Another 'Milestone'

Well, here in the Woodruff Family your not truly an official Woodruff child until Poison Control has had to be called. Mia's official! We've now had not only our first ER visit with the head injury the day before Thanksgiving, but now we've moved on to ingesting poison, Frizz-Ease to be exact.

My daughter H~ was out at a babysitting job, my son J~ had a major headache and was in bed, my son I~ was playing on the computer, and Mia and my dear husband A~ were on the couch watching a football game. This was the scene when I left for a mere 20 minutes to run to Kroger's to purchase dinner.

When I came home everyone was in the same spot, except my dear husband had fallen asleep and Mia was no longer in the living room with A~. I asked my son I~ where Mia was. "I dunno" was his response. I went through the house calling her name and found her in the dark in my bedroom. When I turned on the light, there she was in my bed licking her lips. In her hand was the empty bottle of Frizz-Ease that my daughter had used and NOT put back where she'd gotten it. Thank God there was only a tiny bit left. She had even stuck her tongue in it to lick out the residue.

I was so angry I couldn't see straight! But, I calmly called our dear friends, who I'm sure know us on a first name basis now, over at Poison Control and asked for some advise. They said that she would have cramping, nausea, and vomiting but it wouldn't kill her. No need to go to the hospital unless the vomiting became uncontrollable (how do you control vomiting?). Well, she must have the stomach of steel, because she never even acted ill. No cramps, nausea, or vomiting. Thank you Lord!

Here's some photos of Mia eating (food not Frizz-Ease)

Happy Thanksgiving...& 1st Emergency Room Visit

First of all, happy Thanksgiving! I have so much to be thankful for as I'm sure anyone with the ability to sit at a computer and read has too. When it comes right down to it, we are so blessed with even the simplest of things like health, food, literacy, the ability to sit and type whatever we feel like because we live in a country with freedom of speech, etc. So, I hope you count your many many blessings today and I hope you're able to enjoy this day with the ones you love. And, for those of you waiting to adopt the one you already love but don't know, I'm sure you're thankful that you have the resources to bring your little loved one home. Happy Thanksgiving!

Now, on to our first but what I'm sure won't be the last ER visit. Last night, after many warnings and idle threats of "if you don't calm down..."Mia got hurt. She and my 10-year-old were playing chase through the house and she tripped on the throw rug in the boys' room and smacked her forehead and her nose into the corner of the dresser. It immediately swelled up about the size of a strawberry. It didn't break the skin but left a deep purple indentation, almost like a crease about an inch long. Her nose is purple and red and she looks like Rudolph.

It made me sick and I'm not sure why. I've had three 8lb+ kids naturally and have sat calmly when my oldest daughter split her thumb in half in the car door. Not to mention the soccer injuries I've witnessed: the three concussions and hearing her foot break twice. Fine, no problem then, calm and cool. But last night, it took all of my bearings not to faint. And there wasn't even blood. I was shaking so hard and got so nauseated I thought I'd throw-up at any second. Mia only cried for less than a minute and got more frustrated that I was trying to put an ice pack on her then she was upset about her injury.

She hit so hard, and it swelled up so fast, I was worried she'd have a concussion or a broken nose so I took her to the ER. She had a total freak-out meltdown when we got to the hospital. I think she thought she was there to get another catheter. She wouldn't let the nurses or drs look at her and she SCREAMED when we had to lay her on the bed for x-rays. It was the same room set up as when she had to go for the urology tests. It's so difficult to explain to a two-year-old, much less one that barely understands English, that all the drs want to do is take a picture. But, we got the x-rays and she survived. End result, bruised cartilage in her nose and a "contusion" (bruise) on her forehead. She's fine now, just colorful. Something else to be thankful for today.

Potty Training Has Begun

It's official! I've started the potty training with Mia. I went and bought the Elmo Goes Potty video (kind of disturbing IMO) and the Elmo and Friends Potty ring. We watched the video, and Mia's been sitting on the toilet on the ring. No success yet, but she's definitely interested. She tells me "pee pee" but it's either while she's going or right after. We haven't quite got the timing down yet. She loves to come in the bathroom with me or with her big sister to watch how 'it' happens. She likes to flush the toilet and wave 'bye bye' as the water swirls.

I've always dreaded this time with each of my kids. Potty training means accidents, and usually at the worst possible time. Diapers are so wonderful, but, alas she's interested and ready, so it's time.

Watching Elmo Goes Potty

(the bags are for Good Will, not trash!)

Look Mommy! Elmo's Pottying!

Elmo & Friends Potty Ring

I have some pics of her sitting on the potty trying but since I never really know who's reading this, I thought I'd leave those off. But they're cute photos.

SNOW SNOW SNOW YIPPIEEEEEEEE

It's snowing! Yippieeee! I LOVE snow and we NEVER get it here. It won't stick of course, but never-the-less I'm loving watching it fall in great big white flakes. We went all season last winter with absolutely no snow.

It dawned on me that Mia has never seen snow. I woke her up from her nap, threw her coat on and stuck her outside in the yard. She had no idea what her crazy mamma was doing, but she marveled at the snow with lots of ooooeeewwws and aaahhhhs. It was worth it. I don't know if I'll have the same sentiments when she's a total crank tonight from lack of a nap, but...for now it was worth it.

It's been a good day today for Mia, and my other kids. I took them on a field trip today to the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge (the Secret City). They had so much fun. They made blood and scabs. There's a new program there called Grossology. They learned all about body odor, snot, and why we puke. They also learned about atoms and energy. Everything there is hands-on. Mia had a ball! She loved the thing (for lack of scientific knowledge) that you put your hand on the the 'lightening' follows your hand. I love days like today, where I get to see the results of homeschooling. When the presenter was asking the audience questions, my kids could raise their hands to answer. And, I love witnessing them learning new things. I couldn't imagine not being a part of it. Even with Mia and the snow. Just watching her eyes light up with wonder. I love it!

Update & New Blog

Well, to give an update on Mia since my first post on the new blog...Mia has damage to one of her kidneys from the E. Coli infection and reflux in the same kidney. Although it's not great news, I'm okay with it. The reflux is graded from 1-5, one being the lowest. Her reflux is a two. She does have to take antibiotics everyday until she's tested again in a year, but she doesn't require surgery at this time. Because its a two, there is a very good possibity that the reflux will heal itself. She'll be tested every year until she's five to see if it has healed. If it hasn't healed by age five, they'll discuss surgery. I'm believing that she'll heal. It really doesn't seem to bother her.

I have decided to start a new blog since we're in a new time in our lives. We're no longer in the waiting to bring her home stage. We've now entered into the new world with a toddler era, hence the new blog.

BIG fake smile

The Coy Grin

A Life With An Angel

I've decided to start a new blog for Miss Mia. The adoption wait is over and we're starting a new chapter in our lives.

Little Mia had a rough couple of weeks when we first got home but she's doing much better now. She's bonding to me, establishing a routine, picking up new words every day, and is all 'round quite the happy little girl.

Please say a prayer for her on Tuesday. She goes for her 'big' tests at 1:30 at Children's Hospital to check for permanent damage to her kidneys. She'll be catheterized (again) and have a series of tests done. I'm really praying that she's now completely healed from her E. Coli infection. I'm so happy I have her home now to receive good medical care.

We've been home four weeks today. Some days it feels like I've always had her, then other days it's all still so new. I feel like I'm in some sort of time warp! I have noticed how much she's changed in the 7 weeks she's been with me. She has the cutest little belly and what's cuter is that she pokes it and grabs it to jiggle it. It's really funny. She's obsessed with my and my daughter's chest. She looks down our shirts and pushes our breasts and tries to move them. Then, she'll look down her shirt like she's trying to figure it all out.

I left her on Thursday all day with Deb, the lady that traveled with me on the adoption journey. It was the first time I've been away from her all day. I was having to hold myself back from calling to check on her every five minutes. She was perfectly fine, and suprisingly, happy to leave with me when I came to get her. She didn't cry about leaving or cling to Deb. She'll start going there every Thursday now so I can have a full day for work at my office. That is if I can concentrate on work.

I've been back to work since the second week home, either working from home or taking her with me. My boss wants to buy a nap mat and a toy box to keep at my office. I think she's disappointed that Mia won't be with me on Thursdays. I feel really blessed to have the job I do, have a boss that loves my daughter, and have Deb who has a personal relationship with my daughter and wants to watch her. All this makes life so much easier!

I'm so happy for everyone receiving referrals, taking the official journey, and for those making headways in the process. You all are in my thoughts and prayers, even though I don't have as much time as I once did to keep in touch with all of you. It's hard, but it is sooooo worth it!

Oh, and a reality check. Yeah, she's perfect, but she's also very two-years-old. But, that's another entry.