Baltimore Results

We turned a ten hour trip  into twelve with lots of stops to stretch little legs:)  On Tuesday afternoon we arrived at Kennedy Krieger to meet with a team of therapists and doctors to determine if Ethan and Addison would be good candidates for their feeding clinic.  Our family of four and six others crammed into a normal size exam room where the evaluation took place.  We spent 45 minutes reviewing their medical history and current level of development.  Then they brought in highchairs and watched me do our normal meal routine, which was rather intimidating.  I felt a little insecure trying to feed these two kids with all these professionals watching, but right before we started the Lord reminded my that I am their professional mommy and the meal time went well.  I thought maybe a little too well.  Ethan and Addison ate like champs for the first part of their evaluation, which was making Jared and I a little nervous.  We really wanted them to show their true colors, not eat everything in sight.  After about 5 minutes of joyful eating they began to choke and gag on their food and I feel that we were able to give them a very accurate picture of what feedings look like in our house. 

After the meal time the team left to talk about their recommendations.  While they were gone we cleaned up and tried to entertain two toddlers who had been in the car for over 12 hours and in a tiny room for over 2 hours.  When the team came back in they had unanimously suggest they both participate in the inpatient program.  I now realize that this is a huge answer to prayer, even though I never knew exactly what I was praying for. 

So here are the specs on the inpatient program. 

-The waiting list is 2-4 months (which is shorter than we expected) :)

-They would both be admitted to the hospital and stay in the facility for 6-8 weeks.

-They would share a room that has space for one parent to stay as well.

-They would attend feeding sessions separately 3 times a day, 5 days a week

-Between feedings they would have occupational and speech therapy to help build muscle endurance and desensitize their oral aversions.

There are still lots of unknowns, but we know God has been faithful this far and He will continue to guide us.  I cannot begin to tell you how incredibly humbled I was by this trip.  The gifts we were given, the messages we received saying you were praying and the words of encouragement were literally overwhelming.  I am blown away that the Spirit continues to lay our family on the hearts of faithful prayer warriors and I am so very thankful for you! 

So what's next? More waiting, which means more praying and more trusting.
We're waiting to make sure our insurance will approve us for the inpatient program, which could take about a month.  We're also waiting to receive the okay from our pulmonologist because they want to make sure it's okay for E & A to be in an inpatient environment during RSV season (we see them later this month). Then we're waiting for the phone call that says they have an opening for us:)

The building (we think) where inpatient takes place



It's a beautiful facility

Back in the car...

A little reminder as we left the city....



Journeying On,

Funny

1. Ethan in front, Addison in back and me pushing the stroller through a store

Addison starts screaming

I start whispering her name, but not looking at her

She starts giggling

So I keep whispering

I finally look, thinking me saying her name can't be that funny

Ethan is turned around

Addison is smearing the snot from his nose all over his face

Both are laughing

So I don't stop them:)

2.The way little man likes to end his meals

3. Styling in their "new" carseats

Journeying On,



Baltimore

Next week this family will be heading north with lots of questions and unknowns.  Several people have asked me if there are any specific prayers requests for the trip, and it's been a hard question to answer because I've had trouble knowing how to pray myself. 

For example, the feeding center offers three different types of programs (in-patient, out-patient and day program), but I don't even know enough about them to pray that we are accepted into a specific one.  I don't know the waiting time to start any of the programs if we're accepted.  I don't know what to expect at their evaluations with 8 specialists involved.  I don't know that I have ALL the medical records they've requested.  I don't know how two toddlers will do with 20 hours of driving in 2 days.  And I don't know what my response will be if they don't think E and A are good candidates for their center...

BUT

I do know that I have an incredibly faithful heavenly Father who knows the outcome.  I do know that Jesus Christ is sitting next to my Father interceding perfectly on behalf of my family (Heb 7:25).  I do know that my Sovereign Lord has made the heavens and the earth by His great power and outstretched arm, so nothing is too hard for Him (Jer 32:17).  I do know that when I call on the name of the Lord he will answer and tell me great and unsearchable things that I do not know (Jer 33:3).   I do know that the Lord has great plans for our family that require faith and obedience...

Journeying On,

Thankful

Today I find myself

reflective

and full of

gratitude

support (moral and financial) for adoption

our family's groceries aren't dependant on my green thumb (because it's not even close to a shade of green)

rain (especially thunder storms)

update on adoption timeline (probably four months until our home study)

home (even though I complain about the walls closing in, I love our home)

both kiddos discharged from physical therapy (which means another free day in the week)

filling out lots of faith cards (and filling up our faith box)

Journeying On,



Haircut

Little man had his first haircut and he did great. 

I have to admit I was a little sad to see his auburn baby hair fall to the ground

He looks so old and so much like a big boy now

Before...

He did great until we had to hold his

hands down to keep him from helping

After...



Journeying On,



Bring On Summer

We've greatly enjoyed the sunshine and some fun water days to keep cool

Just a few more fun faces:)

Journeying On,

Thirty-One

A sweet friend has offered to help host a Thirty-One party as a fundraiser to bring home baby Ethiopia.  If you're in town, you are invited to stop by our house (1000 Edenbridge Way) for dessert and coffee between 6:30pm and 9:00pm on Wednseday, June 8th. If you can't make it or are out of town and want to order something you can use this link and go to My Events.