Surgery Day

Well the day finally came that Andrew was going to have surgery. We knew there were some health issues with Andrew before we adopted him, and we were aware that he made need surgery on his heart, but we didn't realize that he would need some other things as well. The first procedure that he had done, was tubes put into his ears. Andrew has been struggling with his hearing and that is because of the fluid in his ears. In fact they think the fluid has always been there. Andrew also had to have two procedures done by an urologist today. The poor little guy had surgery head to toe just about. My husband and I started out the day by getting up at 4am in the morning so we could leave by 4:45am, to make it to the hospital by 5:30 am. Andrew seemed to handle the early hours well. In fact the first 5 pictures were all taken by 7:30am before his surgery. Andrew was such a tough little guy, and he didn't even cry or complain a bit when they pricked his finger to get a blood sample.

When the time came for them to take him back to surgery, my heart sank. My husband and I both were saying to each other, that we didn't think we could ever love this little guy as mush as we do! Sometimes when things are tough you realize the most how much people mean to you, and by all means I realized that Andrew is every bit one of my children. His sisters were so concerned about him and have been so sweet to him. Andrew you are a very loved little brother! Finally when surgery was over they called us back and Andrew had the roughest time waking up. You could tell he was in a lot of pain. They gave him morphine and then he finally napped. After he woke up he was back to crying again. We finally got him to stop crying with some apple juice in his cup. He then gave me the sweetest little wave. When we got home he would from time to time just scream and start hitting his head and when I would pick him up he wanted held but nothing was comfortable, so he would thrust his body backwards. My heart just ached because as a mother you want to take away the pain, but I didn't know what to do for him but just try to comfort him. He would have this pain for about 5 minutes, and then he would be fine.

By the way both surgeries went fine and the ENT said that he did have a lot of fluid in his ears. Later Andrew and I both crashed when we got home and when we woke up I called my mom to find out that Megan didn't make it to school today because she was throwing up sick. Of course the one day my mom was going to take her to school she decides to get sick, so my mom had to call off work. Sorry about that mom! My husband eventually got over my mom's to pick Megan up and when she got home not even 2 minutes later she was throwing up. As soon as she was done, Andrew was throwing one of the screaming fits from pain. Meanwhile Cain was going to leave to go to Alisha's volleyball game since they were 2 games from states division 1. This is the first time I felt like I wasn't enough for my kids. I needed to be with all three for different reasons, but I guess they all know I love them, and I do my best.

By the way Alisha won her game. Megan finally stopped throwing up before bed. Andrew stopped seeming to have so much pain, and fell asleep peacefully, and did I mention today was my Birthday. Well happy Birthday to me! Maybe we will get around to celebrating it at a different time. In the mean time I do thank God for watching over my son today! I did tell God earlier that I was grateful for the nine months that he protected him when we didn't have him, and I was also grateful for how he continues to watch over him every day! My little Andrew, I do love you with all my heart, and I am so thankful that you have come into our lives. I don't know what I would do without you. You have become such a big part of our family!

Andrew enjoyed all the toys, even if it was 5:30 in the morning!

This little guy had no idea what he was in for!

I decided to waist some time by turning a baby blanket into a head piece. Andrew looks like he is from Bible times.

This is Andrew resting peacefully after we got him to take a nap after surgery!

Megan's bon fire and Birthday fun with the family!

I learned a lot about 10 year olds from Megan's birthday party. First of all they don't like bon fires a whole lot. They are much more into running around, rather then sitting and enjoying a fire. That's fine, except for the fact that I burned my hair on the side of my head trying to get a few hot dogs that were propped up with a rock on the stick that was sitting to close to the fire. I was handling the situation pretty good until I had a few kids say, "oh my your hair looks bad"! I suddenly found myself throwing the already burnt hot dogs down and running into the house to see my hair. I put water on my hair and it wouldn't calm down. So maybe the bon fire wasn't such a good idea. The second thing that I realized is that boys and girls still act weird to one another at this age. Not to many boys came and the ones that did, didn't want much to do with the girls. However the rest of the night was good, and I think the kids enjoyed all our games in the dark outside. That I couldn't get pictures of, but I think we did create some memories that Megan will remember.

Megan with a few of her friends!

Andrew getting his turn at the pinata!

We were playing ghost in the grave yard outside in the dark, and the base was the garage. The kids would hide in there for a minute and when the door went up this is what they would do to get out first!

We also had a party for both of my girls last weekend. My girls had the same due date when I was pregnant, but they were born a week apart, but it just makes it easier to have a party with the family for them at the same time. Here are some pictures of the fun event!

Andrew is finding out that it is fun when mommy makes the cakes for her kids birthdays!

Andrew with Grandpa Stahnke. Andrew will bring anyone who will read to him a book!

Alisha with Uncle Ryan. You can tell they are from the same family!

Megan's way of thanking Uncle Ryan for coming to her party!

This is usually how I find my husband at most parties!

Lanny getting some use out of our second high chair!

Happy Birthday Girls!

Kylee enjoying one of Andrew's books!

Everyone gave Alisha money for her birthday because she is saving up for a lap top. I took the liberty to wrap her money in weird ways, one of which was hiding the money in used socks! She thought I went crazy!

I also had a little fun with Megna's gift. I made her go on a scavenger hunt through the house which eventually led to her present. She got a Nintendo DS lite. She has been asking for one of these since last year!

Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Chrissy clapping with Andrew!

Andrew sitting on Uncle Tyson and Aunt Cathy's lap! They need practice because they are expecting their first child in the spring and it's a girl!

This is my, I'm running around but I'll fake smile for a picture face!

My mom and dad enjoying the party!

Cain's mom and dad enjoying the party! Also, I love the new hair cut mom!

We have some other crazy events coming up. Andrew is having surgery this Thursday, so we will let everyone know about that later. Also my daughter Alisha's volleyball team is only 2 games away from going to state. They have won their suburban league, and districts! They are ranked number one in division one in Ohio! What a great honor for her to be part of this great team! They play this Thursday, and Saturday, and if they win both games they are going to states the next week! I'll keep everyone posted!

A letter to my daughter on her 11th Birthday!

Dear Megan,

I can't believe it has been eleven years since the day I laid eyes on you. I knew you would be very time conscience since day one. Our Dr. told us I would need to deliver you by 5:00 because another Dr. would be on call for her. Of course you waited till 4:59 to be delivered. Since that day you have always been concerned on what we were doing and when we were doing it. You are one of the most organized child I have met, but that is what makes you, you! You also have such a sweet heart! You have always been concerned about others, and you love to do things for others. I have also noticed how great of a big sister you are to your little brother. I will never forget how long you prayed for a little brother to come into our home. You have been such a help to me with Andrew, and your brother truly knows you love him. I know one day your going to make a wonderful mother to your own children. Thanks Megan, for being such a wonderful daughter. God truly blessed us with putting you in our life. I can't imagine getting up in the morning without seeing your smiling face! I have truly enjoyed the eleven years we have had, and I look forward to the next eleven!

I love you with all my heart,

Mom

I was so excited when I found out that High School Musical 3 was coming out on Megan's Birthday. I got Grandma to watch Andrew, and Megan and I had a girls afternoon out! We are having a bon fire tomorrow for Megan's birthday, we will post pictures of that later!

Some Family Pictures!

I thought it was time to update some pictures in my house so that Andrew was in them. It is important to me also for my son to know who his family is, and I think if he sees pictures on my walls daily of his family it will help him learn quicker who every one is. We went and professionally had our pictures done with our kids and we asked my husband's parents to come along. I also wanted some pictures with my side of the family but that is much harder to pull off sometimes. We decided that we would take our own pictures at my Grandma's 90th birthday party, since everyone was going to be there. That turned out to be very eventfull. There was a wind storm that same day and the power went off. The pictures were taken when the lights were out, so what light we had was from our flash on the camera. I suppose they were okay for the situation. One day we will get better pictures of all of us, but for now at least Andrew will see everyone's faces.

Also the song "Hey Ya" is our family dance song. Everytime this song comes on in the car everyone starts dancing and moving, including Andrew now! I thought it would be fun to put this song with these family pictures!

A Big Milestone!

I feel we have hit a big milestone with Andrew. First of all he turned a year and a half last week, but aside of that, last week Andrew has been with us the same amount of time that he was in the orphanage. It always bothered me knowing he was somewhere else longer then he was with us, but now that is no longer the case. We see every day how Andrew has adjusted. Just the other day, I had a cashier in the store tell me that Andrew looks so healthy. This lady didn't even know that Andrew was adopted, nor did she know how little and unhealthy Andrew was when he came home with us. It did my heart good, to hear someone say that to me about my son! Andrew is a different kid now. I look at his pictures of when he came home, and he isn't that same little boy anymore. I have been so privileged to have Andrew in my life, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for this little guy!

Andrew, Megan, and I had fun picking out pumpkins! Andrew wasn't to sure of why we were getting these big orange things, but I'm sure he will catch on soon!

Andrew woak up with his hair sticking out everywhere. He has never had his hair look so crazy!That must of been some nap Andrew!