The Christmas Frenzy!

Matthew's Besta (grandma) in Norway got him this really cool hoodie that you can remove the hood, if you need to. Matthew LOVES Mickey!

Rebecca's Besta (grandma) in Norway MADE, let me say, MADE her this dress!!! Roy and I got this silk fabric in China when we got Matthew. It's a perfect fit beings that we didn't tell her any sizes for Rebecca!!!! Thank you so much Mom!!!

Love opening gifts!

Oh my gosh, if Batman were in the house, Matthew would have thought he died and went to Heaven! He LOVES Batman! Anything Batman! Absolutely anything! His Batmobile car was thee biggest hit at Christmas! He literally stopped opening gifts after he got that! (gotta love kids's mentality)

Matthew's 4th Birthday Party!

Matthew's Diego party was a hoot! The kids came hungry and they made their own little pizza's, anyway they wanted to make them! They thought that was so neat, they went to town on them and ate them up! Matthew LOVES, LOVES pizza. We did the pinata thing and the kids had bags to fill and they had fun filling up their bags! Matthew's gifts were a hit with him but he was totally mesmerized with a gift that Miss Toni and Mr. Bill gave to him. It's the tower of cars! I mean, A TOWER!!! Take a look at his face! Pictures are worth a 1000 words!!!!! Enjoy!

In the spirit of the season.

BaBa Crazy

Just Stuff..............Pictures and Happy Thanksgiving

Can you guess whose vests are who's????? Give you a hint.....the more badges, the longer she's stayed in AWANAs!

I couldn't figure out what to call it, so I just said that what I would talk about is STUFF.

Well, Matthew is doing better. For those who don't know, he's been FULL of spots (they look like chicken pox, but its not) for about 2 months now. He itches them until they bleed. We've been to the allergist and his pediatrician. First they said it was nothing. Then it was bug bites (fleas). EXCUSE ME?!?! Where? NOT MY HOUSE! Then they said it was sand fleas. (Matthew did play in sand for a bit) Then they said it was chiggers and then scabies. Maybe a virus. Maybe.....Maybe......yeah. Let's just say by this Monday, if his spots aren't truly gone? We head to the dermatologist. He's taking oral medication now. (Cexphalexon?) The last thing the pediatrician said was they thought it was scabies and after the treatment for it, because he scratched himself silly, he got a bacterial infection. (????) Yeah, ok. we'll see.

Becca Boo? Still her feisty, procrastinating, divafied self. No change there. I do have to say though, I see little changes in her now. She actually stops and thinks about things before asking questions or doing something. It's kinda neat to see. She's bummed out that there is no AWANAs tonight. (me too, *giggling*) Roy, me and Becca had the 24 hourish stomach bug over the weekend and it was BAD! But thank goodness we are okie dokie now!!!! Becca was funny though. She'd say, I'm hungry, daddy would say not yet because your tummy is upset. Rebecca would say, But daddy, my tummy is upset but food will make it better, honest. hehehehe.....*s* (Mommy thinking, oh yeah.......I can't keep food down, and you think you can?!) She was just funny!

Anyway, just wanted to wish you guys who read our blog, and there are apparently A WHOLE LOT OF YOU!!!!!!!!!! Happy Thanksgiving! Remember, take the time to thank God for all that you have. I know I do! ;o)

MATTHEW HAS A BIRTHDAY TODAY!!!!!!!!

Guess who woke up this morning saying, "Is it my birsday?" (he has no TH yet, so it's birsday) YEP! Today our handsome, funky haired boy is 4 years old! HALLELUJAH LORD! To think that this day may not have come if not for his parents, or someone placing him at the marketplace to be found, alive, to be at an orphanage for us to see him.............OH wow..........Lord, perfect timing! That's all I can say. PERFECT TIMING!

Matthew is 4 today and so cute! He flung off his covers today once he knew it was his birthday and proceeded to DANCE all over his room! *look out Ms. Tina, Matthew's loaded today!* (Ms. Tina is his daycare provider! She goes to our church.)

He has cupcakes to take to his daycare for everyone to enjoy! But....his big birthday party is this Saturday! DIEGO PARTY!

Matthew, Happy Birthday big boy! Daddy and Momma love you! ;o)

Momma Kooky

Happy Halloween.... uh belated that is.....

Here are the kiddos in their halloween giddiup....


When Matthew saw the doctor costume he immediately wanted to dress up as his hero.... Dr. Murthy.


Rebecca wanted to be a cheer leader and we were lucky enough to find a costume for her in her size.

Papa Crazy

The 5 Year Old Doctor visit................

Oh boy do we have news on Miss Becca Boo! She went to the pediatrician on Friday for her 5 year old check up and yes, she did get a shot (flu shot), but out of all of that, she GREW! She grew 2 inches (which for her is non too short of a MIRACLE) and has only gained in one year, 1 1/2 pounds! YES! YES! She is 37 inches high. She's trying to catch up to Matthew, I think. Matthew is much taller than Becca. He's going to be tall. No doubt about it. Yao Ming, watch out buddy! ;o) Other than that, Becca is tiddering between a 4T shirt and 3T pants. Although, I just got her some needed clothes at Kohl's and they are size XS girls sizes. (4/5) They fit perfectly.

Both of our kids have a birthday within like 2 monthes of one another. Matthew's is coming up. Becca and Matthew both LOVE, I mean, LOVE soccer! They have their own soccer balls, own shin pads, cones to play..........Becca is my hardcore PLAYA! I'm going to have to enroll them in soccer next year! BUT.............they also like "hi ya" (aka, karate). They have seen other's do taikwando and karate and they are fascinated by that as well. OH YEAH.........Becca wants to be a cheerleader for the local little boys football club here in town! *oh good grief* She loves how they "dress up" (very girlie like with the bobsie hair and ribbons in the hair, etc.) and cheer. She wants her hair to now grow longer! We'll see. We've tried this before. (before she decided to cut off one side of her hair!)

Matthew goes to the pediatrician next month. He'll be getting shots as well. (still playing catch up with him) He's my snicker boy! Always snickering (just like his momma) and always waking up ready to go. Don't get me wrong. He's a daddy's boy, but he loves his momma too!

Awana has started up again and this time Matthew is going. He is trying hard to remember his bible verses. He's doing a good job. He's not exactly where Becca is, she has a memory like I don't know what! (sometimes for the good, sometimes for the bad) Matthew likes learning about God. He comes home all excited and tells me what he did and what they went through in his Cubbie book, what songs they did, then sings those songs for me.............it's the best feeling in the world when he does things like that. He really loves to learn. He's doing so well with his speech therapist! He really buckles down to learn how to say words. He's working on his S's, N's and F's right now. (mega hard one's for him)

Other than that, Mom and Dad are hanging out, doing our thing. Went to the Redskin game this past Sunday and watched them lose. *good grief* Momma's hoping Daddy can get RAVENS tickets soon. :o)

Momma Kooky

What a blowout! Sugar filled kids running to and fro!

Yep, objective fulfilled. Kids came, kids played MEGA Disney BINGO (everyone won a prize), we ate hotdogs and macaroni/cheese, which the birthday girl requested..... and then? PINATA TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! oh yeah. The kids had their brown paper bags, they were set in their places..........they each pulled a drawstring with such anticipation. THEN? They started a pullin! THEN? They all took turns again. THEN? They did it a third time. AND THEN? A beautiful young lady by the name of Carolyn opened the magic trap door which allowed every bit of the "LOOT" to fall to the ground. You talk about little people who looked like crabs! OH YEAH! Just grabbing all they could so they could have fun. Starbursts, raisins, lifesaver gummi's.............you name it, they got it! And as if that weren't enough. CAKE. Do you know that the kids were the first to really sing to Rebecca. She was in her glory! Yep, 5 candles on that cake. 5! It was a Tinkerbell cake and it was totally demolished in no time flat!!!

I have to say, I saw Matthew, for the first time, TOTALLY indudlged with candy in his mouth. About an hour later, he was here, he was there, he was over there, under there, chasing the cats, chasing the dog, chasing the birthday girl, you name it! OH MY GOSH was he full of sugar. Let's just say, momma took his candy, but he managed to get some more from someone else. (oh boy) It was funny. Matthew and the other little boy, Alex, stuck together. And the girls stuck together. It was funny! Everybody had fun. Even the adults. We just hung out while the kids ran around, ate, or just played in Matthew and Rebecca's rooms. All in all, it was good. Momma was tired, Daddy was tired. Yep, we're getting a tad old for this! ;o)

Yeah, life is good for a 5 year old! She's already asking for a Hannah Montana party next! (oh Lord, save me)

Momma Kooky

Enjoy some photos..............

I have a 5 year old this week! Just shoot me!

Her name is Rebecca. Oh yeah! She's 5 years old going on 25!!! *just ask her daddy* She's the fashion consultant of the family, the one with the most knowledge available to her, the inspector of food, a culinary wonder, keeper of "how to make a monster of your little brother", just an all around, do yourselfer in SOOOOO many ways! Yep, 5 years old people. Look out!

Mom and Dad are doing well about this birthday thing. We're holding up. It's amazing how the "independence" switch gets turned on one day and it STAYS on, what seems like, FOREVER! Matthew? He wants mom and dad's help. He doesn't mind having help. (We also help him ALOT with his speech and how to say certain words.) Becca? DON'T EVEN TRY TO DO THAT OR YOU WILL HEAR A MOUTHFUL OF "I will do it.", "I can do it", "You don't have to help me"...............*major sigh*

Go figure! I guess it comes with the territory! It also comes with our daughter and where she is from! Most Jiangxi girls I know are VERY, VERY stubborn! VERY independent! VERY as a matter of fact!

So here we go............A Tinkerbell party! YEE HAW! Should be neat. OH yeah....Matthew has decided he wants a CARS birthday party! He'll be 4 years old in November! Gosh our kids are growing up!!!!! SIZE 8 shoes already! 4T clothes! (unfortunately for Matthew, they are long enough, but WON'T STAY ON HIS VERY SKINNY BODY! Poor boy! Gotta find them there suspenders! *rofl*) Old Navy adjustable jeans are good!

Ok, enough for now...........pictures of the birthday girl will come! Don't worry!

Momma Kooky

URGENT - Prayer Request............please.

There is a family over in China right now, who needs prayer immediately! They have just met their daughter for the very first time and she is in the hospital with a pulse ox of only 60% to 90%!!!! They will not allow the family to take her from the hospital right now......for obvious reasons. The Orphanage director is working with the family to EXPEDITE all the necessary paperwork to get that little girl HOME NOW! The doctor in the hospital isn't cooperating with the family. It's heartbreaking!!!

ANYONE who has adopted from China KNOWS once you get your child home, things are much better! Please, please pray!!!!

The mom asks that we pray to EXPEDITE everything for their daughter. (ie, the visa, the photos of the family, all paperwork) and for the health of An Yanwen *her daughter* and for her pulse ox to stay up so they can fly her here to the states!!

Their adoption agency isn't exactly helpful, which is a huge shame! *mumbling under my breath because I know who it is*

PLEASE, PLEASE say a prayer for this little girl and her family! God CAN and WILL move mountains for HIS sake! AMEN!

Momma Kooky

Hanna's gone.........Gearing up for Rebecca's Birthday Party.

We got alot of rain, heavy rain and alot of wind and that was it. Nothing more. Thank you Lord. No flooding here at the house or our immediate road. To that we say, ya hoo!

Now, on to more important things. Rebecca's birthday party is coming up. I should be Crazy momma at the moment. I have a few things already. Got the pinata. That is a MUST! Her theme this year is TINKERBELL. That's what she wanted. Do you know how hard it is to find certain Tinkerbell things?!! There isn't alot of stuff. I've been looking in alot of places. We have invited alot of adults and alot of kids. It will be pure chaos, I'm sure, but hey, it's only for 2 or 3 hours. I'm good at wrangling the kids in for games and Mickey Mouse Bingo. Besides, the kids actually win gifts too. They love that. Mind you, it's nothing extravagant.........but hey, the kids love them! ;o)

I've got to order the cake this weekend. I can't believe the "holidays" are upon us! It's unreal. Matthew has already told me that he wants a CARS themed party. Should be interesting.

Matthew and Rebecca started a new daycare today. A lady from our church who runs a Christian daycare. They did really well. Kinda surprised me, yes, I do have to say that, but other than that, I was pleased. They did shapes, colors, and practiced the alphabet (writing). Matthew is right handed. Rebecca is left handed. OH YEAH....speaking of Rebecca. She wants to play soccer. We bought her shields, an age appropriated ball, cones, etc. She's cute. She's solid though. If you get in her way, I'm sure she'd plow you over. We'll see.

Ok, someone needs to say this............Do you know there is only LESS than 4 months left until CHRISTMAS!!!!!!?????? OH BOY! Bring on the snow.

Momma Kooky

Hanna's coming!

Ok, here at home we are battening down everything we own. Tropical Storm/Hurricane Hanna is coming. They tell us there will be over 60 mph winds, over 4 inches of rain in a very short period of time and lots and lots of power outages.

Crazy Daddy is leaving work early to make sure things are good at home and I am leaving work early and will be home to make sure we have batteries, flashlights, candles, etc. Should be interesting to let the dog outside in all that mess. Poor thing. Charlie, our 100 pound puppy dog, doesn't like the rain either! Ha!

Keep the eastern seaboard in your prayers please..........might be a tough night for us. I hope not. No trees to fall, nothing hitting the house, like Hurricane Isabel did 5 year ago, to us.

Momma Kooky

WOW, is the presidential race heatin' up or WHAT?!

I saw the first woman who took the vice president nomination last night and was like, OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!! She is full of spitfire, full of what I stand for, full of being what I am, A PTA mom, a HOCKEY mom, a mom who is NORMAL, a woman who is NORMAL, a woman who........came out fighting in a VERY, VERY, VERY filled "good ole boy's" world. I say we need some freshness in Washington...........I was in awe of her speech last night. As far as some women who I was talking with in the past couple of days, apparently they are "mad" that Sarah Palin came onboard with McCain because Hilary lost. SO WHAT!?!?!?! Get over it. That's exactly what I told them. She's history! Yes she had alot of delegates, but she lost. If you think about it, you know why she lost. But to me, God forbid, if something ever happened to the presidential elected, you have Biden and Palin. HE- LLO!!!!!!!!!!! Biden has been in Washington for HOW LONG?! DOING WHAT?????? And still done WHAT???????? Puhleeze! Nothing will be new with him. NOTHING. But..........bring in Palin and you have newness, a freshness that Washington hasn't had before. WHICH IS A GOOD THING! I'm personally tired of the same ole, same ole. I'm just praying............Praying can do ALOT! This country needs true, abiding, FAITHFUL, INTEGRITY FILLED, NON-LYING, NON-CHEATING, men and women who are willing to stand up for what is right. (Even when you are going against the majority!) MK

P.S. Thank you Shirley for the Awesome Woman video.

Well, it's Thursday, do you know what's for dinner? (Just a mom ranting a tad)

Heck, I barely know what I'm doing in the next five minutes much less what the family will have for dinner. LOL.....Life is definitely hectic with 2 toddlers. Well, I guess you can't say Rebecca is a toddler anymore, can you? She is just under 1 month to be 5 years old! FIVE people. Going on 25! Easy! I tell you, I thank God for hair coloring because she will be the reason my whole hair coloring would be grey if I didn't color it. Let me tell you what she did just yesterday, shall I?

She was playing at daycare. Decided to climb a tree. Apparently a larger tree. She got so far off the ground, high enough, that she slid down out of the tree. She ended up getting a piece of bark stuck in her fleshy part of her palm of her hand. (left one) She's left handed. Of course, that's the hand she got. Where's daycare personnel you might be saying? *mom wanted to know that too* Funny, nothing was said about where they were. That's why they are MOVING to another daycare end of next week. Anyway, they cleaned up her hand. End of story, right? Um, wrong. She wakes up today and it's big, red, yucky looking, and it hurts. Go figure.

Moral of the story? KIDS! Grey hair. I'm convinced they go hand-in-hand!!! (I'll prove it to you if you'd like.) Matthew? Where is he in all this? Just watching. ROFL Watching his sister do things she ought not to, but does them anyway. Gotta love my Matthew. He's the thinker! He sees Rebecca get in trouble and he knows, instinctively, not to do what she just did. You'd think that would sink into Becca's world. *it hasn't yet*

Interesting, I tell you. Never a dull moment. NEVER. Sometimes you just need those "Calgon, take me away" kind of days, huh?! I'd love one of those about now. OH, and if you haven't heard..........Rebecca would GLADLY take 5 to 10 minutes to tell you about her PARTY she is having. (in about a month) The big 5! Oh boy!! A house full of kids! Oh boy! Oh brother.............*s*

Am I sarcastic today? OH YEAH. Do I have a good reason to be? Yeah, maybe a little. Oh well......and how's YOUR day been today?!?! LOL

Momma Kooky

God is working! He's still working! God is working even now!

I love that song! After yesterday? I KNOW without a shadow of a doubt that God's working a miracle in my Matthew! It's sooooooooooooo cool to see! Woo, it should give you the shivers as it does me!

Yesterday we went to Children's for Matthew's follow-up on his hearing. He had failed two hearing tests and was preliminarily losing his hearing in his left ear. WELL GUESS WHAT!?!?!??!?! Not only did he fail a THIRD hearing test, which in this case is OK for now. His hearing is STABLE. No more hearing loss. In fact? His left ear is now hearing lower frequencies! AND........his right ear is (or has been) compensating for the loss in the left ear and is highly more sensitive to sounds because he did WONDERFUL with his right ear. The left ear is still not quite there, but it's improved!

The doctor said she truly believes that the tubes are helping him. Slowly, but surely. The only bad part about yesterday is that she had to clean Matthew's right ear to even see the green tube that was still there since February! hehehe...*s* OH MY DID HE NOT LIKE THAT ONE! We are not talking just a q-tip either. More like long little scissor looking things that cut away wax and removes it. Daddy had to hold him down and a nurse hold his head completely still while they did that. HE DID NOT LIKE THAT ONE BIT! He did ok though. Just tears and crying. No screaming, at least not like his sister has done on MANY, MANY, MANY occasions for shots and things. *shaking head*

So, is this a miracle? YOU BETCHA! Is God restoring his hearing? I do believe so, yes. Are his ears not developed like they should be? No, they aren't. BUT, as long as all the mechanisms are working to hearing, you should be able to hear. Are mom and dad happy campers?! OH YES!

One kinda on the down side of things is Matthew's pronounciation of words has taken a hit. He's starting to studder and get "stuck" on words. His rate of growth in saying harder words has definitely slowed down. We were told that this is most likely normal, but to keep an eye on it. We will definitely be telling his speech therapist about this! He will start speech therapy in September or the end of August, not sure which. We are waiting to hear from them as the school year commences once again.

SO YAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH for Matthew!!!! Woo Hoo..................

Momma Kooky

Sometimes life hands you lemons, again..........

Well, it was December 2005 when I was found out to have Type II diabetes. I was taking just oral meds. They were working pretty well until this morning. I woke up and my left eye was blurry, my head was splitting and three fingers on my right hand were numb. I knew something was up! I went to work. What could I do? I felt ok for the most part. I got to work. Had taken my sugar levels 3 times before I got to work. 204, 208, 253...........after that last number? I knew I was in trouble.

I went to the nurse at our work and asked if they had any Ketostix (to measure if my body was turning against me......in other words, when your sugar is so high that your body starts to eat your fat cells and muscle cells). Well, guess what? Yep, I had traces of ketones. *Lucky me* not!

Off to the doctor I went. End result? I now take Byetta, along with my oral meds. Will make life interesting, that's for sure. Byetta is like insulin, but not quite insulin. If you want to know more, www.byetta.com.

I'm ok. Just needed some more help. So, wherever I go, wherever I eat, yeah, you'll see me pull out my pen and stick myself. I'm already over that fact, hopefully everyone around me will be too. :o)

It's really crappy to be a diabetic, but at least I'm alive and there are treatments for me!!! I say AMEN to that. Thank you Lord!!!!!

Momma Kooky

Another addition to the "Aren't we cute?" category

I'm not kidding. Just look at these two.


Daddy Crazy

Update on Matthew's CAT scan results............

Well, Dr. Pena called me at work yesterday and left 2 messages saying that "she needed to speak with Mrs. Iversen please". Now mind you, she didn't say immediately, or ASAP, or it's a matter of life and death or anything like that, but trust me when I say, when you get not one, but TWO messages like that? Within an hour of one another.........um, yeah, something deep down within your MOMMA's HEART should tell you that you need to call the doctor back NOW! *which I did*

And don't you know it? She went to lunch! Ha! Like she should eat! *smiling* (yes she should.)

Anyway.........she called me back after 1:30pm and we talked about Matthew's results of his CAT scans.........they were ok, but not good. Meaning.....does he have abnormalities in the development of his ears from being a cleft child? YES! Is it bad? Not really, but enough to discourage the doctor from ruling it out as being a possible culprit into why he is losing his hearing.

His tubes are fine. Nothing wrong there. No scarring. No extra skin, nothing like that........so that was a relief on her part as some tubes can do that to children and it can be a MAJOR setback to them hearing properly.

Now, to the good stuff. Most of his ears are developed enough for him to hear. Not like you and me mind you (if you have perfect hearing), but good enough. The nerves that Dr. Pena could see, one didn't look right. She didn't know why.....just that it didn't look right. Everything is suspect to Matthew's hearing loss so she is writing down anything and everything it COULD be.

Here's the BIG thing........We are still holding to our August 7th, 9:15am doctor appt. at Children's for Dr. Pena to see Matthew again. She wants to give him ONE last hearing test and look into his ears. IF, and I say, IF, he fails this hearing test (as he has the past 2), she will aggressively start reacting to EVERYTHING that was found in the CAT scans. Meaning, more testing. There is some test they can do that will literally show every nerve within your head and how it works and what it's doing. It's some long name, but he'll have that. *God knows it sounds expensive* OH, and he will be fitted with hearing aids.

His speech has improved TREMENDOUSLY, but Daddy still has to yell at him to get him to hear him. (I don't.....Momma Kooky) I'm actually afraid he won't hear alarms, or cars coming, or people who have lower voices to say excuse me.........or worse, he may lose his hearing totally.

Trust me, I'm praying. Just trying to tell Crazy Daddy about what the doctor said, I just broke down in tears. Matthew's been through SOOOO MUCH already! And now more? God knows I had hearing problems when I was little. I'd go through all that again just so Matthew could hear the very best he can!

PRAY, please PRAY that his hearing will be BETTER this next test! I'm holding out for a total miracle with Matthew. I love my boy. I love him so much. Ok, I need to go. Getting sappy again.

Momma Kooky

Oooooooooooo, we have something to celebrate!

Rebecca has been dry at night for 3 nights now! MOMMA is MEGA happy! So is Daddy! She is trying........I'll give her that. But boy, her Jiangxi attitude needs a little adjusting. She's 4 going on 5, physically, but mentally? Geez, she's 4 going on 24! She's smart, she's pretty, she's full of rhetoric! She knows how to fix things, she KNOWS how to boss her little brother around. Oy! I wasn't even that bad with one older brother and one older sister! (and vice versa)

We will post pixs soon, but both of the kids have bicycles now. Helmets and all. They are funny! Summer is half over already. Come September, Rebecca will be in the advanced Pre-K class. March 2009, we will enroll her in school! *gulp* (Oh Lord, please prepare her teachers! They are going to need it. Amen.) LOL

We still don't know the results of Matthew's CAT scans yet. We are trying to get the doctor to see us before August. (the first available appointment) We are holding fast that he's ok. Or that whatever needs to be revealed, will be!

Other than that, Daddy is doing well. Mommy is doing well. Loving all the thunderstorms we've had as part of our daily routine.

OH..............our new furniture will be delivered Thursday! A HUGE U shaped sectional sofa w/chaise in it. (color is deep sage) It's going in the basement! I can't wait. I can't wait. Our FIRST piece of new furniture! Woo hoo!

Ok, other than that.........doing well. How about you?!?

Updates amongst other things............

Well, we went to Children's Hospital on Tuesday and had Matthew's tests done. NO SEDATION! Did you hear me? NO SEDATION! The lady was quite impressed with Matthew and how well he listened and what not. So.....they tried him in the machine to see if he would keep still. They packed his head tightly with gauze and pads, wound him in a cocoon type of lead lining (because they only needed his head for pixs) and started doing the tests. Matthew did GREAT for the first test. NO PROBLEMS! He laid on his stomach for that one. Then? He had to shift onto his back.

He was good for quite a while. But....maybe the last 10 minutes of the second test, he could see the machine turning and shifting and see the "fastness" of the spinning part of it and he started to cry and get scared. Hey, it was 30 minutes by then! HE DID GREAT! He's only 3!!! I was worried they didn't get what they needed on the second test, but they did. They called in a radiologist to make sure the pictures were good and we waited in the waiting room. About 5 minutes later, the technician came out and said everything was ok. OH YEAH............Matthew got a new blanket and beanie baby before we left! The technician gave it to him for being so good. It's a handmade blanket, full of Nemo type of turtles on it and a beanie baby crab. He was really surprised (as was mom and dad).

Other than that......Rebecca has moved up into the last year of preschool. She's showing signs of "boredom", which isn't really good in my eyes. She's smart. TOO smart! I can't tell you how many people tell me she speaks very well and eloquent for a 4 year old. She does. Now mind you, she lacks in some other areas, like listening skills, but it's getting better. I cannot believe that next March we will have to sign her up for kindergarten!!! Matthew has moved into the 1st year preschool class at their daycare. They do so many projects, so many outings, so many christian oriented things. I like that. Rebecca has been prayer leader so many times. She gets mad at herself if she doesn't listen and they take that away from her (it's a priviledge thing.....). OH does she sulk!!

I have to admit....we got her yearbook from daycare and she is THEE shortest person in her class. Matthew is taller than her. She knows she's short. But the cognitive realization of it isn't there just yet. I'm kinda glad though. We'll tackle that when it happens.

Both kids have bikes now. Both can ride. I need to post pictures now. I know. They will come.

Crazy daddy and Momma Kooky are ready for another vacation! Need money, will travel! :o)

Well, that's enough for now. Keep us in your prayers. Especially Matthew. We will know his results of his CAT scans (done in 3D) soon. We'll let you know soon.

Momma Kooky

Update on Matthew

Well, we got the call from Children's Hospital. Matthew goes in for his CAT scans on Tuesday morning EARLY! (As Crazy Daddy says, "before the birds are farting".) :o)

He will be put under anethesia. The whole procedure will take between 15 to 30 minutes, but they will keep him until he wakes up and his vitals are normal to go home (appx. 2 to 3 hours later).

We've explained to Matthew what will happen and he thinks he's going to see Dr. Murthy, so I hope he is down there in the sedation area for surgeries. *fingers crossed* Matthew truly likes Dr. Murthy. They are best buds to Matthew.

Other than that, we wait. We have to wait about 7 to 10 days after the CAT scans are done and we have to see Dr. Pena in the Upper Marlboro office to go over all his scans. The good, the bad and the ugly, if there are any! We are praying that Matthew is just a ok! We know his eustationary (sp?) tubes are messed up, especially on the cleft affected side, but other than that, we have no clue!!!

I'm writing to you as one massive thunderstorm just went by, hail and all, and now, it looks like another one is on it's way! (hail was as big as marbles) Boy did that hail sound wicked on the house! And the lightning?! Good grief. Still have power though! YEAH SMECO! Awesome! YEAH DISHNETWORK! You go guys!

Please pray with us for Matthew's scans to be ok.....pray that whatever is causing his hearing loss, we can get it fixed! Somehow.....someway! AMEN!

Momma Kooky

HOT! HOT!! HOT!!!!!!!!!

It's dang HOT over here in our neck of the woods!! Too hot to even blog! It is 95 degrees and it FEELS LIKE 105! Did you read that right?! YES YOU DID! 105 degrees! ENOUGH ALREADY! *just venting*

Momma Kooky

Update............. Children's Hospital

Well, today, Matthew had his 6 month check-up at Children's Hospital. We prayed that there would be NO MORE SURGERY anytime soon. So far, so good. Except for one disappointing thing (at least to mom). We were told by audiology that Matthew is losing more of his lower/mid frequencies in his left ear. (Both actually, but more so in his left ear.) Audiology informed ENT and then we went from audiology to ENT. Well, Matthew has to have an intricate CAT scan done to figure out if his ears are ok. (Definition = Meaning, his ears/ear canals are not deformed in any way or anything is "wrong" in there.)

When will the CAT scan be done? Have no clue! They will get back with us because Matthew has to be "put under" in order to get what they need. Can you imagine a 3 year old holding still for up to 30 minutes???? Matthew is good, but not THAT good. He did really well today at Children's. ALOT of waiting, they were sooooooooooooo backed up!!! I've never seen so many children waiting who were CL/CP, burns, disfigured, etc. God knows my heart went out to every single one of them.

Dental checkup was good. Matthew has one less tooth.......DUH! It was taken out last surgery, February 1st. Other than that? That went well.

You know about audiology already. Speech went well. They are impressed that Matthew is in speech already and is learning so well and so fast!!!

ENT, you know about that too. OH yeah, they pulled 2 wads of "gunk" (wax) from Matthew's ears and the tool that they used Matthew bearly felt anything whatsoever! It was great. No screaming! No fighting! Everyone in ENT was surprised at Matthew. They love him! Everyone said how "cute" he is! (OF COURSE!);o)

After that? The plastic/reconstructive surgery. We saw Dr. Byojian? (spelling). Matthew was SO VERY, VERY, VERY disappointed. He asked the doctor where Dr. Murthy was! Where's Murty? Momma? Where's Murty!? hehehehehhee....*s* Dr. Ananth Murthy and Matthew have such a good relationship! Matthew loves him!!!!! He looks for him every single time we go to Children's!!! (Mom and Dad like him too.):o)

Then came Genetics............nice lady. Asked us as many questions as we couldn't answer! LOL (because we don't know alot about Matthew's background/family once he was born) We were told that he has a 3 to 5 percent chance of giving his children a cleft palate/cleft lip. Not bad, but still.........it was nice to know about that.

Psychology saw us. Weird little man. Asked weird questions. Then found out that Crazy Daddy snores and that was the end of poor Matthew!!!! Can you say, HUH?!?!?! What in the world?!?! Anyway, I was glad to be over with him! Just weird.

After all that............all my mommy brain could comprehend was that Matthew was losing his hearing! Yes, we don't know if it's permanant. Yes, we don't know if it's conductive. Yes, we don't know if it's a thing he was "born" with, or just happening. We don't know if he will need a hearing aid. We don't know if a hearing aid will work. We don't know if he'll need surgery. We have no idea! That's the scary part at the moment.

He hears me, Momma Kooky, just fine. Crazy Daddy? Not so fine. Daddy has a lower voice than Mom. So, what does this mean? We wait. Wait for the scan. See what we are dealing with and proceed from there.

God knows, please, please pray for Matthew! I just don't want him to lose his hearing! He's had 3 audiology tests performed on him and all of them are worse and worse. *not good* His right ear is ok. It's his left that is the problem.

Until we know, all I can say is stay tuned and please keep him in your prayers. Please.

Momma Kooky

Ahhhh Vacation.

On an impulse we decided to get ourselves out of town for Memorialday weekend. The destination chosen was Williamsburg, Virginia, where the amusement park "Bush Gardens, Europe" is. The kids loved the rides and the words from them the whole time was "I want to do it again." Here are a few pictures of them having fun.

We love the horsies.

If you don't know it, Ladybugs are concidered lucky in China, so of course the kids had to do the Ladybug ride.

When the children was just a tad to short for a ride, momma kooky or daddy crazy had to join in on the fun.

Isn't this every parents dream from time to time??

PLEASE PRAY for the people of SICHUAN, CHINA!

Our Matthew is from Sichuan, China. We picked him up in Chengdu, China last March 2007. The city was so beautiful, so serene, and the people there loved seeing a "double stroller" filled with two Chinese kids, with 2 Americans.

Please pray for the people of Sichuan and Chengdu, Chongqing, Wenchuan and Duijangyan. They were all affected by this monsterous Earthquake! We have been trying to gather any piece of news about Chengdu and Matthew's orphanage. We have heard this from Half-The-Sky........(the program which helps some of the orphanages in China) Yibin SWI and Chengdu SWI are OK! They suffered minor damage, but NOTHING like building collapses and such. THE CHILDREN ARE OK!!!!!!! I know personally, in the Yibin SWI, there are disabled children in there. THEY ARE OK! Thank GOD!!!

But there are many others, schools, hospitals........who did not fair so well. Please pray for them! Just take a moment, right now and pray for them! Please!!!

Momma Kooky

Another class, another dollar..........

You say? What in the world is she talking about? My Calculus class. I will admit in front of everyone that I did not pass my class! That's right, for the first time since entering the public school system way back in *covering mouth and saying 1974* I failed a class. Calculus of all things. Big deal? Yeah, it's a big deal, but I've totally released myself from this class and the heartache/headache its caused me since January. I'm taking a break from school for a bit. I need it.

Crazy is still in school. Just a few weeks left. I hope he passes his classes. We are focusing more on him anyway. Getting his Engineering degree for better paying jobs!!! :o) He's doing well, so he keeps saying to me. He's been putting up with me and my "antics" of being mad, sad, totally hysterical because I couldn't get a problem done right to save my life!!! You know the drill........ain't it great to be of the female population?!

The kids? Rebecca is being her normal self. Diva, looking for a reason to have just any "tude" for any reason. You'd think she was in puberty already! *did I say that?* hehehehee.....*s* Na, she's ok, but testing the limits and boundaries of mom, dad and little brother EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!!!!!!!!

Matthew? He's the one I am worrying about just a tad. He's had 2 asthma attacks in a very short time and isn't recouping from them like he normally does. He has an appointment with an allergist today at 2:30pm. He's getting the full scratch tests done and a few more things.........he won't be happy, I'm sure, but it just has to be done. Since last week, he's been wheezing just about everyday, coughing, runny nose, red puffy eyes.........it's just got to be allergies! I hope it's just that easy, you know? If this is triggering his asthma, this will be easy to deal with. If not, I have no clue! We've had to get more of his nebulizer meds because he's going through them so much. His pediatrician is monitoring him via us calling her but come this afternoon, she wants to know every result of his allergy test. ASAP!

Say a prayer for Matthew. Please. He's struggling. Seeing your baby struggling to breathe is NOT, and I mean, NOT a nice thing to see! His wheezing is kinda heavy too. We should know more today! Lord willing!!

Other than that........new job is going GREAT! I love it! Still do after 2 months!

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, the big, BIG news! We are going on vacation! YES! First one in a MAJOR long time! We are going to WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA! I can't wait! I can't wait! Did I say I can't wait?!?! So psyched about it.

Besides praying for our Matthew's health/asthma. Please pray our paychecks go up! We are finding it harder and harder to pay for gas these days. I'm sure you are too, but man, somethings just got to give! And soon.........A raise would be wonderful!

Kooky

Alright already! HERE YA GO!

When do kids STOP getting sick?!?!

I keep asking myself this question, over and over again. I tell you, you get one well, the other one goes down. I, I, I!!!!! It's my Becca Boo. I was ready, had my hand on the doorknob to go to work at 5:15am this morning when Rebecca stops me, and says, Momma, I don't feel good. As soon as I say, What's wrong? The ole, turn a shade of WHITE (because Becca is a tan color, being of Asian descent), and begins to do the "UH OH MOMMY". I just dropped everything, purse, lunch, Calc books.....and we dash to the bathroom! Ah, made it. Thank God. Now, mind you, she did that about 50 more times and made it, well, just about all the time. *yes cleaning commenced*

What Becca had about 2 weeks ago, she had again. The calling of dinosaurs (upchucking), not holding down food or fluids, turning shades of white/off white, barely sleeping, coughing like crazy............but there was one more kicker this time around. FEVER 101.5. Nice! *not*

Needless to say, I called into work (first time since getting my great new job) and felt like a heel!!!! I was hoping to NOT take off until our vacation!! Oh well, when you have kids? You need to not plan so far ahead. As soon as I got off the phone with my coworker, there went Becca again! This time screaming bloody murder!!! Her throat is raw by now, and with upchucking?! Truly, it's one of those times where you wish you could take on that pain so they are ok. Been there, done that with that when I was a kid/adult. But not her.

Anyway, got into the doctor and wasn't ready for everything they came back with!! Ear infection (they cleaned out her IMPACTED right ear which was full of dark green and black wax. I almost went nuts when they pulled that out!!!), bronchitis from asthma unspecified related and pharynxitis? *spelling might be off*. The worst they said was her ear infection. She screamed when they pulled that mess out. Once it was out, she looked at it and said, "That came from me?". I said yes. She said, EWW mommy. I said, aren't you glad she took that out?! *of course the typical toddler answer* NO. *oy*

Got the meds, she's now holding down food. She's lost 2 pounds in 2 weeks. Pediatrician wasn't too happy about that, because it's too much too quick, but her upchucking and not eating has alot to do with it. She ate well this evening. Very well. Just cut her portion back a bit because of her stomach being so sensitive right now.

Daddy gets to stay home with her tomorrow. Mommy needs to be saved from the steam cleaner and the throwup patrol! hehehe...*s* I know, not funny, but trust me, after you've been thrown up on, pooped on, peed on, thrown food at, HECK, what's a little more?! You know?! That's part of being a MOM! I'll take it anyday!!!! ANYDAY!!!!

I'm no part time mom, that's for sure!!!!

Other than that, pray for my Becca.......pray that Matthew doesn't get it! Or mom and dad!! Just need everyone healthy.......

OH I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE SUMMER! I want to do a "mini vacation" for us! We've NEVER had a vacation with just the four of us! It's time! Especially before the kids get into school!!

Momma Kooky *off upchuck patrol*

It's my birthday! Mommy's birthday!

It's early in the morning and I've now turned 29 for the 10th time. hehehe...*s* Do I feel different? no. Older? no. Not really. Still covering the grey hair! LOL


We went for my birthday dinner last night and we went to the Sakura Japanese Steakhouse near our house. It was great. We had a chef that was just so funny and LOVED all the kids at our table! Teasing them, throwing food at them and it bouncing off their heads. (Rebecca just about fell outta her chair laughing so hard!!) Matthew caught his food. No wasting there! :o)

The chef was also VERY impressed (as he was Asian) that our kids KNEW some Chinese. They were able to talk to him. He wanted to know all about them. What part of China they came from, how long have they been here, he was VERY, VERY interested in Matthew. Being a boy, from China and looking perfect, he couldn't understand how we adopted him. *Dr. Murthy? Your work is WONDERFUL!* With Matthew's second surgery, in February, his mouth and nose are perfect! He can breathe so much better now that his nose is FULLY opened. He doesn't snore so bad when he sleeps and mucus doesn't get "stuck" and "dried" in there. (trying not to be gross here)

Once we told the chef about Matthew, he understood. He said Matthew looked great now. He said what ALOT of Asian people say to us. LUCKY BABIES. OH, I wish I had a nickel for everytime someone has said that to us!!! We'd be RICH! It's not us being lucky to have our kids. We are BLESSED to have our kids. God's been VERY good to us. I am so richly blessed. I love my children. In the bad, in the good, in the not-so bad or good........LOL, you name it.

Anyway, the chef ended up throwing a ketchup bottle at Rebecca, but it was a GAG bottle. It just had a string in it. SCARED her silly. Instead of crying though, she looked at me and I said, "Rebecca, he's playing with you." She started BUSTING out laughing!!!!! Everyone at the table started laughing because she has a CHIPMUNK laugh like her MOMMA! *blushing*

Yep, learned it from me.

We'll see what today holds for Mom today!

*Stevie Wonder's song, Happy Birthday to ya*

Momma Kooky

A whole lotta what????????

Yeah, this posting is full of all kinds of things. First and foremost, someone's BIRTHDAY is coming this Saturday!!!! (April 5th) I'll be 29 for the 10th time! YEAH! I can't wait. The hubby is taking me to my MOST excellent place to eat, The Japanese Steakhouse. (on Friday night) On Saturday, Daddy is going to barbeque! Whew shucks! Look out people, get the fire extinguishers READY! hehehe....*s*

Matthew is doing well. He's been potty training really hard. He's been in "undies" all weekend long with NO, get this, NO, I mean, NO accidents! Thing is, our daycare will NOT help us potty train him until he can say he has to go potty. THING IS, HE CANNOT SAY THE WORD MUCH LESS SAY ANYTHING REMOTELY CLOSE!!! Oooooo, don't get me started! Can you say, DUH!?!?! They have no clue! Honestly. But we are still doing well at home.

Rebecca? Oh, she's doing well. In timeout alot lately. Why you ask?! Because of her MOUTH! 4 going on 14, I say! Geez, just wait until 14 actually gets here. OH LORD!

Well, I'm almost out of school. Just 4 or 5 weeks left. Can't come soon enough, TRUST ME! I've had it! I'm sick of Math. I'm sick of derivatives! I'm sick of functions! WHO CARES! Who really uses this stuff. Oh........trust me, I'm tired of it. If I go back in the fall, it will be a miracle! Right now? I want to do stuff at church. I want to sing. I want to do things with my kids. I wanna do the MOM thing at the playground. I wanna start walking with the dog so we both can lose weight. Stuff I just can't do because I have homework, or classwork, or quizzes, or tests, or reading, or WHATEVER.................I need a break and a break is what I'm going to get.

My new job?! Is going GREAT! I love it! I can't express that enough. I work with a bunch of wonderful ladies who treat me so nice. I like what I do. Life is good where I am now. Much better than where I was!! Thank you Lord!

Daddy is almost finished with his classes as well. Philosophy and a math class. He likes the Phil class. Not so sure about the math class. He's doing well in them though.

Well, just a quick update. It's been awhile. St. Paddy's day came and went, Easter came and went........too quick if you ask me. And this Thursday, I sing with our women's ensemble at the Carenet Pregnancy Banquet. Can't wait!!! Should see lots of faces I know there.

Until we meet again and I'm another year older.......I mean, younger looking. Ahem, later.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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ONE YEAR! ONE YEAR! ONE YEAR!

Matthew has been with us, ONE WHOLE YEAR! HALLELUJAH! What a wonderful year it has been too. A son.......Mrs. Kooky? You have a son! That is what our family coordinator said to me on the phone over a year ago. I was over the moon! I had to tell Daddy Crazy IMMEDIATELY! And now look!!! 3 years old and flourishing! I wish his real parents could see him now. PERFECT in the sight of God! Perfect in our eyes! His cleft palate is fixed. His cleft lip is fixed. His speech is getting better and better every single day............SPEAKING of..........he can now say PEE PEE! (no more hee hee, typical for a cleft child) YOU talk about over the moon. I just tried to see if he could have a P sound. And he does!!!!!

He will start speech the week of March 10. Matthew is going to HIGH SCHOOL! hehehe No, really, he will be our first high schooler. His speech therapist is at our local high school and apparently, she is the BEST therapist and comes highly recommended in our county.

We are grateful! Thank you Lord!

Speaking of being thankful and grateful? MY NEW JOB! OH WOW! You talk about folks who love me. Truly care about me. GO TO BAT FOR ME!!!!!! My new supervisor is a lady who says please and thank you. She takes the time to truly teach me new things and talk with me with respect and treats me very good. So do the rest of the folks in the office. The lady who is teaching me is so awesome! She talks with me. Shows me things. Likes the questions I ask. (I think about all aspects of the work, not just the present, here and now stuff.) I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT! Did I say that I liked it?! Just one bummer thing..............

my old office put my computer in storage for me so that I didn't have a computer. Then I get it today and my NICE keyboard is gone. My VERY, VERY nice laser mouse is GONE! And the BEST kicker?!?!?! They trashed, let me say that again, they trashed my equalizer, headphone adaptable speakers!!!! Can you say, what?!?! Yep. They did.

My new office is trying to get me a better keyboard and mouse. The mouse that they gave me is one of those rollie ball things that doesn't move and already fell apart twice already since it was put in! *oy*

Well, tomorrow is THEE day! We celebrate Matthew's GOTCHA DAY! And do you know what my son wants for dinner?! DUH! PIZZA! hehehe.....*s* I asked him what about Chinese food and he said, NOPE. Go figure!! He's Italian at heart! ;o)

That's it for now..........
Momma Kooky

What a Saturday!

Ok, now keep in mind, I haven't done this in well? A LONG TIME! *thinking* It's been since 1998, maybe? I use to go shopping in the fall, and take $100 and just buy some new clothes. Being a "big girl" our clothes cost a bit more. Even on the clearance racks and sale racks, it's expensive. Well, Saturday, the best hubby in the world gave me free reign to BUY NEW CLOTHES for my new job! Oh did I have fun!

New shoes! New makeup! New dress pants! New shirts that are BEYOND beautiful!! I got so many things. Mostly all of it was on sale or on the clearance racks! OH, THE BEST PART?!?!?! I found a pair of jeans! I haven't bought jeans in YEARS! I was actually measured for my jeans. They fit like a glove and they are bootcut! I look taller in them!!!! I like that.

I had so much fun. I know it wasn't so much fun for the hubby and the kids, but hey, they found a playground in the middle of the mall and had at it!! Sears and Kohls had the best stuff.

I'm so excited to be in my FINAL week at my old office! I'm so wanting to just dive right into my new job! I already know who my branch chief is, who will help train me, possibly keeping my AWS day, where I sit.............oh wow!!! HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY!

I'm doing well in my Calculus class. It's hard. No doubt about that. The Crazy daddy is doing well in his Philosophy class and his College Algebra class. So far, so good with us all.

This Thursday, we find out about Matthew's IEP from the county and what school he will attend. He's getting help!!! Thank God!

Momma Kooky

It's OFFICIAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This unspoken prayer request has been answered and answered in a HUGE way!!! I went for 2 job interviews last week and I got a call yesterday (about 2:45pm) asking me if I would take one. Um, let me see, DUH! YES! YES! YES!

We are so darn happy! You have no clue! It will be a nice and refreshing change and start to something good, you know?! I've been doing the same thing at work for over 14 years!!!! That's a long time.

REJOICE with us, because we are over the moon!!! Hey, you know the hubby is happy when he says, "you need to go shopping, right?" OH YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Momma Kooky

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

It's that lovely time of the year! My husband and I snuck off to a VERY cozy Italian place and had such a lovely lunch/dinner. It was nice. I love their food. Not like Carrabbas, mind you, but close.

Today we had our 2nd meeting at ChildFind. (ChildFind is the counties equivalent of special services for children who need it.) Matthew has been tested, evaluated and we got the results today. We weren't terribly surprised. He surpassed all expectations in the Cognitive thinking and intellect. Layman's terms? HE'S SMART as a whip scoring HIGHER than alot of American kids!!!!

On the Language side? Expressive Language to be exact.....he didn't pass not one thing. Not one. Which is where we knew he needs help. He scored well below average and well below most American children.

End result? He WILL receive special services from the county at one of the public schools. He will receive speech and possibly some hearing impaired help. We need to find out if this hearing loss is permanent, if it's reversible, does he need a hearing aid? Things like this. We will see his ENT on March 10th. We should hopefully know more than.

We had a long talk with the director of his daycare. They will begin to implement some "hearing impaired" things that they can do to ease Matthew's learning. (ie, make him sit upfront, specific instructions geared towards him only, speaking up, etc.) We were informed that this is the only child they have ever had with hearing impairedness. (is that a word?)

We will look into the means of the medical aspect of the hearing to see what can be done. As well as the non-medical also. Until then? We keep doing what we are doing.

Momma Kooky

Friday's new hearing test..............

Well, we knew (and were told) that even with Matthew's new ear tubes in his ears, he may have a problem. Friday it was confirmed. The audiologist with Calvert County did more hearing tests and Matthew could not hear in the low range and some in the mid range! I thought for sure he'd be ok and hear everything. I'm hearing all these sounds and trying not to "make" him look (unless he hears them) and darned if he didn't hear ANY OF IT! I just wanted to cry! Literally!

The audiologist told us to check into a medical reason why he cannot hear as well as he should be. We will do that with Dr. Pena, ASAP! We are trying to get an appointment with her as you read this!!

That was a bummer, to say the least. She did tell me that Matthew's tubes in his ears are a green color. I said, "infection green? or green, green!" She just started laughing and said green, green. (Hey, if she only knew how many infections this child's had, she wouldn't have laughed!)

Next up? We see Dr. Murthy on Wednesday. Hopefully Matthew's "new nose" has stayed in place and is doing what it should and everything is clearing up and healing up nicely!!

Everyone is just about back to "normal". Momma Kooky still has an OCTAVE lower register in the voice, but is ok. (Ecstatic now that she knows she got a high B+ on her Calculus quiz! Thank you Lord!)

Crazy Daddy? He's still sick. Never went to the doctor. STUBBORN as a mule!! ;o)

Hey, say a prayer for an "unspoken" prayer request for Momma Kooky. I'd appreciate it.

Ok, Time to go. Nose is running and my feet DON'T stink. So.............until later.

Update

It's Wednesday and Matthew continues to do well. I just gave his eardrops to him and he just about kicked me in the face. You have to wonder if these things work or just cause pain! Other than that, his "glue" sutures are just starting to fall off. Which is a VERY GOOD thing because he can't eat too well with the one that is on his top lip but the one that is in between his nose and lip is fine.

Matthew's cough is better. We stopped tylenol because his temperature has been normal. Mom and Dad though?! We are both sick as I don't know what. Momma went to the Urgent Care last night and was diagnosed with Bronchitis/just about pneumonia. A fever of 101.8 and just having a sugar level that isn't normal (that's why they took me in so fast). Some xrays later, one albuterol treatment for 20 minutes and I was breathing normal again! Thank God!

Crazy Daddy? Well, he decided not to go to the Urgent Care. He's still suffering. I'm wondering if he will go tonight.

Becca is the only one not sick! Trying to keep her healthy and away from everyone else is quite the challenge!

Matthew goes for a follow up with Dr. Murthy next week. A hearing test Friday and back to Children's in about 7 weeks to see Dr. Pena (ENT).

Momma Kooky

Another SCARE with Matthew!

I tell you one thing. Gray hair? I've got it. Thank God for color, but I'm going to need another bottle by the end of the week. I'm wondering if I'm just too darn old for this!

I woke Matthew up today (I let Becca and him sleep in) and he was hot. He just wasn't hot, he was HOT ENOUGH TO FRY SOMETHING ON HIS FOREHEAD! He didn't want to get up, he didn't want breakfast, he didn't want something to eat, he didn't want to change clothes, nothing...............just cry and whine and do nothing. Well, luckily I know the number to Children's Hospital by heart now! Spoke with another on-call physician about his 102 degree temperature. (Mind you, he's still on TYLENOL!) So I'm wondering...........being on anti-biotics, being on tylenol, and he still has a big temperature! Off we went.

By the time we got to the hospital, his temperature was up to 102.5. AFTER, I gave him Tylenol, yet again (because I was told to give it to him before we left). Geez. He was so hot. He didn't want his coat on, he started taking off his no-no's, he didn't want his hat on......etc. Spongebaths (no real bath because of his ear tubes and facial sutures) and Tylenol. The end result is they think he has a viral thing happening. He has a nasty cough, but his lungs are clear. (Asthma is ok.) The cough is related to the tube being down his throat for inabation. (hope I spelled that right)

No meds. Just to treat the symptoms but if the temperature reaches 104? Take him to the local ER, ASAP! So far, it's down to 101. With Tylenol. He's gotten it every 4 hours.

I tell ya, rushing him here and there and as hot as he was..........they took us right in! No waiting! He was NOT a happy camper. Listless is a good adjective to use for him.

Now though? He is sleeping. He slept for 4 hours at naptime. He's tired. He's better. He's drank alot of apple juice (the one with splenda). Had a "blue clue's" ice pack on his forehead for a bit. Made him feel better.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring. Hopefully? NOTHING! His sutures are starting to fall off his lip. We took the packing out of his nostril yesterday before church and WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! What a difference!!!! Still puffy, mind you, but wow!

Oh yeah, we've had 4 nose bleeds since Friday too. (that's another reason why Children's knows us REAL well at the moment. Because of the color of the nose bleeds! Bright, bright red! *clot red*) Other than all of this? We are doing well.

Kim? (from CHI?) Thank you for telling me about the "blowing in his ear with the Floxin"! It works like a charm! Have no clue why, but he doesn't fight us anymore when we do that. Thank you SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much!!!!!

Thanks to everyone who is giving us encouragement through emails, IM's, comments, mail, etc. We appreciate it!

Momma Kooky

A little quirp from daddy

My otherwise eloquent and beautiful wife forgot to mention that Matthew also has a huge improvement in his hearing. Just about an hour after he woke up from anesthesia I whispered with a very, and I mean VERY, soft voice from about 3-4 feet away and Matthew turned around and answered me. It made my fathers heart leap with joy. When you can say something to your son without having to almost shout for him to hear it, is a really big thing in my book.

Crazy Daddy

Matthew is home! Praise God!

After a VERY long day and part of the evening at Children's Hospital (Wash, DC), we were finally allowed to leave the recovery/CICU. Our day started out early. TOO EARLY! We got a call on Thursday night from the Surgical nurse who said our time had been moved up. (earlier) His allotted time was changed to 7:45am for surgery.

We got to Children's about 5:45am. Checked in and started to wait. Didn't have much to wait for. They took us right back. Matthew was one of the first children having surgery for Friday. Trust me when I say, he remembered where he was. The first person he saw with green and/or blue scrubs, he was IMMEDIATELY scared and didn't want them to touch him. (he remembered from September 2007's surgery) With some coaxing, he allowed them to work with him. He fit those little surgery gowns MUCH better this time around. Still weighs just 29 pounds. Still 35 3/4's in length.

Then we got to meet all the surgeons. First was Dr. Murthy! He was ready to go. Matthew LOVES him! He says they are "buddies". Matthew gave Dr. Murthy a high five and Dr. Murthy's resident was with him and started smiling/laughing. Dr. Murthy turned around and said that gaining the trust of your patients and their parents was definitely a key for a healthy and mutual friendship, as you will see alot of the patients and parents for years to come. (cleft patients) I thought about it and I think he is right! We feel so at ease with Dr. Murthy! I totally trust him with our precious prince!!!!

Then, we saw Dr. Pena, Dr. Tate, his OR nurse, and the anesthiaologist (sp?). They gave Matthew some sleepy stuff to make him at ease beings he remembered things from last surgery and the nurses picked up on that. In 20 minutes? He was doing the bob and head duck that a boxer would do, except he was watching Jo-Jo Circus. Holding him in my arms like a baby was a treat. He just closed his eyes and a second or two he'd pop them right back open to fight off going night-night!! But.....he didn't last long. Those two oral liquids they gave him, that smelled like GRAPE, did their job. He was totally incoherent and eyes glazed over.............it was time. I handed Matthew over to the resident anesthiaologist and she carried Matthew to the OR. He wasn't with it. Trust me. He went. No crying. No nothing. HE WASN'T THERE. (I wonder if they give that stuff to the parents? Hmm.....*kidding*)

8:30am is when they came and said they were starting. We waited in the Family Surgical Waiting Room with a couple of other parents. And waited, and waited, and waited. Dr. Pena came out about 10 to nine and said her part was done. Everything went fine. About 9:10am, Dr. Tate came out and said that she took the tooth out. It was a VERY good thing that she did. They left another tooth behind that one (didn't know there was another one behind it) because of bone issues. But that the one that was removed was literally almost dead. *Thank God it's gone!!!*

From 9:10am to 11:50am, we waited. Dr. Murthy said it would only be 2 hours, max. I (Momma) was starting to worry at 11:10am. Dr. Murthy is usually RIGHT on with everything that he says. Well, it took a little longer than expected. Working with delicate tissue in the lip and in the nostril/nose. End result? Matthew has an artificial "bump" at the end of his nose to give it height. (which will be absorbed by the body to be totally natural looking in about 6 months) His flattened side of his nose is now TOTALLY MATCHED with the right side of his nose. It's VERY, VERY swollen!!!!!! It's bruised!!!! It looks horrible, but it'll get better!!! His lip? LOOKS SO DARN GOOD!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my gosh. It's a miracle! Give it 6 months and I'm sure you won't even tell there was ever a surgery done on it!! (the lip) He does have sutures. Mostly on the top lip, both inside and out. He has sutures on the inside of his nose and on the outside. (mostly inside) His lip is bruised as well, and kinda fat. They said it will go down within 3 days. His left eye is swollen (because of the left nostril being worked on) and the left part of his face is bigger than the right, but he is doing well.

We had a REAL BIG scare about noon to 2pm. Matthew's temperature was going up and NOT coming down, even after having Tylenol 3 w/codeine. (for pain mostly) It was almost up to 102 degrees. They paged Dr. Murthy twice, but he was in surgery again. As soon as he got out, he'd be with Matthew. I made some calls to some folks and they started PRAYING quick for Matthew!!! THANK YOU GUYS! Matthew's temp finally came down. (don't know if it was infection starting or just the fact that he just had surgery, but it came down)

Yes, he is in some pain, but we are handling it. He will tell you if it's too bad. He ate a popsicle and about 4 apple juices RIGHT OFF THE BAT FROM SURGERY! Dr. Murthy was totally happy about that. For dinner he had softly scrambled eggs. So today he can start real food.

He's doing well. He's sleeping alot, but the Tylenol 3 will do that to you. So will some of the other meds he is taking. Matthew's ear drops are the WORST! He screamed when we put them in his ears last night! Literally SCREAMED! It was horrible, but he has to have them.

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Forgot to add this, HE CAN HEAR US AT A WHISPER! HE CAN HEAR! HE CAN HEAR! HE CAN HEAR! From the moment he woke up! He told us "too loud" when his vitals machine went off from his BP cuff falling off! AMAZING! THANK YOU LORD!!!

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I'll leave it here as this is really long. Will update you more later.

Momma Kooky

Less than 24 hours now!

Ok, mommy's getting more nervous by the hour here! Why? Have no idea!!! I've let alot of the adoptive community know about Matthew and his surgery and am just asking for prayer that everything goes according to plan and with minimal pain and that our boy CAN HEAR!!!!!!!!!!! EVERYTHING!!!!

I do not know if I will be online to tell you guys anything or keep you informed as Children's Hospital has some sort of "jammer" or something that won't allow our laptop wireless to get connected to the Internet, but we'll try and let you know something AS SOON AS WE CAN! Honest!

I will have my calculus book with me reading and doing alot of problems during the wait and during recovery, so I'll be just fine. As long as I know Matthew is ok, I'm ok.

Please say a prayer for him. He's one tough cookie at 3 years old and has already been through at least 4 surgeries now. That's more than I've had in my life! (2)

Momma Kooky

This is THEE week!

This is Matthew's surgery week. Everything is a GO. We've had a slight change in doctor's who will take out Matthew's decayed tooth, but everything is alright. Dr. Obeid forgot one small detail..........HE WOULD BE ON THE WEST COAST on February 1st. Um, yeah. He's one busy dude! Trust me. Anyway, a doctor at Children's will remove it. Again, the ear tubes will take about 15 minutes to do. (providing nothing is wrong) They will clean both of his ears real well, slit his ear drums, put in the tubes and be done. Then? I think the tooth is removed next. (Have to ask the Surgical nurse who calls us) That seems to be like a simple open the mouth, and tug real hard, pack the spot and end of story UNLESS...........the tooth totally falls apart. Then? Who knows. I'm guessing they will cut it out. LUCKILY, the plastic surgeon/reconstructive surgeon will be there to do his part which is to fix Matthew's flattened nose and "Elvis" lip. *Matthew cannot close his lip like the rest of us can.*

OH yeah, the nose and lip part of it? It will take about an hour and a half to do. So Matthew will be "under" for about 2 hours. Maybe 2 1/2. He did well before, in September. Let's hope it's just as good this time too!

Alot to be done. In a short amount of time, yet, I'm hoping we can go home that evening. I hope so. I really don't want Matthew to be hurting, but at the same time, staying the night, or two, at Children's is NOISEY!

Matthew has already been set up for a post-op hearing test to be done February 8th. I can't wait. HE'S GONNA HEAR! I JUST KNOW IT! HE HAS TO! They have warned us about "sensatory overload" for him when he wakes up from surgery. Since he's never heard alot of sounds the right way before, HE WILL when he wakes up from surgery. He may have to have cotton in his ears or those plug things for awhile because he just won't know what to do about everything he hears.

Think about it, his whole world is about to change AGAIN to hear. Instead of hearing things like he is underwater, he will actually hear!!! No Charlie Brown wamp, wa, wah, sounds...........I can't wait.

Please join with us in prayer for Matthew. Please.........that everything will go according to plan and the tooth comes out just fine.

We will be leaving MIGHTY early Friday morning. Aunt K will have Becca Boo, so no problems there. As soon as we hear something from surgery, we'll try and post as soon as we can!!!! :o)

Momma Kooky

Our beautiful kiddos!!!!

Well, alright. So many have been emailing and "getting on us" about not having more pictures of the kids. You do know we are busy, right?! And school is back in session once again. EXCEPT this time, Daddy AND Mommy are both going to school. (Mommy online, CALCULUS! *ugh*) Daddy is physically going to a college nearby our house. He has school on Tuesday/Thursday and then another class on Wednesday. I don't know about daddy, but I can tell you that mommy is stressing just a tad.

Anyway, enough about us. DO YOU SEE OUR BEAUTIFUL KIDS!?!?!?! Aren't they cuter than anything you've seen?! I love this picture. Rebecca is so beyond her years. In a way it's a good thing, but in another? It's not, because she doesn't allow herself to be a KID! Hey, it has nothing to do with Mom and Dad! This is all her! Honest. She is mother hen to Matthew. Matthew loves to rebel against her too! I think he knows it agitates her so much!!!! hehehhee....*s*

Rebecca is doing well in daycare. She's EXCELLING BIGTIME at Awana's. (at our church) She is THEE ONLY 4 year old who knows every scripture (and I mean, EVERY) since she has started with them about 2 1/2 months ago. That's alot. She has about 8 patches to show for it on her little vest too. She loves Awana's. The teacher has given her extra things to do because she was doing everything and getting bored. Imagine that...................Oh, Rebecca also wants to join the church youth choir. She'll be the youngest one, but I tell ya, SHE'S READY!

Matthew is doing well. We took him in for his last speech evaluation (to know where to place him within the program) last Friday as well as had his PRE-OP testing done for Children's Hospital in two weeks. His speech eval was again, something I wish I didn't have to see. He didn't do so well. The Cognitive and Intellectual part of it, he is a WHIP at that. The therapist said she didn't know of a 3 year old who could put together a puzzle (that was a cow with multiple parts, that Matthew had never seen before) in 30 seconds, like MATTHEW DID!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She timed him! I was sitting right there. He did it, just like that. I'm not even sure Rebecca could do something like that and she's 4! Where Matthew excels in one area, he is really "not-so-good" in another. EXPRESSIVE LANGUAGE! He failed, he failed OH MY GOSH did he fail. It got to the point that the sw/therapist was asking ME, his mom, "What did he say?" "Did he say this?" "Does he know this word?"

*******My first thought was, OH HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!!!*********

I had to answer for Matthew. (audibly understandable) There were about 50 words given to him to repeat and he only got about 5 explicitly audibly correct. The rest were either missing vowels, or syllables, or just not even coherent. BUT, this is a good thing. They know where to start with him. They know were he needs extra help! And he'll get this help! I'm so glad. I know once Matthew gets the ear tubes in his ears and gets speech, people will understand him just as much as you understand me writing all of this!! *so happy*

Remember, February 1st. Before the chickens are passing gas, we'll be on our way to Children's Hospital in Washington, DC for Matthew's surgery. They are saying we will be there at least a day..........maybe two. I just don't know. We'll play it by ear.

Say a prayer, please...as a mother, I pray for so many folks and their requests, I would surely appreciate it if you would remember us. Thank you.

Momma Kooky

OH HAPPY DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (o happy day)

I love that song! *thinking of Sister Act* When Jesus washed.......(when Jesus washed) When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)...........He washed my sins away....


Anyway.........I like that movie. So, once I started that song I had to keep going with it.


GREAT NEWS!!!!!! We now have 3, count them, 3 surgeons onboard for Matthew's February 1st surgery! PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!! We have to do some extra pre-op stuff at Washington Hospital Center on January 22nd, but that's ok. Dr. Obeid said yes to the surgery and he wants to see how bad this tooth is in Matthew's mouth, if he's lost more of the tooth and whether or not it will need to be cut out of his mouth or "yanked". YES! I'm so happy! My boy is getting what he needs done and the Lord has swung open the doors to do it! YES!

On a side note, we do have to go for another hearing test for Matthew. The full spectrum one with the fiber optic stuff and what not. (for the speech team) They want to get a before the surgery and then after the surgery so they can tell if Matthew can truly hear better with the tubes in his ears. I hope he can hear EVERYTHING! (and then some) Because right now, he isn't hearing much. Well, it was explained to me like being under water and hearing someone call you (which you honestly can't hear too well) or on TV's Charlie Brown specials.....hearing the wham wha wha wa stuff. Either way, it's not good.

Matthew has started showing signs of developmental delay anger because he isn't being heard/understood very well. He gets frustrated. I AM GETTING FRUSTRATED because I can understand my boy, why can't everyone else?!?!?!?! You just have to take the time to listen to him, that's all. But.......anyway, he's acting out at daycare by throwing off his shoes and tossing them across the room, or hitting. Matthew is NOT, by any means, a bad kid. NO WAY! He's so docile! He's my sensitive little man. So we have asked the daycare to fully discipline him by taking things away from him to let him know this is NOT appropriate behavior. (they wanted to know if this was too strong.........HA! Um, NO! I don't want to have my kid being a bully by hitting. DUH!)

Anyway......We are working with Matthew to let him know that this is NOT a good thing to do. Also, we are trying to introduce "avenues" for him when he gets frustrated with no one listening to him or understanding him. That part is harder, but we have told the speech crew about this already. They are aware of it and will help him also. *thank you Lord*

Other than that.........next week starts all the "work" for Matthew. We have another full speech evaluation on the 18th to see where to start Matthew for speech. Also on the 18th, we have a pre-op appointment to make sure he is good to go for surgery. Then on the 22nd, Washington Hospital Center.

By then? We'll get the call from the pre-op nurse for when we need Matthew at Children's and everything will go from there. I know he will be at least one day at Childrens Hospital. (got confirmation from the insurance company on that)

Pray with us. Please........it's alot for our little man, but it'll be ok. Hey, what can go wrong with God in control?! Puhleez.............. *smiling* (O Happy Day...)

Momma Kooky