Surgery # 2

Alexis had nose revision and everything went very well. She also had ear tubes put in. The next surgery will be in 6-12 mo. and we're done ! I will post pictures soon.
The picture above is Alexis Nicole at 24 months. (30 lb. & 36 in.). She's a big girl and everybody loves her. She is our sweet princess who loves shoes, purses, makeup ,and football. The only kids TV show she still likes is Blues Clue's and football of course; so no silly DORA in this house(Thank God).

Alexi's First Halloween

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Just Pictures

Happy 2nd. Birthday Alexis !

September smiles, hugs and kisses

HAPPY 09.09.09

Busy August

August was quite busy around here.Doctor's appointments for everybody, Alexis surgery, John started school. Now we have a high school student in the house and a toddler; and it's working just fine. It is a challenge for my son to play the piano but I'm getting a four hands concert everyday.
Alexis got her Citizenship Certificate,social security and we are waiting for her passport to arrive. The first post placement visit went very well and the next one will be in six months.
Our dog Gwacy is realizing that Alexis is not leaving the house and that she has to get use to sharing us with the baby. The pool and the park have been a hit with Alexis. The park is just across the street so it is an
everyday thing.
Alexis stopped drinking from the bottle and went to a sippy cup and now after the palate surgery, she likes drinking with a straw. My fear was for her to stop drinking milk the moment she stopped drinking from the bottle but she still enjoys her milk. She also stopped sucking her thumb. Her vocabulary is coming along and she basically understands everything we tell her. She will start speech therapy soon. We met with the SP and we think it is going to workout.
We also visited a Montessori school we would like Alexis to go in the near future. Our son was in Montessori school for two years and he really enjoyed it. The other option is to enroll her at the family center at the
University. It would be convenient for us because our son is in High School at NSU and we know the system and the people.
Next on the list is to have her nose and lip revision. We already met with the surgeon and scheduled surgery. Birthday and baptism are coming up but we will have two different gatherings. Baptism will be strictly family and we have to plan a weekend where everybody is around and her birthday will be at our house. A small celebration but nice. It will be with close friends and a couple of kids. I don't think she would care how many kids are in the party. As long as there is food, she will be OK.
Well, this is what we have been doing. I will post pictures soon.

Two Months with Alexis Nicole

Labor Of My Heart

I would have given anything
to be the one to know
the pain of bringing
you into this world
but it couldn't be...

Though I did not bring
you here still
I labored in my tears
through the long nights
I prayed
you would come to me...

You are the labor of
my heart with all
my strength I prayed
till they laid you in
my arms Child,
you are the labor
of my heart....

Blessed be the maker
of bone of other bone.
He made flesh of my desire
and today
I take you home...

You are the labor
of my heart Child,
you are the labor
of my heart with all
my strength I prayed
till they laid you in
my arms Child,

you are the labor
of my heart Child,
you are the labor
of my heart...
Author - Steve & Annie Chapman

Palate Surgery

Alexis had her Palate repair and everything went really well. We are very happy with the surgeon, anestesiologist, and also with the Pediatric ICU at DiMaggio.

She is doing really well with the arm restraints. They are placed before leaving the operating room so it is heartbreaking to see her bleeding from her mouth and nose and having so many cables and on top of all that, to see her with them on knowing that she has to have them on for two weeks.
The first day was rough because of the pain but by the second day she was feeling better. The first day, she didn't want to drink anything but by the following day, she was hungry and wanting to eat. At home, she stayed in her crib all night but she would move and cry from the discomfort she felt and also trying to find the best position to sleep with the arm restraints.
My son went to the hospital the first night and he was so happy to see her but he felt so bad to see her in such pain but he needed to be there to really understand her moods and why she would be cranky during the following weeks . It was such a touching moment when he was trying to comfort her. I'm in LOVE with my kids. I love them so much that it hurts at times. After moments like these all those years of waiting for Alexis Nicole just melted away.
Here are some pictures.

THE MOUNTAINS WILL MELT LIKE WAX

BEFORE THE LORD OF ALL THE EARTH.