Lest I forget

Our sweet littlest girlie has been hardwired by God with resiliency. She continues to improve her sleeping and settling into our family despite multiple new events/surroundings/people.

Medically: we are praising Jesus for normal echocardiogram results and an amazing pediatric orthopedic surgeon (which we have access to...again, praising God that by His grace He placed us right here). The evaluation with the orthopedic surgeon (Dr. G for short) was enlightening and made us in more awe of the workings of Our Father (background: this surgeon was able to put back on a 12 year-olds amputated hand a few weeks ago...when no one else was willing to do it)...and this is whom God chose for us to have access to....long story, but he was who was on the schedule the first day Maren went to Shriner's 2 years ago (he now sees both younger girls). Anyhow, he wants to wait and see how Maeve's feet deformities impact her standing and walking before starting in on surgically addressing those deformities; she is not standing alone or walking so we will return for an appointment in May in hopes that we have a clearer picture of how her ambulation is impacted by the deformities. What was really amazing was the discussion of Maeve's hands...mainly because in our (limited) understanding we thought there was nothing to improve function except full hand prosthetics when she became a young adult; however, Dr. G. thinks he can surgically create a "post" (think anchor) for a prosthetic for pinching (acting as a thumb)...in his words "we need to give her pinch; what she has now [one finger] is okay for picking up cheerios but not much beyond that". He mentioned taking a bone from the palmar area of her hand do to this (he actually said she would have been the perfect candidate for transferring both big toes to be her thumbs...I know, amazing that God has instilled this knowledge in him...but of course, mentioned this was not possible in Maeve's case because of her feet deformity.) He did a nice job of giving us the future implications of the 1 deviated finger she has on each hand...he said her hands are really rare and is not typical of this syndrome. Overall, I could not stop thanking Our Lord for orchestrating the details of our path to an amazing surgeon who also happens to have great bedside manner!

Adjustment: It is sweet to see her and Maren's relationship develop...just this morning after breakfast, Maren was saying, "Maeve don't you want to come play with me." It is also sweet to see her relationship develop with the older 3: the minute Mora gets home from school she goes and "hangs out" by Mora's homework corner (aka corner of the couch), she is partial to playing silly games with Bennett, and is mesmerized by Bryce's toys (helicopter). She is more and more curious with each day: loves playing in the pantry, will open a cabinet door and look in (yet to really empty the cabinet yet though we know that day is coming :) and will try and touch/catch the stick vacuum.

I am amazed at how God has put together our family. I am praying that lest I forget the awe and praise of His grace, love, mercy, provision,and faithfulness that so easily rises up these days...I am a blessed mother.

3 Weeks

In our minds and hearts it seems like we have known, loved, and adored her for a long time; I am pretty sure in Maeve's mind it has only been 3 weeks. We met her 3 weeks ago today. What bravery and resiliency God has hard-wired into our darling little one. She has been shuttled between multiple hotels, our home, multiple planes/taxis/van drives, multiple paperwork offices, and this week doctor's offices/procedures. Maeve had her first pediatrician appointment this past Tuesday. She had 7 vaccines (4 shots) to try to catch her up. She ordered some blood work (trying to figure out which vaccines have been accurately dosed and given to her in China), an echo of her heart, and an audiology consult. With Maeve's syndrome, heart, gastrointestinal, and hearing loss can accompany the orthopedic conditions, as well. She had her heart echo on Wednesday; poor baby, was not happy about being held down for an hour procedure (we should get the results Monday).

Maeve continues to wake up multiple times at night (and during daytime rest) and frequently demonstrates a guarded demeanor: posture of arms held high (guarded position), eyes going side to side (think overdrive). We know she is in the phase of "what are you going to throw my way next (hotel, plane, medical procedure, etc). She is also anxiously wanting us (her mom or dad) near her most of the time. At this point, we feel her sleep disturbance is a combination of grief/loss and not wanting us to leave her. It is heartbreaking to know we are trustworthy and never going to leave her yet to see her guarded and distraught because her foundation is loss. We are trying to rely on God and His promises to parent her as she needs. Every time I look at her I cannot stop thanking God that she is ours (earthly loan) and am in awe constantly that WE get to be her parents. She loves to eat, likes the dog from a distance, enjoys watching the older 4 be silly and laugh at them, she likes looking out our front windows, she loves to watch Bryce fly his remote helicopter (she tries to chase it - pretty funny), she decided today was the day to ride her Minnie Mouse airplane ride-on toy (she has played around it all week), and she is starting to explore our home a little more each day. We are thoroughly enjoying our new daughter!

Maren has been more emotional this week as Maeve has entered the scene...she cries more frequently and asks to be held when Maeve is being held. She is such a big helper to her mom; she likes to help change her mom's dressings on her hand several times a day (which is improving). She is learning to share (with the older kids not really interested in her toys - previously this has not been an issue) with a little sister. She has handled this change with such poise considering her own foundation and her mother being gone for 2 weeks. The older 3 try to convince Maeve to play with them. They do not seem phased by all the change in our home - we wonder if they are more mature than when we brought Maren home and are accustomed to the changes, challenges, and blessing of adoption.

This next week our social worker comes for our first post-placement visit. We have been filling out paperwork and locating pictures for the visit; we have to write a report and provide 12 pictures to China at each visit. The pictures are very specific: such as no shorts, no messy faces, no pets, smiling faces, certain family members, etc. These visits/reports/picture continue for the next 6 years (yes, you read this correctly). With Maren it was only 1 year, but China changed the rules right after Maren's adoption.

We have had an outpouring of support since returning home: our adoption ministry at church has provided meals this past week, friends from Columbia came to visit, cards, gifts, emails, texts...we cannot thank you all enough for your generous encouragement and support. We appreciate you being "the hands and feet of Jesus" here for us as we transition to a family of 7.