Visitors

Turning the corner.
Sophie Wei had to have her Dancing and Singing with Mei Mei DVD playing at all times during her hospital stay!

Sophie Wei feeling much better on Friday, day three in the hospital. Below are Sophie Wei and Simones baby dalls, the Panda from the Panda team when they re-did Sophie Wei's new IV, two pink Kittys (Becca took Simone to the store to let her buy a gift to bring to Sophie Wei and this is what she picked out.), a pink stripped baby blanket made for Sophie Wei from Tia.
A close up of the Surgery that the girls (Simone, Sara, Emma and Reagan) did on the baby dolls.

Reagan and Jeni came by to check on Sophie Wei. They brought her a very big, cute stuffed Dog!!
Scott was tracking the storm that was going on.


9/12/08

More of Day Two

My Mom, Simone & Sara found these bricks just outside Sophie Wei's room.
Scott trying to cheer us up and being a good listener.
9/11/08

Day Two

After consulting with our Nurse who was in charge of Sophie Wei's pain management she ended up bringing in another Pain Management Nurse who was in charge. They suggested we take you outside and see if that helps settle you down.

It worked for the time.

It was hard to move around.

9/11/08

Day Two

After being inside for two days, Mommy finally feels that it is safe enough to leave the hospital room and get some fresh air.

Here is the frog that looks directly into your hospital room.

Between my Mom and Auntie Becca they kept Simone busy with playing outside with Sara or hanging out in the play room.

9/11/08

Day Two

Auntie Becca, Uncle Scott, Emma and Sara bring you a balloon that brings you some smiles and happiness.

We also received a basket full of goodies from Sherrie Geiger and friends from Daddy's work.

9/11/08

Day Two

More photos of you in the wagon.

9/11/08

Day Two

Today the Occupational Therapist came by to teach us how to take care of you while you are in your Spica Cast. Her name was Michelle.

9/11/08

Day Two

We finally could get you to rest in your bed for a bit.

Right outside your window was the play court yard. Your room was right above Sara's head. There is a stature of a frog that looks right at your room.

9/11/08

Day Two in Hospital

Day Two in the Hospital. You were still in a lot of pain and the only thing that seemed to help a bit was holding you in the rocker. We all were still worried about you and no one took showers today because you wanted to be held every minute.

Mommy and Daddy were very scared to hold you with all of the wires connected to you along with your catheter.

9/11/08

First Night in the Hospital

The first night in the hospital was ruff. You hardly slept at all. We had many conversations with two anesthesiologists and the nurses about controlling your pain. We were so scared. The hospital staff was amazing and professional. I could sense that they were a little stumped about how much pain you were in.

We played Singing and Dancing with Mei Mei for you over and over again per your request. It seemed to settle you down a bit.

Auntie Becca was able to arrive just before you went into surgery and then later brought Simone, Uncle Scott, Sara and Emma over after school to visit you. Grandma Prater arrived with us in the morning.

Simone and Auntie Becca brought you a pink kitty. (Also a matching one for Simone.)

Tonight was also the first night that Mommy had ever been away from Simone. It was a big night for Mommy but Simone was fine and went home with Grandma Prater. Here is Simone calling the hospital to check in on you before she went to bed with Grandma Prater.

9/10/08

Day of Surgery

The day of surgery was hard on you. You were in so MUCH pain. Mommy and Daddy were very worried about you. We were also very tiered emotionally and physically.

9/10/08

Right After Surgery

You took a long time in recovery and they had to give you extra oxygen and we had to wait a bit longer to come back and see you. You were not happy when you became alert. It was so hard for us to see you in so much pain.

It was also hard to see other children being wheeled by your bed as they came out of surgery and into the recovery area.

The firs thing that helped settle you down was a Popsicle.

9/10/08

Pre Opperation

One thing that did make you very happy was sitting on Daddy's shoulders. You thought it was funny to cover his head with your gown.

At this point you had to take a drink of some special medicine that made you a little droggy. We were told not to let you walk at this point and the purpose of this medicine was to help with your transition to surgery.

9/10/08

Pre Opperation

The head Surgical Nurse came by and wanted to hold you. It helped ease Mommy's heart and mind knowing that some one so loving was going to be helping take care of you. The Nurse let you play with her little message/pager thing, you loved it. She was such a great Nurse.

This is also the Nurse that took you from Mommy's arms right in front of the Operating Room. She was the one that so gently reminded me not to let you see me so upset as I lost it when I had to hand you to her for the surgery. What strong people they are, really blessed to find their passion and help kids. Mommy will never forget her.

9/10/08

Pre Opperation

After your vitals were checked we were told to undress you and put you in the sugical gown. It brought tears to your eyes and Mommy's too.

Nothing would settle you down. Finally the nurses said we could walk out side of our area and that helped a bit. Your Baby Doll also helped.

9/10/08

Pre Opperation

When we first checked into the hospital we had to go to the waiting area to get Sophie Wei's vitals checked. This area is called the pre opperation area.

Our first Nurse for the day was great.

Sophie Wei not so sure about what is going on??!!??

9/10/08

Starting To Take Steps

Sophie Wei starts to take a couple of steps today! Sixteen days after cast removal. I could pinch myself. She is trying so hard but her muscles are not fully recovered yet. What a blessing.

Sophie Wei is still having a difficult time sleeping and wakes up crying in the middle of the night, in the morning and at nap time. We try to hold her and comfort her as much a possible to let her know we love her. We also have to make sure she does not hurt her self when she is working through what she is going through. She still says she is in pain.

I feel for her because I know how that being adopted and leaving her only home she knows is enough for anyone to go through. Then on top of that she has this surgery which will help her in the long run but it is hard to see her going through this transition.......All of the reading I have done about adoption, transitions and surgery has helped me understand and prepare but going through it is been hard.

Sophie Wei you are such a sweet little girl who is a fighter. We admire you and you inspire us.

WE LOVE YOU!

Verses for Prayer from Angie at Bring in The Rain

Spica Free

I posted about today on our family blog.

As of today Sophie Wei is freed from her Spica Cast!

Bubbles and One Night Left

Sophie Wei slept the best she has ever for me. When I went into her room to sleep on Simone's bed I quietly layed down and opened my book, turned on my flashlight and I hear very softley, "Mommy..........MOMMY." I say to her, "Sophie, Mommy's hear time to go to sleep." Then not another peep until 3:30 am!! SIX HOURS of her sleeping and tossing and turning, without needing me to hold her. PROGRESS. From 3:30 on I changed her diaper twice and layed her in bed with me while she slept on my arm. If I moved my arm she fussed so I tried not to move which caused me to have a few kinks but I will do any thing for sleep :O) By 4:45 am she was saying, "GO" to me which means she is finished sleeping so I just get up and go down stairs with her for breakfast and another ELMO DVD.

This is her last night tonight in her SPICA cast. We are all very excited and have been showing her photos from my friend Robbies blog so she can see what will happen tomorrow when the doctor takes her cast off. I know these photos are helping Simone and she can't wait!
These photos are from today. I have been picking up my camera more these last few days, making sure I have plenty of pictures with Sophie Wei in her Spica Cast along with videos.

Our friends Lisa, Ally and Abi brought by some Halloween bubbles, a card and a worm. I let Sophie Wei go for the bubbles, first time since before her cast was on. She loved it and I did not care because today was the last day in the cast!! It also has a very stinky smell to it so maybe this might spruse it up a bit. Thanks for the fun girls.
Oh the worm....Lisa also brought a slimmy, long fake worm for the girls. When Rick pulled into the drive way Simone had her back to him. Just as she saw him coming she held up her worm to show him and he jumped so high because he thought it was a snake!! I felt so bad because I know how he is about snakes but to him it was so real looking and dark and the way it moved as Simone turned around he thought it was a snake. Sorry Daddy.....

Sophie Wei had a blast...What a different girl this afternoon!!

I will NEVER forget this cast and all it stands for! I can not wait for Sophie Wei's next step and pray her body is healing and will continue to heal!

While rolling around in the grass Simone rolled onto the sidewalk and hurt her toe. She wanted me to take a photo of it. Ouch!

I can't wait for tomorrow. I am so excited and nervous at the same time. I know we have a bit to go with recovery but it seems like it will be better than what we have been through already??? I have so many questions for tomorrow.......How did the Acetabulum form, how does the femur head look, how does the plates and screws look in the femur, when do they come out and how, weight baring instructions, skin recovery and back to her club feet recovery (when do we start the brace again. I am so worried that she will regress with this due not having the bar on for so long now and the fact we had to wait a month for it to come in after we came home from China.)......That's just a few of my questions for now. I have to go over our list and get ready for tomorrow. I will try to post tomorrow to let everyone know how it went.

I also can't wait to order our copies of the xrays!

Sponge Bath

I learned how to give Sophie Wei a sponge bath from my friend Robbie....Sophie Wei does not like it too much but that is nothing a big sister and gum can do to help.

It was nice to have my Mom here for two days to help us. It is such a nice feeling to have her hear!!

Sophie Wei was receiving comfort from Simone.

Sophie Wei happy and smelling good after her sponge bath. Simone making bracelets.

Simone not very happy about me taking these photos.

Sophie Wei was all about me taking pictures of her because Simone was not. Then she wanted out of her stroller and wanted me to hold her.

Two Nights and One Point Five Days Left

Three Days Left

Three Days Left!!!!!!!!!!

This will be a very happy drive to the doctors on Friday!!

Six Days LEFT IN SPICA Cast

We are all celebrating that we only have six days left in the Spica Cast!!

We see the light at the end of the tunnel and sleep for us all.

Sophie Wei has been sleeping better the last few nights. She still is up a few times. For example, last night Rick said that she calls out to him, "Daddy" and he replies, "go to sleep" and she does. I just wish it worked for me that way :O)

We both think the antibiotics are helping her a bit so that is a blessing. It is my turn tonight so we will see how it goes.....only 6 more nights with the spica cast on!!!!

Rick and both feel like we are almost "half way there". We are wondering if it will take her the "projected" time for her to start walking and how hard will this next section be??

Sophie Wei we are so proud of you for how far you have come and we pray your body and spirit is healing and can get some solid rest soon. We love you so much.

Simone we are so proud of you for being such a big help these last few weeks and understanding that why Sophie Wei needs us all to help her. You are such a good little "doctor".

Here is a picture of Sophie Wei with her hair a little messed up :O)

Treasures from Friends at School

Over a week ago my friends at the Elementary School where I teach put together two big baskets for us!!! They also gifted us money so we could purchase more poise pads, wet wipes and food. We are extremely grateful for the help and feel so blessed to have so many friends that are helping us through this time. So far we have gone through over 200 Poise Pads and they are so expensive.

There are so many things in baskets to keep us busy while Sophie Wei is in her Spica Cast. We have things that are borrowed so they are labeled so we can return them after we are finished and things that have been gifted to us. WHAT A GREAT IDEA because Sophie Wei's attention span is so short that having new things to look or play with has been great.

Here is a list of some of the things that are in the basket:
Books, movies, puzzles, crafts, stickers, games, manipulative activities, sorting objects, shapes, foam sheets, dvds, books on tapes, stuffed animal, silly jumping dog, phonics books.

They have been a blessing to our family. I LOVE MY FRIENDS!

I was also so blessed to have my friend Andrea M. go to Costco to help us with our shopping. They same day that she came over we had Rachel, Lauren and Jake over in the morning and Rachel even did my dishes for me :O)

After Rachel, Lauren and Jake left and while we were still visiting with
Andrea, Ellie and Easton, Simone had a big melt down/crying fit. She had just reached her melting point and just needed me to hold her for a bit. Sophie Wei left Andrea hold her which she normally does not let many other people hold her so I felt so relieved so I could help Simone. I think I would of just cried if I was home by myself as Simone was in that bad of a mood. I was able to hold Simone for a while and then put a movie in for her. This was good because Simone has not really had the attention that she has needed in the last few weeks so we have been more intentional with making sure she has time with us and have been taking her out for one on one time.

We are so blessed with such good friends!!

Turtle Cookie Bouquet

We received this surprise on our front porch when we came home from our morning walk.....It was a Turtle Cookie Bouquet from Cami and Chris!!!!!!!!!!!

It was so very cute and these photos do not do them justice. What was so nice about this cookie company is they also called us and left a message to make sure we found them on our front porch.

They were so yummy, we polished them off by the second day and the girls loved the idea of the cookies looking so "pretty in the air".

Thanks Cami and Chris, you made our day!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Below is a photo of the jeweled bracelet that Simone made in the hospital. She loves all jewelry but has been wearing this one non stop. She says it reminds her of Sophie Wei's surgery. I am so glad that we went down to the craft/art room and made these! Just another great activity that the hospital does to help people. They have an art program that continues for all children who have been at the hospital. We plan on going back soon for a session. I think it would do us all good to go back and say thanks to the staff and nurses. Hmmmm....maybe we will have to bring some cookies :O)

9/19/08

Spica Car Seat

Here is the car seat that we received on loan from the hospital.

Marathon and a Before the surgery we had read that one of our car seats may of worked. We have a BritaxBritax Regent but due to the position that Sophie Wei she is positioned in her cast we could not use them. We are very thankful for the hospital letting us borrow the car seat as some days it is the only place she will nap.......on the way to dropping Simone off at preschool.

Stroller

This stroller has been a great help for us because we can go for walk or Sophie Wei can sit in here in the house while we try to get things accomplished.

We put a pillow behind her back since she sits at an angle.
This helps make it more comfortable for her.

Today I found a very cool link for Ivy Rose Spica Chairs. If anyone is looking for a table for their child in a spica chair they need to see this site...
I wish we knew about it before Sophie Wei's surgery.

Sophie Wei Sleeps

sophie wei only was up and fussed 3 times last night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Right after Rick put her to bed and after I gave Simone a bath and put her to bed Sophi Wei fussed but I thought Rick was in there so I did not go in. She fussed for about 5 minutes and then stopped, I went down stairs and saw Rick...I told him what happened, we lucked out.

Rick said he changed her diaper around once around 10 and then he held her again at 3:30, That's IT!!!

What a blessing!!!!

It only took two days shy of 4 weeks!!!

Photo Space

Ahh, I guess that I have reached my upload limit for photos through Google/blogger......I have uploaded around 3,500 photos and at my high resolution I guess that is as much as I can upload.

So I added more room which was $$$$ but not back for all of the blogging that I have done over the last few years......I will now have 10x the storage which I will not need but I still need to do blurb books so I can't delete any more photos to make room. I guess i have to wait for 24 hours for it to go through.....I will try back when it goes through or when it is my night off......So see you in two nights....I have some touching photos from surgery that I am finally ready to post.

So if anyone has this problem when uploading that is what is going on.
9/10/08

So Close

So Close

God’s presence can be a hidden presence,
Not because God chooses to withdraw,
But because we fail to see God who is so near.

There are many reasons for our failure to see.

We are concerned about future projects and fail to see present blessings.

We may also be looking for the wrong indicators.
We may be looking for peace when God’s presence is in the turmoil.

We may be looking for resolution when hope lies in the non-fulfillment
of our present expectations.

We may be wishing for answers when God’s goodness is manifest in further questions.

God is frequently closer than we think.

We need, however, to develop a new confidence that
God inhabits our despair as well as our praises.

From: Day to Journey with Henri Nouwen by Charles Ringma

I received the above email today from my friend Nadine! She found this today on another blog. It could of not came at a better time because this is what I have been struggling with. It also reminds me to continue to pray about what is going great because there are so many things we have to be thankful for. I miss you Nadine and can't wait to see you....this summer??!!!??!

Night Time

Night Time continues to be so very hard. Last night I was up with her all night. I did get in a few "cat" naps for a few minutes here or there but I held her most or walked the room back and forth with her in my arms. I keep thinking to myself, I wish I could say things are getting better but they are not. Just when we say out loud that they are we are reminded of our situation.

Sophie Wei has also been getting bloody noses so we purchased a humidifier to see if that will help. If it continues we will go see our pediatrician just to rule out the ibuprofen that she had been taking for three weeks.

20 Days left.

On a lighter note the girls have made me smile. Yesterday when I was doing the laundry I left the girls on their bedroom floor between their beds and told them I would be right back. I could hear them laughing from the laundry room witch is just down the hall. All of a sudden I hear nothing....I think, hum, what are they doing? I go into their room and I do not see them. I think to myself, where could they go, Sophie Wei can not walk and Simone could not carry her????? Then after a few moments of silence I hear them quietly snickering......It is coming from underneath Simone's Bed!! They were under there against the wall!! I asked Simone how did Sophie Wei make it all the way under there?? Simone said, "moved here". I just laughed, some things you just do not need to know.

These moments...miss them...want them back......

While leaving the house we now take turns on who's turn it is to close the garage door. Sophie Wei closes it and Simone opens it when we return home. Well the other day Simone started to fake cry (yes she does a lot of this lately) and Sophie Wei hands her the garage door opener. Simone closes the door and smiles, Sophie Wei then cries because she just figured out what she did. They truly know what makes each other tick.

Bring the Rain Bring Me Peace

Just two photos of Sophie Wei from her hospital stay....

Reminding myself that we are making progress and to be thankful for that.

Small steps.

22 Down, 22 to go!

Every day together is a blessing.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7

Music motivates, inspires and moves me.

Going through my life journey I can think of certain songs that remind me of that time.

For example,
Thunderstruck By AC/DC, Playing With the Boys by Kenny Loggins/Top Gun = Senior Year Volleyball Warm Ups = competition, fun, spikes, blocks, Wendy my best partner/challenger, floater serves, homecoming soon!!

So What by Pink = New Attitude = Sophie Wei's recovery (this deserves it's own post at a later date.)

Here is another one of them that has touched me right now during Sophie Wei's recovery, Bring the Rain! I learned about this song from this web site: Bring the Rain. I have been reading for many months now, can't remember exactly when?? I highly recommend it.

Bring the Rain - Mercy Me
I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that
I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings
You glory And I know there'll
be days When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to
praise You Jesus, bring the rain

I am yours regardless of the clouds that may
loom above because you are much greater than
my pain you who made a way for me suffering
your destiny so tell me whats a little rain

[1st Chorus]

Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
is the lord God almighty
is the lord God almighty
I'm forever singing

[2nd Chorus 2x]

everybody singing
Holy holy holy
you are holy
you are holy

Today we also received a suprise visit from Becca, Emma and Sara.

What a nice time to spend before bed and help pass the cranky time :O)

Thanks, we are glad you guys Just DO IT!

My Mom

I just finished updating the blog below and needed to go down stairs to clean up and get many things done.....

So I sign off blogger.

Go down stairs.

What do I find.

Dishes done!

Table cleared, cleaned.

Laundry done.

My Mom is amazing and I love her so.

I am so blessed.

Update

This is how it goes during the day....Sophie Wei does not sit still for long so that means that I have to pick her up and hold her often which is starting to hurt my right arm and wrist. I don't mind but it is so exhausting. I am borrowing a wrist brace from my friend Sue to help my arm and wrist out.

We use a lot of manipulative for fun and go for a lot of walks!! (Thank goodness it still has been nice here.) She does not prefer any type of movies either in English or Chinese so that does not help, I wish is would. She seems to be falling in love with Elmo!! We hope :O)

I just found a cool new craft/toy at Target called Pop Beads by Parents Magazine. Both girls love them although it is a little hard for Sophie Wei to snap them together because her fine motor development skills are about a year behind. I also get a brake when we drive Simone to preschool.

Why this is so hard is because Sophie Wei's attention span is around 5-10 minutes. She is one busy girl who likes to throw any object (I would be surprised if she does not go out for softball, ha-ha.)

Sophie Wei is still not sleeping well at night and it will be three weeks since the surgery tomorrow!!!!

Rick and I have been talking a lot about what might be going on. I also emailed our social worker for help. (Post to come about that.) Granted we did just adopt her three months ago.....We are thinking that part of her terrors, etc. at night is the adjustment from the surgery/cast and the adoption. She wakes up screaming often and it takes a long time for her to settle down. The episodes are coming farther apart though so that is a blessing. My heart goes out to her.

This is still the hardest thing I have ever done. Still doing a lot of praying, thinking, crying and trying to make sure I keep my head up so Sophie Wei does not sense it but some times I don't mind letting her see me cry, etc.

I hope to post photos at some point but no time for that and I wanted to update everyone. Thanks for checking in.

xoxo US