It’s hard to believe we’ve been home for 3 months today. Â In some ways it feels exactly like the first 3 months with a newborn – survival mode, very little getting accomplished, not much fun. Â But it’s very different. Â Instead of having a newborn that doesn’t want to sleep, we have a 2 year old who throws a bedtime tantrum because it’s not bath night. Â And instead of revolving your day around multiple naps and feedings, our days revolve around therapy and doctors appointments. Â And also naps. Â Our to do list keeps growing and is truthfully overwhelming. Â And everything else in our lives seem to be getting busier as well. Â Three months does finally feel like there is a bit more breathing room, a bit more normal and routine. Â And as much as I hate to admit it, I’m looking forward to the consistency the school year will give us in 4 more weeks.
Gavin’s development amazes us – he is no longer the sack of potatoes we brought home from China. Â He is walking, standing up on his own to walk, climbing up and down stairs, and saying lots of words. Â We still have our work cut out for us with his medical issues, and are really still trying to figure out what they are. Â We are very happy to report that his head MRI was normal, which means he has no evidence of a traumatic brain injury at birth (which was his diagnosis in China). Â Each test brings another set of tests which are exhausting, but we keep on until we have all the answers we need.
Most importantly, we are so grateful for our friends and family who have supported us. Â I am not lying when I say we could not have done it without you. Â I did not cook dinner for 7 weeks because we had food provided. Â I’ve had help with the big kids with our various doctors appointments. Â I’ve had encouragement, scripture, affirmation when I needed it most. Â I’ve had fun and bucket filling and replenishment.
It’s taken time for me to process everything – our time in China, our first moments home, adjusting to three kids, adjusting to having a special needs kid – it’s all taken me longer than I ever expected. Â So here are moments I’m really just now processing, our arrival home. Â This is such a perfect picture of the love of support we felt then and now (whether you were there or not).
I have several stacks of thank you notes that I will get to eventually, but know that I am so touched by everyone who has been a part of our story in any way.