6 weeks

We have had Audra with us for six weeks.  Six weeks ago today a tiny and sweet yet scared little girl was placed in our arms.  We are thankful for every.single.day we have had with her.

The first two weeks we "lived" with her in a hotel in China

The second two weeks we spent with her at home (although 9 of those 14 days she was quite ill)

The last two weeks she has been in the hospital.

After today, Audra will have spent more time here in the hospital than she has spent with us anywhere else. 

I am looking forward to the next 6 weeks with her...hopefully spent primarily at HOME playing, exploring, bonding and finally getting settled into a routine...and maybe even unpack our luggage from China!!

When we finally get to bring her home from the hospital (hopefully this week!) I am sure it will be overwhelming for her...like coming home for the first time.  I am not even sure how much she will remember...her room, her toys, her clothes.  It will be like starting all over again.  She and I have been together 24/7 for the past two weeks.  I am sure it will take her some time to get comfortable with her baba and brothers and sister again.  (Although, last night when Sean and Aidan were leaving after visiting her here at the hospital she cried, so that is a good sign!)

Thank for your thoughts and prayers for Audra while she had been sick, hospitalized and a mystery patient for her doctors.  Today is a BIG day for her as she will be going to the OR for a bone marrow biopsy and an endoscopy/colonoscopy.  We are hopeful that these tests will lead the doctors to a diagnosis for her...whatever it is.  She tolerated her GI prep fairly well yesterday.  Although, again, her little body didn't want to cooperate and respond to the medications in the typical way.  So the doctors had to adjust their plan a bit.  (Do I see a theme here?!)  She kept the feeding tube in her nose (except for the one time she threw up and it came out) and she didn't mess with it or pull at it!

She is one strong little girl.