handsful

Payton loves his little sis! (and vice versa)

We are asked all the time how Lainey is doing with her adjustment to her new life with us…the easy answer is the title above. She fits perfectly. That doesn’t mean things are GOING pefectly. Afterall, she’s a toddler and it’s been a while since we’ve had a toddler!

Marles and little Miss L

She fights sleep, but sleeps great once she’s snoozing. In fact, she’s now (as of last night) going to bed in her own room and crib. She was already taking her naps there, and doing great. She’s slept through the night, not a peep, for 5 nights in our room, so we decided to make the switch for bedtime last night. She slept like a champ, waking up around 7:30.

Abbey and her friend Kendall joined us all on a walk

She has a temper. Have I mentioned that? So, we’re making “adjustments” there. :) Overall, we’re over the moon blessed and happy. She’s our girl.

Wonder what a leaf tastes like?

This past week was full of medical appointments for Lainey. She had bloodwork done on Tuesday…they had to fill FIVE vials of blood. Poor girl, she was none too happy but stayed still while I and another nurse held her other arm still. We also had to do “diaper” samples…both kinds…that was weird. The GREAT news is all the bloodwork testing came back normal. We were so thankful.

A bit of not so great news is her TB skin test came back positive. After doing a bit of research, we’ve found that although TB is basically non-existent in the US, it’s still pretty rampant in China. Having a Chinese adopted child test positive for TB is actually quite common, and some say it’s because of a certain BCG vaccination that they receive (that children in the US do not). However, she was sent for a chest x-ray on Tuesday and has an appointment with a specialist next Wednesday. Lainey is showing no signs of active TB, and most likely has a non-contagious, dormant form. But, because this could become active at any point in her life, she will begin a daily antibiotic treatment that will last 9 months. Yep, that long. For more information on this, go to this article: http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=1011

Big bro EJ, getting some good air!

More changes for Lainey…she’s becoming interested in Jack! She still has her little cry/whine that lasts about 2 seconds (which means, hey that dog is still here and I’m protesting…), BUT she’s now reaching out for him, has petted him a few times, and doesn’t mind him being closer to her. She’s making HUGE progress, we were astounded because it basically all changed in a day. Yesterday, Randy spent some time with her, looking at pictures of Jack, and I think it really helped. We’re all relieved…especially Jack, who had taken to leaving the room when he heard her whining!

See what she’s doing here? Pulling the velcro to take off her shoes. When she’s in the careseat, she immediately pulls off her shoes and socks, and throws them down. She takes after her Dad. Barefeet is the way to go. Bet she never had that chance in the orphanage. Life is good!