It's hard to believe that a month ago today we arrived home with Maylia. After being with her for a month, and being so at hem here, it's even harder to believe that she hasn't been with us for the past two + years.
As a rather unlikely way to celebrate this anniversary we had a visit to the International Adoption Clinic and a visit with a Social Worker. We went to the International Clinic as her first follow-up appointment, to assess where she's at developmentally and medically. We met with the Social Worker to see where she's at socially and emotionally.
At the international clinic we were able to meet with the same physician who had reviewed her file for us in May when we were first matched with Maylia. All the doctor had to go from then was Maylia's (translated) Chinese medical file and 3 photographs. At that time her assessment raised a couple of questions, but mostly calmed our concerns as some of the tests she looked at indicated better results than first thought.
Today's news was even better. Though Maylia was pretty upset and angry during the appointment, both we and the doctor were happy to see how well she has been doing. Although she will still be referred to get an EKG (to check for the initially diagnosed hole in her heart) the doctor told us that had it not been listed other file, she would never had even thought there was a heart problem. Not only was she growing, but her developmental percentile measurements were consistent ( i.e.. 20th percentile for height, weight and head circumference) -- a very healthy indicator. As we told the doctor about her eating and sleeping patterns, she was amazed how well Maylia seemed to be doing for only a month. We received a bunch of requisitions for blood work, stool and urine samples ( things Todd doesn't pay me enough to collect ) so we still have a ways to go before she's declared out of the woods but so far we have an incredibly happy, incredibly healthy, 2 yr old girl. Amazing.
The next appointment at the clinic was with the OT where things went from great to better than great. By this time Maylia was back to her happy self ( to be fair, the doctor was trying to examine her at nap time) and with the OT, well, all we really have to do is play.
With the doctor Maylia screamed and screamed and screamed - took a breath - and screamed some more. By the second appointment the second wind had kicked in and there were balls and books and bottles with lids, her favourite. She performed every test and task with relative ease, and between those -- she just performed. Would you believe on the play mat Maylia began to do somersaults. Seriously. Somersaults. In a fit of giggles as she flipped over on to her back. Our other kids are blessed with talents and intelligence -- but I'm pretty sure none of them can do a somersault . The OT checked her fine motor and and her gross motor skills. 'Can she run?' ( Sometimes faster than she has strength). 'Can she hop?' (we performed her favourite sleeping bunnies song'). 'Can she throw?'( Our problem is to get her to stop throwing.) Yes, she can definitely throw. Over an hour later -- three hours total with both appointments -- we were discharged with high marks from both assessments with a plan to return in a couple of months time.
The evening included a visit from a Social Worker, from Adoption Options, the agency that had helped us complete our home study. Anyone who adopts internationally is required to complete "Post-Placement Reports" -- formal assessments to see how a child is transitioning. Different countries have different requirements. China requires 5 -- at 1 month, 6 months, a year, 3 years and 5 years. I should have known better than to suppose that once the adoption is completed that reports and paperwork were finished as well. More questions, more forms and another 15 page document. As I've said before, adoption - especially international adoption - is not for the faint of heart. But this is what we signed up for and a few forms is a very small price to pay for the gift we get in Maylia.
The Social Worker asked many of the same questions we had addressed earlier that day. Like the doctor and the OT she too was amazed and impressed at how well Maylia seemed to be doing and how smoothly her transition was going . She didn't have to ask how well Maylia could throw ( Maylia demonstrated) , if she was happy ( Maylia giggled continuously) or how her fine and gross motor skills were as, almost on cue, Maylia began doing somersaults on the floor. It was Operation Shock and Awe.
Some might argue that in going from an orphanage to the Shipley home Maylia has merely moved from one Institution to another. Either way this incredible little girl seems to be not just surviving, but genuinely thriving in this little home, amongst this odd little family. Sure, we have our flaws, and our skeletons have their closets. Our dysfunction and failures often out weigh the times we function and succeed. But charity never faileth and the love we have and hold for her more than makes up for our many Shipley shortcomings.
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