And she finally smiles!

Last night- finally got some smiles and laughter from her- it has continued on through today. She is pretty fussy, but is smiling more. She is pretty comical at times. We have had a lot of fun just playing. She is eating much better, in fact, the last few feeds, this has hardly been an issue. She ate an entire ladle of wheat oatmeal and a sausage link at breakfast, for example. She is still not taking the bottle though. Overall, I'd say things are some better. We are going on a dinner cruise tonight, and having Papa Johns pizza! Yes, they have it here. We can hardly wait. The weather is better, very hot. I just went out to buy more diapers, and locals are walking around in masks. I am not sure what kind of air I took in, can't be good. The smog is terrible. I have had a cough for the second day now. Shiyan has spoken to Autumn's orphanage director again, and we have found out the she took the majority of her meals in the crib- she stood while being fed. They also added sugar to her formula and her water. Chinese formula is much sweeter than what we have- it must have been like syrup. Needless to say, we have not done this, and perhaps that is part of the problem? She also fed herself her bottles in the crib. We have tried this too, but did not work. Anyway, here is a new pic of her wonderful smile. Enjoy, and I can't wait to see everyone very soon!! This week!!! :)

More Pics

Grandparents requesting more pics, so here you go. The one of Mike, Autumn and me is at the Chinese restaurant we went to, and the bucket of eels, evening special. Yes, they are alive and I assume you can pick the one you want. Our dinner was conservative, but delicious nonetheless. Other pics, Autumn at various times. There is one with her touching her toy with her last three fingers. She does not use her index finger, just the last three. She can, and we have seen her grip using the index, but no touching or pointing. She also had a mad screaming fit about 2pm today. I was in the process of preaparing her rice cereal, and turns out, feeding her made her better. She took it all, and some extra pear purree. Along with some left over formula and pedialyte. Still no bottle or sippy cup though. It is the best she has eat yet, so I will take it. The marks on her arms and face are from the chicken pox.
We also learned, thank you Amy, that the formula we brought for her is on the recall list. Not sure if it will make a difference, but while we are here, going to do only the Chinese formula. We don't have much of a choice. I will purchase enough to take with us and try to transition her at home. HOME, can't wait to get there. Enjoy the pics-

Today's update.

I think she may be doing a bit better. We went with our group to an authentic chinese restaurant last night. Shiyan our social worker here, is so wonderful. She wants so much for us to have a good time. She had everything arranged for us- the meal was served family style, and there were about 3-4 families per table. Our group is so supportive. Everyone is aware of the hard time we are having. Most of the kids are doing well. You can really see the difference in the children from orphanages vs. the kids from foster homes. There is a 3 year old with some delays as well. There are others having the eating issues, perhaps not to the extent that we are though. She was fussy about the entire time we were there. But easily calms I think. When we got back, she took about 2-3 tablespoons of rice cereal, and ounce of her vit. c liquid, no fuss. It was amazing. She still refuses a bottle though. We are just doing the best we can.
We took her to the payroom this morning. She played more today than she has yet. Ezra is another child about her age. He was fostered. He seems right on target with where he should be and is all boy. I think that Autumn enjoyed being around him. He will be in Knoxville, so hopefully, they will be good friends for a long time. Autumn did smile twice for me today. I almost cried. I will try to post more later.

Separation Anxiety?

So we've had Autumn since the 19th. She does not smile, does not laugh, and feeding her is pure torture, for her and me. It takes two of us to hold her down to get it in. Last night, she took about 1/2 ounce from her bottle and then it was like she realized what she was doing and refused the rest. We got it in her with a syringe though. She opens her mouth and takes it. Swallows, then screams. I just don't understand. Same with food. Shiyan thinks that she is depressed and it is a trust issue, ie she does not trust us yet. Shiyan thinks a little more TLC is all she needs. I cuddle her as much as I can, and so does Mike. We are using the strap on baby carrier (thank you so much Debbie Crain for this!!!) She likes it. Anytime we are holding her close, she seems content. She does not smile. She does not laugh. This transition I know is hard, but how long will it take her? Otherwise today, a little bit of a cough, no temp. This is very hard. In a lot of ways, I feel like I am a failure to her. She really is so precious, I just wish I knew how to make this all better for her.

Mike's initiatiation to what prunes can do!

So yesterday, Autumn did not eat or drink but about 2-3 ounces. That's it. She took about 1/4 container of prunes, washed down with about 1/6 ounce of water. Then, our social worker came. Shiyan is so awesome. She brought prune juice and pedialyte. It took Mike holding her, and Shiyan holding her head, and a lady downstairs came an talked to her in Cantonese (her native language) and we finally got about 4 ounces of formula in her with a syringe. She turned flips, cried, and screamed, fought us to the end, but finally got it in her. She is dehydrated. Shiyan thinks she has a major case of separation anxiety and depression. So lots more TLC and hopefully this will get better. She went to sleep no problem. (probably tired from the fight) This morning, still would not take a bottle, but we got about 5 1/4 ounce of formula with the syringe. She took about 5 forced bites at breakfast and lastly had a major wake up stinky diaper and during breakfast, finished what she started. Mike was a good help, but certainly allowed me to do the changing. I hope things will get better for her. I hate force feeding her. She loves to walk- so going to strap on the baby carrier and take her to Starbucks.

Updates on Autumn

So a few new pictures- grandparents request. Autumn is a handful! She will not take a bottle. She will not eat. She will not drink. All day, I have managed about 1-2 ounces of watered down juice and water, 2 spoons of yogurt, and just now, she took about 1/4 of a container of mashed prunes. The liquids, all with a 5cc syringe! Interestingly, she took the prunes in her crib which makes me wonder if she was mostly fed in her crib at the orphanage. She will not take a bottle in it though. We have contacted our Social Worker who will arrive here later today, and she is going to call the orphanage for suggestions. We have figured out her "mad cry" which happens often. And her sad/scared cry. She loves to go for walks in the stroller. Thank the Lord we have a stroller at home! She loves it. There are cobble stone streets here and she babbles as she jiggles over the stones. This is the most talk we have heard yet. She is still quite shy. I also worry that she is sleeping a little much today, but understandably if she does not feel well. Being a first time mom - this is quite hard. Still hoping she has a good poop!

Last 24 hours -

The last 24-36 hours, not good. The evening of Gotcha Day, she started with a low grade temp. It spiked at 102.4 yesterday morning. She would not take much of a bottle, very cranky. We had several appointments yesterday, and bless her heart - with a temp of 102 - she survived all of it. I took pedialyte, but again, she would not take a bottle. We have infant Tylenol, which controlled it some. Anyway, we had her medical exam for US clearance yesterday, luckily her temp was 100.7. Still not so good, but he gave her antibiotics and "Chinese herbs" which turns out to be Vit. C. The doctor palpated some lymph nodes in her neck, and I can feel them too- he though perhaps she was suffering a sore throat? The nodes aren't very big. It was a nightmare last night trying to get the antibiotics in her- she screamed and let me tell you - she has a great set of lungs. So after finally getting the medicine in- she was so tired, we did not bath her. She sleeps so good. She likes the crib and self soothes very well. All she needs is a dim room, and her blanket. Thank the Lord for that. This morning - fever has broke. I was scared though - she slept about 7-8 hours and her diaper was dry! I was able to get about 5 and a quarter ounce of formula in her. She went back to sleep for another hour or so. Mike was able to get her antibiotics in her, no trouble this time and about 10 spoons of cereal. No poop since we've had her so I am worried about that, but plenty of gas. Sorry for the graphics, but would love some suggestions here. Trying to feed or bottle her is like torturing her. I don't know if she is traumatized by her situation or just doesn't feel good still. She is still very quiet, and timid. She did manage to produce a very wet diaper late morning - so that is good.

We were to go to the zoo today, however, with her feeling bad, we are going to for ego that. In addition, there is a typhoon on the way- I heard it is the equivalent to a cat. 3 hurricane. (overheard in the elevator this morning) and it is to directly hit Hong Kong, which is close to here. They advised all cars off the roads for Guangzhou today, for flooding. We have her passport appointment for later- not sure if we will be able to go with the weather? It started raining last night and is still messy today, lots of wind. Please pray for the weather and for Autumn. Not to mention her new mother who is about crazy with nerves today. I am fixated on what goes in and "out" and I worry about dehydration, but at least her temp is better. Mike however is great. She could not have picked a better Daddy. Very calm and patient with her. I will try to get some more pics up soon.