Family of Five Photos

We've been home 9 weeks now and finally had the opportunity to be professionally photographed as a family of five.  Noah was so excited for "pic-a-tures".  He was pretty silly actually during the session but that's just him-so happy and loving life all the time.

Here's a sneak peak from the (patient) photographer's page

Happy Easter!

I'd like to wish a Happy Easter to all of the blog readers.  We had a great day celebrating at home, attending church and eating with extended family.  This was the first holiday that Noah spent with us.  He thoroughly enjoyed it, especially the eggs with candy inside. 

The reason we celebrate Easter is the resurrection of Jesus.  The Bible declares that "by being raised from the dead [Christ] was proved to be the mighty Son of God, with the holy nature of God Himself" (Romans 1:4).  How great is it that we don't have to figure it all out?!  We sang this song in church this morning and I wanted to share the powerful lyrics.

"This Is Amazing Grace"

  Who breaks the power of sin and darkness

Whose love is mighty and so much stronger
The King of Glory, the King above all kings

Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder
And leaves us breathless in awe and wonder
The King of Glory, the King above all kings

This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You lay down Your life
That I would be set free
Oh, Jesus, I sing for
All that You've done for me

Who brings our chaos back into order
Who makes the orphan a son and daughter
The King of Glory, the King of Glory

Who rules the nations with truth and justice
Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance
The King of Glory, the King above all kings

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy, worthy, worthy

Pray For Jovie

Tomorrow my dear friend Kristen's youngest daughter, Jovie is having open heart surgery. She and I went to high school together but lost touch until recently with our adoptions and I am so thankful God brought us back together. Kristen and her husband Cody traveled to China 2 weeks before we did in January and welcomed Jovie and Ian into their family.  You might remember from a past post that their oldest daughter, Mae lived at the same orphanage Noah was at and we believe they were in the Lily Orphan Care Room at the same time.

Please keep Jovie and her family in your prayers.  She will be in surgery for much of tomorrow.  She is a very strong little girl with an incredible medical team and I know God will be guiding them and ultimately heal her heart.  

If you want to read more about this inspiring family, Kristen's blog is: 

beloved-ones.com/

Cousins

1st Trip To The Dentist

Noah had his first teeth cleaning, dental x-rays, fluoride treatment and exam today at All Stars Pediatric Dentistry with Dr. John Haffner.  It went incredibly well.  No cavities and no damage from the finger-sucking (a method of self-soothing).  I wish I was a better photographer but then I think I wouldn't be as focused as a mom...so these fuzzy cellphone pictures from the waiting room will have to do.

Checking Out Church

I am happy (and shocked) to report that all five of us attended church today and Noah went into his brother's classroom in Waumbaland and wanted to stay the whole time!  (without Mommy or Daddy)

He had a blast catching bubbles, dancing, playing with Play-Doh and learning about Jesus.  

1st Trip To The Pediatrician

Yesterday Noah finally had his big check up with a pediatrician-we've been waiting for weeks for our insurance company (BCBS) to accept him without a Social Security number and for his medical records from China to be fully translated.  So that's all behind us now and this doctor was worth the wait.  We chose Dr. Kelly Wilburn of Dunwoody Pediatrics to examine and treat Noah.  I was blown away by her knowledge, professionalism and quite honestly the fact she spent more than 2 hours with Noah and myself.  She adopted 3 children from Guatemala and has specialized training in International Adoption medicine.

The appointment went well and although Noah received (another) TB test and 2 immunizations, he tolerated it all as long as I was holding him close.  Dr. Wilburn felt confident that Noah's head size is nothing to be concerned about, that the CT scan in his file was incorrect, and that he is a healthy child.  Noah's weight at only 29 lbs puts him below the 15th% and height at 35 inches is below the 5th%.  We will continue to offer new foods to him at each meal but make sure he has plenty of comfort items, vitamins and push dairy and proteins.  In the week ahead he will have the TB test read, a stool sample run and go to Children's Hospital Of Atlanta for in-depth blood work.  We'll also be scheduling an appointment with a dermatologist at Emory and the pediatric ophthalmologist.

Thank you to everyone that brought meals this week and checked in on us.  Things are still rough in certain moments but-God is great!  And Noah likes to skateboard now.