Two Doctors Appointments and Some Pictures

Yesterday, we took Hannah to the Developmental Neuropsychologist that works with the International Adoption Doctor in Oakland. She was wonderful! Poor Hannah was very anxious during the entire appointment. The doctor was so kind and had a very soothing voice and just played with Hannah for about an hour and a half. Our appointment was longer due to some melt downs. As expected, Hannah is a little behind in some areas, but we aren't worried at all. Hannah has progressed so much in the almost two months that we have had her that we think that she'll catch up quickly. The doctor is recommending that a physical therapist come to our home once a week and we'll re-evaluate in six months. 

After our morning appointment, we had a intake appointment with the craniofacial nurse at Oakland Children's Hospital. In July, we will get to have individual appointments with each doctor and they will come up with the game plan for treating Hannah. We were so relieved when the nurse agreed that it wasn't necessary to have surgery so soon since Hannah's situation is not serious. We could just see massive amounts of regression in her if we proceeded so soon and what the nurse saw of Hannah's personality she agreed! Praise God! 

It was a long day for Hannah. She was so happy to be home!! 

Today, I showed Hannah pictures of her foster family. I was going to show her last week, but I thought I'd ask the Developmental Neuropsychiatrist first. Hannah is so emotional that I didn't want to set her back. She told me to go ahead and show her now which I was relieved because I don't want her to forget them. They are an important piece of who her. She sat through the first few pictures. I asked her who they were. She said some jibberish Chinese words. Got up. Came back to sit down. Looked at another few. Said some more jibberish. Shook her head. Got up. Came back to look at another. Shook her head. Frowned. Said no. Came back acted like she wanted to sit with me, but went across the room. Climbed in a chair. (Amazing she can do this now.) Looked at me. Shook her head. Said no and frowned. She was not happy. I felt so bad that this part of her life brings her so much sadness. I don't know if she just misses them and doesn't want to see their pictures or if her memories of being with them just aren't happy memories. She does exhibit several institutionalized behaviors which we have surprised us. We may never know and that's ok. We are just thankful for this family who took care of her. I will take the doctor's advice and put these pictures in an album within her reach to look at in her own time.