One month since "Gotcha!"

Yup, its been a month since I walked into that orphanage.  One month ago I walked back out holding my daughter. Leanna has known the love of a family for one month....and, frankly, she is completely diggin it!

So, just keepin it real....there has been some challenges. Some behaviors that girlfriend picked up in the orphanage that need to be dealt with. BUT, attachment issues??? ya, none. This girl has craved love and attention. When you pick her up, she is like holding a little koala.....arms around our neck, legs wrapped around our waist....and she is usually pulling our head towards her so that she can get some kisses. She LOVES kisses. She has also decided that she really enjoys a good back rub.....but, who doesn't??

Some have wondered how she likes having siblings. It is safe to say that she is loving having older brothers. She really likes being near the boys. Sometimes she likes plopping down on top of the boys. Megan? Well, that depends on her mood. Leanna doesn't always feel like sharing Mommy and Daddy, so it kind of irks her when we are holding sissy, when she feels like she wants to be held. Megans hair has been pulled more than once, but Megan has been a trooper....and Leanna is learning.

So, instead of writing out all of the medical updates...im gonna copy the statuses from my facebook:::::::

PEDIATRICIAN UPDATE::: He thought she was pretty cute! Everything seemed good. He laughed that she had a bit of a belly on her, otherwise skinny, body. Could tell she was enjoying her meals. We got her current on shots, she was a trooper. Also had to get blood drawn to check for anemia, HIV etc. He just wants to really know EVERYTHING.....especially since we don't have a family history. Poor baby ...didn't enjoy that part, but she stuck tough. Super stoked that he wants me to deliver a specimen to analyze for parasites (what is with my kids and needing to provide poop samples this year??? seriously grody). girlfriend was ranked "under 3rd percentile" in height and weight. She weighs a whopping 25 lbs now, which means she has gained a couple since we got her here. He asked me if she was "non-verbal." I assured him that when she has something to say, she doesn't hold back. And, sure enough, when he started poking and prodding, he got an earful of Bulgarian. We are pretty sure she wasn't being kind.

 

EYE DOCTOR REPORT:::: It was all good news. Im not going to even attempt to tell you all the technical stuff, cuz it is confusing. Bottom line, The eye doctor said she will never have 20/20 vision, but that he thinks 20/40 isn't out of the question (which means someday she can drive etc.). Her peripheral vision is great, the cataracts are in the central part of her eyes. We have an apt on the 28th... in Spokane with her ophthalmologist. If you think of the cataract as being a dirty camera lense.....the tentative plan is to get surgery to remove the dirty lense. With adults, you would then put in a new, clean lense....but Leanna isn't old enough for this. So, the plan is to remove the dirty lense, and get her glasses that will allow the brain to start communicating with her eyes. Then, when she gets a bit older, we will get the new, clean lense inserted.

 

 

DENTIST REPORT:::: No surprises there. Actually, there was one....no cavities!! I was shocked. She has completely grinded her back teeth down to almost nothing. We had figured this. She has a couple teeth that appear to have a lot of build up on them, but they are baby teeth, so this is ok. As far as her bite, again we weren't shocked. Where there is ideally 1-2 millimeters between bites, hers is ...at 10.....which means that eventually we will be looking at braces and surgery. This isn't just for cosmetic reasons, but it can cause different breathing/sleeping challenges. This surgery would probably be at around age 14. All baby teeth, and he thinks she will start losing them soon. Next report will come on Tuesday after her Pediatrician visit. fun fun fun.

Ok, im off to parent. I will try to be better at updating this blog now that we are getting into a routine. Thanks for all of the prayers, love and support. Trust me, it has been felt and appreciated!!!!