We are home!
I wanted to write a post yesterday, but it was such a whirlwind day of quick changes, and so many things to remember, that I was just too drained to post.
We saw the surgeon who performed Evangeline’s surgery yesterday morning. He was so pleased with the way the surgery site was healing that he made an abrupt decision to send us home.
Praise God!
His miraculous hand was definitely at work within her tiny body as she shocked all the doctors and teams with her progress.
Originally, the plan was to keep her a month, and send her home completely wheelchair bound with no crutches, but the infectious disease team was able to make her a cocktail of antibiotics that she is able to receive at home. On several occasions while she was in the hospital, she hopped her way out to the nurses desk when I was out of the room. We just could not keep her off her better foot, so the doctor changed his mind and did send her home with crutches for around the house.
She is doing so well. She crawls up and down the steps, and keeps up with the children with no problem at all.
Eliza is doing really well too.
She greeted me with a smile in the garage when we pulled in with the van, and has been smiling ever since. I am really amazed at the change in her during the week I was gone.
She did come to the hospital, but it never went really well. She wasn’t happy there. I think she might be getting comfortable in her home, but going out might still be scary for her. The children would tell me while I was in the hospital that she was doing really well, but I couldn’t see it when she came for visits.
Seeing her now, I can’t even believe I crumbled in the hospital that day. She must have been just terribly shut down from the trauma of the adoption. That’s the only thing I can figure because she is clearly blossoming now.
She has the most beautiful smile, and we are finally seeing that happy smile she is wearing in the picture on my sidebar.
I am not exaggerating when I say that she smiles every time I look at her. She is still so very much in love with her Daddy, but last night I decided to try to meet her right there in her adoration of her father. I can share that with her. I love him too.
And she is just thriving.
She even uses the translator with me now, and came upstairs and asked me for it tonight.
I believe the time I spent in the hospital with Evangeline was good for all of us in a way. Evangeline is much more secure in her attachment to us, and I think it must have been good for Eliza too somehow. She seems really happy to have me home, and I find myself feeling so much more comfortable reaching out to love her because she seems ready to receive me.
I am just in awe of her progress.
Every time I see her smile, I am acutely aware of how deeply I longed for her to let me in.
I am so incredibly thankful to be home with ALL of my family.
Before I close, I want to thank all of you again for every comment you leave on my blog and on Facebook, for every letter you take the time to write me. I cherish every word. Many times I have cried as I have I read your comments. God has blessed us with you, and I love everyone of you. I pray for all of you everyday, and thank God for the support you have given us.
And I want to thank the local families who are supplying meals for our family as we adjust to having two more children and juggling the extra needs. Evangeline and Eliza will have quite a few more appointments at CHOP, and our biological children have some appointments too. The meals are just a huge help and really do enable me to sit with the girls a bit more in the afternoon. Thank you.
Blessings!
WOW!! that is WONDERFUL to hear Diane!! I cannot imagine the joy you must feel! Thank you Jesus!!
So awesome………..to hear good news. We have been praying and God is faithful. We praise him with you! So thrilled too, that you can all be home together now.
Such very good news! He has been in control all the time. Our God has not promised an easy road, but He is with us and holding all things together. So glad for the new connections you are able to make with Eliza. Love and prayers for you all.
What wonderful news! I’m s glad your home and it sounds like the week away did wonders for everyone!
Rejoicing with you as you rejoice! I love how you love your children and your husband. It sounds to me like you have a “daddy’s girl” on your hands. That’s precious. Knowing and praying that God is knitting all of your hearts together. Grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Praise God that BOTH girls are doing so well!
This is such great news ~ I’m glad Evangeline is doing so well and home with her family again. Eliza is going to love being part of your family ~ I think she is realizing that you will always be there for her. God Bless all of you.
Hi Diane: I was thrilled to discover I had already bookmarked your blog. Of course, was wondering how all the people we met in China were doing! We just spent two nights away and I agree, the leaving and coming home again seems to make home more “real” for our kids. It is a place to count on. Glad that the girls are making such wonderful progress!