We celebrated Maxim's gotcha day quietly on December 23. It was the one year anniversary of the day we received in our hands the Ukrainian judge's decree, finalizing our adoption of Maxim Matthew Campau. I can't believe it's already been a year in some ways; on the other hand, so much has happened since bringing him home, how could it possibly have only been a year?!
We kept the acknowledgement of the day low key since all of the rest of us have actual December or January birthdays and we didn't want to confuse Maxim at this point. Birthdays were not acknowledged regularly at the orphanage he spent so much time in, so the whole concept is still something of a mystery to him. I think it's beginning to make sense though, and next July when he turns eight, I'm sure he will "get" why we're making such a big deal out of him.
A lot of interesting things have played together in the last few day in surprising ways, giving us a glimpse of how Maxim is feeling after a year in his very own family.
On Maxim's gotcha day, we watched a slide show of all the photos Daniel and I took while we were in Ukraine. Then we switched over to the videos we made, and that is what really grabbed his attention. He has wanted to sit and watch them all again several times in the last few days. We asked him if he remembered certain teachers and such, but it seems to be more a feeling than actual people and places that mean the most to him. Obviously, when Daniel and I were there to begin the adoption process and get to know Maxim, the attention we could give him was undivided; fun and loving and focused on him. I think watching these videos has reminded Maxim that it can't be that way within our home now. Love and attention, yes, but probably never again as focused and undivided just for him as we could then, until his older siblings leave the nest. Seeing this, I realize it was a blessing to have to stay in Ukraine as long as we did before bringing him home. As much as I disliked much of the confusion and corruption around us in the country, and those things make it hard to wholeheartedly recommend Ukrainian adoption to anyone, Maxim personally needed the time it took to bring him home.
Just a few days before his gotcha day, we had selected several dvds at the library, one of which was from the National Geographic series, In The Womb. This particular episode dealt with pregnancies with multiples. The computer generation and 4D imaging is incredible and we were all really intrigued watching it. Amazed again at God's perfect hand. I checked it out just thinking it would be interesting but Maxim was really amazed. He asked many times about who had been inside me and did the doctor help them come out? He asked about being in me, and I explained as I have before that he had a mama before me, far away in Ukraine, and he grew inside her.
In addition, a few days ago, we borrowed a baby doll for a completely unrelated purpose, and Maxim has wanted to pick it up and care for it regularly since then; it liked taking it in the tub and washing it. He kept it with him while he ate more than once and assured me he only let the baby have chicken,turkey and gum. I have seen him sit and rock the doll.
All of these things together let me see him processing what it's like to be a baby cared for by others; what it must have been like for him. It drills it into my head once again that we can't get that time back for him, but we have to love him like crazy now. Not spoiling in any way, but doing our best to make sure he knows he is absolutely loved. He will always have questions about what happened before he became a Campau, but may he never doubt love and security where he is now.
His physical therapy is going very well. He really likes Jenny, who works with him twice a week, and tries hard to do everything she asks of him. They are working not only on getting up on his feet with the aid of his little blue crutches, but also on building up core strength so he can increase his balance and endurance.
Looking at all of the pictures/videos from last year was bitter sweet to us for one particular reason: it was really shocking to realize how much mass Maxim really lost due to all of the castings and surgeries he has gone through. His legs at this point are about half the diameter they were when we brought him home. The process that is leading to him being able to walk soon really took him to the brink of what he could afford to lose. It makes me sad to see what he's lost in healthy roundness, but I know Who the Restorer is; the Giver of every good thing; the Redeemer. I know there are good days in the hands of the Author and Finisher. He knows what He's doing.
Along with Maxim's progress, our other children are reaching major milestones. Cyan just turned eighteen, so we are officially the parents of an adult now. God is continuing to give her vision for life ahead, even if she doesn't see the fulfillment of healing from CP yet. She is setting goals and pressing on.
Brina turned sixteen on the 25th and just got her braces off a month ago. Her ears are newly pierced, which she has waited a long time for, per Papa's wishes. Driver's ed is sounding very appealing to her, and just looking for what God has for her in the days ahead.
Joel is fourteen now, as of December 7, and has changed so much this year. No more buzz cuts, thank you very much. He is at that stage where wrestling and building treehouses and such still hold great appeal, but he's searching for greater challenge too.
I love that all the kids still love hugs and time together. May this never change, even though they must spread their wings a little more every day. One doesn't have to negate the other.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
walking masterpiece
Maxim is taking his first steps these days, with help. He is eager to keep trying and to take a little more weight on his feet and legs with each passing day. His crutches should be ready by the 11th and his first physical therapy appointment to begin training with them is set for the 15th. A great adventure ahead for him, no doubt. I thought you might enjoy seeing the beginnings of his new life up on his feet.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Made New
It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me
Daniel 4:2
BEAUTIFUL FEET
FIRST SHOES
Finally, I can post some pictures. Our camera was out of commission and it wasn't in the budget to repair it. However, Daniel had wisely purchased the two year warranty for it last year, so off it went to the manufacturer. Once I sent it to them, they were very quick to fix it and send it right back. It arrived back at our house in tip-top shape the day before Thanksgiving. What perfect timing.
The day Maxim's last little casts came off, all the other kids decided to go too so they could see his "new feet" as soon as possible. Actually, some of them didn't stay in the room with him the whole time because, once again, he was really freaked out by the cast saw. He has definitely had it with that process. I'm sure he will be a very happy camper if he never has to see another cast saw. Us too. Anyway, once the casts were off and his feet were unwrapped, he was smiling. A little concerned at first because of some tickly feelings, but he seems to have gotten used to the new sensations for the most part.
We were very excited once Maxim received his afo's (ankle-foot orthotics - plastic braces that fit down the back of his lower legs and into his shoe for support). They are such a great fit. Cyan has been through them many times in the past so I've seen a lot. These looked perfect right away. Maxim was a little scared at first, about moving his newly freed legs and also that the braces would hurt. Once they were on though, he was good with it.
We couldn't resist heading to the stores right away to buy Maxim's first shoes. Target first, but nothing wide enough. Based on past experience with Cyan, we headed to Payless Shoes. They are good about carrying wide widths and styles that allow the tongue of the shoe to be folded back further too; key factors when you're trying to fit shoes on a child with afo's.
I was feeling a little guilty about spending so much on shoes, but after we saw how each of the three pair looked on Maxim, how well they fit, how happy he was to see them on his feet, and Joel said, "Just think, Mom, this is a lot less than you've spent on all of our (older kids') shoes over the years.", I went to the cash register with all of them. Now I don't regret it at all. He really enjoys deciding which ones to wear to which place.
I will admit that the picture I have posted here is the most flattering of the shots we took of Maxim's feet at this point. They are by no means perfect. To give you an idea, they basically look like the feet of a baby who has never born weight on their feet. Straight, fat, and still a little curved on the bottom. However, the curve is in the opposite direction that his feet were turning when we first brought him home. Last January, his feet turned severely under and toward each other. Now, like I said, they are kind of chubby and curved in the proper direction. We are thrilled because now they can slip into the afo's and then into shoes.
The next day, we were off to Dr. Reinhart, the specialist's, office. Maxim wanted to show her how he could take some steps with Mama's support. That was what he had wanted to do over and over the whole evening before. He really wants to take off!
She looked at new x-rays of his right hip, his level of upper body strength, and his drive and decided to prescribe lofstrand crutches (Sp?) instead of a walker. She feels he is ready. These are the crutches that do not come all the way under the arm. They have a cuff at the top that wraps around the forearm and a handle on each one for the hand to grasp. Maxim's are now on order. He asked for silver ones and they should be ready on December 11.
The best part is that the evening after we had been to the specialists, Daniel and I were with the kids at a prayer meeting we enjoy attending on Wednesday nights. Enjoy is an understatement, actually. We have been soooooo refreshed and stretched at the same time by these gatherings of people who can testify to God's transforming power in their every day lives and pour the resulting exploding faith into prayer. Fervent effective prayer. Anyway, while we were there, listening to testimonies, Maxim just wanted to walk walk walk. I walked him as long as my back could stand but I finally had to sit down. While we sat there, listening to others, Maxim quietly slid down off his chair and, hanging on tightly to chairs and knees around him, he walked himself down the row from me to Daniel. Such an awesome thing to see. I really believe he is going to do much more, go much further, than many people think. Between God's healing love and Maxim's own persistence, his potential is incredible.
I believe Maxim will continue to be a testimony that God cannot be contained in our boxes.
Daniel 4:2
BEAUTIFUL FEET
FIRST SHOES
Finally, I can post some pictures. Our camera was out of commission and it wasn't in the budget to repair it. However, Daniel had wisely purchased the two year warranty for it last year, so off it went to the manufacturer. Once I sent it to them, they were very quick to fix it and send it right back. It arrived back at our house in tip-top shape the day before Thanksgiving. What perfect timing.
The day Maxim's last little casts came off, all the other kids decided to go too so they could see his "new feet" as soon as possible. Actually, some of them didn't stay in the room with him the whole time because, once again, he was really freaked out by the cast saw. He has definitely had it with that process. I'm sure he will be a very happy camper if he never has to see another cast saw. Us too. Anyway, once the casts were off and his feet were unwrapped, he was smiling. A little concerned at first because of some tickly feelings, but he seems to have gotten used to the new sensations for the most part.
We were very excited once Maxim received his afo's (ankle-foot orthotics - plastic braces that fit down the back of his lower legs and into his shoe for support). They are such a great fit. Cyan has been through them many times in the past so I've seen a lot. These looked perfect right away. Maxim was a little scared at first, about moving his newly freed legs and also that the braces would hurt. Once they were on though, he was good with it.
We couldn't resist heading to the stores right away to buy Maxim's first shoes. Target first, but nothing wide enough. Based on past experience with Cyan, we headed to Payless Shoes. They are good about carrying wide widths and styles that allow the tongue of the shoe to be folded back further too; key factors when you're trying to fit shoes on a child with afo's.
I was feeling a little guilty about spending so much on shoes, but after we saw how each of the three pair looked on Maxim, how well they fit, how happy he was to see them on his feet, and Joel said, "Just think, Mom, this is a lot less than you've spent on all of our (older kids') shoes over the years.", I went to the cash register with all of them. Now I don't regret it at all. He really enjoys deciding which ones to wear to which place.
I will admit that the picture I have posted here is the most flattering of the shots we took of Maxim's feet at this point. They are by no means perfect. To give you an idea, they basically look like the feet of a baby who has never born weight on their feet. Straight, fat, and still a little curved on the bottom. However, the curve is in the opposite direction that his feet were turning when we first brought him home. Last January, his feet turned severely under and toward each other. Now, like I said, they are kind of chubby and curved in the proper direction. We are thrilled because now they can slip into the afo's and then into shoes.
The next day, we were off to Dr. Reinhart, the specialist's, office. Maxim wanted to show her how he could take some steps with Mama's support. That was what he had wanted to do over and over the whole evening before. He really wants to take off!
She looked at new x-rays of his right hip, his level of upper body strength, and his drive and decided to prescribe lofstrand crutches (Sp?) instead of a walker. She feels he is ready. These are the crutches that do not come all the way under the arm. They have a cuff at the top that wraps around the forearm and a handle on each one for the hand to grasp. Maxim's are now on order. He asked for silver ones and they should be ready on December 11.
The best part is that the evening after we had been to the specialists, Daniel and I were with the kids at a prayer meeting we enjoy attending on Wednesday nights. Enjoy is an understatement, actually. We have been soooooo refreshed and stretched at the same time by these gatherings of people who can testify to God's transforming power in their every day lives and pour the resulting exploding faith into prayer. Fervent effective prayer. Anyway, while we were there, listening to testimonies, Maxim just wanted to walk walk walk. I walked him as long as my back could stand but I finally had to sit down. While we sat there, listening to others, Maxim quietly slid down off his chair and, hanging on tightly to chairs and knees around him, he walked himself down the row from me to Daniel. Such an awesome thing to see. I really believe he is going to do much more, go much further, than many people think. Between God's healing love and Maxim's own persistence, his potential is incredible.
I believe Maxim will continue to be a testimony that God cannot be contained in our boxes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)