Another Surgery

On Tuesday morning Bella underwent another surgery, her sixth in all.  She had her pharyngeal flap repaired which we hope will now allow her to produce many more sounds like "p" and "b".  It will also stop her from sounding so nasal when she talks.  We are hoping this will speed up her speech and that she will have the ability to take off.

She did amazing with the surgery and after a few LONG days in the hospital was released Friday afternoon.  She was so ready to come home, but had to prove to the doctors that she could eat and drink.  The surgery is very painful.  The doctor essentially had to go in and cut the back of her throat to pull a flap forward and reattach it.  She has been through so much and we know she has a high threshold for pain, but this one was hard for her.  He hope this is it for a few years.  She will eventually have to have a bone graft taken from her hip to create her top gum line.  This probably won't happen until she is 8 or 9.

One big downside is that she now has severe sleep apnea ... at least until the swelling goes down.  So this makes for some long nights and makes it difficult for her to sleep.  She has been crying out a lot during the night.  Please pray the swelling goes down soon so she can sleep better.

We want to thank all of our family and friends who have helped us out this week and have prayed for little girl.


Here are some pics from our week ...

Bella with Daddy before surgery  (she really wasn't this happy before surgery ... smiles were rare)

 Keenan with Bella a couple of days after surgery

 Family was able to visit this time ... Bella and her mamaw

Taking a stroll with Grandpa, Grandma and daddy ... she hated being all hooked up, but was excited to get out of the room

Bella with her Papaw and Gram

 

Last morning in the hospital ... Yay!

Bella's Family

We had an amazing weekend this past weekend.  Bella's foster family came to visit with us and stayed with us a few days.  We were so excited to see them and be with them again.  We have kept in close contact over the past year and could not wait for their visit.  Bella loved being with them all again and picked up where she left off with her sissy, Cassie.  Those two were so cute together.  Best buddies forever.  They are more the same height now and it was so cute to see them playing on the swingset, swimming and helping each other destroy the playroom together.  We thought they would have fun sleeping together so we got them all snuggled in together and they just giggled with each other.  We had to go back in there a couple of times to tell them to settle down.  The second time I went in I saw Bella on her pillow jumping up and down and Cassie in the middle of the bed jumping up and down.  Let's just say they were wired!  I settled them back down and told them to go night night.  Well, around 1:00 a.m. Bobby went in to check on them and they were still up!!! They had gotten into Bella's speech homework papers and were tearing them to pieces!  Needless to say, after that their sleepover was over and we had to separate them.  After the first time of going in there, Michael and Bobby rigged up a video camera so we have all of their little adventures on tape.  Should be fun to watch in years to come.

We just enjoyed time together as a family and hanging out.  We introduced them to some of Cincinnati's favorite places like Skyline Chili, Graeter's and Jungle Jim's.  Jungle Jim's is an international market and Julie was able to get some foods and spices that she used to use in China.  We also introduced them to Corn Hole, which they thought was something we made up.  But I think we won them over!

I was able to learn more about Bella's time with them and her time in the orphanage.  Some of it heartbreaking, but we know she is thriving now and are thankful for that.  All in all we had a great time and know that God brought our families together to be one big family.  We are forever grateful to them and for them.  They are such a blessing to us all!

The boys with their aunt Janel ... couldn't pass posting this pic - so cute!

First Day of School, Birthdays and China

The last couple of weeks have been full of activity ... getting back into the swing of things with Aidan going back to school and Bella and Keenan starting preschool.  Aidan started 2nd grade at his new school and so far, so good.  We feel blessed that we live across the street from a family that also has a couple of boys, one of which is in 2nd grade along with Aidan.  I think that has helped with the transition of going to a new school this year.  Keenan and Bella also started their new preschool and seem to be enjoying it also.  Keenan usually always asks the teacher when I am coming to pick him up ... sometimes many times during the afternoon.  His teacher told me Thursday that he did not ask one time!  That is amazing, so I know he is having a great time!  And Bella, she just loves being apart of things and eagerly goes to her class everyday.

Aidan's 1st Day of 2nd Grade!!

Aidan, Bella and Keenan going to school - 1st day of Preschool (I think the sun was in their eyes)

The boys  also celebrated their birthdays this week.  Aidan turned 8 and Keenan turned 5.  Oh my, my boys are growing oh so fast!  We have learned by now that birthdays are not celebrated for just one day, but are celebrated all week long!  The boys had several friends come over Friday night for a party and sleepover.  They had a blast, but it was crazy!  They went swimming, played games, went on a treasure hunt that ended in a silly string battle, opened presents and had pizza and cupcakes.  And a few hours after the friends left, our family party began.  It was such a beautiful day outside and again, I think everyone had a good time.  We are blessed to have a wonderful and loving family.

Bella, Aidan and Keenan

Keenan went to the skatepark for his birthday ... Tony Hawk watch out!

All the kids playing a game at the party ... check out some of the faces.  Too funny!

Aidan, Keenan and their cousin Hunter

Aidan and Keenan waiting not so patiently for their presents

The trio took over our bed

We are so happy for our good friends, the Stanleys, who are in China right now adopting their precious Lily.  We met Doug and Julie through mutual friends who knew we were both in the process of adopting from China.  We met shortly after we both were logged into China and found out we had log in dates within a couple of weeks of each other.  They have been so supportive and loving as we went through our adoption and we are blessed to have them as friends.  If you would like to follow along their journey, go here.  We CANNOT wait to see Lily in their arms forever!  God has been so good and faithful to both of our families as we have walked with Him to bring our beautiful daughters home.

State Fair

We went to Indianapolis to have our 1 year post adoption follow up visit with our social worker last Friday.  A couple of the ladies that helped throughout the entire adoption process came out to meet Bella.  It was bittersweet for us all.  I can't imagine what their jobs are like.  So wonderful to see so many children united with their forever families ... I would LOVE to be a part of that someday!

We decided that since we were Indy, we should make a weekend of it.  We visited some dear friends we went to college with and had dinner with them.  We enjoyed seeing them and are looking forward to another visit soon!

We spent the night with my sister and her family and headed out to the State Fair the next morning.  We weren't sure we wanted to brave the tremendous heat, but there was a cloud cover and we got an early start.  Let me tell you, we had a blast!  Probably the best state fair experience ever!  The kids loved it and enjoyed seeing all of the animals, playing the different games and doing the activities they had set up and just being farmers for the day.  Michael and I both grew up in 4-H and it is sad for me to know that our kids probably won't get involved just because of the area we live in.  It would be pretty hard to put a barn with cows and pigs in our backyard!  But at least with the fair, they get a taste of the experience.  The thing they haven't stopped talking about it the largest pig - wow, he was huge this year!

Here are some pics from our day...

Miss  Bella loving up to the baby goat

Keenan is such a sweetie with the animals

Bella feeding a goat a carrot

My precious boys

Bella, Keenan and I doing some fishin'

Aidan ... a little too small to take on the combine

Keenan being a farmer for the day

What a cheeser!

My precious niece Addy ... the hat was a little too big, but gosh she is adorable!

What happens in One Year?

This is a question I have been asking myself and thinking about for about a week now.  Why?  Because 1 year ago today, Bella joined our family forever.  One year ago today I saw the most precious, beautiful little girl walk (almost hopped) into our lives forever.  She was just so happy and thrilled to be apart of this new adventure although I don't think she had a clue what that meant ... leaving the only family she knew, leaving the only home she proabably remembers and leaving her home country. 

We went out tonight and celebrated by eating some Chinese food.  Even though PF Chang's is one of our favorite restaurants, the food there is nothing like the food we experienced in China.  But nonetheless Bella devoured noodles and rice and even dessert.  We then came home and the kids jumped into the pool.  All in all it was a great night!

One year has flown by in so many ways and yet one year seems like forever.  It seems like she has been part of our family forever and in a way she has, she has always been in our hearts, we just did not have a face to put with the little girl we knew God had planned for us. 

I have been trying to think of all of the things she has experienced and done in one year.  It is hard because I am with her everyday, sometimes I don't see the changes.  It isn't until someone says something, or until we sit back and really think about it.  Bella has grown so much!  She has gained at least 5 or 6 pounds, which is a lot for such a little thing.  She has also grown so much taller.  I went through 3 pairs of shoes this past Sunday to find a pair to fit her.  They seemed to fit her just days before! 

She has been through 3 surgeries with another one scheduled for this fall.  She has learned to speak a little and also use signs, but there is never a question of what she wants.  She understands everything!  She is very vocal and demanding and STUBBORN!  She has such a little personality.  She likes to test her boundaries and loves the word "NO!"  She loves to sing and dance.  Watch out American Idol!  She loves to read books and she loves pandas.  She enjoys playing with puzzles and could live in the water if we let her.  She loves her brothers and they love her.  She wants to be outside whenever possible riding her bike.  She has learned to run and jump.  She loves to be tucked into bed and gives great eskimo kisses.  She squeals when she knows she is going to her grandparent's houses.  She eats almost anything that is put in front of her, but her favorite things are cottage cheese, fruit, pudding and mac-n-cheese.

These are just some of the things we have learned about our little girl in the past year.  She is fearfully and wonderfully made by our Lord and she is our precious gift.  Happy Bella Day!

Then

Now

Settling In

We have been moved into our new house for a little over a week.  Everything is going really well.  The kids have transitioned amazingly well and love their rooms, their new back yard and discovering all of the wonderful things they forgot they had.  It is almost like Christmas in July.  What is amazing is how much stuff we as a family have!  The last time we moved we only had Aidan.  Adding two more kids and all of their stuff ... well, let's just say we have way too much junk!  But what a great time to go through things and either pitch it or give it away, right?

I know that once again it has been forever since I have posted, so I will try to catch up on the last month or so!  (This is for you Debbie!)

My adorable niece, Ashlynn Marie, was born in June.  She is such a sweetie and I have been getting my baby fix whenever I am around her.

We took the boys to a Red's game on one of the HOTTEST nights!  It was Keenan's first professional game and we thought we would enjoy it, but he was scared they would get a homerun and there would be fireworks.  He HATES fireworks, so he ended up asking to go home about every 5 minutes.  Aidan had a blast though and thought it was cool that the Star Wars characters were at the game also.

It was hard to leave all of your wonderful neighbors and friends.  We went to a cookout and fireworks show that everyone on our street had a week ago.  So much fun!  We know we will continue to see everyone and be apart of things, just not as often.  Once the movers came, reality hit hard.  We were excited to get into our new house, but sad to leave the only home that Keenan knew, that Aidan remembers and the one we brought Bella home to.  I will say that once we moved everything into our new house, it automatically felt familiar and like home.  Aidan asked me on our second day here, "Mommy, are you used to this house yet?"  I said, "Yeah, I think I am getting there.  How about you?"  He said, "Yeah, I am used to it.  I like it!"  Whew, that coming from the one that gave us the most fight about moving.  I don't have any pics yet of the outside of our new house, but here are a couple from our last day at our old house ...

 

The movers got us all packed up and loaded in 2 days... they were awesome!

Since we have been here, we have met some of the neighbors and everyone seems really nice.  We have found an amazing faith based daycare/preschool for Bella and Keenan to attend in the fall.  We are praying this is the right decision and trusting in God that it is.  We went to a new church today to check it out.  The kids really enjoyed it and the message was awesome!  One of the things I hate about moving (and we have done it a couple of times before) is searching for the right church home.  We ask for your prayers that God will lead us to where He wants us to be, where we can serve Him and where we will grow spiritually.

Bella before church

Taking a break from the boxes

We are soooooooooooo excited because Bella's foster family is in the states for several months and they are coming to visit us in September!  We were hoping that they would be able to.  We are anxious to see them and spend some quality time with them. 

Here are some random photos from the last month ....

There is nothing like a head full of shaving cream

The kids in their new swimming hole ... water to come soon!

Bella enjoying a cupcake with blue icing - she was a mess!

Hilton Head 2010

We just got back from a wonderful vacation to Hilton Head with our family.  He had so much fun and the kids (all 3!!) LOVED the beach.  As far as we know, this was Bella's first trip to the beach.  Her first day experience was like any other kid, she ran from the waves as they came up on the beach.  Before the end of the week, she was running into the ocean ... fearless of course!  I know I have said this before, but I have never seen anyone love the water more than she does.  She was constantly begging to go swimming.  She uses a cute sign to tell us she wants to swim.  And she did it from the moment she woke up every morning till time to go to bed at night.  Hard to believe that 1 year ago we were waiting on our travel approval ... and now it is like she has always been with us.

We go to HHI every year with my mom, stepdad and all my sisters, brother in law and niece.  We always rent a house on the lagoon and hardly get out of our swim suits while we are there.  It is the total beach vacation!  Here are some pics from our trip ... I think they tell the story better than anything else I can write.

The kids were so good on the long drive and so excited to be going!

Bella getting ready for her first day at the beach.  Can you tell she is excited?

Bella and her cousin Addy ... let's just say they are friends and rivals depending on the hour of the day.

Daddy and Bella - so sweet!

Aidan and my sister, Janel, going on the kayak.

Michael, Bella and Keenan also taking a ride on the kayak.

One of our favorite restaurants (The Crazy Crab) and a place we always take a family pic.

Me and my girl!

Mom and my stepdad, Tom, with their grandkids - spoiled rotten!

Bella

Me and my hubby - love it here!

Keenan riding the waves - he got so much braver this year and started riding and jumping the waves!

Aidan "surfing" - he is growing up too fast!

Bella loving the water

Beach beauty

Me with my little guy, Keenan

Aidan

Floating around with my sisters Alyssa and Janel, Bella and Aidan

Aidan and Keenan (aka the devil)

Michael and his boys enjoying some golf - Keenan's first time going!

Cute Keenan

The Gang ... until next year!