Hannah Claire Shi Lin

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

So Much Better

We are really settling in now and finding our new normal.  Of course, I'm still learning how to deal with the added stress of having two kids versus one, but it is definitely so much better.  Hannah is starting to say more English words, mostly when repeating what we say, but she did ask for bubbles in her bath the other day by saying, "bubble"!  She understands a lot of what we say, and follows directions well, although she does have meltdowns quite a bit when she wants one of Miles's toys or can't quite get us to understand what she's telling us in Chinese.  I know it will all get better as time goes by and Hannah learns to speak more English.

I took Hannah to her first doctor's appointment week before last and the hearing in her right ear was tested and was found to be normal, to our delight!  We'll be making another appointment with a craniofacial doctor to evaluate her microtia and give us an idea of treatments available for her.  We're not in a big hurry, though, because at this point we think it will mostly be cosmetic treatments to give her left ear and face a more normal appearance.  There could be a possibility of improving her hearing in her left ear too, but she seems to function so normally with good hearing in one ear, that we're not too worried about it.

Last week I completed the last of gathering stool samples from Hannah.  Boy was that fun! :(  The doctor said this would be to check for parasites.  I'll be dropping them off tomorrow at the lab and while we're there we'll have her blood drawn and they'll check to make sure her vaccinations are good and check for other various things.  As of her appointment, she weighs 27 pounds and is 38 1/2 inches tall.  She is very skinny for her height, but she eats a whole lot, so hopefully she'll catch up soon.

These days we spend a lot of mornings at the playground before it gets too hot, then late afternoon, the kids play on their Slip 'n Slide.  Last weekend we also got them a little pool, which they love.  They like to eat popsicles outside and to blow bubbles.  I've got plans for other things for us to do this summer, like library story times and trips to the beach area at the lake, things where we can all stay cool.

More photos to come soon!

4 comments:

Jeanette said...

Ahhhh...stool samples! We had that fun too! Glad to hear things are settling down. It must be so difficult for Hannah and the rest of you with the language barrier. I hope it all comes together soon!

Unknown said...

I am so glad to hear things are really looking up! You are doing a wonderful job and God will bless you all for your hard work, love and devotion!

Nicole said...

So glad that you all have found your "new" normal!
Anytime you add another child it is a major adjustment! I will be going from 3 to 4kids and the most challenging part of that is that one will be 3 and the other 2!!!!
Prayers being taken NOW!!!!
Nicole

The Tucker Troops said...

Hi Angela, It's so great to read your upbeat post. It's an adjustment adding to your family but you are doing it very well. It takes time. When Hannah Claire is able to use more language it will help with the frustration. It seemed like over night, Lucey could talk and share her feelings. We still have trouble understanding her at tunes and she gets frustrated when we repeatedly ask her to tell us again. Every day we see more advancement in her language.

You have a fun summer planned and it sounds casual...good for you! So happy to hear about H.C.'s right ear hearing normally. Wonderful!

Have a wonderful weekend!!!
God Bless--
Beth