Thursday, February 26, 2009

UNDER THE WEATHER...AGAIN

Well I thought that Halainah was feeling better. Yesterday was a good day for her. She laughed and played and her fever was very low grade all day. But today was another bad day for Lainey bug. This afternoon I noticed a sore on her hand. It almost looks like a spider bite. I posted a picture so you can see how yucky it looks. It bothered her too as she would point to it all day long. But late this afternoon her fever jumped high again. All she wanted was to be held and she just moaned and moaned. This is so very frustrating as I really thought she was getting better. So off to the doctor we went...once again. They ran tons of tests...all of which she screamed for. But Halainah was terribly upset when the doctor took a scalpel and cut open the sore on her hand so that they could collect a sample of the puss. My poor little angel screamed and cried and screamed and cried. We still don't know what it is. The doctor said it could be a staff infection, it could be MRSA. MRSA is very serious so please keep Halainah in your prayers that this is not the case. We should have the results back by Saturday. All of this is going on and I'm trying to prepare for her Baptism. Halainah will be Baptized on Sunday March 1st. I pray that she will feel better for her very special sacred day.


This is the sore that I found on Halainah's hand this afternoon...YUCK!

Halainah had a rough night at the doctors. Her hand is now bandaged and she doesn't like it!
Alorah the kitty cat is sniffing Halainah's boo boo to see if she is OK.

My poor sweet little angel!
Halainah is eating a Pedialyte ice pop so she stays hydrated!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

MOMMA'S HIDDEN TREASURE

I think we are at the tail end of Halainah's terrible cold. She was so much better today and slept in until 11:00. I think she needed to catch up on the lack of sleep from the last few days. I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute with my sweet angel in the last month and a half of being home. It saddens me terribly to know that one day soon I will need to return back to work. I will eventually have no choice but to leave my daughter with complete strangers at a daycare. Strangers are going to raise my daughter and watch her grow up. I went all the way to China to find my hidden treasure and bring her home and now I am faced with the awful truth that I will need to return to work in order to provide for my daughter. I will leave my fears and worries to the lord for now. I will trust that he will shine the light for me on the path that I am supposed to take. For now, I am going to treasure every second of every day with my precious hidden treasure. You see, it doesn't matter if the laundry is done or the house is spotless. What matters is to give my daughter all the love that I have and make her feel that she is the most special little girl in the whole wide world. Halainah must know that her mommy loves her all the way to the moon and back.

Halainah received a new toy this weekend to brighten up her mushy spirit. She had so much fun with the box for the first hour. And the fun really began once it was put together. Her ride on Lion was a complete hit. She forgot how terrible she felt for a little while.

Halainah loved playing with her new toy, I didn't even have to take it out of the box!
Once her Lion was put together she was fascinated!


Halainah's nose was still running like a faucet in this picture!

This is so much fun!


My little girl is getting so big and she is oh so beautiful!


Halainah drove her Lion into the kitchen and stopped for some magnet fun!


After some fun in the kitchen she drove back to the living room!


Don't I look beautiful with my new earrings?


My hidden treasure crawls all over the house now!

Mommy, can we leave now to go to Aunt Bonnie's and Uncle Mario's?


Sunday, February 22, 2009

A LITTLE BLUE BUT HAS BEAUTIFUL EARS

This weekend was a little rough for our beautiful China doll. Halainah has been feeling a little under the weather since Friday morning. She started to run a fever and was very congested so Tony and I and Lainey Bug spent the evening inside and was hoping that it was a 24 hour bug. On Saturday morning she was a little cranky and was still running a fever. As first time parents and with our daughters past history unknown we decided to take her to the doctors. Our pediatrician ran some blood tests only because her past medical history is unknown and ruled Halainah's illness as a virus that needs to run its course. By noon she seemed happy and playful so we decided to keep our original plans and go to Staten Island to visit Grandma and Grandpa. We decided to keep our plans because Lainey doesn't get to see her grandparents that often and I wish that we could visit them every weekend so that Lainey Bug can experience the awesome relationship between Grandparents and Grandchildren. She was a little mushy but all in all still a happy baby. We were able to visit with Halainah's Aunts, Uncles and cousins too but only for a little while. But by Saturday evening her fever was up to 103 and she was feeling very blue. Sunday morning rolled around and she seemed to be perking up a little. Her fever was down to 99 and she seemed to be back to her happy self. So we went out with "The Godparents", Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Mario. We had to buy supplies for her Baptism so we went to a really neat restaurant supply warehouse which was way cool. Afterwards, "The Godparents" took Halainah to have her ears pierced. We have wanted to pierce them since we got home but needed to have clearance from Halainah's cardiologist. Halainah was fine at first but got irritated when they marked her ears a bunch of times...we just didn't think the marks were even. She screamed when they were pierced for a few minutes but calmed down on the way back to Aunt Bonnie's house. Halainah was fine for the rest of the day, she played and ate and looked good. But she had a rough evening, crying for two hours straight once we got home. We finally got Lainey Bug to go to sleep so lets hope she sleeps through the night and wakes up to her usual happy self in the morning.


Halainah and Daddy right before her ears were pierced. Notice that she was a happy girl.


Halainah was aggravated that we marked her ears so many times and she certainly did not like the moment when they pierced her ears.


"The Godparents" (Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Mario), Mommy, Daddy and unhappy Halainah.



This is Halainah's certificate for being so brave while she had her ears pierced.


Halainah finally sleeping after a very rough day but her ears look beautiful!


Wednesday, February 18, 2009

OUR BEAUTIFUL MIRACLE AND A HEALTHY HEART

Today was Halainah's appointment with the Pediatric Cardiologist. I have been looking forward to this appointment even before we brought Halainah home. Tony and I both knew that she was healthy, that her heart was healthy, but there's nothing better than hearing it from the doctor themselves. So just like we knew and trusted in God...Halainah has a very healthy heart. Her EKG was perfect, her oxygen levels were perfect and the heart murmur cannot be heard. The doctor was stunned that Halainah is considered special needs in China's eyes because in the US she would never be classified as "special needs." The doctor was even more stunned that China diagnosed her with a PFO as he said it is so minor and most of the time it goes undiagnosed. We hit the jackpot in more ways than one. 1 in every 4 babies are born with a PFO (patent foramen ovale). It is a defect that exists at birth and is an abnormality, not a disease. The septum between the two atrium of the heart developed normally before birth but the flap did not seal completely after birth. It's possible that the flap did close, and it's possible that it didn't. Regardless there is absolutely nothing to worry about. Halainah has been released from the cardiologists care for 2 years. They told us to bring her back when she is 3 1/2 and they will do some extensive testing that she will need to be sedated for. He said these tests are for our peace of mind not because they are necessary. They do not want to perform these tests now because the doctor said it is insignificant. "Halainah's heart is completely healthy" was the doctor's exact words. Thank you to everyone that has prayed for Halainah's health. She is an energetic, spunky, inquisitive, smart, determined, beautiful 15 month old that has brought so much happiness to our lives. I pray that Halainah knows deep within her heart how much her family loves her. Thank you lord for uniting us with our daughter and thank you for healing her heart.









Tuesday, February 17, 2009

TIDBIT TUESDAY

I'm sure that all of you have been following the news and know that the price of gold is at an all time high. Well it's time to dig through all of that jewelry from when you were in your teens, you know the big chains, big charms, mismatched earrings and crazy rings that you would never in your right mind wear again. You would be surprised how fast a pile of old jewelry adds up. I sold a small bag full for $770.00. So I took my cousins to the jeweler that I used. They brought stuff of their own and bags full for my aunts. Well lets just say they walked away with thousands...yup thousands. So if you are trying to save for a vacation, a laptop, a new phone, a new wardrobe or well another baby, go through your old jewelry...you are bound to find something to sell.






Monday, February 16, 2009

NOTHING TO BLOG ABOUT MONDAY

It's Monday.
And I have nothing to blog about.



Sunday, February 15, 2009

Happy Birthday Deanna


I wanted to write a special entry for a woman who has given me 11 years of joy, 11 years of happiness, and so much more. My wife is thoughtful, caring, sweet, loving, and simply amazing. Her smile is enough to brighten anyone's day. More than 11 years ago, I mustered the courage to ask a beautiful lady out to see Toy Story. Thankfully she said yes :) And now more than 11 years later, we will soon be watching our film with our dear Lainey bug. Deanna's dream of being a mother finally came to fruition through the grace of God, and she has shown me how wonderful of a mother she is and will continue to be. Her motherly instinct is quite strong and beautiful to watch. She has such a special way with Lainey and it is amazing to watch her with our daughter. Today is my special ladies Birthday. And she celebrates it in the presence of God's grace which is Halainah Grace. Happy birthday Deanna. I love you and I am blessed to have shared these years with you. I look forward to all we have yet to accomplish.

HALAINAH HELPED HER MOMMY BLOW OUT HER BIRTHDAY CANDLES, BUT MOMMY'S WISH ALREADY CAME TRUE AND IS IN HER ARMS.