The Adoption Seed: Four Weeks Together

Four weeks already?! Seriously...how did that happen?

Lots of firsts this week:

First medical visit which equalled five shots, one TB test, nine vials of blood and seven referrals. It was quite the day but I am super happy to be under the care of a pediatrician that specializes in adoption medicine and L-O-V-E-S Down syndrome...plus he said my kid was cute so clearly he is a genius in all that he does! A cardiology visit will be our top priority as Isaac has a notable murmur. This could be nothing or something big, either way we have the resources available here in town to address it...something he wouldn't have had in China. We are reassured by Isaac's growth and development...he wouldn't be growing if his body wasn't able to compensate for whatever leak he has in his heart, so that is good. While he is growing (almost a pound gained since coming home!) it's hard to truly measure his growth against the normal growth charts, which don't take into account his small Asian build and the Down syndrome stature. With some creative graphing (much like I did through most of sophomore math), his pediatrician put Isaac on the 3rd % for both his height & weight on the "normal" charts. This is great news! Most kiddos with DS don't ever make the normal charts so I am very happy that we don't need to waste any time making up lost ground.

Not a happy day...

First fever of 103! Yikes, this child was on FIRE at 3am. Thankfully, it was a temporary event totally blamed on the 5 shots he got the day before and the new tooth that decided to arrive the same day. We stayed home, cuddled, hung out in the fridge (hey, it worked) and chugged ibuprofen like it was last call (or so I've heard...I don't actually know anything about...last call...)

What can I say? He didn't feel good & condiments fix everything.

First social work visit. Our lovely social worker from the adoption agency made her first visit this week. We had already gotten the "welcome home; just wanted to make sure you aren't freaking out" phone call a few days after we got back. But this visit was to prove that both Isaac and I are indeed alive & doing well. (Reports will be going back to his home country for 5 years!) Isaac was a little cautious...watching the blond haired lady closely, but then he decided he had something to say too and babbled out a story with pointing & gestures that may have given away a family secret or two. I was secretly thankful that he hasn't formed any English words yet!

First going-down-for-nap-in-the-crib-by-himself. Whoa! Isaac co-slept with his foster mom, which wasn't something I tolerated well on our first night together (co-sleeping with Isaac, not his foster mother). So the compromise has been me rocking him to sleep & putting him down in the crib. In China, the crib was next to my bed in the hotel and for the first 7-10 days home-home I slept in Isaac's room so he could see me and there would be no delay in me getting to him if he fussed; he would know that I was there for him and I wasn't leaving (it's an adoption-attachment thing). Our routine for the last 2 weeks or so, is me rocking him to sleep, putting him down, and pulling him into my bed early in the morning when he moans himself awake. We get snuggle time together and 90% of the time he falls back to sleep at my side. Both the rocking & snuggling is time I really enjoy. Turns out...Mr. I'm Attaching Just Fine doesn't need to have rocking time. What's up with that?! I just got you in my arms...I'm not ready to let go!

Surely, rocking with Momma is more comfortable?!

First time away. That's right...Gramma pulled duty this afternoon so I could get my haircut & run to the store. It was the LONGEST THREE HOURS OF MY LIFE. Oh my...I did not see that response coming. Isaac & Gramma of course did great, but I did not like being away. I skipped having my hair styled, forgot half of what I needed at the store and sped home...to a happy kiddo that leaped right into my arms! Yeah! Good attachment for us both. :)

Here are a few random shots from the week. You can see why I love this boy!