Starting Preschool

Noah started preschool today at a small church in our new town. He and Beckett will be in the same class 3 mornings a week and they were both very excited.  I was excited too.  A little break for Mommy will be good.  :)

Noah has been ready for preschool since he got off the plane from China (no, really he has been asking for months).  We wanted to wait until he was successfully and securely attached to us.  Then we moved and I was worried it wouldn't work out for either of the boys to attend preschool this Fall (its terribly expensive here).  In the end, of course God had a plan and provided an excellent, affordable program on the other side of town.  I'm hopeful that part of that plan will also be for me to work part-time at the preschool but for now I will be enjoying those few hours by myself and can't wait to see all the new friendships and fun things Noah makes at preschool.

Six Months As A Family

Wow six months seem to have flown by-well plus one week but I have a good excuse :)  We've moved!  The Hopkins party of five has relocated to Tallahassee, Florida.  Luke accepted a faculty position at Florida State University and will now be home every night.  :)  With the sale (profit) of our old house in Georgia we were able to pay off the remaining adoption debt-yay thank you Jesus for your provision and all $10,800 is now cleared.  We put the rest towards another house and started to rebuild our savings.  We have no regrets on using it to start the journey to Noah but are sleeping a little easier knowing that is behind us now.

It's been a mostly smooth transition for all of us, Noah included, although his night terrors are back.  Amidst the unpacking hundreds of cardboard boxes he found a bunch of photos from China and I think that plus the actual move and 5 nights in between houses (thank you to both sets of our parents for all the help) has been a little much on our sweet boy.  He's been more attention-seeking and emotional and honestly somewhat defiant at times.  In fact he and Beckett ganged up on me today and both refused to listen AT ALL at Hobby Lobby-lesson learned, not a place for two 3 year old boys and a frustrated Mommy.  The honeymoon between Noah and Ella is also over and they argue/fight like "normal" siblings too.  So it's safe to say Noah is one of us and I think he will be starting preschool at just the right time (2 weeks).

He loves the new (but older) house.  He has been swimming in our pool every day and helping with all the household chores.  Noah loves to sweep the front stoop!  He has made new friends but of course we miss our old ones and we hope they will come visit...soon.  Life in Florida is hotter and we are using/reapplying sunscreen constantly.  Noah is wearing his sunglasses all the time now.  The humidity is crazy but I'm hoping we will all adjust.

I can't imagine the past six months without Noah and my memories prior to February are fading fast.  He is such a joyful child and brightens our family even if some days are harder than I ever imagined it they could be (right now at least).  God is truly stretching me as a mother daily.  I am so grateful for that.  We love you, Noah!

2 Weeks After Strabismus Surgery

It's been 2 weeks and 2 days since Noah had surgery to correct his eye muscle and realign his eyes.  We have seen a difference in his vision-sometimes slight and other times dramatic.  He has started to point out things he sees that he never mentioned prior to surgery.  He can describe things for you that are on the television whereas before the surgery he could only see detail on a phone or iPad.

Today we went to follow up with Dr. Bordenca and he was equally pleased.  He said Noah's right eye is now aligned with the left, meaning they are both straight now.  There is still very slight redness on the inside corner of Noah's right eye and it should diminish in the next few weeks.  For now we will continue to hold off on eye glasses (until after he turns 4) and see Dr. Bordenca every three months to check Noah's vision.

2 days after surgery

1 1/2 weeks after surgery

Today-2 weeks and 2 days after surgery

*I wanted to note that Noah does still have the dancing eyes-this is called nystagmus.  It is an involuntary eye movement and is a result of albinism.  Noah's nystagmus is actually very mild and non-progressive although noticeable.

Surgery & Recovery

The surgery went well in fact Dr. Bordenca only operated on one muscle in Noah's right eye.  He is in minimal pain and recovering so fast.  Within hours he was up and moving around at home.  Thank you of all the prayers.  We are so grateful that God has given us such a special son and provided ways to improve Noah's vision. 

Strabismus Surgery Tomorrow

Noah will have outpatient surgery tomorrow (July 15) at the CHOA Surgery Center in Atlanta.  Dr. Bordenca, a pediatric ophthalmologist, will loosen/tighten each muscle in both of Noah's eyes to correct the strabismus and align the eyes.  I am more worried about the anesthesia and effects of it than the actual surgery.  We know that this is absolutely the best decision for Noah and his vision.  Most young children bounce back from surgery quickly and by the next day are moving around.  He will have a follow-up visit in 2 weeks with Dr. Bordenca.  Please pray for Noah, minimal pain and for the success of the surgery tomorrow.

Here is a link for more information on strabismus: http://aapos.org/terms/conditions/100

Independence Day

Noah enjoyed participating in his first Independence Day this July 4th.  We went to a cookout with good friends and ended the night with sparklers and milkshakes.  We are so grateful to live in the United States of America and celebrate this great nation under God...and that now Noah is a US citizen and can exercise all the same liberties and freedoms.

Time For A Check Up

Noah had a great well check today with Dr. Wilburn in Dunwoody.  He gained a pound!  She was impressed by his overall development and attachment.  I discussed the night terrors (yes they are back again) and copying/mimic behavior with her (we are choosing to ignore that for now).  Also we've decided to put off the additional bloodwork due to his anxiety but retest his stool for the giardia to be positive its all gone.  He did receive another immunization and as expected was quite terrified.

So afterwards we went to Ikea in Atlanta for some indoor fun and ice cream to celebrate that Noah's appointment was a success.  :)