe not a problem, really, more like a mystery.  Let me describe her for you:

Almost 3-and-a-half

Has verbal apraxia.  For more on this go here:  http://www.apraxiakids.org/

Sensory seeking. For an interesting blog post on this go here: http://www.hartleysboys.com/2010/08/sensory-seekers-and-sensory-avoiders.html

Extremely active; does not do well with boredom. She is the child that causes me to be always vigilant. If she's not into something she shouldn't be after I leave her for a few minutes to put away laundry or something else, well, that's unusual.

STRONG-willed

Am I leaving out anything?  Oh yes, has a newly-adopted sister, also 3, that she has a mostly-love/but sometimes hate relationship with.  She is still excited Vika is here, but she's definitely not too thrilled about sharing Mom and Dad with her most days.

I have yet to find the manual on raising this type of child.  You can find books on apraxia, books on sensory-seeking, you can find books on strong-willed, but all of them together, hmmm.... no.  The apraxia complicates everything else. 

 Her apraxia is, in this layman's opinion, severe.  The only sounds she can produce consistently, on purpose, are 'b', 'd', 'm', and 'p'. She can usually say 'momma' and something close to 'dada', often 'papaw.' That's it. Other approximations of words will sometimes come out, almost on accident, but she is unable to produce them again. Her speech is basically at the same place it was when she was 12-18 months old.  No progress, words spoken and then lost - signposts of apraxia.  And it's not for lack of desire. If there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that Millie wants to talk! I have had so many people tell me that she'll talk when she decides she wants to.  Uhhhhhh.....no. Millie is one of the most social beings I've ever known. She wants to communicate.  Trust momma on this one.

She's been in speech therapy since last summer.  Has it helped?  Well, yes, and no.  Yes, it's helped me to know how to elicit some kind of communication from her, even only a sound or a sign. But has her speech improved?  not really. Hate to be so blunt, but it's the truth.

 As she gets older, it gets harder for us both to deal with.  I know she has more to say. She is very demanding, not really in a bad way, she's just always wanting something. I get so weary trying to guess what she's after or telling her 'Sorry, but Momma doesn't know what you want.'

I think, and I've read this too, that a lot of her behavior problems are the result of her apraxia. Because she can't express herself normally, she acts out just so she can communicate something. So, I struggle, how much to discipline, what kind of discipline. I told her yesterday in her bedroom, after I had taken her there because she was pushing and hitting her siblings, that I knew it was hard for her because she couldn't talk and one day she would be able to talk to us and tell us what she was thinking. She suddenly got quiet and looked at me and nodded her head in understanding. Oh my goodness, *tears*.  Just knowing your kid knows they're different is hard to take.

Still, lest you think that life with Millie is terribly bleak, let me mention a few things I left out: Millie has tons of personality; she makes friends and wins people over so easily; she has an incredible enthusiasm for life; she's a performer (future piano player? or maybe dancer).  Just see for yourself.

"Talent needs no words," said the proud mom.

People are always, understandably, asking us how Vika is doing. And really, she continues to do very well. Of course, there are problems. She is pretty moody, laughing one minute, crying the next. She gets stressed at times with all the activity in the house. She still doesn't chew. She grinds her teeth, a lot. But overall, we've been very fortunate with how well she's done.  Millie is the one who keeps me on my toes. Vika is a pleasure to parent most of the time. Millie is extremely loveable, as well, but oh my, is she a challenge.

If anyone reading this has experience with a kid like Millie, I would love to hear from you. I have read lately how fish oil has been reported to help kids with apraxia, so I plan to give that a try.  It's a little bit of hope.  The only other thing I can do is to go to the One who knows all about little Millie and cry out for help, because I for sure don't have any more answers.

What's Going On?

These days life around here just doesn't seem to slow down. I sound like a broken record, but that's the reality.  Even so, it's a happy time, a growing time, and learning time (esp. for Mom and Dad).

Oldest daughter Eva turned 8 recently and I broke down and booked a party at Jungle Java.  Overpriced, chaotic, totally not something I'm in to, but it's within walking distance from our house and required almost no preparation on my part. I think the kids had fun, though, so I guess that's what matters.

Vika loved this little crawly thing. She laid on it for a long time like this.  Once again, we are amazed at how adaptable she is. She kind of liked the chaotic atmosphere.

So, being the mature 8-year old she is, Eva requested to get her ears pierced. Well, I got my ears pierced in 2nd grade, so I figured it was okay.  So, off to the mall we go. Turns out, it was a popular day for ear piercing, so we had to wait awhile. It didn't help that there was a newborn (5-7 weeks, maybe) right in front of us getting hers done and wailing at the top of her lungs.  Eva's not the bravest when it comes to pain, but of course I used the old "do you know how much pain I went through to have you? and I survived" bit. I like to think it helped.





Ice packs - her idea.  Smart girl.

She went with the timeless "Hello Kitty" design. Very chic, don't ya' think?

In other big kid news, only son, Eli is looking a bit snaggle-toothed these days.

I'm so glad the tooth-fairy is back at work, the last time she failed to come 2 nights in a row, forcing the parents to pay double her rate out of guilt.  But really, the whole jig is up at this point, especially after oldest daughter found several baby teeth in my jewelry drawer. They're just playing along now for the dough.

And in big people news, I (mom) have been doing too much of this lately. It's just that time of year, I guess,when some desperate choir director will beg me to play for them when their accompanist bails out at the last minute, so of course, I do.

Sightread Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons?" No problem! As long as you don't mind a few (a lot) wrong notes along the way.





That's really not that impressive, let me show you the most genius thing I've done lately.

A humble list, but oh, what magical results! I got tired of getting  upset in the morning as I tried to get Eva and Eli ready for school on time while they dawdled, enjoying how stressed Mom was getting. Now, they know exactly what they have to do without a thousand reminders and what time it has to be done by. If they get it all done on time, they get 30 mins. of computer game time in the evening plus a checkmark. 10 checkmarks = a special treat.  We are so much happier in the mornings. I don't have to get upset and feel bad the rest of the day. They like having something to work for and knowing exactly what the expectations are.  They are even working together.



It's a beautiful thing.

Lastly, in newest American news, we visited the ear/nose/throat doctor and I'm so glad we did. Vika has had almost continuous nasal discharge and congestion since we've had her. It gets worse, then it gets better, but it's always there. The dr. put her on an antiobitic and nasal spray and within a few days, the drainage is almost completely gone.  I love a clean nose!

They also did a hearing test. She has a hearing loss probably due to the fluid built up in her ear. She can't hear quieter sounds. Her right ear drum did not vibrate one little bit and her left just a little. It's usually kind of noisy in our house so she's probably been missing a lot. So glad we found that out. Once the fluid is gone, hopefully her hearing will come back and her speech will begin to develop.  So thankful we are able to get her help with that.

Next up - the cardiologist and opthamologist. Also looking into a feeding study.

Vika is absolutely blossoming. She has a rosy color to her cheeks and the dark circles under her eyes (probably due to dehydration) are almost gone. (Gabe does a great job making sure she stays hydrated).

She now gives the best hugs and is just the most affectionate little thing. She has done so well. We are so thankful the Lord knew just which child to place in our family and has blessed in this transition time. It's all because of His great mercy.

Until next time, Merry Christmas! Which reminds me, I should probably go shopping sometime soon.

Welcome to the Jungle

Busy, much?  Yup, you might say that. Here's a sampling:

Musical rehearsals.

Making time for physical fitness

Thanksgiving - Gabe makes a mean bird, for which I-cant-cook-huge-portions-of-meat-Melanie am so grateful.

Lots of cuddling

Thanksgiving leftovers - you've got to give them credit, at least they went for the good stuff.

Mommy-Eva date at the Bee's Knees in Northville.  I went for my standard dot design, extremely good and fail-proof for non-artistic people like me.

Plenty of general cuteness

And still more

Sisterly love

Extremely cool-Ninja-guy scariness (He really did scare me with this by suddenly appearing in the kitchen - a fact that pleases him immensely.)

Sharing of snacks - "orange you glad we're sisters?!"  Yay, I finally got to work that one in - I've been looking for an opportunity to use a bad pun.

And naughty little children. No lie, as I'm typing this, Millie and Vika are supposed to be napping, instead who do I see coming down the stairs in this get-up? I think I will be mourning the loss of the afternoon nap very soon.

Lastly, further evidence of the crazy things that happen around here.  During my shower this morning, I was chagrined to notice that my new bar of soap had disappeared. I was forced to make due with Gabe's which consisted of 2 measly little scraps pressed together to form a slightly larger scrap. I knew I had just put in a brand new bar, but it was nowhere in sight. Well, as I was putting the girls down for their nap, this is what I saw:

At least it doesn't have teeth marks in it. 



Something else weird I found today.



A parting shot (Millie forgive me) "Could someone grab those buns out of the refrigerator?"

Yes, we do clothe our children daily, but sometimes things happen. In this case, Millie is starting to think she wants to use the potty, so sometimes she will pull her diaper off, sit on her potty for about 2 seconds, and then walk around for a while like this. You can't deny the cuteness factor.

As you can see, Mom and Dad need lots of prayer for the stamina to keep up with these wee ones.  In the midst of it all, I often forget to be thankful for all my treasures, because that's what they are. Have you thanked God for yours lately?