Lip repair

We survived Chloe's third surgery (this one major). She is such a good little girl...very much a trooper. I am so thankful for her team of doctors...especially her plastic surgeon, Dr. Ruas, who is nothing short of amazing! We were reminded last week at a pre-op appt. that we are right where God wants us. Come to find out this dr who love is also from my hometown...his father, also a physician, did a surgery on my dad years ago. Here are some pics of our medical adventures these last 5 weeks. We have one more time under anesthesia next Friday to remove Chloe's stitches and then we will have a break until palate repair in 3 months.

At Dr. Ruas's office

Chloe is quite at home at the Ronald McDonald House

Getting her second band on her Latham device at another one of our favorite drs. Offices, Dr. Feldman. The nurses all stood around in amazement as Chloe laid very still without a tear at the doctor added new bands.

Sleeping in her no no's

Latham progress the Tuesday before her surgery

And on Wednesday

Spending time with Ethan before her big day

On our way to the RMH

Getting checked out prior to surgery

Mommy's clinging to her cross during the almost 5 hour surgery

And the BIG reveal

24 hours of snuggles with mommy

And a few hours w daddy

Getting ready for discharge

While mommy and daddy are away the boys get to play...what we do without PapaEm?!! 

Thank you for for the many prayers (once again). We are just in awe of how God has orchestrated all of this...so incredible thankful we decided to take this step in faith. It has been so neat to watch God move. He has provided in major, big, moving mountains types of ways and simple small ways from our initial step to find Chloe and through this medical journey! If I have learned one thing through special needs adoption (besides that it rocks) is that the one sure way to know God is to trust Him in BiG ways. I reflect back to the verse that initiated all of this...

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what is says. James 1:22 

Then later in verse 24 it basically says that if we do the will of God we will be blessed in what we do. Serious TRUTH!!!

Video for our girl

During Chloe's 5 hour surgery yesterday I finally had a chance to create this video I have been wanting to make for awhile now. It's missing a few special pictures from my camera, but I will have to add those later!! Wanted to share...as you can see I was kind of reflecting on our time with Chloe pre-lip repair while I waited for her to come out of her long surgery. I also can't wait to add some post repair pictures once she is all healed up. The video is long...I am thinking maybe I might be the only one to watch 11 minutes of my family, but just in case your interested see below.

http://web.photodex.com/view/d9db6km4/?watch-d9db6km4

Happiness!

Thought I would do a quick post tonight because I probably won't have much time in the coming weeks as Chloe starts surgery number two this Friday. The first was a success and we anticipate the next to go smoothly as well, but it will definitely be more painful! And require more hospital time...after Friday I will be excited to say we will be down two with only two to go!!!  Sending off any child for a surgery before anesthesia it heart breaking, but with a child that has lived Chloe's life before a family it is gut wrenching. I never ever want her to think we will ever leave her! My brain knows this is all necessary but my heart says turn around and go home.

On a happy note, we celebrated two months since Gotcha on the first of the month! Our sweet pea is just thriving! The more I love her the more I wonder about her past...like silly things...what was her bath like? Did she have toys? Did she drink the tub water like she does now? What did she do all day?? Did she really spend time out of her crib? How long was she in her crib each day??? Did she smile and laugh? Questions I will never know the answers too...I can only infer from the few photos I have from her life before us.

While not sleeping last night (couldn't shut my mind off surgery tomorrow) I re-watched her Gotcha Day video....that will be one video I will never watch without crying. We have come so far in such a short time! The child that was transferred so quicky in our arms on July 1 is no longer. Gone is the face w no expression, gone is the pale skin, gone is the girl who looked at toy with no clue what to so a it, gone is the girl who had no idea how to eat anything other than bottles with formula.  Our little girl is alive and active...she loves and crys and reachs for her mama and baba to hold her. She plays peek a boo, waves, blows kisses, says "hi", eats anything in sight, and plays! She is the light of all of our lives!! Praise God for July 1st and for adoption!!!

Adoption plus love = 

Happiness 

For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands. Psalms 92:4