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.