Looking at the tractors with daddy
The flowers are beautiful
Looking at the horses, learning how to whinny.
Eva rode her first ever thrill ride at the fair... she went on the merry go round with daddy.
The fair is lots of fun.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Pictures from the fair (July 15th)
Looking at the tractors with daddy
The flowers are beautiful
Looking at the horses, learning how to whinny.
Eva rode her first ever thrill ride at the fair... she went on the merry go round with daddy.
The fair is lots of fun.
Time is flying...
Wow, it's hard to believe it's been over a week since I last posted. David says that Eva is a time suck, and I think he may have something there. It's very easy to just spend time with her.
Wednesday (last week), Eva took her first steps. Just a couple, and then later in the day she stood up and did a few shuffle steps. Then Tuesday (this week), Eva took about four steps. She still doesn't do it consciously and wants to crawl to get somewhere, but it has started.
We got the results back from her stool sample. She has some kind of bacterial infection. The Doctor said it comes from drinking tainted water, i.e. China. Symptoms are upset stomach, gas, etc. In any case, the Pharmacy couldn't get the prescription in all of Thief River. After three days, they asked the Doctor for a different one. It's a chew pill and must taste like candy because Eva said, "mmm, num" after taking one. Also, she slept the best last night after taking it that she has since we've been home.
Eva has learned more words. She can say, "more," and "ball" and she can whinny like a horse whenever she sees one in her picture book.
So, we have begun the process of daycare... something I have a lot of mixed feelings about. I really want to go back to work, but I also don't want to leave Eva. Since I can't have it both ways, we have found someone to provide daycare for her. Actually, it's my neighbor. She is a lisenced daycare provider, is also an adoptive mother and a wonderful woman, who we will call Mrs. J to protect her privacy. She was very encouraging about helping me with attachment and is willing to give Eva the time to come to her on her own. I was impressed and very relieved. I trust her to watch Eva and I think that she will enjoy going there... once we get her over her fear that she is being left again. Yesterday we had a play date with Mrs. J and her children. She has an adorable little boy who is about a year older than Eva and a cutie pie girl who is a year younger. Eva responded well to her son, but didn't want to let Mrs. J. touch her yet. We will have another play date next week, and work into this thing slowly. I am confident.
Also, yesterday, we did the paperwork to start an investment plan for Eva's college. We are going to need to put a lot more money into it than what we've started with in order to have enough to pay for her college in 18 years, but at least it is a start. David and I are happy with it.
I will try and post some pictures today... I've been having some troubles getting the pictures up. Until later...
Wednesday (last week), Eva took her first steps. Just a couple, and then later in the day she stood up and did a few shuffle steps. Then Tuesday (this week), Eva took about four steps. She still doesn't do it consciously and wants to crawl to get somewhere, but it has started.
We got the results back from her stool sample. She has some kind of bacterial infection. The Doctor said it comes from drinking tainted water, i.e. China. Symptoms are upset stomach, gas, etc. In any case, the Pharmacy couldn't get the prescription in all of Thief River. After three days, they asked the Doctor for a different one. It's a chew pill and must taste like candy because Eva said, "mmm, num" after taking one. Also, she slept the best last night after taking it that she has since we've been home.
Eva has learned more words. She can say, "more," and "ball" and she can whinny like a horse whenever she sees one in her picture book.
So, we have begun the process of daycare... something I have a lot of mixed feelings about. I really want to go back to work, but I also don't want to leave Eva. Since I can't have it both ways, we have found someone to provide daycare for her. Actually, it's my neighbor. She is a lisenced daycare provider, is also an adoptive mother and a wonderful woman, who we will call Mrs. J to protect her privacy. She was very encouraging about helping me with attachment and is willing to give Eva the time to come to her on her own. I was impressed and very relieved. I trust her to watch Eva and I think that she will enjoy going there... once we get her over her fear that she is being left again. Yesterday we had a play date with Mrs. J and her children. She has an adorable little boy who is about a year older than Eva and a cutie pie girl who is a year younger. Eva responded well to her son, but didn't want to let Mrs. J. touch her yet. We will have another play date next week, and work into this thing slowly. I am confident.
Also, yesterday, we did the paperwork to start an investment plan for Eva's college. We are going to need to put a lot more money into it than what we've started with in order to have enough to pay for her college in 18 years, but at least it is a start. David and I are happy with it.
I will try and post some pictures today... I've been having some troubles getting the pictures up. Until later...
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Fair Weather
I spent the morning today playing down on the farm with Eva and the little people. There are some things about life on the farm I was previously unaware which I need to share so we are all informed. Apparently, the farmer is not the one who drives the tractor, the pig is. The sheep is suppose to sleep in the farmer's bed and the horse lives upside down in the cow stall. The cow is the one who sits on the eggs, not the chicken and fencing is for chewing on, not coralling animals. Also, I have learned that the proper etiquette for any animal who hangs out in the yard near the water trough is to be run over with the tractor.
Last Friday, I took Eva to the fair with one of the women from my church and her children. I think the cows fascinated her the most. On Saturday I took her back to the fair with Daddy and Granny and spent the whole time glad that we went the day before. Daddy and Granny wear out really fast. Although, Daddy did enjoy showing her the tractors and listening to her ooh and ahh over them. She also really enjoyed the harmonica player who told us that she has rhythm. We had walleye chips at the St. Bernard stand, and Eva enjoyed that a lot! In fact, she thought we should go and get more and that we really didn't need to leave that particular location. (Yes... there was some fussing.)
After the fair we stopped by WalMart to buy a birthday gift for another little girl, and since we were in the toy section David thought we should also buy Eva a gift. Yeah, right... David got himself some more blocks in the name of Eva. He has enjoyed making his masterpiece stacks and actually gets upset if Eva knocks them over before he has finished. I have learned that the reason David plays with the toys with Eva so much is because he is actually playing with them himself, and Eva is just playing along with him. Actually, I think she's a lucky little girl.
Monday did not start out as a good day, but ended really well. In the morning, I finally decided I couldn't postpone the collection of the stool samples any longer (I was suppose to do it over a week ago). So, I followed the directions, after changing her morning diaper, lined the next one with saran wrap (not something I will ever repeat). Yes, after cleaning up two puddles of pee, I decided I really could wait another day for that duty, only to find that she complied (yeah, I wasn't really that excited). It was stinky and horrible, horrible, horrible! Eva is going to force me to get over my germ phobia, I think.
In any case, after that task was completed, she spent the rest of the day fussing and grumping. The only thing that would appease her was being held or eating. However, after hours and hours of that, she did something amazing. Eva stood up, unaided, for the first time. She stood up, sat down, stood up, sat down, etc. She's done it lots since then. She has also learned how to get into Daddy's easy chair by herself (she loves that!) and out. And, she's learned how to climb the stairs. Now I have them so blocked off, I can't even go up them, although she still does for some reason I haven't figured out yet. Her progress really is amazing.
Eva and I drove down to Fargo yesterday, (2 1/2 hrs away) and she did really well. She slept, fussed and played with toys. I only had to stop the car 4 times to interact with her and hold her. But, it was a new environment, so she was really quiet. So today, she is making up for lost time, talking and giggling and talking... Granny said that it was very quiet in the house yesterday. It is amazing how much life a 14 month old little girl brings to a home. There are three adults who live here and one little girl, and she is the one who makes it a home... finally!
Last Friday, I took Eva to the fair with one of the women from my church and her children. I think the cows fascinated her the most. On Saturday I took her back to the fair with Daddy and Granny and spent the whole time glad that we went the day before. Daddy and Granny wear out really fast. Although, Daddy did enjoy showing her the tractors and listening to her ooh and ahh over them. She also really enjoyed the harmonica player who told us that she has rhythm. We had walleye chips at the St. Bernard stand, and Eva enjoyed that a lot! In fact, she thought we should go and get more and that we really didn't need to leave that particular location. (Yes... there was some fussing.)
After the fair we stopped by WalMart to buy a birthday gift for another little girl, and since we were in the toy section David thought we should also buy Eva a gift. Yeah, right... David got himself some more blocks in the name of Eva. He has enjoyed making his masterpiece stacks and actually gets upset if Eva knocks them over before he has finished. I have learned that the reason David plays with the toys with Eva so much is because he is actually playing with them himself, and Eva is just playing along with him. Actually, I think she's a lucky little girl.
Monday did not start out as a good day, but ended really well. In the morning, I finally decided I couldn't postpone the collection of the stool samples any longer (I was suppose to do it over a week ago). So, I followed the directions, after changing her morning diaper, lined the next one with saran wrap (not something I will ever repeat). Yes, after cleaning up two puddles of pee, I decided I really could wait another day for that duty, only to find that she complied (yeah, I wasn't really that excited). It was stinky and horrible, horrible, horrible! Eva is going to force me to get over my germ phobia, I think.
In any case, after that task was completed, she spent the rest of the day fussing and grumping. The only thing that would appease her was being held or eating. However, after hours and hours of that, she did something amazing. Eva stood up, unaided, for the first time. She stood up, sat down, stood up, sat down, etc. She's done it lots since then. She has also learned how to get into Daddy's easy chair by herself (she loves that!) and out. And, she's learned how to climb the stairs. Now I have them so blocked off, I can't even go up them, although she still does for some reason I haven't figured out yet. Her progress really is amazing.
Eva and I drove down to Fargo yesterday, (2 1/2 hrs away) and she did really well. She slept, fussed and played with toys. I only had to stop the car 4 times to interact with her and hold her. But, it was a new environment, so she was really quiet. So today, she is making up for lost time, talking and giggling and talking... Granny said that it was very quiet in the house yesterday. It is amazing how much life a 14 month old little girl brings to a home. There are three adults who live here and one little girl, and she is the one who makes it a home... finally!
Friday, July 14, 2006
Tough week for mommy
I did not realize before becoming a parent how a child could push a person so close to the edge of sanity, nor how important it is to have a support network in your life in order to achieve one's full potential as a parent.
This week, Eva has been cutting more teeth (that's five coming in at the same time now) and only sleeps when the medicine is working. As soon as the medicine wears off, she wakes up. So, good mommy that I am have been putting her to bed at 8:00 p.m., then waiting until the chickens go to sleep to close up the chicken house (11:00 p.m.) and going to bed myself. Well, that means that at 3:00 in the morning, Eva wakes up, and so does mommy. After three days with only 4 hours of sleep each, I had reached my breaking point... oh my word, is it hard to be patient and calm and peaceful when contending with an unconsolable baby on no sleep. Yeah, I pretty much failed, grumped at everyone and didn't like anyone, including Eva. So, I realized I needed help and on Wednesday, called my mom out of her room early and asked her to watch Eva while I got some more sleep. It's amazing how four hours of sleep can so completely change your world. I went to bed hating everyone and woke up loving everyone. I liked my family again, but haven't had a lot of time away from Eva to post anything.
In any case, I don't care anymore about my pre-planned bedtime. Eva is now going to bed with the Chickens so I can go to sleep also. Now we're both getting 7 - 8 hours of sleep and everyone in the house is happier. There are a couple other things I have done to help us. I have been putting white noise in her room (a suggestion from a father I know) or else a cd of soft music. But the white noise (between two radio stations) helps her feel like there's someone else there and covers up other noises. Another suggestion that has really helped me, which came from one of the mothers at my church, is the aluminum foil on the windows. We live so far north that the sun doesn't go down until almost 11:00 p.m. and gets up before 5:00 a.m. So, that's when Eva got up... with the sun. The aluminum foil blocks out all of the light and she sleeps. David hated it, said it looked horribly tacky, until the first time he put her to sleep after I put it up and she went right to sleep in the dark room. Now he likes it also. So, sleepwise, things are improving, and will get better yet once she quits teething.
Eva has definitely become more clingy this week. I've noticed an increase in her need to be consoled if I am absent for any length of time, yet at the same time, if I am present, she is more able to explore her environment also. At church last Wednesday, I noticed that while she needed a lot of reassurance, she has started crawling away from me a little to look at something and then crawl back to reassure herself. Then, she'll go do something else, and then come back again. I believe this is age appropriate attachment for a baby around 6 to 9 months old, which is to be expected as Eva has to go through the process of attachment from the beginning all over again. I am just thrilled that she has finally reached this point and see it as a huge milestone that she now looks to me as a mother and watches to see what my reaction is to things to know how she should react.
Another acheivement this week are the kisses. Before Eva only gave kisses when she saw someone else give them and those were pretty recent also, well this week she has started giving them spontaneously. Daddy, myself and granny have all received Eva kisses. They are silent and slobbery, but, hands down, the best I've ever received. I think that she has finally received enough kisses herself to realize that she can return them. Also, she is starting to trust us enough to allow more intimacy. So, last night, I thought I'd try a baby massage. It went pretty well, I think. I put on some Chinese lullabyes, dimmed the lights, asked her permission... okay she didn't have a clue what I was asking, but I asked anyway, got out the lotion and... she decided she should play. She wasn't about to relax and lay down, I've never seen a baby that wiggles so much, but I wasn't deterred. She did sit still for me to massage her back and her belly... she loves her back massaged. However, the arms and the legs she wasn't sure about, I believe she thought I had some sneaky plan to confine her and she wasn't having any part of that. I followed her cues and didn't push it. I am just hopeful she will get to enjoy touch enough to let me massage her more fully in time.
I can hear the roosters crowing and am starting to worry that Eva can as well. I am sure she will wake up again soon. She got up at 6:00 this morning after going to bed at 10:30. I gave her more medicine and put her back to sleep, which took an hour. She has to get more sleep than she's getting. I'm just thinking about killing some roosters right about now...
This week, Eva has been cutting more teeth (that's five coming in at the same time now) and only sleeps when the medicine is working. As soon as the medicine wears off, she wakes up. So, good mommy that I am have been putting her to bed at 8:00 p.m., then waiting until the chickens go to sleep to close up the chicken house (11:00 p.m.) and going to bed myself. Well, that means that at 3:00 in the morning, Eva wakes up, and so does mommy. After three days with only 4 hours of sleep each, I had reached my breaking point... oh my word, is it hard to be patient and calm and peaceful when contending with an unconsolable baby on no sleep. Yeah, I pretty much failed, grumped at everyone and didn't like anyone, including Eva. So, I realized I needed help and on Wednesday, called my mom out of her room early and asked her to watch Eva while I got some more sleep. It's amazing how four hours of sleep can so completely change your world. I went to bed hating everyone and woke up loving everyone. I liked my family again, but haven't had a lot of time away from Eva to post anything.
In any case, I don't care anymore about my pre-planned bedtime. Eva is now going to bed with the Chickens so I can go to sleep also. Now we're both getting 7 - 8 hours of sleep and everyone in the house is happier. There are a couple other things I have done to help us. I have been putting white noise in her room (a suggestion from a father I know) or else a cd of soft music. But the white noise (between two radio stations) helps her feel like there's someone else there and covers up other noises. Another suggestion that has really helped me, which came from one of the mothers at my church, is the aluminum foil on the windows. We live so far north that the sun doesn't go down until almost 11:00 p.m. and gets up before 5:00 a.m. So, that's when Eva got up... with the sun. The aluminum foil blocks out all of the light and she sleeps. David hated it, said it looked horribly tacky, until the first time he put her to sleep after I put it up and she went right to sleep in the dark room. Now he likes it also. So, sleepwise, things are improving, and will get better yet once she quits teething.
Eva has definitely become more clingy this week. I've noticed an increase in her need to be consoled if I am absent for any length of time, yet at the same time, if I am present, she is more able to explore her environment also. At church last Wednesday, I noticed that while she needed a lot of reassurance, she has started crawling away from me a little to look at something and then crawl back to reassure herself. Then, she'll go do something else, and then come back again. I believe this is age appropriate attachment for a baby around 6 to 9 months old, which is to be expected as Eva has to go through the process of attachment from the beginning all over again. I am just thrilled that she has finally reached this point and see it as a huge milestone that she now looks to me as a mother and watches to see what my reaction is to things to know how she should react.
Another acheivement this week are the kisses. Before Eva only gave kisses when she saw someone else give them and those were pretty recent also, well this week she has started giving them spontaneously. Daddy, myself and granny have all received Eva kisses. They are silent and slobbery, but, hands down, the best I've ever received. I think that she has finally received enough kisses herself to realize that she can return them. Also, she is starting to trust us enough to allow more intimacy. So, last night, I thought I'd try a baby massage. It went pretty well, I think. I put on some Chinese lullabyes, dimmed the lights, asked her permission... okay she didn't have a clue what I was asking, but I asked anyway, got out the lotion and... she decided she should play. She wasn't about to relax and lay down, I've never seen a baby that wiggles so much, but I wasn't deterred. She did sit still for me to massage her back and her belly... she loves her back massaged. However, the arms and the legs she wasn't sure about, I believe she thought I had some sneaky plan to confine her and she wasn't having any part of that. I followed her cues and didn't push it. I am just hopeful she will get to enjoy touch enough to let me massage her more fully in time.
I can hear the roosters crowing and am starting to worry that Eva can as well. I am sure she will wake up again soon. She got up at 6:00 this morning after going to bed at 10:30. I gave her more medicine and put her back to sleep, which took an hour. She has to get more sleep than she's getting. I'm just thinking about killing some roosters right about now...
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Two steps forward, one step back...
This weekend feels unreal to me this week. What is even stranger is the thought, that on Tuesday, it will be one month since we got Eva...it feels much longer, like she has always been here.
Eva has continued discovering her world, finding new and delightful things and catching up on her development at alarming rates. However, every once in a while, we're reminded forceably that this little girl has a history and her life did not start four weeks ago. Yesterday evening, I was out and I thought that Eva would be fine with David and Granny. I went out on Monday evening also and they did fine. I suppose the visit to the Doctor earlier or who knows, whatever it was, she did not do well with me gone. David and mom said that she stood at the gate leading to the outside door and just cried that tortured, forlorn cry. They said it broke their hearts but there was nothing they could do to console her, although, David said the toys distracted her for a short time. So, last night we brought her in bed with us, since she would not stay asleep in the crib. She spent all night cuddled up against me, grabbing onto my nightgown. I regret leaving her, and I have to remind myself that despite how well she seems to be doing, she still needs time to develop trust in our relationship. I'm going to have to really consider, and limit, what evening activities I'm willing to do without her.
In any case, we did have a return visit with the Doctor on Friday afternoon. Eva met with the audiologist... no needles but they had to hold her hands down, and she got very angry about that. Her screaming did interfere with the test, also I was told again that she is strong. The tests did show that she has some hearing loss in her right ear, however, it may be temporary. Her ear drum in the right ear also was not responding which could be a result of fluid in the ear, which could result from her runny nose from teething. We are suppose to go back in two months and do it again. In the meantime, David and I are praying for complete healing and working of her ear.
Eva had another bath today. Baths have not been fun for her, or us. She hates them and as a consequence, we hate giving them. Today, though, we tried it in the sink. Actually, it went much better. It must be a fear of falling issue. I'm going to have to get something for the bathtub that makes her feel more secure.
So, that's life at our house this week. Eva can say a new word, "Kitty cat." Well, she says "Tit Tat", but we're impressed, nonetheless. I also heard her quite clearly utter "Uh oh" when she dropped her ball. She is crawling extremely well, and can balance herself for a few minutes un-aided when standing as long as she doesn't realize what she is doing. She still doesn't pay a bit of attention to any of the books I read her, but she does take the picture books out herself and look at them, sort of. She helps me with whatever I am doing, which only adds about double the time, so I appreciate it and be sure to tell her what a terrific helper she is. She loves her stroller, and actually is liking the car seat now... it puts her to sleep, which makes mommy like it also. She also tries to dress herself with the folded laundry in the basket...strange, but cute.
I took her to Walmart after going to the clinic. Did you know that they put the candy in the check out stands at precisely the right hieght for a baby buckled into the cart to grab? I never realized that before, but was not about to let Eva think she could get candy whenever we go to the store. Everything she added to the cart was put back. However, I am going to be looking for check out aisles that don't carry the candy...that is irritating.
Well, she just woke up again. I'm letting Daddy play with her for a while before I attempt to put her back to sleep. So long for now...
Eva has continued discovering her world, finding new and delightful things and catching up on her development at alarming rates. However, every once in a while, we're reminded forceably that this little girl has a history and her life did not start four weeks ago. Yesterday evening, I was out and I thought that Eva would be fine with David and Granny. I went out on Monday evening also and they did fine. I suppose the visit to the Doctor earlier or who knows, whatever it was, she did not do well with me gone. David and mom said that she stood at the gate leading to the outside door and just cried that tortured, forlorn cry. They said it broke their hearts but there was nothing they could do to console her, although, David said the toys distracted her for a short time. So, last night we brought her in bed with us, since she would not stay asleep in the crib. She spent all night cuddled up against me, grabbing onto my nightgown. I regret leaving her, and I have to remind myself that despite how well she seems to be doing, she still needs time to develop trust in our relationship. I'm going to have to really consider, and limit, what evening activities I'm willing to do without her.
In any case, we did have a return visit with the Doctor on Friday afternoon. Eva met with the audiologist... no needles but they had to hold her hands down, and she got very angry about that. Her screaming did interfere with the test, also I was told again that she is strong. The tests did show that she has some hearing loss in her right ear, however, it may be temporary. Her ear drum in the right ear also was not responding which could be a result of fluid in the ear, which could result from her runny nose from teething. We are suppose to go back in two months and do it again. In the meantime, David and I are praying for complete healing and working of her ear.
Eva had another bath today. Baths have not been fun for her, or us. She hates them and as a consequence, we hate giving them. Today, though, we tried it in the sink. Actually, it went much better. It must be a fear of falling issue. I'm going to have to get something for the bathtub that makes her feel more secure.
So, that's life at our house this week. Eva can say a new word, "Kitty cat." Well, she says "Tit Tat", but we're impressed, nonetheless. I also heard her quite clearly utter "Uh oh" when she dropped her ball. She is crawling extremely well, and can balance herself for a few minutes un-aided when standing as long as she doesn't realize what she is doing. She still doesn't pay a bit of attention to any of the books I read her, but she does take the picture books out herself and look at them, sort of. She helps me with whatever I am doing, which only adds about double the time, so I appreciate it and be sure to tell her what a terrific helper she is. She loves her stroller, and actually is liking the car seat now... it puts her to sleep, which makes mommy like it also. She also tries to dress herself with the folded laundry in the basket...strange, but cute.
I took her to Walmart after going to the clinic. Did you know that they put the candy in the check out stands at precisely the right hieght for a baby buckled into the cart to grab? I never realized that before, but was not about to let Eva think she could get candy whenever we go to the store. Everything she added to the cart was put back. However, I am going to be looking for check out aisles that don't carry the candy...that is irritating.
Well, she just woke up again. I'm letting Daddy play with her for a while before I attempt to put her back to sleep. So long for now...
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Holidays and Doctors
The fourth of July celebration was different for us this year. One, we have another member of our family to share one of our favorite holidays with and two, we didn't have the money we usually do for fireworks, since our trip to China. In fact, we didn't do anything at our house this year. Instead, we spent the afternoon with our friends who also traveled with us to China to adopt their second daughter. It was the first time we've had Eva outside for any appreciable time, the first time she was in a swing and the first time she saw fireworks. She enjoyed being outside, loved the swing and wanted to hate the fireworks, but just couldn't. She tried to be scared, but then just had to look. I even got some smiles and "oohing" noises out of her, however, I did have to cover her ears for most of it.
Another first for me, I made jello for the first time ever. I made the extra stiff kind, and it was definitely Eva's favorite fares. I noticed a lot of the adults enjoyed it too, as well as the other children.
Today I took Eva to the Pediatrician. At first when we met with the nurse she was fine, flirted a little, smiled. Then, the unspeakable happened, she had to get weighed and measured, both of which she did not beleive were really necessary. She weighs 23 13 lbs now, which means she's gained almost half a pound since the last time we weighed her. Also, she is 31.5 inches long. She is in the 90th percentile for height for caucasian babies and the 80th percentile for weight. Her head circumferance is in the 45th percentile. Eva did not enjoy the fussing and was happy to see the nurse leave.
After the nurse left, we sat on the floor, played with some toys and waited for the Doctor. Eva laughed and giggled, then she heard the Doctor knock and start to open the door. She scooted her butt over to me so fast, I thought I got caught in a hurricane. She held on tight, and was not about to let that Doctor get to her. Needless to say, he did anyway, and Eva screamed. He said that she had healthy lungs... actually he said she was healthy overall, eating well and doing very good. She does have cradle cap in her ears and we got some drops for that. So, then the Doctor left again and Eva recovered, and got happy playing on the floor again.
Then, the Nurse came back. As soon as she heard the door start to open, she scooted even faster into my lap. The nurse brought help, and I stepped away because I don't want Eva to associate pain with me. So, they gave her the immunizations and vaccines that she needed. She got a TB test in her arm, a shot in her stomach and one in each thigh. Eva was angry at this point and wanted NOTHING more to do with the nurse. She was very happy when we left the Doctors office to go and wait near the lab. The nurses told me she was strong.
In the waiting area, we played, she flirted with the fellow patients. One nice old man in a wheel chair told me I had a nice looking son. (Mind you, she was wearing the adorable yellow dress shown in the pictures.) So, finally, they got her back to draw blood for her blood tests. It took three adult nurses to get blood from one little baby. They kept saying, I've never seen a baby react like this. Apparantly, Eva knew what that needle was (she just got shots... of course she remembered) and wasn't about to let it get into her. The nurses told me that she was very strong (I've heard that a few times now). After it was all done, she continued to scream because she was just mad, and after all, now both arms were stuck with a needle as well as her belly and both thighs.
I was able to calm her down, but then we had to go have an Xray of her arm to see if her bones are growing correctly. She had had enough by that time, and even though the Xray technitian wasn't poking her, she still wasn't having any of it. It took three adults again to get her to lay her arm on the table for the split second it took for the picture. Again, I was told she was strong.
After that we had to go and get her prescription filled... yeah, she saw the candy display. I want to know who told her what candy looked like... How did she know? I endured at least 10 minutes of forceful screaming, "num num" being shouted and trying to reach that candy. I wasn't about to start that... her thinking she gets treat whenever she goes out. It was just amazing to me that she could tell what it was, it's not like I have ever bought her any.
I have learned that it is a major undertaking taking a baby to the Doctor. Oh my word, am I exhausted. Also, it was harder on me than I thought it would be to see her get hurt. We're not done yet, on Friday we have to go back for the audiologist and to check her TB test. Then, in another two months she has to get boosters... my poor baby.
So... we're hoping she will sleep tonight.
Another first for me, I made jello for the first time ever. I made the extra stiff kind, and it was definitely Eva's favorite fares. I noticed a lot of the adults enjoyed it too, as well as the other children.
Today I took Eva to the Pediatrician. At first when we met with the nurse she was fine, flirted a little, smiled. Then, the unspeakable happened, she had to get weighed and measured, both of which she did not beleive were really necessary. She weighs 23 13 lbs now, which means she's gained almost half a pound since the last time we weighed her. Also, she is 31.5 inches long. She is in the 90th percentile for height for caucasian babies and the 80th percentile for weight. Her head circumferance is in the 45th percentile. Eva did not enjoy the fussing and was happy to see the nurse leave.
After the nurse left, we sat on the floor, played with some toys and waited for the Doctor. Eva laughed and giggled, then she heard the Doctor knock and start to open the door. She scooted her butt over to me so fast, I thought I got caught in a hurricane. She held on tight, and was not about to let that Doctor get to her. Needless to say, he did anyway, and Eva screamed. He said that she had healthy lungs... actually he said she was healthy overall, eating well and doing very good. She does have cradle cap in her ears and we got some drops for that. So, then the Doctor left again and Eva recovered, and got happy playing on the floor again.
Then, the Nurse came back. As soon as she heard the door start to open, she scooted even faster into my lap. The nurse brought help, and I stepped away because I don't want Eva to associate pain with me. So, they gave her the immunizations and vaccines that she needed. She got a TB test in her arm, a shot in her stomach and one in each thigh. Eva was angry at this point and wanted NOTHING more to do with the nurse. She was very happy when we left the Doctors office to go and wait near the lab. The nurses told me she was strong.
In the waiting area, we played, she flirted with the fellow patients. One nice old man in a wheel chair told me I had a nice looking son. (Mind you, she was wearing the adorable yellow dress shown in the pictures.) So, finally, they got her back to draw blood for her blood tests. It took three adult nurses to get blood from one little baby. They kept saying, I've never seen a baby react like this. Apparantly, Eva knew what that needle was (she just got shots... of course she remembered) and wasn't about to let it get into her. The nurses told me that she was very strong (I've heard that a few times now). After it was all done, she continued to scream because she was just mad, and after all, now both arms were stuck with a needle as well as her belly and both thighs.
I was able to calm her down, but then we had to go have an Xray of her arm to see if her bones are growing correctly. She had had enough by that time, and even though the Xray technitian wasn't poking her, she still wasn't having any of it. It took three adults again to get her to lay her arm on the table for the split second it took for the picture. Again, I was told she was strong.
After that we had to go and get her prescription filled... yeah, she saw the candy display. I want to know who told her what candy looked like... How did she know? I endured at least 10 minutes of forceful screaming, "num num" being shouted and trying to reach that candy. I wasn't about to start that... her thinking she gets treat whenever she goes out. It was just amazing to me that she could tell what it was, it's not like I have ever bought her any.
I have learned that it is a major undertaking taking a baby to the Doctor. Oh my word, am I exhausted. Also, it was harder on me than I thought it would be to see her get hurt. We're not done yet, on Friday we have to go back for the audiologist and to check her TB test. Then, in another two months she has to get boosters... my poor baby.
So... we're hoping she will sleep tonight.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Changes
Before we got Eva, many people told us that our lives were going to change dramatically. We believed them, and they were right, of course. Here are some of my favorite changes that really drive home the fact we have a daughter now.
1. We have a drawer in our kitchen that used to contain knives and sharp objects. Now, it is full of bottles and bottle accessories. (The knives are in a basket on the counter.)
2. It now takes us 5 minutes to get into the cupboard under the sink.
3. We spend much more time putting cats on one side or other of the three new gates that have appeared in the house.
4. There are toys everywhere!
5. Daddy has developed an incredible array of strange and silly noises which appear at random intervals in unexpected locations.
6. Leaving the house now involves the packing skills of a seasoned traveler and as David says, "What's all this, are we going on an expedition?"
7. We have become accostomed to sleeping while being kicked, crawled over, elbows shoved in our sides and being head-butted in the chest.
8. I now vacume the house every single day. (I totally didn't expect this one.)
9. I have learned to recognize the locations of changing tables in strange places. Seriously, I never paid attention to them before.
10. (This is my favorite) Daddy spent 15 minutes this morning, cleaning runny poo poo from the seat of the high chair. That NEVER happened in our home before.
Eva is doing well... she's feeling much better and is happy. She mostly sleeps through the night, although, she insists on coming to our bed at 1:00 in the morning to finish her sleep. We are thankful that she at least sleeps from arount 7:00 p.m. until then in her crib.
Yesterday we took Eva to Grand Forks for the first time. She did very well, Daddy entertained her with silly noises and Granny fed her the magic pills (cheerios). We went to the Chinese buffet for lunch, and David got the biggest kick out of using the Chinese we learned. The waitresses came over and said hi to Eva and told us that she was adorable and big.
Something interesting and sad occured at Sam's Club. I had to change Eva's diaper and so I took her into the ladies room. The lights are different in there, and at the time there were about 6 women in the room all talking. She took one look around the room, got a look of absolute terror on her face and grabbed hold of me as tight as her little arms could grab. She was so filled with fear, and her cry while I changed her diaper was heart-wrenching in that it sounded desperate and very sad. I have to think that something about that room filled with only women reminded her of the orphanage with all the nannies and she did not want put down, left or given to someone else. I am thankful for this little girl in my life, I am delighted and thrilled to have her, and I love her with all my heart, but at the same time, I hate the circumstances that made it possible for her to come into our lives. No baby should ever have to fear being left. No one should have to pay the price she has just to be loved. I wish I could have paid that price for her.
In any case, last night she needed lots of reassurance and spent a lot of time just cuddling and being held by me. It seemed to resolve things for her and it was a happy girl who went to sleep.
Today was a day of firsts for David. Today is the first day that Eva fell asleep on him. It was during praise service at church, and since I was dancing today, David got to watch Eva. They both did very good. David said that he looked down at that sweet face on his chest and felt such an increase in love that it brought tears to his eyes. Today is also the first day that David put Eva in the car seat by himself and the first day that he dressed her. It's been a big day for daddy, starting with that poopy high chair seat, and he's out there smiling, entertaining and playing with her still while I write this post. Yes, I am falling even more in love with my husband, the father.
1. We have a drawer in our kitchen that used to contain knives and sharp objects. Now, it is full of bottles and bottle accessories. (The knives are in a basket on the counter.)
2. It now takes us 5 minutes to get into the cupboard under the sink.
3. We spend much more time putting cats on one side or other of the three new gates that have appeared in the house.
4. There are toys everywhere!
5. Daddy has developed an incredible array of strange and silly noises which appear at random intervals in unexpected locations.
6. Leaving the house now involves the packing skills of a seasoned traveler and as David says, "What's all this, are we going on an expedition?"
7. We have become accostomed to sleeping while being kicked, crawled over, elbows shoved in our sides and being head-butted in the chest.
8. I now vacume the house every single day. (I totally didn't expect this one.)
9. I have learned to recognize the locations of changing tables in strange places. Seriously, I never paid attention to them before.
10. (This is my favorite) Daddy spent 15 minutes this morning, cleaning runny poo poo from the seat of the high chair. That NEVER happened in our home before.
Eva is doing well... she's feeling much better and is happy. She mostly sleeps through the night, although, she insists on coming to our bed at 1:00 in the morning to finish her sleep. We are thankful that she at least sleeps from arount 7:00 p.m. until then in her crib.
Yesterday we took Eva to Grand Forks for the first time. She did very well, Daddy entertained her with silly noises and Granny fed her the magic pills (cheerios). We went to the Chinese buffet for lunch, and David got the biggest kick out of using the Chinese we learned. The waitresses came over and said hi to Eva and told us that she was adorable and big.
Something interesting and sad occured at Sam's Club. I had to change Eva's diaper and so I took her into the ladies room. The lights are different in there, and at the time there were about 6 women in the room all talking. She took one look around the room, got a look of absolute terror on her face and grabbed hold of me as tight as her little arms could grab. She was so filled with fear, and her cry while I changed her diaper was heart-wrenching in that it sounded desperate and very sad. I have to think that something about that room filled with only women reminded her of the orphanage with all the nannies and she did not want put down, left or given to someone else. I am thankful for this little girl in my life, I am delighted and thrilled to have her, and I love her with all my heart, but at the same time, I hate the circumstances that made it possible for her to come into our lives. No baby should ever have to fear being left. No one should have to pay the price she has just to be loved. I wish I could have paid that price for her.
In any case, last night she needed lots of reassurance and spent a lot of time just cuddling and being held by me. It seemed to resolve things for her and it was a happy girl who went to sleep.
Today was a day of firsts for David. Today is the first day that Eva fell asleep on him. It was during praise service at church, and since I was dancing today, David got to watch Eva. They both did very good. David said that he looked down at that sweet face on his chest and felt such an increase in love that it brought tears to his eyes. Today is also the first day that David put Eva in the car seat by himself and the first day that he dressed her. It's been a big day for daddy, starting with that poopy high chair seat, and he's out there smiling, entertaining and playing with her still while I write this post. Yes, I am falling even more in love with my husband, the father.
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