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  They become withdrawn.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!!!