Our new normal

Life is returning to "normal", whatever that is.  We are adjusting to our home filled with the energy of three children.  Our days seem to go by so quickly with all our summer activities.  It's hard to believe we've been home from China for almost seven weeks now.  We are so proud of how well all three of our kids have adjusted to this big change in our family. 

Ashlynn's surgery was over two weeks ago already.  The two days following surgery were a little rough.  She developed a fever and was just not herself.  The doctors were unsure if the fever was related to her lip adhesion or infection in her ears but a few days of antibiotics did the trick.  By the end of the week, we had a smiley little girl back! 

Ashlynn was feeling so much better that we took in a Twins game at Target Field together on June 29.  It was our first game of the season and Ashlynn's first game ever.  Her big brother Derek, our devoted Twins fan and lover of anything baseball, was so excited.  He tells everyone that Ashlynn is lucky because she got to see her first home run at Target Field and the major league debut of starting pitcher Kyle Gibson--details she'll likely never appreciate as much as Derek! :)  Ashlynn did pretty well at the game.  Ashlynn, Mason, and Brandi spent a few innings walking around in search of Mason's favorite ballpark treat, mini-donuts, and taking Mason's picture next to every thing he found interesting.  It was a great day at the ballpark!  We're sure Ashlynn will find herself at many more games in the years to come.



July 2 was Mason's 5th birthday.  We celebrated at Chuck E Cheese with Uncle Pat, Aunt Krystal, and Gavin. 

It was a tough day for Ashlynn.  During lunch, Ashlynn's stitches on one side of her lip let go.  It had not healed as well as the other side and was open again.  There was very little bleeding and it didn't seem to cause her much pain.  This was a risk the surgeon had told us about on the day of surgery but since it was over a week post surgery we thought we were beyond that possibility.  We had our first follow-up appointment with the plastic surgeon that afternoon.  She too was surprised this happened so many days after surgery but was very reassuring that it was nothing we did or didn't do.  Ashlynn now has to wear a band across her upper lip that is anchored by adhesive to each check.  This is doing the job the stitches would have done.  It's pulling the tissue of the lip and palate together and pulling down the middle part of the upper lip.  We were so disappointed that Ashlynn went through surgery and all the discomfort afterwards to only have to wear this band but we know it will all be worth it in the long-term.  The band doesn't seem to bother Ashlynn.  She only gets upset when we have to change it every few days.

Ashlynn made her first trip to the Brandi's parent's farm over the 4th of July.  Ashlynn did great sleeping away from home and loved seeing her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  On Saturday, we celebrated the wedding of Brandi's goddaughter, Michele, and her new husband Scott.  It was a fun day and a great chance for Ashlynn to meet many members of her extended family.  Ashlynn loved the music at the wedding dance.  She like to bounce to the music and wave her arms.  We have a dancer on our hands!

 



11 Lanoue Grandchildren

We saw the plastic surgeon again on Tuesday.  She was very pleased with the changes in Ashlynn's lip.  We will see her again at the end of the month when we'll starting planning for Ashlynn's second surgery which will most likely be in September.  In the doctor's office, Ashlynn weight 18 pounds!  She's gained 2 1/2 pounds since we were in China.  

So we continue to find our new "normal".  Ashlynn tags along for the boys' swimming lessons and baseball games.  She loves being outside so she doesn't seem to mind.  This weekend is Ashlynn's baptism and the boys' birthday party with our families.  Another great weekend to look forward to!