Just another day in paradise

Things here have be going GREAT! Winter is over and we have been experiencing amazingly mild temperatures here in Illinois. The warmth had allowed us to get outside and enjoy the sun which I am extremely grateful for! I attempted my first trip to the park with the boys since Elijah has been walking and the second I put them down they each took off in a different direction. It was some what of a comedy as I am running around trying to corral my children. We lasted about 20 mins. before I was spent. As I was gathering the boys, Elijah decided to throw the biggest temper tantrum, the kid didn't want to leave and did everything possible to get me to leave him there. He has done this a few times since then, little stinker! While at the park another mom asked me if  I was there for my job, as in a nanny. Ha! What is wrong with people? Are white parents not allowed to have black children? I answered no and walked away. I know she was thinking I was a hussy, having 2 toddlers so close in age clearly by different dads. Welcome to my life, it really could be a sitcom!

Malachi is rocking it at school! He is just growing up so quickly! We are excited because we just found out he will be getting an extended school year. 6 more weeks of school will be a HUGE benefit for him and his current teacher will be teaching it!

Elijah has turned into a little boy in the past few weeks. He is independent and stubborn as ever but at the same time he is a little comedian and keeps Josh and I laughing constantly. We are looking forward to seeing him develop strong communication skills this summer. His verbal speech is coming along great. He can now say up, down, I got ya, hi and go. He is truly doing fantastic!

3 years ago

This blog was started 3 years ago to keep our family and friends informed of the latest news. We were just starting our journey to become foster parents. We had no freaking idea the journey we were about to take but we were ready, or so we though. Malachi came into our lives like a flash. For moths we prayed for him while he was fighting for his life in a NICU 2 hours away. We cried, worried, hoped and dreamed for him. What would life be life with a baby and a baby with special needs at that? We were terrified but so ready to hold him and kiss his sweet little cheeks. At our first meeting I fell head over heels in love with him. His little body fit perfectly in my arms, his big brown eyes melted my heart and his sweet hands tugged on my very soul. He was my son and at that very moment I knew that no matter what lay ahead I was going to be by his side every day of his life.

Soon we were able to bring him home and let me tell you the tears that filled my eyes on that drive home were like none I've ever experienced. FINALLY I had my son in the back seat. The son that I prayed for, cried for, hoped for and loved with every fiber of my being was coming home. It's a time I think back to often. No I didn't carry Malachi in my tummy, no I didn't get to bond with him like a newborn does with their mom and no I was not legally allowed to claim him as my son but I knew he was here to stay forever. I trusted that God would make that happen. Malachi has NEVER been anything other than my son, never...not once.

The past 3 years have been full of challenges, struggles and fear's so indescribable but it has also been full of hope, laughter and love. For the past 3 years I have dreamed about what is going to take place tomorrow at 12:15pm. I've played it out in my dreams, I've spoke about it with my husband and close friends and now my dreams are coming true...I'm still in shock.

Tomorrow we are going to adoption court and Malachi will officially become ours. No more home visits, background checks, travel consents, surgery approval from the state. As of tomorrow I am legally him mom and can make every decision for him. I can sign paperwork as him mother. I can change his name at his doctors offices and at school (no, legally his name is not Malachi, well not until tomorrow)...tomorrow makes it official even though I have been his mom always.

My parents, brother and best friends will be joining us in the court room as the judge signs the final paper. Together we will witness the end to a very long journey and together we will celebrate crossing the finish line together! I am so freaking excited!

Tomorrow Malachi will be ours...forever and ever. And that is the most awesome happily ever after I have ever experienced!

Make-A-Wish

A few months ago I was contacted by one of Malachi's old nurses from his pediatricians office. She had left the office for a new opportunity as the director of Stroke at the local hospital. She called asking if she could use Malachi as a case study for a class she was taking which was full of doctors and nurses. I, of course, agreed and began to re-tell the story of Malachi's stroke and subsequent brain surgery in Boston. She wanted to make sure that the others in her class were educated on pediatric stroke and Moyamoya. Well after her perfect presentation one of her colleges suggested she nominate Malachi for a Make-A-Wish. A few days after Christmas we found out that Malachi was approved and wold be able to grant a wish. Well that day is next week. The wish granters will be here to grant any wish Malachi can come up with. Of course Malachi can not express his wish, so we have to do it for him. We have struggled trying to come up with the perfect wish, one that we know Malachi will love. After a few weeks of talking we think we finally have a wish that will be perfect for Malachi and on Tuesday next week we will officially make Malachi's wish! We are so excited for him and know this will be a once in a lifetime experience for him! Can not wait!

23 hour observation...wonderful.

Tomorrow we will be taking Malachi to the children's hospital in Madison, WI. He needs new tubes, his 3rd set, and they will be doing an ABR. While we are anxiously awaiting the results, we are not so excited about the 23 hour post op observation that is now required each time Malachi receives sedation. Yes, you read that right. Due to his "extensive medical history and recent Moyamoya diagnosis he is now required to be observed no less than 23 hours after sedation wears off. " Blah. I KNOW this is for his best interest, I KNOW 23 hours is no big deal in the grand scheme of things and I KNOW relative to what others have to go through its a ridiculous frustration. That being said, I still HATE spending the night in hospitals and I am not looking forward to this one. 

While sulking in my own pitty party, I got a brilliant (if I do say so myself) idea! Since we have spent a fair amount of time at 7 different hospitals I feel I have to review them for the masses. You are welcome. It will be based on our experience only so please don't e-mail me complaining, we all have different opinions and that's okay! Be looking for it in and coming days!

I've got packing, cleaning and laundry to do. Don't be jealous! 

While we were away...

Fist of all...HAPPY THANKSGIVING! We had a fabulous day at my aunts house with my entire family! The food was amazing, the laughter was abundant and the memories made will last a lifetime! I cold go on and on and write a post about what I am thankful for but it seems boring and mundane since we are are usually thankful for the same things...family, health, friends, husbands, children...you are thankful for the same right? Yea, I thought so. Don't get me wrong, today was all about an attitude of gratitude but the last thing you want to read is yet another blog about Thanksgiving...I'll spare you that much! :)

Moving on...Elijah is officially a full time walker! Strap on the running shoes everyone because when he finds his sea legs there will be no stopping him! I'll try and get a video of the drunken sailor this week, it's a good laugh!

Malachi is having yet another procedure next friday. His 3rd set of tubes are going in and he will be having a sedated abr. We are so happy that they are finally doing this. It is something we have been fighting for for three years. I cant wait to know how much he can hear and if there is any hearing loss. Speech is a huge concern, he is sooo far behind, we are hoping to find some answers next week. Unfortunately, each time he has sedation he is required to stay in the hospital for 23 hours for observation. This is a new requirement and not one we are looking forward to but it is for Malachis best interest, so we will grin and bare it.

That is all that has been going on. We are just living the dream each day.

Burrr...

It's no surprise that winter in northern Illinois suck. It's cold, windy and nasty white stuff falls  from the sky. I am so thankful my children have warm winter coats, hats and gloves to keep them warm when we brave the elements. Unfortunately many children will walk to the bust stop cold and embarrassed because their parents can not afford a winter coat.  We are facing very challenging economic times and many parents are struggling to provide for their children. My husband teacher in a very low income school, where for most, meeting basic needs are a struggle. He has had student who lived out of their car, students who could only afford to wash their clothes once a month and students who will be cold this year because they don't have a winter coat. Josh and I decided that needed to change. EVERY child should be warm this year and it's our goal that each child in his school that needs a winter coat will have one. Will you help us? Can you donate $20 so we can purchase a winter coat for a child in need? Can you purchase a winter coat and send it to us? What about hats and gloves? Do you have extra ones laying around (in good condition)? Please consider helping us gives these children the gift of warmth this year! Please e-mail me if you have any question or are willing to help! Wolffie627@sbcglobal.net

ENT..ABR...OMG!

A few weeks ago Malachi got his first ever ear infection. We thought this was weird, he's never had one and I didn't think he could get one because he has tubes. While they were looking around in his ear they noted that it looked like one tube was coming out. I immediately called the ENT and could not get him in till last week.

While at the ENT last week, they confirmed that the tube was nearly out. Dr. M went ahead and pulled it out right in the office. Malachi also had a hearing test which was yet again inconclusive like the 30 million other ones he has had. FINALLY they decided that a ABR was the best option. December 2nd is the magical day when Malachi will have new tube put in, his ears irrigated and and ABR performed. We are looking forward to finally having some answers!

Fast forward to today. Malachi woke up with discharge from his ear. Dr. M confirmed that it is yet another ear infection. My poor baby is miserable! I do not know how you mom's of kids who get these often survive. I'm waving my white flag....