1 Year HOME!!

I cannot believe it has been a year!
As I saw some fellow adoptive parents (whom I met in Ukraine) post about their 1 year anniversary coming up, I could hardly believe it!!

We officially met Matthew October 4, 2012.  

He became our son officially on October 24, 2012. 

He arrived in the United States and in his HOME on November 1, 2012.

Amazing!!

I know many have been disappointed in my lack of blogging about his transition to our family, but honestly there has not been much to post about.   Matthew has fit into our family PERFECTLY--  it really in many ways is like he has ALWAYS been here.    He was READY for a family, he dreamed and talked about a family, he WANTED older and younger brothers.... (2 I think was the number, oh well).  He was READY for FAMILY and WHATEVER that meant-- even our CRAZY family.

I am always amazed at how well Matthew has done being in the MIDDLE.  I think it has been PERFECT for him.  In his orphanage he was with mainly just his peers, or those with even a bit of a younger mentality.   He now has 2 older brothers to challenge him, protect him, and teach him.    He has younger siblings (I think this was harder for him) because he had to learn to help, protect and teach those little ones who are looking up to him SOOOO much!    He has a brother 3 years younger that he is by FAR the closest to-- they are really almost best friends.  

I am going to add Matthew's 1 YEAR video collage at the end of this blog entry.... so please be patient, I'm not adding many pictures through this post. 

PHYSICALLY

Today we went to meet with his Physical Therapist.... after taking the summer off from going to the Therapy center.   We however have NOT stopped therapy.   Tuesday-Friday he and I do therapy in our home for about 20-30 minutes.   His therapist was THRILLED!!!   She gave me some more ideas on some exercises to do-- more core and arm exercises.   She said for a 9 year old he is awesome... but we need to focus on KEEPING him strong as he grows and fills out during puberty and going forward.  His ore and arms will need to be STRONG!    So we'll keep doing Therapy at home and see her again in April after his BIG Spina Bifida appointment.

He so loves trying to walk with 1 crutch... he does pretty good!!  So happy for him!

We had one pitfall this summer and I thought it would never end.   He got a sore / scratches on his foot from wearing NO shoes in our basement and playing--  no big deal for MOST-- however with his lack of feeling and circulation it took 2.5 MONTHS for this thing to HEAL!!!!!!!   We tried everything... it was awful-- not painful of course, he couldn't feel ANYTHING-- but when his feet got hot/sweaty in his braces/shoes, it made the sore moist and ICKY and it didn't want to heal, so he had days / periods of days he had to sit with his leg propped up and OPEN to the air to heal.  It is FINALLY healed!!  THANKFULLY!!   I was telling his therapist this and she said-- yes, he should NEVER EVER walk w/o at least shoes on-- if he steps on something sharp-- he will NOT know it--  if he gets a rock in his shoe-- he will NOT know it--  that is how sores come!!  :(  

This boy is HARD on AFO's-- but our AFO' company has been GREAT about replacing parts as needed!!

I will do a post later about WHAT our Therapy at HOME looks like.

Spina Bifida

I feel I have dropped the ball the most in this area.  I have not blogged near enough about Spina Bifida.  What it looks like in OUR family.

The thing with Spina Bifida is-- it looks SOOO different for EVERY child.
When we adopted Matthew his dx looked pretty scary and complex-- Thankfully I didn't spend too much (very very very little) time looking into any of those diagnoses... and I am thankful because NOW that I know this little boy-- I KNOW it is okay for us.

Matthew has no feeling from his ankles down (strangely enough when we first brought him home his loss of feeling was at his lower calf???).   This is what causes him to walk different.  I imagine it is like walking when your feet are "asleep" ALL THE TIME!!  :( 

I updated in his 6 month update about his Spina Bifida clinic meeting, we haven't had ANY problems so we won't see or hear from them till April 2014, when we will again see all 4 of the Specialty Doctors.

I know one question people have is about incontinence.   Yes, it is true I think most if not ALL those with SB have very little if any ability to have normal bladder or bowel control.  (Can I tell you I did NOT know this till a month before we brought him home?? )    Matthew does leak urine all the time.   he cannot produce a stream and he cannot stop his stream.    He can sometimes catch a break with his bowels if we watch the clock carefully.    That said, his urologist agreed Matthew's kidneys look great and are emptying so we would just let him continue in this manner (diapers) at this point, vs. starting ot catheterise him.   I am very thankful for this.   He was so new to us and new to EVERYTHING I was glad to go this route.  His Urologist did say "He is a very smart boy, though, down the road we will look to make changes so he can wear underwear and be secure".   I am not sure when that will be.  At this point we have made a few changes to help Matthew become more independent.  I found BOY (not baby) Sleep pull-ups that he wears (no more sitting on the floor changing, ewww), he wears a watch that beeps hourly so he can track WHEN he should go to the bathroom (he has little concept of time... Daddy thought of this and it has CHANGED everything in this area for GOOD!)  He carries a back pack with his own pull ups so he really is 100% independent in this area now.    Verses when he came home I had to help him and change him, and he was in regular diapers.   
I really don't mind him being like this and I don't think he minds either.  I'm not sure about the meds' the would / will have to put him on in order to get him to be "continent".   Down the road. 

Dental wise, he is feeling SOO much better now that those teeth were pulled.  THANKFULLY!   Now he goes back in November for his regular check up, and to see how many cavities he has left..   We are trying a natural approach right now (hey what could it hurt??)

EDUCATIONAL

We started back to school 3 weeks ago.   He again is doing well... working at a great pace.  He is essentially 2nd grade.

He works at his own pace in Math and Reading and is working very well.  He will most likely end this school year in the 3rd grade.

Science, History we work all together at different levels.

EMOTIONAL

He is much more stable in this area.  His one area of weakness his "go to"- of crying.  I can tell this is where he got attention and "equality" in his groupa.

His crying now is rare.  If he is tired that will lead to a lot of tears.   (Ex:   sleeping in a tent and not getting much sleep... )  Also if school is something new-- he does not like new/hard things.   (Ex. learning addition brought tears last year, he now wizzes through it so well, and now we are working on subtraction and it brings tears, instead of working through it.  I just remind him that he too thought addition was "too hard" but with practice he is a GREAT now.   He really just likes to be at the TOP of the CLASS.

That is the other area I often see-- I can tell Matthew was BY FAR a favorite in his groupa--  He does NOT like to not be #1 in everything.  In school, in games, etc.   Even #2 is hard for him.   It has been good for him though to be in our large(r) family where he is an EQUAL part of our family-- NOT #1.  Equal.

Highlights of his 2nd half of the year.

The biggest highlight would HAVE to be his 9th birthday.  I do believe he started counting down to his birthday in May!  His birthday was June 11th.   He had NEVER had birthday cake before.  He said 2 boys in his groupa had cakes but the rest of the kids NEVER EVER did.  (I am thinking those were 2 of the "social" orphans or the children who have parents.).   He was so excited,  he wanted a blue cake, he wanted a motorcycle on it (like one he saw of his brother Joshua's a few years back), he wanted candles and a chocolate cake.  He got it all!!  :)  We decorated the kitchen with balloons and streamers and he has continued to say "this is my BEST birthday ever".   Not that we had a whole lot of competition.    2 days before his birthday his daddy planned a day of taking him go-carting and miniature golfing.  He LOVED that very much.

Matthew has also went swimming many times.  He loves swimming.  I have not gotten ANY pictures!!  I know I know, but with so many littles and water, it hasn't been a very good time to try to snap some.  This Monday we are going 1 last time for the summer and I will TRY to snap some!!  :)  

He went to his first amusement park-  He loved it-- it was a LOT of walking, but he did great.   He rode some very new rides for HIM!

He also went camping 3x.  And really LOVED that.

He has also helped with gardening, Karate and church softball.



HE IS PART OF OUR FAMILY- Not the CENTER- AN EQUAL PART

I do believe this will be the last post in THIS blog.    Matthew has really adjusted so well-- I do not have great updates-- he is ONE of US.    Doing WONDERFULLY....  above anything I could've ever asked or imagined.

I will continue to blog at our family blog.   MominPA.   I will update on Matthew as well as the REST of our family on that blog.

I will not close this one, and ONE DAY I hope to add too it again-- when we go back for "ONE MORE SPECIAL COLLINS BLESSING!!"

In closing-









Here is MATTHEW'S 1 YEAR VIDEO!!!! 
(GO AHEAD GRAB SOME KLEENEX!!)

 

Matthew - Home 6 months Update

I am so sorry I have not updated this blog as often as I wanted to on how Matthew has done since being home.  If you are my friend on Facebook, then you have received DAILY updates and pictures and videos.  :)

WOW, I haven't really updated since Thanksgiving!!







To put it simply, Matthew has done above and beyond ANYTHING I ever imagined.

Physically

Physically when Matthew arrived he was primarily in his wheelchair and for short trips in his walker, walking on his ankles (backwards).




Matthew had weekly Physical Therapy within days of coming home.







 We did switch providers in December.   We needed a Therapist that was willing to work WITH US as a team.  And did we ever find a WONDERFUL Physical Therapist.   She loves working with Matthew and showing me how I can help him at home.  Within days of seeing him in December and after seeing him in his AFO's she said "He will walk with arm crutches, soon, and maybe less."  She was RIGHT!!!  (I didn't feel the other therapist had any GOALS for him, it was just exercises because.... and this therapist has goals for Matthew, to which-- he has met ALL of them-- and is now decreasing to 2x a month therapy.  (of course we need to continue at home daily or close too).

I also must mention our new PT has offered to not charge our Co-pay for Matthew's therapy visits.  They are so impressed with him and his story!!  What a blessing to us!!!

Here are a few videos of his NEW Therapist taken just last week.

At our first therapists we did get the ball rolling for some AFO's.   They finally arrived January 10th.
They weren't sure how he would like them or adjust to them, but he never complained NOT once.   And the difference they have made in him is AMAZING!!!






His first time walking in his crutches!!

So he received his AFO's and 3 weeks later they BROKE!!  Both of them-- They could not hold up to the pressure he was putting on them.   I was SHOCKED....
However they were VERY expensive and they replaced them for free and made them EVEN STRONGER!!!







Less than 2 weeks after receiving his new AFO's-- which were SUPER strong, so strong the PT and I were a bit worried if he would be able to use them, they really made him WORK hard.  But he overcame it and he got his ARM crutches.   One thing about Mathew-- he does NOT like to fail.... he was so sure he wouldn't be able to use arm crutches, (I guess he tried something similar in the orphanage and fell a lot), but the day they came he took them with us out to eat... he did BEAUTIFULLY!!!

 

Even before the arm crutches he found ways around--

A big part of Matthew's therapy at home has consisted of using the Wii.   He loves playing it and it has helped him to stand Unassisted for long periods of time while moving/waving his hands and switching the weight on his feet.   Again-- AMAZING!!

Spina Bifida

I was in touch with our local Spina Bifida clinic a few weeks before we traveled.  Just trying to get an idea of what we should expect and to let them know HE is COMING!!!  :)

They were SOOOOOO very kind.    The first lady I talked to spoke to me for about an hour and answered so many questions.   There is also a nurse I can call at any time and a social worker who has kept in touch with us regularly to be sure everything is going well.

His first visit was scheduled much faster than most and that was because of the video I sent them of Matthew walking in the orphanage.   They pediatric orthopedic dr. wanted to see him right away.   So we went and they took many many xrays of his hips, ankles, legs, back and so forth.   The dr. was pleasantly surprised with how well everything looked.   This was after a few weeks of therapy but After we had the AFO's ordered-- so she was glad we had ordered them and NOT waited.   She just noted we should continue with therapy, working on some core strength and hip movements.   But she would be fine seeing him in 12 months!!

His next visit was with the pediatric neurologist to confirm if he has a shunt.  It was in his original paperwork but our local pediatrician did not think there was one, there were no signs or scars.   THe neurologist also agreed, he did not have a shunt.   Nor did he need one.... it was a quick painless visit!  :)

His last visit was with the Urologist.   At the above neurologist apt we did squeeze in a renal ultrasound.   The Urologist was VERY VERY VERY pleased with the ultrasound.   She said his kidneys look to be in great shape (we kind of figured that from the original paper work our pediatrician had done when he first arrived home.)    She said due to his leaking urine all the time (he has little/no sensation) that is what is keeping his kidneys so good, the urine is not staying in and causing problems-- it just flows right out.    We were not sure if she would want to start him catheterise.... I was really torn both ways--  but she said "This little guy has had so many life changing things happen in the last few months, I think we should just let things be the way they are, he is not having infections....and maybe next year when the changes are not so much we can talk about that, because he is TOOO smart to not be in under ware as a young adult."   So I was pleased, and Matthew was relieved.   

So all in all our Spina Bifida clinic is very pleased and does not need to see him till next year!!!  He is happy!!  LOL     I am amazed though, a little boy who has had little/NO health care dealing with his SB, and he is really a very healthy little boy.


Dental Health

This was the most invasive health care he has had.   His poor teeth... so many of them were black, broken and hurt when he drank anything hot/cold.   

So we had him to a pediatric dentist and she referred us to an oral surgeon to have 3 of them removed.   I was so worried, he was so worried.  They put him to sleep.  And when he woke up they said "Your all done"  and he said "What? already?"   He was amazing.  I asked him to lie on the couch and let us "Wait" on him like a KING;.....and he complied.   He did not need pain medicine and by dinner time he was trying to get off the couch....(I insisted he rested just for 1 day-- mean mom, I know).  

He still has 7 fillings that need done, later this summer, but the PAIN he had is gone.



EDUCATION

Matthew arrived knowing very little English, but we were able to communicate with our iphone and translator app, and also hand motions.   I really again was surprised at how well that went too--  he learned SOOOOOOOOOO very fast.
By January 2013 he was speaking ALL English!!  I am amazed...he has a WILL to learn and he is LEARNING.
I started some home school with Mathew in the 2 months he was here in 2012 with just some Leap Frog videos (over and over again, which really helped him learn his letter sounds).   

In 2013 I ordered him the Horizon Math book Grade 1.    Matthew did know some basic addition math facts, but he needed a bit of review and also he needed to learn American currency, how to tell time and how to measure in inches.   So Grade 1 was a perfect fit for him, he felt confident that it wasn't ALL NEW, but each lesson had some new things.   He was also able to move through that book very quickly at 2 lessons a day.   He is now (April 2013) in Grade 1 book 2.  He will easily be in 2nd grade (age 9) by September 2013 school year.

For Reading I wasn't sure what we would do but followed the advice I read of another mother and started Matthew in the GET READY FOR THE CODE books.  He started book A, B, C and now has already progressed through book and 1 and is on 1 1/2.    He made very fast progress in this as well.   He is already reading sentences and spelling 3-4 letter words.   I do add in a bit of Sing Spell Read and Write as well for him.

**Today  April 17, 2013 Matthew read his first book with the letter A words!!  He did great... I'll try to get a video soon, once he isn't so nervous.  :)

Here are some pictures of him doing his school work today:







Science and Social Studies have not been the primary focus for him, but he has participated in our Weaver lessons, including volcano's and more.






Next school year he may participate in a Science Co-op that his bigger brothers are part of, he is really looking forward to this.   They will learn about Animal Science and do art as well.

Also on his list of things he would like to do next year-   Karate (with his older 2 brothers) and Piano (most likely in 2 years).   He has goals-- and I have NO doubt he will achieve them!!!


EMOTIONAL HEATLH

Not to say that Matthew has emotional issues, but any child taken from a country and friends he great up in is going to have some bumps in the road.

Matthew was the bravest little boy I have ever met.   He was so brave through all our travels, a train ride with 2 people he barely knew, plane rides in airports (something he has never experienced).    The first morning in our home he slept with Jason and I and yes he woke crying.   I comforted him and prayed for him and then he was ready to face the rest of his family!!

He had about 5 or 6 nights where he would cry after being tucked in.    I would sit beside his bed, rub his back and pray for him.    I prayed for him in ways I never knew.... I prayed that anything EVER spoken over or to this boy would be broken in Jesus name.  I prayed he would adjust and find love and acceptance in his new family.  I prayed he would understand what family meant.   I prayed against anything in his mind that was not of the Lord, would be removed forever.

Matthew's survival technique was to cry.   Some kids have anger, or outburst, Matthew had none of these.  We are pretty sure he was one of the favorites in his orphanage and was VERY well taken care of and needed not to "defend" himself.   We are thankful for that.

However when Matthew first came and things did not go his way and he was asked to do something or anything did not go the way he thought he would cry.    Each time I would take him aside (usually with our iphone translator) and we would try to hash it all out......and so that he understood what was happening and I too would understand.  We had so many bathroom conferences, I guess that was just the quietest place in the house with NO interruptions!

He had a few "Good Bye Americas"  he tried to pull-- but I quickly held him tightly and explained "there would be NO Good bye America's---- he was here, he has a family that loves him so very  much-- through bad times, when he was sad, when he was happy, when he was disobedient-- it didn't matter-- HE WOULD ALWAYS BE LOVED-- FOREVER and EVER and EVER!!!  I told him that over and over again--- praying he would GET IT... he did not have to "earn" our love or "deserve" our love-- he would have it-- He was a COLLINS forever now!    After a few of these talks the Good Bye America's disappeared.  THANKFULLY

The other emotional hill we had to overcome was-- LOSING--  to say Matthew was a sore loser is the understatement of the century!!!!   We were playing lots of games when he got home.  Sorry, Uno, and on and on-- and if he even STARTED to lose, it was a full blown breakdown (crying).    So I would stop the game-- put it away and explain we have to learn to lose well.   Then when we would play again and someone else would lose (often) we would Exxagerate that losing was "okay"   the most important part of playing a game was to have FUN-- to enjoy it--  and to win sometimes and to lose sometimes.   For the first 3 months he was NOT allowed to play any games with out mommy or daddy playing.    He has now gotten it-- slowly-- he would say "I lose, that is okay, right mommy?"  I would reply "Are you having a good time playing, if so, YES, it is okay".   I am happy to report 6 months later he plays games VERY VERY WELL!!!      Fooseball with an older brother could still cause tears, but he has come a LONG WAY!!

It always brought a TEAR to MY eye watching him BEAR UP under things not going his way.    I could sit back and watch him-- WANT to cry-- WANT to fall apart-- but realizing he didn't HAVE to-- EVERYTHING was going to be OKAY--  he would even talk to himself a bit--- a little pep talk.  I could VISUALLY see the process week by week get better and better.

I do understand in his orphanage and maybe even his culture -- they were expected to do EVERYTHING well and if not they might have been taunted or not treated as well-- so Matthew still does NOT like to do or begin somethings that he "doesn't know" .  Which is why his school went so well-- we did a bit he KNEW and a bit NEW things....  that has worked well with many things.     That and for him to understand-- if he DOESN'T do well-- it is okay-- if he tries his best we will LOVE HIM and ARE PROUD OF HIM!!!!  I think he is getting it!!  :)

DAILY CHORES/ RESPONSIBILITIES

Matthew with his CHORE pack-- oh yes, everyone works together here to keep things running....Matthew LOVES helping.... :)




ACTIVITIES


The weekend after he arrived, we took a family trip to an awesome Corn Maze / Farm Fun activity.   He still talks about some of these activities 6 months later.







WELCOME to our CHURCH FAMILY /Thanksgiving Dinner


The blanket/ pillow combo they MADE him!!  he sleeps with it EVERY NIGHT!!  He loves it!!


Cards and well wishes-- WELCOMING HIM!! 




Thanksgiving 2012

Making his first pumpkin pie




Enjoying the fruit of his labors!!  :)



Bowling




Visit to 2 friends who also adopted from Matthew's orphanage




Christmas  2012

Finding our PERFECT TREE!!





Making cookies






**yes the one on the far left is NOT our child, it is my brother's daughter who was visiting for Christmas**


Yes this toy was a great help in encouraging him to stand for longer periods of time.   He actually prefers the Foosball table (in the background).   You can also see he isn't standing very well here YET either.....

Winter 2012-2013

of course not his first snow ever, but the first time he was able to GO OUT AND PLAY in it!!

First time sledding-- he LOVED it

First snow man family.  I could tell he had only seen them in pictures/movies, he thought they should be MUCH more perfect, round and not "dirty".  :)



First Birth Experience-- Baby Goats of course,  he just wanted to see so badly, we was able to see 3 mama's deliver!!












First BIKE

No one thought he would be doing this.... but he kept practicing on Rebekah's tricycle, but it was a bit too small for him, so we bought him his first BIG BOY BIKE.... he is doing AWESOME!!  His Physical Therapist is AMAZED!!!  SO are we!!  This boy wants to do EVERYTHING every other boy is doing if he could JUST have the CHANCE!!  We are trying to give him EVERY chance he needs!!  :)

First ROLLER SKATING

okay okay-- NO ONE saw this coming except maybe Matthew.  I took his wheel chair thinking he could wheel around and how many kids would be thankful to "push" him to help them NOT fall down!!   But when we got there-- he wanted skates!!!  WHAT?   THANKFULLY they had 1 pair that would fit OVER his shoes and braces....(otherwise it would've been impossible)....but where there was a will -- HE DID IT-- and not even holding on to the wall or using crutches or walker (I took it all, I had no idea what he would want to use)-- the answer-- NOTHING!!  LOL  

 

 

 

After about an hour he did RIDE in style-- and SO many of the men PUSHED him around-- so fast in fact he fastened his seat belt (he NEVER does that)!!  HE LOVED IT!!

 

 

 

 

Easter 2013

 

Easter was Matthew's biggest holiday celebration--  only because we kept the other ones a bit smaller so he would not feel overwhelmed.    But for Easter We broke all the rules!!!

 

We attended church with BOTH sets of grandparents AND Great-Grandparents!!!

 

Then we had a HUGE meal with Jason's family (Jason has 9 aunts and uncles).   Yes he loved meeting them all and I think many of them were happy to meet him and were VERY surprised at how well he has adjusted to our family!!  It was a wonderful celebration-- but I took NO pictures!!  :(

 



Dentist Appointment...

Today Matthew had his first dentist appointment.


The good news... it wasn't any worse than I imagined. The bad news-- it was as bad as I thought. We will have surgery in January/February to have 3 teeth pulled and 7 cavities filled. :( Better to do it all at 1x vs. taking him in 4 times.. I don't think we would have very good luck that 4th time!! He did great. She hit his abcessed tooth and it brought tears, but it would on any of us!! OUCH!!

Interestingly enough the teeth that need pulled are 2 year old teeth-- the Dentist beleives something happened to him when he was 2-- maybe a prolonged HIGH fever? His 1 year old teeth are fine. All the rest are "acceptable" the 2 year old ones are Rotted to the gums!!

Thankfully the surgery won't be until January/February!!!

Hi O Cherrio & Physical Therapy

Just a brief update for today.

I posted on Facebook "Lest you or I think maybe Matthew really is the perfect child (he has been PERFECT so far) today playing Hi-O Cheerio with Stephen brought out the REAL 8 year old boy. Nothing terrible-- but wheww-- I saw some sibling rivalry for SURE!!! It reminded me he is normal-- and yes-- we will still working good sportsmanship for both of them!! :)"

Yes it is true.   Today Stephen and Matthew/Dima had a wonderful  morning.  We started some basic school things.   Starting basic with calendar skills, weather report, ABC chart, 1-20 chart and color chart.   We then moved  on to some handwriting practice (they both practiced writing their names 3x and then the each did an alphabet page from a workbook).  They both did GREAT!  I know Matthew will zoom past Stephen once he gets his English ABC's down and can read, but right now they are really at the same level.  We do know he knows his math facts already.  I am going to order him a Horizon Math book level 1.  (Stephen will do K level).    I am not going to use Math U see-- it is too much for him to listen to when he doesn't understand English.

We then moved on to play Hi-O Cheerio....and all was well till he had to empty his bucket of Cherry's out!!  YIKES!!  (Stephen had empties his numerous times and nothing was said by either party).  The first time it was almost a "line" spin so I gave him the benefit of the doubt... but on the 2nd time it was clearly an "empty your basket" spin...and he was really mad/sad and NOT HAPPY..... it took a few minutes of CALM, KIND talking and he put his cherries back on the tree.   After than he cheered LOUDLY when Stephen had to empty his.....     It is interesting teaching "good sportsmanship" when you do not spin English very well.   I stayed and monitored the remainder of the game and it was fine.

I have also noticed he is challenging Jason lately--  not sure why-- but he challenges everything Jason says.    He was SOOOOOOO bonded with Jason in Ukraine and even on the plane, but Jason has been working longer hours than usual (there has been a mandatory 4 hour training thing after his normal 8 hour shift this week).  It is an obvious challenge....and he and Jason need to get to an agreement with things SOON.    (Please pray).

==============================================================
The pediatrician yesterday wanted Dima set up with a Physcial Therapy evaluation so when I called at around 3pm they asked if I could come in at 4:30 pm THAT evening.  I said yes (should've said no-- it caused chaos in our family to rush around like that, I know better.....)   IT went very well though.    She was pretty happy with where he is.  She of course is very concerned about how his is walking on his ankles.  She is going to contact his SB clinic and PCP and see about getting him some orthopedics right away.    We go back today and will continue Mondays and Fridays.  I need to call our insurance and find out exactly what is covered.



When I called his SB clinic today about a few other issues.....they gave me the name and number of an organization they use to sometimes get a free wheelchair until yours is ready.  The one we order for Matthew could be months down the road.  So hopefully that will work out.


So my list of things to do for Matthew include:

Call Medical Assistance office (and pick up application)
Call Medical insurance and confirm PT benefits
Department of Motor Vechicles application for handicapped sticker.... he cannot walk very far with his walker right now.
School lessons
Potty training (we are all pretty sure he can be potty trained...he just was not)  He has been able to tell me a few times when he has to go and he has gone on the potty!!  It is like potty training any other child though-- I need to be VERY attentive.
Cancel his dental appointment-- I do not think he is ready?  Pray about it but really not sure if that maybe TOO much.

"Thank you for this day, Amen" & First Doctor visit

Today was a gold star day for sure.

The morning was full of me cleaning and re-arranging the school room.  It looks so much better and there is now a nice table for two little boys to play.  :)

The afternoon was taken up by a visit to the Social Security office to apply for Matthew's Social Security Number.  It only took a little less than 2 hours!! 

Then we headed to Matthew's first pediatrician's visit.  Those who know me know, I haven't used a pediatrician since Josh was an infant, but with Matthew's needs I want someone who really understands children, and it just so happens after my consultation with this Dr. she and 1 other ped in that office have experience with SB, CP, and so forth...and they also have a good working relationship with the Hosptial where his Spina Bifida clinic will be.  

There was a bit of drama this morning, they tried to call and cancel this appointment, they wanted to reschedule for the 30th!!  I had to hold my ground, I really wanted him seen before that.  (Typically children are to be seen by someone with in 48 hours or a few days of being home) so they called and moved another patient so we could be seen.  THANKFULLY

The visit went wonderfully.  He did understand "Doctor".   He weighs 51 lbs 14 oz and is about 47 1/4" long!!

The doctor said QUITE a few times how impressed she was with him.  She thinks his prognosis is REALLY REALLY good.  And she agreed he does have feeling from mid calf UP.   She tested his reflexes and they are good too.  He has a some type of rash/ spots, we weren't sure if it was scabies, or lice or something, but she confirmed, that NO, it is just eczema from the change in enviornments (laundry det etc).   So that was  HUGE relief...so glad we don't have either of those 2 things going through all our children!!

She said that the "Para Rid" I am giving him sounds great (I had a pamphlet) even better than what she would've prescribed that would've only taken care of "eggs".... she still wants samples even know during his Para rid treatment (she is curious what we are getting rid of.... ewwwww I know-- but she wants to see the difference at the end too).     I was just happy she didn't think I was crazy for using it.

She again and again said how good he was (medically) and she tested his reflexes and said-- really had he been born in the United States he would be walking unassisted she is SURE... (not gracefully though)  :)

While in the waiting room, the office of his SB Clinic called.... I was THRILLED!!   She said that she was so thankful we sent them this video:

And after seeing it, they do NOT want to wait for the "Perfect date" which she was trying to find to schedule 5-6 doctors to see him in 1 day... that no indeed after seeing this video the Orthopedist wants to see him "soon".  So Mid December we have an appointment and she is going to try to fit us into a urologist appt that same morning if she can.   I think this is AWESOME!!  Because I really think as much as getting this appointment done in 1 day with 5-6 doctors-- that is a LONG day for a little guy!!  One or two doctors a day will be PLENTY! 

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Our family says "Grace" before every meal.   Our children know to wait for prayer (usually) before eating.   Matthew of course, does not know anything about this-- and with our limited communication, I have NOT made any deal of it-- when he understands more, I'm sure he will wait and join in the prayer with us.....  well today Stephen asked me "Mom, will Dima ever pray with us?"  I said "Of course, once he understands, right now he doesn't understand". 

Well today I was putting Dima into his booster seat...and he said to me "Thank you for this day, Amen"!!    It was SOOO cute!!!!  Perfect English!!

Well I thought that was the best part of the day-- no-- he beat that-- while I was helping him on with his PJ's he said "I love you, I love you, I love you"  I thought he was telling me He loved me----   NOOOOOO he wasn't because then he went on to say "I love you Stephen, goodnight, I love you Nathan, goodnight, I love you Dima, goodnight".   (that is what I do after bedtime prayers EVERY night.... and he loves it---  (Poor little love may have never heard those words ever, and to be told that all day and every night-- he LOVES IT!!)