On March 10th, Addison celebrated her 2nd Birthday! We are so thankful that she was at home with her forever family on her special day. She had a great day, with lots of presents. She was a little overwhelmed by the whole celebration, however she loved hearing us sing "Happy Birthday." Today she kept trying to get me to sing it to her again.
Addison continues to blossom. She is saying more words and learning more signs everday. Her favorite thing to say right now is "Alright!" Her lip surgery is scheduled for the 24th of March. We can't wait to have these initial surgeries behind us.
This Friday, Addison gets to meet her Aunt Lori, Uncle Brian and cousins Gavin and Landon. We are excited to have them visit us. We can't wait to show them around DC.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
DC Tourists
We have made a resolution to try and take advantage of this beautiful area by visiting different DC/VA attractions. This weekend we visited the US Air Force Memorial.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
The Zoo
Last week we took the kids to the zoo. The weather was nice and we thought we would use the opportunity to run some enegery out of Addison. Her nights are better, but not the best. She still wants to sleep in bed with us, but at least she isn't screaming all night long. The next surgery is scheduled for the 24th of March. We hope that we can get her nights figured out before then. During the day she is the same old cute, loving Addison. Nathan is doing good as well.
The great thing is that we FINALLY got to see the Panda Bears. Everytime we have been up there it was too hot for them to be outside. We only got a quick glimpse, but they were so cute to watch!
The great thing is that we FINALLY got to see the Panda Bears. Everytime we have been up there it was too hot for them to be outside. We only got a quick glimpse, but they were so cute to watch!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
"I've never seen......"
Since Nathan's birth almost 8 years ago we have heard several Drs. utter the words - "I have never seen that happen," or "It is very rare," or "Only a very small chance of that happening." Of course every time those words are uttered it happens to Nathan. We really didn't expect the same for Addison.
As you know, Addison had her palate repaired and lip adhered last week. Before we left the hospital I said to the surgeon "You know Addison's lip split when she was in China, what are the chances of that happening again?" That is when he uttered the words, "I have never seen a lip split open...even during my years of residency." We think the world of our surgeon and believe him to be a very caring man, he just didn't know that those words shouldn't be uttered around us.
The first few nights home were rough, but we figured it would only get better. Sadly it didn't. When the sun goes down a totally different Addison comes out. Addison is usually very loving and easy going, but at night a switch seems to flip. She screams and hits and kicks and then throws herself to me to be held tight. She only wants me....no one else, but at the same time the comfort I give her only lasts a little while. She (and I) have only been averaging a total of three hours of sleep each night - an that is total not consecutive. We do not believe she is in pain since she is find through out the day, we believe she is experiencing some sort of post tramatic stress from her time in China.
By the weekend we noticed her lip was coming apart. We called the on call plastic surgeon who have us some recommendations and told us to call our surgeon first thing Monday morning. In the meantime we tried melatonin, benadryl and tylone with codine to help her sleep. None of it worked. By Monday her lip was ripped up to her nose. We got an appt. for today - the 6th.
Today, Bob took Addison so I could get some much needed sleep. The surgeon was shocked to see how much her lip had come apart. Bob told him that we should have warned him about uttering those words to us. He really felt bad that Addison had to have gone through all of this. He too agreed that we were dealing with much more than pain. He spoke with the chief of anesthesia who told him that the only thing we could give her would be valium. So tonight we are going to try and see if that works. We pray that it doesn, not only for now but because she will be having another surgery in a couple of months. When they do the total lip repair/revision her lip will once again be at risk for seperation. So if we can keep her calm it will allow her to heal properly.
The good news is that her palate looks great. So far there are no fistulas and we hope that it stays that way.
I posted some pics of my families visit. We had a great time while they were here.
As you know, Addison had her palate repaired and lip adhered last week. Before we left the hospital I said to the surgeon "You know Addison's lip split when she was in China, what are the chances of that happening again?" That is when he uttered the words, "I have never seen a lip split open...even during my years of residency." We think the world of our surgeon and believe him to be a very caring man, he just didn't know that those words shouldn't be uttered around us.
The first few nights home were rough, but we figured it would only get better. Sadly it didn't. When the sun goes down a totally different Addison comes out. Addison is usually very loving and easy going, but at night a switch seems to flip. She screams and hits and kicks and then throws herself to me to be held tight. She only wants me....no one else, but at the same time the comfort I give her only lasts a little while. She (and I) have only been averaging a total of three hours of sleep each night - an that is total not consecutive. We do not believe she is in pain since she is find through out the day, we believe she is experiencing some sort of post tramatic stress from her time in China.
By the weekend we noticed her lip was coming apart. We called the on call plastic surgeon who have us some recommendations and told us to call our surgeon first thing Monday morning. In the meantime we tried melatonin, benadryl and tylone with codine to help her sleep. None of it worked. By Monday her lip was ripped up to her nose. We got an appt. for today - the 6th.
Today, Bob took Addison so I could get some much needed sleep. The surgeon was shocked to see how much her lip had come apart. Bob told him that we should have warned him about uttering those words to us. He really felt bad that Addison had to have gone through all of this. He too agreed that we were dealing with much more than pain. He spoke with the chief of anesthesia who told him that the only thing we could give her would be valium. So tonight we are going to try and see if that works. We pray that it doesn, not only for now but because she will be having another surgery in a couple of months. When they do the total lip repair/revision her lip will once again be at risk for seperation. So if we can keep her calm it will allow her to heal properly.
The good news is that her palate looks great. So far there are no fistulas and we hope that it stays that way.
I posted some pics of my families visit. We had a great time while they were here.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Home
We were allowed to come home with Addison late last night. The surgery went well, even though we got a really late start. We were told that Addison's surgery was scheduled to start at 10am. We arrived at the hospital at 7am. Then we waited and waited and waited. Finally someone came to tell us that her surgery had been pushed back for one hour. So we waited another hour, then another 45 minutes, then another 30 and finally at around 2pm the surgeon met with us. Apparently the scheduling dept. messed up his schedule for the day and all along the sugery wasn't suppposed to start until 2. He was very apolgetic and annoyed at the people who gave us the incorrect info. We were very frustrated since Addison hadn't eaten since the night before nor had she really had anything significant to drink since 6am.
The surgery took about four hours. The ENTs put the tubes in her ears. They said she had a lot of fluid but they cleared that all out. The plastic surgeon then closed her palate and did the lip adhesion. After the surgery the surgeon told us that Addison had the widest cleft he had ever repaired. He went on to say that he felt that he did a good job, but that there was still a risk for her forming a fistula since it was so wide.
Addison had a pretty rough night. She was fine as along as she was lying in my lap on a recliner. By mid morning she was close to her old self. The surgeon finally came and checked up on Addison at 6pm. He seemed happy with the way she was doing and sent us home. We had really great care at Children's and the patient rooms were incredible. The new rooms have only been used since the end of November. We had a single room with bed for the parents and a private bath plus a flat screen tv.
I have posted a couple of pics from before the surgery and right after. I am going to try to get some new ones up tomorrow since the swelling is finally going down. She is doing pretty good. She is just so frustrated by the fact she can't eat whatever she wants and has thrown a few tantrums. It is only for three weeks, I know she can do it.
Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Surgery Tomorrow, Excitement Today
I was hoping that we would have pics of our family before Addison's surgery tomorrow. We planned on taking some last minute shots, but Nathan decided to change that. He had been sick all last week. Well today at noon he started having difficulty breathing...bad enough to warrant a call to 911 and an ambulance ride to the ER. They did xrays, bloodwork, breathing treatments, etc. and determined he had pneumonia. After being there a few hours he started to perk up. Since we have a mini hospital at the house the Drs. allowed us to come home. He needs around the clock neb treatments and antibiotics, all stuff we can do here.
We are thankful that they allowed us to come home because I am not sure how we would have worked it out having two kids in two different hospitals spread across the city. So we hope Nathan does well tonight and that Bob and I will be at least semi-rested for tomorrow. Thankfully my mom is here and has been very helpful in watching Addison. She will be home with Nathan tomorrow ---- as well as Nathan's nurse. He will be in good hands.
Addison thankfully is very healthy and blissfully unaware of what is going to happen tomorrow. We think Nathan was jealous of all the attention and wanted to remind us that he is still here. So we ask for prayers for both our kids and the Drs. who will be working on Addison tomorrow.
I don't think Bob and I would know what to do without stress in our lives. I am sure after things settle down we will need a vacation!!
We will try to update everyone as soon as possible. Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes.
We are thankful that they allowed us to come home because I am not sure how we would have worked it out having two kids in two different hospitals spread across the city. So we hope Nathan does well tonight and that Bob and I will be at least semi-rested for tomorrow. Thankfully my mom is here and has been very helpful in watching Addison. She will be home with Nathan tomorrow ---- as well as Nathan's nurse. He will be in good hands.
Addison thankfully is very healthy and blissfully unaware of what is going to happen tomorrow. We think Nathan was jealous of all the attention and wanted to remind us that he is still here. So we ask for prayers for both our kids and the Drs. who will be working on Addison tomorrow.
I don't think Bob and I would know what to do without stress in our lives. I am sure after things settle down we will need a vacation!!
We will try to update everyone as soon as possible. Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Update
I know everyone has been waiting patiently for an update --- I think the pic of Addison explains why I haven't had time to sit down for more than a minute in the past few weeks:-)
Addison continues to blossom. She is trying to say a few more words. Usually if we sing it a little song she mimics the words back to us. A lot of it is not clear, but it is a good sign she is trying. We are hoping that after the surgery her speech will take off. Right now the surgery is scheduled for the 28th of Jan. The surgeon will do a partial lip adhesion and close the palate. The ENTs will place tubes in Addison's ears so that the fluid behind her ears will be able to drain. Right now her hearing isn't normal but we are hoping that once the fluid is cleared up she will hear within the normal limits. Please send prayers and good thoughts that she will stay healthy up to and through the surgery.
One big downside of the surgery is Addison will have to wear arm braces for three weeks so that she doesn't accidentally stick something in her mouth that will harm the repair. She will be able to move her arms up and down, but won't be able to bend them. She loves to get into EVERYTHING and I know she will be so frustrated with the no no's on. Most parents say that their kids adapt and we are hoping the same will be true of Addison.
Nathan continues to do well. He is really enjoying school. Thankfully he has been healthier this year. I think in part it has to do with our visit with the immunologist and catching things earlier.
We have also been busy with visitors. My sister and parents are visiting. The good news is that Addison is doing really well with all of them. She is still a little hesitant around my Dad, but she is that way around all men. She has asked him for "sugars" which is a great sign.
I will post more pics later this week. Thanks for checking the blog. I love to read the comments - so please feel free to post them!
Addison continues to blossom. She is trying to say a few more words. Usually if we sing it a little song she mimics the words back to us. A lot of it is not clear, but it is a good sign she is trying. We are hoping that after the surgery her speech will take off. Right now the surgery is scheduled for the 28th of Jan. The surgeon will do a partial lip adhesion and close the palate. The ENTs will place tubes in Addison's ears so that the fluid behind her ears will be able to drain. Right now her hearing isn't normal but we are hoping that once the fluid is cleared up she will hear within the normal limits. Please send prayers and good thoughts that she will stay healthy up to and through the surgery.
One big downside of the surgery is Addison will have to wear arm braces for three weeks so that she doesn't accidentally stick something in her mouth that will harm the repair. She will be able to move her arms up and down, but won't be able to bend them. She loves to get into EVERYTHING and I know she will be so frustrated with the no no's on. Most parents say that their kids adapt and we are hoping the same will be true of Addison.
Nathan continues to do well. He is really enjoying school. Thankfully he has been healthier this year. I think in part it has to do with our visit with the immunologist and catching things earlier.
We have also been busy with visitors. My sister and parents are visiting. The good news is that Addison is doing really well with all of them. She is still a little hesitant around my Dad, but she is that way around all men. She has asked him for "sugars" which is a great sign.
I will post more pics later this week. Thanks for checking the blog. I love to read the comments - so please feel free to post them!
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