Look Who Else is 4!

Joel turned 4 on March 11, exactly four weeks after Mia. He also got a scooter and helmet for his birthday. Both kids love playing outside. We have had Joel for twelve weeks now. He is doing quit well. He now knows most of his colors and can count to ten. He can verbably spell his name. He knows several preschool songs. He seems to understand most of what we say to him, and he is continually learning to say more and more. He LOVES cars, trucks and balls. 

school picture by Lifetouch

Joel has gone through a series of medical tests since we returned home with him. His special needs were post op VSD and possible neck malformation. His heart echo shows that his heart was repaired well in China. He may have slight pulmonary hypertension. Our pediatrician suspects that he may have asthma; anytime he gets sick he has troubled breathing and needs a nebulizer. The breathing issue was a surprise to us; China made no mention of it. Hopefully, this is something he will outgrow.

Joel came to us with a vitamin D deficiency, which is very common in children adopted from China. We were surprised that his iron  levels were actually good. Though he was immunized in China, none of the antibodies for the immunizations were present in his bloodstream. The shots given were most likely outdated or weakened. So, he had to begin his immunizations all over as if he were a newborn. 

Concerning his neck, he has an extra half vertebrae on one side that causes his neck to tilt.  The orthopedic specialist says that the issue is too high up to operate on due to the risks involved, but he will continue to monitor Joel in case the problems progress.

Joel seems happy at home and is doing well in school. Those first weeks at school were rough, and I didn't know if he would adjust, but he did. We still believe that the spot opening up in Mia's preschool class while we were in China was a gift from God. As I mentioned before the spot was held for Joel because the school's secretary thought the spot was meant for him. And the teacher's aide in the class is Chinese and speaks fluent Mandarin. Only God could have orchestrated those details. 

Joel and Mia are either playing really well together or fighting like cats and dogs. I believe as they get older that they will appreciate having a sibling from their birth country. 

Adoption is hard, but the rewards are great.