Another Video

Some Video by request.

Some of you have asked that we post some Video, this is Abby singing.  Enjoy.

Our Second Christmas with Abby!!!!!!

Wow, time has just gone by so fast.  It is hard to believe that it is already Christmas time.  Abby is so excited this year.  She is still a little scared of Santa but she does know he is bringing her a Bike.  She is just growing up so fast.  She is talking up a storm now and she is developing such a precious little personality.  She can also get an attitude, if you know what I mean.  God has blessed our lives so much this year.  We have so much to be thankful for.  We hope all of you have a Blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year.  A few pictures of miss Abby decorating the tree and having fun with big brother.  

Brandon Runs His First Triathlon

We all flew to Denver this weekend to cheer big brother Brandon in his first race.  This was his first Triathlon and we wanted to make sure we were there to watch him.  He did fantastic and Abby enjoyed being with him so much.  She calls him Bam Bam and all she could talk about was going to see Bam Bam.  Brandon is living in Boulder awaiting his results of the Bar exam he took in July.  So, in his spare time, he decided to train for, and run in a sprint Triathlon.  We are so proud of him.  He has grown in to such a fine young man and it was so awesome to watch him and Abby continue to bond.  We had so much fun so we thought we would share some photos. Enjoy!!!!!!

GOTCHA DAY 2008

Today was the one year anniversary of receiving our wonderful blessing, ABBY.  So much has happened over the past year and first we just want to say "THANK YOU ALL" for your prayers and encouragement.  God has blessed our family in so many ways through this one leap of faith we call adoption.  We have laughed and we have cried, but most of all, we have felt the joy that can only come from following Gods call.  Abby has grown so much that we can not hardly believe she is the same little girl that was placed in our arms only one short year ago.  She has gone from not being able to sit up without support to running, laughing, talking, and singing.  Every day is something new and we can not wait to wake up and see that little smile that she has every morning.

Today we took vacation from work, and spent the day with Abby.  We drove to New Orleans and took her to the Zoo.  She loved the animals and we loved watching her.  She was a little overwhelmed by a goat in the petting zoo that decided to relieve himself.  That was all she would talk about for a while.  She got to pet a very soft sheep, and got very close to the elephants and giraffs.  Then after she had enough of the zoo, she took a nap in her car seat while we took a short drive downtown.  Mom and dad had a foot message by some wonderful Chinese folks while she finished her nap.  Then we had Beignets and milk at Cafe Dumonde.  To top it off, we had chinese for dinner with our dear friends that also adopted a little girl and were an inspiration to us when we started this journey.  Now our day is over and our little angel is fast a sleep for the night.

So again we just want to thank you all and can only imagine what God has in store for us in the next year.  God Bless and enjoy the photo's!

  

Abby's First Trip to the Beach

Well, we discovered that she doesn't like the sand.  She loved the water - both the pool and the Gulf.  Due to sand being in between, we had to carry her to the water / chair / or pool.  

Vacation was great.  Dad and Mom got to play a little golf.  We really just wanted to share these pictures with you.

  

Mom goes back to work on August 1st.  Abby is doing well in school.  She is learning so much and talking like you wouldn't believe.  She has come so far.  It is hard to believe that she has been with us almost a year.  

Thanks for sharing in our little girl's growth.

Mark and Debbie

Dad got a new Camera and had to try it out. Our Beautiful Girl!!!

Had to post some of these.  Enjoy.

Updated Pictures of Abby

This is Kai Ping  and Abby.  They met in Cincinnati and have become friends.  Kai was born 2 hrs away from Abby in China.
This is Kai Ping, Rebecca and Abby.  All 3 adopted from China.

We are Home

Abby is doing great!  Her friend Kai Ping and her mom, Debbie, drove home with us for a visit.  The girls are sleeping after a long ride home.  I will post some pictures when Mark gets home.  Thanks for all your prayers for a safe return.

Debbie

Released from Hospital

Today (Saturday) we were released from the hospital and are again fortunate to stay at the Ronald McDonald House.  Abby is doing just great and I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers.

We are supposed to stay until Tuesday or Wednesday.  Dr. Levitt has told us just to call him before we leave town to make sure we haven't had any issues.  We also have to send him an x-ray of that area to make sure that she is not getting constipated.

Our little girl is normal now - no more surgeries.  We give thanks to almighty God for this and all other blessings.

We will post pictures later.  I just got Abby to sleep and now I am going to try and get some uninterrupated sleep (and no beeps from monitors going off.)

Debbie

Proud Parents

 Well, I never thought it would be such a monumental experience for Abby to pass gas and poop. But, she did it, and did it, etc.  She is doing great.  Only had some Tylenol last night to go to sleep and slept all night.  We are waiting for the doctors to come in and tell her that she can have food.  She has been eyeing my breakfast.  She is going around the room with baby wipes and cleaning the room.

She has been so good.  The nurse last night actually let me sleep and she changed her diapers.  It will be an interesting ride home.  It appears that it will take 3-4 weeks for her bowels to develop a pattern.   They explain that the bowels are waking up and since she is on liquids right now, it is quite a mess.  

She is just as happy today, playing and watching cartoons.  Mark and I have been blessed.  Dr. Levitt is just awesome - not only in his profession, but bedside manner.  He is truly in it for the right reasons and cares about the kids.  Dr. Breech (her OB-GYN) is also great and very personable.

Mark was able to get into the Ronald McDonald House so we are hoping to be released tomorrow (Sunday) and then we will be here at least 3 days before we can start home. 

Thanks for your prayers and support.

Debbie

Surgery is over and Abby is doing Great!!!!

Abby is out of Surgery and back in her room resting comfortably.  She is such a little angel, she went to sleep in moma's arms and when she woke, we were there.  This hospital is so good with the kids at making them feel safe.  Just wanted to let everyone know that all is well.  The pics are of her in recovery with Mickey.  Notice Mickey has a bandage on his foot.  Doc said they did a little surgery on him while they were in there together.  Thanks for all of the prayers and God Bless.... 

Safely back in Cincinnati.

We had a wonderful trip up here.  The Dogwoods and Redbuds were all in bloom through Tenessee and Kentucky and the weather was perfect.  We arrived here about 2:30 yesterday.  We have checked in to the hospital and so far Abby is doing great.  Moma is trying to get her to take a nap at the moment.  Just wanted to post a short note to keep you all updated.  The recent pictures are for those that haven't seen her in a while.  Bye for now.

Family Update

Sorry, we haven't posted much but we have been very busy.  Mark has been busy traveling and I am enjoying being an at-home mom.  Abby is doing very well with her Speech and Occupational Therapy sessions.  She is doing some things at a 3 yr old level and others at her 2 yr old level.  We are so pleased.  

We leave on Monday to have her colostomy reversed.  Her surgery is scheduled for the 24th.  We will keep you posted while we are there.  

Jonathan is doing Great!  He is getting ready to perform in the Ascension Parish's production of "Godspell".  Unfortunately, we will be in Cincinnati when it opens, but will be back in time to see the May 2nd show.

Brandon is graduating from Law School on May 10th.  We are soooo proud of him.  He will be moving to Boulder, Colorado to take the bar and start his practice.  We will miss him terribly, but wish him the best.

We will keep you posted on Abby's surgery and post pictures later from Jonathan's performance and Brandon's graduation.

Debbie

WE ARE HOME!!!

After driving to Atlanta for my cousin's wedding, we are finally home.  Everyone slept in their own beds last night and boy did it feel good.  Abby is playing with all her toys at home like they are new toys.  Max is glad to be home and Jonathan even came by last night to welcome us home.  

We have to go back in April to have the colostomy reversed, but all is well.  We thank everyone for you prayers!

Just a quick  note, will send more later.

Mom, Dad, Abby & Max

Happy Birthday Abby!!!!!!!

Sunday was Abby's second birthday and her first as part of our family.  We had a small party complete with cake, ice cream, party hats, and even a few presents.  She had a great time and as you will see from the pictures, she loooooved the cake.  She continues to get better every day and we are even getting better at changing "the bag".  We are so blessed to have her and all of her friends and family.  Everywhere we go she steals peoples hearts including here.  We have met some wonderful people here that we hope to stay in contact with, even after we get home.  Abby is getting more vocal every day and we both think that it won't be long before she is talking up a storm.  

We have an appointment Friday with Dr. Levitt and he thinks we should be able to leave once he is done.  If that all works out, we will leave after her appointment and drive as far as we can Friday evening.  We would then be home sometime Saturday evening.  God Bless!!!