Things I am Thankful For

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I couldn't wait to share the day with Grace. I wasn't disappointed except for the fact that my turkey took a bit longer to cook and it didn't have as much flavor as last year. Other than that, it was a perfect day. Grace allowed me to cook. She took a nap and my family came over and we ate and relaxed. It was one of those days were you were in such a good spot and you count your blessings. So, on this day of great thanks, here is my list:

1. my relationship with God
2. my daughter Grace (thus ending the excruciating wait)
3. my parents, sister, niece, nephews and the rest of my family including our dog Hope
4. my friends
5. good health
6. Grace's doctors
7. Grace's therapists
8. my job
9. the extra contract work
10. my house
11. my car (even with the dent)
12. my pink netbook
13. pumpkin pie, turkey and all thanksgiving food
14. the fact that I can support and feed myself and my daughter on one salary
15. having the best support groups
16. laughter
17. shopping
18. cute cothes and shoes
19. great purses
20. Bath & Bodyworks
21. my fantastic hair chick
22. cool weather
23. comfy bed
24. good food in general
25. reality TV especially the Amazing Race (Go Blondes!)

I could go on and on and the list would probably look silly...I seriously contemplated office supplies and new books but it makes me look ever sillier than I already am. This has been a great year and I'm praying for a great end and a wonderful beginning. I've already got one of Grace's Christmas gift's for next year (or maybe an Easter gift)...a cool kitchen that was on sale today at big lots...she's not ready for it right now.

Happy Turkey Day everybody! May you have many blessings come your way!

My Daughter, the Texan

Today we went to court and Grace was readopted in the state of Texas. She is now officially a Texan...a grumpy Texan though because she didn't get her nap. It was a nice ceremony and we had the best lawyer, Jana Olson Baker (if you need a great adoption lawyer in Bexar county, she is the one to get). There was another family there who traveled with us. It was so nice to see them.

Speaking of traveling families, I was able to visit with another family on Saturday at a craft's show in New Braunfels. The mom makes the coolest things...jewelry, kids clothes and these cool blinged out boots...Grace got a pair and loves to wear them. I'm going to put the link to her store on my blog so you can check out her cool designs and I'm going to post a picture of Grace and her super cool boots that she loves! Heck...if they were in my size I would totally wear them...they are that fun!

First Ear Infection & Strep Throat

Last night was a tough night for Miss Grace. She was crying in her sleep and she had a snorkle sound. She's had the boogers the past two weeks but our great doctor said that it was probably allergies...fast forward to this morning...I decided that she needed to go to the doctor. She was having not only serious snot stuff but also tummy troubles...well it turns out the reason why we had the restless sleep last night was that she has her first ear infection (that we know of) and also strep. She can't go to daycare tomorrow and my parents can't watch her so I'm taking tomorrow off to take care of her. She's been very clingy and whiny. I would too if I felt that badly. The good thing is that she's on her meds and it seems to be helping her. She's also still eating. We had soup and she also had an ice cream cup for dinner. I got her to bed 15 minutes early. I'm praying that she feels better tomorrow.

Blessings

I went to the Mended Little Hearts meeting yesterday evening. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to make it since Grace goes to bed at 7:30 and it started at 6:30. I felt like I needed to go because I know it is a great resource to me as a mom of a heart child. I was so glad that I went. When I heard the stories from the other moms about the tough stuff they have gone through, I realized that what we went through wasn't nearly as horrible. It made me count my blessings and thank God that while the surgery was severe, it could have been a lot worse. I know there is more to come surgery-wise for Grace and I pray that our story continues to have a happy ending.

We also got evaluated by ECI (Early Childhood Intervention). It seems that Grace's OT is paying off. We're going to continue the private therapies and have ECI out a couple of months to give us extra help. She charmed all four ladies who evaluated her. Basically she is right there at the bubble of qualifying. They felt that her heart condition and being from a different country and being in an orphanage did delay her but she is quickly catching up. She's a pretty bright girl. She's still a daredevil...she climbed up the big slide on Sunday and slid down it all on her own...it was so fast that I wasn't able to get to the bottom fast enough. She didn't care...she had a good ol time. She also wanted to get down off my bed this morning by herself that's well, it's pretty darn tall and she went tumbling down...but she bounces back every single time. I can't say anything because I think I'm the same way. I like the daredevil stuff too.

I also started thinking about my friends who are still waiting for their precious children from China. I am still praying for you each night. I pray the time will speed by fast and I know how hard the holidays are without your child. I remember last year how depressed and angry I was. I could cry at a drop of a hat and I felt so empty inside. This year, I have my saving Grace. I am excited about our first Thanksgiving together as a family. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. The good thing is she likes turkey and ham...she's just not a pumpkin pie fan. That's my favorite part of the meal!

Grace got bit again yesterday at daycare. This time it wasn't like a mad dog bite like the last one. I didn't pick her up from daycare yesteday (mom and dad did because she had OT, PT & Speech) so I didn't get to ask the questions of is it the same person and what happens when the child continues to bite and what precipitated it. Grace, I hear, took it all in stride.

She really has become a mama's girl. When we were in the car with my parents the other day, only I could sing the song, she shushed her Grammy. She is starting to enjoy hugging on me which of course, I have dreamed about.

Her sleep is getting better. I think she is finally getting over the allergies/cold. I was really vigilant about her snot. I was constantly using boogie wipes (they rock...I highly recommend them because they don't rub her nose raw) and suctioning them as well as putting in a saline mist. Hopefully it will clear up in the next few days. She still has tummy issues and I think it's because she is a total dairy queen. I can't blame her, so am I.

Tomorrow we see the developmental pediatrician. It should be interesting to see what happens. All is well in our world. I think we're finally getting into our rhythm.

Grace's First Haircut

Grace had her first non orphanage haircut on Saturday after the heart walk. She looks cute in her bob. The stylist at Cool Cuts did a great job and put a sweet little bow with a pony tail. Grace didn't cry or get angry. She was so good.

Grace slept through the Heart Walk while we sweated! I realized that even though I think I'm in sort of shape, I'm really not. I need to start getting it together in time for Race for the Cure in May.

I can't believe that we've been a family for 5 months now. Our lives have drastically changed, but in a good way. Grace is starting to really relax and I've seen progress with her speech. OT & PT have also done wonders. We love daycare/school but we're fighting the boogers...she had a fever Thursday night but got better. I think I am hearing a cough so most likely we'll be seeing Dr. Oliver this week. I feel we see the doctor a lot but with her heart issue, we can't take anything too lightly. It's different when you have a child with special needs. I used to worry that the doctor would think I was a crazy mom but they don't. They get it because of her heart issues. I hope she feels good tomorrow.

Halloween & Other Stuff

I know I have been remiss in posting. It seems that I'm always running around and not having a lot of time to blog, which I miss. Grace is doing okay. We start round 2 of synagis tomorrow which I'm not looking forward to. They are painful and no fun. She gets her next set of shots in a few weeks (we are playing catch up). At least it's only 3 shots and not 5 like last time. We are going to have our official ECI evaluation, see the developmental pediatrician and our six month homestudy update and go to court for readoption in the next 3 weeks. This weekend is the heart walk which will be fun.

Halloween was good. Grace was a flower and I was a tree. We went on my sister's street trick or treating and then went to big Grace's house for a party. We didn't stay long because my Gracie was tired. She has been having tummy and teething troubles lately. I was supposed to go skydiving on Saturday too but didn't because Grace and I had a rough night. Good thing because the guy before us had an issue with his parachute. I hear there was other drama so thankfully I was glad we didn't go. Isn't it cool how things work out in the strangest ways?