Feeling Lucky

Wow, what a little information can do for the spirit! Today I am feeling good with the realization (again) of just how lucky we really are. We have these beautiful up to date photos to look at every day and so much information gathered from the kind mom's that have been there over the last year. I have been piecing together the details lately and going over old emails to make sure there is nothing I missed. I realized we really know quite a bit about her life and the orphanage. Had I not "met" so many great people, we would have been completely in the dark.

 There have been so many that have come into our lives just when we needed it most. The people on the yahoo group that have answered the hundreds of questions that have popped into my head since we started this. Everything from paperwork, to what size the kids usually wear, to details about CP and other delays...I have asked and I have gotten answers and advice. The internet really is so amazing, but more-over, so are all the mom's that have reached out to help others still in the process! One in particular is Sharon. What an incredible person you are! Someone from the yahoo group saw my request for any info on the orphanages in the south and told her friend Sharon who wrote me right away. That was in March when we first heard about our daughter. Since then, she has been a friend, a support, and the reason I have any photos and up dates past the first set we got from the agency. She is always on the look-out for others and found other mom's traveling to NST that she has "introduced" to us. I thank you so much, Sharon. Just for being wonderful you!

Because of Jeff encouraging me to sign up for the yahoo group I met Sharon. Because of Sharon, I met Rachel, Rachel, and Liz. One, a lovely woman that answered my MANY questions, told me about the orphanage in detail and looked through all her pictures from her trip to find 2 for me of our daughter. The other 2 incredible mom's took time out of their first meeting with their child to look in on our daughter and take photos. And they, too, answered so many questions and filled in the blanks for us. And Liz - wonderful Liz - made a connection with someone local that actually called the orphanage for us yesterday! So yea, I am still waiting, but I also see just how fortunate I am have this information.  This is what we found out recently...

She has seen our photo! She looked at the pics with some interest, but was probably still not so sure who this "Mommy and Daddy" really are. Still it warms my heart to know that on some level she knows there is someone coming who loves her!

She is walking well! When we first got her report in May of last year she was delayed. They had to massage her legs every day and they had been very concerned that it took her so long to walk.

She is healthy except for one ear. The orphanage said she has something wrong with her ear and there is a "machine" in it. We are waiting for clarification as to whether it's a hearing aid or a tube/gromit thing for an infection. We know another child there has a middle ear infection so we think she may as well. Either way, we feel this is minor and she will be alright. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is one of the best in the world so even if it a hearing thing, we know we can get her the best care and she will be alright. 

We found out the orphanage said she is "totally normal" otherwise. Since she was considered slightly delayed, we have never really been sure how she would be. Mentally or physically. Now we are feeling rather confident that she has caught up already and will do so even more when she is home. How incredible is that to know??? I will answer that and say VERY incredible (Mak-Mak!)

And lastly, we heard that as far as the orphanage is concerned, we can come get her. I am still seeking confirmation on this, as I want to know for sure that the medical and background has been sent to the DSDW already. But it is sounding very good. We were afraid this is what the hold up has been. Knowing it may be ready and sitting on our social workers desk is a good thing. Now, it's just a matter of time for the SW to get to it and then we are soooo there!

So little tid-bits are coming in here and there as a sign that we are not alone in this and are supported every step of the way. Equally amazing are the wonderful blogging friends that have been the biggest support I could have asked for. Nancy, Sharon, Mireille, Ellie, Rosemary, Jessica, Emily, Julie, Dawn, Terri, Carey, Julia and gosh, so many others that have been kind and helpful along the way. (Sorry if I have forgotten a name! I appreciate you ALL!) Together, we have laughed, cried, stressed, and shared. Thank you!

Yea, I am feeling lucky today. (And LOL, did you notice how long I managed to stay off the blog?)