Lulu's new Happy shirt!

A Good Day at School!

I don't know what made today a better day at school than the past two days, but Lulu did great today. Other than a little bit of fussing as I was leaving, the teacher said she did great and was very giggly today. She was there for about 5 hours. The only problem is that she doesn't want to nap and the teacher had to get her off the cot since she was laughing and being loud. I'm just happy that she was laughing and not screaming or banging her head! I bought a cute shirt from Target that says "Happy" on it. Maybe that helped? And a little bribing! We've also been reading a book for the past several nights called, "Will you come back for me?" It's about a mommy going back to work while the little girl starts school, and how mommy always comes back. (Thank you to one of the FCC moms for suggesting the book!) We're talking about that a lot. What work means, that school means fun, learning and friends, and that mommy will always come back. I asked the teacher to tell her that as well. Lulu will be back at school tomorrow, but only for a few hours since I have an appt in the afternoon. While she is at school in the morning, I'm going to my doctor's office to get a much needed B12 shot!

Oh Boy!

Well...some bad news today. Lulu's PPD test for TB came back positive. Her chest x-ray last week was NORMAL, so she does not have active TB. But from what I understand, she was either exposed to TB in China and it is inactive, or since she had the BCG vaccine in China, her test is showing a false positive. I really need to research it and we have another appointment with the infectious disease doctor to see what's next. My guess is that she may be having to start treatment soon, and from now on they will just do chest x-rays instead of the PPD test. This seems to be pretty common, but I was told the medication is very bitter and treatment is for several months.

Also, after just posting on how much better Lulu was doing, she had a few rough days again. I feel that it was because she was so tired from having some very active days without any naps and some rough nights sleeping. She had a bad tantrum at the pediatrician's office on Monday that started in the waiting room with head banging and all. We were waiting for at least 25 min, and this is where her first doctor's appt was where they took 6 vials of blood. So between being tired, impatient, and scared, it was only a matter of time that she was going to start having a tantrum. People must have thought I was a terrible mother since I tried as little as possible to stop her (until she hit her head on the floor vs her forearm) because whenever we try to stop her it only makes her tantrums much worse. By time they finally called us back I had to pick her up with her legs flailing and with her screaming at the top of her lungs. Then she continued to head bang on the floor in the treatment room.

Yesterday I was able to leave her at the early learning center, but by 2 1/2 hours later I had to return since she had a BAD tantrum there. The teacher looked pale and frazzled, and two other teachers had to come into the class to take over. She broke open some skin on her hand from biting it so hard, and before that she threw a toy at a boy. My poor Lulu...I am so worried about returning to work in less than 2 weeks. I pretended that I went to work yesterday and today while she was at the center, but she was only there for 3 hours each day. Today she started a tantrum right away, but I was able to get her to stop before it got too bad. She wouldn't let me leave though until an hour later. Other than the tantrums (and her impatience which is getting a little better), she is just pure joy! I love her so much and I get so emotional that sometimes it's so hard not to cry in front of her. I know one day we will look back to this time and find it hard to believe that she ever coped in this way. I just hope that day is not too far off since sometimes she bangs so hard that I know it just has to hurt.

Looking pretty in pink (and red)...Lulu's favorite bathing suit

Having fun jumping with Baba and 'new' rocking chair

Happy Days!

After a few rough weeks, Lulu seems to be in a happier place. We had several major tantrums with her over the past 3 weeks...at two different doctor's visits, at the Early Learning Center, the Library, her tutor's house, at her PT evaluation, and less intense ones at Grandmas and at the beach. Once they are full blown, we are unable to console her or redirect her behavior (hard head banging, biting and pinching herself, flailing her body when we try to move her, etc).

However, the past week (excluding one or two tantrums) she has been doing a lot better. Lulu has been drawing happy faces, and now sings a "Happy Face" and "Happy" song that she made up. I hope that the reasons for the changes have to do with increased activity and a lot of sensory integration 'stuff' that we've been doing with her. With suggestions from the PT, OT and stuff I've been reading in books on Sensory Processing Disorder, I've incorporated what's called a 'sensory diet' into Lulu's schedule.

A lot of Lulu's sensory issues are tactile (she does not like to be or would not accept a lot of touching from us), and vestibular (does not like swings or lack of control over them). So, we've incorporated several things. I went and bought a really nice rocking chair from someone off Craigslist (I love the look of this one..not old fashioned looking and very comfortable), she is using a hand held vibrator for vestibular and sensory input that I showed her how to rub on her arms, legs, face and head (and she enjoys just holding it which we first discovered at her initial PT session), I've been doing joint compressions and deep pressure on her arms and legs, and firmly rubbing her down her back, and we just received her new mini trampoline with a handle two days ago in the mail. She LOVES jumping on it! Also, more time at the park, kicking and running after a ball, throwing the ball, yesterday practicing dribbling the ball. I am no longer doing canine rehab, and I picked up all my equipment from where I was working. The equipment includes a BOSU ball, a rehab scooter, stability balls, and a dynadisc. I just started some ball work with Lulu, and she was doing so well with some of the exercises and knew what to do, so I asked her if she did this in China. She said she did and I believe her. I'm pretty sure she didn't have any formal rehab by any licensed professioonals, but things that she has shown me or knows how to do, amazes me. Whoever worked with her in China knew what she needed! She enjoys doing 'rehab' and also working with her hand. Two days ago she made necklaces out of string and beads, and was able to do it without too much time using both hands. She also rides the scooter face down throughout the house, which helps to strengthen her core and her right upper extremity as she's propelling herself forward and in circles on it.

So, the results of the new stuff we've been doing...
1) She now lets me wash her hair, comb her hair (a little), and wash her. (Yes, she can do these things by herself, but letting me do them is huge! She is trusting me and enjoying being touched!
2) She has been sitting on my lap, leaning on me, giving me a lot more kisses and hugs!
3) She appears to be more confident
4) Her small tantrums at home are getting smaller and lasting for shorter periods
5) She is Happy and says she is Happy!
6) She is getting stronger and spending more time on the equipment at the park

Also, Lulu was finally able to stay at the Early Learning Center again without me for a few hours on Friday. She also had a fun day playing with two girls adopted from China who have been home awhile and speak English. The girls' mother was so kind to invite us to lunch and then have Lulu go to their house without me to get her used to being away from me, and to have fun play time with her girls. This was all on Friday and she did fantastic! I had Lulu's tutor meet us at the Early Learning Center and she spent an hour with her while I left to explain to her that mommy is working, but I will always come back for her. I was worried that Lulu would have a tantrum once the tutor left, but she didn't! The teacher said she did great and played with some of the kids. So...I hope this continues because I really go back to work in 2 weeks. We are going to keep pretending that I have to go to work and see how she does. I really hope we can have a repeat of how well she did last week!

A Visit to Grandma & Grandpas, and Fourth of July

Lulu's First Fourth of July

We had a really good Fourth of July weekend. We tried to explain to Lulu that it was "America Day", and although she probably had no idea what that meant, she seemed to understand that it meant something. We did that with Father's Day as well. I did have her tutor ask her in Mandarin if she's seen fireworks before. At first she said no, then she said yes. They are big in China during the New Year celebration, and they even celebrate wedddings, completion of buildings being constructed, and I believe funerals, by lighting off fireworks. So, we think she has seen them, or at least heard them before. We decided to drive to see fireworks from a not so close distance, and we stayed in the car most of the time so it wouldn't be too loud. Lulu seemed like she enjoyed them in the beginning, but then she started to seem bored. They did go off for a long time, and it was rather late in the evening, so maybe that it why she didn't seem too interested. She was startled a few times when people nearby were lighting off small fireworks, but it didn't seem to upset her too much. We spent several hours at the beach during the day and on Monday Jonathan came over in the late afternoon for a few hours. She just loves seeing her older brother!

Lulu's Vocabulary

I am so amazed at how many English words Lulu now knows or speaks. I've typed them out, and she knows over 80 words already! She can count 1-10 (haven't been practicing to add more lately), and she knows a lot of the alphabet. She mainly says one word at a time, but can speak in two to four word sentences. For example, she can say "let's go", "thank you so much", "good morning", "Lulu hot", and so forth. We are so proud of her!

Neurologist Visit

I was very pleased with the neurologist who saw Lulu the other day at Nemours. After reviewing the CT scan she had in China 2 years ago, he feels she possibly had a stroke while she was in utero, versus any head trauma during or after birth, or a genetic abnormality. Of course, he doesn't know that for sure, but he ordered a few tests that may give us some answers. We are being referred to a hematologist to make sure she doesn't have a blood clotting disorder. If she does, then there's a possibility that she could have another stroke (unlikely but possible), a referral to a cardiologist for an ultrasound of her heart, and an MRI that will show certain blood vessels that a CT scan doesn't. As far as we know, Lulu has not had any seizures, but there's always a possibility that she can have one. The neurologist said it's nothing to be afraid of (ha!) and he gave us a handout of what we should do if one happens.

He was very impressed with how good her mobility is considering the results he read on the CT scan. Due to neural plasticity of the brain and her young age, she has already made a lot of progress, and should continue to do so with PT, OT, and her own persistence and tenacity. She amazes me every day with how much she tries to use her right hand. She always makes sure we notice and we give her a ton of praise. There is no mention of 'rehab' in China in her paperwork although there was a part of the orphanage that provided rehab. Someone mentioned to me that 'PT' in orphanages are painful and they do it until the children cry. If that's the case, which I hope it's not, I wonder if she's wondering why we're not pushing her more. When I do encourage her to use the right arm and hand, she always does and is proud of it. I only see the weakness in her right leg when she tries to ride a bike with training wheels or a tricycle. Her right foot continuously slips off. I need to get a strap to make it easier for her. She does have a minor gait abnormality but it is so subtle. She doesn't seem as clumsy as she did when we first came home. We've been going to the park several times a week, and I can already see that climbing on some of the bars is getting easier for her. We don't start PT and OT until July. I know she will do great and I'm looking forward to the pediatric therapists' input and advice of what I should have her do (other than what we're already doing) at home.

Father's Day, Home One Month, and Separation Anxiety

I'm so behind with posting! Brad had a really nice Father's Day. We went out to breakfast in the morning, brought Lulu to the park, and then Jonathan came over and we all went to the beach. Afterwards, we went out for a late lunch. Brad loves going to the beach, as well as Lulu, and it was good to see Jonathan again. Unfortunately, we don't see him as much as we'd like since he is working 2 jobs, and he's almost 21. Not many kids his age want to hang out with their parents. Lulu just adores Jonathan and he is so good at playing with her. Brad went to see Lulu at my friend's Early Learning Center on the Friday before Father's Day. They had a Father's Day event where the kids and fathers had ice cream and the dad's were given a handmade framed picture that says #1 Dad. Lulu seemed really happy that we were there. The teacher told Brad that some of the fathers arrived before Brad did, and Lulu was starting to get a little upset that her daddy wasn't there yet. I would hate to think what would have happened if Brad could not have been there.

We've been home over a month now, and I feel that Lulu is attaching very well to us. She is still understandably grieving and at times out of no where, it seems like it just hits her. She gets a look on her face and says, "tola" (sp?) which means wrong in Mandarin. I believe she starts thinking of her foster brothers and younger sister who was adopted before she was, and that she is not with them or her friends from the orphanage. A lot of times when this happens it's in the mornings after she's been up for about an hour. She has mentioned her foster brothers' names several times this past week. Her life and schedule is so different now, and not having siblings around must be a really hard adjustment. We still think that she is doing amazingly well overall. She is also so smart...we are so amazed by what she is picking up from us, and her thinking process.

Last week I was able to leave Lulu at my friend's Early Learning Center two times for a few hours. She did great and had a lot of fun. This week has been a different story. Brad brought her on Monday morning since I had to go in to work to help my boss with some interviews. Brad said that she had the worst tantrum so far where she was throwing stuff in the room, knocking toys off the tables and just screaming and crying, and of course wanting to get on the floor and bang her head. No one could console her, and eventually Brad had to leave with her and bring her to work with him. I tried again on Tuesday and Wednesday, and I had to stay with her each time. There was no way she was letting me leave her. If she just cried and screamed, I could leave her and know that she would eventually stop. But she drops to the floor and starts to bang her head on the floor or her forearm. I just had to redirect her and the only thing that made her stop was telling her that we could go home. This was on Tuesday. Instead of going straight home, we went to lunch and a couple of stores, then played the rest of the day at home. It turned out to be a really good day and she was very happy. This morning she flat out said she did not want to go to school. I decided not to push it since we were having a pool playdate with my friend and her 4 year old son in the early afternoon. I really need to get her on a schedule before I go back to work, but maybe she just isn't ready yet? Or maybe I should just continue bringing her regularly and hope that it will get easier and that I can leave her like I did last week. I'm really not sure what I should do at this point. She really needs to interact with other children and in a classroom setting. Before we left the center yesterday, she went up to one little girl who was being so nice to her, and gave her a hug goodbye. So I was surprised that she didn't want to go back today. I explained that I would stay with her, but she flat out did not want to go.

Tomorrow morning we have an appointment with the neurologist. I am really hoping we can get out the door without incident since we have an early appointment. I'm curious to hear what the neurologist has to say.

Having Fun Counting with Baba!

Yue Lu, Grandparents and friends!

Home Three Weeks - new friends, grandparents, yoga and more!

We've been home over three weeks now and Yue Lu is doing so well with the transition to her new life and home. We are understanding each other a lot better, even when we have no idea what she is saying (and vice versa). She is picking up a lot of words and speaks them so clearly. She is gesturing or pointing now when she wants something, or takes our hands and leads us to what she wants. Her English tutor has been wonderful and I am so glad we've been able to work with her.

Yue Lu met her grandparents yesterday and she kept talking about them last night and today! She had a lot of fun with Grandma yesterday blowing bubbles, jumping and dancing, and playing in her room. She received some nice new clothes, adorable sandles, a Barbie with a sports car, crayons and coloring books, a magnetic toy, and a stuffed monkey! Yue Lu loves Curious George and just loves her new stuffed monkey!

The past week we've been doing a lot of coloring, counting, repeatedly going over colors, and just started A, B, Cs with Yue Lu. She can now count in English from 1-10, and just learned to recite A, B, C, D. I've noticed that she is focusing a lot better now, and she is now interested in one of her Curious George books. Initially she wanted nothing to do with books other than quickly turn the pages. She is also doing a lot better with coloring. She used to just scribble and now since she's seen us color 'in the lines', she is doing a much better job at it.

Yue Lu met a new friend last week who was adopted from Yue Lu's orphanage 3 1/2 years ago. She is now 9. She was so sweet to Yue Lu and brought her some familiar yummy treats from a Chinese market. Yue Lu had a lot of fun playing with Merri and we're looking forward to more playdates. They both received Memory Books from the orphanage, and it was fun looking through them. I think Yue Lu understood that they were both adopted from the same place.

So I found out today that Yue Lu is quite the little yogini! She saw me doing yoga the other day and gestured for me to put on the yoga DVD (she actually did some yoga poses so I knew what she wanted). So, we started doing some upward and downward dog poses, among other stretches, and I was amazed at how focused and good she was at it. She is weak on her right side but did fantastic with a lot of poses. I was just amazed and kept praising her. It is something we will definitely keep doing since it will help with strengthening and balance. Her flexibility is pretty good except for some tightness in her right hand and right calf due to her CP.

Yue Lu did so well this morning at my friend's Early Learning Center. It was her 3rd time there and the first time she didn't want to leave right away. Last time we were there she had a major tantrum. Today, she did not cry and I was able to leave for an hour. When I got back I was able to watch her from a two way mirror. It was so good to see her interacting with the other kids and having a good time. I am going to bring her back 2 more times this week and have her there without me for longer periods.