Happy Thankgiving

A day for giving thanks, not that it shouldn't be part of every day. We have so much to be thankful for.
Lian is doing well. Despite needing additional surgery to say most consonants, (she is limited to m,n and h right now) she is picking up vocabulary and language. That still allows her to say, "Mine!" and "No" very clearly. This morning when Jamie got out a jacket for her she said, "not mine" recognizing it as Lela's. Then when given another coat, she handed it back saying,"not match." Puleze Papa, I'm wearing pink today. Another little fashionista is born. She starts speech next Monday. Her first surgery for lip/nose reconstruction, ear tubes and a tooth removal is now scheduled for January 4.
Lela is adapting to her new sister. She likes the status of big sister and has taken on the mantle of bossing with a regal air. They fight, but that's what sisters do sometimes. They also play and conspire, build pillow tents, hold elaborate tea services, (no one without a tiara admitted.) and consider napping on Lela's bed together as the best treat there is.
So we offer thanks for our darling, beloved girls. They are home forever, free to blossom, discover their talents, grow and find their own paths. Thanks for our family and friends who have supported us in our journey, through the downs and the ups. Thanks for this beautiful place where we live. Thanks for a sunny day with a few last roses blooming to grace our dinner table.
The tears and trials that lead us here are in the past. Our hearts and arms are full. The guiding hand that brought these two little miracles to us has given a blessing that can never be repaid, and for that we give thanks, now and forever.

Catching Up

Finally got the computer to cooperate long enough to put up some new images. We've had an action packed month - so much for a quiet family introduction for the new child. This child is doing just fine anyway. Some was of necessity - Lian had to see a slew of doctors. Some of it was seasonal - Halloween and the Church Fair are not movable feasts. Some of it was just life. The weather cooperated in October and we were graced with many extra days of summer so Lian got her first taste of the beach (about a 5 minute walk from our house.) She and Lela had a great time building a huge sand "castle" though I'm sure a building inspector would condemn it in a flash.

Dress up rules in our household and Lian has taken to it like the proverbial princess to a tiara (sorry ducks.) The second picture is Halloween but it is sandwiched between a glimpse of more everyday wear around the house. The clomping of high heels is now stereo.

We had good news bad news with Lian's medical reports. She'll be getting speech therapy from Early Intervention. Good news - no cognitive problems with her language abilities. Bad new - she just doesn't have the physical equipment to make many of the sounds we take for granted. That will come with additional surgery, but we will pick up the pace on learning sign language so she doesn't get frustrated.

Good news - her surgeon has decided to redo her lip now so she'll have mobility on that side of her face - and look even cuter. When they redo her palate next spring they will even give her some collagen to fill out her upper lip.

Big sis Lela is getting more accustomed to her shadow. Whatever Lela does, Lian wants to try. As a big sister I can remember this - and while it can be flattering it can also DRIVE YOU NUTS. So I do call off the dog occasionally. Speaking of dogs, Lian has gone from screaming in terror at the mere glimpse of a tail to hugging and giving out the dog treats, not to mention allowing the dog to clean her plate. Gotta get a picture of that. Gotta convey that dog licked plates still have to go through the dishwasher before reuse.

All in all, Lian has adapted to her new life so quickly and completely that I keep waiting for the shoe to drop - then the other one. She has bonded with us, the dog, even the chief competition, Lela. She gives grandma hugs and kisses. She picks out her shoes. She uses a potty for #2. She eats brocolli and tofu and asks for more! What more could a mother ask for.