Busy Week for Dania

This week started with a visit from the social worker.  She was a total doll for D!  She came in the morning and stayed for almost 2 hours.  She probably didn't need to stay that long but she was obviously happy for us and I was excited for D to meet Dania.  She actually said that she could sit there all morning and just watch me and Dania play because we there was such positive and happy energy from us all! 

She took notes and asked a lot of the standard questions about what the leave situation is like, how much is our monthly income, what's our schedule like.  Then she kept asking about Dania and, well, I just couldn't stop talking!  She asked about her likes and dislikes, habits, how she has changed, what medical plans we have, how she reacts to people and surroundings and the animals.  It felt great to keep relaying how awesome this kid is!  Really!  It may all hit the fan when she decides to rebel because "you're not my real mom" but for the time being, this kid is wonderful!

The next day we had an ophthalmologist appointment.  This older gentleman took one quick peak in her eyes with the lighted scope and said, "yes, she is near-sighted."  I asked how he could tell and he replied, "you see that plaque in the hall that says I've been doing this for 36 years?  That's how."  Oh my!  How we all laughed!  I liked him instantly.  He also kept proclaiming how cute Dania is.  He held a few items in his hand at different distances and then tried to get her to look at a lighted cartoon dog across the room and she definitely didn't focus on it.  He wants us to come back on Nov. 4th and do a more extensive test with the dilating drops just to make sure there isn't anything more going on.  I think she will be so adorable with glasses and was a little disappointed that we didn't get to try glasses on right away!

Thursday we had the pediatrician visit.  This lady said she used to see all of the international orphans at one time because GPs tend to be weary about drawing some conclusions for these children and would feel more comfortable with an expert.  She told us this after she asked us what concerns we had and I said I didn't have any!  She also said that she is the pediatrician at the IWK (children's hospital) in the Ear, Nose, Throat clinic and was shocked we had not been contacted by them for an appointment yet.  She said that a cleft like hers would normally be treated after two years old (one year if she was born here) because the tissue heals better when it is older.  She asked us to call her on Wednesday and she will check on Thursday about Dania's appointment.  Jackpot!  Dr. S said she was going to keep Dania's file open but that she did not have any concerns.  Dania was extremely well-behaved, even gave a fecal sample almost on cue.  She wanted us to come back at 2 years just so she can keep tracking her measurements.  Dania has gained a pound since the GP visit (18.5 by official scales) and she is proportionate.  There was one oddity, her head circumference went down from 1 year to now... Dr. S seems to think this is not accurate but we will double check progress at her 2 year appointment.  The female growth spectrum chart had Dania in the bottom for everything so she will probably always be petite, but, again, no concerns.  She even settled my concern that Dania wasn't drinking enough milk (she totally is) and Mike's concern that she doesn't eat enough (again, she totally is). 

Then she had Thanksgiving dinner with all of Mike's side of the family!  Uncle Jon is the favourite because he can lift her the highest!  She loves being able to touch the ceiling.  She also was given cheesecake again and went nuts.  She was spinning around and being a super zombie.  It was so funny!  She wore a cute dress and was pretty well behaved.  Starting getting a little cranky at the end of the night but that was expected.  If she has a frisbee that she can push around on the ground or bang on hard floors she is a happy camper.  She liked the turkey too - and cranberry sauch!

As for my personal observations from the week, she is starting to make different sounds, finally.  She actually was trying to mimic 'hello' while we were playing peed-a-boo.  She kind of sounded like a dove, it was so cute.  She is also indicating specific pictures in books or more specific items (and less of just the general direction of 'over-there') and making a sound after as if she is saying what it is.  She can indicate toes and knees, and tries shoulders but she cannot touch them without my help; she touches her armpits LOL.  She is trying hard to jump and has gotten off the ground a few times - this stems from her want to dance and not the fact that she knows what jumping is.  She sings aloud whenever I play Sarah Slean - it is instant.  Most other musicians she will start by swaying and then, maybe, make a little coo here or there.  She must love Sarah Slean as inherently as I do!  She also lights up as soon as she hears the Muppet Show theme song! 

We travel this week.  I'm a little nervous about the plane because it could bring back memories and feelings from the looooong flight from Moscow.  Although, if she is similar to how she was on the flight from Ufa to Moscow we will be fine!  I know my family has gotten everything she could possibly need for when we visit so that is a huge relief and I feel lucky, again, to have such great family!  I also went shopping with a friend, M, and he picked out the dress that Dania will wear for my cousin's wedding!  She will be adorable!

She is almost always adorable!

Here is my favourite pic of the week:

-Still waiting for the permanent resident card.
-Printed the photos for our post placement report that we have to mail tomorrow.  We also have to get the money order for that.  D will mail her report directly from her social work business.
-Booked an appointment with speech pathologist next month.
-Need to phone Dr. S. to investigate Dania's ENT appointment.

Here we come Ontario!
xoxo