Since We've Been Home

The first few weeks home are the hardest. The Monday after we returned, Yangkang had a visit with the international adoption specialist at Cardinal Glennon. They did an EKG, echocardiogram, ultrasound of his kidneys, x-rays of neck and spine, and a long list of blood tests. Tuesday evening, the cough he had in China suddenly got much worse, and in the middle of the night he started running a fever. We took him to our pediatrician the next morning. She started him on antibiotics and breathing treatments. That night he was having trouble breathing, so we took him to the emergency room just  4 minutes from our house. The pediatrician thought that he should be transferred to Cardinal Glennon so our ER took care of him (got his fever down and breathing a little more stable with increased meds), and then sent us on to Cardinal Glennon, where we thought he was going to be admitted. We got there at midnight, and were sent through the ER. They checked his vitals, reviewed the report from the previous ER, and then sent us home at 3:00am. So the first week was mostly focused on getting him better and trying to get some sleep.

The Tuesday morning before Yangkang became ill, I decided to call Mia's Pre-K to ask about early intervention. We got some very surprising news. I was told that early intervention is through a different program, but that she had something she wanted to run by me. While we were in China a spot opened up in the am pre-k class that Mia attends. We were told that these spots are coveted and that openings like this never occur. The secretary at the school saw Brent's Facebook post and pictures of Yangkang. She thought that this spot was meant for Yangkang. She had already gotten it approved through the superintendent if we wanted to give it a try. I really didn't think we would be putting him in such a program until next fall, but this was an amazing opportunity that felt like a God thing. I would have said no, but the teacher's aid in the class just happens to be Chinese and speaks fluent Mandarin! Definitely, a God thing, but still scary. He was going to start last Wednesday, but then got sick. So he started this week.

He has been there 1 week now. He had a pretty good first day, not so good second and third day (crying for Mama), then day four and five were much better with no crying. Thursday was a big day for him. He didn't cry at school for the first time. He sat long enough to have books read to him. He counted to 2, and he said a few new words. He is also showing interest and understanding of using the potty.

Biggest obstacles now (things to pray about):

language barrier
running away from us in public
Mia and Yangkang's jealousy and fighting
getting into a new normal routine
sleep

Things I love about Yangkang (We call him Kangkang, a nickname he got at the orphanage. We will start integrating the name Joel soon.):

his laugh
when he smiles so big that he has dimples
he is very affectionate
the way he says "Mama!" when I pick him up at pre-k
his silliness

Things Yangkang loves:

anything involving water (baths, brushing teeth, and discovery tubes at school that are filled with water)
salty snacks
Pooh Bear
juice, not a fan of milk
eating
Chinese children's DVD that helps teach English (Not sure if it's helping, but he loves to watch it.)
hugs and kisses
balls and balloons (He thinks popping balloons is hilarious. This does not amuse his sister.)
having a family (He hasn't told us this, but we are pretty sure it's true.)


                                                                                                                   LORI