Scenes from Summer

What's the Right Word?

Sienna has a unique personality.  It's actually probably the most unique I've ever seen.  It's so unique that I can't even find the right word to describe it.  Several suggestions by friends and family have been posed, but none seem to fit quite right:
-- divine diva
-- pugnacious
-- tenacious
-- precocious
-- spitfire

Perhaps you can help find the right word. 

A bit more about her...  

She's feisty.  Brae tries to hug her and she bites back (course, he's also trying to steal her toy as he's hugging her).  She has this I don't care what you think attitude that is strangely endearing and admirable.  She walks with her chin up in the air, almost daring you to give her a punch only so she can knock you silly.

She doesn't want you invading her bubble, except when all she wants is to cuddle in your lap.  She likes to scream. But not always because she's mad.  Sometimes she screams because she's happy, scared, uncomfortable, or just wants to fill the room with her voice.  She loves dogs, food, and carrying around her baby dolls, which dolls she will also hurl into the corner when she sees a remote control car that she'd rather play with. 

She doesn't like baths.  She'd rather climb into the sink and stick her face under the faucet.  She doesn't stop talking.  Ever.  She loves giving kisses, except when she'd rather hit you instead. 

In a word, the girl is a complete contradiction.  And she totally keeps me on my toes.  But there has to be some word that describes this rare ball of fun. 

Maybe that word is just . . . Sienna.

She's Moving.

Brae's birthmom is moving.  Several states away.  Now, she lives just hours away; soon she and her daughter will live several hundred miles away.

I'm sad.  For my boy.

I adore Brae's birthmom.  And not just because of the gift she gave us, but because of the person that she is.  Even apart from the circumstances that have forever welded us together, she is someone I would befriend. 

And she's always longed to better herself and her lot in life. 

I remember after she delivered Brae, sitting in the hospital room with her, alone, on Halloween night.  Brae was sleeping in the crib.  I was lying on the (very uncomfortable) pull out hospital sofa.  Rachael was in the hospital bed where just hours before she had given birth to our son.

It was quiet.  It was dark.  Every so often we would hear the squeak squeak squeak of the rubber shoes of nursing staff passing by our room. 

And in the middle of this silence and darkness, Rachael voiced her hopes.  Her dreams.  She wanted to return to school.  She wanted to be a nurse.  She knew she could not achieve those things with another child in her home, when she did not have a partner to support her. 

That was nearly 4 years ago.  Her time has come.  She is moving out of state to chase those hopes and dreams. 

I'm so exceedingly happy for her and proud of her.  And yet, my heart is breaking.  For my son. 

The relationship we have with Brae's birthmom is unique.  It is probably one that many adoptive families long to have.  Brae's birthmom has never been intrusive.  I have never once felt threatened by her.  She has always been extremely respectful of the fact that she chose us to be Brae's parents.  She has never tried to interfere or insert herself into our lives.

So many adoptive families would want that.  And yet, I yearn for her to be more of a part of Brae's life.  For Brae's sake.  I know with her moving away, it will only become more difficult to engage with her and have our yearly visits. 

We were set to have our next visit at the end of September.  With this news, we have bumped it up to the beginning of September.  I'm so excited to see her again, and to hug her.  I want to tell her how so very proud of her I am that she is finally able to realize her hopes and dreams of becoming a nurse.  I want Brae to see his half-sister, and watch them run around and play.  I want Brae to remember these precious times with each of them and know how very loved he is by so many people. 

So that if our visits with them become less frequent over the years, he will never ever feel that he was abandoned or foresaken. 

He was not. 

He is not. 

I've become that person.

I've become that person.

You know the one.  The one that people send their friends to.  The one that people can go to ask questions.  The one that gets invited to coffee by acquaintances of acquaintances because they simply want to hear about someone (anyone) who has been there before.  I'm the one that my friends and their friends and their friends come to when the unthinkable happens:  

Infertility. 

Whether the person sitting across from me at the Starbucks table is interested in fertility treatment, adoption, embryo adoption, or the other myriad of options we either did or looked at to start our family, the conversation is invariably the same.  It's my story.  With all of its sleepless nights, tear-soaked pillows, flat-on-my face misery that slowly gave way for two brief periods of time to reveal the miracle of life in the births of my son and then my daughter. 

For the last 5 years, I have been in a storm.  The rain stopped and the sun shone on me the first time nearly 4 years ago with the birth of my son through the miracle of domestic adoption.  And then the storm sucked me back in as I longed, yearned to be pregnant and give birth.  Then, the rain stopped again and the sun shone on me for the second time just over a year ago with the birth of my daughter through the miracle of embryo adoption. 

Now, I'm disappointed (and ashamed) to say, I feel back in the storm yet again.  Because I long for one more.  I'm angry at myself that I cannot seem to simply be content with the abundant blessings I've already been given.  Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!   

(That was the voice in Jan's head in the Brady Bunch series, in case you're wondering.  I have a similar voice.  In my head.  It's equally tormenting.  But at least it says my own name and not that of the 70s character).

If I didn't know myself better, I'd say that I tend to feel more comfortable in storms. And maybe I do.  Perhaps I like to prove wrong the old adage, "You are either just exiting a storm, in a storm, or about to enter a storm" by simply remaining in my storm.

But I digress. Or maybe I don't.  I have become that person who encounters others in the midst of their storm. 

And while I may still be in my own storm, I hope that as I sip my cup of coffee across from my new friend, at least I can offer a hand to this girl in the storm next to me to let her know she is not alone. 

I will endure the storm with her. 

A picnic, cake, and ice cream

There is Someone You Can Talk to

A good friend of mine is embarking upon the embryo adoption journey for the first time.

She's scared.  She's nervous.  She's excited.  She's optimistic.  She's pessimistic.  She's realistic.  And she needed someone to talk to.  And, her donors needed someone to talk to.

While I can absolutely walk alongside her on this path I've journeyed ahead of her, I wouldn't know the first thing to say to her donors, who also felt very scared, nervous, excited, optimistic, pessimistic, realistic.

So, I texted our donors and asked if they would be willing to talk to her donors.  I knew without hesitation that they would.  And they did.  My friend's donors now have others who can walk alongside them on this path that my donors have journeyed ahead of them.  And that is just beyond cool to me.

The adoption community is pretty small.  And it's intimate and well-connected.  I had the privilege of meeting other women on the adoption journey that I now consider friends and in whose lives I am deeply invested.  But perhaps even more important, my children also have a community that is intimate and well-connected through these other children who have been where they are.  Felt similar emotions.  Experienced similar thought processes.  Encountered similar people to whom they had to battle cancerous misconceptions about the adoption process.  I'm grateful a community like that exists for them.

And if you are considering adoption, in whatever form, there is someone YOU can talk to as well.  A donor, a recipient, a birthmom, a birthfather, an adoptive family.  You don't have to go at this alone, and you would be doing yourself a great disservice if you did.

As an aside, there is a new series on the Oxygen channel called "I'm Having Their Baby."  I've only seen two episodes, but it is a raw look into the hearts and minds of birthmoms and adoptive families.  I have not been disappointed in their portrayal of adoption; quite to the contrary.  It doesn't shy away from the hard emotions that both sides feel, and yet it is respectful of each side's journey. 

This show is just one more example that adoption has changed so much in the last few decades. Adoption is not secretive.  It's not shameful.  It's not something to whisper about.  It's something to celebrate.  To honor.  To seek to understand and respect those who have journeyed through it.  And know that if you want to take that leap of faith, you will have someone who can take your hand and jump too. 

Teaching your child a second language.

Sienna said her first Spanish word the other day.  It is "agua" (water).  That was also Brae's first Spanish word (and maybe even his first word, period).

Since my kids were each 3.5 months old, they have been going to a Spanish immersion daycare/school down the street from my house.  I felt like I hit the jackpot when I found this place.  Not only is it incredibly close to our home, but it is reasonably priced.  The headmaster has her Master's degree in elementary education, and she tries to keep the prices affordable for teacher's kids (of whom there are a lot at the school).

The school is set up like an actual school, not a daycare.  This was also a big selling point for me.  It's not a fancy school with the latest gadgets or toys.  It has a very neighborhood, organic, grassroots feel to it.  I love it.

There has been only one staff member change in the 3.5 years that we've gone there.  All of the instructors know Spanish as their first language.  And it is 100% espanol, all day long.  It is also the only school of its kind in the entire Portland, Oregon area.  I'm completely amazed that Brae can go from Spanish and English in the same breath when he talks to me, and then when he turns to talk to his teachers.

And yet, I'm astonished that there are not lines out the door trying to get into this school.

A recent Parents magazine edition had a lengthy article about the importance of teaching your child a second language, and the earlier, the better.  Not only does it give them a leg up in the job market, but it actually activates a part of their brain that is otherwise not activated when you don't speak a second language.  It's called the executive function of the brain, which allows you to focus on a task while distraction surrounds you.  Plus, the United States is an anomoly in that we don't teach our children another language from the time they are born.  You travel to any other industrialized nation, and the children speak at least one other language.

I've heard it said many times by parents who resist a bilingual education for their kids that they themselves don't speak the second language.  I understand that resistance and hesitancy.  I do.  But, with all due respect, that should not be the reason a child is deprived the opportunity to learn the second language. Plus, it is a fantastic opportunity for the parents to also learn the second language.

I started studying Spanish when I was in 7th grade.  I ended up minoring in it in college, and did an exchange abroad to Puerto Rico.  I've gone on several missions trips to Mexico.  My sister is a high school Spanish teacher.  My mom speaks Spanish and has used it on medical missions trips.  And yet, my 3.5-year-old son is still teaching me new words.

So, I'm here to get on my little soapbox and encourage all of you parents who have been hesitant (for whatever reason), to reconsider a bilingual education for your child.  It doesn't have to be by going to an immersion school.  It can be by watching a cartoon or movie in another language.  It can be by getting a book in another language (most have the second language and English so you can compare).  It can be by getting flashcards.  It can be by listening to music in another language.  Anything that exposes them to actually learning words in another language.

They just may thank you for it down the road. 

Off soapbox.  The juggling act is next.

Brae-isms

Brae is a complete chatterbox.  In fact, at our recent family vacation (pictured above with Sienna and their cousin), he attracted the new nickname "Comma."  (because there are no periods when he talks).  With that, here's the latest edition of Brae-isms:

1) Brae: "Mommy, will you marry me?"
    Me: "Aww, I love you, son, but I can't marry you.  I'm married to Daddy."
    (Wheels turning)
    Brae: "If I were taller, would you marry me?"

2) I was upstairs in the laundry room getting ready to take Brae to the park.  He'd just peed his pants (which he often does if he hasn't gone for a while, and starts playing really hard).  He was taking off his wet pants, putting them in the washing machine, and putting on a new pair.  As he was doing this, I thought, "It's really hot outside.  I should probably change out of my jeans."  So, I pulled a pair of my shorts out of the dryer (yes, clean clothes often stay in our dryer for days, and sometimes require re-drying to get the wrinkles out).  As I was taking off my jeans, and putting on my shorts, Brae looked at me, wide-eyed, and said, "Mommy, did you pee your pants, too?"

3) Brae has learned the word "stupid."  I think from the older kids at school.  I scold him whenever he says it, and sometimes he has to go to time out if he doesn't stop saying it.  The other day, I caught him singing, "Stupid, you so stupid, stupid, alalalallaaaaaa, you are s-t-u-p-i-ddddddddd!"  "Brae!" I said.  He turned to look at me, in bewilderment.  "Brae, I've told you we don't say that word.  It's not nice."  "But Mooommmmmyyyy," he began, "I'm just singing my song."

4) I was hosting my friend's baby shower.  She and I were outside by the front door just chatting, watching some of the kids play in the front yard.  Sienna was sitting on the front stoop.  Suddenly, I turn to see Brae standing at the open front door, above Sienna.  And before I could even catch my wits about me, he had dropped his trousers to his ankles and was peeing right over Sienna's head.  It was like the McDonald's golden arc right over my daughter's head.  I thought my friend may have gone into labor right then and there, she was laughing so hard. 

Adoption: How Open Am I?

Recently, I overheard a friend telling Sienna's story to a group of people I barely knew.  It caught me a little off guard to overhear her revealing such an intimate and personal experience to people that I would not have openly shared this information.  I winced in the background as my friend continued on at great lengths about Sienna's story, getting facts wrong along the way. 

I know my friend and I know her intentions were well meaning, but the pit in my stomach caused me to question why was I so bothered by this?

After much thought, I think it is because I view Sienna's story (and Brae's story) as their story.  It's their story to share with whomever, how ever, whenever, and even if they want to.  Certainly, my family and friends (and this blogging community) know their story.  And that is because I feel grateful for this platform and opportunity to share such an amazing and life-giving adventure.  I want more people to know how amazing adoption is -- in every form.  It's also because Sienna and Brae's stories are part of my story as well.  So, I've invited people along on this journey with me.

But, somehow, I feel like a faint line is crossed when I'm not a part of sharing my children's story.  Perhaps it is because I'm so mama-bear protective of my kids, I want to be in charge of how the message is delivered.  I don't want to run the risk of some well-meaning stranger making an off-the-cuff comment and someone else not responding in a way that I would have.

I also want to hold my children's stories inviolate.  I'm their mom, yes, and their stories are part of my story, yes, but I also want to be respectful of the fact that they, not me, will be the target of any disrespectful or ignorant comments about adoption.  I want them to decide whether they want to share their stories, and if they do, I want it to be on their terms.  I don't want to rob them of that, or unnecessarily put a target on their backs.

Don't get me wrong -- I'm absolutely not ashamed of their stories or how they came to be in our family.  I think God has set them apart, has divinely chosen them, and they are beyond special and privileged.  I've been the one blessed by them; not the other way around.  It is an honor for me to be the one they call "Mommy."

But, at the same time, I'm a realist.  I know there exist a lot of naive and uninformed stereotypes and misconceptions about adoption.  I want to protect my kids from those arrows.  So, until they can shield themselves, I want to be the one in charge of delivering their very unique and beautiful stories. 

Am I wrong?

Sienna's ear surgery

Last week, Little Miss went in for ear tubes.  She is 13 months old.  She has had a chronic history of ear infections since she was born. In fact, her baseline has pretty much been congestion since birth.  We have done the "wait and see" approach before, as well as have used antibiotics -- both with limited success. 

Brae also had ear tubes placed when he was 18 months old.  He was never quite as consistently congested as Sienna, but did have a chronic history of ear infections.  Again, we did the "wait and see" approach, and used antibiotics.  Again, both offered limited success.  But, the ear tubes were hugely successful for Brae.  He had one ear infection after the tubes were inserted, but that's it.  The tubes were functional for a full 18 months. 

Sienna's most recent bout with double ear infections resulted in 3 weeks of antibiotics.  And they only cleared up one year.  After the last meeting with the ear doctor, he recommended Sienna was a good candidate for ear tubes.

We decided to go forward with it.

The surgery itself was pretty uneventful -- just about 15 minutes under general light anesthesia.  The doctor confirmed she had yet another double ear infection, so I feel it was good we had the tubes put in.  Little Miss did great coming out of the anesthesia (contrast to Brae's bloody murder screams), and all she wanted was food (of course.  That's my girl).

Although I was hesitant, at first, to have the surgery when she's at such a tender age, I wish now that we had them put in even earlier.  The girl has changed .  She no longer has a consistent runny nose, cough, etc.  She's no longer fussy -- at all.  While her walking was a little wobbly before the surgery, she is now full steam ahead with walking.  You can just tell that she feels so much better.  Praise God for little plastic ear tubes!

As an aside, it's curious to me how two children, not genetically related, are both prone to chronic ear infections and were both good candidates for ear tubes?

My research shows there may be two environmental culprits: 1) school/day care and 2) milk.

First, children who are in a school or daycare-like environment tend to generally get more colds, which can result in more ear infections.  This makes sense.  As a product of daycare myself, I can say that the course of colds I got when I was younger has strengthened my immune system.  Since I started kindergarten, I've rarely gotten sick, and I'd like to thank all the snot-nose kids in my daycare for that!  (Now go blow your nose!)

Second, apparently kids who drink a lot of cow's milk get more ear infections.  I have to say, my kids both like milk, so this makes sense as well.

I'm not advocating that ear tubes are for every child.  Certainly not.  Personally, I think the wait-and-see approach serves most kids the best.  If that doesn't work, I think the next step is to see if antibiotics help.  If, however, ear infections seem to persist without much relief, I think tubes offer a very viable solution, and I'm thankful they are available . . .

and mostly covered by insurance! yay!

One of the main reasons we chose open adoption.

I've been sitting on this post for a while, not quite sure how I wanted to talk about it.

A couple months ago, Brae's birthmom informed us that her daughter, Brae's biological half sister, was recently diagnosed with a medical condition.  In the interest and respect for their privacy, I won't name the condition or discuss details.  I will say, however, that this is a commonly diagnosed medical condition, but one that will nonetheless change her life.  My heart goes out to Brae's birthmom as she is dealing with the imports of this diagnosis. 

Hearing of the diagnosis spawned a host of concerns for Brae.  Could he also have it?  If so, what will that mean for his life?

One should never do medical research on the internet.  I'm just sayin'.

After dousing myself in armchair diagnostics, I marched to the doctor's office. 

I told the doctor about Brae's biological half-sister's diagnosis, and listed a litany of possible reasons why Brae may also have the condition. 

The doctor laughed in my face.  But, to amuse me I suppose, he examined Brae and poked and prodded.

"No," he said.  "Brae does not have it."

I left the doctor's office feeling relieved.  But not so much that Brae didn't have the condition (for which I am thankful), but relief that I have the kind of open adoption where Brae's birthmom not only has the courage and willingness to share this information with me, but she actually has the access to me to do so. 

And that kind of access to key pieces of information, like medical information that has already come in handy on more than one occasion, is just one of the many reasons why we chose open adoption. 

And it goes farther than just Brae.  We also have an open adoption with Sienna's genetic family.  I'm grateful for the access we have to not only medical history on a piece of paper, but medical information from the mouthpiece of the people who lived through it, and are still.  Medical information that is current and up to date.  Our donor's daughter, 10 years older than Sienna, has lived through 10+ years of life, of which I get the benefit.  She and Sienna have already shared several medical similarities for which I am so grateful that I can discuss with our donors.  Everything ranging from "Soooo, how did you get your daughter to stop gagging on her food?" to "Whoa, Sienna has torticollis.  Your daughter did, too.  How did you get through it?"

I also so appreciate, that with Brae and Sienna, having an open adoption gives me a crystal ball, of sorts, into their future.  Brae's biological half-sister is a few years older than he is; Sienna's genetic siblings are 10+ years older.  In both cases, I already see a ton of similarities.  I also see a ton of differences.  But it is really neat to get a glimpse into what your child may look like and be like when they get older.

I recently heard of a medical study that determined that who we are is 99% a product of our environment.  Brae and Sienna are products of me and Tygh.  However, that 1% genetic blueprint variable is an unknown.  I am grateful that, with open adoption (for us), the unknown is a little more knowable.

***

And on a related medical note, Little Miss is getting ear tubes this week.  Eeekk!

Infertility: Mercies in Disguise?

Recently, two stories of a friend (and a cousin of a friend) hit me hard.  Each reminded me that this world is a broken place with broken bodies and ugly illnesses that rob us of our loved ones.  Each also reminded me that while I may struggle with my own ugly and unexplained illness, it may also be a mercy in disguise.  Infertility, to me, may be a mercy in disguise.  Infertility, tried as it might, did not rob me of motherhood, or of experiencing pregnancy.  And, just maybe, it is sparing me other unknown heartaches. 

I can only pray that each of the women below, in working through her own story of pain, is experiencing her own basket of mercies in disguise:

1) My friend, who I will call Faith, recently delivered her first child in a very traumatic delivery that nearly cost her life.  This was a completely spontaneous, ordinary course, pregnancy.  No problems.  When it came time to deliver, Faith developed a fever.  Her son was born via emergency C-section.  Faith developed a uterine infection.  Her uterus would not contract.  She was bleeding out.  She was intubated.  Her life hung in the balance.  They performed a complete hysterectomy to save her life.  She has a miracle son, but she will not be able to be pregnant ever again. 

2) My friend's dear cousin, who I will call Hope.  Another completely spontaneous, ordinary course, pregnancy. No problems.  A healthy baby boy, who I will call Noah. At 10 months, Noah started having seizures.  A month later, he was dead.  His life was taken suddenly, and with not much explanation.  He had a rare genetic disease that his mother, Hope, gave him.  Hope may not be able to have any other genetic children without passing along this same disease. 

Today, I am grateful for my two children.  And today, my heart aches for Faith and Hope.  Although they did not experience infertility, they are having struggles of their own. 

All of us are. 

Obamacare and Adoption Tax Credit

You may have seen the US Supreme Court upheld "Obamacare" today.  What you may not know is what this does to the adoption tax credit. 

In the overhaul, Congress boosted the $12,150 federal adoption tax credit by $1,000 starting this tax year.  It also is refundable, meaning you'll get the credit whether you owe taxes or not. 

Good news for families wanting to adopt that may have been stymied by the cost. 

Brae-isms

Brae: "Mommy, is Satan a bad boy or a bad girl?"
Me: "Ummm... (long pause) ... Satan is a bad boy."
Brae: "Does that mean no one wants to go to Satan's house to play?"

***

Brae: "Mommy, do not go into my room and see what I did."
Me: "Okay."
Brae: "But if you did go into my room, do not look in the closet."
Me: "Okayyy ..."
Brae: "But if you did look in the closet, do not look in the back of the closet."
Me: "Okayyy ..."
Brae: "But if you did look in the back of the closet, do not look in the box."
Me: "Okayyy ..."
Brae: "But if you did look in the box, you'd see that I took all of Sienna's clothes and hid them in there."

***
Sienna was taking a shower the other day (yes, the girl likes to take showers).  Brae stripped off his clothes and hopped right in with her.  I was getting ready for work and had my back to them, looking in the mirror, when I heard Brae say, "Now, Sienna . . . don't move!"

I turned around to see him dumping an entire gallon of shampoo on her head.  

It took me an hour to get her clean.

Sienna's 1-year stats

Sienna at 1 year:

-- Weight: 23.9 pounds.  90th percentil e
-- Height: 32 inches.  Off the chart. 

And the top ten things I can tell about your personality at this point:

1) You are a cuddler.
2) You are fearless.
3) You are (let's face it) kind of a diva, and Mommy lets you be.
4) You adore your brother.
5) You need to be where the action is.
6) You are not very "girlie" (at least not yet, and despite Mommy's efforts to dress you only in pink and with huge gaudy headbands)
7) You love your sleep.
8) You get shy when you meet new people, and burrow your head into Mommy's neck.
9) You are a talker.  You can say "Mommy, Daddy, Brae, Uh-oh, and Dog," and a whole host of indecipherable other words I haven't figured out yet.
10) You love to dance

Honey Bear, with your life, you have made a dream come true for Mommy and Daddy.  With you, we got to experience pregnancy and having a daughter.  You are irreplaceable.  We love you more than words can say.  You are our baby girl.  We love you unconditionally (and always will).  Nothing can ever separate you from our love.  May you come to know your Creator and live the abundant life that is waiting for you. 

Love,

Mommy, Daddy, and Brother Brae

Pictures from a party.

Moments in Time

Newborn, Six months, One year.  My angel.

A year ago today...

A dream came true.  Happy birthday, Sienna!

Brae-isms

1.  A spider crawled across the floor.  "Ewww," I said, crinkling my nose.  Brae looked up at me with an "oh, puleeezze" look and said, "Mom, when you get older, maybe you won't be scared of spiders.  Like maybe when you're 3."

2. Brae and I were standing at his chalkboard, writing our letters.  All of a sudden, and for no apparent reason he put down the chalk and licked the chalkboard.  He paused. "Hmmm," he said, eyes wide.  "That's good."  (????)

3.  Brae: "Mom, when is my birthday?
     Me: "It's on Halloween.  That's far away."
     Brae: "Too far to drive?"

4.  We've been teaching Brae about "stranger danger."  The other day, we practiced.  I was the stranger.
      Me: "Brae.  Pretend I'm a stranger.  What's your name?"
      Brae: "NO!"
      Me: "Where do you live?"
      Brae: "NO!"
      Me: "What's your phone number?"
      Brae: "NO!"
      Me: "Do you want to come into my car and get some candy?"
      Brae: "Ummmm...."

       

The last week . . .

. . . before my baby girl turns 1.  Emotions run high at the moment.  I'm not ready to let go of this first year.