Wednesday, August 6, 2008

A Bit More About Our Girl

**This is actually Part 2 of a summary of information we have been able to glean about our new daughter, Aidan. If you have not read Part 1, go here first**

The new report we received on July 30th (from the orphanage phone call that we ordered through LadyBugs N' Love) gives even more insight into the wonders of little WBN's personality and growth. At 11 months, she weighed 17.6 lbs, was 27.5 in. long, with a head circumference of 17.7 in. To give you a comparison, LadyBug (at one year) was 18 lbs., 28.5 in., and a head circ. of 17.7 in. So we know Aidan is tiny, but certainly not undernourished or failing to thrive.

She appears to be hearing very well out of her left ear, locating sound and responding appropriately. Her speech is still developing normally but she has not had further hearing testing to determine details about her right ear. Our docs at CHOP have indicated that the most likely scenario is that she will be permanently deaf in her right ear, and that reconstruction of that ear is going to be purely cosmetic if we (and she) so choose. There is no emergent need for treatment for this condition and it is indeed considered to be a minor special need. She appears to be compensating well. Once we arrive home, settle in and really feel bonded and attached, we will meet with the audiology dept. at CHOP and do the higher level evaluations and testings that they've recommended.

It still appears that she is taking a nice long nap in the middle of the day and rising by 6:30 a.m. She goes to bed at 9 p.m., so that gives The Boss plenty of Daddy time in the evenings after work, even when he gets home on the later train. One-on-one snuggle time will be so good for both of them by that time of the day! The report says that she likes to be outdoors, and that she likes to "make eyes" and stare at people when she plays with them. I'm guessing (from my research and interaction with other moms of kids with Microtia) that's a somewhat of a compensating mechanism to help her focus in on sound location; but from the impish grin in one of the photos, it might be a little bit of baby flirting too. I'm totally cool with that - she can flirt with Daddy, her big brothers, cousins, and uncles all she wants. That's it, though. I'm putting my foot down!

Here's another quote that cracks us up every time we read it:
"She is full of personality. She'll scream loudly if it doesn't go as she wanted (strong will), sometimes she'll clap her hands also."
She will fit in just fine here - all four of her sibs have varying degrees of strong wills (I have NO idea where they got THAT tendency!). I am well-versed in many methods of distraction and re-direction. Another note that melts my heart is that she likes to be sung to, danced with and played with. I cannot even begin to describe how excited I am to begin the singing, dancing, and playing! In fact, Shaggy has been putting together a playlist on my iPod labeled Aidan's Music. It includes kids' praise and worship, Disney soundtracks, lullabies, Scripture memory songs and more. We are searching for a little pair of speakers that we can plug into our iPod to take with us on our trip. A friend of The Boss's from CHOP has suggested that we include some Chinese music to that playlist to help her connect a bit with something familiar in the transition of leaving her foster family and joining our family. We're looking into that too.

So, that's sums up what we know so far about little Miss Aidan. It occurred to me the other day that I really need to come up with a great screen name for this little girl - and I'm wondering what you all think now that you've read this? We have a couple ideas here, but we thought it might be fun to hear from you! Be creative and share your ideas - you might just pick the perfect name :)

16 comments:

Emily said...

You think she is a peanut.

At Princess' one year check, she was 16.8 lbs 26". She is going to be 3 in October and is wearing 18-24 month clothing.

At Little Guy's one year check, he was 19.1 lbs and 27 1/2". He is 14 months old and wearing mostly 12 month clothing. He may out grow Princess one of these days.

I am so happy for you guys. I will be even happier once you get to go get her and bring her home.

Kevin, Jake and Violet said...

She sounds very healthy! Congratulations!

Violet

Carol said...

I so agree with the Chinese music...this really helped Emily with night time...we would play soft music for her.......

I'd say her weight is very good.......Emily was 24 pounds at age 2...there is no way she was 24 pounds...maybe with all those layers on ....she is still 9 months later 24.6 pounds........

Hands-Free Heart said...

Jelly Bean

Anonymous said...

She sounds like such a loveable little kid! Prepare to be amazed at what a perfect match she is for your family. When the Lord does this family/matchmaker stuff he definately "does all things well"! Emalie came home weighing 24 lbs at 2.5 yrs old. She just turned three and now weighs 26 lbs. However, she still jumps on the scales and yells, "24!" I like the attitude - pick a weight you like and celebrate it no matter what the scales say!! :>) - Vonda

JMCS said...

I love the info. you received about little Miss Aidan and can't to see her in your arms. What a cutie pie she is. I am working on the China list and I will email you. How about the nickname peanut? Sorry, I wish I could think of more, but she is such a little peanut. What fun times to look forward to. :)

Hugs,
Jonni

Amelia Antwiler said...

*LOL*
Jelly Bean sounds fun.
She's cute and sweet -- and just scrumptious. just like a Jelly Bean.

Salzwedel Family said...

Thanks for sharing about your precious girl. She is absolutely adorable and perfect in every way.

I'm going to suggest Little Miss Sunshine for her screen name.

Kamandemmi said...

I think back to 10yrs.ago to 1 of LH's first travel groups. My daughter was 11 months when she was placed in my arms and weighed only 12 lbs.@her medical exam in China. How far the orphanages have come! I have loved following your story and woudl love to have some pictures for next year's reunion DVD. Thank you for your testimony through this blog that has so inspired me to trust Him fully. You will never know the impact you have had. The Lord has used you to help me! I was thinking of "mei mei" (may may) as a screen name. It means baby sister in Chinese.

Love to you in Him,
Kathy

Anonymous said...

Hi Tracy! It's so exciting to follow your journey to your new daughter. We have several cds of Chinese children's music if you want to borrow them. Meleah was really tiny at one year, too. Even when she started walking at 14 months she wore a size 6/9 months! She caught up quickly, though.

Betsy

Jenny said...

How exciting about this new member of your family! I found your link via the post on GoodyBlog and wanted to thank you for your "kudos" :-) Sometimes it is hard to find balance and keep your sanity when people seem so dead set against searching things out for themselves. Nice to "meet" you! :-)

Patricia said...

What an adorable little babyshe is!! You are so lucky! Did you know Piper has Microtia/atresia of the right ear? ( I am assuming this is Aiden's condition also?)
I hope you have her in your arms soon!
Patricia

Mariann said...

I think you should wait to give her an online name until you've had her in your home for a few weeks. The name will come...

elizabeth said...

Congratulations on your beautiful new daughter! Best wishes as you begin your hearing journey! This is a great blog! I hope you'll consider adding it to the aggregator at Deaf Village (www.deafvillage.com) -- we'd love to have you as part of our community! There are many parents who have been there/done that and would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Promises said...

This is so much fun to read all about your little baby girl! It is kind of amusing - Smiles was 28 inches and 17lbs 5oz at his 6 month appt! His height is the 9oth percentile though - and he does come from tall parents...I just find it amuzing that my now 7 month old is the size of some one year olds!

The size clothes that you got out should work great! Smiles is wearing those sizes right now.

I have not forgotten about sending the formula checks to you - I have just been busy with getting ready for vacation (which was planned only 2 weeks ago!) and buying our new minivan! :)

Promises said...

This is so much fun to read all about your little baby girl! It is kind of amusing - Smiles was 28 inches and 17lbs 5oz at his 6 month appt! His height is the 9oth percentile though - and he does come from tall parents...I just find it amuzing that my now 7 month old is the size of some one year olds!

The size clothes that you got out should work great! Smiles is wearing those sizes right now.

I have not forgotten about sending the formula checks to you - I have just been busy with getting ready for vacation (which was planned only 2 weeks ago!) and buying our new minivan! :)