I can't help but praise God everyday for my beautiful daughter that I know was handpicked by God especially for us. She is so much like us, it's hard to explain. After reading the recent post about new happenings in the adoption arena I especially thankful the little one came home when she did. I must be naive but I had no clue all of the wrong doings were going on. I know there is bound to be some corruption to a certain extent, but was totally shocked to read the accounts of baby finders going into the villages.
I am hiring a PI to investigate into C's past to be able to tell her about it and hopefully make contact with her birth mother. I know nothing about her past except that she was relinquished and they could not find the mother again.
Oh and back to the sickness. Well after the pneumonia, the older boys all had the flu, and now as of two days ago little miss does also. I was so worried since she just recently recovered from pneumonia but it looks like the prayers are working because she isn't nearly as bad as my youngest son was with it. What I don't understand is all the boys had flu shots. Our ped. said there were a ton of positive flu's lately in kids that had received the flu shot. And although I have been completely worn out and exhausted from caring for sick kids the past two weeks, I am grateful that we live in a country where I can call up a Dr. for advice, walk over to my medicine cabinet and pull out what we need. I think about what it would have been like for little miss if she had pneumonia or the flu in the orphanage. At 7 1/2 month's old, she was only 8 lbs, full of intestinal parasites and I'm sure had a weakened immune system. I am not sure she would have lived through this at the orphanage. So while I am sad they are sick, I am very glad she is sick in my arms where she is being loved on continuously.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Drowning in sickiness!!!!
Yes, I said sickiness :( Blah! Blah! Blah!
Man I don't think our household has been this sick ever. So Cambria has recovered pretty much, she is up to 18.4 lbs, the little chunker, in size 4 diapers, and just rolled from front to back yesterday for the first time for her MAN. Hubby had her yesterday when she did it and he just happens to be the love of her life. It's so weird, all the boys have always been gaga over me, not her she is a little diva that adores her Daddy. She must have felt sorry for me that I didn't get to see this first so she repeated the performance after I came home for work.
The Little man who is 6 has been sick since last Saturday and this child never gets sick, I mean NEVER!!!!! Took him to the dr. today and he tested positive for flu B. Wish I handled the flu this well, unless his fever is rising he is still on the go and talking our heads off.
The 13 year old is sick also. I don't know what he has, I give up trying to diagnose. Probably a mild flu also even though he had the flu shot. Our Pediatrician told us today she is having tons of positive flu cultures even in kids that had the flu shot. I pray the little one doesn't now get the flu right after her pneumonia. She is too little for Tamiflu, but I am starting it, well because i am a Mom and as everyone knows, momma's just can't get sick. I don't have time !!!!!
The Ped. clinic has also had 75 positive pertussis (whooping cough) cases in children that were vaccinated. That is scary. The bugs are getting smarter!!!!
Man I don't think our household has been this sick ever. So Cambria has recovered pretty much, she is up to 18.4 lbs, the little chunker, in size 4 diapers, and just rolled from front to back yesterday for the first time for her MAN. Hubby had her yesterday when she did it and he just happens to be the love of her life. It's so weird, all the boys have always been gaga over me, not her she is a little diva that adores her Daddy. She must have felt sorry for me that I didn't get to see this first so she repeated the performance after I came home for work.
The Little man who is 6 has been sick since last Saturday and this child never gets sick, I mean NEVER!!!!! Took him to the dr. today and he tested positive for flu B. Wish I handled the flu this well, unless his fever is rising he is still on the go and talking our heads off.
The 13 year old is sick also. I don't know what he has, I give up trying to diagnose. Probably a mild flu also even though he had the flu shot. Our Pediatrician told us today she is having tons of positive flu cultures even in kids that had the flu shot. I pray the little one doesn't now get the flu right after her pneumonia. She is too little for Tamiflu, but I am starting it, well because i am a Mom and as everyone knows, momma's just can't get sick. I don't have time !!!!!
The Ped. clinic has also had 75 positive pertussis (whooping cough) cases in children that were vaccinated. That is scary. The bugs are getting smarter!!!!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
My sick little princess :(
The sixteen year old was sick last week, you would have thought he was dying and little miss had a snotty nose. I thought M was much sicker than her. Well on Saturday we woke up and I noticed she was having some breathing issues when I would lay her flat to change her diaper. I took her to one of my long time friend who is a physician. When we arrived at the office her pulse ox was 94% and I immediately felt panic welling up inside of me. So after the chest x-ray we were looking at the films and there was a consolidation in the right middle lobe. Yep! The little one has pneumonia. So after a breathing tx. at the office her sats came back up to 100%
So we are doing antibiotics, steroids, and xopenex breathing treatments at home. I almost cried everytime I thought about her being sick for two days. It just hit me like a ton of bricks that had she been in Africa, I don't think she would have made it. I was overwhelmed by God's perfect timing to bring this precious girl home. She was the quiet one, never cried, or fussed and in an orphanage setting that isn't qualities you want to have. Because she was so meek and mild, she was overlooked, not played with, not messed with. When we brought her home at 7 month's old she weighed only 8 pounds. She had parasites and I am sure a weakened immune system. I don't think she would have made it to toddlerhood in the orphanage.
And her orphanage wasn't even a bad one. There are just so many kids and so many babies, that if you aren't complaining, you aren't getting the attention. We noticed the very vocal spunky ones were much farther ahead developmentally and nutritionally. What's the old saying, "The squeaky wheel gets the oil?"
So even though I am so sad that she is sick, I am also so very grateful that she is sick here. Here at home, with a Mommy, Daddy, brothers, and grandparents that love her more than anything in the world. Even with Pneumonia she is doing great. She now weighs 18 lbs, is sitting up by herself, and actually yelling when she wants something. All it took was love and attention to bring out her inner divaness :)
So we are doing antibiotics, steroids, and xopenex breathing treatments at home. I almost cried everytime I thought about her being sick for two days. It just hit me like a ton of bricks that had she been in Africa, I don't think she would have made it. I was overwhelmed by God's perfect timing to bring this precious girl home. She was the quiet one, never cried, or fussed and in an orphanage setting that isn't qualities you want to have. Because she was so meek and mild, she was overlooked, not played with, not messed with. When we brought her home at 7 month's old she weighed only 8 pounds. She had parasites and I am sure a weakened immune system. I don't think she would have made it to toddlerhood in the orphanage.
And her orphanage wasn't even a bad one. There are just so many kids and so many babies, that if you aren't complaining, you aren't getting the attention. We noticed the very vocal spunky ones were much farther ahead developmentally and nutritionally. What's the old saying, "The squeaky wheel gets the oil?"
So even though I am so sad that she is sick, I am also so very grateful that she is sick here. Here at home, with a Mommy, Daddy, brothers, and grandparents that love her more than anything in the world. Even with Pneumonia she is doing great. She now weighs 18 lbs, is sitting up by herself, and actually yelling when she wants something. All it took was love and attention to bring out her inner divaness :)
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Sick Babies :(
I think the hardest part of motherhood is when one of your babies are sick. Little, little has a snotty nose. Have you ever heard of projectile snott? Well, that's what she has. It shoots out with every sneeze, kind of crazy!!!
The sixteen year old has also been sick for two days. No matter the age, my heart still hurts the same. He was so miserable last night, body aches, sore throat, and crying because he felt so bad that he couldn't even lay down and sleep.
I remember when the two oldest were little. When they were sick, I would panic and call my mom so she would be with me. I was so young and scared to death when their fevers would shoot up to 104. I was twenty when I gave birth to M and 23 with C. I would cry to my Mom telling her I couldn't do this, I couldn't handle them being sick. I thought it was the worst thing in the world.
Even though it still hurts my heart when they are sick, I loved being able to love on and care for the sixteen year old. Even though he knows way more than me, well actually I take that back, he knows EVERYTHING, he still needs his Mommy when he is not feeling well and I took full advantage of my opportunity to show him compassion and love.
The sixteen year old has also been sick for two days. No matter the age, my heart still hurts the same. He was so miserable last night, body aches, sore throat, and crying because he felt so bad that he couldn't even lay down and sleep.
I remember when the two oldest were little. When they were sick, I would panic and call my mom so she would be with me. I was so young and scared to death when their fevers would shoot up to 104. I was twenty when I gave birth to M and 23 with C. I would cry to my Mom telling her I couldn't do this, I couldn't handle them being sick. I thought it was the worst thing in the world.
Even though it still hurts my heart when they are sick, I loved being able to love on and care for the sixteen year old. Even though he knows way more than me, well actually I take that back, he knows EVERYTHING, he still needs his Mommy when he is not feeling well and I took full advantage of my opportunity to show him compassion and love.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Ethiopia Part One
I have not blogged in quite a while, so I thought for the New Year my resolution would be to begin writing again.
First off, my send off to Ethiopia was quite non-dramatic compared to when we left for Zambia. When my oldest son, mother, and I left for Zambia, which also happened to be my first trip on a plane, let alone half way around the world, my husband and two youngest sons accompanied me all the way to DC and stood crying as we went through security.
When leaving for Ethiopia for the little little's court hearing, my friend that was going with me, picked me up at the house and after a few goodbye's and kisses we were on our way. Guess the family considers it old hat now when I fly around the world to another continent.
I was still feeling unsure that this adoption was even going to happen, after three failed attempts, so I was treating this trip like a week long girl's get away that just happened to be in AFRICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We sang and danced and laughed during the four hour drive to Dulles. Ate dinner at the airport and met up with our traveling buddies, which were awesome I might add.
The flight was long and grueling, and I'm sure we all were malodorous upon descent. I have a habit of literally talking to anyone, anywhere and making friends wherever. So the plane ride was no different. I met an amazing older gentleman who spent nine month's every year in Ethiopia teaching at Addis Ababa University. His Amharic was flawless and he chatted easily with all the Ethiopians on the plane. He was married and left his wife every year for the past 17 years. I loved watching this Ferenge interact with the locals, so cool, I so wanted to be him.
As we landed in Addis, we could see fires burning throughout the country side. We didn't realize but Sunday was the eve of the Ethiopian Holiday called Meskel. Meskel is the holiday to celebrate the discovery of the cross that Jesus Christ was crucified on. Smoke was everywhere, and if someone on the plane hadn't told me about Meskel I would have sworn that the airport and half of the country had gone up in flames. The amount of smoke was enormous and it was difficult to breathe.
We decided to stay at the Panorama. A very nice little hotel that appeared to have dropped out of the sky and landed in surrounding slums. We checked in and found our rooms. Our room was about the size of my smallest bedroom, nah, probably smaller. The only good thing about it was the windoor or doordow as we nicknamed it. It was a window that acted like a door you could open step out on a small balcony. We spent a lot of time out there just watching the daily happenings in the city and staring at the beautiful mountains in the distance.
At 2am, we were starving and ordered room service. We had pasta with a mushroom sauce to die for. After finally falling asleep, we woke up early, showered, ate our complimentary breakfast and headed to the lobby. We assumed a driver would be there to pick us up to take us to meet our children. After numerous phone calls and hours of waiting we were finally on our way. The orphanage wasn't far at all and it was our first look at Addis in the daylight. The city was bustling and it was a beautiful sight. We turned down a dirt road at the Messy Caf'e, and there was the brown metal door. We entered, all a bit nervous and anxious. The children were all sleeping and the looks on the nannies faces when they saw all the Americans come in was priceless. Kind of like, really you had to come at nap time :)
I videotaped all the children in their cribs. I actually videotaped little little before I even realized it was her. I hunched over the crib just staring at such a perfect little brown faced girl. She finally opened her eyes and flashed the biggest smile I have ever seen. We spent two hours a day with the children every day while there. We would have stayed all day, but the nannies didn't want the routines completely awry.
OK, so this was day one, and my fingers are hurting. Boy, this is going to take longer than I thought. Part Two coming soon.
First off, my send off to Ethiopia was quite non-dramatic compared to when we left for Zambia. When my oldest son, mother, and I left for Zambia, which also happened to be my first trip on a plane, let alone half way around the world, my husband and two youngest sons accompanied me all the way to DC and stood crying as we went through security.
When leaving for Ethiopia for the little little's court hearing, my friend that was going with me, picked me up at the house and after a few goodbye's and kisses we were on our way. Guess the family considers it old hat now when I fly around the world to another continent.
I was still feeling unsure that this adoption was even going to happen, after three failed attempts, so I was treating this trip like a week long girl's get away that just happened to be in AFRICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We sang and danced and laughed during the four hour drive to Dulles. Ate dinner at the airport and met up with our traveling buddies, which were awesome I might add.
The flight was long and grueling, and I'm sure we all were malodorous upon descent. I have a habit of literally talking to anyone, anywhere and making friends wherever. So the plane ride was no different. I met an amazing older gentleman who spent nine month's every year in Ethiopia teaching at Addis Ababa University. His Amharic was flawless and he chatted easily with all the Ethiopians on the plane. He was married and left his wife every year for the past 17 years. I loved watching this Ferenge interact with the locals, so cool, I so wanted to be him.
As we landed in Addis, we could see fires burning throughout the country side. We didn't realize but Sunday was the eve of the Ethiopian Holiday called Meskel. Meskel is the holiday to celebrate the discovery of the cross that Jesus Christ was crucified on. Smoke was everywhere, and if someone on the plane hadn't told me about Meskel I would have sworn that the airport and half of the country had gone up in flames. The amount of smoke was enormous and it was difficult to breathe.
We decided to stay at the Panorama. A very nice little hotel that appeared to have dropped out of the sky and landed in surrounding slums. We checked in and found our rooms. Our room was about the size of my smallest bedroom, nah, probably smaller. The only good thing about it was the windoor or doordow as we nicknamed it. It was a window that acted like a door you could open step out on a small balcony. We spent a lot of time out there just watching the daily happenings in the city and staring at the beautiful mountains in the distance.
At 2am, we were starving and ordered room service. We had pasta with a mushroom sauce to die for. After finally falling asleep, we woke up early, showered, ate our complimentary breakfast and headed to the lobby. We assumed a driver would be there to pick us up to take us to meet our children. After numerous phone calls and hours of waiting we were finally on our way. The orphanage wasn't far at all and it was our first look at Addis in the daylight. The city was bustling and it was a beautiful sight. We turned down a dirt road at the Messy Caf'e, and there was the brown metal door. We entered, all a bit nervous and anxious. The children were all sleeping and the looks on the nannies faces when they saw all the Americans come in was priceless. Kind of like, really you had to come at nap time :)
I videotaped all the children in their cribs. I actually videotaped little little before I even realized it was her. I hunched over the crib just staring at such a perfect little brown faced girl. She finally opened her eyes and flashed the biggest smile I have ever seen. We spent two hours a day with the children every day while there. We would have stayed all day, but the nannies didn't want the routines completely awry.
OK, so this was day one, and my fingers are hurting. Boy, this is going to take longer than I thought. Part Two coming soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Africa '07
Zambia
About Me
- Deanne
- This blog is to supplement material taught in the musculo-skeletal section of Adult Health Nursing. Many resources are available including research based evidence practice guidelines and live links.
