Nose & More Update

Well, not great news, but we're getting help. Zane's nose was worse this morning. Dr. S is disappointed in the various complications and we're looking at a couple different issues right now. They're pretty sure the nose is definitely infected, but not food related. We did a nose swab that will come back on Monday, but because it is so swollen, red and painful, we started Zane on antibiotics for fear that if we didn't get it under control he would be in surgery Monday morning to drain an abscess. Zane is also scheduled for a sedated MRI because they need to see what is going on in there that could be causing this repeated infection.... No one said it out loud, but it sounded like they were thinking possible foreign object???? One step at a time, aye?! We're starting the antibiotics, getting the MRI and then next steps will be determined.

The second concern is the amount of food and compaction Zane is getting. They say they haven't ever seen this severity of food problems with an alveolar opening before. The other issue is that we think it's very likely there's a second opening. They are reluctant to confirm because it always has food in it and so they can't get a clear view, but it seems like a given to us, especially based on what's happening...it's just logical.

Because of the food issues, Dr. S wants to go back in for another surgery in three-six months to close the hole(s). In the meantime, we are going to pursue fitting Zane for a dental appliance that will cover the openings to help with the food issues.

On a high note, we said goodbye to the nose stent today - hooray! We're just about at the three month mark from surgery and with the infection, it isn't worth it to wear it out until the 8th. Bye-bye nose stent - we will not miss you!

Thank you for your prayers!

Red Nose

Going to see Dr. S tomorrow morning – it couldn't come at a better time. We were scheduled to follow-up with the cleft team towards the end of March, but Dr. S's schedule changed and the nurse called to say the next available appointment wasn't until end of April. Before hanging up I asked one more time if she was sure there wasn't anything in February or March and then she discovered that someone canceled tomorrow morning - WE'RE IN! This is God-timing as Zane's nose is super red, shiny and swollen. This has happened before but has always cleared up within 24 hours. We're going on three days now and the food is so compacted that we CAN’T get it out. We're not sure if his nose is irritated by food or irrigation and/or infection. When I called the cleft team this morning, they seemed unalarmed and advised us to watch it, but if other signs of infection presented to go get a nose swab. This opening to see Dr. S in the morning is definitely comforting.

Not all who are cleft affected with a alveolar opening have the amount of food or compaction that we are seeing. A lot of it is based on the eating technique and unfortunately Zane waves his tongue in such a way that he immediately shoves the food straight up in the alveolar hole. It will take occupational therapy, plus time, plus understanding to learn a new way to eat. So we are pursuing this help as well and looking forward to answers and relief for Zane in the morning.

Happy 4th Birthday, Elle!

Elle was surprised and thrilled over the streamers and balloons greeting her in the dining room this morning. Eric went in late to work so we could enjoy Elle's requested banana muffins and watch her open a few gifts at the start of the day. Soon after, we headed to ballet. At the end of class, Elle passed out a hair clip that I made for each of her girlfriends in celebration of her birthday. While out, we stopped for cookies and spent some time at the play gym where she climbed all the way up, for the first time, and rode down the slide twice over.

For lunch she wanted popcorn, so popcorn it was, with some carrot and celery sticks thrown in too. :) After her two-hour nap, she played with the dancing ribbon-wands she got that morning. They are much like what she had seen at the Chinese New Year celebration and how she likes them! She really got a pretty good rhythm going.

Uncle Kevin and AA arrived for dinner -- chicken nuggets, green beans, mashed cauliflower and applesauce. We've been planning the menu for weeks and Elle had approved everything with great enthusiasm! And for the main event, chocolate chip cake with pink icing and chocolate chips sprinkled on top. :)

Everything was homemade, gluten-free and almost dairy-free (splurged on the buttercream frosting - mmmmmmm). We reminisced about the anxiety we had making her first gluten/dairy-free birthday cake two years ago...how far we've come. She is no longer allergic to either, but it has become a desired lifestyle choice for us and is nearly effortless now. She enjoyed the meal immensely, especially sharing it with family.

After cake, she was genuinely surprised that there were more gifts. So in the living room, we received multiple kisses and watched her jump up and down over the surprises she unwrapped.

Already past bedtime, Eric and I spent some extra time cuddling in bed with her and saying blessings and prayers over her. She too thanked God for her birthday and being four! She went to bed with her new friend, Roo, and no cloth for the very first time.

The next morning, she looked more mature. ;)

Goodbye Three

(Last moments being three!)

Tonight I put my three-year-old Elle to bed for the very last time [STOP GROWING UP! ;) ], as tomorrow she’ll wake up a four-year-old. It feels like yesterday that her 10 little pounds was curled up and resting in my arms - she's a whopping 30 now!

This past weekend with the cousins was a fabulous end to the first three wonderful years with our Elle. Aunt JJ and Uncle Chris orchestrated a birthday, Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year celebration in a fun-filled two-day blast! We enjoyed cake, crafts, dumplings, presents and a Chinese New Year event at the local college. Elle and Zane were enthralled with the performances. Elle was moved by the dancing - 'My heart is so happy!' and 'I like this!' Zane kept beat to the music and kept signing, 'MORE, MORE'!

The best was just being with family, rejoicing over Benjamin's first basket of the season, cooking together, playing and loving on one another. M/B/E/J/A are dear to Elle and Zane and it's always a bummer to pack it up and go home after our time together.

Elle is cracking us up with her words... "Oh my goodness!", "You're kidding me!", "What sound that?", "Good night nurse!", "Okay, man!", "Cute!" One day, with my hand on the right side of my chest, I told Elle that I was really proud of her heart, that Dada and Mama could tell that her heart was right and that made God happy too! She smiled, pointed to the left side of her chest and asked, "This heart too?"

As much as we enjoyed rocking her 10 little pounds, we are equally enjoying seeing her grow in responsibility. Elle is so helpful in the morning as she brings the milk, nuts and juice from the refrigerator door, the raisins from the pantry and spoons from the drawer to set the table for our morning cereal. She is sole administrator over the napkin basket and sees to it that it is fully stocked for every meal. We also appreciate her sensitivity to Zane's needs and are touched when she runs to bring him his sippy cup or teddy bear when she sees he needs them. We anticipate that this year will be all about the concept of sharing as we are reminding her of this responsibility daily.

So today we remember our precious baby and enjoy these days, watching our little girl unfold into an exuberant four-year-old, and looking forward to another wonderful year with Elle.

(See more pics at 'our brother site'.)

Videos Working

As of right now, the last three videos I have posted recently are working. Let's see how long that lasts!

...and now 12 hours later...they aren't - ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Zane On Stairs

Firstly, I don't know why the video function isn't working - sorry! I'll keep working on that.

We enjoyed the Super Bowl at Uncle K and AA's house - good food and a good game! Zane especially enjoyed his first experience on stairs. He took to it like a pro as if he knew all about it! It was a little surprising to see how deft he was at it.

Elle has been enjoying a phonics learning website that has also improved her mouse skills. She's eager to practice writing her letters, noticing letters everywhere and curious as to what words they make.

Today we enjoyed story time at the library and then a play date at the Christian coffeehouse/play place with our new friends from the library.

Grandma Winnie

We would appreciate your prayers for my Grandma Winnie. She is my mother’s mom and 93 years old. She is a lovely, godly woman and my Grandpa is waiting for her in heaven. Things have been tough for her these past months and getting increasingly difficult. She has been in and out of the hospital and emergency room more than I can count in these past few weeks. Her daughters and son have been with her for the past two months. Infection and drugs are making it near impossible to control her diabetes and blood pressure. We are praying that her body would stabilize so she can go home, that she would be free of pain, have rest, enjoy her children and be at peace. Thank you for your prayers.

Chinese New Year Celebration

Elle had a special friend from church over this morning and I enjoyed the company of her mother. We made cookies and played games while six inches of snow dropped outside. Huge, fluffy flakes coated all the trees - it's beautiful!

Due to the tremendous downfall, Eric's work let out early and he was home by the time the kids woke up from their naps. After a quick snack and change of clothes, we headed downtown to the art museum for the annual Chinese New Year celebration.

We saw dragon dancing, calligraphy demonstrations, a yo-yo performance and ate Chinese food. We also bumped into some friends from our adoption playgroup.

The dragon dance was fun, but loud! Zane was more than terrified and Elle got a little overwhelmed when one of the dragons decided to make her the object of his affections in front of a couple hundred people. The crowd cheered and said, 'He likes you! He likes you!' Elle wasn't as enamored.

The kiddos had a great time and we enjoyed the festivities. Elle said that the dumplings were her favorite part of the evening...they were good!!

There's a video below...been having problems with Blogger's video working or showing a double image...sorry!




Elle practicing some of her Chinese vocabulary.

Project Chosen

Jeanette, a China travel friend of ours, has launched Project Chosen. She decided to take the entire month of February and feature a family a day who has experienced the miracle of adoption.

It's a God moving mountain miracle when some stranger from the other side of the world places YOUR baby, that you've never touched or smelled but really know, in your arms for the very first time - it's just incredible! And then on top of all that goodness, we've had the privilege of seeing, up close, God do that same BIG stuff in about 30 other families. Reading these real life stories feels like being up close to another of God's mountain moving miracles!

See what God has done through the miracle of adoption at

Birth, Birthdays, Ballet & Babbel

We've been having fun around here! From fun to firsts, here's what's been going on...


We finally received Zane's Certificate of Birth in the mail on Saturday. We know we're Zane's parents, but now the Office of Vital Statistics knows too and we like seeing it in writing.

February is family birthday month! Today our nephew, Elijah (Zane's cousin that is also from Fujian), and our niece, Riley, celebrated their birthdays. Next Monday is our niece, Ami's, birthday (also from Elle's home Province of Jiangxi) and the following Monday, Elle turns four. We are celebrating these precious lives!


Today was Elle's first ballet class. She had a wonderful time and can't wait to return next week. She has been talking about wearing her pink leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes for a couple weeks now. And this morning she wanted to add pink pigtails and a pink barrett to the ensemble. She was adorable! Her teachers are godly women with incredible character, oh, and they can dance too. :) We're thrilled that Elle has a fun time with other girls from her church and community under the skill and loving care of these instructors. What a privilege for Elle to see even more examples of faithful women using their gifts.

Zane also had a first this evening. I showed him how to use the spoon last week, but he wasn't all that thrilled about it. I tabled the idea, but tonight he picked up the spoon with determination and got down to business. He doesn't have it mastered yet, but he's coming along. So proud of our boy - he works so hard!

Zane also said 'Mama' today. He said it very purposefully with a playful anticipation of my response. Of course I went bonkers and so that brought more 'Mama' from his lips all day long. Quite a few times I got a 'Mama' at my request. It actually sounds more like 'la-na', but I know what he thinks he's saying and this Mama is happy to hear it! :)


That's Harry Connick Jr. playing in the background.