You Have Come A Long Way Baby!

The other day I pulled out Isabella's referral pictures. It seems like a lifetime ago that we got the call and this was the first glimpse of our daughter. We were so happy until the pediatrician we contacted gave us the "dooms day" prognosis. She told us that Isabella would not ever be able to learn, had a massive stroke, and probably had horrible hydrocephalus. I cried and cried. I couldn't believe it. She seemed to have such a spark in her eyes. Then we contacted Dr. Ochs. He told us he just could not believe the prognosis especially looking at her progress on her medical reports. He said yes she could have had a stoke, massive, not likely, and that China would not keep hydrocephalus or other major impairment a secret from us, intentionally.

We just knew she was our daughter, accepted the referral, and a few short weeks later received updated pictures of her, walking! Her arm was fine, she was making progress. The "febrile seizures" concerned us, as they seemed to be so much more than a simple febrile seizure, but we would deal with that once home. She had only had 2 both times with a fever. Now we know she was predisposed to bigger seizures whether the DTaP triggered it or if she would have developed them on her own, who knows. I am happy she had the first big one here and not in China where she may have died.

Ballerina Baby

I love the Ballet, my favorite childhood book was Ballet Shoes (Does anyone remember the shoes books: skater shoes, dancer shoes...) So of course I am going to dress my not so girly girl up in a ballerina outfit. First of all she refused to wear the tiara so Tigger had to wear it....she wanted to climb instead of dance (she prefers club music to dance to and I was playing waltz of the flowers)...but look at how well she gets that leg up. All I need is a mirror and a Barr and we can start with the lessons. Anyways, enjoy the pictures.

Daycare

Izzy had her first days of daycare this week. I think it stressed both of us. We have had a lot going on this week with doctors, interviews, and trying to work a little. I don't really feel like talking about it right now, not that you guys come here for my witty commentary, so pics from daycare. These are courtesy of my friend Michelle and the daycare teachers.

The Daycare Stalker

Have you ever seen those moms that just can't let go? Even thought their child is happily playing with the other children they hang around just out of sight, waiting, hoping, their child will miss them....Well that was me today the daycare stalker. I think one of the children even told their teacher that a strange woman was watching them in the bushes. One family came to check out the daycare and I was hiding behind a bush as they arrived and left so I explained I was only stalking my own child so it is okay.

Izzy did okay for her 2 hour stint at daycare. Earlier in the week she spent about an hour there, Monday she will spend 4 hours and Wed. 6 hours. She is learning to drink from an open cup and how to dump it out and play in the water so they just give her a little bit at a time. We came home after snack and had lunch and then it was nap time. This is where she had a major meltdown. Naptime at daycare should be fun as well as she will be on a mat and for now at home she is in a crib.

It is hard to let go. I waited so long for her; I hate the thought of going back to work and leaving her. I know that she needs to be with other children and in a learning environment, but this is hard.


In the bushes

Sneaking up to the door

Interrupting snack time

How many of you guys have ever given a 2 year old pills? Can you believe that the Synthroid needed to treat Izzy's hypothyroidism only comes in pill form? Yes I was told to crush it and put it in water to drink....well that is not happening so I had to put it in a very small amount of applesauce, yeah we will see how it goes in the morning because she didn't want applesauce the rest of the day after that.

Also she will need Growth hormone we just don't know when. They think her messed up GH can be affecting the seizures. The good news is that all of this should definitely qualify her for the special ed pre-k and then she can get the therapy she needs and catch up. Early steps is making a home visit today.