Patient Update

Kicking back in my tutu with daddy

Nana & I playing with the swimming turtle she gave me

 

A bath makes a girl feel good!

 My creative team (Mommy & Nana) brought home some play dough to help pass my recovery time

 

 Learning to roll out the dough

 

            Medicine is wearing off  

Mommies creation

 

 Mommy &Nana playing some Yahtzee

Thank you for all of your prayers and well wishing.  Liliah is recovering nicely.  She's been a trooper and has been much happier at home.  We've had a week plus of not getting a full night sleep.  Last night was our first night where she did not awake in pain or crying.  We continue to monitor her closely during her awake hours and she is not allowed to feed herself (which is frustrating for her).  She is now eating soft foods and is refusing ice cream!  She really wants to eat regular food, but we have to keep things simple for her to manage with her palate and keep the pain to a minimal.  We will revisit the doctor sometime next week to check out his work & her progress.  She's stopped saying, GaGa for daddy and gog for maddy our dog.....but she can't pronounce her D's.  She can now say ELMO though and it was actually her first word she said at the hospital once she saw her diapers.  My mom & I got the chills hearing her say this on the first day out of surgery.  She will definitely need to continue her speech therapy.  

We're Home from the Hospital!

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A Tough Day with some Sun Breaks

Me and my Nana out on the town.  Happy Birthday, Papa

I gave mama smiles and perked up on the ride around the hospital.

Today has been a tough day for Liliah.  We couldn't completely wean her off the morphine as she was FEELING the pain.  She got one dose in mid morning so we could get her to eat some ice cream and drink a little liquids.  Most of the day though she was on codeine, but we had to resort back to the strong stuff when it came to getting her to try any little sip of liquids.  In the evening when daddy showed up she perked up again....daddy has the magic touch in getting her to eat and kind of forget the pain.  Man, it is miserable when your child is in such pain and you can't do anything, but hug & love on her....and ask for more morophine, please.  I am hoping for her to sleep longer hours tonight.  She really has been a great patient and trying to have a good attitude.  This evening she started repeating lots of words and is really trying to talk.  My mom and I were AMAZED as she saw some Elmo diapers laying around and said his name very clearly!  My mom and I did make time for a breakfast run and some shopping @ Pottery Barn Kids, where I found a Christmas stocking for Liliah.

Happy Halloween......

The Little Patient

Pre-surgery hanging out with Daddy & Skeeters

Mama putting on my special Bugs Bunny gown

 Mama likes my warm blankie!  Is this a great place to stay or what?

Mommy is dressed and ready to go with me to the ER.  Personally, I think my gown is better than hers!!!

This is what a cleft palette III looks like and the reason I am here.  

Liliah did great pre-surgery.  She had no idea (and she wouldn't have understood anyway) what was to transpire and  was just her happy self, which made it much easier on us.  Skeeters & I got to accompany Liliah into the E.R.  Skeeter got to stay though and I had to go.  It was really cool going into the ER with her and meeting the team that would operate on her.  She was so cooperative and not afraid at all.....we all had masks on accept her so she was quite curious, but not apprehensive.  She ooh'd and aah'd when they taped the pulse line to her finger.  She sat  still when the anesthesiologist administered the strawberry laughing gas.  I was there when she fell asleep and got to give her a kiss on the cheek.  Her surgery began @ 3PM and was finished at 5PM.  It is 6:45 PM and we are waiting in her room where they are to bring her to us soon from recovery.  I will be staying with her overnight and Daddy and my mom (who is here from CA to help - yeah!) will go home tonight.  I'm praying that Liliah will rest peacefully.  We'll update tomorrow and how she is doing.

Sweet Ballerina & Her Surgery

 Our  s w e e t  ballerina whom we love

  She struck this pose all by herself.....after a little bit of this. . . 

 

  

Ta-Dah!

Liliah will have her palette surgery this Friday.  Knowing this would be a part of her journey and doing it are 2 different things. We have peace in our hearts, but boy it's tough knowing your baby is going into surgery and will face pain.  We are believing for God's hand of grace and a speedy recovery.  I am soaking up all of her smiles and happiness knowing that they will return to her again. 

This Didn't Happen On My Watch

Look what I found when I came in the door from work tonight!
Daddy said he was only on a business call for 10 minutes.

It was pretty funny; a. because she looked like a sailor with tattoos and, b. it's not permanent! She got bored with the coloring book, I guess. When she saw me I gave her a big smile and then said, ah oh, what happened? She then burst into tears and daddy said....she's been doing that all day.....he also said she didn't take a nap today! Thanks for the good blogging material, honey.

Be still my heart......yesterday, when I came through the door after work, Liliah sweetly called out, Mama when she saw me. This is the first time she has ever done that.....it's taken her 9 months to get to this point. She has really bonded with me as her Mama the past couple of months and I am loving it!!!

Makin' Friends

We met Kelly & Jordyn for a second playtime at a local children's museum. They seemed to notice one another more this time when their strollers pulled up next to each other. This museum is small, but I like it because it has more to do for the little ones. Plus.....us gals can get more talking done without having to move so much

Look at the cooperation going on here!
I really enjoy seeing these two together.......it feels like were back in China hanging out with China family!

The girls played on this equipment for awhile......

Jordyn knows how to smile & say cheese, but I could not quite get her to do it

Making friends is so much fun! Kelly & Jordyn, here's to more playtime!

Giggles

The Little Gymnist

My Lil Pumpkin

Saturday was such a beautiful fall day that Liliah & I headed to a local nursery for some fun

What's over there?

My favorite a fountain.......and a scary one at that!

OOOH!

A lil' pumpkin for sale . . . . .

Look, it's Mr. Spidey & his friend

I wrestled me up a little piggy.....

Being outside and playing in the water brings you such pleasure

Can You Believe It!

Daddy & Mommy bought me a new car for my birthday. Isn't she grand? I still don't know how to make it go forward with my feet. Mommy gets a lot of exercise running me around the house. I do know how to put it in reverse by myself though. I love it when Daddy pushes me through the neighborhood so I can wave at everyone.
And that's not all they bought me


What goes with a new car.......A NEW HOUSE

I can set up my lemonade stand right here..........

I've got a great view from here

You can never start making friends with the neighbors too soon

Jimminy even came by to wish me good luck in my new home!

I have been looking for a playhouse for Liliah that we could put in the house for this winter. I walked out my front door & the neighbors who are moving sold this to us for $5. She loves it and waves goodbye to it when we leave the house.

Soaking Up The Sun

Look at the pretty sunflowers Mama & I planted this year

We are soaking every last bit of sunshine and beautiful weather before the cool fall weather comes to stay. . . .

Fall model shoot

Look at my new fall outfit. I am loving my new suede boots!

Time for some fun

Time for a break from your backyard project, Daddy.....let's play ball.....

Look what I can do after watching daddy do it the weekend before! I love to help Daddy & mommy do things.