Last week, we packed up the kids and headed to Cincinnati, Ohio, to the International Adoption Clinic at the children's hospital there. It was a five hour medical appointment. We were visited by a social worker, developmental specialist, medical doctor, and occupational therapist. Stool samples were given to check for parasites, vaccines were given for the flu and meningitis, and blood work was taken by ultrasound after he blew three veins from being so terrified of those nasty needles. All in all, we thought it was a pretty good, thorough evaluation of how our little guy is doing, and the conclusion is that he's a pretty healthy little guy! He has one "non-pathogenic, benign" parasite that just likes to hang out there and then eventually will go away. This was due to poor hygiene at the orphanage, but it really poses little danger to all of us as long as his hands are washed after diaper changes (which he usually likes to do) and doesn't share a tub with Gabriel any time soon. They usually don't even retest to see when this parasite has left, but we'll do that soon so that we can go back to having a kid tub and a separate tub for the parents. :)
Andrew continues to amaze us and amuse us each day. He talks a LOT and sings sometimes, too-- mostly baby talk, our guides in China told us. He especially has a lot to say at dinner for some reason, and he uses his hands to talk too, sometimes pointing one finger in the air, sometimes using a whole hand to explain something. He can say some English words, too, such as car, go, no, bye bye, hello, what, wait, mama, baba, and ZeZe (Gabriel's Chinese name), and he can say, "Gay" for Gabriel's English name. We've seen signs that he's beginning to understand what we're saying in English, too. If I tell him to go give something that he has to Baba or Gabriel, he'll usually do it. He knows what "Say ____" means. He know what "no" means, and I think he's quickly learning what "no bite" and "no pinch" mean. He's already learned what "no throwing" means, as we taught him at meal time. Yesterday, he quickly ran into the hallway, and since I wasn't sure if any doors were open, I yelled, "Wait! Wait! Wait!" really quickly, and he ran back to me, saying, "Wait! Wait! Wait!" Haha! He is now sleeping in his crib in our bedroom and sleeps pretty soundly as long as it's quiet and there is no light in the room. Most of the time, he sleeps through the night! He has a stuffed animal that he loves, named "Bunny."
His favorite toy is one that you can push the button, lever, and move the dial on to reveal a dog, cat, and bird. He sometimes has trouble with the dial one, so he has me take his hand in mine and move it the way it's supposed to go. Then, eventually, he'll try it and get it, and he's so happy when he does it himself. He also discovered the caterpillar, crawl-through tunnel yesterday and loves it. We have to put a time limit on that one, though, or he gets kind of overwhelmed.
He loves pulling books off the bookshelves but doesn't care to sit still enough to have us read more than a few words. He puts puzzle pieces in the play microwave instead of on the puzzle and gives a grin, like he knows he's not supposed to put them there. He's ticklish on his belly. He likes to move, move, move--- constantly!
He knows how to get what he wants, especially when it comes to eating. A few days ago, he had cut-up hot dog pieces, mac and cheese, and veggies. Howie and I fed him first, so he was done with his hot dog while we were still eating ours. We then gave him his mac and cheese, and he kept pointing at our hot dogs until we were eating the mac and cheese only. Still, he wouldn't eat his at first. He wanted Howie's mac and cheese, so Howie gave him a few bites of his own until Andrew finally decided that he would eat his own if I would fork the minion noodles and then let him bring the fork to his mouth. He's working hard on trying to use utensils. Today, he wanted to be the only one using the spoon to feed himself his yogurt. Any time I tried to feed him, he responded with crying. Poor kiddo. Mommy's trying to practice bonding techniques, but he's almost two and wants to do what the rest of us do. He is determined to use the spoon and fork correctly, and he's learning fast. It can be messy, but that's all part of learning anything, isn't it?
He loves getting into everything, so tonight, Howie is putting up a gate so that he can only get into things in the living room unless we take him into another room. There's enough for him to get into in there, like the stereo, the TV converter box (yes, we still have one of those), and the TV antennae. And I will hopefully soon be learning how to "wear" him. I've never used a baby carrier before, but he gets extremely upset when I put him in my vision in a pack and play when I'm doing Gabriel's treatment each day.
He also loves giving hugs and has tried giving us kisses, we think, by just putting his lips on our cheeks. Too cute. Tonight, due to a short nap, he was very ready to go to sleep, but before he did, he kissed my hand several times. He's such a sweetie. He is appropriately scared of strangers, and clings to us when anyone approaches. He knows he is ours, even now, but he's scared that there could be another move, another transition, another family. It will take time for him to realize that we are his to stay. Forever. We are in love with each other.
Earlier this week, we visited my Nannie and Granddad's house to say farewell to my Aunt Dawn and Uncle Ralph who will be moving to Oregon soon. While there, he had his first piece of cake. Not wanting to get his fingers messy (using gestures, he's always asking for a napkin or paper towel), he was hesitant to dig in. My brother, Michael, was the one who ultimatly got him to take the leap. He showed him how to do it, even though it got icing in his goatee. :) We love Uncle Mike (and his wife, Aunt Danielle and daughter Gwendolyn)!
Here are some pictures from the event:
Here are some other pictures that Gabriel suggest we take. Some are from a few days ago, and the fire fighter hats pictures are from today. :)
Later this week, we have our first home visit from our adoption social worker. We'll see her a lot this first year, since China requires periodic updates and visits along with written communication and pictures. Time to figure out how to get these photos from my camera onto my regular PC so we can print! He really does smile-- just not on cue for pictures yet. :)
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