Surgery Update

Surgery went very well last week. Recovery has been difficult. The surgeon is very pleased with how things went- they were able to remove scar tissue, move his ball into the socket more and somewhat reconstruct his socket with the hopes that this joint will start to function together and grow into a working joint for him. The ball is still at a bad angle and that may have to be addressed down the road, it is unknown at this point.
The few days in the hospital were tough. Davis had more pain than I anticipated including muscle spasms that I hadn't anticipated at all. He was also very anxious the whole time he was there. It was very nice to come home. Now that we are at home, his pain level is better but we are still trying to get him off the heavy pain medication. At this point the difficulty is his frustration level over the cast-which is extremely limiting to him and I would be frustrated too! He is such a sweet boy though and just wants to figure out ways that he can still play. He isn't one to just sit in front of movies too long!
Sudie is here with us and we wouldn't be making it through without her. Davis is very content to sit on our laps and play but doesn't want to be put down to lay on a couch or bed, or his wheelchair for long at all.
Sarah Bess is also trying to adjust to being indoors much more than is usual for us as well as a decrease in attention. She is both sympathetic (saying last night "poor Davis") and frustrated...(following this about an hour later with a shovel toss at him- telling him "That's enough Davis. I don't like the screaming").
Davis was so brave prior to surgery and we got some great pictures of that I will post. I haven't gotten many post-surgery pictures but Mom has, so once I can download those from her camera I will put some of those on here as well. Thanks so much for all the prayers and keep them coming for Davis as he goes through this tough time.
We go back to the doctor on Thursday and will learn more about the next few weeks.

A Day at the Park

Just had to post this picture to show how cute Sarah Bess and Davis's relationship has become. They are the best of friends (they love and fight like it!). I now can't imagine not having two two year olds (now closer to three!)
One other update is to let you know that Davis will be having surgery on his hip on Feb. 25th. If the surgeon can do what he hopes to, Davis will be in a body cast for three months. It will be a difficult time for all, most especially Davis. However, we are very hopeful at this point for the body cast which would mean the surgeon was able to make improvements. Keep Davis and Dr. Campion in your prayers.

Snow Day

Sarah Bess and Davis had a great time when we got 6 inches of snow! The most in Apex in 7 years! Their favorite was a toss up between making Frosty the Snowman and throwing snow balls at Mommy. Their least favorite was falling out of the box slide Matt made!

Pictures

6 Months

Davis has been home for almost six months!- in some ways it seems like it has gone by so fast and others it seems like he has always been a part of our family. Our six month social worker went really well- in fact our children were both perfect angels. Davis and Sarah Bess's relationship continues to flourish. They play more together every day and are both beginning to develop more pretend play.
One of my most special moments as a mother happened yesterday afternoon. Jimmy and I were cooking in the kitchen (ok, Jimmy was cooking and I was chopping). Sarah Bess decided to get her Cinderella Pillow/ blanket and babies and lay in the center of the kitchen floor. Davis was playing with his trains beside her. They were both being very good and nicely entertaining themselves. Then I looked down and Davis had laid down beside Sarah Bess and was stroking her hair- it was the sweetest thing! After a couple of minutes he started playing with his trains again- Sarah Bess must take after her mother and wanted him to keep playing with her hair. He was done with that though!
They are both continuing to thrive at their preschool and continue learning Mandarin. We all really enjoyed their Christmas performance and our regular shows we get here at home.
Davis and Sarah Bess both loved all of the recent celebrations of Christmas, New Year's and yesterday Chinese New Year.
They both continue to expand their language at their level. Davis is using many 3 and some 4 word sentences and learning new vocabulary. Sarah Bess sometimes says the most hilarious things (last week she said "I tell you what. This car's a mess").
They keep us busy (causing our posts to be less and less). They also continue to bless our lives everyday.

Merry Christmas Everyone

Make a Smilebox greeting

November Updates

I have been surprised at how many folks have told me they still check our blog and where is an update... so here it is! We are doing really well. November has been a great month. We went to visit Sam and Usha at the end of October. I attended a conference the first week of November and Davis did great with me away for two nights and last weekend was Davis's baptisim. I've been amazed when I look at pictures from China how much he has grown since he has been home- and it's no surprise as he (like his sister) LOVES to eat!!! A favorite is 'french fries' but he will also eat pretty much whatever we are eating. He and his sister really love school and are talking more and more in Mandarin- they especially like to sing their Mandarin songs. Sarah Bess often wants mommy to repeat what she says and then is not too happy when Mommy can't say it right! Jimmy says she is developing some southern chinese as she puts a bit of an accent on it (as she does with words like milk that she produces with about 3 syllables!). Davis is also continuing to learn more and more English using two and three word sentences on a regular basis. He has never ending energy and the two of them are developing an incredible bond.

His baptisim was such a wonderful event and weekend. On Sunday Jimmy and I were both amazed that although he didn't understand the day, you could tell he knew it was for him. We both felt like it was one of his happiest days since we've had him (and he is always pretty happy).

We are really looking forward to Thanksgiving next week- it will be very busy with all of my family at the beach. I know the kids will both love it. Hope all of you reading this are well.