Discharged!

After 5 days in the hospital, Isaiah was discharged last night.  We're so glad to be home, especially Dave who spent every night with Isaiah.

Thank you to everyone who sent us food and treats.  Loretta and Tony, that rigatoni came in very handy and was so delicious.  Jess and Nick, thanks for the home-made soup and goodies for Isaiah.  You guys were so sweet to spend all that time going back and forth to the hospital.  Barb and John, thanks for sending along food for David in the hospital.  I know Dave really appreciated that.  Nancy, thanks for giving Dave a break at the hospital.  Mom, thanks for buying me groceries.  Amanda and Peter, thanks for sending us food when we got home with Victoria!

Thank you also to all those who offered to help.  We feel so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends who always support us during these times.  This was such tricky timing for Isaiah to be in the hospital because we just got home and were trying to adjust to a family of five, not to mention that we were all sick and  it was Christmas.

Glad it's all over....or so I hope.  We are supposed to stay isolated at home and have to go for blood work on Friday as Isaiah is 8 points away from needing a blood transfusion.  We went for a walk today, despite everything.  I found it so humorous how someone almost needing a blood transfusion could climb all the way to the top (see picture below).  I guess that was my job to stop him but he was having so much fun.  Don't worry, we have spent the whole day inside building Lego and resting so that his body can recover.  

  

Merry Christmas in the hospital

I thought we were all getting better but things took a turn for the worse on Christmas day.  Adam and Isaiah both had fevers again which meant for Isaiah that he had to go to the hospital.  He was admitted because of low blood counts.  Dave is staying with him.  I can't even visit him because he's in the oncology ward and we're all sick.  It's too risky to be walking through the halls with the other vulnerable patients.  It's been such a rough go since we've been home.  I hope Isaiah won't be in hospital for too long.  I also hope that my other little ones get better.  I was really looking forward to these 4 days off as a family.  What a bummer.

Isaiah was really mad that he had to miss turkey dinner at my mom's house.  He cried.  I was sad to miss the dinner as well.  I love turkey.  I guess this will motivate me to cook the turkey I have in my freezer.  

Recent happenings prior to Victoria's birthday (last post)

We've all been so sick these past few days.  Being sick and having to look after three kids who are sick is not fun.  During this sick period, we still managed to celebrate Isaiah's fifth birthday.  We literally sang, had two bites of cake, turned off all the lights and went to bed.

Thankfully we are all on the upswing.  We managed to make it to Christmas Eve service tonight.  Family photo didn't turn out too well.  Victoria isn't looking in the first one, is crying in the second one and Adam is mining for gold in the third.  Oh well.  

Happy 1st birthday Victoria!

One year ago today, at 10:40pm, a small package was found near the front gates of an orphanage.  Wearing white infant clothing, a white hat and wrapped in a red felt blanket was a beautiful little girl.

One year later, my Christmas gift:

I know that it must have been hard for Victoria's birth mother to leave her.  I'm thankful that she chose life for Victoria and gave her the opportunity to enjoy God's beautiful world.  

Happy 1st Birthday Victoria

First picture of all three

Clearly not picture perfect.  I think it will be impossible to ever get a photo of all of them looking at the camera.  

All three at the hospital.  It was a bit challenging but we did it.  Isaiah is sick with a nasty virus.  He still got his chemo and is getting IV antibiotics as well (even though it is a virus).  Protocol.  We go back again this afternoon.  

We’re home!

It’s so nice to be home.  We arrived late Sunday evening.  The boys were waiting for us at the airport when we arrived.  They were really happy to see us and were anxious to hold their new little sister. 

Victoria has been very jet-lagged and has had trouble sleeping during the night.  It’s been challenging for me to stay awake during the day since I've been up with her.  I am hoping her schedule flips around soon.  She was such a great sleeper in Vietnam.  Twelve hours minimum at night and a few naps during the day.  

Last night was a bit better except that Isaiah spiked a fever and had to go to Children’s Hospital at 2am.  Thankfully Dave took him so that I could catch up on my sleep  and meet them at the hospital in the morning.  Fortunately, Isaiah was not admitted last night and returned home around 8am.  We will have to go back to the hospital later today for his regular chemotherapy visit however I'm not sure if he will get it being as sick as he is.  Hopefully we won’t see a repeat of last year and be admitted to hospital. 

Victoria has been full of smiles and seems so happy to be with us.  She still wants to be held constantly and cries when I put her down to get something done.  This morning I had to vacuum with her in my arms.  It was very challenging.  Overall, she's a very content little girl.  

Coming home tomorrow!

We're so excited about coming home tomorrow.
I can't wait to hug my sweet boys.  I'm amazed that I survived 21 nights without them!  We have a lot of catch-up cuddling to do.  Thank you so much to the grandparents for taking good care of them.

This has been an amazing journey and we feel so humbled that God would entrust us with this beautiful little girl.