Friday, January 30, 2009

WOW...what a MONTH!

This has been a crazy month full of a lot of ups and downs. Our life is never short of "interesting" things and this month was surely proof of that.

Many of you may remember that in December Mikayla ended up with another ear infection that turned into yet another medical ordeal. After four rounds of Rocephin shots, it was obvious that even the very strongest of antibiotics were not going to clear up her infection. I have actually been very worried about her resistance to antibiotics for a long time but didn't quite know what to think. Well....her pediatrician, who I have said often that I love and trust, said that her obvious resistance was very concerning and that her constant yeast infections and ear infections, that never clear up (we have been to specialists about it) makes him lean towards the fact that Mikayla may have an autoimmune disorder, in fact he mentioned the possibility of cancer. That is news that as a parent you don't take real well! We had blood work done a week later because it took me a week to gain the mental strength to have it done and face the results. We just got the results back and I am so, so happy to report that it is NOT cancer. However, Mikayla does have very elevated immunoglobin (sp) levels that are indicative of her milk allergy. What was explained to me was that her milk allergy is likely worse than we anticipated and she can no longer have even traces of milk because her body is spending all it's immune defense "fighting" the milk in her system and it's tearing down her immune system.

Well this made me feel awful because I thought since she seemed to tolerate milk in things like cookies and crackers that she was OK with them and that she just couldn't have large quantities. Well....I was very wrong. It was very much effecting her body and making her sick and I didn't even realize it:-( Her immune system at this point is near non-existent and we HAVE to get that changed. My pediatrician is currently researching the best option for us and her at this point so please keep her in your prayers. If she would catch a serious illness, like the Pneumonia that Alec had a few weeks ago, it could kill her. She has no immunity to fight it and her body does not respond to antibiotics. So this is very, very serious. Please pray for her. PLEASE.

And I want to say THANK YOU to those of you who talked me off the ledge when I was dealing with this.

I don't want to make this post longer because it's already pretty long. But, I will say that student teaching is going wonderfully! I have Mikayla to daycare and Alec to before-school care by 7:45 am! What a change for ALL of us. I get home around 4-4:30 each night except on Tuesday because I have class that night. Between making sure my kids get the attention they need from me at night and writing my lesson plans, I am one busy person right now. My supervisor comes each week and sits in to watch me and it makes me SO nervous. But, she thinks I am doing really great so that makes me feel much better. I have three more weeks at this current placement before I move on to my special ed placement. Graduation is just around the corner in April! And hopefully WARMER temps are too! GEEZ....enough with the snow already!

OH...and by the way...today marks TWO YEARS EXACTLY that Mikayla has been a citizen and resident of the United States of America! We flew home to Cleveland airport and were greeted by friends and family that snowy, cold day. Happy Homecoming Mikayla! Your family loves you more than could ever imagine!


Brother and Sister hanging out


She looks "big" in the picture :-(

She loves to wear this because she loves the hood!

This was so funny. I told Mikayla...."go get a picture with daddy" and he was laying on the floor. So she crowded in on the floor and Alec joined in too!

Alec was Star Student this week!!!!

Lazily watching Dora

I see you daddy!

Major snowstorm here last week!!! Alec loves playing in it!

Alec wrote this to me:-) It's says "I love my mom."

Close up:-)

Here he had just wrote "mom cooks cookies." I tell him sentences and he writes them to practice his invented spelling and phonics. He wrote the I love my mom on his own though!

Cute little man!

We took the kids to Build A Bear last week. Mikayla wanted the monkey and she LOVES it. I just couldn't get a good picture of her and camera was on some weird setting. I am still figuring out this Nikon.

Alec and Kayla

Alec picked out a Panda Bear :-)

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Forever Family Day!!!

First, I apologize for being sooooo behind on blogging but our life is much different now then it was a month ago!

Today was our 2nd Forever Family Day. Mikayla was placed in our arms forever two years ago today on January 27th, 2007. It honestly does seem like just yesterday that we sat in that lobby at the Marriott anxiously awaiting her arrival. I can remember every single detail of it. It was so emotional. The thoughts, and apprehension, all of it.....but mostly....the shear excitement and joy of finally being reunited with our daughter. And this time...it was for FOREVER.

From the day Mikayla entered our lives on June 30th, 2006 when she was referred to us, she has been an absolute joy and total blessing. It's amazing we found her, and she found us, and we forever became a family in one of the most unconventional and odd of ways. I mean, not many people become a family in a hotel lobby! I know so many of you also remember that day so well. The details that will forever be engraved in your memory and heart. They are amazing....and I treasure each and every one of them.

Mikayla Faith ~ You are such a joy to us. We couldn't be more proud of the little girl that you are. You always make us smile with your silly ways and feisty personality. Mommy, daddy, and bubby love you more than we can ever even say. You are and always will be our little princess.
Reality set in when we walked up to immigration in Guatemala. The hot, sticky air hits you hard and fast and as you walk out onto the tarmac from the plane and you just realize...your child is close by. You are here...and your dream has now become the reality you spent months hoping for.
This was our first family picture. Not the greatest, I had the camera on the wrong setting, but this picture is priceless to me. Words can't describe it...they just can't.

Antigua. Oh what a beautiful place to be. Our entire pick up trip felt like a dream...it was that perfect. Storybook perfect.

Embassy Day...brother and sister at last. He loves her with all his heart and she loves him just as much.

Goodbye Guatemala....you will forever hold a special place in our hearts but we are headed home...to the United States of America...where we will begin our new lives together...as a family.

I will update everyone on what has been going on in our house in a day or so...that I promise. We have had some scary moments lately with Mikayla and that was one reason I refrained from blogging. More on that tomorrow. And...an update on my life as a student teacher. We are in the middle of a MASSIVE snow storm here...so I am doing the snow day dance:-)

Goodnight everyone!!!

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Happy New Years Everyone!!

Awww....New Years. It's 2009! I, for one, am very happy to see a new year come. I am looking forward to the promises this new year will bring.

This past year was full of many happy memories. Some that will stay with me forever. I think as I look back I am most amazed by how much my children have grown. Not just physically, but in many other aspects as well. I am so proud of both my children. I couldn't have more love for them then I already have.

I am already looking forward to all that 2009 has to offer. This is a BIG year of many changes for my family. So here we go......HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE!

We celebrated New Years with Joe, Gina, and Christian yesterday. It was super fun and the kids are always so cute together:-)

Mikayla wearing Joe's Steelers Christmas hat....ROFL

Mikayla and Christian racing up the hall. They did it over and over and OVER.

Trying to get a picture of the two of them....man is it tough!

Christian with "rocket"

This is out of order. This was right before we left. She was "played out."

Christian intently watching TV

Brother and sister hanging out...for a moment at least!

Weeeeeee!!!

All smiles for Gina

Don't they look like an old married couple hanging out on the couch for the night...watching the evening news or something?

Kisses for Christian

Alec...he was all sweaty and hot from running around. He had FUN let me tell you!

Alec finally taking a moment to SIT DOWN

Hey...I can open presents too...is it for me? HAH! Christian looked at her like she was CRAZY for touching his gift:-)

I can help! Really I can!

Gift time!

Christian loved Mikayla's Elmo Live. I took it over there and now I think Christian will be getting one shortly:-)

Gina and Kayla

Mommy and Kayla

Christian and Gina

Daddy and Kayla

Gina and Alec

Joe, Christian, and Gina

ROFL. Alec is now wearing the Steelers Christmas hat. HAH. If you don't live in Ohio then you don't understand the rivalry between the Browns and Steelers. We are Browns fans, but THEY are Steelers fans....YUCK!
Gina and me:-)