Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Hearing test/Aquarium







On Monday, Maggie had her initial hearing test. She heard fine in her left hear but had some loss in her right. The doctor said it is probably due to fluid in her ear. It was decided that she will need tubes inserted in her ears and they will be done at the same time as her palate surgery next Wednesday. The Dr. said she may need tubes until age 10 or 12, and that the initial pair should remain for 2 to 4 years. Also on Monday, Barbara and Maggie went to the aquarium with her friend Mia and Mia's mom. Barbara said they had a great time. Maggie has had a stuffy nose and cough the last couple of days so none of us has slept well. She will go to the doctor in the morning as we don't want anything to delay her palate surgery.

Uncle Bob






On Monday night, I received a telephone call from my Uncle Bob, who resides in New York. He told me that on the spur of the moment, he would be traveling to Huntsville, AL on Wednesday for work purposes and would have time to travel to Chattanooga to see Maggie. He arrived this afternoon and stayed for several hours. It was great to see him and Maggie loved him. It was hard to see him go but we hope to see him again soon.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

LWB Pictures


As I wrote about in an earlier post, Maggie's surgery was done by Love Without Boundaries. Here are the pictures I received from them that would have been taken in October 2006.


more pictures/video







Our week






I know I haven't posted too often lately, but it is hard with a 2 year old next to you (not the I'm complaining). She actually fell asleep early tonight so I have some time (I guess her not taking naps are catching up to her). Our week was great. We had some friends over for dinner on Thursday night and Maggie did great. She gave them kisses good bye and really took to them. I'm glad she is opening up more. Also on Thursday, Barbara got a manicure and Maggie got her toenails painted in polka dots. Barbara said she did great. Maggie is proud and shows off her new toes. On Friday we went to a cookout at another friend's home. We had a great time and Maggie learned to play kick ball. She had a great time and really enjoyed running the bases. We relaxed this weekend and just spent some family time together. It was kind of nice just hanging out at home. Maggie is still sleeping in her own bed and actually slept until 5 AM this morning before crying for "mama". She learns more and more everyday and can sing Old McDonald and Patty Cake. We go tomorrow to have her hearing checked in preparation for her surgery on May 7th.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Daddy's little helper





After dinner tonight, Maggie helped me rake the grass in the front yard. She always wants to help us do stuff, whether it be folding clothes, setting the table, or loading the dishwasher. She is Ms. Independent and wants to do everything herself. I guess she had to do that in the orphanage. Barbara took Maggie to the dentist today and had her cavities filled. Maggie cried a little bit, but Barbara thought it was more because Barbara could not be right next to her more than anything. The doctor used no sedation and Maggie was cooperative. Afterwards they went to Chik Fil A and then to the park with Maggie's friend Mia and her mom Jennifer. Remarkably, Maggie took a nap both today and yesterday. We'll have to see what time she goes to bed. It's still hard to go to work, but it's amazing to see Maggie's face light up when I come home. We play and play until she goes to bed, so it is hard to get on the computer. We are enjoying every second with Maggie and wouldn't want anything else.


Love Without Boundaries

After receiving the initial telephone call about Maggie, we received some paperwork describing her history, habits, health, etc. and her referral pictures. In the initial paperwork, it explained that Maggie's surgery to repair her cleft lip was completed by a volunteer group called Love Without Boundaries (http://www.lovewithoutboundaries.com/. Love Without Boundaries is an amazing group of people who volunteer their time and skills to perform numerous health related surgeries on children around the world. These children would not be able to have the required medical attention without them. Before we went to China, I discovered a blog for Love Without Boundaries http://lwbchinablog.blogspot.com/ and found the date of Maggie's surgery in China (October 29, 2006). It was incredible to actually know she was there on that date and to read about it. After returning from China with Maggie, I emailed Love Without Boundaries and asked for any information regarding Maggie's surgery and for any pictures they may have. Today I received an email back with an attachment. The attachment contained pictures of Maggie before and after the surgery as well as some notes regarding the procedure. They are also mailing us the records from the surgery that we will share with the doctor. We are more than appreciative of this group of people and ecstatic to have pictures of Maggie when she was only 14 months old. We will keep this information forever. I don't know how to get the pictures to this blog, so I cannot post them here. Once I figure it I will add them.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Dentist






(Disclaimer: The author is not responsible for the clothing appearing on our lovely daughter in the attached pictures)




Maggie went to the dentist on Wednesday and did amazing. She let the dentist clean her teeth and take x-rays without any fuss. He said he couldn't believe how well she did. She does have 2 cavities and they will have to be filled next Monday. Hopefully she will do well. When I arrived home from work yesterday Barbara and Maggie were outside waiting for me. Barbara had just opened a package from her cousin Julie which contained a Florida Gator tee shirt for Maggie. (Julie is currently a student at UF). Of course, Barbara immediately put it on Maggie and had me take pictures. I was forced to post the pictures on this blog. I guess I will have to go purchase TWO Tennessee shirts now. Anyway, Maggie continues to amaze us more every day. She is such a joy to us and gets cuter by the day. We couldn't ask for anything more.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Back to work






Well today I finally went back to work. I could definitely get used to staying home, so I need to start playing the lottery. Work wasn't bad, but it was hard not being home with Maggie and Barbara. I think they missed me, as I was actually greeted at the door with a big smile. That made me feel better. Maggie has been doing great. She is still sleeping in her own bed and has not cried at all the past two nights. She does not go to sleep in her bed however. We let her sit in the living room with us until she falls asleep, and then I carry her to bed. She usually falls asleep between 8:30 and 9. She still will not take a nap, but she did fall asleep at 6 pm on Saturday WHILE EATING DINNER! (I wish I got her picture). She slept for an hour, and didn't fall asleep again until after 10. She is doing so much better with others, opening up more and not being as shy. Maggie saw her bike helmet in the garage before we took her tricycle out on Friday. She put it on and pointed to the tricycle. She actually knew that she is supposed to wear a helmet while riding her tricycle (mom and dad haven't been enforcing that law). On Friday night we hosted the waiting family group and Maggie had two playmates - Mia and her new friend Elisabeth. Elisabeth turned 3 in March. They played very well together and all the adults seemed to have a good time. She also met her friend Alyssa on Friday. Alyssa is 2 months younger than Maggie but is much taller. Maggie seems to play better with kids her own size or smaller, so she didn't take to Alyssa as much as the others. I think this will improve with time. Maggie can say the abc song, but doesn't annunciate the letters. Regardless, we are pretty impressed. She seems to learn more and more every day and we continue to communicate very well. Tonight she actually let me take her picture, and she even posed for us (it was adorable). We called the doctor on Friday and he said all the blood work they ran came back great. It seems that Maggie is in great health. She continues to eat well, and we found some yogurt that she will eat. Her favorite foods are strawberry ice cream, chips and salsa, and doritos. I know they are not too healthy, but she does eat her vegetables also. Maggie is incredible and we still can't believe that she is ours.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Knoxville trip






We went to Knoxville today and met my mom, sister, and my great nephew Skyler for lunch. It was a very nice visit. We learned that Maggie can only handle about an hour in her car seat. She became very fussy in both directions, and could be only be soothed by doritos and a Wendy's frosty. I guess if it works, so be it. We received a very nice card and a check from Maggie's Grandpa Al and Grandma Chris today. We will be getting Maggie more stuff!! We also received a nice card from my brother's sister-in-law. It's amazing to see how many people followed our journey. We also got a package from Barbara's cousin Jenny and her family. She sent a gorgeous dress, a cd and a backpack with Maggie's name on it. I never thought of getting a back pack for Maggie, but she loves it. We continue to be amazed at the love and support we have been shown. Someone brought it to my attention that they didn't know how to get in touch with us. Our phone number is (423)499-2259 and our email address is dbhaimelin@comcast.net. Please feel free to call, come by, or send us an email. We love hearing from everyone! Maggie didn't sleep too well last night and after her bout in the car seat, we are looking forward to a good night's rest this evening.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

work visit

Today we took Maggie to the federal courthouse to meet my co-workers. We spent almost 3 hours going from office to office meeting everybody. She did great and showed alot of personality. She definitely knows how to draw and keep a crowd. We got a very nice cross stitch for Maggie with her birthday and gotcha dates. She also got her first bikini, let's just hope she keeps it on (she still likes being naked). My aunt and uncle sent Maggie a lovely outfit and some cards to help her learn English - they are so thoughtful. We continue to be blessed with great friends and family. Maggie is still sleeping in her bed, although she cries once or twice during the night. She is quickly comforted with pats on the back and is fast asleep. She still refuses to take a nap, but fell asleep for short periods the last few days. She either falls asleep in the car, or when I am outside doing yard work. I think she will take better naps when I go back to work. We are hosting the waiting family group we belong to on Friday and will share our stories and pictures from China. There are still several families waiting for referrals. I wish the wait wasn't so long. I will keep reminding that in the end, the wait will be well worth it and won't seem so long. We are going to Knoxville tomorrow to meet my sister and Maggie's cousin's son (would he be considered a second cousin or first cousin once removed? I still don't know how that works). My mom will also be meeting us for lunch. We love Maggie more and more everyday and still can't believe how blessed we are.

Monday, April 7, 2008

the weekend






We had a great weekend and Maggie is doing so well. She slept in her own bed the last two nights so we have packed up the pack and play. She had several visitors on Saturday and took to them very well. Barbara's best friend Jill and Jill's sister Linda brought us lunch and some books for Maggie. A friend of ours, Emily, came by shortly after and brought Maggie a lovely outfit, more books and some goodies. Emily is waiting for her referral from China and we are hopefuly she and her husband will hear something soon. Maggie played very well with the group at our house and had everyone smiling. Saturday evening our friends Tim and Jen came over for pizza and brought there adorable daughter Mia. Mia is also adopted from China and is only a week older than Maggie. The girls played great together and it was amazing to see them interact. I think they'll be great friends. Mia brought Maggie a puzzle which they worked on together and refrigirator phonics which Maggie loves. Yesterday we brought Maggie to church for the first time. She did great! Barbara's dad came over in the afternoon and Maggie took to him very easily. We took a walk in Maggie's new stroller, and played with bubbles on the front porch. The new stroller was MUCH easier for mom and dad.

Friday, April 4, 2008

Surgery scheduled

Today we met with Dr. Sargent who is with the craniofacial team in Chattanooga. It is said that he is one of the best surgeons in the Country. He said that Maggie's lip repair looks great so she will not need a revision. We scheduled surgery to repair her palate for May 7th. She will be in the hospital 2 or 3 days and return home with a very bland diet. Knowing how she likes to eat, that won't be fun. The doctor said the cleft comes all the way to her gumline so she will need some orthodontal work done at age 5 or 6. He also said that her speech may be very nasally and she may need more corrective surgery in the future. We are also scheduling an appointment with an ear, nose, and throat doctor to check out her hearing. Dr. Sargent said that many cleft children have hearing issues and get frequent ear infections so if she is in need of tubes, he wants to take care of that the same day as her palate surgery. After our appointment we went to the mall and Maggie got a stoller for her baby and a toy camera. We also got a couple of long sleeve outfits as it has been cooler than we thought. We have also upgraded her tricyle, although I have yet to put it together. The new tricycle is safer and easier for mommy and daddy to steer (thanks to Granda Millie who sent us money for these "necessities"). We also went out to dinner at P.F. Chang's tonight. Maggie grabbed the chop sticks next to her plate and began using them. This whole time, we thought she was taught to eat with a spoon. It was amazing watching her eat like that. We are putting her to sleep in her room tonight. She has been sleeping next to us in the pack and play. We hope all goes well.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

pediatrician visit






Today we had our first pediatrican's visit. Maggie did exceptionally well considering she was given 3 shots and gave 3 vials of blood. She cried briefly during the shots, and about 10 minutes for the blood. The doctor said it appears that she is very healthy, but we won't know all the blood test results until next week. We have to go see him again in 3 months for more immunizations. She is 25.7 pounds and almost 34 inches tall. Dr. Meredith said that both are in the 20th percentile and her height is in perfect proportion to her weight. He said that he doesn't see any need to clean out her ears as the wax build up isn't too severe. We go to meet with Dr. Sargent with the craniofacial unit tomorrow, so will know more about when her palate surgery may take place. Maggie met Barbara's friend Deb and her son Jack yesterday at the park. We all went for a walk while Barbara got her hair done. Maggie remains shy when she is away from home. When we got back home her energy returned and we played all night. Barbara's mom, aunt and cousin came over and Maggie kept us all on our toes. She continues to amaze us more every day.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

out on the town






Well both yesterday and today we all got out of the house. Maggie is adjusting to her car seat and actually fell asleep in it today. I think we found the only way that she will take a nap. She continues to adjust well and slept from 8 PM last night to 8 AM this morning. Her nanny and the director of the orphonage where she lived told us that her favorite toy is a tricycle, so we bought one for her today. She loves it. However, she can't peddle, and doesn't have any interest in steering, so it is more of a workout for mom and dad. As long as it makes her happy, we can't complain. It was a beautiful today so we spent some time outside riding the tricycle and blowing bubbles. She isn't very good at making bubbles, but gets an A-plus for effort. We have an appointment with the pediatrician on Thursday and meet with the craniofacial surgeon on Friday. We hope she still loves us come this weekend.