7 Days to go. . .

Saturday January 18, 2014 2:54PM

One week from right now, Ella and I will be sitting on a plane heading to Beijing-Seattle-Salt Lake City, baby. Let the countdown begin.

Yesterday was Ella's first plane ride and boy did she love it! I think we might have an adrenaline junkie on our hands. She giggles and laughed when we took off and landed. She was great the whole time. She did not like the seat belt, but tolerated it for the 1 hour flight. I hope next week our flights will be this good.

Yesterday Dave took off and after about a 6 hour delay in Beijing he made it to Seattle but of course missed his connecting flight. He got out at least, on the last flight of the day, and got home! I was able to Skype with him for a few minutes and he looked good, and tired. Man, I hope Ella and I do not have that kind of problem. Eek! Stuck in Beijing. . . in Terminal 1. . . I need an Advil just thinking about it.

At any rate, last night we made it and our facilitator and driver met us at the airport. We were checked in to the Marriott and in bed by 10PM. I was so tired, I just wanted to sleep forever. It had been a long day that started at 5:30AM with Dave's departure. Also, I did not anticipate it being so lonely so soon. Ella is a total cutie, but not much of a conversationalist. I still have 7 more days. . . I hope I don't start talking to a Volleyball.

This morning we had a nice breakfast at the buffet. I am so glad we have it, it makes my life so much easier. For lunch we just did noodles in the room and tonight we are going to a local Chinese restaurant our guide recommended. She also said their is a pizza place close by, so we will check that one out soon I'm sure.

Today we had the medical exam for the visa. Total Zoo. We arrived and there were dozens for families, dozens. Kids all over the place, many crying and just wall to wall families. Upon arrival we had Ella's passport photo taken. Then we were off to several different areas, each doing part of the exam (ENT, Measurements, Eye Screening, TB test. . . etc.) When we got to the TB test part, I could not go in with her. They took her in a room and closed the door, she was crying, sad and afraid. She came out with a bandage covered shot and in tears . . . big tears, a 9/10 on the meltdown scale. This place was just loud and crowded. I don't blame her, I didn't like it either.

We did get more information about Ella's medical condition, which was really good. The doctors measured her legs and there was not a discernible limb difference. When our guide first saw Ella at the airport, she thought she had CP (Cerebral Palsy) based on how she walked. I also thought CP could be an option based on her hand movements as well as walking.  There were two doctors and they both seemed to agree, Ella's walking and mobility issues are probably neurological, not orthopedic. However you can only tell so much in a 5 minute visit as a general pediatrician. The doctor concluded that it could be CP, but would need more extensive evaluations. It could still be hip dyspepsia along with other neurological factors.

For CP she has some factors; she walks with an uneven gait, her feet turn inward (pigeon toed) and she lacks coordination in her movements and balance/equilibrium. She also doesn't have the fine motor skills a 3 year old should have. However she doesn't have some other factors; children with CP have muscle tension and the doctors said her tension looks really good and is not consistent with CP. Also CP tends to affect one side more then the other and this appears to be equal on the left and right side. One final factor is speech, the doctors said that children with CP had a slower speech pattern, and they found that Ella did not have impacted speech.

It is good to get more informtaion and now that we know a limb difference is not causing difficulty with her walking mobility, it makes me even more glad that we have an appointment with a neurologist in a few weeks.  

So far Ella has been a dream child. She is so loving and sweet, her disposition is just cheerful. She loves to smile and laugh and is so good about napping and sleeping. I hope this all translates well when we get home. Also, this girl loves slides, swings, cookies and stickers. . . loves them.

I just wish I spoke Chinese, that is the only thing that would make this better. She is however starting to use a couple of English words (Ella and one, two. . ) it's a start.

Tomorrow we are visiting two Buddhist temples. I am looking forward to it and seeing more of Ella's birth country.  Ella also does well not being cooped  up in a small hotel room all day. These small outings are helpful for her too. I'll be sure and post more photos.