Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Our Son in China and Colorado




6 Months Home

On Dec 27th Andrew Xiao Tong had been home with us for 6 months. To us it seems like he has been here forever. We have watched him grow and change over this very short time. He looks different has gotten bigger and has a new smile. He however is still our little angel from China. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about where he has been to where he has come. To honor is culture and homeland is our duty that we gladly embrace. He is full of life and energy. He says Ma Ma all the time and is getting ready to start speech therapy. For the people who are closest to me they know how we still struggle with attachment esp with me. I have moments sometimes at night when he does settle and I get to hold him close and thank God for this child. He brings so much joy that it would only seem appropriate to honor this 6 month period. I have posted a couple pictures. One of the boy we feel in love with as a picture and the boy we know as a person.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas from the Prichards







Today was a day of family and the joy of children. The day started early and poor Katie woke up sick so it took us awhile to get it all together to see what the man in red had brought! They had a lot of fun. It was fun to see Andy on his first Christmas with us. He wanted to open his as well as all of our gifts! Riley told us that giving feels good! It was a priceless Mom moment:) It was a good Christmas. So much prep but so many memories made! To see their little eyes lite up is priceless.


Sunday, December 21, 2008

Christmas Prep

Brianna was an angel in her play at Preschool! It was really cute! Then I agreed to let the kids make a gingerbread house! I got fired from this job -something about the walls not being straight!


Thursday, December 18, 2008

Pingliang

At this current time there is a fellow Pingliang family that is in China picking up their son who was in the orphange with Andy. There story is amazing and nothing short of a miracle. We have all waited for their little boy to come home and join his best friend, now his sister who was also with him at Pingliang. The fact that both of these kids came from the same orphange is a story within itself. Their story can be found at the website www.bringingjackhome@blogspot.com
Tonight we showed Andy pictures and current video of this little boy. Andy's reactions made my insides cry as I saw the excitment in his face. We then went on to show him other children from the orphange and current pictures of them. Once again he started laughing, clapping his hands and just so excited. He is 2 and I am amazed. I always knew I wanted to keep in contact with these families and now I know what an amazing gift this will be for him and us. When we were done he tried to reopen my computer to find them!

A season of miracle if you ask me:)

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Dr Apt

We took Andy back to the Dr on Monday for a follow up apt. Things are looking good and he is back to eating real food with us. He looks so good. Seems I can't look at him enough or kiss those new lips. When they went to take Andy's arm restraints off he did not want that to happen. They said they had never seen that happen before! I guess I will save them in his memory box to show where we have been and where we are going! So now I must work on Christmas as I hear daily how many days until it happens!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Thursday, December 11, 2008

He has a new smile!


Andrew has a new smile and we are getting to see it once in awhile. I am in awe at how different he looks and love his new little smirk. He is feeling better and I think very anxious to eat real food in just three days (but who is counting!) . He misses his favorite bears very much at bed time so that makes the nights rough but we can get through that. I am amazed at what one week can do. We took all the family to Riley's Christmas program and Andy was the hit of our small community as many had not seen our new boy! We know so many have prayed and kept us in their thoughts. We know how much this helped and pulled us up in so many ways. Thank you!

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Day 5 post op



Here is a new picture of our boy. Life has been a little stressful at the Prichard house but each day makes us closer to real food and no arm restraints. When we brought Andy home we gave him two bears that have become his favorite buddies to sleep with. Unfortunately the only way he likes to sleep with these bears is in his mouth. With his palate repair this is not okay for the time being but I know we will all be glad when they can sleep with him the way he likes:) I have got a lot of time to hold Andy and have him close. I will miss this when he feels ready to GO again!

Friday, December 5, 2008




Our First Day at Home

We are home. We got home last night. Today has been okay. We have our struggles esp with drinking. We have finally resorted to feeding Andy by syringe. Control is our main struggles as we go from a 2 year old that could eat a drink by himself to someone having to do it for him. I am trying to make sure he is hydrated and just deal with his fits of not being able to do it himself. Sleep is hard but hopefully as the days go by and the pain the gets less that will subside also. We have had a lot of help which I am grateful for and now thankfully it is the weekend. I am going to sneak away tomorrow for a couple of hours and run a 1/2 marathon that I was training for long before we had a surgery date. Probably not the great mom thing to do but hopefully 13 miles will clear my head to deal with the next week. My mind has been on Andy's biological parents so much and wishing there was some way they could see him now. It is amazing what modern medicine can achieve.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Day 2 of our hopsital stay

Today Andy started out the day very rough. We had a HORRIBLE night but I believe it is always better when the sun comes out. Today he started to liven up and is looking so much better. We had lots of company today to fill our time and now if Mr Andy will just drink we will be able to go home. This of course will be a battle but I am hoping tomorrow he will start drinking. He is carrying his cup so we are hoping he lets us help him use it soon. I miss the others so and hope to be home as a family soon!

Not feeling so hot in the morning


The next day


Tuesday, December 2, 2008

It has been a long day but Andy is out of surgery and looks like a new kid. Our day started at 4:45 and he has surgery at 8 until 12:30. He is doing okay and having pain as is to be expected. So very hard to see your child in pain. He is very fussy and having trouble sleeping but that is to be expected. We feel blessed by everyone helping out and keeping us in their prayers. It is a journey that is hard but necessary. I am not very "nursy" but looks like that may have to change. I have felt like crying many times throughout this day..so much ,but he is safe and in good hands and that is what counts. I will write more as I have time.

Andrew Surgery Dec 2nd







Monday, December 1, 2008

Andrew Xiao Tong- My little man!


 
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