Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Our Tuesday

Today, we finished up our adoption paperwork for the China side of this adoption. We went back to the Civil Affairs Building where we got Lia Kate yesterday and answered questions about why we wanted to adopt her and were we sure we knew what we were doing. We were expecting this appointment to take about two hours but it took less than 30 minutes, so we decided to go ahead and get Lia Kate's passport pictures made and also to do her medical examination. Every child being adopted here must have a medical exam before entering the U.S. as required by U.S. law. Her medical exam was scheduled for another day, but it only ended up taking about 30 minutes to get in and out so we were glad we did it today. They examined her from head to toe, checked her ears and hearing, and weighed and measured her. She is 19.1 pounds fully clothed and is 28.5 inches long. They listened to her heart and could hear the murmur. We won't really know anything else about it until we get back to the States and have our specialist appointment. Anyway, she hated every minute of being at the clinic! You will probably be able to see her tears in the pictures.

Lia Kate is in full-on grief mode today. She has cried a lot today and is very anxious. She is very much a velcro baby ... clinging to me constantly. I am so thankful I brought a carrier b/c she is either in it or in my arms all the time. This grief is a very normal response considering all that she has had to go through. She is eating well so that is a plus. She has taken two formula bottles today and has eaten lots of things that I have fed her by spoon. Danny reminded me that when Britton was her age (almost 17 months), we took him to DisneyWorld and he was eating hamburgers by himself. With Lia Kate, she is more like a 9-month-old as far as eating -- just really beginning with solid foods.

We also gave her a bath today ... the first time for us to do that. We knew it would be traumatic for her, so we waited until today to do it and we just gave her a sink bath. She was not a happy camper, but she's clean! I combed her wet hair and it laid flat(ter) ... for a little while anyway.

She and Danny are fast asleep and I'm about to join them. Hoping tomorrow is a better day for her!

8 comments:

Kelley Brown said...

I DID see her tears in the pictures! Broke my heart! I am so glad she's actually grieving today though...a good sign that she'll start bonding more with you. Also glad you were able to get those appointments done early! Love Lia Kate's sweet outfit, by the way. And her hair will grow and lie down in the next month or so, I'm sure. :) It's really cute! Hope you're sleeping well!

Sarah Beth said...

So fun to read about what is going on with y'all! I love the updates. Lia Kate is one sweet girl. I'll pray that she continues to grieve and bond with y'all. Much love!

Unknown said...

Sleep is not coming tonight. Poor girl has been simpering for a couple of hours now. Mom and dad are beat

mbcfree said...

She is beautiful. Eli was a velcro baby for 1 full year. He lived on my hip. It seems like forever ago tho'. Enjoy it. We just got word from Villa Hope everything is going well with our paperwork and we should be traveling mid to late January. Brrrrr.... I'll keep praying for you and you keep praying for me. Love you guys. Melissa

Liz aka "funky junky" said...

she is the most PRECIOUS thing i have ever laid eyes on! oh, those tears will soon be mischievous giggles and peek-a-boo's! don't you worry! at least she is doing the "normal" thing but i know that you are ready for the tears to stop! you two are so wonderful! thank you for sharing your journey! love you!! lizard3

Mary-Dare said...

Good that she is at least go through the process and not holding it all in. I know you guys are doing a grea job loving her through it. Emily you have one of those really soothng voices and mannerisms. She will come around soon I bet. I love all the pics especially of her stretched out sleeping. Keep the updates coming. Love you...

Deborah Halbrooks said...

-so happy for you two. A picture is worth a thousand words; she is adorable. I'm sure she will warm up to you both soon; I can't wait to see her smile:)

Sarah Largen said...

this sweet thang! who knows what all is going through her head right now. as someone posted, you do have such a calming way about you, em & I know this is especially soothing to lia kate right now. i'm praying for rest for all, calm for baby girl & for a smooth travels. looooove to you guys.