Steps Forward

I feel like we are finally at a point where Parker is able to devote some time, conscientiously or not, on activities/actions other than making sure that his basic needs in life are not being neglected. I have noticed a few little things along the way...like slowly he has given up the need for always having to have food in BOTH hands. Today it is only one hand and sometimes he is happy just seeing it on the plate or in the bowl. However, he still always likes to see how much remains.

He is definitely most comfortable at home and is sleeping through the night in his own crib in his own bedroom. I have been so fortunate to have been able to spend the past 6 weeks at home with him and we have built a special bond. Parker also loves his sisters and Daddy very much. This trust has been earned and is SO important!

~So much you wish you could have done or been there for your child when they were so much younger~

How privileged we all are to take this for granted.

We couldn't ask for more

We adopted Parker knowing that he had a couple of "special needs". In his particular case, he had what was listed as Congenital Heart Disease. He had left atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale...or LASD and PFO. He was also born prematurely and when you add those two together, they compound development issues in newborns and survival rates are slim. I share this information to all AP and PAPs out there that my be considering adopting a special needs child. He also came to us with asthma and had spent time in Children's Hospital in Beijing more than once with pneumonia. Sounds pretty scary, right? Well, we did a LOT of research and spoke to Pediatric Cardiologists and reviewed files and videos and finally went with our guts (and hearts). Honestly, there was also something about a certain spark in his eyes that told me that this child was going to thrive.
Fast forward to December 20, 2012 Parker has his first full U.S. doctor exam and subsequent ECG and blood tests. Today I received the last blood report and guess what? Everything has come back N.O.R.M.A.L.!!!!!
Yes...his heart is healthy!!!! We have stopped using the nebulizer, and his lungs sound clear! His blood work also came back negative for all infectious diseases and we have started immunizations and flu shots.
We are truly amazed, thankful and blessed.