Walk n Roll

Yesterday was SBAI's first ever Walk n Roll for Spina Bifida!  There was well over 300 people there (including us).  It was great to see all the supporters and to know that the SBAI raised over $25,000!  Maria wanted to go see some friends she made at the picnic this summer and she was excited that she would get to try out a hand cycle again.  It was great to get to see other families and new friends.  Had to laugh a little when the head of Adaptive Sports Iowa was just as annoyed as I was to hear that Maria only watched in PE the first month of school. 

The SBAI board kicking off the Walk n Roll

Maria waiting for the fun to begin

Walkers on the 1 mile walk

Maria on the hand cycle getting some help from Adaptive Sports Iowa

Yeah, she didn't want to get off it

Look at the joy on that face....can't wait till she gets her own hand cycle!  More on that later

Got her in the sports chair too.  Amazing how much more comfortable she is in it this time.

She did great...even made a few baskets

After the Walk n Roll we went to see my parents.  Maria got to help grandma carve a pumpkin.  It was funny....she loves getting to do new things but doesn't like to get dirty.  She is doing really good though.  Back in her old KAFO, while we get the re-make done.  She is so much more confident in doing things right now.  It is nice to see her confidence coming back with the knowledge that she has the support she needs in the KAFO.

Getting ready to carve the pumpkin

Love the expression...she really didn't know what to think about it.

Scooping out the pumpkin guts

Yeah, she couldn't wash it off fast enough

Watching grandma carve out the eyes

Maria's stink face

Getting the seeds ready

Maria update

So the last few weeks we have been busy.  A big part has been getting use the the new braces.  Maria was doing great....not overly fond of the stairs, but adapting well.  Over the weekend we went to Chicago for my honorary niece's 10th birthday.  Her one request was that Maria be at her birthday....couldn't deny either of them that.  So, we embarked on a fun no schedule weekend.....BIG mistake!  I really found out how much Maria needs to maintain a schedule and ensure that she gets 9-10 hours of sleep a night.  Needless to say she has been grumpy this week. 

Ok, so the weekend was actually a lot of fun. 8 girls were there (including the birthday girl) on Friday night.  They decorated masks (the theme was masquerade) and they got fun tulle skirts to wear around.  After pizza, cake, ice cream, candy and two movies they finally went to sleep.....yeah, I'm pretty sure it was after midnight....and they were up by 7am.  Saturday after the girls left my other friend came over and we went to Avenue BG (Bulgarian restaurant) for lunch.  Maria was VERY excited to get her favorite soup tarator.  We then went to the Bulgarian market where we found banana juice and banitisa (both were things Maria wanted).  We also got lots of other Bulgarian treats.  Ok, so I have to say that I find this rather funny....when we were in Bulgaria people didn't realize that Maria spoke Bulgarian unless I told them.  Same thing happened at Ave BG and the market.  The market was rather funny....I was trying to get Maria to choose a treat to take to her class for her birthday next month.  I finally asked one of the workers what they would suggest...explaining that Maria is from Stara Zagora Bulgaria and we wanted a Bulgarian treat for her birthday.  They were surprised and asked if she spoke Bulgarian...Maria said yes of course, but wouldn't talk to them in Bulgarian (kids!  I swear she has not lost any of her Bulgarian....just rather shy around people she doesn't know well).  Anyway, the worker I was talking to and another worker are also from Stara Zagora.  They were so nice and helped me find a yummy treat for Maria's birthday.  They even gave us a few Bulgarian calendars so that we know when all the Bulgarian holidays are and Maria can write special things on it.  They also told Maria in Bulgarian and English to tell me when she wants to come back.  Still find it funny that people automatically assume that she is my biological child and speaks English....at the same time I'm honored that they see our bond and the similarities between us.  After the market we went back to my friend's home where we were staying....it was raining so, we were unsure what we should do.  We ended up having a fire outside where the kids got to roast marshmallows and make s'mores.  It was lots of fun.

The fun ended as we headed home.  Maria was extra whiny and grumpy.  Ok, she was really tired!  Monday she went to school fine and then I got a call...Maria was refusing to go up stairs...it was a didn't want to it was a couldn't do.  She was so tired that she did not have the energy or strength to use her new brace to go up the stairs at school.  It was bad enough the school didn't want her attempting to go up the bus steps, so I had to get her.  From the moment we walked out the doors, she started to cry and cried over half way home.  Yup, one tired girl!  So, she went to bed early that night and I took her the next day to her 2 week follow up on her new braces.  I was prepared to request that they put a lock back on the KAFO....it made me sad to give up on the current brace, but I felt Maria needed the lock.  Saw the ortho....he told us he saw Maria on the news for the Walk n Roll for Spina Bifida and then took us back to the room.  I was able to explain what had been going on and he said that he saw that she wasn't as stable on the new KAFO and needs the lock....I was so relieved....really thought I was going to have to fight that one.  So, the new brace will be ready in 2 weeks!  Yup, she is getting a remake.  Right now she is back in her old KAFO with the lock....if she needs it for stability then she needs it. 
Ok, so now for pics

Maria with her soup tarator and shopska salad at Avenue BG

painting her mask

Fun pink skirt

Showing off the pink mask!

Enjoying the fire

Roasting a marshmallow

Playing with a stick

Rare picture with me in it!

Fall pics

I haven't really been able to take a lot of pictures since returning to work and Maria starting school.  So, I decided to make some time and take some fall pictures of her at a local park.  I think you will agree she is a very photogenic young lady......growing up too quickly already!  It was hard to choose my favorites...

Update on Zack

Well, I have been anxiously waiting all week....it is official Zack has a family fighting to bring him home!  Thanks to everyone who has shared Zack's story, donated to his RR account and those who have contacted me about the kids.....Maria and I feel blessed at the our pouring of love and support you have all shown Zack.  I do not have any information of the family yet, but hope that we will soon become very good friends.

3 months home

Today was our 3 months home anniversary since coming home!  It was nice to realize that Maria has now been home for 1/4 the year.  So, what has happened in 3 months....

• First 4th of July
• First, second, third, fourth time making cookies (grandma makes LOTS of cookies)
• First day of school
• First and second trips to Chicago (soon to be third trip)
• First football game
• First zoo visit (followed by the first gray hairs my daughter gave me)
• First SBAI picnic
• First adaptive sports day
• Learning that Maria will have surgery in the near future
• Too many trips to the different doctors (resulting in much whining about missing school)
• New crutches (yes, they are pink)
• Improvement in Maria's physical mobility
• Bad response to a great dentist (we have our next dental appt on Nov 2...we will see how that goes)
• Growing 3/4 of an inch
• Losing 5 pounds (ok, I know this is not usually a good thing for adopted kids, but for Maria it is for her mobility)
• Learning how much of a little miracle Maria is
• Growing understanding of English while maintaining her Bulgarian
• Realizing time and time again how much she was meant to be my daughter
• New braces

I'm sure there are more things....I just can't remember them all.  So, here are some pictures of her NEW BRACES!

Yup pink camo....was there any doubt they would be pink?

Getting the KAFO fitted

Her shoes fit better with these braces!!!!

Not so sure about this....the KAFO doesn't have a lock on the hinge like her old one did....she just needs to practice and gain confidence on them.

She is really liking the AFO

Really had to check it out

From this weekend....notice a theme?  yup, the girl has a thing for a certain black cat named Pippin....she loves her "black Pippin" t-shirt, sweatshirt and mask.

This just makes me laugh!  She is so my daughter!

Zack's RR link

http://reecesrainbow.org/42439/zack

Some Q & A

Ok, I have been getting lots of questions about Zack and even a few about Maria.

Q: Why does Zack only have 6 weeks left?
A:  Each Bulgarian agency or NGO only can have a certain amount of Waiting Child files at one time and only for a specified amount of time.  Once the time is up, if a family hasn't asked for the child to be placed on hold for their family then the file needs to go back to the MOJ (Ministry of Justice) and another NGO can request the file.
Q:  What is Zack's self care like?
A:  I honestly do not know, but I have emailed his current director asking.
Q: What is Zack's mobility?
A:  I know Zack can sit and move about/play on the floor.  I have been told that he did walk some at one time.
Q: Can Zack talk?
A:  Yes, he can and he can be quite chatty when he is comfortable with someone.
Q:  He looks really small for his age
A:  It is not uncommon for kids from Bulgaria to be smaller in stature or thinner.  I do believe that his appearance may also have something to do with his CP.  I do know he eats very well and have seen him eat a little in person.
Q: What is the foundation?
A:  The foundation is actually founded by a well known Bulgarian family to help children with orthopedic needs within Bulgaria.  They are not actually located in Bulgaria and Doctor Bruno and the technicians visit the children every few months.  We Skype with one of the founders weekly and have spoken with Doctor Bruno.  By the way how many international adoptive parents can say that have spoken with their child's surgeon....I have, he is AMAZING!

I'm sure there are many other questions.  Feel free to ask them.  Right now I'm not sharing specific names or locations.  As many know the world of international adoption can be very difficult.....little things can cause issues in the children's birth country.  I will share that information specifically with whatever family commits to adopting Zack.