"There's only one pretty child in the world & every mother has it."
- Chinese Proverb
Monday, August 22, 2011
I Confess
I have a problem. I continue to stop and stare at my son and I come away with the same feeling every time: He is the most beautiful little boy in the world.
Friday, August 19, 2011
IAC 191 Results
The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 191 which was held on 07/22/11:
1) German dossier from 2008 referred a male child aged 1 year and 8 months with data on passenger (?) health problems
2) Dutch dossier from 2008 referred a female child aged 4 years and 8 months
3) German dossier from 2008 referred a male child aged 3 years and 2 months
4) Italian dossier from 2008 referred a female child aged 4 years and 5 months
5) French dossier from 2008 referred a male child aged 3 years and 9 months
6) Italian dossier from 2009 referred a male child aged 5 years and 10 months
7) Spanish dossier from 2009 referred a female child aged 7 years
8) French dossier from 2010 referred a male child aged 8 years and 6 months, with specifics to the NDP
9) U.S. dossier from 2011 referred a waiting child (#797) with a profile on the MOJ site
10) U.S. dossier from 2011 referred a waiting child (#1367) with a profile on the MOJ site
1) German dossier from 2008 referred a male child aged 1 year and 8 months with data on passenger (?) health problems
2) Dutch dossier from 2008 referred a female child aged 4 years and 8 months
3) German dossier from 2008 referred a male child aged 3 years and 2 months
4) Italian dossier from 2008 referred a female child aged 4 years and 5 months
5) French dossier from 2008 referred a male child aged 3 years and 9 months
6) Italian dossier from 2009 referred a male child aged 5 years and 10 months
7) Spanish dossier from 2009 referred a female child aged 7 years
8) French dossier from 2010 referred a male child aged 8 years and 6 months, with specifics to the NDP
9) U.S. dossier from 2011 referred a waiting child (#797) with a profile on the MOJ site
10) U.S. dossier from 2011 referred a waiting child (#1367) with a profile on the MOJ site
SOS If You Can
I have removed this post due to concerns over jeopardizing adoptions from this country.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Rex - Three Weeks Home
Today marks three weeks home and five weeks out of the orphanage for Rex. I am happy to report progress despite the fact that we have been so busy visiting doctors and beginning therapies.
Rex’s raging has decreased tremendously. It’s usually just one short rage a day now and even that seems half-hearted at times and can be about something typically toddler like not wanting to go to sleep. I have learned to watch for Rex’s cues of overloading (slapping his face, lightly banging his head) and am often able to diffuse the moment by holding him or distracting him or singing to him. I have also learned to expect his worst behavior after an outing away from home or in the mornings when he and I are alone and am now able to prepare myself mentally and emotionally for those hours. One thing that seems to be helping Rex greatly with self-regulation is deep pressure massage of the limbs. This method was suggested by the therapist at our local International Adoption Center and I am so thankful for her advice. Next week at OT I am also going to learn a brushing massage technique that I believe will benefit Rex as well.
This week we have begun working actively on sensory integration and motor skills. We are practicing stacking blocks and will soon approach the putting things in/away. He is a genius at taking things out already! Rex's favorite toy continues to be a thick piece of cardboard that he carries everywhere and sometimes even holds during meals. We are so fortunate that we have experienced adopters as our neighbors and friends. They have lent us a number of sensory toys, including a tent tube that Rex loves. Being in there is so good for his vestibular and proprioceptive development and he has fun. The same goes for the swing which Rex initially rejected, but now enjoys fiercely. He cannot go fast enough or high enough and laughs out loud for all the world to hear.
Rex continues to be a good eater though I think control and preferences are now coming into play where he may refuse a food from me and then take it from Craig or refuse a food altogether. Rex is a carb-lover, so he has a sandwich with various toppings for lunch every day. He also enjoys homemade mashed potatoes and waffles/pancakes. He’s not much interested in drinking milk, but he loves yogurt. He also doesn’t go for diced fresh fruit yet, but he enjoys the pureed variety. Rex still sleeps through the night about ten solid hours, but only briefly naps during the day, so no real break for me. Bath time continues to be a struggle, but we are experimenting with a number of things to see if they will ease Rex’s fears.
Interaction skills and attachment are improving. We believe that Rex now distinguishes us from other people. He reaches up his arms when he wants to be picked up and he will hold our hands and fingers and lead us around, usually to nowhere in particular, so it’s more about the journey than the destination. Rex allows us to comfort him when he has been hurt and loves to snuggle when he is sleepy. He often falls asleep in our arms or on top of our chests and will wake up if we try to move him, so we have learned to nap or read or work with 28 pounds of weight on us. Rex does prefer his daddy right now, but I read that this is rather common among children adopted at the toddler stage.
The specialists at the International Adoption Center suggested that while a routine at home is important, Rex also needs to be challenged, so trips to the grocery store, walks at the park, and, of course, all of our medical and therapy appointments are part of what we do. Last night we had my sister-in-law and our three nephews over for dinner and some play and everyone had a wonderful time. Rex kept mostly to the sidelines for their visit, but he remained calm and observant and on occasion even engaged.
Parenting Rex is a challenge and a great reward. Rex’s joyful, interested, alert and gleeful personality is emerging and we cannot wait to see more. We know this child was meant for us as he needs us to grow and we need him for the same reason.
Rex’s raging has decreased tremendously. It’s usually just one short rage a day now and even that seems half-hearted at times and can be about something typically toddler like not wanting to go to sleep. I have learned to watch for Rex’s cues of overloading (slapping his face, lightly banging his head) and am often able to diffuse the moment by holding him or distracting him or singing to him. I have also learned to expect his worst behavior after an outing away from home or in the mornings when he and I are alone and am now able to prepare myself mentally and emotionally for those hours. One thing that seems to be helping Rex greatly with self-regulation is deep pressure massage of the limbs. This method was suggested by the therapist at our local International Adoption Center and I am so thankful for her advice. Next week at OT I am also going to learn a brushing massage technique that I believe will benefit Rex as well.
This week we have begun working actively on sensory integration and motor skills. We are practicing stacking blocks and will soon approach the putting things in/away. He is a genius at taking things out already! Rex's favorite toy continues to be a thick piece of cardboard that he carries everywhere and sometimes even holds during meals. We are so fortunate that we have experienced adopters as our neighbors and friends. They have lent us a number of sensory toys, including a tent tube that Rex loves. Being in there is so good for his vestibular and proprioceptive development and he has fun. The same goes for the swing which Rex initially rejected, but now enjoys fiercely. He cannot go fast enough or high enough and laughs out loud for all the world to hear.
Rex continues to be a good eater though I think control and preferences are now coming into play where he may refuse a food from me and then take it from Craig or refuse a food altogether. Rex is a carb-lover, so he has a sandwich with various toppings for lunch every day. He also enjoys homemade mashed potatoes and waffles/pancakes. He’s not much interested in drinking milk, but he loves yogurt. He also doesn’t go for diced fresh fruit yet, but he enjoys the pureed variety. Rex still sleeps through the night about ten solid hours, but only briefly naps during the day, so no real break for me. Bath time continues to be a struggle, but we are experimenting with a number of things to see if they will ease Rex’s fears.
Interaction skills and attachment are improving. We believe that Rex now distinguishes us from other people. He reaches up his arms when he wants to be picked up and he will hold our hands and fingers and lead us around, usually to nowhere in particular, so it’s more about the journey than the destination. Rex allows us to comfort him when he has been hurt and loves to snuggle when he is sleepy. He often falls asleep in our arms or on top of our chests and will wake up if we try to move him, so we have learned to nap or read or work with 28 pounds of weight on us. Rex does prefer his daddy right now, but I read that this is rather common among children adopted at the toddler stage.
The specialists at the International Adoption Center suggested that while a routine at home is important, Rex also needs to be challenged, so trips to the grocery store, walks at the park, and, of course, all of our medical and therapy appointments are part of what we do. Last night we had my sister-in-law and our three nephews over for dinner and some play and everyone had a wonderful time. Rex kept mostly to the sidelines for their visit, but he remained calm and observant and on occasion even engaged.
Parenting Rex is a challenge and a great reward. Rex’s joyful, interested, alert and gleeful personality is emerging and we cannot wait to see more. We know this child was meant for us as he needs us to grow and we need him for the same reason.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Medical Update - Rex
Over the last week, Rex has had many medical appointments and seen a number of specialists and we have learned quite a bit about him.
At 29 months old now, Rex weighs 28 pounds, is 33.5 inches tall, and has a head circumference of 49 cm. The IA physician who has been monitoring him for us is very pleased with his growth. Rex nearly starved to death in infancy and was then below the second percentile on US growth charts for height and weight. He is now above the 30th percentile for weight and at the fourth percentile for height. He does not have any current infections or intestinal parasites.
At 29 months old, Rex’s gross motor skills are at the level of a 16-months-old, his fine motor skills are at the level of a 10-months-old, his speech is at the level of a 9-months-old and his social-emotional-personal development is at the level of a 6-months-old. So, it is true what Craig and I have been saying to each other for four weeks: we are presented with the special challenge of parenting an infant who currently inhabits a toddler’s body.
Rex starts private occupational therapy next week which will initially focus on working on his sensory issues. He will also be evaluated for private physical and speech therapy soon. He is starting OT/PT/ST through our county’s free early childhood development program this month as well. Rex’s first surgery is scheduled for September 12 and more tests are in progress right now to get answers regarding some of his developmental gaps. It’s going to be a very busy remainder of 2011 for us, but we will do whatever it takes to help our little guy overcome his delays.
For everyone who will be getting to know Rex before this year is over, please do not expect him to behave like a typically developing child. He may look nearly size-appropriate for his chronological age, but he cannot interact, communicate, pay attention, play, or regulate his emotions like most two-and-a-half-year olds. Please just meet him wherever he is when you see him and love him for who he is right now and always, our perfect Armenian angel.
At 29 months old now, Rex weighs 28 pounds, is 33.5 inches tall, and has a head circumference of 49 cm. The IA physician who has been monitoring him for us is very pleased with his growth. Rex nearly starved to death in infancy and was then below the second percentile on US growth charts for height and weight. He is now above the 30th percentile for weight and at the fourth percentile for height. He does not have any current infections or intestinal parasites.
At 29 months old, Rex’s gross motor skills are at the level of a 16-months-old, his fine motor skills are at the level of a 10-months-old, his speech is at the level of a 9-months-old and his social-emotional-personal development is at the level of a 6-months-old. So, it is true what Craig and I have been saying to each other for four weeks: we are presented with the special challenge of parenting an infant who currently inhabits a toddler’s body.
Rex starts private occupational therapy next week which will initially focus on working on his sensory issues. He will also be evaluated for private physical and speech therapy soon. He is starting OT/PT/ST through our county’s free early childhood development program this month as well. Rex’s first surgery is scheduled for September 12 and more tests are in progress right now to get answers regarding some of his developmental gaps. It’s going to be a very busy remainder of 2011 for us, but we will do whatever it takes to help our little guy overcome his delays.
For everyone who will be getting to know Rex before this year is over, please do not expect him to behave like a typically developing child. He may look nearly size-appropriate for his chronological age, but he cannot interact, communicate, pay attention, play, or regulate his emotions like most two-and-a-half-year olds. Please just meet him wherever he is when you see him and love him for who he is right now and always, our perfect Armenian angel.
Friday, August 12, 2011
IAC 190 Results
The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 190 which was held on 07/19/11:
1) Spanish dossier from 2008 referred a male child aged 4 years and 5 months
2) U.S. dossier from 2009 referred a female child aged 2 years and 8 months with specificities in health status
3) U.S. dossier from 2009 referred a a female child aged 3 years and 2 months, data characteristics and family history in the NDP
4) Italian dossier from 2010 referred a male child aged 7 years and 4 months
5) Italian dossier from 2010 referred a a female child aged 6 years 5 months, data characteristics and family history in the NDP
6) Swedish dossier from 2011 referred a waiting child (#1528) with a profile on the MOJ site
1) Spanish dossier from 2008 referred a male child aged 4 years and 5 months
2) U.S. dossier from 2009 referred a female child aged 2 years and 8 months with specificities in health status
3) U.S. dossier from 2009 referred a a female child aged 3 years and 2 months, data characteristics and family history in the NDP
4) Italian dossier from 2010 referred a male child aged 7 years and 4 months
5) Italian dossier from 2010 referred a a female child aged 6 years 5 months, data characteristics and family history in the NDP
6) Swedish dossier from 2011 referred a waiting child (#1528) with a profile on the MOJ site
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