I am often reflecting on Eliza’s life before we entered into it that day in that very hot Civil Affair’s office. There are so many things throughout the day that make me think of her past. Like when she sings the same little song over and over in Chinese….who taught her that? What is she singing? I hope to catch it on video, but usually by the time I get the camera, what I was hoping to catch is over.

I wonder why at night time when it is time for bed and she becomes so upset she is always pointing to her left forearm as she is screaming. What is she trying to tell me? Is she cold? Does it hurt? Did she have some bedtime ritual that I do no know about? It breaks my heart.

I am also brought to tears as I think of the love and training that was poured into this sweet baby by her foster Mama. Eliza was telling us “xie, xie” (thank you) for things we would hand to her the very first hours we had her. She knows things that are not to be touched without ever being told by us, she can dress herself and put on her own shoes, and she can communicate her needs to us calmly with words and sign language. I know without her foster Mama these things would not be happening as easily as they are.

She is coping with all this change SO well. But there are moments that are still very stressful for her, and she has made her own ways to cope. Usually her thumb goes in her mouth, and her forearm over her eyes. Or she will just throw herself down in a heap on the ground and cry. I am thankful that I can hold her in these moments and calm her down pretty quickly these days. Even at bed time if I lay in her room with her she calms down quickly. We are making such great progress.

That day in that hot building we were allowed to ask her caretaker as many questions as we wished. I asked! One of the things we were told was that she loves soup. Any kind of soup! Well, of course she does, because she is OUR daughter now isn’t she?!! This girl loves soup so much that she literally licks her bowl. It is hilarious!!

Eliza also came to us knowing all things electronic. Because I am such a hillbilly who struggles with anything electronic, it strikes me as funny! She will take an old cordless phone that is in our toy tote and try to use it as a “remote” turning on the couch, the window, her brothers…..only because we do not have a TV. She also knows how to use Addie’s kindle (so much so that she erased it completely!), and is constantly trying to swipe things with her pointer finger on my cell phone. I am sure these things were taught in her foster home. Electronics are WAY bigger in China than America, if you can believe that. We cracked up when she also knew how to take a “selfie” with her camera!!

I finished our first month post placement paperwork requirements. We have to turn in a family photo with seven other photos (among other things!) each time…..but this is to your benefit my dear Mom!

This evening Eliza and I went for our daily walk. I loved you Guangzhou, but seriously, is there anywhere better than this?

To my right….

In front of me!

To my left….

You can thank this long post to the fact that my family is processing chickens that were butchered today…and I am proud to say that is something I will NEVER do! (YUCK!) Eliza is happily destroying the office playing at my feet, and I am enjoying a beautiful 70 something degree breeze from the big window next to me. Life is full. Life is so good!!

I gotta wear shades!!

As a follow up to yesterday’s post, we now know today which direction we are going regarding Eliza’s health and a possible diagnosis. What I did not say yesterday about that day in China when Blake and I were questioning what was going on with Eliza medically, was that I told Blake that I thought Eliza has Marfan.

(I will sprinkle some cuteness through this wordy post…)

We think I may be right. Pediatric Specialties is questioning Marfan as well. They are also making sure that she does not have Spina Bifida, since that is the diagnosis that was on her referral paperwork. Even though we do not see outward signs of it, there are types of Spina Bifida that are “very slight”, for lack of better words.

We will be going in these directions with our next appointments by seeing a geneticist, as well as seeing the Pediatric Orthopedic Specialist, who is also the medical director of the Spina Bifida Clinic. There is also that sedated MRI that we will have, which we pray will help with a diagnosis as well.

Marfan is a connective tissue disorder. Characteristics of Marfan are extra long arms, legs, fingers and toes; hypermobility in joints (being able to bend in ways that others cannot – sometimes called double jointed); having a pronounced or a sunken sternum (chest bone); a high pallet in the mouth with very crowded teeth; and flat feet. This disorder can affect the skeletal system (bones and joints), eyes, cardiovascular system (heart), blood vessels, lungs and the skin. As with any disorder, it will affect each person differently.

Eliza has some of the characteristics of Marfan. The way she can bend scared us at first! Her fingers are very long, her sternum is pronounced, her teeth are very crowded, and her feet are flat. She also has that scar on her back. IF it is Marfan, as far as involvement with her eyes, lungs and heart – time and testing will tell.

Right now we have more questions than answers ourselves, but we have confidence in the direction we are going! We still stand amazed, diagnosis or not, at this little miracle. In all reality, she may end up with NO diagnosis….and leave us always wondering what that scar is on her back. Either way, Eliza is fearfully and wonderfully made, and we are privileged beyond belief to be her Mom and Dad!!

I think it was the day after Eliza was placed into our arms that Blake and I started to wonder what really is going on medically with Eliza. We did not think it was spina bifida, like her referral paperwork told us, but we could tell she was doing very well and that was all that mattered while we were in China.

And every day since then she has continued to amaze us!

Today in the Pediatric Specialty department we were told we have reason to be amazed! They were amazed too! And they are as puzzled as we are about what is really going on medically.

Our amazing super star is a little puzzle right now. We have been referred to another specialist, and Eliza will also be having a sedated MRI as we try to piece together this little puzzle. Until then, we are counting our blessings again…..and resting in the fact the GOD KNOWS. He knows, because Eliza is fearfully and wonderfully made. By Him!!

So thankful for the peace these truths afford us. So thankful to call this sweet little girl our daughter. When we got home early this evening after a long afternoon, and I sat on the porch watching Eliza play outside, I was brought to tears. Thank you, Lord, for trusting us with SO much.