Another adoption milestone met :)

I keep meaning to post more on our main blog but I keep thinking of things that are relevant to Dasha/adoption so here’s another post for this blog.

Last night I used the last paper towel on the roll.  So, of course, I gave the empty to Dashyln to use as a trumpet.  As I walked past her, she leaned forward and I bumped into the roll she was holding, snacking it into her little mouth.  I stopped and waited to see what she would do.  Usually she pauses and keeps doing what she was doing.  Last night she cried!  And reached her little arms up for me to pick her up!  Kids that live in orphanages sometimes don’t acknowlege pain or discomfort or sadness because nobody rushes to comfort them or give hugs even if they do.  This was the first time Dashlyn asked for comfort and KNEW she would get it.  That’s huge!  It means she’s trusting us to take care of her and knowing that we’ll be there for her.  I do love this girl!

ENT appt – check!

Yesterday was our princess’ hearing check and ear health check.  She did not pass the hearing test.  The audiologist thought it may be due to fluid in her ears.  The ear check sure enough showed fluid in one ear and fluid and air in the other.  If it doesn’t go away in 6 weeks, Dashlyn will get tubes.  Then we’ll do the hearing test again.  So that’s the entire 2 hr appt in about 4 sentences.

She did really well except for the ear exam.  They had to hold her down to look at her ear under the microscope and she cried and cried.  About broke my heart.  I hate that.  And then medical professionals wonder why kids are scared to go to the doctor!  On the positive side though, we got her nose cleared out pretty well – there was a LOT of snot after all that screaming.  She looked adorable.  Cute purple outfit with matching bow on her spout, and her ever present Children’s Place sneakers (I need to take a pic, she always gets compliments but they’re just cute little shoes).  Of course I didn’t take a pic before we left and forgot after.  Oh well.

Valentine’s Day

I think I must be the only blogger in the world who missed posting yesterday.  But Valentine’s was kinda quiet around here.  Jack started in with a cough over the weekend and started running a fever so no school for him.  Dashlyn had speech therapy so we did get a little bit of contact with the outside world.  And of course she wore pink.

One of the best parts of having a little girl is the hair bows!  I have decided to try to assemble some of my own creation so check out this one:

(There's more Valentine's Day pics on Jack's blog - see the link at the top of the right-hand column?)

Cardiology Appt – check

Today was Miss D’s heart check up.  She passed with flying colors!  Awesome!

Here’s the interesting part – her open heart surgery repairs are the SAME ones as what Jack had!  Now we can’t tell if she also had the PDA closure that Jack did, but she had the VSD patch and ASD stitches the same as Jack.  I couldn’t believe it.  And the Dr said the repairs look great.  The repairs done in Ukraine!  If I didn’t know that we actually brought her home from there I don’t know if I would believe it.  She’s chunky (26.8 lbs) and she has had an excellent ohs.  After being home just over 2 mos she eats and sleeps well, she’s learning signs, and acts like she’s been here since birth.  Have I posted a pic of her scar?  It’s beautiful.  Everyone that has seen it has been impressed.  It’s nice and thin and straight.

Might as well post about how she’s doing in other areas too.  She’s starting to stand independently for just a second at a time and stand up from a low stool and take a little step or 2.  She is also starting to walk holding one hand, a few feet at a time.  She’ll walk for long periods holding both hands.  She picks up almost any sign we show her and dances to music (so funny!).  No words but plenty of sounds (just like Jack).  We’re still working on proper play with toys instead of just heaving everything she gets ahold of across the room.  She knows what to do with a phone though (play or real)!  Her hair is growing enough that I’m thinking about trimming the back.

And today she looks like this:

Precious, precious, precious!  I’m so thankful we fought through all the doubt and fear and worries!

Coffee cuff!!

My awesome friend Kari made and sold these ADORABLE coffee cuffs as a fundraiser for their adoption.  We shared a super frustrating day with Kari, husband Tom, and their 2 new kiddos Victor and super adorable Sosie in Kiev – did I mention it?  Hm, I’ll check on that.  Do you see what is on them??  They’re in felt with an outline of Ukraine!  So of course I had to have one and bless Kari, she sent one for M too. :)  Finally I remembered to take a pic when M and I (and her friend Sarah) went to QT tonight so I could show them off.  If you want one, go see her; she may have more!

I would feel bad about this but…..

it all comes from love, right?  Just because she’s new, it doesn’t mean we can’t giggle at Dasha like we giggle at each other.  So in that spirit, can you say “Why so serious…..”

(That was Andrew’s idea!)  And insert some clever line from the Hulk here -

(Yay Christmas cookies in Feb.!)

And this will undoubtably win me the mother of the year award.  The other day Jack and Dashlyn were playing in the kitchen.  I was keeping an ear on them and they were fine.  Until I heard the little girl yelling and I ran to see what happened to her.  I took a quick look and ran to get the camera before I “fixed” the problem (true blogger that I am!).  I was cracking up:

She wasn’t hurt, I promise!  Just really mad that she was stuck!  Have I mentioned that this girl is THE bull in the china shop?  And she’s fearless?  And so far we haven’t found a girly bone in her body??  She’s the perfect sister for Jack and I must admit, I’m getting a kick out of her spunky personality.  Of course that also means she’s the queen of messes which makes me crazy sometimes.  But she’s so stinkin’ cute!

One last chance…

When we traveled to bring home our precious girl last fall (the same girl I’m watching follow Jack around this morning laughing and playing), I knew there would be children left there that would stick with me.  Dashlyn was in a different grouppa than many of the other children from that orphanage listed with Reece's Rainbow so I didn’t get to see as many as I thought.  Nevertheless, there were many still there that I hoped would find families and go home too.

I already posted about sweet Masha once.

We have received word that a family has seen her, interacted with her, and she’s just precious.  She’s also scheduled for transfer NEXT WEEK.  We can still save her.  Please read this post on Stephanie's blog.  She really fell in love with Masha.  Please pray for her family to find her asap!