Speech Update

Yesterday I had a meeting with Ty's preschool to see if he qualified for speech services. In September when he was assessed, he qualified for special education services for significant delays in gross motor skills and adaptability (self help). He did not qualify in language, but we needed to wait until palate repair to assess speech.

In the last few weeks, new sounds are coming rapidly. Granted, they aren't always clear and consistent, but they are there, and he has the ability to make them. For example, today he went to the refrigerator and said, "ooose peeeesh" which is "Juice Please". Three weeks ago that would have been, "ooo eee" He can also string a few words together "you ay dow" for "You lay down!" and the infamous and most clear, "Mama, Bus!" He is obsessed with buses and loves to show me his buses. Sometimes "s" comes out more of a "sh" sound...hard to explain, but I think you get it.

So at 2yrs 8 months, he can make all the sounds a two year old should make, except w. He is trying to string words together, and he understands very well. He has about 30 signs as well. All that to say, he does not qualify for special services for speech at this time through the school district. I came out of that meeting just floored. This is not to say that he is not behind or "caught up". It just means that for now, he does not qualify as being significantly developmentally delayed in speech.

Of all the areas for qualifying for special services, I always assumed he'd qualify for speech. And at some point in time he may qualify, but for now, he's making remarkable progress for only being in the country 6 months and learning a second language, as well as undergoing palate surgery. He is such a little sponge--he soaks up everything around him. We realized this the moment we met him.

I have decided to stop private speech therapy sessions until his regular therapist returns from maternity leave. I have personal reasons for this, and if you really want to know, send me an email, but I think for now, the pros for stopping outweigh the cons. When his regular therapist returns, we'll be back in full swing, which will be in May. In the meantime, because the speech therapist at his preschool works in the classroom, Ty will still get the language/speech lessons as well.

On March 22nd we will return to Childrens for cleft team appointments in audiology, speech, surgeon, and ENT. That will be 3 months post surgery. In May the school district re-evaluate Tyson in all areas to see if he will continue to qualify for special education services for birth to 3 since he will be 3 in June. I am not worried about adaptive skills--he is doing just fine. Gross motor I am still concerned. While he has made enormous progress, he is still very behind the gross motor milestones. But I am hoping being outside more as the weather gets better will also help in this area. And again I must remember, he didn't walk on his own until somewhere between 18 and 22 months of age.

So once again...I try to plan for the future, and God says, "Hold on Jolene...you aren't in control." I want to fix it all now and have a long term plan, but I have to realize that our journey will have peaks and valleys. I guess I just prepared myself that his speech would always be delayed significantly. He is still behind, but not behind enough for services through the school. One one hand I should be happy, and I am. On the otherhand, it's sad that he's still behind but not enough to get extra help. But like I said, we'll let his palate continue to gain strength and get the private speech back going in May. It's really only 2 months off, and we are working at home like crazy!

Maybe I just need to give it time. Not maybe...I do need to give him time and go with the flow. Easier said than done with my personality, but I think I'm learning a good life lesson here.

Random Pictures

Just a few random photos. I have a meeting tomorrow to discuss Tyson's speech evaluation. I'll keep ya posted!

How Tyson makes Cup-of-Noodles

I had no idea what exactly he was doing! I got a good laugh this morning.

How Tyson makes Cup-of Noodles

Step 1: Find your favorite red cups.

Step 2: Find a spool of dental floss. Pull all the dental floss off the spool. (Notice the empty floss container?)


Step 3: Put the dental floss in the cup. Go show mom how proud you are, and see mom's very puzzled look on her face.



Step 4: Go to the drawer and get yourself a spoon. Stir the contents of the cup.


Step 5: Pretend to eat, show mom how proud you are, and watch mommy laugh!



EDIT: After I posted this, Tyson decided to feed Elmo! This kid never makes me stop laughing.

Six Months...Then and Now--MUST SEE!

Six months ago today, Tyson became officially ours--August 18, 2009. Here are pictures from that day. As you can see, he still wasn't eating on his own, and holding a cup was difficult.







And this is Tyson NOW, six months later!




Is that the same little boy? Yes it is!!! Wow...I just have no words to describe how these pictures make me feel. We love you little man!

The consonants are coming!

Tyson's "b" and "p" sounds are increasing rapidly.

Today he brought me a pack of M&Ms that grandma gave him, and he said, "Ma Ma open". And the "p" sound was there!!! That is the first time he has truly used words that I understood to request something.

Then there's potty training, which will have to be another post. Tonight I said, "Tyson, do you want to go potty?" And quickly and crisply he said, "Nope!" Again, with a "p" sound. He also says "oop" for "oops".

He is also saying "oby" for our dog "Koby". We praise him up and down for using his words.

Other consonants are lagging or coming very faintly. But this week was such a huge increase in using "b" and "p" purposefully, not just by accident. It's not 100%--far from it, but it's there, and I'm so proud of him!

Six month "GOTCHA" Anniversay!

On September 18, 2008, on a computer screen, we met Chang Li Chen through pictures.

First we saw this one and said, "Oh, he's a cutie!"


Then we saw this picture and said, "Wow! Look at his eyes!"


Next we saw this one. "Oh, he's in pink!"


But then we saw this picture, and in so many words we said, "HE IS OURS!"


It would be nine months later that we would finally see new pictures of Tyson. During that time we wondered, what does he look like? How is he growing? Is he loved? These pictures answered all of those questions.







And then it would be almost two months later that we would finally meet Li Chen, who would be our Tyson.

On August 17, 2009, exactly 6 months ago today, we met our little man.








More pictures and videos to come soon. How 6 months has gone by, I have no idea. But at the same time, it feels like he's always been with us. And I guess in some strange way, he probably always has.

Home sick today

This is one sickness you don't want to get! I've had a cold for awhile, but it was manageable. Friday in the early AM hours, my husband woke up vomiting and was very sick. I knew it was bad, but I had no idea how bad it was.

Saturday was supposed to be our "date" day to celebrate my birthday, which was yesterday (Sunday). He was feeling much better, but he had been in bed feverish and throwing up most of the day before. It was the first time we left both kids with my mom here at our house. We condensed our plans and just went and did some shopping and went out to eat.

And at about 2am on Sunday, guess who was next? Happy Birthday to me! I vomited violently for 12 hours. I was in bed all day, sleeping most of the time when my back didn't hurt so bad that I wasn't in tears.

Today I woke up feeling much better...relative to what I felt yesterday. I still feel slightly ill and my back, chest, and neck ache from what I went through yesterday, but I'm on the mend. I hope to be back to work tomorrow. In the meantime, I'm getting to hang out with Tyson all day since I was definitely absent yesterday.

I'm over it

Today we were talking about a family who is now having child #3, and they barely take care of child #1 and #2. Those stories used to make me very angry and bitter. "Why not me God?" I'd say. "

And now I know.

It was during this conversation that I realized, I'm so over it. I can be over it because of Tyson. This was what God wanted us to do. I don't have to ask God "Why" anymore, because now, I know.

This is not to say that this has been an easy road. In fact, next to the first 2-3 weeks home from China, this week has been the hardest. Ty is testing my boundaries, my patience, and anything else that can be tested. His favorite word is "NO!" because he can say it quickly, crisply, an it carries meaning and power. Hitting returned this week too. I come home so happy to see him, only to be frustrated beyond words after being in the door for 5 minutes. But, we've discussed things we can do differently, and we will try those new things out next week.

But through it all, God gave me a gift bigger than anything I ever wanted. I wanted a to be pregnant, but secretly, I wanted to adopt even more. I have since I was 19 years old. God granted me that of which I asked of him, but wow, it hurt. I didn't want it that way. I don't like to be told I can't do something. Yet there I was being told, "You can't get pregnant." Huh? Even Kacie says, "Mom, you always get what you want." That's true, I do. But even as I waited for Tyson, I was bitter and hurt that I couldn't get pregnant. Even though I was happy to be adopting, I was angry that others could do what I couldn't.

And now? Praise God that he put me on that road because I can now say, "I'm over it!". And I'm so glad!

So I was thinking...

...yes, and it's dangerous.

The Tim Tebow commercial. Why are people freaking out? I don't get it. When Christians choose to use their freedom of sppech, left winged liberals fly out of their chairs and cry censorship, when that is usually the freedom they covet the most. And then Joy Behar's comments...don't get me started, and here's why:

Ty's parents chose life.

When we first saw Tyson and saw how behind he was, in my mind I limited him. I hate to admit it, but I did. I said, "He'll never be an athlete, he'll need extra help in school, he may even need to live at home his whole life."

But then...we met him. All of those convoluted thoughts are now out the window. Anyone who knows Tyson knows that not only is he a survivor, the sky is the limit for him.

So I started thinking...why did Ty's parents choose life? Did they know about his cleft in utero? You see, I learned this week that abortions are legal in China as long as it's not sex-selective abortion. Ultra sounds are generally not part of prenatal care, but women/families can get ultra sounds, especially if they want to know if they are having a boy or girl.

I've been doing some digging into Ty's past and why he might have been abandoned. I have emailed a few people, just looking for those clues or insights. I already knew the whole medical side and perhaps his needs were too much, but here's what I didn't know.

I didn't know that it could be due to family pressures. I always have and always will believe that Ty's birth parents loved him and wanted him, based on what I know about his abandonment--time and place. But sometimes the family can pressure the parents into abandoning a child with special needs, especially cleft, because it's considered a bad omen for the family. I had also heard that it could be considered that the child was born with evil spirits.

I wish so much...and I hope hope hope that Ty's parents know how much is loved by us and that we are doing everything we can to give him the best life possible so that he can achieve whatever goals and dreams he has. Because THE SKY IS THE LIMIT!

Tim Tebow's mom chose life. He's an amazing college athlete and man of God. Joy Behar said he could have just as easily become a rapist. She's an idiot, but I guess she gets to enjoy her right to freedom of speech, but the conservatives need to just be quiet. Whatever Joy...

Everyday of my life, I will be thankful that Ty's parents chose life. I continue to feel sad for them, and I always will. We don't know what the future holds, but right now, we're living day to day and enjoying every moment.

I heard B and P today!

Tonight actually. He picked up a book that we read a lot, and there is a page where Tigger says "Boo". Tonight he decided to read it himself, and when he came to that page, I heard a very clear "BOO!" A crisp "B"...I almost cried.

Then we were reading another new favorite. On each page, three animals wear clothes the right way, then the turkey has the clothing on wrong and it says "OOPS"! Tonight I read the first three parts, and Tyson said, "OOP!" A "P" sound, and it did not sound like a B, it sounded like a P. Could this be the beginning of new sounds? Boy I hope so.

Also, he is really trying hard to jump. Really trying. I'll bet in the next month he'll be jumping on his own. He lifts one foot off the ground and bounces on the other leg. He actually did jump with both feet today once while holding on to the couch.

His current measurements at 31 months are 31.8 lbs and 35 inches! Growing boy! In August he was 22lbs and 33 inches.

We went out to dinner on Wed. night, and I didn't have a sippy cup. No problem...my boy can use a STRAW now! In fact, I gave him his first juice box the other day, and other than squirting juice all over himself at first, he sucked it down in no time flat.

I don't know if it's the palate healing or the help of speech therapy, but whatever it is, we are slowly seeing some improvement. He is still not understandable, but with every little victory, we see light.

Other than that, my sweet little boy is making me work! He doesn't walk anywhere, oh no...he's on a dead run where ever he goes, even into his sister's basketball game if mom is actually watching the game and not him. I was sweating by half time!

I tried to take pictures, but the little turkey himself did not cooperate. Hopefully I'll get some this week.

Family Update

I wish I had some current pictures, but I've been way to busy to take any. But I will be taking some this weekend because next Thursday is our first post-placement report! China requires two post-placement reports. One must be turned in at 6 months after placement, and one has to be turned in 12 months after placement. We have to submit 4 pictures of Tyson. Of course I have a gazillion pictures, and I will use our family photo and one of T in his Chinese outfit, but I want current pictures. He just looks so much different now than when we first brought him home.

I had to put Ty on antibiotics last Saturday. He had been fighting a cold for weeks, and I took him to a doctor who confirmed it was just a cold, not a sinus infection. But a week later a cough began, so not to take chances, we began the meds. I don't do meds unless absolutely necessary. He's no longer coughing, so that is good news; but the nose is still running, but now it's clear, so I think we're OK.

Speech is coming along. I'm hearing more "b" and a few "d" sounds. He makes them accidently, not purposely, but at least it shows me that he can do it. He is also singing more! His new tricks are: 1. Take a toddler chair and turn on all the lights in the house (he steps on the chair). 2. After mom puts him to bed, he gets up and plays with his cars! The kid is either going to own a car company or be one heck of a mechanic.

I think his palate looks really good. I do not see any holes, but I see one place where the stitches were that I'm not sure about. But he is getting great suction on straws and sippy cups.

Kacie is playing basketball. She has really taken an interest! She has games every Saturday morning, and she has team practice on most Sunday afternoons and a few Friday nights. She also practices after school at our house, and she is reading a basketball magazine from her school library about NBA players. She has seen 3 of them in person: Tracy McGrady, Brandon Roy, and Steve Nash. Of course she doesn't remember. Back in the day, we went to a lot of Sonics games. We hit one Blazer game 2 years ago.

Dan started our bedroom project on Monday. We ripped out the carpet, painted the walls, and installed a new floor. Sadly, the first color we painted he ended up hating and could not live with, so we had to repaint the walls again. They are now a cinnamon color--Dan loves it, and I can live with it. Dan also bought a new bed, and it's gorgeous! The room isn't done, but it's close. Dan has to go back to work tomorrow. We've lived in our house almost 6 years, and our room is the last to get new flooring.

And me? TGIF!!! Pictures to come this weekend!

Five months ago...

On August 17, 2009 we met the cutest little boy on Earth!



And our lives would never be the same. We love you Tyson!

The family is back in balance

This week has been crazier than a three-ring circus. Dan had to fly across the US to see his family, as his grandma passed away on Saturday. We found out Thursday evening that she was very ill, Dan left Friday morning, and Saturday morning she passed away. At least Dan was there for the memorial on Monday.

Meanwhile, I was home with the kiddos. Not only was it time to be back to work, Kacie had basketball on Friday night, Saturday morning, and Sunday afternoon. I have been running my tail off. Many other little battles here and there, but thankfully, Dan returned home safely last night. I can feel a huge sense of balance back in our house. Of course there is a pile of laundry on the couch 2 ft tall in some places, but it will get done.

I am also now dealing with the stress of never ending papers to correct. Right now math tests and writing assignments are calling my name. I teach 6th grade in case I didn't mention that before. It's a blast, don't get me wrong, but there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day.

And of course, there's Tyson. He has gained another pound! I took him to the doctor last Friday to see if he had a sinus infection. He didn't, as I figured, but daycare was convinced he had one. But now tonight, he seems to have a dry cough going.

Please Lord, let us make it through this week!

And now that I think about it, it seems that's my prayer every week!

First Speech Therapy Visit

We went to our first speech appointment today, which was mainly just meeting the therapist and Tyson getting comfortable in the office. He cried at first and wouldn't leave my lap, but soon I "accidentally" dropped something, and down he went, and soon he discovered the toys. The therapist will be having a baby soon, so we'll have to have a fill in therapist for about 3 months, but I do feel he needs to do it. I really liked the therapist, so I'm sure all will work out. She was really nice and very interested in Tyson and his background and really appreciated how far he has come. He even used some of his signs. Communication is not an issue at all, but understanding him is going to be a long road.

I think we are going to try therapy 1x a week with home exercises. We could do 2x a week, but if we can do the intervention at home, it would save us some time and extra running around. Tyson will now only go the preschool 1 morning a week rather than 2x. I decided that it was way too much for him, and the therapists only work with him on 1 day, so that's the day we're keeping. Between all of his appointments, and now running Kacie to basketball 3x a week, that kid is one busy boy! Maybe after the therapist comes back from Maternity leave we'll try 2x a week...I don't know...

One thing I have learned through this adoption is to just live in the moment and appreciate it. We have lots of appointments and surgeries ahead of us. I just have to go with the flow and make the best decisions in the moment that I can make.

And now I am back to work...this time for real. Dan has been home for the last two days, so tomorrow will be Ty's first day back at daycare in over a month. Hoping it goes well!

Our happy boy! Video

I love these moments! He is so happy, and thankfully, this is how he is most of the time. That is...when he's not hungry. Enjoy the video! It's only 2 minutes.

3 weeks post surgery: A first!

Today Ty drank from a sippy cup with the stopper in! For parents who have kids with cl/cp, you know my elation. He doesn't like to do it, but I clapped and made a huge deal, so he smiled and kept at it. And maybe someone can tell me why he insists that I hold the cup? I had to show him to put his lips around the spout. He's just used to biting on it to make the drink come out (it's a soft spout).

Anyway, 3 posts in one day is ridiculous, but this was big news I just HAD to share!!! Whoooo Hooooo! Here are some random photos from December that were on Kacie's camera. Thanks to Kacie for taking these!


Decorating a bag while we waited for a picture with Santa at the local fire station on Dec. 6th. Earlier that morning, Santa drove by our house on a fire engine with an ambulance in front blaring Christmas songs! Santa even threw candy. I love our small community!


Just lounging with Ba Ba, sometime after getting home from surgery.


Sporting my sunglasses today! What a goofball.


He loves to cuddle after the bath, and so do I! I always remember the 2 years of his life he didn't get this. It breaks my heart.

You know you have a boy after Christmas when...

I came up with six things that are very new to me this year at Christmas now that we have a boy in the house.

You know you have a boy after Christmas when...

1. You step on hotwheels at least 3x a day.
2. You can hear fire engine noises in your sleep.
3. There are pieces of a train all over the house.
4. He wants to hold a semi truck while listening to his story before nap.
5. He shows you that a bouncy ball fits nicely inside of a new flashlight.
6. Ornaments are just balls waiting to be thrown.

This was an amazing Christmas. I can't wait to see what 2010 brings!

Pictures from Christmas!

Loving the Christmas card with Santa! Did I mention that Tyson followed a guy in the mall with a white beard yelling "an-a"! No one understood, but I sure did! LOL

Gotta sport the Santa Hat on the last day of school before Christmas, excuse me...Winter Break!

Loving his new train with blocks. Thanks Tracy!

She's been asking for a "Touch n Brush" for months. This is my girl who loves made for TV commercials and products. She was very upset when Billy Mays died. She liked his yelling voice!

Gifts from Jie Jie Kacie. He wouldn't put the umbrella away!


We hope you all had a very very Merry Christmas!
Love, The Powells

Christmas Eve 2009

We had a very nice Christmas Eve with Dan's family. Here are some pictures from that night. Ty's only meltdown was when I got up to get something to eat, and he didn't want to sit with Dan, so Dan waited patiently.

Palate Surgery Follow-Up

The day started off with me getting 15 minutes from home and forgetting my purse! Ugh! 30 minutes wasted. The rest of day was good though!

I took Tyson up to Children's Hospital so the surgeon could check his palate. Basically, the palate is mostly healed except for a spot on his soft palate. This spot still has stitches and isn't healed yet. Only time will tell, but hopefully, it will heal, but the dr. wanted me to know that it may not heal. However, it's not usually a spot that gets a fistula, knock on wood! So once again, I'm asking for prayers for God to heal Tyson's mouth. If you could fit that in to your prayers of the holidays, I'd sure appreciate it. I am believing God to heal his mouth completely.

In the meantime, Tyson can now feed himself and we have one more week of soft foods, then we can start introducing regular foods slowly. Tyson is very happy about having control of the spoon again--LOL!

We then went on to visit with a family we met in China! It was so great to see them and talk about our kiddos and how much they have changed since August. Wow! Their little girl is such a cutie pie. In fact, all their kids were adorable!

Well, it's time to start gearing up for the big days ahead. Lots to do, lots going on. Merry Christmas!