Abbie's first day at riding a bike

First day learning to ride a bike

from deaf to better than normal

Our guide in China last year told us that the ENT examing Wyatt during our exit medical exam believed that Wyatt was deaf. We hurriedly assured him that that couldn't be the case as Wy was learning some English. After we hit American soil, we had his hearing tested last fall and the result was some hearing loss. Then we met our new ENT a few weeks ago. He cleaned all the wax out of Wy's ears, took a look and sent us back for another hearing test before he put tubes in Wy's ears. Today he reviewed Wy's test and indicated that his hearing is better than normal and that he does not appear to need tubes in his ears. This is very rare for a young child with a cleft palate. We are rejoicing tonight over what seems like a miracle

Mama's M & M's

I used to think that kid's nicknames came by some sort of christening method, "I dub thee, Bubba," or something like that. Now I've come to realize that most of the kid's names evolve over time and are a natural extension of who that child is. So, it has come to pass that I now have Mama's M & M's, more accurately named "Mama's Monster" for Wyatt and "Mama's Monkey" for Abbie. If you've spent any time with Wyatt and Abbie, you would realize how perfectly these names suit them. Wyatt is loud, rambunctious and loves to make claws in the air and crouch and "rowwwwrrr" when he's excited. He's been affectionately dubbed Mama's monster and he seems to like it. Abbie climbs on everything, is into everything, is swinging, diving, flipping, chattering, and giggling at any given moment (unless sleeping). She likes being "Mama's Monkey". Alas this leaves poor KK and Anna out of the M & M sphere of things. Anna has been "Mama's Little Squishy" for years now since we watched "Finding Nemo". She hates it, but I can't let it go...you see it annoys her and I find that funny. She is a preteen now and wants to be part of the M&M's so we've been exploring M words by which to call her. Nothing is coming spontaneously. She's rejected "Mama's millipeed, mole, and mophead." I admit I'm at a loss. KK has had various nicknames down through the years like "sweet potato" and others she would probably pay me to not mention. (You can put the check in the mail KK.) I have affectionately also coined Daddy with some names like "Booger", "Poophead" and "Mikey" (much to his student's delight), but I have yet to receive such terms of endearment from my family. I think they're afraid to make anything stick. I know where they live and I control the flow of clean laundry and food. "Don't bite the hand that feeds you" are really wise words to live by.

I wonder what names we'll have for each other as they change and grow and explore this big old world. One thing I know is that they will laugh and groan someday at family gatherings as we discuss the nicknames earned and assigned down through the years.

Wyatt's friend G has received his prosthetic leg

We were just updated that Friday little G received his first prosthetic leg and WALKED between the bars. Praise God for miracles! This is a miracle received after the pain of amputation, wound revision, casts, fears, tears and hope, etc. I can't even imagine his and his family's joy. They spoke of this day even while we were all still in China going through the adoption process. We will celebrate his victory today!!!!!

Wyatt's been approved for Speech Therapy

We had our meeting today at the local school and Wyatt was deemed eligible for Speech Therapy. We are rejoicing today!