Shots Galore!!

Well, we had our first pediatrician visit yesterday and it wasn't pretty. Eden is doing great, but we got 5 shots, a TB skin test, and a finger prick. I felt so horrible for Eden. She actually did well, though...probably because it was the first time and she didn't know what she was in for. The reason the doctor went ahead and did them all on this visit is because now she is up to date on shots until kindergarten. Thank goodness for that! Eden has gained about 2.5 pounds since we adopted her. The pediatrician was really pleased with her weight gain, eating, pooping and sleeping habits. She is doing so well. What really blew Dr. Albert away was how much she is talking - in English. It really is amazing how quickly she is learning the language.

She woke up today with a fever and stuffy nose. I gave her Motrin and her fever is gone. She seems to be feeling better. It may have been from all those shots, or I think she may be cutting some teeth. I did my first rectal temperature on her this morning. I couldn't help but wonder, "Who discovered this way to take a temperature?" Can you imagine the first time it was done? It's really gross and weird if you think about it. Anyway, Eden was pitiful this morning so we did a lot of snuggling and she's down for her second nap right now. Hopefully tomorrow she'll be better.

Speaking of tomorrow, we have our appointment at the Cleft Clinic with Dr. Grant at 8:00 a.m. in the morning. We hope to get some idea of a treatment plan for Eden's Aviolar (spelling?) cleft and the small hole in her palate. We will post on the blog what we find out tomorrow.

And, Gene and I are so honored that we will be sharing our adoption experience with prospective adoptive couples tomorrow night at the Lifeline Information Meeting. Eden will go with us also. I remember like it was yesterday when we attending this meeting in October of 2005. A couple brought their newly adopted daughter from China and I was HOOKED!! It's such a privilege to speak out on behalf of the world's orphans. I pray God will give us the words to say so that He will speak to those future parents that He has picked out for precious orphans. What an incredible God that He uses these adopted babies in such amazing ways to inspire others to trust Him and walk this faith journey of adoption.

This weekend we are going to Knoxville for our friends Andrea and Daniel's wedding. They are precious friends and we're so excited that Eden made it home in time to celebrate with them. Then my dad and step-mom are coming in town Sunday and they haven't met Eden yet so we're going to my grandmother's house for lunch Sunday. I'm so excited for them to meet Eden and for her to meet them.

I know everyone likes pictures, so I've posted some of me feeding Eden with the chopsticks we bought in China. We're doing what we can to instill a love for her Chinese culture, even at 20 months old! And, I put a photo of us with Heather and Caleb Platt at the airport on the day we arrived home from China. The Platts adopted Caleb from Khazakstan in March and we are trying to arrange their marriage. Just kidding, but they are becoming fast friends through play dates. Heather and I met when we both were doing our home studies for our adoptions and our friendship has grown and become so precious to me. It has been so great to have someone to walk through this process with. And Caleb and Eden are close in age (4 months difference). Isn't he so cute? You have to admit they make a cute couple.

Well, I'm going to go clean the bathroom before Eden wakes up. We'll post again soon.