Almost There!

(This post is from yesterday. Blogger was being uncooperative and would not post.)

Today was what we believe were our last visits with Quinton at the orphanage. Tomorrow we will be busy paper chasing and we will definitely miss our morning visit. Our visits here, although monotonous, have been such a blessing. There were many times that we both wanted to be home so badly, but being here this long has truly given us a chance to bond with Quinton which I believe in the end will make his transition much easier. Since we figured out the mystery of why he would not eat/drink for us, I did an experiment this morning. I made him some oatmeal and added some milk to give it the same consistency of his lunch they fed him yesterday. We poured it into a bottle and he took it! He was not too willing at first, but I just talked to him gently and held his hands and once he realized what it was, he ate it and did not want to stop. The rest of the morning he looked at me with these eyes of adoration and just smiled. It was so sweet. Today we were not just playmates, we were providing for his needs and I think he realized that. 

When we went to take him back this evening, one of the nannies who we have grown very fond of was leaving for the day. We had to leave him with one of the nannies who we will just say is less than gentle. The nanny who was leaving walked back in and took him from her and gave him a hug and a kiss before she left. I wish they could all be like that. 

On Tuesday, we will go to the orphanage and finish up paperwork. Then we will have a celebration with his nannies and the kids in his groupa. We have been baking all night to get ready and will probably be doing the same tomorrow. We can't wait! This journey has been so long. We are so close to closing this chapter in our lives and looking forward to starting a new one together as a family of 3. 

Countdown to gotcha day: 2 days!

Saving Quinton

It has been a long day...nothing bad. It was just long. Brian and I decided to take the bus to the city after our afternoon visit and just explore and we didn't get back until late. Our 10 day wait is up and gotcha day is in sight! Yay! Finally! Quinton is doing great and we are so ready to have him here with us. If we are here long enough waiting for paperwork, we have plans to take him to the park. It is an island and you have to walk across a bridge to get there. It is along the river and there is a ferris wheel there and everything. I am very directionally challenged, but Brian is pretty certain that if we take the bus to the center of the city, he can get us there from the bus station. Tomorrow is our last full day of visits with Quinton. Monday we will be paper chasing and Tuesday he is outta there!

I called this post "saving Quinton" for a very good reason. I am not sure just how many people are aware of just how bad the institutions are that the children are sent to when they age out of the baby house. Here the age is 4. Happy Birthday! You turned 4. Congratulations, you have earned a transfer to a mental institution. This is not a joke. It is a reality. There is a video that I borrowed from a recent post on a blog that I follow. It is called Carrington's Courage and was created for a little girl who came home from Quinton's country at 4 years old weighing only 11 pounds and fighting for her life. Please scroll down the page and click on the link.The video is 6 minutes long and not easy to watch, but it will give you an idea of where Quinton was headed if we did not rescue him and where the children in his groupa are headed if nobody adopts them soon. This is why we have to continue to advocate for these children. Their lives are at stake. They deserve a chance to live. They deserve to know what it feels like to be loved. They deserve it. I would strongly encourage you to take a look at the orphans on the Reece's Rainbow website and contact someone about becoming a prayer warrior for one of the kids. It does not cost anything and all you have to do is pray. Pray for them until they find a family. Perhaps you have a church family or small group that would be willing to chose a child or maybe it is something you can do with your kids at night before they go to be. Please, please consider doing this in honor of Quinton and for the ones left behind. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.

We haven't had a chance to upload pictures from today yet so here is a video from the other day. Look how happy he is to get dressed :) I think he knows that when we come and change his clothes, he gets to be out of that playpen for a while and be outside and play. He smiles so big!

Countdown to gotcha day: 3 days!

He Eats!

We were so fortunate today to meet with Rita again and her friend Oksana. They were fabulous as always and helped us tremendously. They were able to translate for us and we found out all kinds of things about Quinton and his routine. They even allowed us to stay and feed him. We asked what he likes to eat and they said he likes everything. What he does not like is drinking. We were a little unsure because we have tried several things with him and he had not been willing to take any of them, but it all makes sense now. He eats pureed food from a bottle. They said that they know he is too old for a bottle, but it is the only way he eats and with so many children, it is the easiest for them as well. The nannies were very open and honest with us. It really takes time for them to get comfortable with adoptive parents. Up until now, they have been the ones providing for his needs. We do not agree with all of their methods, but it is becoming more and more clear that most of them do really care about him.

This is his daily schedule (more so for me when I forget, but if you are interested you can take a look):

6:30 wake up
8:00 breakfast
12:00 lunch
1-3:00 nap
3:00 snack
6:00 dinner
8:30 bed

Meals are interesting as you will see in the video. Today we fed him lunch. It was a milk based soup with carrots and corn, bread, ground beef softened with some kind of liquid-looked like refried beans or something, and mashed potatoes all blended together. This concoction is poured into a bottle with a huge hole cut in the nipple. If it is too thick, a little fruit juice (they call it compote) is added to thin it out.  I asked if Quinton holds the bottle himself and they said no. They do it for him. Ok-I have to be honest. Is he too old to need his bottle held for him? Absolutely, but this new mama is secretly thrilled. In no time, he will be eating on his own, I am sure, but I get to enjoy a few bottle feedings before that happens. I have told people teasingly that he will take a bottle from me and rock with me and he WILL like it because I need that bonding time. I of course was not serious, but I am elated that we will have a few of those moments before he turns full fledged toddler on me :) The nannies told us that they are required to give him 150 grams (I think it was grams?) of food and they give him 200. They said that he has a very healthy appetite and would like to have more. He usually fusses when it is gone. After the bottle we tried spoon feeding them the fruit compote, but they were correct. He wanted NOTHING to do with it. We tried a few more times and then just gave up. They said that they usually go ahead and mix it in with his food to begin with and that it just makes it a little sweeter-Yuck! Just in case you are wondering, it actually tastes pretty good minus the compote. I made a comment about it smelling good and Rita translated. The next think I know, there is a spoon in front of my mouth. It tasted like beef stew. As far as we understand, he can pretty much eat anything we can as long as it is pureed with some type of liquid. How we will get from a bottle to eating with a spoon (or even finger foods), I have no idea-trial and error I suppose. Any suggestions?

After lunch with Quinton, Rita and Oksana (sorry if I spelled your name wrong) took us into the city. They showed us around some historical places and took us to a children's store to buy some baby food that we can just add liquid to on the train and plane ride home. Then we went for pizza. It was very yummy and we had some lovely conversation. We learned a lot and exchanged lots of stories. I told them all about Reece's Rainbow and how we found Quinton. I love these ladies. They have made our trip so nice. I have talked to several other families and they were not given the opportunity to do things like play with the other children and see meal time among other things. Rita made this happen and we are so thankful for her. (Thank you Rita.)
After lunch we went to a shopping mall so I could use the restroom. It cost 2 grivnas (about 25 cents) but it was worth it because I tried to go at the pizza place and I ran into what I am guessing was a squatty potty that I had heard so much about. I was told that I needed to experience at least one, but I passed. It was pretty much a hole in the ground. I came out and Oksana laughed. She must have known. I asked her how you are supposed to use that thing and she could not stop laughing and neither could I. Brian then proceeded to ask Rita "So Rita, Carol wants to know how you pee in that thing." I was totally embarrassed. She said something about holding me up. Ummmmm...I just passed and commented that I wish I hadn't drank so much LOL. At the mall there was a ton of stuff to see and do. Most of the shops were very expensive, but there was lots to do with kids: bowling, ice skating, indoor playground, food court etc. Oksana and Rita showed us how to use public transportation and we rode the bus back to the village. It cost less than a dollar for both of us. I think it is a good thing we did not know how to use the buses before now. I think we would have spent a lot more money. We have saved a ton by cooking at our house here. There were definitely days when I just didn't feel like it, but we didn't have a choice. We might just have to go back out a time or 2 though. They have a baby store with lots of cute clothes :) and I want to pick out a special gift for Nina. We are staying at her house and she has been a magnificent hostess.

We were a little late for our afternoon visit-that's what happens with public transportation, but we still enjoyed a good hour and a half with Quinton. We are planning a small party for his groupa and nannies on Tuesday with chocolates, homemade cookies, banana bread, drinks, and bananas for the kids. I am dreading the day I have to leave all of those sweeties behind, but we will be celebrating Quinton's new life and sharing in a fun day with them-an opportunity that doesn't come their way too often. It will be so bittersweet, but I am hoping to focus mostly on the sweet :)

*Tomorrow it is official. Our 10 day wait period is up and no one can protest the adoption. Gotcha day is 4 days away!

Our Last Thursday at the Orphanage

I want to start off by saying thank you for all of your sweet comments and prayers. We really appreciate them. Please keep them coming.

Sorry to disappoint you all, but the highlight of our day was finding good looking produce at the market. Oh, and the other day we found Heinz 57 ketchup! I made oven roasted potatoes and they were really yummy. Seriously though, we were really tired of canned peaches and pineapple. We bought potatoes, bananas, and oranges.

Our time with Quinton was enjoyable as always, but it is getting harder and harder to keep him entertained with the same toys and in the same place for 4 hours a day. He is such a good baby. He is very content to just sit in our laps and clap hands or shake a rattle, but whenever he is not actively engaged, he resorts back to hitting himself in the face and other self stimulatory behaviors and I just hate that for him. He does that enough when we are not around.

We did get to skype with Brian's family today. We were mid conversation when Quinton decided to projectile spit up everywhere. Is it normal for spit up to smell like cheese? It was so nasty. I thought Brian was going to barf since he took the brunt of this one, but he didn't. He just gagged and moved on LOL. Oh well. The joys of being parents ;)  Fortunately he was wearing shorts and the spit up just got on his leg and not his clothes.

So that's about it for today. Tomorrow should be more interesting. We are going out with Rita again and she is going to help us find out about Quinton's schedule and eating habits and what not. So, hopefully tomorrow we should have some good fellowship, a break from the normal routine, and some helpful information about Quinton.

Here are some pictures from today:

Today was our last Thursday at the orphanage! Our 10 day wait is up on Saturday and gotcha day is in 5 days on Tuesday! The end is in sight!

Bonus:
Here is a video from yesterday.

Somebody found his voice!

One Month Ago...

One month ago today we arrived in Quinton's country with anxious anticipation of meeting our soon to be son. For so long, this picture is all we had:

With only a picture to go on, we fell head over heels in love with this little guy. His captivating eyes stole our hearts and we worked and prayed long and hard to be able to make him our own.

We met Quinton for the first time on June 20, 2011 and it was love at first sight.

We prepared ourselves as best we could that the little boy we had fallen in love with in the picture might need time to love us in return. It was honestly one of my biggest fears. But take a look at his smile. 

After just one day, he was already making this mama's dreams come true. He not only accepted our love, but reciprocated it too. 

How does your love for someone continue to grow just when you think you couldn't possibly love them anymore? You wake up the next day and they smile at you like this:

And they lay their head on you like this:

And they look at you with beautiful eyes that say "I love you too".

\

 They make you fall so in love, you feel like this:

 And they adore you even when you have no clue what you are doing ;)

His smile gets a little sweeter every day and our love for him continues to grow.

To my baby boy: A month ago today we landed in your country. On July 5th, the court declared you ours. This Saturday it will be official and 6 days from today we will take you from that orphanage and march through those big green gates and never look back.

Our blog is titled A Match Made in Heaven and no other title could hold so true. You are ours my sweet, sweet boy-handpicked by God. 

We love you bunches!

To Know a Gentle Touch

Much like the last few days, today was pretty normal. We had two visits with Quinton which went really well. He is so stinkin happy in the mornings. He smiles at everything and squeals with joy when we pick him up. It is heavenly. We treasure these moments. While I feel so incredibly blessed to be able to provide such happy moments to Quinton every day, it absolutely breaks my heart to have to leave his other cellmates  crib buddies behind. They were all outside today in laying in their playpens when we took him back. The nannies were trying to corral them all back inside and fold up all of the blankets and it just did not seem like there were enough hands to go around. So, I asked one of the nannies if I could take Sonia (a beautiful little sweetie that I so desperately wish I could bring home too) inside. She motioned yes and I took it upon myself to continue carrying little ones in until they were all finished.

I was very gentle and soft spoken with them all and talked to them all the way until each one was back inside. These forgotten children smile if you even look their way. They crave attention so badly. They long for someone to hold them and love on them and it breaks my heart when I think about what they must think when we come in everyday and everyday we chose Quinton and not them. They all deserve a family. Oh how my heart breaks. One of the little boys in the group who finds himself in trouble quite often had 2 huge bruises and a busted lip today. I picked him up and rubbed his face and told him that he was a sweet boy and that I loved him. He looked at me sideways and stared at me like he was questioning why I was being gentle and kind. I do not think he knows what it is like to be loved. One of the more severely disabled children was outside today in a diaper and a tank top. I got a look at his little body and it was nothing but skin and bones. I am not exaggerating at all. There was nothing to him. I would almost be too afraid to pick him up and if I did indeed get the opportunity, I would be very careful. He looks as fragile as a porcelain doll. They do not see it that way though. The nannies pick the kids up by one arm and go about their business. They are slung around like you would not believe. Yet I really don't think it is because they are being ugly. I believe it is cultural and it's just the way it is. That is why something needs to change. They need to see these children as gifts and treat them accordingly. I am going off on a tangent. Sorry. It's on my heart and I think that I would like to go back someday when I am feeling sorry for myself and remind myself that my life is full of blessings and to remember to pray for these little ones. I am seeing change-slowly but surely. It seems like the more the nannies see us interact with the other children and the children respond so positively, the nannies grow a little more fond of the children as well. We have to learn to appreciate baby steps. Ok-off my tangent and back to the kids. I thank God for every opportunity I have to spend with them and it helps a little to know that if they do pass away, they would have died knowing what it feels like to be loved on even if it was just for a second or two and that they will be in Jesus' arms and He will heal them and love them unconditionally.

I wish I could post pictures of them, but we are not supposed to take pictures. I am hoping that when Rita comes on Friday, she can ask permission for me. She is also going to help us figure out what kind of a schedule Quinton is on and what he eats and does not eat. Great news Crystal-Rita is going to call the director and find out if Sonja (that's how she spelled it) is available for adoption. She knew exactly who we were talking about and said that she wanted her to have a home too, especially an American family :)

Sorry if the post was a little depressing today...I just post about what I am feeling and this is what was on my heart today.

There is a family who I have known for a while that I mentioned in an earlier post-the Lamphear's. Their little girl lives with a chronic pain disorder that is very (and I mean VERY) rare. She is so brave. God has been wonderful in blessing this family with wonderful doctors to help them along the way, but little Riley is having very bad pain episodes now. They have been compared to labor pains and she is fighting so hard and putting on such a brave face. We have so many people reading this blog and praying for our family as we are on this journey to bring Quinton. If you take the time to pray for us tonight, would you please include the Lamphear's as well? I would love for Riley to live pain free someday. Love you guys!

And now to brighten your day:

Score! He won't take a paci for us when he is awake, so we snuck it in his mouth for a picture while he was asleep :)

*Our 10 day wait period ends on Saturday and Gotcha Day is 1 week from today!

Another Day Down

Today was pretty normal. We went for our morning visit with Quinton and were pleased to find that he was still feeling better and happy to see us. We took a few pictures, but mostly just enjoyed the morning together. We had some pretty sweet moments with him that I wish we had caught on video, but it was just more important for us to put the camera down and concentrate on him.

We are slowly trying new things with him. So far-no luck. He will not take oatmeal, yogurt, a bottle of milk, or a pacifier from us. We did see one of the nannies give him his medicine this afternoon and she basically shoved it down his throat. He was not excited about taking it and I don't blame him by the smell of it, but I am pretty sure I could come up with a way to give it to him that is a bit more gentle. She laid him down (and not very gently either-he smacked his head pretty hard on the playpen floor) and held him down, pried his mouth open and poured the meds down his throat while he choked :( Have you ever tried drinking while you are laying down flat on your back? It's not very pleasant. So, needless to say, we are not sure if he doesn't like to eat because perhaps it is as traumatic as taking his medicine. We have seen them force feed other children several times. Or maybe he will only take food from his nannies because that is what he is used to. Who knows? We are just hoping and praying that when we get him out, he will eat for us.

Tanya came over this afternoon. I made lunch and then we watched Ms. Congeniality. She said that she liked it and asked if we could meet again soon. We are going to meet her on Friday and she is going to teach us how to use public transportation ;) We are going to center city and she is going to show us around and we might do a little bit of shopping.

Quinton wore his Daddy is my hero onesie today. He is so cute in it. I will be sad when he outgrows it and it won't be long. He is transforming before our eyes and growing up way too fast. We love him a little more every day.

This is the baby workout video. I was sure he would get tired of crawling everywhere, but he never did. He kept going and going. We figured we could tire him out and then he would take a nap-not that he needed one (and is actually not supposed to take one) but there is nothing more precious to me than a sleeping baby. Shame on me for trying and it didn't even work. He had too much fun!

Countdown to Gotcha Day: 8 days!