Eyes and Eyes

Today Charlee had her 6 month follow up with Dr. Petersen on her eye surgery. Good news is that she has great visual acuity (she can see well). Bad news is that her left eye has started to cross towards her nose again. Charlee has been sick with a cold, taking cold medications, not sleeping well, and tired so hopefully that is the majority of the reason why the eye is crossing. The plan is to come back in three month, when she is healthy, and the first appointment of the day for another evaluation. During the next three months, we will be doing eye patches again. Two days on the right eye then one day on the left eye. Hopefully this will strengthen the eye muscles. Dr. Peterson does not want to do another eye surgery unless another physician has done an independent evaluation and they talk to develop a plan.

I'm staying positive that she was just sick and tired and in three months everything looks GREAT!!!!

Natalee also saw Dr. Petersen for the first time as a patient and as the little sister. After his exam, he agreed that Natalee had clogged tear ducts in both eyes. So, she had a little procedure right in the office. The "Popped" both tear ducts open with a little wire. They numbed the eyes, strapped her to a little table, and "popped" them open. She cried but was easily settled down after she was back in my arms. She was a good little girl. She is my little procedure girl. Dr Petersen said that the tear ducts would have never opened on their own. "Popping" them was the only choice. Hopefully, she doesn't follow her sister and re-clog the ducts.

The chances of having clogged tear ducts is 6 out of 1,000 births. Two kids with clogged tear ducts is strange. I bet if I adopted 6 children, I would have six with clogged tear ducts.

I'm so glad that I found Dr. Petersen. I can't say enough about the man. If anyone needs a pediatric eye doctor, he is the one to go to.

Ms. Kathie

Today was the first day with Ms. Kathie....and life is TERRIFIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oops, I never blogged about the change in child care. After receiving my paycheck with the Girls full time child care fees deducted, I decided to look at other options. So I decided to look for a in-home daycare around home. The first two were just SCARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then I found Kathie. I spent two hours talking with her the first time we met. The Girls played with the other kids and were happy. Kathie is about 5 minutes away from our house. It's not to bad of a drive with easy on and off freeway to work.

So when I dropped the Girls off this morning, Charlee didn't have any tears or whines. They were happy. When I picked them up, they were both asleep but Kathie said they both had a great day. Charlee agreed and wants to go back.

We are lucky to have found Kathie.

Rollerblading Adventure

On Saturday, I purchased a pair of nearly new rollerblades off KSL.com for $25 (a steal). I've wanted a pair for a long time but I decided that I needed more exercise and the bike trailer also turns into a stroller so why not. I have something to hold on so how hard could it be.

So after dinner, we adventured off to the nature trail by our house. I on rollerblades and the Girls in the trailer. Charlee of course was excited. She loves this trailer. Natalee seemed to just go with the flow. Packed with toyes, sippy cup of milk, baby doll, spare pair of shoes just in case...

....we survived. Stopping is not as easy as it appears. We almost crashed once but I was able to pull it off. What a work out. I love the rollerblades. We will adventure further tomorrow. The Girls LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finalization

Natalee's adoption finalization hearing was this morning at 8AM. Everything went smoothly and without any glitches. We took pictures but with my Mom's camera so I'll have to post pictures later.

Tears were rolling down my eyes during the hearing. The attorney asked me to say a few words about Natalee. I was crying before I could get the second word out. And I forgot to bring a Kleenex. Thank you Dad for letting me have yours, my sweater was not making for a good tissue. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. Grandma and Grandpa, Great-Grandma, Oma and Opa, Grandma Beckie and Grandpa Paul, Charlee, Natalee, and I were present along with Cindy, A Guardian Angel, and Lance, the attorney.

Throughout the day, I've thought about Veronica, Cyrus (birth parents) , and BJ (Natalee's 1/2 birth brother). I am so grateful to them for allowing me to raise Natalee as my own. I can't even imagine the feelings of giving a child up for adoption would be like. I am so blessed to have met them and to know a little about who they are. They are wonderful people that I'll never forget. May be one of these days we will meet again?

I'm not sure how I was going to feel today. Natalee has been my daughter, a sister to Charlee, a granddaughter, a niece, a cousin, and a great-granddaughter from the moment I saw her laying in nursery 6 months ago. Today I received closure on the adoption. Just knowing that legally she is my daughter. I've never worried about Veronica or Cyrus changing their minds but it is nice to have all the adoption stuff done. I can leave state lines without the agencies permission, I can take her out of the country, and get her a passport and social security number with our last name.

I wish I had the words that describes how I am feeling inside. My heart is full of love and happiness. I am a very proud Mom of two wonderful children. I want to go hug and kiss the Girls right now but they are both taking a nap after a wonderful day.

Thank you to all my family and friends who have given me support, encouragement, and love through our adoption journeys. We couldn't have done it without you.

Love
Yvette, Charlee, and Natalee

Six Month Well Check Visit

Cowgirl Natalee at 1 month old....

Cowgirl Natalee at 6 months....17lbs 15 oz (85th percentile) 26 1/2 inches (85th percentile)

We had a great visit today with the doctor. Natalee is right on track, received 3 shots, and amoxicillin for the beginnings of an ear/sinus infection (I'm not shocked).

Finalization of Natalee's adoption is tomorrow at 8AM........

PS Aunt Von, Uncle Matt, and the Kids- "I think I've grown out of my cowgirl outfit. My Mom and I are sad:( "

A Morning Bottle

"Please, Charlee"
"Thank you"

"I love you"

"This is relaxing"

"Peek a Boo"

"My BIG helper"

My Sick Little Nat Tat

My little Nat Tat was sick yesterday. She was running a low grade temperature. She fell asleep on the couch about 30 minutes after waking up for the day. She slept like this for almost 2 hours.

#2 Tooth

This morning Natalee woke up with two little teeth in her adorable mouth.

Once again, no sign of teething. Will this continue?

Natalee turns six months old

Six months ago I was holding Natalee for the first time. I can't believe how much she has grown. Natalee is a happy and lovable little girl.

"Good Morning, I'm ready for school"

I can sit up all by myself

"This is my favorite toy. My jumper"

"This is my favorite thing in my crib and I just found this amazing strap"

"I'm tired and ready for bed. Mom hold me"

First Half of September

Where did the first half of September go?

I love this outfit.

A Sunday out with LaLa and Mila

Natalee loves to eat. I gave her a whole piece of toast. As you can tell, she made a mess.

The Girls have been playing with the "Little People" for the past couple of days. It's wonderful to see them play together.

What kind of look is this, Charlee?

Yummy!!!!!!!

Dinner time

Charlee wanted 4 ponytails today

Natalee is able to sit up all my herself. She still falls over from time to time but she is getting better and better.

Goodbye to the first half of September.

Hello second half of September

The First Tooth

Natalee was chewing on my finger when I felt something...Could it be????

Yes!!!!!!!!!! A TOOTH. The lower front right to be exact. I didn't even know that she was teething. She has been as happy as ever. She has been chewing on blankets, my shirt, and toys but I thought she was just exploring her world with her mouth.

I can't believe how fast she is growing up. This age is GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!