Poison Ivy

Oh my word!  Eden gets poison ivy so much!  This is already her second time this fall/winter and we haven't even been outside really!  She is so so allergic.  A few years ago we tried rhus tox and it helped.  It is a homeopathic way to build up your immunities.  It did seem to help.  That bad part about it is that you have to remember to start it before the poison ivy plants come up in the spring and take it for months.  You hold it under your tongue and then swallow it.   So all that to say, that was the mysterious rash.  It looked different than her other bouts with PI because it didn't show up in a "line" it was more patchy.  The dr. thought she probably got the oil on her hands and then touched her face, thus making the patchiness.  So, steroid fever over here!  We'll see how much the girl talks and eats during this two week run of Orapred!

Elly's Eyes

Elly's doctor appointment was pretty good news-- the doc said her neurological exam showed nothing to be concerned about.  She does has a small "beat" in her eyes when he shone the light in there.  He said that was not that uncommon.  He didn't say we had to go to the opthamalogist right away but I told him I'd rather be safe especially since he didn't see the nystagmus that she usually reports to me, the kind that is an acute incident- not the "beat" he saw.  So we will go see the specialist on the 14th.  I love the pediatrics clinic we go to, because the nurse set up the appointment with the optham. and said to me, "It's February 14th-- her Valentine's Day party is in the afternoon right?  So I set it for first thing in the morning!"  I love it.  They are really really good there!  They also tested her vision and she was 20/40 so she's probably on the path of her parents...we both need glasses or contacts or we can't function.  No need for them for Elly yet, however.

Eden has also had her own mysterious ailments recently, nothing major, but it does make me scratch my head!  Every month or so, she breaks out in little hives, usually on her chest, legs, or face.  The hives are itchy.  She IS super-sensitive to poison ivy, and we know when she gets that it is terrible.  But something about this isn't the same-- and plus the fact that she hasn't been outside in an area we would consider at risk.  So I took pics of it today because usually by the time we get in to the doctor the rash is not as bad as it usually is.  Oh, children!  Though it is not lost on me that these are small small issues and nothing to be worried or upset about!  I am super thankful for the health of my children!

It's so hard to sit still!

Is anyone still reading this?  I am definitely losing steam on this blog, but I will keep it open just because it is such a good way to keep track of things and I hope someday the kids will enjoy reading it.

We were able to go back to the CDD for Esias' psychology and OT appointments.  The psychologist thought that his mental abilities were fine.  We were pretty sure that was the case but it is good to hear from the professionals.  He did very well in anything visual-- puzzles, etc. and struggled more with the language expression/comprehension (which of course we were already aware of !).  SO that is all good news.  We are going to pursue some more speech therapy for him.

In other health news, Elly has been having nystagmus in her eyes for the last 6 months or so, and I finally decided I better just have it looked at.  So she's being seen today at the pediatrician.  I have nystagmus in my eyes with my vertigo, and general visual disturbance, but i am trying not to let myself jump to conclusions about her neurological health and just assume this is a normal benign type of it!  We will hear today what the Dr. wants to do.

Eden is great- growing so fast.  She is quite a young lady these days.  This week she brought home 4 papers that were all 100%.  She isn't a perfectionist and doesn't have to get 100% on everything (which is fine by me, as long as she knows what she's doing in the subject) but I was really proud of her because sometimes she rushes through work.  This really made me proud that she was taking her time and learning to look back over her work!  Elly is struggling to keep up with all the cutting, coloring, and writing that is kindergarten...not that she can't do it, in fact she does really well!  But she can't sit still long enough without getting up to belt out a tune, act out a skit, or make up some elaborate story...she colors with so many details that many days she brings home unfinished work from school.  I love my kids dearly, but sometimes I think my children are so creative that they have trouble working within the confines of normal school routines!  Ha!  I wonder how that happened...
 

CDD

Today I took Esias to the Center for Disabilities and Development to get a better assessment of his speech and oral delays.  After getting mixed reviews from some parents, I was a bit nervous.  The staff completely changed my mind, they were all great!  Esias started out being seen by the nurse for vitals, then she printed off every set of vitals he'd ever had at the Univ. Hosp. and gave them to me to take home.  Which might not seem like much, but to me, it was amazing to see how far he's come in 2.5 years!  Very fun to have that on paper.  Next a doctor called a "developmental pediatrician" came in and gave him the most complete examination I have ever seen.  She checked every inch of him and noted even small things like toes that overlap, size, shape and color of birthmarks, etc.  She was looking at anything that could point to a genetic issue.  She noticed a heart murmur that had never been diagnosed.  She spent a long time talking to me about his history and why we were there.  It was so refreshing to not feel rushed, to feel listened to, and to be heard!  Then after a bit we went to see a social worker who also listened and took thorough notes about him and his story.  After that, we saw speech pathology.  She was great!  She said that we are not getting him enough therapy through the school and diagnosed him with a couple different disorders (phonological and another one I can't remember).  She said she wanted to try really hard to make a case for our insurance to cover his therapy since his delay is so great.  Then we saw an audiologist and found out that his hearing is great.  We had never been able to get a hearing test and since he did not have a newborn hearing screening, we thought we'd better rule it out. 

Esias did great, considering I pulled him out of bed early to get him in by 7:45am and he did not to leave his beloved daddy!  The appointments lasted until noon and he was wiped when we got home.  But he did so well!  Once he realized there were no pokes, he was very pleased!

My kids are funny.

I just have to document some of the funny things that are said around here.  I admit, I am not as good at recording them as I once was, three kids will do that to a person.

The other day Dan and Eden were going to see "Hugo" at the theatre, so I told Elly that we would try to find a babysitter for Esias and I would take her to the movies.  I said, "It'll be you and me, mano y mano."  She said, "What about Esias?  If we can't find a babysitter?"  I said, "Well, it will you and me, and Esias."  She replied, "Mano y mano...y mano."

*****


Right before Christmas I was having quite a time with vertigo.  Elly typically doesn't pay much attention to my spinning epidsodes.  At this time, Brynn was over and we were getting all our kids into the car but Elly is my slow poke and she was still in the house with just Brynn and I.  I sat down and was having a doozy of vertigo, where my eyes move back and forth really quickly (called nystagmus).  Elly looked and me, looked at Brynn, and said, "Wow...I look at things fast but I don't look at things that fast!"

Looking Back at Twenty-Eleven

I know it's only the 16th of December but with my recent record of blogging, I suppose it's fair for me to go ahead and write my end-of-year post.  Here are my favorite moments of this past year:

1. Early in the year, Dan prayed for God to somehow help us pay off our adoption debt.  We had decided to adopt Esias without knowing exactly how we would pay for it, but we also knew it was God's idea and if he tells you to do something, you just do, no matter if it costs money you don't have!  So, we did.  We were so blessed by friends, family, strangers, and grants that helped fund our adoption.  But there was still a good chunk left after we brought him home.  Dan was working odd jobs and giving plasma so that I could be home with kids full time.  We knew we could knock out the debt after we got him home.  Enter sick baby...with lots of needs at the hospital.  So, there went our extra income.  But when a baby boy is sick and needs the care of a super amazing hospital, you just take him there no matter what the cost.  So we did.  And so our bills racked up and our adoption debt sat there (luckily with no interest).  At this point a fellow Christian challenged Dan to pray, ask God to do something big, he said.  So Dan prayed for our debt to be removed.  Right after that, we found out that the Adoption Tax Credit had changed from a "lowering your tax liability" type of credit to a straight credit.  And we would be getting back all we paid in to federal taxes!  And guess how much it equaled?

2.  Re-adopting Esias seemed like just another step in the never-ending trail of paperwork of adoption.  I was emotional when our friend Craig, a lawyer, said he'd like to represent us in the hearing for free.  That saved us so much money and we were already swimming in debt (see #1!) but I didn't expect to be emotional during the hearing.  The judge came in and we all stood and were sworn in, then sat down.  She began to talk to us about the seriousness of adoption and what it means for our family.  I was surprised by the tears that filled my eyes.  We had already adopted him once, why did this mean more than before?  I think it's like renewing your vows...when you first get married "in sickness and in health" is just a phrase.  I realized while judge was talking how much I LOVED this boy...how much he'd come through already...how proud of him I was...and how I thought he was absolutely perfect in every way and how blessed we were to be his family.  That day, his name changed from Yabetse ("sorrow") to Esias ("God is my salvation") Tesfaye ("my hope") Grimes!

3.  My heart nearly explodes with pride and joy when I see my two beauties walk off to school together.  This year, Elly joined Eden in the ranks of school-aged-kids.  I have been so proud of them both for how they take care of each other and look out for each other.  Occasionally, the girls will come home arguing but more often than not these two are BFFs.  Eden especially has taken on the role of big sister beautifully and is not embarrassed of her sometimes goofy little sister.  She's never left her at school, anyway!

4.  In Ethiopia we saw so many amazing things!  Being able to do this trip together with Dan and my sister was a huge blessing.  It took so much sacrifice on the part of my other sister and my mom to be with our kids while we were both gone.  I am so grateful for that experience.  It changed my life forever.

5.  Esias is thriving in preschool.  It has been such a sweet thing to my soul to see my little man go to school and learn to trust someone else (his teachers) and learn how to socialize with other kids.  He has done better than I would have ever imagined.  And even though this was not my plan (I would have kept him home until he was at least 23), it was a good decision and it has been healthy for both of us!

Well, that's probably not all of the highlights but that's all I can remember right now!  I am so blessed to be the momma of three and the wife of one (amazing) husband.  

Whoa. I've been gone a while ;)

Hi all!  If anyone still reads this, that is!  I am such a blog slacker.  It is not for lack of things going on around here!  Here are just a few details:

Elly Lyn Grimes entered the Lost a Tooth Club!  Dan was gone for work and Brynn and the boys were over.  The kids were horsing around and Elly got bonked in the mouth and one of the "shark teeth" got knocked almost out.  She let me tug it out and then once she realized it hardly hurt at all, she let me twist the other one and get that out!  So now she only have one set of teeth on the bottom.  Thank goodness.  That was a year of shark teeth! 

The kids each had their parent teacher conferences this month and the rundown goes like this:  Eden- academically great, reading above level, good math skills, socially great.  All around good egg.  Elly- happy, sweet child with a little problem staying on task (!).  Esias- he's...adorable.  He screams a little.  And has to be at the front of the line.

Well, I'm glad my kids are themselves!  The conferences made me laugh out loud at how exactly on target they were!  ;)  Love my amazing kids.

New Challenge, Same Faith ;)

We got Esias' test results back regarding the seizures he had back in August.  Esias' brain was normal according to his MRI (praise God) but his EEG was abnormal.  He was then diagnosed with Benign Rolandic Epilepsy.  Basically, not dangerous, seizures happen at night during sleep and usually go away in their teens.  There can also be tingling, numbness, and twitching of the mouth, tongue, and face.  We're wondering if this has anything to do with his apparent lack of feeling in his mouth and his drooling, but the doctor thinks those two conditions are unrelated.  I think we might find out otherwise ;)  We are good!  We are very positive about his challenges.  He is doing very well and making slow but steady progress talking and eating.  We are very pleased that he has not had any notable seizures since August.  So, we march on!  We love our little dude!
The other night, his feeding tube fell out so that was exciting!  We couldn't get it back in; I suspect its been slowing growing back from the inside out because he was growing and "out"growing the size of it.  Anyway since he rarely used it anyway we just let it go.  He can drink all the calories he needs orally even if chewing is an issue.  He is soooo happy that it's out!

Grieving.

Esias is grieving.  I don't always talk about his grieving, because I know so many children who were adopted at older ages and how severe their grief can be...and I know that his grieving looks like maybe any other 3 year old just having a fit or something like that.  But as his mother,  the one who knows his heart, I know.  I can tell the difference.  This year has brought lots of changes for him, going to school, Dan and I leaving him for 10 days, therapy, etc.  Just last Friday he had tests at the U to see what his seizure was all about back in August.  Well, my sick, sad little baby was back in my arms...even though he knows we are mom and dad...even though he knows we love him, and he loves us...I could see his eyes.  They become withdrawn.  He gets more fearful of noises, strangers, new places.  The hospital was the place we spent lots of time when we he wasn't really bonded or attached to us.  He was scared and or prodded and poked most of the time while we were there.  And though we go there every week for therapy (which is usually a positve experience) when we were there last week he had sedation and an EEG which were both uncomfortable and scary for him.  So last night, he sort of lost it.  He woke up in the night (well, around midnight) and couldn't find Dan.  Dan was outside taking the trash to the curb.  So basically he freaked.  I know no idea why he didn't just find me, but for some reason he was confused and he was so scared.  He cried for over 2 hours straight with no comfort from us.  It was difficult to watch.  We finally fell asleep at 3am...I am not sure what happened to trigger it but he finally calmed down, laid down between us and fell asleep.  And when he woke up this morning, he was "fine."  But I know that despite his smile and his natural personality which just beams with joy most of the time...he experienced loss and trauma at an early age.  That kind of thing changes a person.  And I can only ask God to help us navigate through this life as his parents and help us to meet him where he is and love him through all of it.

Recent Stats on the Grimes Kids

I haven't done a post like this in a while, so it seemed like a good time to document how the kids are growing and changing.  Emphasis on GROWING!

Eden Lily Grimes
Height: VERY close to Mom!  I think she's about 4'7"
Weight: 70 ish lbs.
Favorite Food: She LOVES ham sandwiches, lasagna, salad, cucumbers, cauliflower and rice with soy sauce.  Oh yes, and she likes to make her own Ramen noodles!
Least favorite food: Anything casserole-y or too much of "one flavor" just like her father.
Favorite activity: She likes to rollerblade around after school and also she joined her school's running club recently and had logged several miles already!  She also is an avid reader, devouring 2-3 "chapter" books a week (or more) and if you can believe it, I have said to her, "Eden you need to quit reading for a while and do something else."  That's weird to say.
Least favorite activity: Going to bed.  She likes to drag it out and try to snuggle us, butter us up, etc. so she doesn't have to go to sleep!

Eden is doing great in 3rd grade.  She has a mixed class of 3rd and 4th graders, and then they separate into groups for math and reading according to their level.  I think her teacher is great.  We've been blessed again by another teacher that appreciates and accepts Eden's eccentricities and creativity and sees it as a positive thing in her class!  Phew!  It's stressful to wonder how someone (or if someone) will accept your child and see them for who they really are.  Praise God for Mrs. C.!

Elly Lyn
Height: Honestly, I have no idea, all I know is that she is wearing size 7/8 clothes with ease and that she has become like a fawn who is all legs.  She has grown a lot this summer and is getting twiggier too.  She is differently shaped than Eden but equally as adorable.
Weight: 65?  Maybe less...I can't remember.  All I know is that my kids are definitely corn-fed Iowa kids!  ;)
Favorite Food: SOUR CREAM.  On anything.  Baked potatoes, tacos, soup, etc.  She loves it.  She also loves spaghetti and her bestest friend ever, APPLES.  Still eating tons of apples a week.  I love this season because apples are plentiful and delicious!  She also loves ice water!
Least Favorite Food: She's not a big meat fan.  She will eat it, but not with gusto.  Also, she doesn't like anything unfamiliar.  Unlike her sister who will eat things just to say she's eaten them.
Favorite Activity:  Elly still loves memorizing facts about animals and will perk right up when anyone starts talking about animals.  She also loves singing and music in general.  She LOVES kindergarten, especially art and music time and swinging on the swings at recess.  I drive by her school on my way to errands and sometimes see her swinging!  It's adorable.
Least Favorite Activity: Stopping playing to go to the bathroom.  Enough said.


Esias Tesfaye
Height: Again, I am terrible.  We have a mark on the wall but i have no idea what it is!  I think he's close to 4'.
Weight:  Now I do know this, since I have to keep track of it~  34lbs.  Which is great, since before this year he was at 29 lbs for a long time.  The Pediasure really helps him pack on the pounds (in a good way).
Favorite Food: Speaking of Pediasure, it is his "precious" for sure.  He is crazy about this stuff.  He will ask for some by pointing at where we keep it and then he has a special sign (that he made up) that means he "wants the whole thing" not just a measly portion of it!  It is cute.  Needless to say, he usually get the "whole thing"!
Least favorite food:  He has started to get really picky about vegetables in his food like mushrooms or peppers, etc.  It's sad.  He used to eat anything put in front of him!  But I am not sad that he has preferences, because that is a sign that he is secure with food!
Favorite Activity: Riding on the back of daddy's bike!  Talk about a big smile on his face.
Least favorite activity: Potty training.  See previous post!  We have gotten nowhere!!!

Esias vs. the Potty

Duh duh dunnnnnnnnnn.

Esias is three.  He was three on June 27th.  So you'd think he'd have some interest in the Big Boy Potty.  He has super hero undies and everything.  He even wakes up dry and tells me before he has a BM.  But, alas.  The Big Boy way to use the bathroom eludes us.  If I say, "Esias, let's try to go to the bathroom." He inevitably says, "NO!"  If I go ahead and put him on the potty, he will sit there but nothing happens.  Well, that's actually not factual.  A lot happens.  He squirms, he tries to get down, he messes with the toilet paper, he kicks his legs, he exams his "equipment" and giggles.   But nothing comes out.  Nothing.  Not even when he is already starting to go and I run him in there!!

Now, I have potty trained both my girls and one boy I babysat.  It was never this difficult.  Chocolate chips or M&Ms were always enough to persuade them to sit until something happened.  The good news is that his preschool doesn't require him to be potty trained, so we aren't working against any clock.  Still, I would love to stop buying (and changing) diapers.  This kid just continues to challenge what I thought I knew about parenting ;)  He is his own kid on his own timeline.  I think I'd have more luck teaching him how to change his own diapers than use the potty!  Hmmmm.  That's a good idea.

Back from Ethiopia

Wow, it's been a whirlwind end of summer. The end of August meant the start of school and a lot of preparation for our September trip to Ethiopia! The third for Dan and the second for me. We took of Sept. 13th, after settling Grammy in with our three kids. We landed in Addis September 14th and we were off and running for 8-9 days straight. We saw homes and families associated with the Children and Community Development Center we support, called Yezelalem Minch. It was a wonderful yet sometimes heartbreaking trip. So good though. It is easy to live in America where the majority of us are in warm homes with two cars and plenty in the pantry. For so many in Ethiopia, their lives are a struggle each day...the term "daily bread" really applies in a lot of cases. We have so much to learn from them about leaning on God for our every need.

When we got back we found our kids better off than before, full of pancakes and bacon and cocoa and Grammy-snuggles. Just as it ought to be! I am so thankful for my mom and how she is still young enough to chase after these crazy kids!

That's all for now!

Oh, Elly.

Elly Lyn. She's one of those happy-go-lucky types that you might be tempted to assume is not as smart as her dear sister, because she says things like this:

"Esias' tears are shooting out of his tear guns!"

But then, THEN she hits you with one of these:

"Mom did you know one side of you brain can talk to the other side of your brain with these little electrics? And the more stuff you learn, the more electrics you get!" Granted, she's talking about synapses, not "electrics" but dude, she's talking about synapses! I love her...even if she still can't say "cinnamon."

What Do I Do Now?

So, today was the kids' third day of school. And for the third day, I walked into an empty house...looked around...and didn't know what to do! Sure, I have a to-do list. But I always had that anyway, even with the kids. I don't know how to do things without my three shadows. Today I went grocery shopping, dropped off clothes at the dry cleaners, put away groceries, washed the car, cleaned Esias' room, vacuumed the rugs, answered a few emails, and went to the pharmacy. So I got quite a bit done before 11:45am (when I pick up Esias). But it just feels so doggone weird! For nine years my life has revolved around children and their needs. Even if it wasn't my own child's needs, it was the needs of one of my daycare kiddos. So now, I have all this "free" time and it just feels so weird. Will I get used to this? My sister gave me some advice today: You better get this figured out before they leave home for good! True.

Back to School, Back to School...(sung like Adam Sandler)

Today was the big day! THREE Grimes children packed their little character backpacks and trekked off to school! A preschooler, a kindergartener, and a third grader walked into a bar...oh wait, that's not what happened.

Anywhoo...all the kids went to school and Momma survived! I did some very quiet shopping. Alone. By myself. It was...weird.

Esias went on the bus at 8:01am without a hitch. I was shocked! I was anticipating clinging, crying, fit-throwing. And I thought Esias would have trouble, too.

Elly walked hand-in-hand with Eden up the street to our neighborhood school. She looked back at me once, right before she got into the line, and then she was off and had no worries.

Eden, of course, was fine. She did say the night before that she was nervous. But the nerves gave way to the excitement once morning came and the new sequined tennies were on her feet.

I came home from dropping Dan off at work and ate some chocolate covered strawberries (a gift from a very thoughtful husband who knew I'd be a wreck).

And three hours later, I picked up Esias. He looked up at me and said, "Muuuuuhm!" and came a-runnin'. Precious! Wait, before that. I did stalk him. I drove by the playgroud at recess time. He was playing so adorably. No tears whatsoever. And Esias was fine too.