OUR13HOURADOPTION: 2015

It has been a very busy 5 months. We have been to numerous doctors appointments, transitioned into daycare/preschool, went on a family vacation, and learned we have a dare devil, busy two year old son!

Kalyn has been diagnosed with bilateral Amyoplasia of the upper arms and shoulders - a form of Arthrogryposis (internally rotated shoulders). We are looking forward to connecting with the Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia who specialize in treatment and therapy of Amyoplasia. You can read more about Arthrogryposis at http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/news/ArthrogryposisDay

June 30th was Arthrogryposis Awareness Day - Wear Blue!

We learn something new everyday about how we can help teach Kalyn that tge challenge of lifting his arms doesn't have to slow him down. (BECAUSE IT DOESN'T) We work as a family to teach him ways to stretch, strengthen, and use his arms and shoulders. We are proud of his ability to adapt.

In summary...

When we met Kalyn in February he could not reach his arms up at all...Then we got him to press the elevator button on day 2....Then we lifted balloons into a basket on day 4...He started pulling his pants up on day 74...We sought out occupational therapy and received it for the first time on day 96...Kalyn lifted his arm on his own to plug his nose swimming on day 153...Kalyn lifted his arm to feed himself without assistance on day 154...time is precious....love is overflowing....the possibilities of a healthy happy normal life are endless!

#godisamazing
#onelessorphan

Oh my goodness! Where has the month gone? It is amazing how God makes things happen but just as amazing to see time fly.

Our month with Kalyn has been so great. He is just a delight! He is spunky, happy, silly, talkative, playful, a spongy dicta-bird with a belly laugh that is priceless. He has a personality like his big brother! Meeting his sisters at the airport was fun but running crazy with his siblings every evening is the highlight of Kalyn's day. What a JOY! It feels like we are still on a honeymoon.

Week 1

The Monday after returning home we visited our primary doctor to establish care. Kalyn did great and our doctor was amazing with him.

On Jan 20th we visited the International Adoption Clinic. Our doctor was very nice and knowledgeable about adoptees from China. We were delighted and blessed to hear that Kalyn is completely healthy besides a little intestinal bug easily treated with 5 days of antibiotics. His arm/shoulder bones are normal and we are being referred to the neuromuscular clinic so we can help Kalyn build his upper arm strength.

We expected Kalyn to be healthy based on his Chinese medical records but our Social Worker and adoption agency always kept us aware that undocumented medical conditions can seep through the cracks occasionally. So our family always had the mindset that no matter what condition or health - we would and will love Kalyn the SAME and not let any disability define him! We are in awe of this little miracle that runs around jabbering in his cute Szechuan dialect of Mandarin. Nothing slows this cutie down!

Week 2

Kalyn enjoyed his first snow ever! Chongqing China hasn't seen now since 1993. He has warmed up to the dogs and we are trying to teach nice touch. No pulling of the tails or pinching fur. Ha! Good luck with that one.

Jeremiah shared his classmates a PowerPoint about his experiences in China. He also gave each of them chopsticks and Chinese candy he had bought for them. I think the class enjoyed seeing Jeremiah in his traditional Chinese silks.

Kalyn has learned to be creative with boxes. He plays for hours using them as forts, cars, and more. Not without the help of big sisters of course. The joy if simple things!

Week 3

Big sisters love to play with Kalyn. They even deck him out in high heels. Surprisingly walking around the kitchen like a pro in heels. The boy has talent and loves to humor his big sisters.

We have had a bit of cabin fever so ventured to the local park and met some new friends. It's so nice to find other mom's with kids the same age. We can hang out with each other and it helps us mommies stay sane. Thank you Lindsey!

Week 4

If you bring your son from the moist air of tropical Chongqing China to the dry Kansas air it's a must that you let him play with a humidifier!

Keeping Kalyn's skin soft has been quite the job. Lotion, baby powder, and baby oil (not in that order of course), along with leave in conditioner for the wiry hair. Good nutrition has helped as well. Boy howdy can Kalyn eat! Fruit, raw veggies, noodles, rice, bread, and yes some American food.

*****

For those of you who are considering a special needs adoption or have a heart for adoption--from our perspective the journey to Kalyn and the month with Kalyn has been atypical for a special needs adoption from china. Our agency prepared us for the most difficult scenarios. Trust us....it hasn't been easy. We have had our moments!

We were taught to expect malnutrition - Kalyn is only in the 3rd percentile for weight, but someone has to be in the lower ranges right? He is healthy overall and he even gained 1 pound in 10 days after coming home from China. ;)

We were taught to expect attachment issues - it appears Kalyn has attached to everyone in our family fairly quickly. He can say everyone's names without being prompted. He desires to sat in our laps, and even shares things with us. Every morning he wakes up after everyone has gone to work and school asking mommy, "daddy? Gu Gu Miah? Jie Jie Karah? Jie Jie Jennah?" Mommy reassures him that they have gone to work and school but they'll be back!

He cries when he sees them leave and kisses each of us. Kalyn does have difficulty at bed time. He struggles and cries. Daddy sings Jesus Loves Me, rocks him, and he settles down. Kalyn was co sleeping with mommy and daddy for comfort and closeness until daddy made him a comfy bed on the floor next to mommy. This means lots of sleepless nights for mommy and daddy just like having a newborn baby. Thankfully, last night he slept from 8pm until 5am in his bed then was up to cuddle with mommy for the last couple hours. Mommy and daddy were having a tough time sharing our bed. We were sad when Kalyn didn't want anything to do with his playpen, but enjoyed our cuddle bug for bonding purposes. Now we are averaging about 3 hours of mommy and daddy's bed each night, the rest is in his own bed. Yeah!

We were taught to expect non verbal - Kalyn jabbers a lot! A LOT! He jabbers a lot in Chinese and will repeat what we say in English. He says many English words and repeats them later. Calling the dogs by name and asking to call grandma (pointing to the i Pad) He has smarts like his daddy. Say it once and he remembers it. Crazy!

We were taught to expect grief and lots of it - this is something we are still waiting to see. We expected to see it on gotcha day and we did not. We expected to see it at the orphanage & we did not. We have seen it some when we try and put him to bed. He cries somewhat fearful but settles down a few minutes later. We see it in his eating food for comfort. We are still prepared for a break in the happy trend someday soon or even someday when he is older. Whenever that grieving takes place we will be ready to be there... to comfort...to love...just hold him if and when he needs it.

We were taught to expect developmental delays - We haven't had Kalyn assessed for development yet but it appears that he is pretty close if not right on target for his age. This is all attributed to the amazing love, care, and education he received at his orphanage. Thank you Love Manor & it's partner Adoption Agencies.

We Praise and Thank God each and every day for the gift he has given to our family through Kalyn.

We Praise and Thank God for the other new kiddos home forever with their families as well. The friends we have met all around the world during our journey. They are all treasured!

We Praise and Thank God for the many hearts and hands that go into raising orphans, advocating for orphans, and placing orphans in forever homes! Thank you God for giving us all the heart for orphans and adoption!

*****

Kalyn has fit right in to our family. Our little miracle is AN ORPHAN NO MORE, LOVED BY HIS HEAVENLY FATHER, AND HOME SAFE AND SOUND WITH HIS FOREVER FAMILY!

Enjoy some pictures from our first month at home.