Well, here's the updates:
Julia: on the brink of her tween years. Swings between sweetest angel ever and biggest bitch on wheels ever! Yes, she is her mother's daughter. Bone graft complete. Now we just wait for her adult teeth to come in completely, then braces, then implants. There is the potential for more surgery, but as we've discussed before, this will be Julia's decision with her support.
Rauan: 1 week away from being 9. Damn he is a fine boy! Not that ugly baby we brought home. Handsome, sweet, loving, with excellent manners. Still with temper issues, but we had a major break through a couple of weeks ago. He threw a fit at hockey and Ted just was having trouble dealing with him. I was home. Rauan came home and actually came in a talked to me about it. He actually asked for assistance! No further temper tantrums in regards to this--he has been much calmer since and, while things aren't always perfect--I see quite the difference. He has completed his palate expansion and bone graft. Like Julia he is in a holding pattern.
Alihan/Chewie: What a difference a year makes! He was started on Adderall about a year ago. In December this past year we started him on Adderall at lunchtime. His IQ has jumped 20 points. We have final diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. What does that mean? Not a whole helluva lot. We just know what we are dealing with. He will probably always have concept and control issues. He'll probably need to receive special education through high school. So what? He is currently receiving speech therapy in school and we continue to be blessed with St. Dennis and the support the teachers provide to him. He is in love with all his teachers--and has a "crush" on his current 1st grade teacher. He has a affinity with math (yeah! maybe he can teach me something!). We have a private tutor for him once a week to work on language and reading skills. No fear in sports, particularly hockey! Chewie continues to amaze me with his unconditional love. For a child that was so badly abused prior to joining our family, he is amazing! Rauan and Chewie go at it just like "normal" siblings--the funny thing is Rauan gets a temper and Chewie laughs at him--which leads to more of the same. Its something else. Heaven help those teeenage years! He will start palate expansion probably this coming fall.
That's all. We'll see how it goes and I'll try to update more often.
