surgery

I have attempted to post many times and it just hasn't worked for one reason or other.

Olivia Kate's surgery went very well!

The doctor worked his magic and she now has a little button nose and closed lip.  She looks great!
We had expected to be in the hospital overnight but Olivia came out of anesthesia crying for a drink.  The nurse looked at her and said, looks like your going home today!  I was not too surprised.  The child eats and drinks all day long and hadn't eaten since dinner the night before.  Surgery was at 8 and we were home at 1.   Olivia ate a bowl of lo main for lunch and slept for a few hours.  When she woke up she was ready to play.  Amazing!  She wasn't too sure of her new look at first but now she seems quite pleased.  She looks at herself in the mirror and points and it.  She chatters something to me about it but I am not sure what she is saying.  Then she comes and gives me a little pat on my cheek.  It is so sweet!  I would love to know what she is thinking.

                        
                                            Waiting for surgery.

                                                        30 hours after surgery
                                                        definately a bit swollen
                                                                God is good!

Celebrating Two Months Together

Olivia is quite a girly girl!
She loves her pretty dresses, bows, and shoes.
She can have a good conversation on the cell phone!   Apologies if she calls you accidently!
She loves freezer pops!  I won't even say how many she eats a day!
She loves to be outside!  It really needs to warm up!


Olivia has surgery tomorrow.  We will update you on how it goes.

playing

This girl loves playdoh!  And sitting on the table!  She is a happy girl today!  Love that smile!

Our little sunshine

What a difference a few weeks makes. 

When we were in China and would go out for a walk often everyone looked at us and it made Olivia very uncomfortable.  People would really stare.  Olivia is good at reading expressions and may have understood what people where saying about her cleft.  We obviously could not understand them and just prayed that God would protect her from hearing unkind things.  Because Olivia is perceptive she would shut down until we were back to our room and she would return to being happy.

Now that we are home I have only taken Olivia out a few times.  We don't need to pick up any more germs and I wasn't real sure how people here would react to her cleft.  I am happy to say that when we have been out Olivia walks with so much confidence that she catches everyones eye.  You can't miss the cute little thing bouncing along with a big smile!  She just seems to have a sparkle in her eye and gives everyone a big wave and a nod.  If they're lucky she will even throw them a kiss!  People are so tickled by her and just think she is beautiful!  She brightens peoples days! Several people stop and ask me all about her. '''' I am so glad that people can look past her cleft and see her for her personality for people are people not their disability.  God has truly blessed our family with a special girl.  He must have big plans for her!

4 weeks home

 Baking Cookies with Connor

 Fixing daddys hair!

 Loving to play outside!

 Hugging mommy

 Hanging out with big brother!

Getting into things!   (sorry I need to flip this one)


It has been a busy 4 weeks!  Olivia is so happy! 
She is now sleeping well through the night.  Wakes with a big smile!
We stay home for the most part.  Olivia absolutely loves to outside.
All of our doctor appointments have gone well and she is scheduled for surgery at the end of Feb. 
We continue to be amazed by how quickly she has adjusted to her new life.