Snuggling.....a milestone

I know this is gonna sound crazy to some of you and make perfect sense to the others.  But somehow we've hit another milestone.  It's the simple things that I rejoice in right now.  Sometimes they have so much more meaning.  A couple of weeks ago, I noticed that when I put Jake to bed, he did more than just lay in my arms...he actually nestled against me.  He really snuggled.  Often when it was just he and I, he would pull away sort of just ever so slightly.  It was like "that's close enough".  Some of you who have seen us out and about probably are thinking that you've seen me carrying him and early on he did a lot of laying his head on my shoulder.  Looking back now I think he was grieving and, of course, I was the closest thing to his foster mom as possible.  I think he took to us in many senses right away, but just a couple of weeks ago, this "snuggle" was different.  It was relaxed in a way that I can't explain accept that it said somehow "I trust you".  I am grateful for God's work in our lives and in the life of our new little one.  Tonight as we nestled together and prayed Jake broke out into sweet prayer of his own which he does unsolicited often and said "Ordan (this was Jordan) ert knee".  He was praying for our sweet friends who have a son who has suffered a severe knee injury.  It melted my heart.  He is beginning to think of others.  I am grateful.

Went to see the neurologist

Right after Jake got home (literally 2 days after) we took him for his first physical.  We had heard horror stories about children being terribly misdiagnosed, so we wanted to get him evaluated by our pediatrician and she requested a number of tests.  Honestly it was a bit overwhelming and we didn't get all the testing done right away.  We got the most important things done, but finally a couple weeks ago we went back for a second physical.  The doctor and I agreed that though Jake's skull xray did not show fusion of a plate (which was a very good thing) that it would be prudent to have him see a neurologist.  We wanted to have him review the CAT scan results that we got from China when we first got his referral (which showed some extra fluid in the back left ventricle), to get his opinion about correcting his head shape, to have a full neurological work-up testing reflexes, etc., and to talk with him about some eye blinking that we saw around Christmas time.  So this past Monday we went to the neurologist.  We knew this would be out-of-pocket, but it was money well worth it. We got the absolute best report we could have hoped for.  No need for a CAT scan, no concerns with his reflexes, coordination, no evidence of cerebral palsy whatsoever!!!!  We don't even need to see this neurologist again!!  He also assured us that there is nothing that we can do about Jake's head shape and that it will improve slightly during his teen years when his head elongates but that it would always be flat on the back left side.  Folks, we can live with that!!!  He also told us that it is possible that his head was misshapen from birth and not helped by orphanage time where he preferred a certain side perhaps and didn't get moved as much as you or I would move a baby.  This was also really helpful in terms of understanding those early days.  We know questions will come one day and are trying to gather all that we can now.  Anyway, we're just thrilled. 

What an awesome, awesome God we serve.  Not everyone's story goes this way.  And honestly, there have been times when I have felt a little guilty.  Some folks adopting from China actually pursue the very sickest.  I admire them so much.  We weren't necessarily pursuing the sickest or the minor needs.  All we knew is that we felt called but that we were nervous about taking on too much medical need with having had so many medical challenges with Parker.  We got pushed when we found out that we would only be eligible for a "special focus" child (these are the precious ones typically with more need) because of Jeff's history of cancer, but with God's strength, we kept moving forward.  We honestly didn't know if this would be the end, but we decided, with a sweet friend's advice, to just keep stepping through each open door.  And boy did he continue to open them.  And here we are!!  Sweet, precious Jake.  No physical need whatsoever.   Knowing what we do now, there are so many disabilities we would be open to.  I saw the most precious little boy born with only one eye, receive his new "eye" on a video this week.  It made me cry.  A sweet friend from our taekwondo group adopted a little girl with missing digits.  We could do that.  But, for us for now, we will try, weak as we are, to take the energies saved in not having to address medical needs, and focus on Jake's soul....and my others.  Adoption, medical challenges, homeschooling all takes it's toll.  We need to rest in Him a bit.  Please join me in praising our Great Creater for all his mercies and grace. 

Enjoy some random pictures!!