First US haircut!!

I guess it was a little over a week ago now that Landon got his first US haircut. My sister Sarah is a hairstylist, so we got to experience this in the comfort of our own home! Landon did great...until the ears- but, what kid likes that part at first? He'll get used to it! Here are a few pics!

Pre-haircut

Buzz up the back! - still a happy camper!

Maybe a chip will help him keep still? ...certainly kept Dakota around!

Love this face!

And, here came the tears... he did not like being trimmed up around the ears! :(

But, in the end, Aunt Sarah got a kiss- it was all okay!

Dakota is asking for her kiss too!

And, a post haircut photo is going to be a video- the next morning, I was able to capture Landon saying "Dakota, Dakota, Dakota" in his funny way. Yes, in the very beginning, he is attacking me with the giant claw toy- thank you for the continual unexpected pinches, Aunt Faith and Aunt Marianne!

One last photo for today. Our ham. Trying to be like his Mr. Potato head...yet again!

Relieved!!!

First of all, thank you to all of you who prayed for Landon's arm, and for those of you who left me such encouraging comments. There were a few I got on our way to the orthopedic specialist this morning, and it really helped to calm my nerves.

We were referred to a specialist this morning to review Landon's x-rays that were taken yesterday, and to also check for something called "nurse maid's elbow." I had never heard of that before, but apparantly, it is something that happens a lot in toddlers between the ages of 2 and 4, and happens when a parent is holding the child by the hand. The child cries initially, and then just lets the arm go limp while "playing" happily, until they try to move it, then they are in pain, and cry. That is exactly what Landon had been doing since we got home from the Dr. yesterday. It was scary. Well, after further review from the specialist, no break! And, yes, it was nurse maid's elbow. Our doctor held his elbow in close to his rib cage, and gently pulled his hand, palm up, towards his shoulder. She felt it pop, and within a few minutes (seconds maybe even) he was moving it, and reaching up at us with his right arm- thank you, Lord! Whew!! It was such a sense of relief, I can't even explain.

Thank you again, to all who were so encouraging and prayed for us. I guess I won't be lending Landon a hand as often. ;)  Lesson learned, that's for sure!  On the bright side (as if him feeling better isn't bright enough), the past 24 hours has given us lots of lap time with him. And, for the first time since bringing Landon home, he woke up in the middle of the night crying- he couldn't roll over, and it hurt when he tried. So, I got to pick him up, and rock him again, and just try to make him feel better. I think it made our bond even stronger.

Side note/question to all my blogger friends: do any of you have a different NY Russian consulate number? Our documents for Landon's registration got forwarded there (we sent them out on Dec. 30th!) and can not get ahold of them to check the status of his case... We have two numbers that the helpful lady in DC gave us, but one is a fax number, and the other one is all automated- no option for a live person.

To Make It Worse...

Today was our pediatrician appointment that was made to catch Landon up on some immunizations he was in need of. About a week and a half ago, we finally got his vaccination records from Russia...we should have had gotten it while we were in Russia on our last trip, but there was a paperwork mix-up, followed by their holiday shut down. I knew he would need some shots- but 8?  From the moment I hung up the phone from making the appointment, I began to wrestle mentally:

The debate in my mind went like this (and these are not listed in any specific order):
1) Trauma: is it more traumatizing to do it all at once? or a few each week? ...do we really have to make him cry over and over for multiple scary shot appointments?
2) Obligation: We verbally "swore" (right hands up) at the embassy in Moscow that within 30 days of arriving in the US we would have all required vaccinations given.
3) Medically ok? Everyone knows all the studies done correlating multiple immunizations at one time and autism...yes, they were just proven to be all falsified studies, but it was still in the back of my head as a scare.
I also thought that the doctors could give them to Landon during an upcoming (still to be scheduled) lil' boy surgery while he was already knocked out, but then I found out they may not be able to perform surgery without proper immunization.

So, after a week of asking friends, reading articles, and just mulling it over in my head, I asked our doctors what they and CHOP recommended- survey said, ALL AT ONCE! Ah!

I should probably note that all yesterday and last night, I had my stomach in knots over this- I was making myself more nervous for him than I probably should have. And, this morning, was the same. But, then, we were riding to the doctor's office, and took a different route, and ended up driving past the church that we first went to for an adoption information meeting last January. It was so neat to drive past that same church a little over a year later, with Landon in the back seat. I momentarily let myself rid of the stress of the day, and just enjoy the fact that we were together.

The dreaded moment (little did we really know) was finally here...we arrived. And while we were in the waiting room Landon walking around, looking out the window at cars, then here, then there. Well, at one point, he tripped (like he does about 20 times a day), and then laid himself down on the floor to be silly. I reached down with my right arm, and grabbed his hand to help him up. I have done this a thousand times before...what made this time any different?

All of the sudden, I felt a pop (like a knuckle crack) and he started crying- like a hurt cry. I can't even tell you how immediately awful I felt. He was hurt! I hurt him! He wouldnt' move his arm, and just cried when we tried to touch it to see if it was okay. About 2 minutes later, we got called back into the room, and my focus went to "what's wrong with his hand?" "what did I do?" rather than the shots. I mean, I still asked the questions, "can you combine any to lessen the # of sticks?" "how many do you recommend at once" etc. etc.... but, all I know was I was beating myself up that my boy was hurting- and it was my fault. I just held him, kissed him, and told him over and over how sorry I was and that I loved him, and just cried through it all. It wasn't pretty. And knowing then, that he had to get shots made it even worse...he was going to double hurt!

Well, he got the shots...all 8 of them in the legs, and he cried. But, I have to say- it was quick...and I wouldn't say 8 hurt anymore than 3 or 4. They were all done in about 15 seconds (they are so good!).  The hurt arm...not so quick to be better.  :(

We took Landon for an x-ray right after that appointment- because he is Vitamin D deficient (we are giving him supplements now), the Dr. said he could have broken his wrist or one of his forearm bones more easily. But, no broken bones- thank God! However, he is still hurting, and not moving his hand too much- not reaching for anything, or using it at all. We keep trying to ice it, but he cries...so, we are just keeping up with the Tylenol and TLC (and ice) as much as we are able to.

You know, ....I love being a mom, but this has got to be the hardest day so far. Seeing your little one in pain, and not being able to make it go away...and since I feel like I made this happen to him, it's even worse.  And, with all these news stories we have been hearing lately on Russian adoptions turning out poorly, and parents being hurtful or neglegent, and knowing there are so many people waiting to return to bring their children home because of those incidents, my mind immediately raced to thoughts like, "oh no, someone's going to think I hurt him" and "this will be in our post placement report." Sigh....

All I know is, I know my heart, I love my boy more than anything, and I would never ever do anything to intentionally hurt him, and it has been really hard letting the guilt go...

I am praying his wrist will continue to heal, and that we will find out what is wrong with it (or, just that it feels better and nothing is wrong!).  And until then, I will just keep doing my best to make him feel better.

First Trip to the Dentist

We are spoiled...and so is Landon! Our dentist (well, hygienist to be more technical) is my sister Laura, and our hair stylist is my sister, Sarah. (No pressure on the nurse thing, Sue!) For those of you who don't know, I have 3 sisters, and all 4 of us have chosen different "service" careers.  My youngest sister, Susan, is a SR in HS, and is going to college next year to become a nurse. Until then, she will be our favorite babysitter. ;)  But, we are spoiled because we get to make trips to get our hair cut and teeth cleaned into fun days out! ...and, now so does Landon!

This made Landon's first trip to the dentist not nearly as frightening as it could be for a little kid, because he already knew his hygienist, his Aunt Laura, and was very comfortable with her looking into his mouth! She is so good with kids, and he loves to brush his teeth...good recipe for success!

Here are a few adorable pictures from his first dentist visit:

First, Aunt Laura put a glove on Landon's hand and let him feel her teeth!

He is too funny- saying "ahhh!" while sticking his tongue out

Ahhhh!

What a good boy!

All done! :)





CHOP Visit Update

Yes, I know- 3rd post in a day. I can't sleep, so I thought I'd catch everyone up. :)

Overall, our visit to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's International Adoption Clinic went really well. We were able to meet the Dr. that did all of Landon's medical evaluations from the reports we initially received with our referral. He is doing great given his history...in my opinion (as biased as it may be) anyway.

Gross motor skills: 22-24 months (he is 25 months old, in case you were wondering) :0)
Fine motor skills: 18-20 months...not bad, especially since some of the things they tried to get him to do, I know he can! He was just really distracted with the room...all the new equipment to play with, and a new bag of toys!
Speech: They didn't give us a month-month range on this one- they said he is delayed, but that is to be expected now during this language transition. So, we need to take him back in 3 months to see how many words he knows then. If he is still struggling, then we can have an early interventionist come out to our house.
**Sidenote here: I am SO excited to report that our boy can point to over 30 different pictures in a First 100 Words books we have here! And, he follows all of our commands (unless he thinks there is something more fun to do....haha). And, he does try to say many words. They aren't enunciated properly...but that will come. Maybe one of these days I will catch him saying, "Dakota Dakota" on video...it's hilarious! I can do a pretty good imitation, but I'll spare you. ;)

After our medical/speech/occupational evals, we were sent down  to the 3rd floor for a chest x-ray (previous thymus issue...confirmed gone! yeah!), and then down to the 2nd floor for bloodwork- 8 viles! boo!. The lady told us that only one parent could come in with him. I really wanted to be there to hold my boy and to comfort him, but I also know how strong he is, and I knew Greg would be the one best suited to hold him still if he started to "wiggle."  I nervously waited in the waiting room, listening as closely as I could to see if I could here, "Good job!" or "Wow! He's doing great" - those were the things I was praying I'd hear. But, then...yes, you guessed it- the blood curtling scream! I couldn't take it. Everything inside me wanted to run into that room. My eyes started burning with tears, and I had this horrible tightness in my chest. I kept thinking, my baby is hurting, and I can't help him! It was awful. Thank God, 2 minutes later, Greg walked out, with Landon in arms, and said, "We did great, Mommy!" (did he think I didn't hear? was he trying to make me feel better? was he trying to convince Landon? who knows), followed by...."Better than you usually do!" followed by fellow waiting room residents chuckling at my expense- thanks, hun! ...and off we went! Phew! Finally! 2 hours later, we were going home!

Anyway, the reports are all in- bloodwork was all good....except a deficiency in Vitamin D. Given the fact that we heard Landon wasn't given milk, we weren't surprised. He has finally warmed up to whole milk, and we are also giving him supplements. We also have a lot of vaccinations to catch him up on....ah, the big choice- how many to give him next Wednesday when we go back to the pediatrician...I've said this more than once in the past month: "I wish there was an answer key!"  Well, close enough, we have our moms to ask. ;)

We do also have to take him for 2 more blood tests...one in 3 weeks, and one in 5 weeks. (just follow up checks on his levels and possible late appearing viruses) Poor guy!!!

All in all, clean bill of health! Thank you, Lord!

Up next on the blogging agenda...1st visit to the dentist and 1st haircut! ...and since tomorrow will be our first night out, first babysitting experience... thank goodnesss for good aunts!

Favorite Pictures from Trip 1

Day 1

Landon feeling Daddy's chin just about 2 minutes into our meeting

The first time I held my boy!

Couldn't wipe the smile off my face!

Or off of their faces!



Day 2

Nothing sweeter than seeing the love in Greg's eyes!

I know this was the first time Landon rode this bike the right way. He kept pushing it from behind...many of the toys over there had strings tied to them...I was assuming so the kids could play more independently with them. :(

Day 3

Popping Daddy's cheeks

A family photo!

Though this only lasted a moment, I loved it! Now, I get minutes on end rocking him to bed each night! Wouldn't trade that for anything!

Time is FLYING!!

I can't believe we have been home for almost 5 weeks now, and reunited with our boy for 6! I only have a little over a week to stay home with him full time, so I can't help but wish I could slow down time! But, I keep reminding myself that he will be with his daddy for at least half of the days each week, and in wonderful care at our dear friend Kristen's house the other 2-3 days a week. Then, come June 13th (praying for no more snow days!!), I will be home for the summer with Landon again. I know teachers do have the summer to be thankful for, and that I do not take for granted. But, I am going to have to get used to leaving work at work when I return...I used to work for at least 2-3 hours each night, grading papers, making powerpoint lessons, lesson plans...you name it. And now, I won't be able to do that...well, at least not until after 8:30 each night.

To keep myself from getting too sad to leave Landon, I keep thinking of all the fun things we will be able to do with Landon this Spring.  We can take him to Phillies games which is top of my list of things I am looking forward to, second to the ZOO, and Daddy's church softball games! ...no keeping score this year for me! And, I am also looking forward to just going to the park right up the road after work during the warmer spring weather and playing with Landon...who LOVES to be outside!
When reading a fellow blog friend's post from today, it reminded me that many of you have not seen photos or videos from our times we spent first visiting Landon in the orphanage. So, I started browsing through the many photos trying to decide which ones I should post...and I came across a video that our friend Steve made for us after we came home from our first trip. It was about 15 minutes of video and photo set to music...songs that would make you cry without the photos' help! So, I hit play, and began to watch...yes, tears again- but different tears this time. THIS time watching the video I had my son in my lap watching too. I will never forget how hard those months in between trips were. I truly felt like I left a piece of me in another world...and I had. And, I just close my eyes, and thank God that I can hold him, and hug him, and kiss him now. Some words to one of the songs I used to listen to all the time during those months ring loud and clear, "There'll come a day when I can hold you and say it's forever" - yes, we are living in that now! And, it makes me so happy and grateful!