Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Observation day

Today we had "observation day" at the montesorri school Harper will be going to.  We got there around 8:30am just in time for breakfast (her 2nd breakfast for the day), she enjoyed circle time & playing outside.

I tried to get some photos indoors, but she's too quick. 
She loved being outside with the other kids.

 Going down the slides.

We stayed until 10:30am, it was almost nap time for her & her cranky side was coming out.
  She also went potty on the toilet there!  I think Harper will fit right in & will love going to school!

Things went great with her first babysitter.  Kasey & her friend Katie picked Harper up at 3 & took her on an adventure.  They went to an outdoor garden & took photos of her & Karson.  I sent a few cute outfits for the "photo shoot" & apparently, she was a perfect angel.  She even let them put her adorable flower headbands in her hair.  I can't wait to see the edited photos.....I'll be sure to post one as soon as I can!  Stay tuned................

Friday, October 22, 2010

Surgery Update

 Harper had all of her pre-op visits this week.  Surgery is a go for November 2.  We won't know the exact time until the day before but she'll be the first patient on the schedule.  We'll probably have to be at the hospital between 5:30-6:30am.  The earlier, the better because as soon as this little girl opens her eyes, she points to her high chair....she's hungry!
 Here's our future doctor getting ready to check daddy's heart.

 Sounds good....
 Nosey butt, checking out all of the cabinets.


She was a perfect little  patient this week.  We saw the ENT doctor today, he looked inside her ears & removed alot of wax & saw a moderate amount of fluid in her ear.  Her hearing test showed mild-moderate hearing loss due to the fluid.  We feel like if her hearing loss was significant, she wouldn't be repeating & trying to sound things out as well as she is.  Bottom line.....we don't think her hearing loss is significant.

On another note, we're getting our first babysitter on Saturday.  Wish us luck, or should I say wish the babysitter luck!  Harper is a handful, but I'm very comfortable leaving her with Kasey (the babysitter). 

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Pumpkin Patch

Over the weekend, we visited the pumpkin patch with Aunt Manda, Uncle Kevin & Kolton.


 The kids were sooo excited to see each other.

 Aunt Manda finally gets to hold Harper as they gaze at the goats.

 Harper so badly wants to feed the goats.

 AAHH, he ate a leaf!

 Harper & Kolton holding hands....
 How cute....
 Ok, Harper's done, notice her hands behind her back.

They are slowly getting used to being around each other.  Kolton even let Harper get on the horse with him.  Remember, Kolton is only 5 months older than Harper, but he's very tall & she's petite.


Last week, we suffered through Harper's first sickness in the states.  She suffered from a fever, diarrhea & runny nose.  Luckily the fever only lasted 1 day but she was not herself for the entire week.  I must admit, it was the most challenging week we've had with Harper yet.  It was rough....
She's finally back to her normal, happy self.  Her surgery is scheduled in 2 weeks, we hope to stay fever free until then.



Monday, October 11, 2010

Big Girl Bed




 Bye Bye crib....

Harper is helping Grandpa OB take down her crib






For Harper's birthday, my parents got her a big girl bed, twin sized!
After we put her new sheets, comforter & stuffed animals on it, she jumped up & down & dove right into her new bed! 
That was one week ago, she has slept in her new bed for every nap & bedtime since then.  She loves it, no crying or whining.  She falls fast asleep!

Helloooo big girl bed!

No rails, just pillows and a few stuffed animals!
Fast asleep.....

Neil & I finally have our bedroom back.  This transition has been great!
What a relief...

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Party Time

We had a small birthday celebration for Harper on Sunday afternoon.  She loves the balloons.  
 Here she is in her traditional Chinese silk dress & squeaky shoes that we got in China.


 All of the other kids were more interested in Harper's gifts than the birthday girl.
 She loved Snoopy
 And kept trying to sit on this play bicycle with out success.
Harper & Ava
It was nearly impossible to get a photo of Harper being still.  I apologize for the blurry photos.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Golden Birthday

 Our first birthday celebrating with Harper,  I made cinnamon rolls & only put 1 candle for fear of burning the house down.  I asked Neil to get some candles at the store & he came home with "trick" candles on accident...yeah right.
 Bria is helping her little sis blow out the candle.

 Wow,  I blew it out all by myself....OH it lit up again!
 This is so cool

Finally, I blew it out!


On October 2, Harper celebrated her 2nd birthday, also known as her "Golden Birthday". 
The Chinese Zodiac names 2008 as the year of the Rat.
" Occupying the 1st and most prominent position on the Chinese Zodiac, the Rat symbolizes such character traits as wit, imagination and curiosity. Rats have keen observation skills and with those skills they’re able to deduce much about other people and other situations. Overall, Rats are full of energy, talkative and charming but they have a tendency to become aggressive."

As Harper's personality evolves, we'll see if she carries any of these traits.

As we celebrate Harper's new life in the United States, I can't help but have a heavy heart for her birth mother & foster mother.  I wonder what they are feeling & thinking on this day.   I know they both loved her dearly & I wish I could let them know that Harper is a beautiful, smart, inquisitive child & loved very much.  She's brought so much joy in our life & we feel honored & lucky to be her parents.
I ask to pray for Harper's "other" mothers", the women I am thankful for. With out these women, Harper would not be here with us & be the amazing little person she is!

Friday, October 1, 2010

Surgery scheduled

This is a photo taken in China.

We found out Harper's cleft palate surgery is scheduled for November 2 @ 9am.  If needed, while she's under anesthesia, she may have tubes put in her ears before the palate repair.  She'll spend the night in the hospital one night, if she's eating & drinking normally, she'll be discharged the next day.  She'll then have about a 2 week recovery.  She'll be on a soft food diet & wear arm restraints so she won't stick anything in her mouth.
Over the next few weeks before the surgery, she'll have an echocardiogram to check for cardiac defects, she'll see an ear, nose & throat specialist to check out her ears, & a pre-op check up.

So far, she's been a trooper at the doctor's office.  I hope she does well because some of these appointments will take up a lot of the day.
They said to pack a snack....HA I need to pack a cooler with this kid!