Thinking Blogger Post Below...

I got a Thinking Blogger Award from Rhonda!!!! I wrote my post on Friday, but Blogger won't let me change the date or move it so either scroll down or click here! Thanks, Rhonda!!!

How Ironic!

This photo was taken 04/28/06. Kieren was sick. She had a sinus infection. It was the first time she was sick since China. We gave her frozen bananas to bring down her fever.

How ironic is it that it is now 04/28/07 and Kieren is sick? She hasn't been really sick since her sinus infection last year. I hope this isn't a pattern!!!!

Illness & Doing The Impossible

Some days I feel like all I ever blog about is illness. Cullen's ongoing tests and vomiting. Kieren's virus this past week (and still going). I bore myself!

Well, Kieren is still not feeling well. The diapers have now reach the level of "stank" that we experienced in China. When she threw-up last night, it put Linda Blair to shame! WOW!!! So much from such a small child who refuses to eat or drink! My poor carpet will never be the same. :o) I don't think Cullen will either! He got a front-row seat for the show. Now he knows what it feels like to be his parent!

I took Kieren to the doctor yesterday morning. You've gotta love Dr. Tammy! She has a great sense of humor and she "parents" like we do. Tammy checked Kieren and couldn't find anything major. So she looks at me and tells me she needs a urine sample. It has to be fresh and "clean" (not from a diaper). She says she can use a cath, but it's not a good idea. "Will Kieren pee on the potty?" Sure - at home. "Can we give it a try right now, in the office?" Sure, why not. I haven't showered; it's 80 degrees in the exam room; Kieren is hiding under the chair I'm sitting on and wailing. What have I got to lose?! So down the hall we go.

One of the major advantages to having an early appointment is no one has used the bathrooms and they are spotless. Tammy takes us to this closet of a bathroom, puts a "hat" (plastic container) in the front part of the potty, and tells us to take our time. She'll check on us periodically. Great (boatload of sarcasm here).

So I wedge the two of us in the bathroom and close the door so we won't fall out. I am not joking. This bathroom is small. If I sat on the toilet, I could touch an elbow on each wall just by raising my arms slightly. So, trying not to think about how small this room is, I take off Kieren's pants and diaper by standing her in the sink. By this point, Kieren is not thrilled. I didn't have her folding potty seat with me so I hold her on the potty. She, of course, protests. Kieren is a big girl and doesn't like help on the potty. By now, I am sitting on the floor in front of the toilet with my back against the wall (literally and figuratively), and my head is almost under the sink. I have sweat running down my face and I SWEAR the walls are getting closer!

Kieren is unhappy so she starts to cry. Okay, that's an understatement. UGH!!! The sound bounces off the walls like the energizer bunny on speed in a small rubber room. HOLY CRAP!!!! I think my ears were bleeding!

Kieren finally calms down. I take the plastic container out of the toilet, sit it on the floor and have her sit on it. She looks totally horrified! Okay. The "hat" goes back in the potty. We stand/sit there and look at each other. Kieren tries to loosen the plumbing on the toilet and plays with the flush. So I put Kieren back on the potty. She shoves my hands away and jumps off. I put her back on. She gets back off. See a pattern here? I am desperate at this point. The walls feel like they are leaning in on me. I'm soaked in sweat. And I'm ready to cry louder than Kieren. So I put her on the potty one more time and tell her in my "mommy-voice" to go pee now! She looks at me and goes. Thank God!

So I stand Kieren next to the toilet and try to keep her from playing "splash" in the yellow water as I stand up. I wash my hands and quickly throw her diaper back on. I don't even attemp the pants. After a few not-to-be-repeated contortions, we emerge in the hallway to total silence. Hmmm... Weird. I think Kieren scared everyone with her screaming! Dr. Tammy comes running down the hall with a sample cup and relieves me of the "hat" as we head back to the exam room to wait.

I finally get Kieren's diaper on right and pull her pants up. She is MAD at me now. So she starts wailing and shrieking. I try to comfort her, but she just points at her shoes and socks. I put her shoes and socks back on her, hoping this will make her happier. Nope. She wants to go home NOW!!!! I tell the Empress "no" and she hides under my chair again and won't come out. Dr. Tammy FINALLY comes back and tells us we can leave, Kieren's tests came back clear. (That means "get your screaming toddler out of here before everyone leaves".) So I hoist a protesting toddler over my shoulder, grab the diaper bag and hike to the front of the building. Tammy takes pity on me and handles the paperwork. As I leave, the whole waiting room turns to look at us (**cringe**). I'm sure they were a bit startled! I know I scared myself in the reflection from the glass doors!

If someone had asked me a couple of days ago if I would be able to get a pee sample from a toddler WHILE at the doctor's office, I would've laughed in their face!!! I did the impossible. I don't EVER want to do that again!!!

Donna's Photo Challenge - Gotcha/Metcha Clothes

Donna's photo challenge this week is Gotcha/Metcha clothes. The clothes your child was wearing when they came to you. We are supposed to have Kieren put on the clothes so I can do a then-and-now, but she is very sick right now. We just got her cleaned up and resting so these photos will have to do.

These are the clothes Kieren was wearing when she came to us. I had them out last November so I could photograph them and put them away for Kieren. Our Forever Family Day (Gotcha/Metcha Day) was Sunday, December 11, 2005.

This photo is one of my favorites! This is the first time Cullen held his baby sister. We were in the conference room at the Civil Affairs Office in Guangzhou, Guangdong. Man was it hot!!! The girls were all wearing a long-sleeve shirt, snow suits and slippers. They also had a sticker on their chests with their Chinese names on it.

Stripping Kieren down to check her and clean her up. She never cried. She just looked around. Kieren was so sick. Right after we took this photo, we were quickly taken to the White Swan Clinic.

Thinking Blogger Award

Here I was having a stinky type of day (Shut up, Heather, I haven't had time to shower yet!) and I went to visit some of my favorite blogs. It seems everyone (read: not me) was getting a "thinking blogger award". It just added to my "little black rain cloud" kind of day. No, I really don't think I deserve an award, but sometimes it would be nice to feel like someone (read: sick toddler, pre-teen kid, husband, Mother needing pain meds) listened to you and understood what you were saying. So with Kieren napping, and feeling sorry for myself, I went to bloggy-land.

Holy cow!!! My blogger-buddy Rhonda gave me a Thinking Blogger Award!!!! Wow! Someone likes listening to my whining! I feel appreciated!!! Thank you, Rhonda, for making my day much brighter!!!

So, according to the rules, I am supposed to nominate 5 other bloggers who make me think. Hmmm...

1. The one blog I really want to give this award to is a private blog so I can't post a link (I don't care if that's against the rules or not!). It is Gwenblog. Karen, Gwen's Mommy, is the most honest, courageous woman I know of. She just KICKED CANCER'S BUTT and is out there celebrating!!! I wish you could read her posts. She makes you laugh so hard it hurts and she makes you sob with her honesty about her cancer, her daughter's delays and her family. She was in my DTC group (Dossier To China group) and I am honored to know her and her family. Karen, you deserve this award more than anyone else I know! Go celebrate your life!!!

2. Connie's blog (Somewhere in China) makes me laugh my butt off! She also makes me think (darn you, woman!). Okay, sometimes you are thinking "This woman is going to be a mom?!", but people say that about me. I know you received this award from a number of your fans, Connie, but you really are wonderful!!!

3. Jenny's blog called Twins is next on my list of winners! Jenny adopted twin girls from Vietnam late last year. Her blog is honest and open. She shares her joys and frustration and adorable baby girls with us. Being a Mom is a tough job! You are doing a great job, Jenny!

4. Rhonda's blog (Worth The Wait) is always a must-read. She and her husband adopted two from Russia. She cracks me up! The kids (Bonnie & Clyde) are a riot and I love to hear about Bonnie's moose. BTW, they live in Alaska! Rhonda, you need this award too!

5. My final choice is a new one for me too. Joyce at Gracie Girl is amazing. Her daughter was just diagnosed with a rare disorder called CVS. This is the same disorder we think Cullen has. Her daughter Gracie has only been with them for a couple of months. She is a little cutie! A friend in the Chinese adoption community put me in touch with her today. Her blog is very touching and personal. I feel for them. I know how hard this is for a 10-year-old, but a 17-month-old who just found her family?! Joyce, you are an inspiration.

It was really hard to choose just five blogs. There are so many others I want to give this award, but I have to follow the rules. To find out more about the Thinking Blogger Award just click here. If you have been given this award, you need to also go here and follow the rules. You need to pass on this award to five other deserving bloggers!!! It's your turn now.

**I wrote this on Friday, but I was waiting for permission to post the link of one of the blogs. Sorry for the delay!

Thank Heavens for www.noggin.com

With both kids home and sick, life has been touch and go. One feels okay for awhile, the other feels rotten. Sometimes they both feel good at the same time! So what does a Mommy who is desperate for a shower do? Let the kids go to Noggin online! Kieren loves to watch music videos on Jack's Big Music Show (Cullen likes some of them too) and Cullen likes to play the games with Kieren (he plays, she sits on his lap and "helps").

"What?! Mommy got a shower today?! NO!!! That's not allowed to happen!!!"

Milk & Cookies 101 *UPDATED*

My mom hurt her back and hasn't been able to work for two weeks now. She is the world's worst patient!!!! Today she decided that she wanted meatloaf for dinner. So she made the meatloaf and I went over to make the rest. Cullen was home due to illness so he and Kieren both went with me. Kieren is still pretty sick. She hardly eats or drinks. So my mom decided to give Kieren some cookies and a glass of milk. Here is Nanny's version of Milk & Cookies 101: (Warning: This contains music. Not my first choice of music, but it was free!)



Make your ownClick to play
(I'm not sure why this darn thing is leaving gaps in the post. Maybe the version you pay for works better!)

*UPDATE~ DON'T CLICK ON THE PHOTO, CLICK WHERE IT SAYS "CLICK TO PLAY" (RIGHT UNDER THE SMILEBOX LOGO). SORRY FOR THE CONFUSION!*

Through The Eyes of Love

I handed Cullen the camera in the car yesterday. He carefully took only one photo of Kieren. When he was done, he just looked at his little sister and whispered "She is just beautiful." I could barely hear him. Then he handed back the camera. He is right. Kieren is beautiful, but more so through his eyes. Through the eyes of love.

CT Scan

Results from Cull's CT Scan are in. He is ... normal. Well, as normal as a 10-year-old boy can be! So now we are waiting for the GI to call us to tell us our next move. I guess that's good and bad news. Good - no tumors. Bad - no answers. And so we wait...

Penance...

Okay, God. I get it! I know I was a horrible child and you've made your point! How about giving me a breather?!

Ian is in Kieren's crib sleeping. He doesn't feel well.

Kieren is sleeping on the couch. She doesn't feel well.

Both are really cranky and want to be held all the time!

I'm waiting for someone to get here (Mother or Heather, whoever drives fastest) so I can go get Cullen from school. HE DOESN'T FEEL WELL!!!! He is throwing up (Yeah, what's new) and has a fever (that's new).

Moral of the story: Your rotten past will get you three-fold!!!! Make peace and amends with God before it is too late!

Cursed Myself!!!

Night terrors are back. Damn!! Two in a row tonight. Double damn! I was so hopefull this time. I thought maybe she was finally beyond them. Wrong again. Maybe one day...

Fashion Critic...

"Mom, I look like a dork in this thing! Please don't let Nanny buy one of these again!!! Sheesh!" (Kieren shook her head and said "NO" when I showed her this outfit. Then she cried when I put it on her! Sorry, Nanny. This one is not up to par!)

The New Glasses

Yes, Kieren is still sick. She had an awful night last night. Her fever is finally down this morning, but she feels yucky. She wasn't too thrilled with her new glasses. She kept them on for a while, but they need adjusted a bit more to be comfortable.

The frame is silver with a thin pink line on the front. She's so cute! I promise to get a better photo once she feels better and has a bath!!!

If It's Not One Thing...

Cullen learned a new "stupid human trick" last night. He caught a baseball with his nose at practice! No, it wasn't on purpose. He caught a ball from his practice partner when suddenly a ball came out of nowhere and nailed him in the nose. Yes, the nose is broken.

Poor kid! Luckily it didn't effect his CT scan. The scan didn't take long. We should have the results next week.

Poor Cullen fell asleep like this last night. Ice pack on the face, feet on the chair. His nose is still REALLY swollen, stuffed up, and sore today!!!

Gobbledeegook

We had a very nice weekend here, weatherwise. It was warm enough to bring out the summer clothes! However, the crazy weather is killing my sinuses and poor Kieren is sick.

Kieren is still feeling awful. I can't get her temp below 100. She has the grossest nose. I was going to take her to the hospital in the morning to pick up her glasses, but that isn't going to happen. Andy is staying home with her so I can take Cullen for his CT Scan. I then have to drag Cullen to a client meeting with me and then, if he's feeling up to it, take him to school. I think I will just grab her glasses while I'm at the hospital and adjust them myself. Don't worry. I'm a trained professional, or I used to be anyways. I was an optician for 5-years in Michigan, in my past life.

Sorry I'm babbling. Kieren is driving me crazy right now by trying to take my camera apart. She figured out the water dispenser on the fridge today. Flooded half the kitchen while I was elbow-deep in shredded chicken! Then she mashed sour-cream-and-onion chips into the family room chair. It's been a full day!

I guess I better let the dog back in since the rain is coming down really hard. I will update after Cullen's CT. I have a grosser-than-gross story to share, but not right now. Later!

Poor Baby...

Kieren doesn't feel well tonight. She is running a hefty temp of 102. Add in a nasty nose, lots of sneezing, and tons of crying. Not a good thing. I am planning on spending most of the night upright on the couch with her.

The meds are working in this photo. And the Italian Ice doesn't hurt either! Crud!!! Crying baby! Gotta run!!!!

Happy Birthday, Aunt Heather!!!!

A MOMENT OF SILENCE PLEASE...

(While we mourn the passing of Heather's youth!)

Today is my sister's birthday. I won't say how old she is, but let's just say she has been able to drink LEGALLY for quite some time now! Happy Birthday, Evil One!!!

Heather's birthday bash was this afternoon!!! It was quite a crowd!!! This is only the family. Oma B. made her yummy chocolate cake. It was sooooo good!

Brit surprised Heather with a special cake from Cold Stone Creamery. YUM!!!! It was Raspberry Truffle. OMG!!!! Thanks for bringing it to my house, Brit!

Here's the birthday girl with her cake from Brit.

Happy birthday, Aunt Heather!!! Love you!

Please take a moment to visit Heather's blog and give her your condolances!!!

Donna's Photo Challenge - ART

Donna's photo challenge this week is ART. Well, there is art and then there is ART! I present to you: Performance Art!

Kieren is into her art!!!

This work should be called "OOPS! I meant to do that!" or maybe "Study In White". Thanks, Donna!

Quick Notes

Cullen is scheduled for his CT Scan next Tuesday morning. As long as he does okay, he'll be in class that afternoon. The pains in his chest are finally getting better. He is going to try baseball practice Friday evening. Hope it doesn't cause more pain.

We are fighting with the insurance to approve Kieren's speech therapy. So annoying! We finally got her hearing tests scheduled. They can't see her until May 17th. Yea, more delays. I don't even want to talk about it.

On a brighter note, and probably cursing myself, Kieren's night terrors seem to be lightening up. Shhh! Don't say anything!!! I don't want to jinx it!!!!! She still cries alot in her sleep and has some nightmares, but... We are not totally night terror-free, but it is so much better!

Oh! And I am so tired of rude people when I shop!!! Get a grip folks!!! Yes, she's Chinese and I'm not so get over it!!! Maybe I should try a new response. How about giving me a laugh? Let's hear your best response to rude people who act like they have never seen an adoptive family!!! Come on, waiting-parents!!! This is good practice!

Looking Back 16 Months...

I was looking through old photos of China tonight. This is Kieren in her first swimsuit. We bought it because it matched Cullen's! We thought it would be way too small, but it was the only size they had. It was a 6-month size. It was so huge on her thin little body that it hurt to look at her. We didn't take her swimming due to a cold snap, but I wanted a photo of her in it. These photos were taken exactly 16 months ago today. Kieren had been with us for 8 days. She was starting to feel better at this point, but was still very ill. She was finally able to keep down formula. Look at the bottom of the frame. That's my leg under Kieren's feet. Kieren had to touch me at all times. Even if it was just her foot. She still wants me to sit at her feet when she lays on the couch with her sippy cup and she still rests her feet on my leg!

This is our last breakfast at the White Swan on December 20, 2005. Kieren turned 9-months old! Kieren would shut-down in public. She would cling to me, close her eyes, and never make a peep. Yes, my loud and very active daughter was once like that! Tomorrow Kieren will be 25 months old or 2 years 1 month to those who prefer it! She was only 15 pounds when we brought her home. She is 27 pounds now. It's getting hard to remember how tiny she was.

"We Don't Need No Stinkin' Men!!!"

My refrigerator door has been broken for a week. It's been driving me nuts! A plastic piece at the bottom of the hinge totally shattered and the door wouldn't stay closed. I've been wedging a stool against it to keep it closed. You would be surprised how many times a day you need something from the fridge!! Yes, I know my husband does a lot at home, but he really pissed me off with his attitude about this problem!

So yesterday, while watching Kieren and Ian destroy the house, I did some calling around and found the part. NEVER use Beavercreek Appliance. That woman was dumber than a rock! She didn't even understand how to find the part I would need and told me it would take a week to get it. So I called Dayton Appliance. The man who answered immediately knew what I was talking about and had the part in stock. Love them!!! Heather picked it up on her way home. BTW, while Heather was picking up the part, Beavercreek Appliance pulled into the lot to buy parts from Dayton Appliance. Hmmm...

At 11am today, mission "We Don't Need No Stinkin' Men" commenced. Heather put Ian down for his nap in Kieren's crib while Kieren sat at the table and ate her lunch (threw it at the dog and laughed). I found the tools while Heather vacuumed the gunk from under the refrigerator (YUCK!!!). We had the door off, repaired, and back on again in 10 minutes. That 10 minutes included me calming Ian down and getting him to sleep AND cleaning up Kieren and her lunch mess! Mission accomplished!

We don't need no stinkin' men! We are women and we can do it ourselves! This was done with no cussing, no trips to the ER or Lowes, and without a beer to reward ourselves! Hey Andy, plllllbbbbbpppppffffttttt!

I Love This Face...

This One's For You, Heather...

Ian was so cute sleeping in Kieren's crib yesterday. He just loves Kieren's duck!!! So sweet. He must be dreaming of Mommy!

What a LONG Day...

I really need a vacation. Cullen stayed home with us again today. He will be back at school tomorrow or I will be visited by Children's Services!

We started off nice and early. Kieren had her one-year follow-up with the eye specialist at 8:50 so we were out of the house a little after 8am. Who knew that McDonald's could take almost 20 minutes to give us our food through the drive-thru!!! We did. The one here in Enon is so slow it's unreal!!!! That's why we left so early. There was only one other car ahead of us too. So after grabbing a caffein-fix, we were back on the road. Parking on the levee was bad as usual. I think we got the last space. It was ugly!

We loaded Kieren into her stroller for the hike to Dr. Bloom's office. Got to the office, sat for 5 minutes and then went to the exam room. The nurse put drops in Kieren's eyes and we waited. The doc checked, eyes weren't ready yet, so we waited some more. After 45 minutes of waiting, Dr. Bloom came back. Kieren is so independent!!! She sat in the exam chair like a big girl and let the doctor do his thing. She is really amazing!

Anyway, here's the big one, Kieren had to get glasses. We went next door to the eye shop and Kieren decided she had had ENOUGH! After holding her down, we found something we liked and ordered. I'm not telling you anything about them. They will be in next week or so (7-10 days). I will post the photos then!!!

The kids were really getting on my nerves at this point so I sent them to the playground (right across from the eye shop) while I did paperwork. They had a ball!!! Kieren is fearless! After a bit, Cullen's chest started hurting really bad so we headed over to X-ray (AGAIN).

By the time Cullen was taken back, he was doubled-over in pain. I called the GI's office and left a message. I was mad so we headed for their office next! I was told there were no doctors in. They wouldn't even listen to me as my son was sitting in a chair, holding his chest and moaning! They would have someone call me that afternoon. I was pissed!

A nurse called as we were on our way to my Mom's house. (My Mom was off today due to back problems.) The nurse told us the doctor said to take him to our family doctor!!! She said all tests and x-rays came back clear. They wouldn't see him. So I got him in with our doctor who was pissed off at the GI!!! Cullen has inflamation in the cartalige on his chest. It is in-between the ribs and across the entire front of his chest. It was caused by the scope. He can't take anything for it because the scope has irritated his esophagus. He has to use moist heat to help ease the pain. Now was that so hard? Why couldn't the GI's office, who caused the problem, look at him and tell us that?!?!?! As for the vomiting issues, we are still waiting for his CT Scan.

And that was my morning and afternoon. It sucked. It was a long day and I need a mocha!

Splish Splash Fun in The Bath!!!

Can you guess that Kieren loves her bath????