Specialists

When you have a child with a special need, there are always specialist to be seen.  Today was a long day at the university hospital.  I have to say the specialist Maria sees are some of the best.  Today included an MRI (gotta admit I always dread those, ever since I got the devestating news last February about Maria's spine).  Then we went to visit with the neurosurgeon...the nice one with good people skills.....he asked us several questions, took a look at Maria's back, made sure we knew what to look for with a shunt malfunction and then gave us the news.....we don't have to see him for a whole year!  Gotta admit this made me want to celebrate.  I did talk to him a little bit about little sister's condition and wanting him to see her when she comes home.  He was very agreeable and explained more about little sister's condition.  Then we headed up to check in at the pediatric specialty clinic, just letting them know we were there.  We then went to get an ultrasound of Maria's kidneys and bladder, followed by a urodynamics test being done.  Then back to the specialty clinic to see Maria's urologist.  Again we answered several questions and talked about where Maria was.  Maria has a low pressure point in her bladder and weak muscles that control her bladder.....this is actually a good thing for her, it means that her kidneys should stay healthy, it is highly unlikely that urine from her bladder would go back into her kidneys (which does happen with some kids who have SB).  He is happy with how she is doing and we don't have to see him for a whole year too!  So great news today and we celebrated with Maria's favorite.....ice cream.

Maria's friends left behind

It is hard to believe this day is finally here.  Today in Bulgaria, Maria's friends (referred to as J and S), traveled from Stara Zagora to Sofia to appear in court.  They are now part of an amazing family.  They are loved sons and brothers.  Waiting to be reunited with their friend/sister, waiting to hug their mom and dad, waiting to be embraced by their siblings.  

Today was a good day.  This week I have thought a lot about J and S, about their mom and about Z who decided to remain in Bulgaria.  I have also thought of the differences between my current adoption and adopting Maria.  Maria's adoption was hard in many ways....it was emotionally draining.  I was at a point where I just wanted to be a mom, just wanted her in my arms.  This time I'm busy being a mom.  I don't have as much time to focus on how hard the wait is or what isn't happening as timely as I want.  Currently I'm waiting for my last three documents to be apostilled and returned to me.  Then they will be sent to Little Sister's country to be translated and registered.  I'm hoping that I will have a referral in early January, but with adoption nothing is for sure.

Thanksgiving

We had a nice long weekend spending time with family.  It was nice just playing card games, talking and enjoying family time.  Cannot wait till there is one more child at the table to be thankful for.

Turning 14

Last Friday we celebrated Maria's third birthday home....she turned 14.  It is hard to believe she is growing up so fast.  We had a nice dinner with grandparents, cousins and my brother.  Maria was thrilled to get a special ice cream cake (yes, she wanted ice cream even though it was so cold out).  She got a few gifts.  She is hard to buy for since usually she says she doesn't know what she wants.  She did say she wanted a Frozen shirt....she does enjoy the music from that movie.

On Saturday we did something else that Maria loves....art!  Specifically painting.  We had thought about doing one of those popular painting parties, but after learning how expensive it was we went online and found some great tutorials.  Maria had fun painting and learning some painting techniques.  Her painting came out very nice and I'm sure we will try doing more in the future.

Maria

As most of you know Maria has been working hard since her surgeries to walk again.  I have been looking over the videos of Maria walking during PT over the past few months. The changes are amazing.....she never ceases to break down walls in her path.  Here is a link to the videos of her progress.  Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/PzogpYxL2SQ

November

Well, last month ended very busy and this month is starting out equally as busy.  We continue to wait to hear from USCIS about biometric appointment and approval to adopt little sister "E".  I'm anxiously awaiting for the next step of the process to happen.....mainly travel dates.

Right now I have many friends waiting for their pick up trips.  It makes me think back to that day just over two years ago when I went to pick up Maria.  I'm starting to hear more parents talk about the grief their child experiences on that pick up day....the leaving of the only home they ever knew behind....the fear and pain that loss produces.  When I picked up Maria, I knew it would be hard for her....I didn't realize how hard.  At that time I didn't know many families who were being open about the grief and pain their child was experiencing....I'm glad that is changing.  The reality is adoption isn't like the movie Annie.....it isn't a child fully trusting you or grateful that you have taken them from the bad orphanage or mean orphanage director (that doesn't describe Maria's experience at all).  It is scary, I still cannot believe how brave Maria was on that day, not knowing what her life would be like or where her best friend would end up.  I realize for little sister aka "E", it will be different in some ways and similar in others.  Although I look forward to the day when "E" is home in my arms forever, I know there will be more pain and loss along the way.  

November is National Adoption month.....with all the joy that comes from adoption, also take a moment to consider the loss.  Accepting our kids means also accepting the loss and grief they have experienced.

Names

The conversations at home the last couple of weeks have been about names....specifically little sister's name. With Maria's name I just knew she would want to keep her first name. I just came up with a new middle name for her. With little sister, her birth name is not uncommon here....which is nice, but it is not a name I prefer. I have had two names picked out for years (before I decided to adopt Maria). Maria and I have talked about these names....added other names to the pool....asked friends, asked FB (wow, some interesting suggestions there). In the end I kept coming back to the two names I originally picked out. Over the weekend I was planning to talk with my mom about names. It was quite funny she just looked at me before I said anything and said "I'm calling little sister _____. You can change it later if you want." Funny enough it is the name I have been leaning towards for weeks. So, little sister has a name.

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