Teeth...

Two days before Christmas I broke a molar.  This started what I call -Tooth-mania!  Thank goodness this week was the curtain call for Tooth-mania- 4 appointments, one crown, and two restorations later teeth number 29, 30 and 31 have all been repaired.  My trips to the dentist were over!!  I wanted to have a party... but Tooth-mania in our household was not over. 
On Friday Igor got off the school bus, rode his bike home and ran up the stairs to the house.  I heard screams and crying.  I ran into the kitchen.  Rob informed me Igor had fallen on the stairs.  Rob was getting ice and paper towels for the bleeding.  I looked in Igor's mouth to see if he'd need stitches but noticed something much more concerning- his front tooth- his adult tooth- was missing.  I asked Rob to go outside to find the tooth.  I wasn't sure who to call first- the doctor for stitches or the dentist.  I called the dentist.  (did you know that the dentist can stitch up lips?  They do!)  After answering all the dentist's questions and finding the tooth it was decided that we should come in the office.  Her practice is closed on Friday so she had to open the office and her husband (also a dentist) came in to assist.  Igor's tooth has been glued back on and we'll know within 30 days if the tooth will survive.  Igor can only chew foods with his molars for the next 30 days and he cannot participate in any activity that might result in him falling or getting hit in the head/face for the next 2 weeks. After observing our son in action for the last 24 hours, I'm pretty sure 90% of what Igor does when not sitting could lead to a fall. ugh..  If the tooth doesn't survive, Igor will need a root canal and crown- ouch!  So Tooth-mania continues at least for another month.

Another tooth lost, Henry's hair cut and doctor visit

It's been a busy week. We had our 3 month post placement visit with out social worker! I started our re-adoption paperwork for Henry. Igor lost his 5th tooth on Tuesday at school! Henry had his hair cut on Wednesday. This time he only cried the first half of the hair cut. I think Henry will be more comfortable and I will have barber shop protocol down by the next visit. Henry's hair is sooo straight. Someone asked if Henry was from Iraq!

We have great news- Henry has moved from the 33rd percentile in weight to the 42nd percentile in weight! The doctors are very pleased with his weight gain. This is amazing since Henry still has major tummy issues. He has been treated for worms and giardia multiple times. We did three giardia tests this month and they all came back negative. We are going to start probiotics again. The doctor wants Henry to take them for 30 days straight to see if it will help. We've had Henry on and off probiotics since January.

Henry will have allergy testing completed next week to determine if he has any food allergies. His tummy troubles and his skin pigmentation issues could be food related. The doctor will call the infectious disease specialist at the hospital to see what he recommends. She wants next steps in case Henry doesn't have food allergies.

I need to post Igor's recent drawings from art school. He has been drawing houses with colored pencils.

Dentist and adoption update

Do you hear that banging noise?? It's me banging my head on the desk.
I went to the dentist today. I saw my new favorite dentist who I really like and have a lot of confidence in. We were finishing up the appointment, the dentist said everything looked great and then he said (insert foreboding music here), "Let me take look at that X-ray again." My internal monologue went something like this- must we look at the X-ray again, really, everything is fine, my teeth are happy, it's time for me to go. But instead, I said nothing. The dentist and the hygienist were discussing a back molar, he flipped to an X-ray that was taken when I was having a terrible tooth pain. The dentist had me look at the x-rays taken over the last few months. he showed me a dark spot on one of my teeth. He said, "Candy, I think I can save the tooth and avoid a root canal and crown."
I thought- What? save the tooth, avoid a root canal? I'm here for a cleaning, we haven't finished dealing with the tooth that was pulled- ugh... how much is this going to cost? Of course, I did not say any of that, I smiled and nodded my head.
So, after I paid for the visit I pleaded with my teeth- Stop it! We are adopting!! Why are you causing trouble?? Alas, they are teeth not people so I was talking to myself. heavy sigh. On the 24th the dentist will try to spare me from a root canal.

The conference call was jam packed with information. I won't post everything because it's too much to post. Here are some of the highlights from the call-

• The Transitional Home (TH) is full. Children who have been recently referred will remain in the orphanage until the next travel group picks up their children.
• The TH's lease is up in October. They may renew the lease because they have been unable to find another suitable building.
• AWAA has signed on with another orphanage- Espansia(?). It is located about 4 hrs from Addis
• Duni has hired two staff people in ET, an adoption director and an assistant to the director. They continue to hire more nannies and are looking to hire another nurse.
• Travel will be different, families will stay in a guest house instead of the Hilton

I am trying to get clarification on the toddler boy wait time. We are well beyond the wait time quoted of 5-7 months. I know our situation is unique, so I have asked our family coordinator to provide us with a wait time specific to our family. I will let you know when I hear something!

One last thing- I miss placed my reading glasses. The school sent home a form to review and I cannot read it! Now where is the magnifying glass??

The great extraction

We had a great time in New York. I will upload photos and details soon.


I'm a little distracted, I am dealing with the pesky tooth again! Yep, it is up to its old tricks. They have moved up my surgery to Thursday afternoon because it needs to come out now. The surgery should take about 2 hours-ugh. Please say a prayer for Rob, Igor and me. There are a ton of little details that need to come together before the surgery. I know that Rob can manage the household for several days but I feel the urge to make him lists. So, I have started several lists- What to pack in Igor's lunch, a list of the pre-made meals in the refrig & freezer, my medication times, and so on.... If you are a list maker, you know what I am talking about. If you know Rob, do you think he will read my lists?
I hope to be back in Blog-land soon!