Our Hospital Home away from Home

Our first surgery was on October 6th at Dimaggio Children's Hospital. The surgery went very smoothly and took a little over 90 minutes. I am so thankful we have an amazing surgeon! I just can't find enough positive words to say about Dr. Stelnicki. God has truly blessed him with an awesome talent. I was so relieved that they actually gave him "sleepy juice" before the pass off to his OR nurses. He went to them with no tears and no fuss. And, that certainly kept his antsy mommy from having any tears!

We were so thankful that two of our dearest friends, Mark and Holly, braved Miami morning traffic to be with us. It was so nice to have their shoulders to lean on during those first few hours of recovery.

We ended up spending four days in PICU. We could've been home a day earlier if our little guy weren't so picky about the way he likes his formula! He was not too keen on the clear liquids at all. Then, he didn't want the formula that was pre-mixed. He had to watch me make it in front of him...and don't let it be room temperature either!

Needless to say... we'll be working on his finicky eating habits before our next surgery... December 8th!!!

Our last few minutes before getting his sleepy juice...
and the last few minutes to chew on his fingers for a LONG time!

Settling into our room (after the recovery room)

Our little Frankenstein...
ready to go home

And, for the Touched By An Angel story line...continue reading.

Neither of us were looking forward to being in the hospital setting again. Being there for four days, we met a lot of families and their children...all having their own stories. The most heartbreaking was watching a family lose their daughter just two rooms down from us. We watched the nurses lovingly create the memory box for them. We watched the family tearfully leave after saying their final goodbyes...hesitating at the door, not wanting to leave their little girl. Our family has walked both sides of that road. I remember sitting in that room, watching other families walk the halls with their children and seeing them smile or laugh, and thinking... "Do you even know what is going on around you?" Remembering that, I felt almost guilty walking past their room with our son, knowing that we would be going home with him in our arms.

What happened after the family left brought me comfort and answered some questions I'd had for two years. I'm sure her parents would find some comfort in it as well. I watched these nurses continue to care for this little girl... making sure that the lighting in the room was just right, playing her favorite music, and talking to her whenever they were in her room. That night, this little girl saved the lives of many people. While many may think..."what a waste," I have to say, "what a gift."

One Month Anniversary...

I can't believe that our little monkey has been with us for one month! It feels as if he's been with us forever. I wish that I was better able to describe the emotions that are still so heightened. I'm afraid that I'm not eloquent enough to do it justice.

Since beginning our adoption (or at least sharing it with others), I have searched for the right words to explain "why China?" I cannot even begin to total the number of times I was asked, "There are so many children right here, why do you have to go all the way to China?" Yesterday, when I was feeling a little low, I happened upon an old episode of "Touched by an Angel" on the Hallmark Channel. The episode is titled "For all the tea in China." When Monica reveals herself to the very apprehensive grandmother, she spoke the words that I had been searching for...

God does not will all that happens in this world. God does will something good out of everything that happens. But, for that we have to trust Him to take us places that we are afraid to go. We may not know what God's purpose is in all of this; but, we do know that from the moment one particular little boy was born a half a world away, God already had a plan for him and us. And, of all the countries He could have chosen for our child to be born, He chose China.

Our little monkey faces his first surgery on Monday, October 6th. We look ahead with anticipation and anxiety. Yet, we know that God is with us...every second of every minute of every day. He has great things planned for this little boy...our son. (My very spoiled son!) And, I have not ceased from breathing in the miracle of every moment I have with him. This first month has been incredible! We had prepared ourselves for the worst... sleepless nights and fear of these strange people who had taken him from the only home he ever knew. We have been blessed with a little boy who delights in the simplest of pleasures...a hug, having his head rubbed, playing peek-a-boo with his sisters, rolling from one wall to the other, kisses, his "woobie," a full tummy and curling up in blankets.

Dad and "monkey" listening to JieJie read

"What's behind this basket?"
He discovered how to empty his little box of toys!!! (10/1)

Who??? Me???
Mommy's little monkey discovered how to open the diaper wipes!

That mischievous little grin that melts away all the cares in the world.

The men in my life... already planning future kayaking trips!

Have I mentioned... I am SO IN LOVE and am SO THANKFUL for one very selfless mother who made the most difficult decision of her life to give her son the opportunity of a better life. I wish there was someway that I could thank her and let her know... she is forever a part of our family too!

Mommy's little cuddle bug... just like his big sister, Katy.