Fill #2

That's it? Only 2 fills so far?! After her reaction today during the fill-up procedures, it is going to be a loooooong next couple of months. :o(

This time daddy was able to come with us. She was quite disappointed when she found out Aunt Jenn wasn't coming this time. But despite the disappointment, she was still happy as a lark to go back to the hospital.

(ha! See the date on the picture? I was fiddling with the camera while trying to wait patiently. 03/11/2008. Keziah wasn't even born yet! Actually, at that date we didn't even have a clue that we were going to be adopting. My. It is so amazing to see God's plans fold out in our lives, plans that we didn't even know existed. Such comfort to rest in His providential care, knowing that He has it all figured out.) 

Daddy held her during the fill-ups. She cried. And screamed. Loud. My heart broke. It is soooo hard to be a tough mama!! It's difficult to hold back the tears and be strong for her. I think that's why I find these days so exhausting - just always trying to keep my emotions in check for her sake.

The fill ups were exactly what I was dreading about this whole process. During the screaming and crying, February 19th looks so far away. But I do need to remind myself that while she kicks and screams during the fill ups, by the time we get Timbits, she is back to herself again. And never a problem again until the next fill up. So I just have to be strong during those 10 minutes for her and remember how quick she is to smile not even 10 minutes after.

So here are the results of today's fills:

There is now 125 cc's in the top one. Can you believe that is just 10 cc's shy of what her cheek expander was filled up to?! Hair is a wonderful thing, people! :o)

Here are the side views. The first picture you can't really see the back expander, but you can see the skin that is stretched a bit through her hair.

It just looks like I poofed up her hair at the front. I know some people who actually style their hair this way.....so really, she's just keeping up with the times. :o)

While it may only be 2 fills done, we are thankful to put those 2 behind us. We again thank you for your prayers.

Speaking of being thankful, I know I've mentioned our appreciation for the great support group that we belong to (you know who you are!), there is another group that also has given us so much support, and that is our church family. This support has been seen in many ways, some of them being the following:

So many have offered to take this guy while we go every week. (how could you not?! Look at that cheeky monkey!! Just make sure you hide your food, your dishwasher soap, your computer, anything with buttons, your, well, you get the idea. Still want him?! :o)

Today we were spoiled with a delicious meal made by friends, which was enjoyed by all (especially by me, as I didn't have to worry about what to make for supper after a stressful morning):

Another way we've been encouraged is by witnessing how many people from our church care about our daughter. They care so much that they even want to crochet Keziah some beautiful hats!! And so, here she is, modelling two hats that were made specially for her by another friend in the church. (yes, that is 4 pictures of the same hat. I couldn't pick just one with that smile of hers!)

And her favourite one....the one with a "big sparkle!!"

Don't these hats just suit her so well?! My little fashion diva :o) And what's so nice about the hats is that they are stretchy, which is a good thing because we still have 555 cc's more to go in the top and 455 cc's in the back!

But let's just take one day at a time, one fill up at a time, or else my stomach starts knotting too soon, and this is not good, because then I am too busy looking horizontally instead of vertically.

Ahhhh! Appointment-free Summer!

When we started the process of removing her birthmark, we were preparing to be housebound and appointment-tied most of the summer, with surgery being late July or early August. But thankfully, because the filling up went so well and her skin stretched so nicely, surgery was bumped up (or is it back?) to the end of June. Now that everything is healing so well, we have been able to enjoy a summer we wouldn't think we would have: appointment free! We are so thankful.

Just over 1.5 weeks ago, her skin graft was "revealed" looking like this

Since then, all that scabby looking brown skin has come off and has left behind very pink, fresh looking skin:

Her surgeon mentioned that I could put Vitamin E on her incisions and skin graft to help with the scarring, but after a few days of that I noticed it was leaving her skin very "pimply" and rashy looking. And so we've stopped using Vit. E. and are now trying a different lotion. I've read somewhere that it's not actually any lotion or oil that helps the scars, but the massaging done when putting the stuff on is what does it. So we'll see.

With no appointments, we've been able to fill our days with other activities, starting off with sleeping in:

and being wakened up by a younger sibling:

Keziah is now allowed to swim and so we are in the pool almost every day, which has been so nice as the weather has continued to be quite warm.

(notice we've gone from water wings, life jacket, blue ring and noodle down to just a life jacket? :o)

Now that she can swim, we can have people over to enjoy the pool with us!

(these two were inseparable and it is so handy that Kathryn is 2.5 years older than Kez. Makes my life a lot easier! I don't think I did a thing for her the whole time Kathryn was over!!)

"You ARE going to catch me, right Uncle Jay??" Yeah, I am not so sure I would trust him either, Kez. :o)

And if we aren't swimming, we are loving the a/c in the house. With the humidity being the way it has been so far, we are thankful for the blessings of a pool and a/c. I must say though, despite the a/c in the house, my heart continues to melt when I see moments like these, of her reading to her brother. And if her brother isn't a willing participant, there is always her doll!

If the pool pictures haven't told you it has been warm, sunny and very summery, maybe these next two pictures will:

So yes. We have been relishing our days, enjoying every moment of our freedom and spending lots of time together. We especially like it that we don't have to drop this monkey off anymore

                                           (any guesses as to what HE is doing??!)

and are able to spend some good quality time together. And who says the bonding isn't as good if your baby is bottlefed?? I see some serious bonding happening here!!

I'd post more but after seeing that above picture, I now better clean up the mess my heart just made on the floor as it has melted again. We hope you are also enjoying your summer!

Gearing Up!

The weekend has passed and wow, what a weekend it was! Just the weather in itself made it feel like it was the July or August long weekend! We had a great weekend, visiting our relatives, I mean, the zoo in Brantford on Saturday. It was actually quite hot, so the highlights were the little animal show and all the plastic Little Tykes play equipment rather than the tigers and lions who were too hot and sleepy. Oh well, there's always next time! Keziah went with some of her cousins and had a good time!

This is about as close as she would get to feed the goat. She was brave enough to pet it though.

At the little animal show, she was much braver and had fun petting a snake:

a lizard:

and an alligator:

These little furry creatures were cute but too young to pet:

Keziah had a great time keeping up with her cousin, Conall.

On Monday, we spent the day with our very close friends, Jenn and Jay and their kids. We checked out the Eramosa Caves together. I think I am glad I had the excuse that I had to stay above ground with Lincoln, and Jenn was ever so kind in saying she didn't mind to stay with me :o)

Keeping mom happy as we wait for the others to come back up:

So as you can see, we are still taking Keziah out. Many people ask us if we will or not. To be honest, taking her out in public is MUCH easier than taking her to places where people know her, like church (or another sister church), family and friends. You see, the people in public have always stared at her ever since day one, so really, there is no difference in that environment. The people close to us know what she looked like before and so are taking in the changes as best as they can. We have heard from many that last week's fill really had them in awe (for lack of a better word) as to how big these things will get. I think that last fill-up just really hit people a bit more as it is really becoming obvious.

Keziah's Aunt Jenn made something ever so special for Kez; she sewed a doctor's outfit for Patches, Keziah's stuffie that she takes with her to the hospital!

Isn't it adorable??! She is one talented, caring and crafty person! We LOVE it! Keziah says "THANK YOU, AUNT JENN!!!"

And so today, with Patches and Kez dressed in their doctor outfits, they set out to help the baby that needed lotion and bandaids. We worked with saran wrap again to keep the lotion in place. I was able to put the lotion on her "owies" as well as saran wrap, so hopefully she'll let me tomorrow. The difference I noticed today was that if I used the word "cream", she became anxious. If I used the word "lotion", she was okay with that.

Here she is checking her baby's temperature with the thermometer:

Working the lotion and saran wrap, first on her hand, then on her head:

Although we won't be using those bandaids (tagaderm) anymore, I still wanted to work with them with her to help her get over her fear of them. At first she was hesitant, but once I reassured her that we will not be putting them on her and that they'll be staying home tomorrow, she went ahead and actually put it on the doll and took it off! I saw this as a big and positive step!

Just checking to make sure her baby's heart is still beating after taking the bandaid off :o) It was so cute because the whole time she was working with her baby, she would talk softly to the baby with encouraging words like "it's okay, it's just me, Keziah." or "I will hold your hand, it's okay." :o)

I am so proud of her! She did very well today with it all! I know tomorrow will be another story, but for now I feel we made some improvements as we gear up for the hospital.

We ask for your prayers, that Shaindy will be available to help her tomorrow and that we don't have a complete repeat of anxiety from last week.