China lifts one-child policy in earthquake region

The adoption world has been busy the last few weeks mobilizing around specific charities that are assisting with earthquake relief. Now, the NYTimes is reporting that China is lifting one-child policy in the earthquake region so that parents may choose to adopt children orphaned by the tragedy.

Arrived in Munich

I've arrived. It was a long couple of flights, and I'm very glad that i'm here. My allergies are definately better than they were, but still having issues with it all. Cross your fingers that I'm able to feel better soon... Meetings early so I'm hitting the sack. I'll update more tomorrow.

Kitties!

Yes. We are all crazy, me especially. However ,the last month to six weeks since Mari passed away has been very hard for us. And so last week, after Gwenn came home from the hospital, Ella and I made the trip to the Humane Society and we now have Daisy (in the kleenex box - had to rip the top off to get her out on her first day) and Lily (on the right in Mimi's old bed). They are sweet sisters, who can be told apart through size (Daisy is bigger) and demeanor (Lily is a snugglebunny).

It's been great to have kitties back in the house, even ones who drag out every piece of cat food at four in the morning to bat it at you from underneath the door. So far they have experienced my room (not too exciting) - but will venture out to all bedrooms this weekend, while still having nights in the bathroom until next week.

Here's a great shot of my two old girls hanging out on the couch. (Mari is the big lump on the left, and Mimi on the right trying not to get caught being snuggly)

Loving the tube

Well, it's been a week and two days since the ng-tube has gone in. Today was weigh-in day with the pediatrician, and Gwenn has gained a whomping 3 pounds since last Monday. Now - keep in mind that she has gained only 2 pounds during the last two years, so this is a huge deal.

The ng-tube stays put, and will continue to be part of our lives. The alarm goes off only about 2-3 times per night right now, so I'm assuming that means that I'm getting better at setting the darn thing up, so Gwenn isn't rolling on it as much. Yay. However, it feels a bit like having an infant again - up at all times of the night. My sleep is not doing as well as G's weight.

Heading home

Well, we are heading home tonight and Gwenn will continue feeding through the ng-tube for at least 4-6 weeks, or until we hear that she has made significant weight gain and can remove it. If it turns out to be super long term, g-tube may be an option, but for now we'll just move forward... Keep on keepin' on...

So we'll do the feedings each night, and the tube stays in. She can go to school and gymnastics. And, we will have follow ups with the psychiatry unit at Children's, as well as the Feeding Therapists at Valley Medical.

The picture above is with Lambie, Gwenn's longest companion who is almost as much of a requirement as baba. Lambie has been to China and back two times, travelled all over the US, been thrown up on, peed on, and abused terribly. However, she has also been loved to pieces and is a nightly companion for the past 8 years. As Gwenn deals with things, so does Lambie.

Call us later tonight - we'll be home...

Update

Well, day two is now past, and Gwenn is sleeping comfortably for another 12 hours of overnight feeding. She started out yesterday at 20.2 kg, and today at weigh-in was 20.1 kg. I'm not sure if this is normal. Tomorrow is the day that we are anticipating seeing a weight gain, so prayers from all are appreciated. If she doesn't gain, then they will start to investigate things in the metabolic range, as well as absorbtion issues...

We saw a feeding specialist today - I had never heard of that, nor of Feeding Therapy! Why, with all my reading, did I not stumble across it, I can't say. But Gwenn will qualify for feeding therapy. Children's tells us the best therapists are at Valley Medical in Renton, so I've already looked them up and will phone tomorrow for an appointment. It was very interesting watching the therapist work with Gwenn - I learned some new things today that hopefully will translate at home.

I'll update more in the morning - I'm tired and ready for bed....

At Children's

Well, Seattle Children's Hospital is a great organization. We arrived and got settled in quickly, and soon had met the resident, our attending, the nurses and the nutritionist. We had our lunch, and Gwenn is now has a ng-tube. This is a temporary tube up her nose and into her tummy that will feed her overnight. She has been a good sport most of the day, but is mad at me right now since I found her taking off the tape that holds the tube in place. It had to be replaced, and she had a small scolding by the nurse. The smiles that we saw earlier have now been replaced by scowls.

Gwenn has allowed a blanket over the bed to keep her warm, but not yet consented to getting under the covers. That would mean that she is staying.

So far she has run the batteries out of the Gameboy, and is currently working on bringing the DS to the same position. We have watched two horrendously bad movies that she forced me to watch (and wouldn't let me turn off when she got bored with it!) and more TV than I would like. We have had some great time reading together - I'm reading "Betsy and Tacy" - childhood favorites of mine. I've got to run - we are going to read more now. I'll update more tomorrow and let you know how the first night of feeding goes.