They Are In My Closet ...

Yesterday was a great day for Lily Grace. That's because our favorite doctor in the world, Dr. Jennifer Chambers at the UAB International Adoption Clinic, and her staff have decided that Lily Grace is socially and physically ready to take on the world! Of course, we've known that since we brought her home, but it's good to hear it from the professionals. The sad part of it is that we won't get to see Dr. Chambers and her staff again until Lily turns 5 or 6 years old. Lily has a great doctor here in Madison too because Connie did her research before picking one, but just the understanding look and nods that we get from Dr. Chambers always comforts us.
Lily has been tended to by the UAB IAC clinic staff for a little over a year and we have nothing but good things to say about our experiences there. We are just absolutely thrilled that we have such qualified professionals who are also caring, parents of internationally adopted children themselves. It's funny, when we have an issue that we bring up with Dr. Chambers, often times she says "Me too, here's what I do." The developmental and social staff, Drs. Jill, Leah Ann, and Amy, are also just as caring and qualified. Guess we'll just have to adopt another little girl so we can continue the treks to Birmingham and our visits with some really cool, professional doctors/moms (more on that later).



Lily scored well enough on all of the developmental and social skills tests that the doctors see her as no different than any other 3-yr old child trying to make her way in a complex world. Physically, she is still in the lower percentiles, but she is developing normally. She'll just always be on the smallish side. Mentally and emotionally, she's doing well and has adapted about as well as anyone could have hoped for. At one point in the developmental skills tests, Dr. Jill decided to ask Lily Grace about some obscure body parts, like fingernails, toenails, etc. and where they were. Now, when we play this game, it's usually with parts like legs, arms, elbows, shoulders, and of course Belly!!!! So Lily knew the game well, but was a little confused by some parts until prompted a little. "Fingernails ... here, see paint. Toes ... right here! Knees ... here they are!" Everything was going well until Dr. Jill asked Lily where were her heels? And with a straight face and confused look, Lily replied "In My Closet." At that point, Dr. Jill decided the test was finished. We were all falling out of our chairs with laughter. This gal is 100% girl, no doubting that!

Our next stop in Birmingham was to visit with our Adoption Agency, Lifeline Children's Services, and our friend, Anna. During this visit, we completed some more of our homestudy requirements for our next adoption, a sister for Lily Grace. We're getting close on getting all the paperwork chased down so please pray for us as we continue this process. We have just a few more items to track down and then we wait. That will be the hard part, we know, but it is what God would have us do. Of that, we are certain. It's funny, the first time we visited Anna at Lifeline, Austin was with us and we were beginning the process to adopt Lily Grace. This time, Austin was in school and couldn't miss, so Lily Grace was with us as we continue the process to adopt Lia Faith. Oh, and Lifeline has asked us to be a part of their "Parade of Families," during their annual fundraiser. We'll be one of ten families that get to tell their story of adoption. It'll have to be brief, I'm sure, but we are so excited about this opportunity!

I know, this should have been multiple posts, but there have been too many happenings lately, so I tried to get them all in here. One more to go --



Today, Lily Grace and I got to go to Tate's Farm, a pumpkin patch and farm in Meridianville where lots of schools take field trips. Lily's class at Lindsay Lane Baptist Church decided to take a field trip there and I got to go along. Thanks Ms. Melanie and Ms. Carrie for arranging the trip! Of course, I stood out like a rocket scientist in a pumpkin patch, being the only Dad. And since I was going in to work afterward, I was dressed for work, not for the pumpkin patch. Big mistake, with humidity hovering around 200%. It had been several years since we'd taken Austin, so I had forgotten that this was an interactive farm, where if you don't get dirty you have to pay extra! So I ducked into the gift shop and purchased the proper attire - a Tee Shirt that said "I God Mine at Tate's Farm!" Don't even think about it, there are no pictures to serve as evidence of this wardrobe nightmare.



By the end of the two hour tour and pumpkin patch adventure, I was soaking wet, dirty, smelly, and ready for a shower. Lily wanted to go over and visit the pigs - I told her that I was too dirty to visit the pigs, they might be offended! Anyway, Lily Grace just enjoyed herself all day, occassionally squealing with delight (what is it with this squealing thing?) and causing others to laugh. Her favorite part of the day, according to Lily, was the corn basket - a huge tub of corn that all the kids got to play in. It looked fun, some of the moms even got in themselves. My favorite part was watching Lily learn about things on the farm - she even picked some cotton.


Love,
Jerry, Connie, Austin, Lily Grace , ...
Green, Party of Four