Update and some pictures.

Hello y'all,
I know you have been wondering what in the world is going on around here. Well, last Friday we took Eliana back to the doctor and we got most of her ear wax out of one ear and a lot out of the other ear. He could only see a tiny amount of her right eardrum, but she has double ear infections. Thankfully by Sunday they were not bothering her. The blood draw and the ear washing were horrible for her. Also, she didn't like the urinalysis collection thing that was taped to her. We have not heard yet about the results from that. I am curious now that eggs have been tainted. That was her main food source in the orphanage besides formula.

Since Friday's appointment we have been dealing with major rages that have lasted for hours at a time. We are exhausted and frustrated for her. Monday was the worst day we have ever had with her and then on Tuesday she did a 360* and was totally fine and only threw a couple of toddler tantrums. Today has been another story though. Yesterday, I had a lady from our church visit and have tea with me (which was wonderful) and then two young ladies had offered to help me clean (which was also wonderful), but I don't know if that was too much for her to handle. She seemed to do great with them being here, but today we have been back to her rages. Oh if we could only know what was going through her little brain and make it better. We are just taking life one minute at a time around here and praying for better days on a regular basis with only toddler issues not this other demon that is plaguing our daughter.

Our church as been so wonderful and supportive of everything that has been going on and has extended our meals out another week and a half. Two ladies picked up Patrick's dress shirts and ironed them and like I said two of the young ladies at church cleaned bathrooms, floors and folded clothes for me. I really don't know what I would do without our church family.

I want to thank you all for your prayers and support through this very tough transition. From what I have heard from others, I think a lot of her transition and behavior has to do with the Beijing CWI. They were very difficult to work with and made our gotcha day very bad and very hard on Eliana and then the paperwork day they were still fighting us and causing even more problems for Eliana. And I wonder why she fights. lol She has learned the behaviour well for those who have raised her. Poor baby girl.

So I will leave you with a few pictures. Oh yeah, thanks for the schedule information. Although she has fought a schedule (imagine that) we are on one for the most part and it helps her and me so much. She wakes between 7:30 and 8 am we come upstairs and have a bottle. I won't let her down until the bottle is gone and we have our reading time. Then it is play time and around 9 am she has breakfast. On to more playtime and working on sign language. Oh yes, she knows lots of signs and I just realized it about a week ago and that has helped learning what she has been signing. We are working on getting more signs so she can communicate with us. Once we get her palate fixed we will be going to speech and that should make her happier to be able to talk. We then have snack and lunch is at 11:45 or Noon and nap by 1 pm and on and on...but you really probably don't care...so on to the pictures.

Tomorrow is Eliana's 2nd birthday and I have no cake or wraping paper and I'm here at home with her not able to leave. She shares her birthday with her Papa James! Sorry Papa, but I had all the best intentions to get you a card in the mail this year. I guess I will have to walk in my Mom's footsteps and make up a different birthday for you. :-) Happy Birthday and we love you!

Nana and Papa James after the double rocker broke.

Our walk in the woods on Saturday.

Last week sometime after Eliana got her first shiner and when she was much happier. I tell you this girl LOVES hats and big bows in her hair. She is so much happier if she has something on her head. :-)

This is a typical look from our girl. Thankfully this look has been replaced by more smiles as the week wore on. Notice ALL the pictures she has had something on her head. This picture shows yet another bruise. She is ruff and tough and the shiner and the cheek bruise is all from playing not from the rages surprisingly.


This is Eliana's favorite book. She does the most endearing thing when we get to the page below. As many of you know I have a great love for Alaska and dream about sea kayaking and living in Alaska.

Now before you say that I told her it was Mama let me say she came up with that on her own. After we have been reading this book everyday for a week she the other day got so excited and started pointing to the girl saying Mama and then pointing to me. She then leaned over and kissed the book and then kissed me and said Mama. Well, needless to say that page is very sticky and messy from all the kisses Mama has gotten in the book. :-) Does my girl know me or what. I also think she was born to live in Alaska. She loves cool to cold weather and LOVES the great outdoors. I do know God has answered and given us the perfect little girl. She need spunk and spirit to live in Alaska so I think she will be ready.
Look at this...I found a picture without something on her head. She loves her baby dolls. Isn't this sweet. She has such a wonderful loving sweet spirit about her if only she would allow herself to trust and not fight. In time I know she will get there. Pray for our little warrior.

Two quick things.

If you love tea please visit Making a House a Home and enter to win some fabulous tea. If you haven't followed Mrs. U's blog you are sure to love it. She is such a wonderful and encouraging sister in Christ. Thanks for all your support. :-)

Also, the young girl in the previous post is Annie and her blog is Hope Now. Please visit her.

That's it for now. We have a doctor appointment in the morning for all those test for Eliana. Hopefully we will get something done for her ears. She is about to pull her right ear off I think in pain.

Calling all mom's of 2 year olds.

I need your help. We are tying to figure out a routine. I'm horrible at routines and always have been. I'm more of a free spirit that does things when I can fit it in or when the thought crosses my mind, but I am very organized in this whole thing to be sure. But this sort of mentality doesn't work with a child so that is where all you experienced moms fit into this. Can you all please leave me a comment, email or call with your typical day? I know that is a lot to ask, but it can be laid out very simply and I don't mind. Also, I'm wondering how much a 2 year old should be sleeping. Infants I know, toddlers I am clueless so any advice would be much appreciated.

Yesterday, we took Eliana to the doctor for the cough that still persists and he wasn't concerned. However she has lots of wax in both ears and from what he can tell from the pressure machine she has fluid in both. We go back on Friday for our appointment to get all her blood work done and we will be talking more about her ears. He has advised us to get a baby sign language book and start working with her so she can communicate with us. She only says Mama and that is for everything and doesn't speak any Chinese. We have noticed her doing some sort of sign language so we think the orphanage has taught her some. As far as her hearing we have had concerns since we got her as to whether or not she can hear very well. We know she can hear, but she doesn't seem to hear anything, but loud talking or noises. Time will tell. I will say we have the best pediatrician ever. Eliana really liked him and had no problems in the office or letting him examine her.

So you all might be wondering how I am posting. Well, Mummy has gotten smart. :-) Eliana is in her high chair right next to me looking at her books and seems content to look at those while I'm typing. YEA!

Let's see, what else. Oh we got our first meal on Monday and I will tell you it was amazing, and so much food. What a blessing to get enough food to keep us well fed since Monday night. Thank you Melanie if you read this blog. I will get your dishes back to you soon. I did take a picture of what she brought and will try to find it to post it.

I also had a comment from a young lady that goes to our church. I decided to check out her blog and she blew me away. You have to go see for yourself. To have a heart for orphans from such a young age.

Okay, Eliana is bored. Love to all.

Our first family outing...the pumpkin patch.

Trying our hand at farming. Mummy and Daddy love it!

Sleeping on her extra special pillow from Robin and Red Thread Stitches.

This was Eliana's first time (with us that is) on a tricycle and she loved it. :-) Daddy had to help because of those cute short legs.

I'm thinking Eliana thinks she is a dog...or does Sierra think she is a little girl. Begging for approved treats for both, boiled chicken. Poor Sierra is going to be going to the vet. I'm not sure what is wrong, but when we walked in the door from China I noticed her rear feet where so blistered, red and swollen. She spends a ton of time crying and licking her feet. Poor baby girl. She is doing really well with Eliana and Eliana with her. :-)

Our girls sleeping like good little princesses.

Okay, I will try to post more pictures and stories soon.

Update about my Dad

I wanted to let you all know about my Dad. Quoted from my Mom, "We got the results from the PET scan, every thing was clear except for the spot on the neck. The cancer is NOT in the lymph nodes, PTL nor is there any Melanoma any where. Squamous cell only."

This is such great news. PTL is right. He will be having surgery on the 13th and hopefully will be able to come for Eliana's 2nd birthday. I really want to plan a party for her, but for the life of me don't know how to pull that off.

Thank you for praying.

Please come with us!

Come with US!

We are ready and the bags are in the car! We are watching the debate, then we will rest a little and at 1:45 am we will be on our way to the shuttle.

After talking with our agency we are opening up our travel blog "Letters from China" so everyone is welcome to follow along. Thank you all for your support and prayers. Please continue to pray for our travel and getting Eliana. Also, please pray about bonding and for health for all of us. Keep Dennis and Sierra in your prayers also.

As far as my Dad, please continue to pray for him and my Mom. He DOES have cancer, but we don't know if it has spread or how bad it is. He has another appointment tomorrow and will be getting a PET scan and hopefully will get a clear picture soon. Lord willing, my Dad will be well soon and we don't have to go through an ugly journey with cancer. Please pray!!

See you soon in Beijing at 'Letters from China'!

The big leap into Gramps arms. She is really getting more comfortable.

This picture does our hearts good. After she jumped into his arms she settled in to cuddle. Sierra has made a huge turn around with Dennis and Lord willing this will be an okay time for Sierra. Dennis seems to have made a good connection with her. Praise God.

Travel Blog

Good Morning everyone. Well, we only have one more sleep until we leave! We are getting really nervous about leaving Sierra, but other than that we are getting really excited.

I have a new travel blog, but due to being cautious I am doing it private for now. If you would like an invite please email me (baymoose @ comcast . net) and I will get you added. It is kind of fuzzy right now as to what I can and can't say openly due to the Hague. I have linked the header above once you have an invite so you can easily get there. I might post over here once in a while while we are gone.