6 Months!

I can't believe it's been 6 months since we were in China to get our sweet girl! It seems like she's always been here. I finally decided to post some pictures (certain people keep pestering me to do so!). Not much to say , I just wanted to get the anniversary post up. Enjoy the pictures!

A break...

I realize that I haven't updated in a while. Well, I'm tired and I don't want to even think about updates. But here I am. For those of you that actually check the blog and don't already have this info. here goes. After the "good" news from the CT surgeon we went for a routine follow up with the genetics Dr to discuss Sydney's NF1. She did NOT agree with his opinion and suggested we get a second opinion. She felt that we should be aggressive and get the tumor out before it caused any problems. So off we go to Cincinnatti Children's to meet with a leading Spinal surgeon that specializes in this type of tumor. His exact words were "enjoy her while you can", talk about devestating. He said that the tumor is too involved and would definitely cause problems if they tried to remove it. Surgery is NOT an option. That's bad news when you know that surgery is the ONLY option. So he refers us to the NF clinic there. They have a great program, one of the largest in the nation. This will be much better than trying to piece things together here. We have since met with the NF team and again have hope! They have a better outlook than the other Dr. But the disease is SO unpredictable we just don't know what to expect. The plan for now is to have repeat MRIs and a PET scan. If there haven't been any changes then we will again just wait and see. If there have been changes then they will probably place Sydney in a clinical trial aimed at stopping the growth. Yes, this involves experimental drugs.

So there's the update. Sydney is doing great! She continues to amaze us! Our 6 month anniversary is coming up! Sydney does well with routine(I guess we all do), so I'm trying to keep life LOW KEY and consistent. I miss Louisiana. NO PHONES, NO COMPUTER, NO DOORBELLS,and NO DOCTORS! If you've made it this far, thanks and keep praying. God is bigger than this tumor which by the way is described as HUGE.

1 year!

Our girl!

One year ago today we submitted our application to AHH! It's also the 1st time I met Grace! Many, many times I've needed a "Grace fix" and she never fails. Thank you so much for EVERYTHING.

4 months!

I can't believe it's been four months since we got our sweet girl! In a way it seems like yesterday and at the same time it's as if she's always been with us. The pictures speak for themselves.

Then

Now

The Arboretum!

Yesterday we decided to have a picnic at the Arboretum! The weather was perfect and the kids had a great time. We love to go on picnics!

Mommy's swing!

This is my new swing from Daddy! He and the boys built the frame yesterday. I just LOVE it! The challenge will be to keep it for myself! Everyone else seems to love it as well!

THANKS Daddy!

Thank you!

I just wanted to take a minute to thank everyone that has and continues to pray for Sydney. Also, THANK YOU SO MUCH to those of you that have taken the time to call, write, or send an email. It REALLY means so much! Sydney is such a sweet heart just like the rest of our kids and she was given to us by God, just like the others! I really hope that people can see that adoption is so much more than a piece of paper. It's so much more than doing something good. Sydney is our little girl as she was meant to be. It's funny and also sad how responses are so different when you "have" a baby. So thanks again!

Hope you enjoy the pictures! We are glad that Spring is here!

Wait.....

We met with the CT surgeon today and reviewed Sydney's scans. The tumor is still there but for now we just wait. He did not recommend surgery at this point. He did say that he would consult with a Neurosurgeon because of the close proximity to her spine. Basically it sounds like we will just follow up with MRIs and CT scans. We are taking this as good news! Please continue to pray for all of us.

Blessings,
Chad and Sandy

No news...

We are home! Sydney did FABULOUS! She had a GREAT team caring for her today! Especially Ron with genetics - he was with us every step of the way! The cardio/thoracic surgeon was called for an emergency so we will meet with him on Wednesday for a follow up. Please continue to pray! We will update Wednesday.

Blessings,
Sandy

PLEASE PRAY!

Sydney will have her long awaited MRI and CT scan tomorrow. She will then meet with the Cardio/Thoracic surgeon immediately following. Please pray for Sydney and for ALL of those that will be caring for her tomorrow. We are praying for miracles- please join us in this prayer. Thanks and blessings.

Love,
Chad and Sandy

Sugar!

See if you can guess who loves it the most!!!!!!!!

Just saying hello...

Cute girl!

Cute sisters!

Not much to say, just wanted to add some pictures.

Birthday Girl!

Birthday girl!

Aunt Iva!

Clifford cake courtesy of Daddy!

Presents!



Family!

Sydney had a wonderful birthday! She knew what to expect since Cole and Haley had birthdays in January. She LOVES Clifford, so Daddy made this great cake! She LOVED it!

Pretty Girls!

Cinderella And Tinkerbell came for a visit today! The girls had such a great time playing dress up! How fun to have a sister! We also had Spiderman and Jack Sparrow but they missed the photo shoot!

Sydney's baby!

Sydney and Baby!

Sydney just LOVES babies! Babies of all kinds - babies, babies, babies! This is her favorite!

For those of you that don't know already, Here's an update on Sydney's diagnosis. She does NOT have a cavernous hemangioma as we previously thought. But instead she has a disease called Neurofibromatosis (NF1). The place on her back is actually called a plexiform neurofibroma. There is no cure for this disease, it is something that she will always have. We have recently found out that the MRIs and CT scans from China show involvement from this tumor to her heart, lung, and trachea. Obviously we are shaken and disappointed by this news. We just wanted to bring her home and make everything better. We are praying for miracles. So for now we will get new MRIs and CT scans. There is a big risk for Sydney to be sedated with all of this involvement. We met with Anesthesia today and were VERY pleased! We have a GREAT team caring for Sydney! Sydney will have an MRI and CT scan in the coming weeks, we should have an appt. in the next few days.

Most of all we have SO MANY people praying for her. We have discovered that we have been truly blessed with great friends (you know who you are!). What a blessing! Please keep praying for our sweet, sweet girl. To those of you that have called to check on Sydney, THANK YOU! To those of you that have sent cards, THANK YOU! I realize that people don't know what to say in situations like this but cards or calls are SO VERY appreciated. So again, thank you. Keep praying....

Snow day!

Aside from the few flurries we've had this was Sydney's 1st real snow! Truly a 1st since Sydney is from Southern China. She had a great time! Please continue to keep Sydney in your prayers as we need them now more than ever.

Snow babies!

New pictures!

pretty toes...

pretty fingers...

pretty girl!!!

Sydney loves to show off her pretty toes and fingers! She is such a sweet, sweet girl! And she loves all things girly, especially her babies. And anything that big sister does!

More pictures!

Just pictures!

I figure that's all anyone cares about anyway! Right!

We're finally home!

This is Sydney coming through the front door for the first time!! I don't think she knows what a big step this is, and how far we have had to come over the past several months. We are so happy to have her home. She is a joy. She has some issues with going to sleep at night, but considering that we just took her from everything she ever knew, I think she is doing great. Everyday she learns more words. She knows all of her brothers and sister's names, and she understands more than she can actually say. Here is a picture of her eating Brooklyn Pizza(yes we had to have it as soon as we got home).

She wants to do everything that her big sister Haley does.

Granny and Granddad brought some presents while we were gone, so everybody is happy.

Now we're just getting ready for bed and waiting for Santa....