We just received some updated information about our little Tabitha! We got recent pictures, updated medical info, and answers to some of our questions about her daily life! It's very exciting!
There are some changes in what we were expecting medically. She has had surgery to correct the imperforate anus, and it has healed, so she can use the toilet normally. We were very excited to hear that! However (perhaps because of the surgery), she now has a bladder problem for which she has a catheter and urine bag. They have said this is "not correctable," but we're not sure who said that, so perhaps her doctor here will have more encouraging news on that. Our next step is to take all this medical information and consult with a specialist. The orphange workers also said that her extra finger is right next to her thumb, and it doesn't affect her hand function at all.
According to the orphanage workers, she can walk, jump, and even dance. =) She says many simple words like "MaMa" (so we're assuming she has a certain primary caretaker that she's closest to), AYi (aunt, nanny), HeHe (drink), Bu (no)etc.
She's about 34 inches tall, and weighs 22 pounds. The biggest shock is seeing her "big girl" pictures! I mean, we knew she wasn't the little baby in the pictures we got before, but somehow in my mind I didn't expect her to have grown up so much. It makes me kind of sad to think of all we've missed. But soon she'll be here with us, and we'll have the rest of our lives to get to know her.
The same organization that got this info for us (Ladybugs-n-Love) will deliver care packages, birthday cakes, and other things. So, we're going to send her some things for her birthday next month, along with pictures of our family.
As far as travel time, we're still waiting for our LOA, which should probably come mid-July, putting travel in late August or September. And Heath's cousin Amy is now planning to come with us too. So that'll be 4 adults to 2 or 3 kids--not a bad ratio!
Oh my word....she is adorable! I have been following your updates and was excited to see her sweet picture :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Adrienne from Theologicalkids
Okay-this will probably sound strange but I think she looks like Ethan a bit!! LOL!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations again! We are so excited for you guys!
Erin,
ReplyDeleteTabitha is just beautiful! I am so glad you were able to receive an update on her before you travel. I think seeing Sophia in person as a "big girl" compared to the baby pictures we received in the referral was such a huge surprise. She looked so different and seemed so big. I am trilled that Tabitha is doing so well.
Congratulations!
Tricia
What a lovely little girl! My son was born with an imperforate anus and had his reversal two years ago. He`s doing very well . . . luckily he had no complications.
ReplyDeleteThe bladder issue seems to be fairly common for these children, but it`s almost always a pre-existing complication . . . are you sure your little one didn`t have this problem beforehand? Often kids outgrow these issues, as well. Good luck!