AJ and Abby have adjusted so well to all of these changes. Peng Peng continues to communicate more and act out less. He loves to play and interact well. In the daily activities, like going grocery shopping, the library, or karate class, life is crazy busy but every moment is a gift and we are so blessed.
Last week we had some medical updates, and this week will be on the same path. Last week we met with the craniofacial team at the U of M. It was hard to hear all of the medical procedures he will need over the next few years, but was a great reminder of all the opportunities we have through insurance and where we live. We have his first major surgery in the States scheduled for October 29th. He will need tubes in his ears (he has had fluid in his ears at every visit so far and they said he might have some hearing loss - we will know more about this after the surgery and his ears have healed). He also will need some repair on his nose (his nostril is mostly closed off and he only breathes through his mouth). The main purpose of the surgery is for his palate repair, which we will learn more details about today.
I also brought Peng Peng back to the doctor's office for the third time since being home (three weeks now). He had the beginning of bronchitis and the start of an ear infection, so we started our second prescription antibiotic. He seems to be doing better, but we are mostly staying inside to protect him from the cold and wind outside.
We decided to hold off on his educational evaluation for a month or so due to surgery being this month. The doctors said within a few weeks he will be a different kid talking and his speech needs will be very different.
Last weekend was fabulous. My parents came into town on Friday and brought their RV. They went to karate lessons and watched AJ & Abby show off their skills. After hanging out for a while they brought Abby to the RV and AJ & I had a special night together while Adam did bedtime with Peng Peng. We played boardgames, watched a movie until 11 pm, and snuggled. The next morning we sold popcorn for the boyscout fundraiser. He said countless times how much he enjoyed this special time together and it made me so thankful to have this time together. My mom sat with AJ for a while during popcorn sales and Abby and I did some projects. The second night was pretty much the same and Sunday we had church. Sunday afternoon we met Adam's mom at Chuckee Cheese and all three kids had a great time. Peng Peng was a little overwhelmed, but he seemed to enjoy himself and clung pretty close.
Signing has many many advantages and Peng Peng is just picking them up so well. He is starting to sign 2-3 words to communicate. An example is he wanted goldfish crackers. He signed "eat" "fish" and "crackers". It gets a little complicated in the car because he grunts to get my attention and loves to comment while driving. He signs water every time we pass any form of water or cow. If he is hungry or thirsty he signs eat and drink. While he seems to understand a lot of our words we have been signing while talking with him and in general he seems to understand signs better. So, sometimes it is a bit comical and dangerous driving because he is grunting and signing and I am trying to look and sign back.
Current Signs (bold new): all done, apple, ball, banana, bath, bird, book, brush teeth, candy, car, cereal, clean up, cold, cookie, cow, cracker, dad, dog, down, drink, eat, fish, flower, go, grandma, hat, help, horse, hot, jump, milk, more, monkey, music, play, shoes, sit, sleep, socks, slide, swing, wait, walk, water, up
wow that is AMAZING how many signs he knows! woohoo! so awesome! looking forward to hopefully meeting you all sometime this winter ;) :) - nancy
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