Three Months Post Gotcha Day

Has it really been three months?  I saw some pictures of Cate while we were in China this week and I literally barely recognized her.  It's true she was "happy" with us even in China - which we weren't anticipating - but having her home now for this long, and seeing how truly joyful she is - makes me wonder what was really going through her head when we were over there. I think she was way more nervous and scared than we realized.  

This month has brought lots of new words and phrases - which still blows my mind knowing that the portion of her brain that is most affected by her diagnosis is the part that controls her speech.  I'll tell you what it doesn't control.  The ability to say the word "no," "stop,"  "mean" (she says this when she doesn't get her way), and "maaammmaaaa, Wy-iiiitttt" (which is what she does anytime she is tattling - no matter who she is telling on - she always says Wyatt's name.  She tattles to me a lot on Nate when he tells her "no" and she tattles on me equally to whoever will listen.  It's really pretty hilarious most of the time - but at the end of the day can be equally as annoying. HA!

She consistently says "Good mor-nan!" everytime we get her out of bed - even at nap time - which is probably one of my favorite things to hear her say.  She says it with a southern accent - which makes it even cuter if that is possible.  She also learned to say "watch you [me]" "look" "Momma/Daddy's home!" "I do it" "momma, hold you/help you" "nap time" "lemme see it" "good boy, Knoxie" "good job, Wy-it" "come on, Momma, let's go" "blesh you"  "I do it, Momma" "bye, see ya" "night night" if we say "I love you!" her responses is "yes! I know!" (why, I have no idea!) and she has pretty much learned that most things that start with a gentle "Momma" and end with "please" will result in her getting what she asks for.  We've done a great job of making her not the princess of this house.  [eyeroll.]  She also says "why" all.day.long.   I don't think she has a clue what she is asking - but she hears everyone else say it - so why not her?

This month we had a lot of follow up appointments regarding her official diagnosis - and therapies we can pursue for her - and while no official therapy has started yet (next week) - we have a list of things we want to try to start with her over the coming months.  She has just continued to astound us with what she is attempting to do.  She is using her right arm more and more - even sometimes without being prompted.  She often isn't successful in her attempts to actually "do" things with her hand - but with enough cheering she is just as happy to try.  

She really misses her siblings while they are at school.  Wyatt is gone three days a week - and she says "Wy-it at kool" the entire day when he is gone.  "Momma - Wy-it at kool?  Wy-it at kool (sad face)"  When we pick Skylar and Wyatt up after school you would have thought she hadn't seen them in a month of Sundays - she screams "HIIIIIIIIIIIIII" at the top of her lungs.  I am pretty sure the people who run car line think I have someone pitching a fit every time I pull up - but she really is happy - although happy squeals and mad squeals sound very similar.   

We went to the zoo several times this month - and she really enjoys being outside.  I am super excited for the three days of fall we might get in Florida when I can actually enjoy being outside with her instead of trying to convince her its too hot to be out.

This month we survived our first sickness.  Cate had a (very mild, thank God) stomach bug.  In the days that followed - I couldn't help but be really sad about how she handled it.  I think this was one of those things that made me realize - I have no idea how in the world she was treated before she came to us.  I believe, in my heart, that she was loved and taken care - but there is just something different about having a momma and daddy.  There were two things that made me really sad. First, she didn't cry for anyone.  She literally got sick (at the exact same time I was laying her down in bed) and she didn't cry.  She didn't reach up for me.  She just laid there.  Which initially I thought - oh, she knows I saw that happen - and knows I will pick her up and help her.  But two other times that night - she was sick -and never cried.  In fact, Skylar woke up to go to the bathroom and happened to notice on her way to out of the girls room and woke us up.  Otherwise - we never would have known. It made me reflect on the fact that when she poops in her diaper after we put her down - she never cries.  We always end up smelling it - cause girlfriend's body has not completely adjusted to American food and I'm pretty sure the next city over could smell it - but she never complains, cries, or calls out for help.  It makes me wonder how many times she has slept in a mess and had to wait until morning.  Breaks my heart.   

The other thing that made me really sad was her reaction to spilling a snack.  She has always loved opening the pantry and just looking - I mean, some days she stacks tuna cans and carries them around in a lunch box all day - but I never really thought twice about it.  She also chipmunks food -  even an hour after a meal I'll notice her chewing and I'll say "what are you chewing on" and she will use her tongue to pull food out of the back of her mouth - where she is saving it?? So when she spilled a little snack she was eating at the table - and I picked up the little pieces off the floor and threw them out and she instantly burst into tears - I thought - oh my goodness -she thinks she is going to be hungry.  I quickly got another snack for her and when I brought it to her - she let out a sigh that had pent up for all almost-three years of her life.  She seriously thought she was going to be hungry.  No doubt in my mind she was worried that would be her last bit of food for the day...or however long.  

While it is easy to see that this girl has no shortage of food - it's these little moments that make us realize she has been affected - no matter how well she was loved in her earlier situation - by not having parents who could give her the care that only a family truly can.  

Cate wants to do whatever  the big kids are doing.  If we are baking - we give her bowls of water and small amounts of ingredients.  We let her help mix and pour.  If we are eating and someone else gets a different topping or side dish than what she has on her plate - she always reaches out and wants the same thing.  If they are doing a dance move, playing with a toy, or getting attention for something - she needs to do the exact.same.thing.  It is the sweetest thing how - for the most part - Skylar and Wyatt aren't the least bit bothered by it.  They are almost always the first one to notice if she does something new or different - and they are the biggest cheerleaders when it comes to her accomplishing something - especially  if it involves that hand they know she struggles to use.  Its the greatest thing to see them all bonding so well.

Cate has learned that as a member of this family - she will be forced to watch football every weekend - and as long as it involves snacks (which doesn't it always?) she totally doesn't mind.  I mean, how cute is she?

This month we went to the beach [finally!] for the first time since being home.  I had been hesitant to plan a big family trip because I know she has some sensory/texture aversions and I just knew we would pack everything up and get everyone there and she would freak and my other two would be sad to leave their favorite place instead of playing all day long.  Nothing about leaving the beach after going to the effort of loading up three kids - with all three crying kids - or staying while two had a ball and the other one cried sounded like a great idea to me.  So I waited until we had a day with no appointments - and we went just the two of us.  While I wouldn't say she loved it right away - I know with a couple more visits she will end up really enjoying herself.  I was surprised with how long she played and smashed sand castles.  I was actually able to get her to use her right hand for almost an hour and so basically we had "therapy" at the ocean. I mean, no complaints here!

This month has been so sweet to see her little personality emerge more and more - and to really just be able to sit back and watch our family and friends get to meet her and see that really - what you see is what you get. She just is such a little light and full of so much joy it really is hard to believe we have only been her family for three months.  I know Nate is tired of hearing me say - but seriously - we are so blessed and I can't believe she is finally here and this is her.  I can't believe how God has answered prayer after prayer - and I can't believe how many times we have been able to share our story - and how many people we have been able to meet through this process.  We are so very very thankful and blessed.

A Name Not A Diagnosis.

We have gotten so many questions with regard to Cate's "diagnosis" and how her scans were - and I have had this blog post drafted for almost two weeks now and have been hesitant to post.  Hesitant to post because (a) I don't want anyone who hasn't met her in person to see words on a page about her and come to conclusions about, feel sorry for, or label her -- and (b) part of what I share is my story - but mostly it is Cate's story - and it is for her to share when she gets to an age to share it herself - if she chooses.  So that being said I will tread lightly on the subject of a "diagnosis" and if I have learned nothing else in the last two-months-and-some-change about "diagnosis-es" it is this  - it. doesn't. matter.  The final "answer", "diagnosis", "scan" doesn't matter.  And not just in Cate's situation - but all kiddos! We met so many amazing kids on our adoption trip and each one had a "diagnosis" but not one single kid was a diagnosis.  In fact, we never even noticed. 

That being said - we have been transparent with the good, easy part of our story - and we want to be faithful to be as transparent as possible with the less-than-easy part as well.  We know God can use our story  - and Cate's miracle - to encourage someone else to step out on faith - and we want to shout His goodness to our family to anyone who will hear [read].

I'll start with just a brief recap - so that you can be just as amazed as we have been with what God is teaching us through Cate.

When we found Cate's profile back in March - we felt like she was our girl instantly. (I mean, seriously - that face!) We truly felt a connection with a picture and a tiny little grainy video.  We prayed and prayed that God would open and shut doors - clearly.  Like open them wide or slam them shut - and that we would continue to walk through the doors he opened - even if things got scary.  You know - big faith kind of prayers.  To be completely honest - her needs list was way longer and way scarier than we felt "open" to initially - but we had this weird eerie peace.  You know, the peace you pray for in those big-faith kind of prayers and yet here we were - surprised to feel it. But we felt it - and so we went - we jumped in with two feet and marched through those doors carrying the banner of "the Lord is literally paving the way for us."  And He is!

However, that peace that the Lord was paving our way didn't stop us from asking a million questions, seeking out professional opinions and taking it all with a grain of salt - because again, the peace won over the fears.  We heard the "prepare for this", "you might expect that", "this could mean this" and so we continued to investigate - but knew in our hearts that she was coming home to us no matter what.  In the meantime though, we asked for scans of her brain. Scans that we knew had been done.  Scans that we had written records of - but no actual scans.  Scans that could help us get a clearer picture of what was going on.  To no avail.  Twice before we left we asked and received a "no."  In China, at her orphanage, we were able to talk with the orphanage doctor - who said, yes, I can send them to you -- and never did.  I was frustrated - because it could have made the appointments we have had so much less invasive (i.e. no sedated MRI) and truthfully, I felt like I needed to know.  But did I really? With no scans - I just looked at this perfectly adorable, capable, hilarious, quick-learning little girl and got to know her.

(I can tell you exactly what I wasn't thinking about here as I held her for the first time - and that was anything related to a diagnosis.)

We knew - based on her file that we had received before going to China - that at some point that she had a brain injury - either before or shortly after birth that caused weakness on her right side (Cerebral Palsy - "CP"), and that she had a shunt for hydrocephalus. There were also several other scary words in her file that I can barely spell - all of them things you should never google if you are in the business of trying not to worry.  So we didn't google.  We put away the file and we got to know Cate - in all her sweetness.

The more we got to know - the more and more we convinced ourselves that the paperwork was wrong.  There was no way that she had any of those things listed - the CP, yes, because the use of her right hand is limited - and the shunt for hydrocephalus - yes, because - there is a battery sized bulge on the side of her head.  But she is walking, talking, doing everything a "typical" two year old girl would do.  Some things she is behind on - which was to be expected from being in an orphanage - but for the most part - she was ahead in every area compared to where our "expectations" were.  We had -- to the extent we could - mentally prepared for the worst in every situation.  Our biggest concern was her language and ability to communicate.  Her file was very cautious about these things in general.  From what we were told - she would only repeat 1 word - and based on her injuries we were cautioned that she could be/probably would be non-verbal or have extreme difficulty communicating.  

In China - the day we got her - girlfriend put our biggest worries at ease.  HA!  Since we have been home - she has shocked us with her language skills.  There isn't much we say to her that she doesn't understand. And she literally repeats EVERY.THING.  She remembers words - even if she isn't stringing them together properly all the time - she knows - and she is getting it.  (Side note - The funniest thing so far about her language has been when we tack someone's name on the end of a phrase - even just once - and she automatically thinks that person's name is part of the phrase. We hear a lot of "sit down, Wyatt! sit down, Knox!" and "Watch you [me], Mimi!" even though she is talking to someone completely different. It's hilarious.)

The day came when we finally saw the pictures from her MRI.  This amazing, wonderful, mouth-full-of-words, keeping-up-with-the-other-kids, girl had a Brain Injury.  Now.  Y'all.  I barely made it through anatomy in high school because the smell of that cat we had to dissect made me sweat.  But I know what a brain is sort-of, kind-of supposed to look like.  And I knew when I saw her scans that it was not that. 

I almost hit the floor.  I kept looking at Cate and looking at her scans and thinking - this doesn't make sense.  I don't get it.  Our sweet NP and Neurosurgeon were so reassuring and so gracious and bless them for not making me feel like an idiot for doing my best to compose myself in the office and put together coherent questions. But as they explained it - her brain was injured - we will never know exactly how - (more than likely a stroke) - but it has completely rewired itself and is working "just fine"!  I kept asking - with this kind of injury - what should we be seeing her do differently.  What does the part of her brain where the injury occurred control?  Speech.  Communication. Her ability to repeat, understand, and process. All the things she has demonstrated she has the ability to do.  

To say I left the appointment so confused but so grateful - would be the understatement of the year.

I think I cried on and off for the rest of the day - not because I was fearful at this point - because she is NOT her scans.  She is Cate.  She is capable, strong, smart, hilarious and all the things we were fearful she might not be.  She is.  She is a miracle.

As Nate and I sat on the couch that night after the house was quiet and all the kids were in bed - I couldn't help but cry all over again.  What if I had seen the scans before I knew her?  What if we had been sent the scans on any one of the times we had asked?  What if God had answered all of our prayers for more information before we met her with a "yes" instead of a "no"?  What if...

Would I have still had faith?

Would I have been able to say "yes"?

Would we have gone?

Would we have seen past the fear and felt peace? Or would my tendency to worry have overtaken everything good God was trying to do in our family?

What if I had seen a diagnosis and not a child of God? My child?

What if God had given me what I wanted when I wanted it?

I'm afraid of the answer to that question.  I truly am.  Ashamed and embarrassed to even say it - but I don't know if I would have been brave enough, or if I would have trusted God enough.  I hope I would have.  But at the same time - even if  I was still able to say yes,  even if we had gone and brought her home - I would have over-examined, over-thought, read in to, made assumptions and flat out worried about her - and what she was doing or not doing or what she might do one day - INSTEAD God protected me from myself.  

He gave me the perfectly good gift of getting to know my child without any worry.  Without fear.  With just peace.  To get to know Cate - as she is - not as her scan is.  And what a perfect good gift Cate has been to our whole family.

As I was telling Nate (bless his heart) all these things as they were going through my mind - would you believe me if I told you that my phone went off?  My WeChat App.  And it was Cate's orphanage doctor.  She had sent Cate's scans.  The scans we had asked for before, during, and after meeting her.  The scans that were unable to be located.  Were sent to me - on my couch - from halfway across the world - on the same day I had seen them for myself from our doctors here.  

There really are no words.  Other than - Thank You, God - that our family can say.  There is no way that anyone will ever be able to convince me that God didn't completely protect me from myself - and how grateful I am for that can't be put into words.

We saw our neurologist the following week and by this time I had had time to process all the things I had seen - and really, how "unimportant" what he had to say regarding an actual "diagnosis" seemed to us at this point. He has been so wonderful and has reminded us constantly - "we treat kiddos, not scans".  When I told him how shocked I was actually comparing her with her pictures - for lack of a better explanation - he basically said "then don't!"  Yes, she has all the things we had convinced ourselves she didn't.  But that doesn't change her. What she is doing - and what she is going to do.

He believes that based on her pictures - her brain injury happened in utero - and that because she was in the protective shelter of her birth-momma's belly - that her brain was able to focus on re-wiring - and that her strong side has taken over function for both.  Any other option, in his opinion, she would not have lived through.  How grateful we are for her birth-momma.  For her protection over Cate's life.  For giving Cate a chance at life.  For allowing her to be a part of our family.  For keeping her safe.  We may never know her, but I hope somehow she can sense that Cate is safe, taken care of, and loved beyond measure.  

As for Cate, she is Cate.  She is a lot of things - but a diagnosis isn't one of them.  She may need help with things as she grows and matures - but I have no doubt in my mind that she is not going to be stopped.  I can't wait to see what she decides to do with her little life.  I can't wait to cheer her on.  I can't wait to share how God continues to work through her (and Skylar and Wyatt and their ability to wrap their arms around her from day one!) in my life.  I hope that if nothing else - through sharing what God has done for us - it will make anyone who reads this join us in being thankful for the miracle of life.