Journey of a Smile, continued . . .

One month ago today Teddi had surgery to close her open palate.  The surgery was a success, and we are so grateful for the surgeon's capable hands, and for God's continued healing of our little bird.  Looking back over these pictures it is hard to believe that it has only been one month.  The first few days were tough, and the nights were rough for a bit longer than the days (a good bit), but she's come around.  I am happy to report that for the past several nights Teddi has only fussed once or twice, and for the most part has gone back to sleep on her own.  This is the most peaceful she has slept since she came home in May.  Thank you Lord!

Wee hours of the morning, waiting for surgery . . .

she had no idea what was coming,

 precious recovering bird.

Her tongue had a stitch through it, and the thread was taped to her

cheek to protect her airway.  This did not make for a happy girl!

The stitch remained for the first 24 hours.

Tiny toes . . .

and a bandaged hand protecting the I.V. line.  She held these

 stickers for hours,  they were a reward for 

opening her mouth for the nurse.

Covered in cool towels to fight a short lived fever.

Enlisting the help of her favorite panda to hold the oxygen mask.

Day two, moved from ICU to the Pediatric ward.

A visit from Grinner, who was so brave to have be apart

 from Mama, and Baba and Teddi for three days.  

Thank you Grinner!

Big sister helps with the coloring, one of the main forms of

entertainment.  Teddi would color for a bit and when she became

 tired she would direct her "coloring assistant" which marker

 to use, and which area to use it in . . . and you had better do it right!

Strong enough to journey to the play room and

play with Baba.  Thank you Baba!

A visit from sweet Claire, and her family.  

Thank you Haine's Gang you brightened our night!

Coloring by herself . . . taking a break

from the bossing! 

So proud of the Get Well card made by big sister,

she took it on the last journey to the playroom and back.

Almost ready to bust outa Dodge . . .

Two and a half days after surgery,

our little bird is flying home.

She walked in the door, and immediately spied new 

glittery paint markers.  Big sister had left them out after 

making get well cards with Brogan.  

Teddi insisted on making a picture, so we did!

Four days post-op.

There were ups . . .

and there were downs.  DON'T touch a grumpy girl's tissue

paper, when she doesn't want help.  Lesson learned.

Thank you to Daddy's work for the new baby doll,

 it brought a smile . . . eventually!

Out for some fresh air, and some side walk chalking . . .

too tired to chalk  . . . gonna have to take a seat.

Ice cream anyone?  I have no desire to know how much ice

cream this little one consumed. . . day and night . . . it was a lot!

She did manage to maintain all 27 of her pounds,

for that I am thankful!

Today, one month later . . .

our littlest bird is back to flyin' high!

We love you sweet girl, and we are so very proud of your bravery!  

Blessings from my happy to be sleeping nest ~

Tina

Prayer requests ~

* Blogger friend Tammy, whose daughter Madi will undergo palate surgery in the morning.  Pray for a safe and successful surgery, and a speedy recovering for Madi .  . and for sleep for all involved! ( Tammy is in my blog roll.)

* Rob, Laine, Kimmie, Quan and new sister Candace Le are en route from China (as I type), and will arrive in Alabama on Friday night.  Candace is coming home!!!!  Pray for smooth travels, and for Candace's other four siblings Katie Lyn, Colby, Clay and Carlie as they wait to be united with their new sister!

Thanks ~ T.  

Catching Up

Whew, again.  Just as we were turning the corner with Teddi's recovery last week Grinner went down with a stomach bug.  What I thought would be a short lived event for Grinner has taken him a week to kick . . . and has brought the rest of us down, one by one.  Baba was the first one to catch it from Grinner.  Then on Sunday morning Teddi went down, and yesterday morning Mama caught the bug, or shall we say the bug finally caught up to Mama?  Today my flitless Flit and I spent much of the day curled up on the couch together.  Tonight we are doing much better. Thank you Baba for keeping the ship afloat.

Just when I thought I would never catch up on my posts, the bug jumped in . . . and our seven year old Dell went down for the count, victim of another kind of bug.  Bryan and Brady went computer shopping on Sunday, and I am pleased to announce that we are the blessed new owners of an iMac computer.  Catching up on my posts just took a whole new turn as I try and locate my picture files and learn to operate our new "blessing".  So far, so good . . . I think . . .

So tonight to "catch up" I bring you two of my very favorite rainbows, Teddi and Claire.  Teddi was only ten days post-op when these pictures were taken, which explains the dark circles under her weary little eyes.  It was a Friday evening, the end of a very long week.  Baba had been gone since Saturday, sleep was still a huge issue, eating still held it's challenges for Teddi . . . you get the picture.  Looooong week.  Then came a knock at our door, and an invitation to go for a walk.  It was Claire, and her mama (my neighbor Robin), along with Claire's big sister.  If you have been following my blog for awhile, you will know that Claire came home from China just two months behind Teddi.  My friend Melissa (previous post), soon to be Katie's mama, not only waited with me, but she waited with Robin as well.  That we would all live a few doors away from each other and that Teddi and Claire would come home so closely together was a God thing, for which I am so grateful! 

So on a "stormy" Friday night, I opened my door to see this sweet faced girl, who just happened to be dressed exactly like my own sweet faced girl.  A double rainbow indeed.  We went for a long walk around our neighborhood, and I must say, the "storm" passed.  Friends can do that, can't they?  Thank you Lord for friends!

Double sweetness, Claire and Teddi

New friends .  . .

precious blessings!

There have been other blessings in this buggy week . . .

My new blogger friend Jenn, received her RA/LOA for her sweet daughter Karleigh Mei last week after a very long, yet faithful wait.  She now awaits Travel Approval and will soon be united with her new daughter.  God is faithful!

My blogger friend Sarah and her family left for China yesterday morning, and will soon be united with their precious daughter Grace, who just turned four.  Sarah's older daughter Lily who is eight, and Teddi (with my help), have begun a "pen-pal" relationship, via email.  This started during Teddi's recovery when Lily began praying for Teddi.  Lily is a precious child of God!  We just discovered this week (when Sarah and I talked by phone) that Lily and Teddi are from the same province in China.  It will be so good to see little Grace join her very own family!

Eight year old Candace Le continues to do well with her new family.  She has a beautiful smile, and a pretty good pout (on occasion) --  by all reports from her new Mama and Baba.  God has given Laine and Rob an amazing journey to their seventh child.  Please pray for them as they prepare to travel home at week's end.

My friend Kim, is counting down to their travel for almost five year old Vivi Jo.  I am elated!  I have been following Kim since she and her husband traveled to China for their son Max, and now they will return, very shortly, for Vivi Jo.  God is good!

Remember when I posted my excitement that there was a new child coming home from Teddi's orphanage?  A little girl who will soon be known as Sunny?  Well I am blessed to announce that there are now THREE babes waiting to leave Zhuhai.  Teddi's friend Sunny, along with another little girl about two, and a little boy named Ren, who is about to celebrate his second birthday!

Oh and I got to see pictures of Melissa's five year old Katie. I must tell you, she is the most beautiful little girl in all of Mongolia!

Some of these kiddo's blogs are private . . . some are not.  You can find links to Karleigh Mei, Grace and Ren in my sidebar, as well as Kim's Max and Vivi Jo!

My "catch up" has been long winded, not surprising.  Thanks to those of you who have stuck it out.  

Just one more .  . . I have a new blogger friend Doreen whose wait is growing very, very long while a sweet little guy in China waits to be united with his Mama, Baba and siblings.  For those of you who have waited, or have been caught in a "longer than expected" wait, you know how agonizing this can be. Please remember those who long to hold their babies, as well as the children who wait.  You can see Doreen's lil' man, and follow her patient wait, in Journey Of A Blessed Family, in my side bar.

A final thought, you don't have to be involved in the adoption process, in order to be involved in adoption. God has called us all to be involved . . . maybe your part is to pray for the babies and children around the world, and in our own neighborhoods, who need families to call their own.  Please remember His precious ones.

Blessings from my blessed nest ~

Tina

Jumping for Joy . . . Katie & Kate

I've used this picture of my Brogie once before. I believe it was the day we finally got Travel Approval, and I knew our long wait for Teddi was finally nearing its end!


Well today was another jumping for joy kind of day. . .


My telephone rang this morning with the sweetest of news. (Okay, I'm up in the wee hours, it was actually yesterday, but back to the point) . . .


On the other end of the line was my dear friend Melissa. Melissa was my neighbor here in Texas until last May. I had to tell her goodbye when we left for China, knowing that while we were gone she and her family would be moving to a base in northern Japan. I came home from China to her empty house two doors down, she never got to meet my Teddi. . .


I first met Melissa two days after we moved into our new house, the very same week we had our homestudy done for Teddi. She and her husband (and two boys) were in the process of a Mongolian adoption, one that they were told would take only a matter of months. . . but the Mongolian program had come under new leadership and everything had stalled. Melissa would spend the next 10 months waiting with me, supporting me, listening to me fuss at times (okay, lots of times), all while waiting faithfully for a referral for their Katie. Melissa shared my joy every step of the way, never complaining, always believing that their day would come . . .


May came and we left for China . . . Melissa and her family moved away while we were gone. Today came the call, nearly two years after they began their adoption process. The very process that was supposed to take only a few months. . .


Jump for joy! Katie is coming home! Not to the room that was lovingly prepared for her in Texas . . . but to the same family who has lovingly prepared a new room for her in Japan.


A precious five year old girl in Mongolia is living her last days as an orphan. A beautiful family awaits her, a mama and daddy, and two great brothers. God is faithful. Please pray with me that the last leg of this paperwork journey will go smoothly, and that Katie will be home soon!


While my heart was still singing with this great news, I decided to check in on my Zhuhai group (Teddi's orphanage family). Here I would find more great news. Many of you may remember thirteen year old Katie "Hai Shun". Kate was Teddi's "big sister" in Zhuhai, and she helped the nannies care for our Xiao Xiao every day after school. Kate's mama Tracy traveled alone to get her, while her daddy stayed home with the other children. When only one parent travels you have to go through the re-adoption process in order to receive American citizenship. I'm happy to announce that this week Kate Marie became an American citizen! Congratulations Kate! I am so proud of you!


It has been a good, good day! To Melissa, who finally holds on to hope found in photos, you did it my friend! Praying that you soon hold your ladybug close. Thank you for your faithfulness, and friendship.


Blessings from my celebrating nest ~


Tina

Three Week Check-Up, Poem & Prayers

A quick update. Teddi went for her three week post-op check up this morning, and in the surgeon's words Teddi's palate repair looks, "GREAT"! She gave Teddi the go ahead to enlarge her food choices. . . we still need to keep it a bit soft, nothing hard or crunchy, no tough meat, but we don't need to puree any more food! We celebrated with Cinnabon and our sweet girl was delighted, and sticky! Baba even ordered extra icing. Thank you Baba. And thank you Lord for your continued healing of our girl.

A couple of you asked me about the poem I posted yesterday. I wrote it last spring in an attempt to sooth my weary, waiting heart as we pushed towards the 100 day mark on our wait for our LOA from China . You can see the origional post here, titled Theadora Waits. (The poem is also in my sidebar). To those of you who asked about using it for your own daughters, I would be honored!

Lastly, some of you know blogger Laine Ferrill of "Ferrill Bunch" fame. Laine and her husband Rob have six children, the two youngest being Kimmie and Quan from China (adopted from the same orphanage together last summer) . Rob and Laine, together with Kimmie and Quan are currently in China to receive their seventh child (actually they have probably received her within the last hour or two). Eight year old Le Xiao Hao will soon become Candace LeXiaoHao. Will you please pray for Candace Le, her foster family and her new family? She has been with the same foster family since she was a tiny babe, and has now left this family who has spent eight years raising her and loving on her. Please pray for the Lord to heal the hurting hearts of her foster family as they have said good bye, and please pray for Candace's heart as she transitions into her wonderful new family. Pray for Laine and Rob and their family as they welcome Candace with open arms and show her the love of Jesus. And pray for their other four sweeties here in the states (with extended family), as they await the return of their Mama and Daddy, brother and sisters. Laine's blog is private, but I will keep you posted (those of you who aren't already following long, anyway)!

Update Tuesday: Laine and Rob have posted from China. Candace Le greeted her new family with a huge smile on her face! She was also very happy to "meet" her brothers and sisters in the states by web cam. She had a time of tears and grieving yesterday, but for the most part (by Rob and Laine's report) has been very brave. Answered prayers. T~

Thanks for your prayers.


Blessings from my nest ~


Oh goodness, I almost forgot. How could I forget? Teddi SLEPT last night! She fussed a couple of times, but went back to sleep on her own. This is the first time since surgery that I have not had to go to her! Yay Teddi. Thank you Lord, for a return to sleep.


Blessings from my well rested nest!


Tina

Five Months Ago Today . . .

I met my sweet girl for the very first time . . .


I already loved her so, but oh how that love has grown!

For me, it is a "This is my girl" love. I know Teddi now. I know her giggle, and the sound of her voice. I know the difference between her scared cry, her sad cry and yes, her mad cry! I know her sleeping sounds and her happy sounds. I know when she's worn out, and I know that it takes a lot to wear her out! I know that my fingers can make a circle around her very tiny waist, and I know the feel of her soft hair, and how her delicate hand fits inside of mine. I know her insecurities, yet I see them disappearing, ever so slightly, a little each day. I know that she loves chocolate, and shoes, and playing outside. I know that she adores her Grinner brother, and thinks her big siblings are pretty great too, and she loves her Baba and her Mama!


As the months have passed, Teddi's love for us has grown, too . . . I like to think that it is now a secure feeling love. An "I trust you love". I know it is a love that runs across the yard smiling, and shouting, "Mama, mama, mama" when I return from a trip to the store. I know it is a love that holds on tight in the night when she wakes up afraid. I know it is a love, that grins proudly up at me, and asks, "Mine?" when I give her something new. Yes, baby girl, it's all yours. Just like our love for you. Forever.

We are so very happy to know you Teddi Winder, five sweet months worth!

Love, Mama & Baba, Bryce, Taylor, Brady & Brogan

Blessing from my nest~

Tina


Thinking of my waiting friends . . . and praying for the day that your wait is over and you hold your precious ones close.

We hold on to hope found in photos,

We long to touch her sweet face.

We eat and sleep and breathe worlds apart,

Yet there is a bond . . . a bond created by God.

She is ours and we are hers,

And in time the wait will be over. . .

We will eat and sleep and breathe together,

We will love and laugh and grow together.

And the bond that held us over the seas,

Will grow daily . . .When the “wait” is over.

M ~ Praying for the photo of your ladybug. He is Able.

On Rain . . . And Rainbows

We received some much needed rain this week in south Texas, and some of us celebrated by going OUT to play . . .

Grinner gets busy catching some drips in the watering can.

Flit takes a short break . . .

and then goes back for more!

I have been wanting to take a little time to reflect on all of the "rainbows" that graced us during the week of Teddi's surgery. It was a bit of a stormy time, but it was not without blessings . . .

I began to share about this once before but only got as far as the "we call her Teddi" story, on pre-op day. . . . this was the story about how God reassured me that all was well, and put my worried heart at rest. There would be more rainbows on that same day . . .

~ We arrived home from the pre-op appointment to find that the mailman had delivered a wonderful box of fun from Aunt Me-Me (Amy). The biggest hit would turn out to be the Color Wonder princess markers and book--our main source of entertainment during the hospital stay! (Also a fun tent, yes, I said tent, and a sweet princess dress. . . both saved for post surgery morale boosters once we got home!)

~ That same day, we would also find a package on our front step. To: Teddi ~ From: Sadie Rose (and her mama and daddy). Todd, Sally and Sadie Rose . . . brand new friends we had met during our evening walks, just the week before. They brought a "rainbow" gift to Teddi, with promises to pray for her in the coming week. Bright pink tissue wrapped up the sweetest little book (Sadie's pick), the package was topped with the cutest little plush duck, tied on with a yellow satin ribbon. Such care. I love our Air Force family.

The hospital stay, despite a tough time for Teddi, would also bring rainbows. . .

~ Wise doctors who did what they were well trained to do, and helped fix-up our girl.

~A caring ICU nurse named Ann Marie, who took Teddi under her wing and made sure she was kept comfortable with her pain meds.

~ A sweet nurse on the Peds ward who bought Teddi a ziploc bag of stickers on the second morning. The stickers were from her own supply at home, because she said the ones the hospital had "weren't good enough". She had promised Teddi stickers the day before if Teddi would give her one good "ahhhhhhh" so that she could check on her mouth, Teddi obliged.

~ The Haines family, who made a 40 minute drive on a school night (after sports practices) with their four kiddos, to come see us at the hospital. The Haines' are our neighbors (and Air Force family), and new parents to Claire who came home from China just two months behind Teddi! Claire came bearing gifts of Play-Doh and a darling ladybug necklace for Teddi. Their visit meant so much to us. Thanks guys!

~Lest I forget Taylor, Brady and Grinner who made the drive both days to come visit their little sister, bringing her a bear and a balloon . . . and grins. Taylor and Brady also rearranged their schedules for four days in order to care for Brogan. A huge blessing to us, and one for which we probably did not give enough thanks. They also kept the house up. There's nothing like a beaming sixteen year old boy, who is proud to welcome his tired mama through the door of a very clean house. . . A clean house that got that way because he cared enough to make it happen. The part where he told me he had a "brand new respect for me" (after taking care of his brother AND cleaning house) was icing on the cake! Taye had to be at school two of the days, so Brady really did get a feel for running a household . . . and he was whooped!

~ Another rainbow greeted us within a couple of hours of being home. A delicious home cooked meal brought by another neighbor whom we are just getting to know. (Did I mention I love our Air Force family?) Lori, is a busy mom to five, and one of those five is Maggie, from China! There is nothing like a great, hot, ready to eat meal when one has just spent several days eating hospital food. What a blessing! Maggie, who just turned four, also blessed Teddi with a doodle pad and a box of new crayons. Mmmm, the smell of new crayons can make anyone feel better, can't it?

~ During Teddi's first week of recovery I actually talked to two of my blogger friends by phone. What a sweet time. First to Kim (Max's mama, and soon to be Vivi Jo's mama), who called to encourage me. Thank you Kim! And then to my new friend Victoria, who introduced herself by email as a one of my blog readers. Victoria's daughter, Willow (age two) came home from China just two weeks ahead of Teddi, and had her palate surgery the day after Teddi. Like our Teddi, Willow is the youngest of five children . . . three big, two little, just like us. Victoria and I had many notes to compare. . . and that we did, for over an hour! Victoria loves the Lord, as does Kim, and both of these friends were shining rainbows in my week as they ministered to my tired heart!

~ I know there were other things I planned to share . . . Oh, yes, the Moon Sand. Can Moon Sand count as a rainbow, or does it fall into the "storm" category? Grandma and Papa sent Teddi a BIG ol' set of Moon Sand. Have you ever tried to clean Moon Sand up? Luckily I had . . . it wasn't pretty. . . BUT, the good news is, I'm wise on Moon Sand now. When the new Moon Sand came we played with it O-U-T-S-I-D-E, on the front porch . . . that helped keep it in the rainbow category! Grandma and Papa, thank you, Teddi loved it!

~ So there you have it, the rainbows from our little storm. Surgery was kind of tough, recovery is ongoing, but better every day. Sleep is getting better, slow but sure. In it all, the blessings have been many.

~ The very best rainbow is our precious girl with her closed and healing palate . . . not to mention the sweetest smile in the world. Our tough little bird, who happily eats up her "all soft, all the time" food without complaint. Who is making new sounds, and talks on . . . and on . . . and on! Who brings joy, with a giggle. The very giggles we waited oh so long to hear.

We love you sweet brave girl.

Thank you Lord for rainbows. Help us to always remember to look UP when we are in a storm . . . we don't want to miss them.

Blessings from my blessed nest ~

Tina

For My Taryn (and Grace, too)

My niece Taryn Lanae, better known to me as "Rynie", turns 14 today! And even though my sister (who is very different than myself) gave birth to her, Taryn is much like me . . . and I just love that about this sweet girl! Humble of me, I know.

On October 15th, 1994 at approximately 4:40 a.m. I was awakened from a sound sleep by my ringing telephone. Taryn had arrived! We were stationed in Florida at the time, and it would be a bit before I saw her sweet little self in Michigan, but my world became sweeter that day . . . our world became sweeter that day.

God has given Taryn a heart for His people. She is sensitive, and loving, and thoughtful, and kind, and funny. Rynie loves the Lord, and she loves to laugh . . . I love that about her! She is pure sunshine in my life.

Taryn and Teddi enjoying a rain shower!

This picture was taken soon after we arrived "home" in Michigan for our vacation. Taryn had waited faithfully for Teddi to come home from China (and then waited some more, until we could get to Michigan). It was pure joy to finally see them together! As I was just now looking at this picture, God reminded me of what an "umbrella" Taryn is in Teddi's life. She began covering our sweet girl in prayer the moment we announced that we were pursuing Teddi's adoption, and she's never stopped. Thank you Rynie for your overflowing and faithful love for your cousin, she is so very blessed by you!

Aunt T.T. (that would be me) and my Ryn, summer of '96


Precious girl, nearly all grown up ~ January 2007

I'm late with your card and gift Rynie, please forgive me. . . I haven't been out much (we all know that don't we?). I did recently go to Target, yes, but I was serious about the wandering aimlessly part. . . . by the way, the "Popcorn Combo" did not disappoint!

While I'm saying my Happy Birthday wishes, I must also mention another birthday girl. You will be happy to know, Taryn, that this sweet little one in China entered God's amazing world on the same date you did, just ten years later! Little Grace turns four (as I type), and she is about to get the very best present in the world. A family! Grace's mama and daddy, Sarah and David, and her two brothers and two sisters, will soon be on their way to China to bring Grace home. Oh how we wish they were celebrating with her, but we rejoice knowing that she will never, ever celebrate another birthday without her family! You can follow Grace's journey home, here.

To my Taryn, and to Grace~

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to His precious ones! You are loved beyond measure!

Birthday Blessings from my nest ~

Tina (Aunt T.T. to you Rynie!)

Mama Is Seeing RED!

Daddy got home late yesterday afternoon. Today Mama is on her way to Target alone . . .
I hope my smile can fit through the double doors.


If you were praying for our sleep, please resume praying. Teddi had one pretty good night (prompting my previous post) . . . and lets just say the rest have been much less than "pretty good".


I will get back to my rainbow list soon. Right now I am headed out to spend $1.50 on a Popcorn Combo and wander aimlessly, yes aimlessly, around you know where.

Blessings from my smiling nest ~

Tina

P.S. If you are viewing my blog for the first time I promise it is usually a little more interesting than this . . . I haven't gotten out in a while . . . I'll be back soon.

The Storm Has Passed . . .

the sun is shining! We've made it through the worst! Thank you all for your prayers. My little bird was flying much higher today.


I'm still working on my "rainbow" list. Are you watching for your own rainbows?


Blessings from my nest ~


Tina

Rainbows . . .

"Rainbow" by Grinner

A few weeks ago I did a post called, "Of Storms, Umbrellas, and Rainbows . . ." , the Lord has continued to point out rainbows to me since then. The past week has been a little bit on the stormy side with Teddi's surgery and recovery, rough nights, my hurting girl, a weary Grinner, traveling daddy, tired me . . . yet over the past week or so there have been many rainbow blessings.


First I want to share a little God story from last Monday that took place during Teddi's pre-op appointment. We were meeting with the plastic surgeon who would be closing Teddi's palate the next morning. She was a pretty blond, sweet and . . . younger than myself , by at least ten years. My mama's heart was thinking, "She's very kind . . . but couldn't I have a silver haired, older, experienced surgeon?" Not fair, I know. Or right. But, I'm being honest here. My confidence level was not real high at this point, maybe it was her soft-spokeness, or her slowness in answering some of my questions . . . or that she was too young, or that I knew she didn't have much experience with this sort of thing. Okay, the experience part is an assumption, but lets face it, this was a military hospital--how many three year olds do you think wander in with open palates? At one point, after I'd asked about Teddi's ear tubes, she had to leave the room to make a call to the ENT docs, to make sure they were on the schedule. At that point my confidence level dropped a few more points.


As Teddi's surgeon left the room my mamas heart was pounding and my head was thinking, "Grab your baby and run"! I turned to Bry and let him know in as few words as possible that I was not feeling good about the next day's events. I couldn't even tell you his reply, or if there was one . . .


The surgeon came back a few minutes later and reassured us that the ENT clinic knew about Teddi, and that they would have a surgeon present to do her tubes. I guess you could call that a rainbow . . . I'll admit I wasn't looking for any at that point.


To make a long story longer, I need to back up for a moment to remind you about Teddi's name. God gave me the name Theadora (Teddi) nine years ago when He first planted the seed of adoption in my heart. There was many a day through those years that I doubted God's promise that we would adopt a daughter. Yet each time I doubted, I would ask the Lord to confirm it and always He was faithful to show me her name. "Theadora" or "Teddi" (or various spellings) would show up on clothing labels, in movie credits, newspaper articles, emails, and once even on the side of a truck, yes, a truck!


Back to Monday . . . We leave the Plastic Surgery floor and head down to speak with someone in Anesthesiology. My confidence level is again dealt a blow as the anesthetist cannot answer most of my questions . . . yet reassures me that the pediatric anesthetist will answer them all tomorrow . . . "Yea buddy, if I show up with my baby"!


One last elevator ride down to Admissions to get all of our sweet girl's paperwork squared away before the next morning. This is the part where God jumps in wearing his, "I'm In Control" cape. We wait our turn in Admissions and then are called over to a desk where we hand our paperwork over to a smiling, grey haired woman. She glances at the papers we have handed her and says, "Theadora! My daughter's name is 'Teadora' (Tay-adora) without the "h". We call her Teddi, she's 29!"

I promise you I heard the, "Weeeeee calllllllll herrrrrrrrrr Teddddddddiiiiiiiii" part in slow motion.


Some people don't believe that God speaks. It was the grey haired woman who said, "We call her Teddi", yet God orchestrated the event (there was another woman who could have called us to her desk). A human spoke the words, yet God spoke to my heart. "We call her TEDDI".


Tears welled up in my eyes, my mamas heart returned to its normal beat. I let go of my worry as God soothed my heart with the words, "We call her Teddi."


I heard Him say,


"I'm in this."
"It's all okay."
"It's all going to be okay."


The storm in my heart subsided. It was replaced by a rainbow of calm, of hope, of trust.


Tuesday morning came, it was all okay. Thank you Lord!


My story had gotten long so I will stop for now. My sleeping girl has joined me. . . up for more medicine. She is now eating ice cream and watching Hello Kitty . . . it's 1:30 a.m. and we need sleep.


I'll share the rest of the rainbows soon.


Thanks to all of you who have left comments and are praying for Teddi. Thank you to Teddi's new friend Lily for her prayers for Teddi's sleep last night, it was much better than the night before. Lily, we hope your cold is better.


Okay, one more rainbow story . . . Lily is eight, and she and her three siblings will be traveling soon (along with their sweet mama, Sarah, and daddy, David) to bring home their sister Grace from China! Grace is getting her very own family as a belated fourth birthday present. A family for Grace . . . that is one of the best kind of rainbows!


Blessings from my nest ~


Tina

Updated Wednesday morning to add ~ Teddi had a better night last night. For those of you who shared about pain meds, I should have pointed out that we are down to managing her pain with regular Tylenol. A couple of times I have given her Motrin (when she has seemed to need it) in between the Tylenol doses. On her roughest night (three nights ago) I did go back to the Tylenol w/codeine, but I gave it to her at 5:oo a.m. and she finally slept a sound chunk of sleep ---probably due to the sheer exhaustion of the night. I think we are on the upward swing as far as sleep goes. Hallelujah!

We Need Sleep

These are pictures of my little bird sleeping peacefully BEFORE her palate surgery . . .

She likes to read to her "friends".

These are pictures AFTER . . .




















Yeah, that's right, there aren't any. We made progress with the soft food diet today, and I feel like she got her fill, without major meltdowns, a big step! Sleep is a whole different issue, make that peaceful sleep is an issue. Teddi was getting to be a fairly good sleeper before surgery, okay, a fairly good sleeper some nights. And other nights, she's restless, but usually a little "shushing" and a forehead smooth will do the trick to get her back to sleep. Not so now.
Last night was the worst night she's had since her surgery. I have read that this is common after surgery . . . I guess I was just hoping we wouldn't be common!


Last night my poor babe woke at 1:00 a.m. and screamed inconsolably for 45 minutes, and I'm quite sure it wasn't from pain. I am staying on top of her pain meds, (including during the night)and pain doesn't seem to be the issue--she's playing and active during the day. When she wakes she is scared, frantic, traumatized from her ordeal. She hits me, hits herself, hits the bed--it is frightening and pitiful, especially when I can't settle her. She finally exhausted herself and fell back to sleep, but continued to wake and fuss on the hour. She had another crying fit at 5:00 a.m. (time for meds) and then she finally slept through until 9:30.


If you are praying for us, please pray for peaceful sleep. Last night I slept beside her, but it didn't seem to help. Baba had to leave yesterday (for a week) and I'm sure that has added to her stress . . . I know it has added to mine. The good part is, Bryan is working at Bryce's base in Spokane -- so it was a free trip to see our firstborn bird. (Hi Bryce and Bry, I love you!)


I need to hit the sack--rather hit the couch beside my girl, who has fallen asleep on a futon mattress on the living room floor, next to her beloved Grinner. It's a living room sleepover . . . let's pray that there is some PEACEFUL sleep involved!


Blessings from my tired nest ~



Thankful that the surgery is behind us!


Tina

Whew . . . We're Home!

A quick update to let everyone know that we are home with Teddi.


Whew! That was a long two and a half days, but what a difference a day makes. Teddi woke up much stronger, happier and hungrier today, which was all good because she needed to be eating (very soft foods), drinking, and walking before they would let her go. She woke up and got down to business . . . Jello at 7:00 a.m. followed by a walk, a snooze, some broth and pudding for lunch, followed by another walk to prove she was ready to get outa Dodge!


We were released at about 1:45 and arrived home at 2:30. She's napping now. It was tougher on her than I had imagined. We didn't see a hint of a smile until about 30 hours post-op, but she is bouncing back quickly. I've never seen anyone walk with a bounce in their step, while hooked up to an I.V. pole --until this morning. Flit's step had a bounce, and I knew she was on her way back!

Sweet baby girl, after her four hours of surgery.

A tired Teddi, headed home.

I will do a more indepth post later. For now I am going to try and catch up on my comments and emails from all of you! Thank you all so very much for your kind words, thoughts and prayers for our littlest bird, and for our family. We are so very grateful to all of you.

Blessings from my tired, but thankful nest.

Tina

Not home yet!

-Again, Taylor updating for mom!-

Teddi started out the morning rough, with a fever of 102 and still needing morphine to control pain. She was also refusing any drink so had to continue on IV. The afternoon found her improving. She ate a little bit of soupy jello and some fruit slushie. She took a couple walks and played in the playroom a bit. By late day she was feeling much better and we finally got a smile out of her about 5:00! Flit's flit is slowly coming backn! We hope to be outta here tomorrow and home! Sorry for the late update, thanks for the prayers!