A day with Tovin

We have had so many great days this week with Tovin!  He seems to be feeling better and has had more energy.  Everyday he becomes stronger and is willing to try more physical activities.  We are still very careful not to get him too out of breath, it actually doesn't take to much for him to become tired.

We were all able to enjoy this beautiful sunrise this week!  It's not too often that we have a late start and early out from school so late in April.  We took advantage of them, having Jason home a little longer in the morning was so nice!

Tovin is attempting to walk more and more.  He is now able to walk around the front of our couch, and is standing for longer periods of time.  When he accomplishes a task that is difficult, such as walking around the couch he will look to us and giggle!  We are so thankful that he is a fighter and wants to move!  We can't imagine what he's going to be like when his heart is repaired.  

Lately Tovin has shown us more of his huge personality.  He is unbelievably happy, funny, lovable and adorable!  He is a lively toddler living and loving his life in Minnesota!  Since knowing Tovin, he has taught us to appreciate the little things in life; every milestone he crosses, and every obstacle that he tackles, no matter how big or small.  He has taught us to embrace everyday and to treat it as a gift!  We are so grateful that God chose us to be Tovin's family!  

This picture, above, is when our "mighty" Tovin was done walking around the whole front of the couch for the first time.  As you can tell he is completely holding onto the couch out of breath, but is so proud of himself!  This is the face of a little hero, a hero that doesn't give up!

We found out today that our coworkers at school have signed up to bring meals out to Jason and Addison while I'm in the Cities with Tovin.  We are so blessed to work with such wonderful and giving people!  Thank you to all of you that have taken your time, and or will be, to help us out, we truly appreciate everything!  

  

A picture that warms my heart!  I put Tovin in Addison's bed for his nap; Addison was in her room at her desk painting and listening to music.  When I came back in to check on Tovin this is what I found!  Two beautiful children who have formed an amazing bond, taking a nap as brother and sister!  How can anyone not love adoption and what it does, for them, for us, for any family that has gone through a similar life changing journey!  

This weekend is going to be very busy at our home, it's dance recital weekend!  We are busy from Friday at 4:00 (set up) to Sunday at 5:00 (take down).  There is really no down time for us this weekend!  I some how seem to wrap all of my family members into helping us out this weekend!  

My mom is normally in charge of taking the thorns off the roses that we order for the girls, putting them in water  tubes and wrapping them in tissue on Sunday, but his year my mom gets out of this job because she just happened to break her right wrist this morning - she was talking with my brother, out by the pig barns, about how fun it would be to be on Dancing With The Stars when she slipped on a very tiny piece of ice by the feed mill... so Ms. Vicki and I will be doing the roses this year!   My brother is our techie that helps us out in a pinch with computer issues.  Sheila does whatever is asked of her with a smile on her face (Thank You So Much!).  My dad schleps the chairs from the cafeteria to the gym and then back again on Sunday, and Jason, well his job is to try to keep me sane and read my mind at all times!  Ha, that is a tough job - sorry honey!  

Addison will dance and tumble in her second dance recital!  She becomes a different child when she on the stage and under the bright lights, but what little girl doesn't love the spot light and sparkly costumes!  

Have a wonderful, sequence filled, weekend!

Tovin's new fascination

Every spring the pond is visited by pelicans, it's always a treat when they come because it means warm weather is coming soon!  Tovin has loved watching them fish for their dinner.  He will sit on Henry's bed by the window and intently watch their every move.  I've tried to move him or get him interested in something else, but he becomes upset when I do; so for the first time in my life I took time to sit down to watched the pelicans.  They are really interesting, and are crazy good at fishing!  They are able to get a fish every time they try!  Granted the pond is loaded with fish, and they probably could stick their beak in the water and catch something with their eyes closed.

Jason and I have been out fishing on the pond a couple of times since we moved here.  Over the years I have learned that the fish in the pond are "down-home, worm eating, country" fish, and I tried telling Jason that the first time we fished together.  He had his high tech fishing rod and reel with fancy bait, and I had my cane pole from when I was little and a small pail of worms.

Jason's fishing consisted of baiting my hook, they promptly removing a fish from my line.  He would rebait my hook and I would put it in the water and not even a minute later there would be a nice sunny or blue gill waiting for him to take off my hook once again.  Jason's fancy rod and reel didn't catch a fish...not a one!  Jason has a different story to tell, just ask him if you're curious, but it goes something like..."I didn't even get a chance to try fishing, I was too busy taking "your" fish off your line!"; not that it would have mattered, my cane pole could out fish any pole out there!  It is a great fishing pond if you have a short attention span or have no patience to sit and wait!

Addison had her first taste of fishing this past summer.  She used one of Jason's ice fishing rods, (a perfect fit for her!) and had a great time with all the fish she caught!  Again Jason spent his time paddling us around the pond, baiting our hooks and taking fish off of our lines.  Thanks Jason for being a great husband and father!

We are so excited to take Tovin fishing this summer!  Hopefully the pelicans don't eat all the fish!

It has been so neat to see Tovin get so excited about new experiences; he is soaking it all up!  We are so  glad that he is finally home to have all of these experiences!

Qigong and please pause the book!

It's been awhile since we have posted an update...

This past week has been crazy...the weather (snow again!), appointments, and playdates!

We received another snowfall that amounted to around 10 more inches of snow.  We are happy to have the moisture, but would rather have it as rain!  The weather today was beautiful so most of our snow has melted!

Last week we started to bring Tovin to Master Wu at Helping to Heal.  Master Wu started studying Qigong (pronounced - chee gung) in China when he was just 10 years old and has brought this healing practice to the States - crazy that he practices in Southwestern Minnesota, in such a small town.  Qigong is a healing practice that is thousands of years old.  Jason and I have gotten to know him and his abilities through my struggle with Lupus.  I firmly believe that he put my Lupus in remission!

Master Wu has taken an interest in Addison and Tovin, and will always ask how Addison is doing, and when Tovin was expected to be coming home.  I ran into Master Wu at the Spring Expo in town last weekend, again he asked about the kids.  I mentioned to him that Tovin was home and that he was scheduled to have his first surgery on May 1st.  He said that we didn't need to do surgery and that he would like to see him that next Monday.

Tovin was wanting to be outside with Jason and Addison...

I brought Tovin in to Helping to Heal on Monday for his first session.  Master Wu does external Qigong - where he focuses on healing energy without touching the patient.  During Tovin's sessions Master Wu was talking to him in Chinese, I think that Tovin was a little scared because he looked at Master Wu and then at me, and his grip on my fingers was getting tighter and tighter.  When the session was finished Master Wu asked to see him again, he said that he was able to feel a difference in him, and felt that he would be able to help him.  We were able to go everyday last week expect for Friday.

Before we started to see Master Wu last week, Tovin's oxygen sats were in the 40s and 50s.  On Wednesday we brought Tovin in to the clinic to have his ears checked (he was pulling on them - and yes they were infected).  The nurse checked his oxygen level...it was at 92%.  I think the nurse, who has seen Tovin about 4 times, was shocked and I was so excited to see that number!

This is what our floor looks like after a long day of playing!

Yes, We believe that Master Wu has helped Tovin, and will be able to continue to help him in the future!   We also believe in the benefits of Eastern medicine.  We wish that Tovin's heart condition could be repaired with just Qigong, but know that his heart needs to be repaired by Western medicine.  We will continue to see Master Wu daily until Tovin's first surgery, after his surgery we will be able to see him a little less frequent.

Tovin learned another circus trick...

Addison had a busy week as well.  She went to the grocery store to learn about the produce section with her preschool class, she had her last dance and tumbling practice for the year, she had a great playdate with a girl that's in her dance and tumbling classes.  They had so much fun dressing up, dancing, and singing.  When we were leaving Addison had huge crocodile tears in her eyes...she didn't want to leave Isabell's house.  Addison ended her week with reciting the Lord's Prayer at church this morning.  We were so proud of her, she held the microphone and recited the whole prayer beautifully!  She has come so far in her four short years with us...where did our shy, timid, hide behind our legs little girl go?

At night we have started to read chapter books to Addison.  She still loves her picture books, but has started to have an interest in longer books.  We finished Charlotte's Web last week, and tonight we started the Little House on the Prairie series, with the first book, Little House in the Big Woods.  Addison loves it so far, but is a little worried about the Panthers that are in the book.  I didn't know that Wisconsin had or has Panthers living there.  While reading, Addison politely asked for the book to be paused, she needed to go to the bathroom.  I giggled at her request and paused reading until she came back to bed.  We read to the Christmas chapter, where Laura received her rag doll.  We learned that Laura named her doll she found in her stocking Charlotte.  Addison now wants to name some of her babies Charlotte!

I had a two-day appointment at the Mayo Clinic on Thursday and Friday so Jason took those days off and stayed home with Tovin.  Actually, he was able to stay at home with both Tovin and Addison being that school was let out at 10:00am on Thursday and cancelled on Friday.  Jason sent me a text during the day on Thursday with a picture attached that had the caption, "Yeah, I rock.  Did three load of laundry, cleaned as well.  You're in trouble...don't have time to get much done?!?"  The picture was of two pans of bars that he had just finish making.  I don't get it!

Good night and happy dreaming!

The Hunan Lion

We went out tonight as a family to Addison's favorite restaurant, the Hunan Lion.  This restaurant is amazing and is a very authentic Chinese place to eat if I do say so myself!  The kids' noodles that we ordered for them were just like the Nanchang style noodles that we all enjoyed over in China.  Our two entrées that we chose were so delicious as well!  If you live near Marshall, and haven't tried the Hunan...you must go!

The employees here are unbelievably nice, and really get to know their diners.  They were so happy to see Tovin finally made it home!

Addison loves to order a Shirley Temple drink when we go out.  It's a very special treat for her because we're mean parents that don't have soda in the house!  She really just loves the maraschino cherries that are put at the bottom of the glass!  We will have to sometimes ask for them to just refill the cherries and not the pop!

Today was an amazing day for Tovin!  On the way to Marshall tonight we were talking and both Jason and myself said there was a difference in Tovin toady.  We can't really explain the difference, but he was just very comfortable.  We think maybe he is starting to let down his guard and trust us more.  Jason said something was different when Tovin woke up this morning.  He woke up in a great mood, and seemed very comfortable!  He reminded me of how Addison is in the morning...very calm.

I noticed it later in the day.  He has been sleeping in my arms at nap time.  He never really has had a peaceful nap because he will wake up and look to make sure he's still in my arms.  Today he didn't wake up and slept for about and hour and a half.  It was so nice to have him actually rest his body, and not be worried about me not being there when he woke up.  He seemed to know that I would be there.

Addison had a great day at preschool!  She came home looking like a zebra and talking about zucchini.  Yep, they studied the letter Z - one of the best letters in the alphabet!  She wanted to make sure that we (I mean Jason) were planning on planting some zucchini again this summer!  Addison loves school and we're so thankful for that!  We can't believe that she's going to be in kindergarten next year!
 

We are so thankful for the progress that Tovin made today!  The little things we experience with him on a daily basis are huge steps in his healing process.  The fact that Tovin survived to be adopted is a miracle in itself...but the fact that he's starting to fully trust us, and is feeling comfortable with his new family and home after being in an orphanage for three years...well...that is a miracle from God! 

Our family has been so blessed by Addison and Toivn.  We couldn't imagine our life without them!

We ARE Blessed Beyond Measure...

"Mom, Going Down That Mountain Was Not Fun!"

It was another glorious April snow day here in Minnesota!  We have received more snow in the past three days than we received all winter!  So the snow is kind of a pain - wet and sloppy, but we are praising God for the moisture as we are experiencing a pretty bad drought, so we'll take it.

Addison and I decided to take advantage of dad being home, and with it being relatively warm out we decided to go sledding at the golf course.  So while Tovin was napping this afternoon; Addison and I called Auntie, Nathan and Elizabeth to see if they wanted to go.  Jason made sure the sleds were pumped up and away we went.  Mike and Eric thought we were nuts and that we would be back after the first run down the hill.  They thought the snow was too sticky.  I have to say we proved them wrong!  It was an amazing day, and a first for Addison.

Here we are before we take our first plunge...notice Addison is all smiles!

Nathan is trying to convince Addison that it will be okay and that it will be so much fun.  "Really Addison you wont go too fast!"

So Addison climbed in the tube with me and away we went...I thought it was great, Addison on the other hand thought it was a mountain and was not impressed.  As we were walking back up the hill she said, "Mom, going down that mountain was not fun, and I don't want to do it again!  Mom I don't think that you should go down it again either!"

Thanks Auntie for coming with us!

Addison and I watched Nathan, Elizabeth and Auntie have fun trying to beat each other's distances.  Addison decided to make snowballs.  She made a snow ball that was actually pink!  I know the picture doesn't show it very well.  She was quite proud of this!

Addison decided to go down the "mountain" on her bottom instead of using a tube.  She came back up the "mountain" smiling deciding that that was a much better way to go down!

They all decided to slid down one more time and check out the bridge.  It is so nice to see these three get along so well!  Nathan and Elizabeth have been really great to Addison!

Nathan was even willing to pull Addison back up the "mountain".  All she had to do was ask and bat her eyes!  What a nice cousin!

Addison was giggling the whole time!  I know that she enjoyed it, I'm not sure Nathan did so much.  I'm thinking he wont be so nice next time!

As I was pulling Addison back to the car she said to me, "Mom that was so much fun!  I didn't like going down the mountain, but everything else was fun!"  Oh we have such a dare devil for a child!

We're all thinking that school will resume on time tomorrow.  It sure was nice to have a couple days together as a family!  I know that I enjoyed the mental break!

Happy melting to everyone, and be careful driving through the slush that pulls the car towards the ditch!

Good Night!

April Snow Day

Spring is not ready to come to Southwestern Minnesota yet, winter just wants to hang on!  Today it snowed for most of the day, I hate to say it but is was a beautiful snow!  Jason didn't have to go to work, and we were able to sleep in!

Jason made a special breakfast for Addison...sprinkle pancakes.  Typically this is her Saturday breakfast, but having a snow day is a treat for us!  Tovin tried his pancake, but decided he just liked the sprinkles, and no the pancake so much.

Addison decided that she wanted to wear her Musketeer outfit today to fight off the evils of the world.  Really I think that she looks more like a cowgirl, but she quickly corrected me when I said that she was an awesome cowgirl!  "Mom, I'm not a cowgirl I'm a Musketeer, can't you see that?"  Umm, yes Addison I can tell that you're a Musketeer how silly of me to call you a cowgirl!  I don't know what I was thinking!

In her satchel she had stashed nail polish, a comb, and a couple of hair accessories...I never knew that Musketeers fought evil with beauty products, go figure!

Addison and I decided it was time to clean out her closet and give away some of her clothes that didn't fit her anymore.  Addison has been in size 3 for quite awhile and now has moved into size 4!  She grew two inches last year, but only gained one pound!  She is going to be petite!

While I was cleaning her closet; she was cleaning (playing at) her desk.  She found so many of her lost treasures; she wanted me to take pictures of her finds.  It's was so fun to watch her look through her items and tell me the story behind each one.  I didn't get all the way through her closet, that will be for another day!

As you can tell these two items are truly treasures to Addison!  

Addison wanted to go sledding today, but we didn't get to it until later in the day.  Our sleds are over at my parent's house.  I conned Grandpa into pulling her around.  Addison thoroughly enjoyed herself, and wants to go again tomorrow.  School is already two hours late.  I'm sure she will be asking dad to take her out in the morning!

Tovin had a great day today!  He didn't have two many coughing spells, and he had more energy!  We kept on top of the gas drops, that seemed to help!  It seems that his stomach is starting to accept different types of foods as well, this has made his constipation much more manageable!

Happy Snowy Dreams To You!

An Early Out!

We got up this morning to the sound of sleet hitting our windows.  In Addison's school folder I wrote a note to Ms. Kari that if school was let out early Jason would pick her up on his way home.  Not that it was that much of a prediction, but at 9:00 school was let out for the day.  An early out on April 9th...where is Spring?

I went into the school this afternoon to talk the principal Mrs. Olson about next year.  She mentioned to me that there is only 29 days of school left for the year!  While I was at school I was able to catch up with my long-term sub, Mrs. Coulter, she gave me an update on all of our students.  I sure do miss them and I'm proud of how far they have come!  Three of them have been able to exit out of SpEd, which is the ultimate goal!

Just yesterday we were able to see some green pop through the brown grass, and now we have a blanket of white snow...the ducks and geese visiting our pond must be totally confused!

Addison spent her day out of school over at Auntie's house playing outside in the snow with Nathan and Elizabeth.  Uncle gave her a ride home in the tractor, how thoughtful and he even pushed the snow out of our driveway!  

Tovin spent his time inside with mom and dad reading, playing with Legos, and working on different sounds and words.  We pulled out some of Addison's favorite books from when she was three, and introduced him to those.  He loved all of them; especially the books that had rhymes and some rhythm.  Roar of a Snore, all of the Llama Llama books, A Crazy Day at the Critter Cafe and Humpty Dumpty.  He would rock back and forth while I read them to him.  He loved to look at the pictures and mumbled along.  It warms my heart seeing Tovin enjoy books as much as he does!  I pray that his love for books grows throughout his life.

Right now Tovin isn't able to be outside for very long, or play very hard because of his pulmonary issues, but it's pretty obvious that he's going to be an active little boy after this first surgery!  All of the doctors that have met him have mentioned to us that he will feel so good that he will want be on the move and that he will make up for lost time quickly!  I'm ready for that day, but I'm enjoying the quiet times with him right now.  He is such a snuggler, and loves to be held!  I'm soaking it all in.  

Tovin has an "behavior from his past" that is causing him to have severe gas pains during the day, and at times wakes him up at night; he swallows air.  We first noticed this "behavior" when we were in China.  He does it when he's calm, bored, soothing himself, or agitated...so basically all of the time.  It hurts his belly so much that he screams out in pain, it's so hard on Tovin and us because he's in pain and we're not able to help him - it's such a helpless feeling seeing your precious child in pain.  We have learned and used the "I Love You" tummy rubbing method - this by far works the best for Tovin, we have pressed his legs up towards his belly but he doesn't like that too much, and we have discovered gas drops - thanks Erickson's!  These things have all helped, but until we can replace this "behavior" with something else, Tovin is going to have this issue.  Please pray that Tovin is able to beat this "behavior", and that his tummy pain will be gone forever!  If anyone has any other ideas on how to get rid of tummy gas please let us know!  

Tovin has started to say some words; he has momma, dad, go, no, and yes down.  Today we worked on help, up, dog, please, the "t" sound and the "s" sound.  We are please with his progress with learning words and making meaningful sounds, and also with learning sign language, but wish he was able to communicate more.  He's three years old and he knows what he wants, he gets frustrated with us not knowing what he is pointing at!  I like to think that I can read his mind, but I guess I'm not very good at it!  We know that in time he will be talking up a storm, it will be on his time when he is ready, and when that time comes we will rejoice for him!

Thank you for all the support and comforting thoughts and prayers!  

Good night from the snow covered prairie!

Weekend with Grandma and Grandpa Kainz

Tovin hasn't been introduced to very many people so far, but this weekend he met his grandparents from TRF.  They are actually the first people besides us and cousin Nathan to hold Tovin. 

 

He enjoyed playing with Grandma and reading with Grandpa.

A boy and his dog!

This is Henry our dog...He is a fabulous pet and friend.  We tease Henry about being a "hairy beast" because he is hairy and is big!  Tovin has really enjoyed Henry's company, and I think that Henry has really enjoyed Tovin.

He loves to pick rocks, it doesn't matter how big or how small.  He will carry his prize around in his mouth until someone notices. 

Then he will "fight" with it, like the rock is alive.  We all shake our heads at this.

He then guards his rock like it's his baby. 

This is what we love most about Henry...he is very gentle and kind!  Tovin can crawl all over him, pull at his ears and he just lays there, and soaks it all in.  Larry, thanks for an amazing addition to our family! 

Meet Dr. Rios!

This is Dr. Rios...

We love him, Tovin loves him!  He has such a caring heart and warm personality!  He has been an angel sent from heaven to help Tovin.  We met with him again on Monday to have him check Tovin's blood pressure and just to look at Tovin.
It's so refreshing when he comes into the room with a beautiful smile on his face and says, "Wow, Tovin you look really good!"  It's an amazing feeling to know that your son is cared for by someone who has an interest in him.  Thank you Dr. Rios!

Tovin will have his first surgery on May 1st.  We will travel to the Cities on April 30th for a pre-appointment with the team that will be working with Tovin's heart.  We are really at ease with this, and have total confidence in his team.  I'm sure we haven't asked every questions that others would ask, but it's almost better for us not to know the whole process.   

We took Addison to this appointment.  She didn't have school, and didn't want to stay home.  Addison's kind nature really showed through during this appointment.  She rubbed Tovin's back while he had his four pressures checked, and stood right next to Dr. Rios when he was checking Tovin out.  I'm sure Dr. Rios consulted Addison on what to do next!  She was so proud to wear her doctor's coat that she received there.  Did you know that Addison's dream job right now is to be a surfing, popstar doctor....gotta love her!

Easter Celebration

We started our Easter Sunday out with attending Church together as a family for the first time since getting home.  Before today one of us has taken Addison while the other one stays home with Tovin.  It was nice to worship together as a family again.  I made sure that I had plenty of snacks, toys, and other distractions with me!  We're happy to say that Tovin did amazing in church and loved it when the choir performed, but by the time church was done he was ready to go!  We were able to get this picture, but he wasn't a happy camper.  Both Addison and Tovin fell asleep on the way home, which is maybe a four mile drive.

 

We went to my mom and dad's for Easter.  Mary came down from the Cities, it was great to see her!  Mom had a wonderful Easter dinner prepared...probably not a typical Easter dinner, but the reuben sandwiches, salad, jello and potatoes were delicious - thank you!  Elizabeth and Addison had grandma teach them how to make survival bracelets.  Both girls caught on real quick...they love to do projects!

Addison and Elizabeth have a very special friendship!  We are very lucky to live so close to them!  I'm sure this summer we will travel the railroad tracks to their home many times!  Thanks Elizabeth for taking care of Addison and playing so well with her!

Jason and Tovin snuck away for a quick nap.  I'm not quite sure why they covered up with a towel, and not with a blanket?

Auntie, Lily the dog, and Aunt Mary.

Secretly we all think that Jay likes to inflict pain, but that doesn't stop us from lining up to get our knots worked on by a certified massage therapists!  Thanks Jay for the "relief"?