Saturday, June
11,
2011
MEDICAL
EXAM
Piper had a great day today! She is finally eating and drinking
more and we are starting to see her lively personality shine
through! Piper went to bed last night at 8:30 PM and slept for
awhile. She woke up crying and Erik picked her up and rocked her
back to sleep. She slept in bed next to Erik and only woke up
occasionally fussing. Erik just had to pat her back and she went
right back to sleep. We plan on letting her sleep in our room
for awhile until she adjusts to being at home! She will be
sharing a room with Sophia and we don't want her waking up
Sophia every night!
We started our day out by talking to the children on skype. It
really makes us miss our babies at home when we see them and
can't give them big hugs and kisses. We miss Sophia sneaking
drinks of soda from our cups. We miss Graham naming all of the
trucks that we see when we are driving in the car. We miss
Parker's big personality and that smile that melts our hearts.
We can't wait to see you!
We went to breakfast at the huge buffet in the hotel. Piper ate
lots of watermelon for breakfast. She is beginning to eat more
and more different foods. That is making us very happy! We
figured out that she prefers to drink with a straw at dinner
last night. She has drank so much more today since we have been
using a straw! We had to meet our guide at 9:30 AM in the lobby
to go to the medical exam. We met the other Living Hope family
today. They are from Chicago and adopted the cutest little boy!
We had to get Piper's visa picture taken first and then we went
to the medical exam building. She was scared! There were lots of
strange people around and she was holding on tight to us! We
went to the surgery/medical station first. The doctor listened
to her heart and pushed on her stomach and feet. We had to
e-mail him Piper's file because I couldn't remember all the
heart conditions Piper has and he needed to include them in the
medical report for the Consulate appointment on Tuesday! Next,
we headed to the ENT station. They squeaked a toy and hit a few
keys on the piano to see if Piper turned her head. She passed
the quick hearing test. The nurse did look in her ears and in
her mouth and Piper didn't like that very much! Last, we headed
to the weight, height, and temperature station. Piper weighs a
whopping 18 pounds fully clothed! She weighed the least of the
three children in our travel group! She was 82 cm tall which I
think was a little generous! She wasn't the most cooperative
patient since they took her from me to weight and measure her!
We had to also get her TB test done. Any child who is over two
years old has to have a TB test done before they can enter the
United States. Her arm looks fine so far. Parker's arm
immediately had a reaction, so we are thinking Piper will be
okay and not need to get the chest x-ray on Monday! After the
medical exam we went back to the hotel to get the paperwork
ready for our U.S. Consulate appointment on Tuesday! Erik took
Piper to the playroom with Zach and Brooklyn and the girls
"played" while both of their Mommy's did the paperwork. We
headed to lunch at Lucy's again. We knew Piper would eat the
white rice there and we wanted to be sure she ate something for
lunch. We headed back to our room and Piper and I took a nap
while Erik took a walk.
We took a walk around the Island and took Piper to the
playground. We don't think she had ever been to a playground
before and boy did she love it! She went down the slide too many
times to count. Erik held both of her hands because she was a
little unsteady on the slide by herself. I think Sophia, Graham,
and Parker are going to love being her helper at the playground.
She had so much fun! It was so great to hear her laughing and
see that beautiful smile on her face! We ate dinner at Lucy's
again! I know we keep eating at the same place, but Piper is
doing so well eating her rice and french fries that we don't
want to change where we eat yet! Piper not only ate her rice and
french fries for dinner, but she ate some of Erik's spaghetti
and some of my hamburger! We were so excited to see her eat so
much! It is by far the most she has eaten since we met her on
Gotcha Day!! We bought her ice cream after dinner. We need to
fatten our girl up! We took Piper to the playroom after she ate
her ice cream. It isn't the same in the playroom without Parker
and Iris in there!
We hope that tomorrow is another good day for Piper!! We sure
love this little girl more each day! We are so blessed to call
her our daughter!!
Notes from Dad:
I think things are looking up. Yesterday was probably our low
point - Piper cried a good part of the previous night and we
were exhausted. Today was better - we all had a good night sleep
and Piper seems happier than she has been. Piper still woke up
crying 5 or 6 times last night, but we were able to comfort and
calm her down pretty quickly - so we're Ok with that. I think
we'll be happy once we get home and can get Piper to the Dr's.
It will be good to get her diagnosis confirmed and understand
next steps. It was really, really hot here this morning, but
afternoon thunderstorms reduced the temperature and humidity.
Unfortunately, I took a long walk this afternoon and got caught
in the downpour. Next time I need to remember that darn
umbrella!
Dear Sophia, Graham, and Parker,
We miss you and love you! We hope Parker is feeling better soon!
Sophia and Graham~We hope you have fun at Dutch Wonderland
today! We can't wait to see what what t-shirt you picked out! We
can't wait to see you! Piper loves the playground! She really
likes going down the slide! Daddy also gave Piper her first
peanut butter cup tonight and she loved it!! We love you!
Lots of love,
Mommy and Daddy |
Today I got my Adoption Barbie gift from the hotel!
Getting my TB test
My first trip down the slide!
I gave Dad all the stuffed animals I could find
My first hamburger!
Mommy and Me!
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