Three Week Appointment at IAC

We had our three week follow up appointment in Birmingham at the IAC today.  They were going over the results of previously drawn blood work, running a few more tests, following up with the family therapist, being evaluated by the physical therapist, rechecked by the doctor and Charlotte was being evaluated by the audiologist (Flora Lin tomorrow)!  Yes, makes me tired typing it!  

Charlotte did great with the audiologist and her hearing tests all looked good!  She was a little scared at first, but once she saw that fun was involved and Mama wasn't leaving, she was ready to play.  Her hearing looks fantastic!

So far, everyone is impressed with her verbal abilities just like her parents.  : )

The girls did so well with all that was being done to and with them.  I try to set them up for success by bringing things that I know they enjoy doing (and pack well).  It does mean we have to lug around a lot and we make messes, but it is a four to six hour appointment!

Things that they enjoy are a travel playdough kit, books, crayons, magna doodle, their dollies, lacing cards, taking a quick walk, and stickers!   I try to mix up what I bring each time and make sure that we don't use the item the week before we go so it stays special.

Stickers only come out on airplanes and in doctors offices.  : ). We looooooove putting stickers everywhere!

And if you can, bring a very silly Papa with you.  They make all the difference!  

The dollies are the girls' constant comfort item.  They go where we go if it is a long trip.  We always have Dolly!

Food is another big helper.  I let the girls eat as often as they want and pull out our regular snacks (fruit, water) as well as many that I don't normally give (cereal, goldfish, pretzels, yogurt puffs, juice).    Someone in particular loves to eat!

Someone else loves to play, take a walk and visit.

Now we are on our way home with full tummies from a quick stop and the girls are asleep in the back. : )  Our day had so many positives and we thank God for that!  Both of the girls had chromosome tests run just to be safe and they came back NORMAL!  Yay!   We think the girls are fantastic no matter what anyone or any test says, but we are glad to know that they both have one less obstacle in life.  With C we were checking for 22Q Deletion Syndrome which often comes with her particular heart condition (TOF).   With FL we ran a general panel because CL/CP often comes with many different things.   I have been holding the girls' hands as they fall asleep each night and asking God to remove this obstacle, should it be there.  Not for me, but for them as they have had so much to go through already and things to come as well. 

 Thank you, God, for hearing this mama's prayer and giving me peace while I waited.  

 And please don't get me wrong.  If one or both of our daughters had a syndrome, we would still feel that God is with us, answering our prayers differently than we wanted, but still acting according to a bigger plan that only He understands.

C is having some issues with her left hand being much weaker than the right, though it does function.  They are unsure as to what caused this.  It could've been a small stroke, an injury or lack of using it for some unknown reason.  Something that they noticed that I didn't see was something off in her running gait.  I just thought it was the run of a little prissy girl, but she's not picking up her feet correctly and almost swinging her legs.  It is very subtle to me and doesn't seem to inhibit her running at all.  The trouble with it is she compensates so well and functions so well that she most likely would not qualify for any therapy.  I'll have to put on my thinking cap and come up with some ideas to do at home to try and help.  : )  In six months we will revisit it and see if she needs intervention, an MRI or nothing at all.

As for fine motor skills, both of the girls are on target.  FL has a few gross motor delays, but they were surprised how well they both were doing.  They kept saying, "You know they are not supposed to be doing this well, right?!"  : )   Having C as a big sister has helped to motivate her to do more.  They both compliment each other and help each other to grow in so many ways.  It is really wonderful to witness firsthand how God is working in their lives as individuals and sisters by bringing them and us together as a family.  There is a lot of brokenness in adoption (and life in general) but God can do such beautiful things with the ashes of the lives of His children.

So, all in all our appointment was very positive and the girls are on track to grow and progress, even with a few little hiccups. The farm has been a blessing in helping them to improve.  I am also thankful for all of you who gave monetarily, gave books, learning toys, supplies and so much more.  We've used them each and every day.

Tomorrow we meet with the cleft team. I am excited to have a plan to help Flora Lin and restore her health fully.  Though her surgery is a little daunting, I am ready for her to talk and she is, too!  : )

We're so thankful for your ongoing prayers.  We will let you know our plan when we have it. : )