Pre-Op

Wednesday, we saw Olivia's surgeon for pre-op information. Dr. Lim is wonderful...and Chinese. He enjoyed Olivia's orphanage book and read some of the Chinese captions to us.

The big day is Wednesday Nov. 4---the time will be decided Tuesday but most likely very early. Dr. Lim said Olivia has a complete cleft palate---meaning large and open. He had just done one the day before and said it should heal nicely. The surgery will be about 3 hours long and consist of three parts---correcting the underlying nasal area, then the muscle layer, and finally the palate. The muscle layer is the most important and troublesome. Without proper muscle function, speech will be difficult and nasal sounding. Also there would be leakage through the nose---we know that one as we have that now--lots! About 10-15% don't get muscle function in the first few months after surgery and have to repeat the procedure in a year. Please pray the muscles heal rapidly and function miraculously fast!

Dr. Gessler (ENT) will put tubes in her ears to drain the fluid and do an ABR to check her hearing---now her hearing is at about 50+%. His portion of surgery is about 1 hour. Both of these docs have exceptional bedside manner and are great with Olivia. So blessed to have them as her team!

After surgery, she will be in PICU overnight to monitor for swelling and keep her on IV fluid and antibiotics. The next day she will be given clear fluid and wear "no-no's" on her arms---basicly, splints to keep her from putting her hands in her mouth! I don't think she will be very happy about that---she likes being in control! We'll be feeding her etc. Please pray for understanding and peace on her part! Ours, too!! We hope to bring her home on Friday! At that point she will be on a liquid/soft food diet for a month! Good thing she loves yogurt and ice cream!! Thanks in advance for your prayers. We'll try to post pics from the hospital with updates!

His Precious One

"Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God." Isaiah 62:3

Every Child Deserves a Home

From Newsong....This is a heart-grabber!!

A Bit Early for Make-up!

Oops....Got to keep an eye on this girl at all times!! Already getting into mom's make-up! Okay, she is following in her sister's (Alexa) footsteps. Almost 2... going on 16 : ).

Olivia's Beautiful 100 Good Wishes Quilt!!

To welcome and celebrate a new life, there is a tradition in the northern part of China to make a Bai Jia Bei, or 100 Good Wishes Quilt. It is a custom to invite friends and family to contribute a patch of cloth with a wish for the baby. Part of the patch of cloth goes into the quilt for the baby, and the other part of the cloth can go into a creative memory notebook with the wish for the child. The quilt contains the luck, energy, and good wishes from all the families and friends who contributed a piece of fabric. The quilt is then passed down from generation to generation.

Our wonderful friends, Bryan and Eva Manes, are Olivia's guardians---her Auntie and Uncle! Just so happens Eva is a very talented quilter and blessed Olivia with the beautiful quilt you see below. When Olivia saw it, she adored it as you can see by her smile. I wanted to hang it in her room, but ever since we received it, Olivia has slept under it! So sweet! Thank you to all who sent their prayers and well wishes! Olivia definitely feels your love!

Thanks Eva for all of your hard work in making this beautiful quilt! Olivia will cherish it always! Thanks to your special friend who lovingly helped finish it---what a story to share with our girl when she is older! May God bless each of you many times over!

Meeting Family!!

Uncle Doug holding me at breakfast when they visited!


Aunt Linda will get in the floor and play with me!! Yeah!! Who's having more fun?


Big sis, Kayla, getting a bedtime hug!!

Helping Granddaddy with his physical therapy!


Getting a pic with Granddaddy!


Another pic with Nomi!


Enjoying my big brother, Zach! He's a lot of fun!

Wow...How Time Flies!!

Sorry for not posting for soooo long! I don't know how all of these other new parents blog with a toddler! They are obviously years younger than I =). Folks have been asking us to keep on blogging even though we are home so I'll do my best! Olivia is doing so well! She seems to feel right at home and, honestly, I know there must be a language barrier but I haven't really seen it! She pretty much understands whatever we are saying with a bit of hand motion. We are sure because there are times we tell her "no" and she "pretends" not to understand. You other moms know exactly what I mean.


She's a real character! She has the sweetest belly-laugh and finds joy in so many things. We had our first doctor visit last week---initial one with six shots. :( She did much better than I would have--both arms and both legs. This week was a blood draw---again she hardly cried and actually seemed to be interested in the line from her arm. Of course the stickers made it all worth it. Now we are awaiting an appt for her palate surgery consultation. Hopefully soon! She's a real drool-er! She sleeps well at night--all night from 8 until about 7am. Naps are a bit harder, but we're trying to get into some kind of routine---slowly but surely. Olivia has met Tyler, Alexa, Nana, her Aunt Linda and Uncle Doug. She will meet Nomi, Granddaddy, Zach and Kayla this weekend. Good thing she loves being the center of attention.