A Good Day

I could not have asked for a better experience at the hospital (out of town) with Avery on Friday. I tend to set the bar (in my head) really low for medical appointments, so perhaps another person would not agree, but I thought it went really well.

She had an echo cardiogram at 10 AM. We were taken back minutes before 10. We were done with the ultrasound (that's what it looked like to me) and speaking with the Cardiologist by 10:30! HER HEART IS PERFECT!! The biggest dilemma was how to spend the next 3 hrs before her second appointment. Being in a hospital helps put things into perspective. Not a dilemma in my book.

Knowing I was from out of town, the Cardiologist suggested I visit a "town favorite" toy store nearby. It ended up being a sweet time with Avery. The kind of small toy store with plenty of toys to "play with." Plus, I got a few Christmas presents checked off. 

Then, I asked the owner to point my in the direction of a park. We found it and Avery was thrilled to be outside and on the loose. She played and we ate the lunches I'd packed.

I was not expecting such a slow pace day and sweet time away with Avery. On Thursday, when I blogged, "a date with Avery" I was kind of psyching myself up. Trying to think of the positives. Well, God was very generous to give me just that.

 

The afternoon appointment was a little long for our liking. I got there too early and we waited 50 minutes in a deary waiting room when normally she'd be napping. She was under an ultrasound wand for a long time. She was truly amazing. Her tired state worked to our advantage, aside from being nervous, she laid relatively still. The technician and radiologist were amazed. They didn't find anything that concerned them. Alleluia!

It was a long day. We were gone, 8:30-4:15. She fell asleep in the van before we left the parking deck and slept the hour ride home.

I am so glad I am an experienced mom. 7 years ago this would have been so much harder on me. I am also thankful that the LORD has continually given us what we've needed at each turn.

 Saturday, we celebrated her good results and our 2 honor roll students ;)

More Appointments

She is on the move. Reaching new heights, as in climbing the bar stools and sitting on the kitchen counter (hopefully just that once). Fun, fun! She is keeping us all on our toes and we are so grateful! Amazing the difference in perspective.

 

Tomorrow, I have a date at the hospital with my girlie. She is having an echo cardiogram and 2 ultrasounds performed. There are several medical issues the Drs want to rule out, that can be found in kids with her congenital (physical abnormality present from birth) defect. 

Please pray there are no other abnormalities! Pray she is cooperative not scared/overwhelmed.

Tomorrow, marks 4 months since she was 1st placed in my arms. I can barely remember that child. Oh, how she has changed!

Fitting In

Not a well take photo, but still FUN!

Double Trouble

There is so much I could write about this picture. I warn you, this will be random.

First, this outfit. It's just too much! A neighbor gave it to her (a mom of 3 boys and grandma to 2 boys). She has almost out grown it. Which means it shrunk a lot or the measurements at Dr are off ;) Keep in mind it's a size 12 month.
Second, what one does the other must too. So here they sit together and swing together. They fight over me, constantly. I can not hold one without holding the other. Exhausting for sure and heavy, but I know it won't last forever.
Lastly, that face. Oh my goodness gracious (as Ryan would say). Yes, she smiles and she is happy, but this is the face I see A LOT. I let go of her hands for just a second to take the picture (the swing was not moving). I am SO glad she is so easily comforted by me, but it is sad that she needs SO MUCH reassurance. Being outside is worse and understandably so. Some days, I forget that so much is still new to her because she is happy and goes with the flow. But it is still very clear that she has a lot of anxieties. I am thankful she comes to me. This is an awesome sign. She has even learned that a mommy's kiss cures most boo boos ;)

Football Fever

Our cul de sac has been quite the field for football this fall. The boys are out there most afternoons and then on the weekends, the dads join the fun.

She is a little more interested in her snack than cheering for her brothers ;)

 On Sunday, the Fogartys were ALL in our Eagles attire, including Avery and me.

The polka dots make it look more girly, right?

Before Avery came along, this football game would have guaranteed me an hour or so to myself. Oh how times have changed!

JOY

I dare you to try not to smile when looking at these.

Oh to be so light that you can sit on a balloon and it not pop!

She was so delighted with her discovery.

Favorite Spot

Our house was built in the 60s. We do not have long, ceiling to floor windows in our house for little ones to look out. We do, however have 2 big bay windows. Avery has discovered this is the next best thing to being outdoors. Perfect timing considering the temperatures are dropping quickly. Unfortunately, I still need to be nearby as I am not convinced she won't fall off the seat part. She is getting better at sitting, so hopefully soon ;) She can also watch her brothers play football if I am not willing or available to be outside too. Ryan is never far away.

My Creative One

Mason has done so well with the addition of one more to our family. He is eager to introduce Avery to anyone we meet. He is a passionate kid (I wrote this when he was 2) and when he is not happy we know it, but for the most part he usually goes with the flow. I am thankful! He is quick to give a smile and a hug (which isn't so cuddly now that he is so big). He is eager to please (most of the time) and compassionate towards others.

Mason is doing so well in school. The academic part does not come as naturally as it did Owen, but socially and emotionally he is loving it. Thankfully he is getting by fine without a whole lot of effort on my part. I need that right now.
He easily gets lost in his own little world, whether it's Legos, battling knights, or his newest love, loom bands. As an artist myself, I can relate. He is SO proud of himself because he just created his "own" bracelet pattern. He is wondering if he should do a youtube video. If you are not familiar with the craze... tons of kid's make video tutorials on how to make different style bracelets. Mason wants to be famous ;) This morning at breakfast I found him counting how many bands it took and drawing this diagram.

Season Change

I am well aware of the fact that Avery has been getting lots of blog space :) Partly because we are connected at the hip, so she is always there. I also don't have to hide behind a big oak tree to take her picture.

This one is fighting the weather change. Whoever said boys don't argue about what to wear to school has never met my son. He is wearing pants in this picture only because it's his punishment for arguing about wearing pants to school the day before.
We are very very lax about what the boys wear to school. Most days they do not match and they look like they just rolled out of bed. We do have a collar shirt rule for Sundays, so there is no arguing about which t-shirt is nice enough for church.
SO when cold weather comes, Owen HATES wearing pants and the arguing begins. Last year, we set a temperature range and we are sticking to it again, but it's killing him and US as he adjusts. The morning temp has to be above 35 and a high of 55 in order to wear pants. This still brings tears. Personally, I think he is crazy, you never have to tell me when to put more clothes on, I HATE being cold.
His natural body temp is so much higher than mine and I am jealous that he stays so warm (even to the touch). I realize it's also the trend and style for boys to wear shorts ALL THE TIME. Today, he is on an outdoor field trip and I have worried about him all day. He is wearing pants and a light jacket. It's only 41 degrees but feels like 35 and we just had snow flurries. UGH!
He can not run as fast in pants. They easily slows him by down 5 mph! Because the school day is only about recess ;)

Queen for a Morning

Remember this post? Well, today Amy gave Avery the royal treatment :) I mentioned to Amy last week that I was struggling to find breakfast foods that Avery would eat. This morning after we both dropped of our boys at preschool (Ryan and her son are in the same class) she had us over for another cooking lesson/taste test. We even went home with a "doggy bag."

We wound up staying all morning. I enjoyed learning more about my (relatively) new friend and she enjoyed being with Avery. Back in Jan. she helped us with some translation questions. It's one thing to see a child on paper, it's another to be in their presence. I could sense Amy was touched by God's goodness. Avery has that effect on a lot of people.

Looking for Ryan

Avery had her follow-up GI appt yesterday and we also met with a surgeon. I really like both Doctors. I am glad this is where we were led to start. We are only at the very beginning of our journey. It's much harder to put a puzzle together when you don't have the whole picture to look at. Both Drs. seem up to the challenge.
Ryan spent the night with my parents on Wed so that Avery and I good head out of town Thurs morning. I didn't really anticipate the confusion that would bring Avery. I knew Ryan would be thrilled that his sister was pinning for him, so I got it on video. You can also see how much steadier she is on her feet. She hardly every crawls anymore!

Orphan Sunday

Our church had a lot to celebrate this year and we did just that. In recent years we've tried to make Orphan Sunday an educational time for folks interested in orphan care. This year, for several reasons, we choice to PARTY. 

Our church has welcomed 3 new children home since last Orphan Sunday. One more is to be finalized in the next week and one more coming home very very soon!

That's 5 children who have a family to call their own. Praise the Lord!

Our church has also been very involved in fundraising, supporting and caring for these families and other families in our community.

As EJ and I know 1st hand, it takes a lot of people to complete 1 adoption. We have a lot to be thankful for.

This time last year, our dossier was being prepared for China. It was the beginning of the next big step. On Sunday, it was such a joy to see Avery WALKING around among lots and lots of children and adults who were with us each step of the way.

Good Excuse

We celebrated our right to vote, the end of election phone calls & no school day with donuts!! 

Avery's first election and donuts ;)

 They were more excited than they looked.

We had a good day together minus a lot of spats between Mason and Ryan :(

Piles of Fun

The boys raked some leaves for jumping.

 Avery caught on fast. So much for texture sensitivity.

 They took turns completely covering each other in leaves and each popped out to surprise Avery. 

I love Owen and Mason's expressions, they love to make their sister smile.

 Where's Owen? (Doesn't that make you want to sneeze)

 Kind of confused, but she found him ;)

I got SO LUCKY with these pics. They are hardly ever in the same spot at the same time. Yay!

Lots of Treats

Here's my crew plus a Blue's Brother ;)

 Quite the group this year ;) 

Scary clown, black ninja, pirate and a strawberry.

 

 

She had a great 1st Halloween. Couldn't you just eat her up?

A little confused at first, but quickly got the hang of grabbing handfuls of candy.