May 3, 2006
I will start off with Kai. He has now been home for about 3 1/2 weeks. I can't even begin to describe how this little guy has just bloomed by leaps and bounds. He is such a happy little boy! His huge smile can light up a room. We've yet to meet a person who has not been charmed by him. As many of you had read in my journal, my biggest fears had been attachment. The Lord blessed us immensely. He is on his way to being very well attached. He recognizes Mama as his nurturer and comforter when he is sick or hurt, and definitely knows that Mama is where the food is. :) Daddy is definitely the big playmate and the one he does all the wrestling and jumping and leaping with....along with his big sister, Amanda! Everyday he learns something new, and is so very proud of his accomplishments...as are we.
My favorite time of day with Kai is putting him to bed. Yes...strange, huh? After those posts that I dreaded night time! We have gotten into a routine. I bathe him, which he now loves and joyously shrieks as water sprays everywhere in the bathroom! Then, I wrap him up in a big, warm towel and carry him over to the rocking chair where a warm bottle with milk and cereal awaits. As we rock in the dimmed light, he drinks his milk while I sing to him. This definitely tones him down and prepares him for bed. Then I lay him down and selecting individual body parts at a time, I massage him with baby lotion....put on his diaper, his pj's and snuggle him up again in his blankie. Then, it's back to the rocker....where then I sing and we make eye contact, smile, snuggle and kiss until he falls asleep. I then carry him to his crib, lay him down and he is out for the night!
As to his physical status, he is doing quite well. We've received the results of half of his MANY blood tests and they all came back normal, with the exception that he is a bit low in a iron. We are working on this and were not surprised with those results. He now has a slew of doctors to go to, beginning tomorrow with the ENT (ear, nose and throat) and on Friday will have his first screening for Early Intervention, which will include OT (occupational therapy) PT (physical therapy) and ST (speech therapy). Unfortunately, we were not able to get the consultation with the cleft team until July 10, but he is doing great in that aspect. Sometimes I totally forget he has an open palate. He eats anything and everything. I just have to monitor how much he stuffs in his mouth at once. :)
Now, onto our little guy....AJ! What a cutie patootie! This little guy is growing like a weed. His umbilical cord fell on March 26, only 4 days after he was born! While we were in China he gained 3 pounds!! He is still on that 3.5 - 4 hour schedule, both day and night....but is really a good boy. He's rarely fussy except when he's really tired! Kai loves giving him kisses and tickling his toesies! He has outgrown the newborn diapers and is in a size one now. He is also outgrowing those 0-3 months clothes and quickly working his way into 3-6 month clothes. AJ's favorite part of the day is his bath! He loves it! He could lay there all day having warm water poured on him if I let him. He also loves snuggling up to my or Scott's chest and falling asleep. Amanda did it the other day and she was so proud of herself!
The family has definitely gotten into a routine now. Scott is an awesome Daddy who continues, against my protests, to get up in the middle of the night to help out...ok, only a small amount of protesting. Amanda is adjusting to not being the only child at home and has quickly learned the ropes of how to care for two little ones, and I have gotten to really know my boys since they've been home. I love that I know all their little quirks and secrets to calming them down or making them smile! Life is good and there's no better job in the world than being a Mom!!
Enjoy the pictures!
Video Time!
Kai playing with Dad...and a towel!