health update

We heard yesterday that Bedeline's stomach issues have completely gone away, but that now she has a bladdar infection and screams and cries when urinating. :( She has seen a specialist and is on medication. We're grateful that there are specialists to be seen and hope and pray that this will be her last illness in Haiti.

In the meantime we finally took the leap of faith and hung the Haitian animal art that we bought in Port-au-Prince in her room, along with the butterfly mobile that we found a while back.

We were at a birthday party last night where, as usual, we were asked for updates a million times. Each time we said, "End of November or beginning of December" we heard, "That's right around the corner!" It's so nice that November is finally right around the corner, though we're preparing ourselves for it taking longer, just in case.

I'm home with a cold and am trying to put things into perspective that if that little girl can go through all that she has in the past few weeks, I can stand a few sniffles! I hope that each of you are healthy and happy!

good news!

I heard this afternoon that Bedeline is on the mend! She stopped vomiting and has started eating and drinking a bit. We are so thankful and relieved, having spent the morning brainstorming about how to make her better. Everything from somehow telling them the homemade Pedialyte recipe to calling the local hospital. Fortunately we didn't have to go to those extremes and we're hoping for continued positive reports.

This experience has made us so very grateful for our medical system that we take for granted. We can't wait to get her here so that she can have access to the medical help that she may need.

Many of you have been so helpful and supportive in these past weeks of worrying and we are very grateful. We are blessed to have such a support system! How about a new picture to celebrate good health???

medical update

We heard from Marialyn last night that Bedeline had been so sick for a few days that she wasn't even urinating. She is urinating again, but is still quite ill. They continue to take her to the Doctor. That's about all we know. We'll continue to post updates as we get them. Thanks for the prayers for her health and our ever growing ulcers.

Updates

Hi friends,
We found out last night that Bedeline has been sick for about a week with fever, diarrhea, and vomiting. She's been to the Dr. a number of times and has tried 3 different medicines. We're eagerly awaiting updates on her condition. A Dr. friend told me tonight that her size will be favorable in this case. I knew there was a reason for those thunder thighs aside from the cute factor!

We also found out that a friend who is also in the process of adopting from Haiti heard that his paperwork is finished at the dreaded second stage that we're currently in. His was there for 4.5 mos. If that's the trend, we'll be out of that stage in mid-October. After that comes stage three, which I think may only be a few weeks. After THAT is another stage that lasts 22 days, in which everything is translated. The lawyer is now estimating late Nov. or early December. Perhaps in time for my Dec 2 birthday, or Christmas?

Please continue to pray for not only the "paperwork people" as I like to call them, but also for the health of Bedeline. We'll keep you posted.

New Pictures!

As I'm sure you've noticed, we have new pictures! Marialyn just got home from Haiti yesterday and spent her first morning home downloading pictures to send to us (thank you Marialyn!!!). There were dozens of pics in all, but we chose the best 3 to share here with all of you. We're thrilled to see that she's looking healthy, well-fed :), and is developmentally right on track. Now if only we could get her here!

another baby milestone

I talked to Marialyn yesterday who visited Bedeline again on Tuesday. She said that in the few weeks since Marialyn saw her last she's learned how to stand up on her own! Even though Marialyn's camera was recently stolen, she borrowed a friend's so that she could document this for us. She returns to Indiana on Tuesday and we'll be watching our email inbox for pictures from both of her visits with Bedeline. Don't worry, we'll post them here when we've got them!

baby care class

Sean and I started our day at a baby care class at our adoption agency. It was designed for families adopting internationally who are expecting babies from 3-16 mos. of age. It was very helpful and we're realizing that in some ways, the older she is, the easier the "maintenance"! We had some giggles when the instructor talked about baby size, especially when she was explaining that when taking temperatures under the arm it helps if the baby has some fat rolls. SOME fat rolls? I don't think that will be a problem. :)

Two weeks after the Haiti party, donations continue to come in daily. Latest count: $2633! Thanks everyone!