5th day post op!

Kanah is doing great healing from cleft lip repair surgery last week. He has adjusted to his no-no's well, and holds his arms out to put them back on now after his breaks with them off. He has reverted back since surgery to his behavior on the first few days after his adoption. I have had to hold him constantly or he has a fit! These are better each day and so far this morning he is playing and no fits! He slept better last night with only one episode of a crying fit. I coaxed him back to sleep in his crib at 1 am, and he slept until 715 am. The good thing is these episodes are getting better, and hopefully by the end of the week we will back on track as pre-surgery. This poor fellow has had a wild month of August with a new family, new home, and surgery! He is doing amazing with eating, walking, and motor skill development as seen with playing with his toys.

Keaton getting kissed by a girl!

I took the boys to the park today, and Keaton's day care girl friend yelled out KEAT when we arrived. She wanted to play with him, and sat in the toy car and tried to give him a kiss! Keaton was shy and as you can see tried to fend her off. They blow kisses and give each other a hug when he goes home from day care each day, and we have teased him that she is his girlfriend for months. He has been bashful all night as we tease him , and wipes his face off where she kissed him! Too funny! I at least have this pic for blackmail if they ever date in high school!

Enjoying dinner with a break from NO NO's

Kanah is doing very well post surgery.  He is adapting to his no no's too. He holds his arms out when it is time to put them back on.

Kanah's lip repair surgery

Everything went as planned with no complications. He is doing great (except for being mad from wearing his no-no's.) More updates once we arrive home from Charleston.
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Brother's having dinner together

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Update on Kanah's first week at home!

Kanah has adjusted very well so far to his new home and family. He will now go to other family members and allow them to hold him rather than his Momma! He still does not like for me to put him down, and throws a fit for a minute until he gets and interest in a toy we give him or Keaton plays with him. They are both learning the hard task of SHARING TOYS! I had he and Keaton taking turns with a toy last night and at first there was a cry from each when we switched, but they ended up handing it back and forth. This will take constant effort on our part to continue this practice.

Kanah also went to see the palate team Tues. 8-16-11 with his lip repair this week 8-25-11. The palate reapair will be in about 3 months. We hated to subject him so quickly to surgery , but his weight is low and though he is eating well he needs his surgeries soon since he is already 22 months old. I also have to return to work next month and need to get him healed, go to follow up appointments, and get him adjusted to day care before I go. He and Keaton will be together in day care so I hope this will help the adjustment go smoother.

Kanah is walking very well all over the house, getting stronger daily, eats everything you give him. He has eaten some gourmet dishes prepared by the grands such as coconut infused wild rice, talapia, & moussaka ( a greek eggplant dish with ground meat & potatoes), and blueberry banana pie! He ate 2 helpings each night! There is nothing wrong with his appetite or his ability to eat! He just takes time to do it. I know the orphanage may not have had the time or have known to try other foods than formula and cereal. I was told that was his diet there! He has managed to gain 1 1/2 lbs so far since being with us in 3 weeks. I hope for an increase in weight when we go back to MUSC for surgery. No doubt he will have at least a few more ounces! The boys are constantly coming into the kitchen for a snack! Kanah is persistent to get a bite of anything you have.

More updates after surgery. We posted a few pics on here too. We loaded all of them last night to the computer.

Bonding with the grands!

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Loving my new home, toys, and now even my doggie!

Kanah is enjoying his new surroundings, and even Gertie Mae his doggie! I have more pics to work on getting loaded to post soon. He is adjusting to family and settling in well.

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HOME IN USA!!!!

We made it back home yesterday after a grueling customs, re-check in at the Detroit Airport. It took forever and we missed our connection flight and had to be re-routed to another airport close to home. Family waiting on us at the first airport picked up our luggage and drove up to the Asheville, NC airport to pick us up there only 3 hours later than our original time. We arrived home to a porch covered in balloons, and a welcome home sign for KANAH done by Doodle Pop and Pop. We are at home in our own beds, and the kids slept most of the night after going to bed at around 11 pm. Keaton did get a little disoriented and fell out of his toddler bed during the night, but when back to sleep easy and luckily not hurt. Kanah slept in his crib for a while, but ended up in our bed! He is doing well adjusting to his new family, and just soaking it all in. He let Grandam Dee Dee feed him a late supper. He was sort of scared of his nursery and of his dog Gertie Mae. He is tolerating the dog, much better than expected and does not understand why this furry thing wants his treats! He saw so many stuffed animals and toys in his and Keaton's room I think it was too overwhelming on his first night. If you have followed along on this entire trip you know Kanah is doing very well tolerating changes from the first few days. He and Keaton did pretty well on the plane, but we would much prefer not to go on an overseas 15 hour flight again with 2 toddlers. We will try to get some new pictures on here soon!

First McD's, Banana split, and doing the BUMP!

We finally figured out a place to venture off the island too after 14 days! Go figure. We went to the Holiday Inn area in Shifu, and it is a very up beat shopping district. There is a Jade market, indoor and ourdoor shopping malls, McDonald's, KFC, and Pizza Hut to name a few popular spots. We at McD's and Kanah loved the french fries. We then came back to Shamian Island to Lucy's for a banana split. Kanah and Keaton have been playing and giving each other the bump and high 5! We are mostly packed up and waiting on our last load of laundry. We had our Consulate appointment this morning and Kanah is all ours to bring home. We pick up his Visa at 330p Friday and head for the train station to HK.

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Wrapping it all up here!

We got our I 600 A cable re-sent and it arrived. Everything is OK for Kanah's Visa to be completed. We have our Consulate appointment in the morning , and then Friday we get the Visa and take the train back to Hong Kong. We depart early Saturday morning for the USA! We have enjoyed our time here, but we are now ready to get back home and settle Kanah in to his new home. We still will be traveling for a few days after we return home by taking him to MUSC for his surgery consult. It is about 3 1/2 hours drive from home. We have a busy week upon our return, with 2 appointments for Kanah, and Keaton's 12 month post placement is due the same week! We have stared re-packing our stuff, to see if there is a need for any new suit cases, and so far I have not been very bad with my shopping! Good for Kevin, but just in case we will hide some Yuan for the beer on the train! You have to have been following during our last trip in 2010 to get the humor of that comment. It was hot, hot , hot and he lugged 5 suit cases, and a back pack all over the train station in 100 F + humidity to have lukewarm bottled water for the trip to HK, and watch all of the other families coming down the corridor with pitchers of ICE COLD BEER! The big thing was we only came with 3 suit cases and left with 5! This time we still have 3 SO FAR!!!  LOL
We still have 2 days left here, but some agenda on them so not much sight seeing to be done after today.

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As good as it gets for pics

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Rainy Day

It was a rainy start to the day and then cloudy the remainder of it. We did not go the Safari Zoo of course, so we strolled around the island over and over in between breaks back to our room. We saw another family in the lobby and they also said they are going 'stir crazy'! We love the area, but after 13 days it is the same old thing. Most families only get approximately a week here, but since Kanah is from this province we get our entire trip on one spot. We had a snag of our I 600  not being cabled for the 2 time, and hope all of our phone calls from my Mom and our emails will resolve the issue before our Consulate Appointment 8-11-11 at 830 AM! I am sure everything will work itself out. Our agency is also staying on top of the issue too. Keaton and Kanah are both doing well, except for the sibling rivalry over a toy or Mommy! We really did not take many pictures today, and so we will have to catch up and post some tomorrow. Kevin and Keaton are both getting over their brief illnesses, and fevers are gone and antibiotics did the trick! Keaton had strep throat and Daddy had his usual sinus infection. Both had fevers of > 102F. Pray Kanah and I are in the clear and do not come down with anything. Kanah is continuing to eat like a pig, and is now all over the place. No further tantrums coming or going, but only if you take something away or if I put him down. He wants me to hold him most of the time! He is getting spoiled already! LOL He loves to laugh and smile.

Some of todays pics

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Some more pics from today

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Nice Day & Riverside dinner

We had a repeat day. Kanah continues to improve, and Keaton is much better. Keaton was being naughty most of the day, and it may be he still did not feel his best, and/ or being a BROTHER! Kanah has learned to high 5, and give a bump. He is pointing to facial parts and now says eye and nose. We went to the park, swimming, and strolled around Shamian Island several times. We had a great dinner at the Rose Garden! It was one of the best meals we have eaten. The Thai restaurant Cow and Bridge was also very good. The Rose Garden is on the river and we are sending some pics from our table and of the lighted riverboat in the distance. There are all kinds of red lanterns and lights of all colors hanging all over the trees throughout the restaurant quarters. Very nice!

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Another amazing day of progress!

Keaton is better and fever is gone! Playing again. Kanah is now walking all over the place with no assistance. We took them to the park and he walked all over the place. He always has a toy or food in each hand! He is still eating great at each meal. Kanah continues to mimic our sounds, and is pointing to eyes and nose. He says 'eye'! He is very silly. He likes to dance side to side and shake his head side to side making a silly face! He has a lot of character coming through. He is more comfortable with all of us, but still clingy to Mommy! We have free days until our CA (Consulate Appointment) on 8-11-11. We are planning to go to the Safari Zoo on Tuesday as we need to be sure Keaton is completely well, Kanah is a little more adjusted to making changes, and hope no one else comes down with strep throat! Kanah is not having any change adjustment issues, but his biggest problem is going to bed at times. He takes forever to go to sleep. NO later naps this week for him! We are trying to send a few more pics. Hope they come through!

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Amazing walking today!!

Kanah continues to get stronger. He is walking all over the room today with no assistance after a few minutes of Keaton and I walking side by side. He walked all over picking up toys and walking them over and placing them in a chair. Amazing from what he was doing Monday when we received him & fewer falls! Keaton had a fever of 102+ F and went to the clinic at the White Swan hotel, and was diagnosed with strep throat. He is doing better later today with a new antibiotic. The amoxicillin had either lost it's potency ( filled last month), or was not helping. Between the Tylenol and Ceclor they prescribed today his fever is down and feels much better. We hope this continues. Wow paid only $11 US amount per clinic visit and for meds each visit. We went last night and again today when fever would not come down. I wish our healthcare in the US was this cheap. I do not know what a hospital would charge, and hope and pray we don't have to go there! Kanah has only had one fit today with the change of going to a new restaurant. Something freaked him out! The waiter was assisting me get him in the high chair and I think he was scared of him the chair or both. I took him outside and one of the staff helped talk to him in Chinese and he calmed down. He sat in my lap and ate lunch all smiles again. Well at least we are down to one outburst for a day for the past 2 days, and we can come and go from the hotel now with no issues. More later!

Kanah pics

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What a difference today!!!

Kanah woke up in good spirits, and very little crying upon leaving the room, and none at all later when we left. He did have a tantrum leaving Lucy's at lunch. We think  he may still have been a hungry and tired, but he would not eat anymore of the potatoes and eggs. We bought some baby cereal and after his nap we gave him some and he ate it up! He has been very active crawling, and YES getting up and walking all over the room with a fall every few steps. He laughs and gets up and starts off again! He has even been strong enough to stand up holding a bag and bend over to pick up a toy and place it in the bag. He is coming around a lot today. He has been stacking items, and also placing rings on the ring stacker toy at times. He will take things in and out of the bag over and over. He and Keaton have been playing and lots of giggles! He has really come out of his little shell today. We may not be over the fear of change yet, but great improvement. Our guide called the orphanage and they reported he has some similar behaviors to change there too, and hopes once he gets use to his new family he will be OK! Let's pray he continues to have great progress. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THE WALKING PROGRESS!!!!! What a little nourishment has done!

We're starting to walk

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Double food coma!

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Off to a better day!

We had a difficult time getting Kanah to bed last night, but he woke up in good spirits, and very brief crying spell going out of the room for breakfast. He did not like his new skeaky shoes , and wanted the shoes I have had on his all week. We got pictures developed  from the camera sent to the orphanage and he never had shoes on so they must be very new to him. He also had pictures lying in his bed that was nothing but plywood bottom and no bed clothes. There were other beds with children in them the same way. It appears this was the way they slept. Very sad conditions. They did have him sitting on playground equipment, but you wonder how often they got to play on it. There were no other children in those pictures. He was holding his own bottle in a few of them. he is stronger today and was able to hold his bottle for me this morning in the floor on his own! He also got up and crawled to get to his toys and treat cup, and he was too weak earlier in the week for this task. Improvement daily. We went for his medical exam yesterday, and I specifically asked to evaluate for Cerebral Palsy, and 3 doctors evaluated and thinks he does not and only malnutrition delays, and should catch up and improve greatly with proper nutrition. Good news! We will try to get some pictures on soon.

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