We're Home
September 27, 2010
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December 25, 2010
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May 17, 2011
Saturday,
December 25, 2010
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND OUR
JOYOUS 3 MONTH ANNIVERSARY
I prayed for this child, and the LORD
has granted me what I asked of him. ~1 Samuel 1:27
Hello Qwinn fans! Sorry we haven't journaled in awhile. We
actually meant for this to be a journal for our trip, and then
maybe a few other updates. I could have done a blog, which would
be more frequent updates, but I didn't think I could keep up. We
have had lots of loved ones that didn't like the ending being so
quick! Us too. We really loved China, and especially the journey
to adopt our son. We really couldn't have done it without all of
your support. Many of you gave us gifts, helped us with our
fundraisers and you all gave us warm wishes, support and love.
God is looking down with such pride right now. We wish we could
thank every one of you in person, as well as introduce you to
Qwinn. That has actually been the most difficult part of the
transition home. So if you are one the many that haven't met
him, please call, email or stop by any time! He loves meeting
new people. Among many other things.
Qwinn has developed so quickly we can't keep up with him. I
don't know if I mentioned this before, but his Chinese name (Zhi
Qi) means 'goal oriented'. It sure does fit him. He is a very
confident, attentive and determined little boy. God really knew
what he was doing when he gave us this blessing. So here's a
recap.
Month 1
Lets just say Mommy and daddy had lot to learn. Believe it or
not, international travel with a baby put us into that role
really fast. As we grew our parent wings, Qwinn also grew his.
It was the most amazing act of God to watch him develop.
Although our main priority was bonding and attachment, we were
able to get the ball rolling for early intervention. He got his
hearing aides right away, and kept them on. We were able to get
a sedated hearing evaluation and a CT scan, which confirmed a
severe hearing impairment, but also found NO cysts. This was an
original diagnoses from China. It was going to mean more
surgeries.....miracles are an amazing thing! We really spent a
lot of time at home this first month, and into the second.
Routine and consistency was our main goal. We did manage to fit
in a Cougar football game and a hike or two.
Month 2
Wow, what a month. We are so in love, it really was love at
first sight for us. It just keeps growing and growing. Qwinn
just took off with many things, sign language, self feeding, a
love of the outdoors, a love for animals, exploring toys in as
many ways possible, trusting and loving mommy and daddy, growing
more confident in strange places, falling asleep quicker and
napping more consistently. It has been so fun to experience all
his firsts, especially the holidays. We also have joined a
toddler group, just for children with hearing impairments. He
loves going, and has met some great friends.
Our biggest concern with our little one, is his appetite. He
would eat non-stop if we allowed him, and he doesn't chew his
food. Just shovels and swallows. This is typical for kids that
are from an orphanage. It should get better as he trusts that
the food will always be there:). Qwinn has also been fighting
giardia, which has been quite a struggle. He has likely had it
all his life, but he still has bouts of flu like symptoms. This
was also a sad month for us, as we mourned the loss of our
faithful friend Indi. She gave us an amazing 13 years and will
be missed.
Month 3
Yep, he continues to amaze us. It really does seem now that he
has always been here. He has already taken on many of our
characteristics and mannerisms. His communication skills have
quadrupled. He labels objects and pictures, he requests for what
he wants, he follows directions and he answers questions. Many
people have asked if they did sign language in the orphanage,
and the answer is no. Although his nannies loved him a lot, sign
language is not one of their skills. He really was a quick
learner once he connected that communication is pretty powerful.
He even tries to talk, moving his mouth like ours. But no
sounds, yet! The hearing aides are now helping with 'listening'
skills. He can discriminate some environmental sounds, and will
tell us when he hears them:). The giardia is hopefully gone now.
We finished the second round of medication, so far so good:).
And we are happy to report our toddler is now typical in the
area of food. He now plays with his food, spits out
undesirables, chews and uses a spoon and fork. He still loves to
eat, and asks for food all day long, but mealtime is now A LOT
safer and enjoyable. We often beat him done, sometimes urging
him to eat. Yay! He had more firsts this month, one being snow.
He really didn't like it at first, but now, loves it. He even
experienced his first time on the mountain, watching us ski. Ben
can't wait to get him on his own sticks:).
On a sad note again, mommy started work. I once thought I was
not the stay at home type, but Qwinn has convinced me otherwise.
I love my job very much, but I have had a really hard time
leaving my little man. He has grown to be quite the momma's boy.
But.....he is being left in great hands.....dad! Ben's season
has slowed, so he is juggling work at home or taking Qwinn to
the office. And on another happy note, his cochlear implants
were approved by the insurance company, both of them, which is
not typical. Those miracles just keep coming! His surgery is set
for January 14th, and his activation day will be February 11th.
Our little boy is going to hear!!!
Overall, Qwinn is doing very well! We really do wish you could
be a fly on our wall. He is so much fun, smart, easy going,
determined, loving, creative, happy, and soooo cute. He keeps us
smiling non-stop. We pray everyday, thanking the Lord for this
blessing to our family. He has shown us how to love more than we
thought imaginable. Ben and I feel very strongly that
'biological' is not the only way to be blessed with a son or
daughter. We truelly think that God has a journey for all of us,
a message or a gift that he guides us to everyday. It may be
next door, at your church, in your own country or across the
seas and oceans. Love really has no boundaries. God has willed
us to share our love with ALL of his children. It is our
responsibility to listen and follow just as his son, Jesus
Christ has shown us to do. Please remember this during this
Christmas season and throughout the year. And if adoption is
what is calling your heart to do, please don't hesitate to ask
us any questions you may have. We would love to help another 1
in 147 million orphans in the world find a forever family. Love
has NO boundaries........
With Love and Blessings to all!!
Ben, Shawna, and Qwinn
PS: Stayed tuned for a Gotcha day video. We are just trying to
find the time to make it! Oh, I don't think our guestbook is up
and running any more, so please email us now.
onetrekatatime@yahoo.com |
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The Gift of
Life
I didn't give you the gift of life,
But in my heart I know.
The love I feel is deep and real,
As if it had been so.
For us to have each other
Is like a dream come true!
No, I didn't give you
The gift of life,
Life gave me the gift of you
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