More pictures

I uploaded new pictures to flickr last night. Check them out! :)

Weeeeee

Karla seems better since we started the Zyrtec Friday night. She has only woken up twice each night - and at this point I feel that is manageable. I hope tonight is the same or better. I spent almost 15 minutes on the phone with the social worker (who worked with our previous pediatrician) today talking about night-time sleeping. I had called her Friday morning when I was feeling near despair about the sleep situation and before we went to the doctor. She returned my call today and gave some additional suggestions and I guess validated my feelings on the subject. I thought it was really nice of her to take the time to talk with me - for free! She told me to keep in touch and let her know how Karla is doing.

We had a busy day! Karla started her first gym class at the Y. It is a 30 minute class of songs, situps, push-ups, obstacle course, scooters and games. It seemed like we were only there 5 minutes and then the class was over - we were so busy! It was fun although I am pretty sure I got more exercise than Karla. She was shy at first so I had to carry her for part of the exercises. Yeah, my arms are sore. There are 18 kids in the class and there really wasn't time to talk to other moms but i think Karla is one of the youngest in the class (it is for 2-5 year olds). We hung out (ran around) in the gym for a while after class was over.

Karla took a long nap today! I had to wake her up after 2 1/2 hours because we had to take my car to get inspected. After being at Meineke for 45 min. a man came out and told me that he didn't want me driving my car home because it looked like my back right tire could fly off at any moment and it was a good thing I had come in! That would have scared me before but thinking that is the main car Karla rides in made me extra thankful nothing happened. It was early evening and they weren't going to get a new wheel bearing (sp?) until tomorrow. He even took me to our tire - less car to show me how bad the bearing was. Karla got to see the inside of a car shop - while she was tightly in my arms of course. I thought she'd be scared by the noise or the fact that our car had no tires but she didn't care at all.

One of the workers said he would take us home in the "company's car" since we live maybe 5 minutes away. We had to get Karla's car seat in this really old (stinky) car. I was again thinking this would bother her - being in a different car. Nope! You would have thought she was on a ride at Kennywood, pointing to all of the features in the car, saying "weeeee" and all! It was quite humorous. It was while she was enjoying herself that I realized something very disturbing...Oso was left behind at Meineke!!!! AHHHH!!!!!!! I told our friendly driver and he said he understood and would set Oso aside the minute he returned to the store and he'd be waiting with our car tomorrow. I said...oh, no...my husband will be stopping by to get him on his way home from work so we all can sleep tonight. :)

Oso hasn't been needed nearly as much lately. In fact, lately I put him in the diaper bag and leave him there when we go places. Karla often doesn't ask for him until we are in the car on the way home. She didn't ask for Oso this evening until about 3 minutes before her Dad got home. Whew.

Yesterday Grammy and Pap-Pap brought over a little tricycle for Karla. She LOVED it. I missed part of the action because I had to go sit in the garage because I was crying. I don't even know why. I was happy and sad. I was sad because we had just shopped for a "big" bed for her so we can put the other bed back in the guest room. Then I was seeing her on a "big" bike - I still can't believe she isn't a baby sometimes. I was happy because she was in OUR driveway at OUR home, where I've imagined her for so long. Jason came to check on me and pulled me back out to the driveway so I didn't "miss anything". When we returned Karla and her grandparents weren't there any more. I turned to Jason and said "Did Karla just turn 16 and drive away....and I missed it because I was crying????" We had a good laugh and then found them around the side of the house. :)



Thursday is our big day! Court hearing and ALL adoption related paperwork and issues are DONE DONE DONE!!!

Party, nice weather, and doctor report

Friday night my co-workers (I still call them that even though I'm not currently working with them) had a shower/party for Karla and me. We've talked about it for so long it was nice to finally have it happen!!! Karla got a basket full of books, toys, and Dora stuff and a clothesline of spring/summer clothing. Karla had fun with "Mommy's friends" and has mentioned them many times today.

There was a cake, complete with Dora decorations...teddy bears also were abundant for decorations. "Mommy's friends" sure know Karla! :)

Today was so nice outside we went on a walk this afternoon and then played in the backyard. This is Karla going down our hill telling us "just a minute" - meaning, don't follow me, I'm big and can walk down this hill by myself. She looks so tiny in the yard by herself! She's growing like a weed though!


Yesterday the doctor said that Karla's nose was very pale inside indicating environmental allergies and she said she saw a lot of congestion in her nose. The pressure in her sinuses are probably why she had a rash on her face - from Karla rubbing the areas when they hurt. We put hydrocortizone cream on her face twice today and it already looks much better. We tried Claritin at the end of January/beginning of February (the pharmacists suggestion) and saw no improvement so we are trying Zyrtec now. The doctor said if we don't see improvement in the next week or so then we may need to take Karla to an allergist and/or a sleep specialist. We shall see. A (knowledgeable) friend mentioned to me today that reflux could be a possibility. I may mention this to the doctor if we don't see any improvement. Jason and I are convinced that this isn't adoption/transition related because we'd be seeing some signs of this during the day too. We are pretty sure she remembers her Guatemalan family but we don't think she's crying because she is scared or misses them. It seems like she doesn't feel good because sometimes it is hard to comfort her and she is just not herself. And it is just at night! Anyway, at least we have some ideas now.

Answers

I think we got some answers today about Karla's health and sleeping. Last night was awful and this morning was rough so I took Karla to the doctor today. She doesn't have ear infections, strep, or chest congestion. Yeah! The doctor thinks she's got some allergies (and nothing related to adoption). Now we at least kind of have a "plan" on what it is and what to do...it is just going to take time. I'm relieved. I'll write more later...probably tomorrow.

"Scary" things

This week has been better than last week. Karla hasn't been having night sweats and she isn't as clingy. She isn't waking up nearly as much in the night although last night wasn't very good - she woke up many times. At least we had several days of pretty good nights. We've been able to get out a little bit this week and Grandma came to visit yesterday. Karla had fun having Grandma all to herself.


I hope this afternoon we can go outside for a little while! Karla LOVES being outside. Whenever we have her walk out to the mailbox with us or play outside for a few minutes she smiles and laughs the whole time. I have a feeling she was probably used to being outside at least a little bit everyday when she lived in Guatemala. Now she is holed up inside with me! AH! Scary.

Karla has also decided she really likes the "bad lady" from "The Little Mermaid" (the sea witch, Ursula). She likes to look at the DVD cover, say "bad lady" and then kiss her. Should I be worried? :)

Yesterday when we went to the basement to change a load of laundry Karla found a Halloween pumpkin full of (fake) creepy crawly things. She loves them! Particularly the skeleton ring. They've been her favorite toys since yesterday. Ewww!

Yes, Oso likes the spider ring best.

Oso is famous!

A friend emailed me today (thanks Kelly!) and told me that a special show is coming to the Disney Channel! It is called OSO. Well, actually it is called "Special Agent Oso". Here is the website if you want to learn more. I have to say I am excited about it! The show starts April 4.

http://www.dcmedianet.com/web/showpage/showpage.aspx?program_id=3114084&type=lead

You go Oso!!! Just remember who takes care of you!

A bit better today

Friday night Karla was up every hour between 11:30pm and 5:30am. It was NOT fun. I was basically sleeping for 30 minutes at a time. She couldn't be comforted no matter where we were. I tried every bed and chair upstairs. This is why I do think she has a bug... It just isn't normal. So, I was not very pleasant when it was time to get up Saturday morning...because Karla wasn't going to sleep in. So Daddy got up with Karla and let me sleep in. They cleaned the kitchen, family room, started laundry, and folded towels. For some reason I couldn't sleep in too long. I was shaken up by the previous night I guess. Daddy took Karla for some errands and to Chik Fil A for lunch so I could relax at home. It was nice to have some quiet time. Thank you Daddy!!! By the time they got home I was back to being able to function and (I think) I was pleasant again. :) Karla took a long nap in the afternoon and then we went to visit her Uncle Kevin for his birthday. So, Karla had lots of attention at Grammy and Pap-Pap's. I felt like I had the day off! I needed it! Last night Karla only woke up once and I was back in bed within 30 min. She didn't want picked up or anything - just wanted me to sit by her bed. We all feel better today. We've had a nice family day today. We're hoping for more sleep-filled nights...we'll see...

Here is a picture of Karla with her Uncles. Wait...where is Karla???

She had lots of fun being carried around...and being the center of attention!!