Weekend

I am happy to have the weekend upon us!

Last night, we had family night- dinner and a movie.  We watched A Dolphin Tale which was wonderful.

Today Daddy and Logan got haircuts at the barber shop.  Logan has dreamed of spiky hair... and his dream came true!

Mia had cheerleading camp all morning.  She is a flyer on her squad (the person on top since she is so petite!) and they have competition in three weeks.  Originally, I thought I would be in China for the competition, but it looks like I will be able to make it now.  I look forward to seeing her fly!

I did some bank and post office errands this morning.  Fun, fun.

Jon and I were hoping to go out this evening- just the two of us, but I haven't been able to get a hold of our babysitter yet.  We need some grown-up time to talk.

Since no babysitter, we played in the backyard.

Mia took a photo of Mommy and Logan!

Kicking off their shoes as they swing high!

And made homemade spaghetti and meatballs for dinner- yumm-o!

Logan's Update

We are home after a long day up in Miami.

I think we were at Miami Children's Hospital for about three hours when all was said and done.  Filled out lots of paperwork, met with Dr. Baitner, and took more x-rays of Logan's troublesome right arm.  Overall, I feel pretty positive, but my husband is still really upset with Logan's situation.  It does seem as if the doctor kind of minimized the disease and acted like it was not a big deal which we know it is!

Dr. Baitner reviewed Logan's x-rays, felt the bones in his arms and legs, and explained a bit more about the disease, MHE.  He was most concerned about the tumor I felt on Logan's arm that originally brought us to the doctor last week.  We are definitely looking at surgery for that tumor, but he didn't think it would be in the near future.

Dr. Baitner showed us the surgical x-rays of another boy's arm who has the same disease and similar arm tumor.  He explained what to expect as far as that surgery is concerned.  It is not easy, that is for sure.  And I am sure there will be additional surgeries for Logan; it is just hard to know where and when at this point.  The tricky thing with MHE is that it is near impossible to give a prognosis for Logan's disease and to know what it will be like a year from now, two years from now, etc.  It is constantly changing as he continues to grow.

We have our next appointment in six months and Logan will have specialized body x-rays completed at that time.  I do plan to have another eval done from a different doctor, possibly at Shriner's Hospital in Minnesota over the summer.  I think that is a smart thing to do.  

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts, prayers, support, emails, phone calls, everything over this past week.  They have truly meant the world to us.  I am trying to remain strong and upbeat throughout all of this and you have all helped immensely.

Wednesday...

cannot come quick enough.

My family and friends...

rock!
Seriously.
Thank you all so much.

MHE

Multiple Hereditary Exostoses.
I am trying to learn what I can about this disease before meeting with the doctors at Miami Children's Hospital on Wednesday.  I have joined the MHE Coalition, been reading lots on the internet, and also am writing a children's book about Logan and the disease that his teachers can read in class so his friends can learn more.  I have researched hospitals and put in a request with Logan's pediatrician for a referral to Shriner's Hospital.
Wednesday cannot come quick enough for me.  I want to know the prognosis for my child.  I want to know options.  I want to know how I can help him deal with this terrible disease.  

Pool Time

We were unable to get into Miami Children's Hospital today so we decided to hit the pool for some fun in the sun.  Here are some of the happy moments...

Mia gives Logan a funky hair-do!

Simply marvelous. 

My cartwheelin' kid! 

I truly adore my kids.  XO.

Devastated.

That is how we feel.  Jon and I had a meeting with Logan's pediatrician and the radiologist last night.  It was the worst case scenario.  Our poor little boy has over 10 tumors on his precious bones.  The one in his arm has stunted the growth of his arm bone and he will most likely require surgery soon for that one.  As the radiologist showed us all of these tumors, my eyes swelled with tears.  It is so difficult to know that your child has this crazy, rare genetic bone disease that will cause him pain, deform his bones, and require various surgeries.  We were referred to a specialist up at Miami Children's Hospital and we are hoping to get in today.  I want more information.  Keep our little Logie in your thoughts and prayers please.  He is the sweetest child and doesn't deserve any of this heartache.

The disease:  Hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) is a rare medical condition in which multiple bony spurs or lumps (also known as exostoses, or osteochondromas) develop on the bones of a child.

Osteochondroma

That is Logan's diagnosis.  And it scares me.  He has a bone tumor on his arm.  And it is in both bones.  We are on our way to the hospital for more x-rays of his other arm and legs.  They want to see if he has other tumors.  And then we follow up with Miami Children's Hospital's ortho unit.  Keep our boo-boo boy in your thoughts please.

TA Today!

Tonight we received a phone call and email from our adoption agency saying we have TA!  So what does this mean?  TA stands for Travel Approval and that means I am soon on my way to bring our daughter home!  We discussed tentative travel dates and they would like me to leave April 9 which would put Ady Mae in my arms on April 12.  WOW!

It is all so exciting and stressful and wonderful.  I don't think I will be able to sleep tonight.  I think I may finish packing instead!  So happy to be home on spring break and have a few days to get organized.

Today hubby and I did lots of spring cleaning in the downstairs apartment which had turned into more of a storage area than anything else.  We plan to turn one of the downstairs bedrooms into a play room in the near future.  Much to do, much to do!

strange lump update

This afternoon, I took Logan to see the doctor about his arm and he ordered an x-ray.  He was concerned that it had been broken and that the lump was the bone healing itself.  What?!?!?  He hasn't had any injuries that I know of and hasn't been complaining of pain.  After a minor panic attack, we ran next door to the hospital and had x-rays done.  We get the results tomorrow morning so I will keep you posted.  Strange indeed.

Waiting at the hospital to have an x-ray!

fever, cough and strange lump

I guess it's a good thing we are hanging around this spring break.  Logan has a bad cough back, a strange lump on his arm, and Mia has a 100 degree fever with a stuffy nose.  Paying a visit to Dr. Zuba today.

Miami

The kids and I drove up to Miami today.  We went to a children's store (didn't buy much believe it or not!), had lunch at Panera Bread, brought the car in for an oil change, played at a park, and fed the ducks.  Planned to hit BJ's on the way home for some bulk shopping fun, but didn't make it there as it was too late. We will do that later this week since we have the whole week off!

They loved climbing the beautiful trees!

We fed the ducks some Panera Bread!

Logan climbed up a little too high...

I simply adore my children.

Spring Break is Here!

And we are one happy family.

Logan and Daddy went fishing.

Mommy got her hair chopped off...

And made strawberry/peach scones.

And lazy Mia watched movies!

We are off to a St. Patty's Day party in a few hours.  

I love spring break.

Chinese Visa and POA Today

Received my passport today with my new Chinese Visa!  I also got the power of attorney form back which has been signed, notarized, and now authenticated.  It grants me permission to sign all of Ady's adoption paperwork for Jon while in China since he is not traveling.  I do wish he and the kids could make the journey with me, but I know we are making the right decision.

No word on our travel approval- still too early to know anything.  I am a bit concerned about travel next month since there is a huge trade show which fills hotels up in Guangzhou.  Our agency said they will try to work around it.  I hope it all works out because I don't think I can wait much longer!!

TGIF

Busy day... Mia had a doctor's appointment over lunch.  The pediatrician wanted to insure that her burn was not infected- which it wasn't- thankfully.  Burn cream and Mederma should hopefully clear it up and minimize scarring.  And a McDonald's Happy Meal took care of my little girl!

Then it was mommy's turn.  I have a sinus and ear infection of sorts.  Got some antibiotics and doc says he will put me on steroids next week if I am not all cleared up.  I told him of my very soon to happen trip to China so we both want it all gone before I fly half way around the world!

In addition to two doctor visits, I worked, had a meeting, baked cookie pops, went to the grocery store and cooked dinner.  I swear there were two of me today.  I am off to cuddle in bed and watch a movie with my children.  Night night.

Dental Disaster

Yesterday I took the kids to a dentist appointment.  They were both so brave and sat perfectly through all of their x-rays, cleanings, and two cavity fillings without novocaine!
Two hours later, it took a terrible turn... let's just say chemical burn on my baby girl's face bad.  Burn cream Rx today and doctor's appointment tomorrow.  She is so sad and Mommy and Daddy are unhappy to say the least.

Article 5!

Yesterday we received the good news that our next step in bringing Ady Mae home is complete.  We have our Article 5- wowie!  We now wait for TA which stands for Travel Approval.  And then I am off to China!  

Here is the email we received from our awesome agency, CCAI:

We just received an update from our Guangzhou staff stating that they have picked up your family’s Article 5(s) (signed 2^nd acceptance letter) from the Consulate and now it is off to the CCCWA.  The Article 5 typically takes about 2-3 days to be delivered to the CCCWA. Once the CCCWA receives this document, they will have all that they need to issue your family’s travel approval.  The CCCWA typically takes about 2-4 weeks to issue a travel approval.  Once the travel approval arrives families typically leave for China about 10-21 days later.  We see this update as great news for your family as you are one step closer to getting you to your little one in China!

the weekend...

So we were all sniffly and coughy this past weekend.  Bummer.

However, we did feel well enough to go see The Lorax.  Mia and Logan loved it!  Daddy and Mommy liked it too.  Beautiful colors with a good message (and yummy popcorn!).

The other excitement of the weekend was going to our friend's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese's- where a kid can be a kid!  The kids had fun playing games and earning tickets.  Mia especially liked the skee ball game and Logan enjoyed the hoover craft arcade game.  Logan saved enough tickets to buy a little green foam rocket and Mia traded her tickets in for a bag of cotton candy.  Surprise, surprise!  

Ticket Master

Skee Ball Champion

Lights, Action, Camera!