A Step in the Right Direction

For weeks, we've been waiting for Mia to take her first unaided steps. This week, with a lot of coaxing, she took 2 short, wobbly steps a couple of times. Now Jeff and I have been musing about how many independent steps she has to take before we can declare, "She's walking!" Our friend Kate suggested Mia would have to walk 15 feet. Jeff and I think that is a rather tough standard, but we haven't yet agreed where we'll draw the line.
This week, I went on my first business trip since Mia joined our family. It was just a quick trip to California and back, 2 nights away, but I was worried the trip might break the fragile bonds of attachment and Mia would be indifferent when I returned. (Yes, I worry about stuff!) Mia and Jeff got along just fine without me, and Mia warmed up to me again after a few hours.
Nanny 3 has been with us for two weeks, and she is fantastic. In fact, I think she's earned the right to be called Sarah instead of Nanny 3. Sarah plans fun developmental activities every day, and Mia is making great progress. This week, Sarah taught Mia to throw the ball forward instead of always flinging it backwards. Now we can actually play catch with our girl!
On the talking front, Mia is making more consonant sounds. Her consonants now include: M, B, D, G and S. She occasionally makes the R or H sound, and today I definitely heard an L. She has been copying me when I say the word, "Bad", though the D doesn't come out too well. She gets to practice a lot, because every time she puts something inappropriate in her mouth, I make a sour face while shaking my head and saying, "No, that's BAD for you."
Did I mention that our gal likes green beans? (Canned, not frozen. Cuts, not French style.) She devours them with both fists.

On the health front, Mia finished the first course of her 'lead abatement' treatment this week. On Monday, they'll check her blood lead level again. It hasn't gone below 20, she'll get a second round, 19 more days. It will be nice to have this little episode behind us.

Best Thanksgiving Ever

Thanksgiving has long been my favorite holiday. This year, we gave thanks for having Mia in our lives. Jeff's parents came for a visit, and they shared our wonder that we have been entrusted with this beautiful little girl. Mia was in rare form, charming the pants off everyone.

We wrapped up the weekend with our first trip to the photo studio. Mia was pretty agreeable during the photo shoot, but got understandably impatient as we waited to view our prints. We had trouble choosing which to print - the thoughtful girl in the all-American girl dress, or the laughing girl in her bright red Chinese outfit. So, of course we got one of each.

Updates

Nanny 3 is fantastic! We're thrilled.

After 6 weeks, Mia doesn't have diarrhea anymore. The culprit was the sorbitol that one of her meds was suspended in.

Good News, but TMI for Most Readers!

Pass this one by if you haven't heard about or aren't interested in hearing about Mia's BM problems.

I have good news! We changed the form of Mia's INH med from a liquid to a pill (which we crush and serve with yogurt. Yum!) and her diarrhea stopped immediately. Turns out the liquid had sorbitol in it, which our pharmacist tells us is a laxative. Duh!

Sorry, Kimberly-Clark, we'll be cutting back on our Huggies spending.

Like Father, Like Daughter

Mia enjoys drumming with her Daddy.

Nanny 3 is on deck

We are happy to report that Nanny 3 accepted our job offer. We give Mia most of the credit; she has a winning smile and the cutest giggle!
Nanny 3 has her orientation on Friday. She is an exceptional person and we have high hopes.

Other developments: Mia is having no problems with the chelation treatment. So far, we have been successful in hiding the medication (which consists of rather bitter little white pellets that come in a capsule) in raspberry preserves and chocolate pudding mixed crushed Oreo cookie bits. The secret seems to be having something with a strong, sweet flavor and a texture that masks the pellets. Because the treatment has some risks (like reduced white blood cell count and liver damage), we had to take her in for more blood work on Monday. The very nice phlebotomist remembered Mia from her last blood draw, and greated us with, "I was having a good day until I saw who was next!" My mother will be happy to know that Monday's blood draw was quite a bit less noteworthy than the last (when the needle slipped out of Mia's arm and blood spurted EVERYWHERE as Mia screamed and her horrified Grandmother looked on. What a drama.) At any rate, the Pediatric Toxicologist just called to tell us her blood work is fine.

We still haven't gotten to the source of Mia's continuing diarrhea. Last week, her pediatrician conferred with Mia's Infectious Disease specialist. (Pediatric Toxicologists, Infectious Disease Specialists.... This kid has assembled quite a medical team.) Their first theory (something called C. Difficile) didn't pan out, so now we're investigating lactose intolerance. Our adoption agency has a great post-placement counselor who pointed out that the Chinese have a high rate of lactose intolerance. Off to the supermarket we went to buy Lactaid. We'll be switching from formula to Lactaid gradually over the next few days. We'll let you know how it turns out.

Now, let's get to the fun stuff. Mia is sooooo close to walking. We got her a push toy last week, and she is having a lot of fun with it.

The Nanny Chronicles - Chapter 3

We are sorry to say that Nanny 2 will be leaving us. She is a great nanny, but on her first day on the job last week, she gave her notice. (Well, OK, a great nanny would have stayed on the job, but other than that she's quite good.) I know, Dear Reader, that you are wondering what we have done to lose two nannies so quickly. Nanny 2 assures us that we are a good family to work for, but she has decided to move back to New York, where she has friends. She's decided it was a mistake to move to Atlanta in the first place.
We've decided to stop messing with online nanny job boards and go to a nanny placement agency. We interviewed a great candidate yesterday, but she has multiple families to choose from. Mia was at her best, most charming and happy self, so we're keeping our fingers crossed that we'll win this beauty contest. In this beauty contest, being first runner-up gets you no consolation prizes. Wish us luck!

Mia's First Birthday

Mia's first birthday party was a low-key affair. She celebrated with her parents and dog and an ice cream cake from Carvel. Our favorite present was an Asian baby doll from her paternal grandparents. Mia also got a toy cellphone (a realistic-looking one that we're hoping tempers her desire to play with our Blackberries), an unbreakable mirror to practice making funny faces, and a water-filled play mat.

On Sunday, Mia's adoption will be announced during the church service, and there will be a red rose in her honor. We'll be sitting in the last aisle, ready to make a speedy exit when Mia gets vocal and/or energetic.

Upward Mobility

Mia has mastered climbing up the main staircase, and boy is she proud of herself. Not stopping there, she decided she should climb down headfirst. We caught her before she went over the edge and instead demonstrated the alternative method of bumping down on her read end, one step at a time. After some practice first on mommy's lap, then on her own with her arms around my neck, she seemed to get the hang of it. She applauded as she landed at the bottom.

Halloween

Mia is a bit young for trick-or-treating, but she attended the homeowners' association's Halloween party. Mia went as a ladybug (costume courtesy of cousin Kira), I dressed up as a ladybug's mother. Well, at least I wore red and black. The weather was beautiful. It was 70 degrees, a bit warm for the furry ladybug costume. Mia got a balloon animal and was wide-eyed as she looked at all of the great costumes and fun games.