Elijah, Paulina, Moliana, Luka, Naomi, Steveni
Check out all the kids under 4 staying that the Hodgson's house in Mbeya last weekend!
(also check out Luka's deer-in-the-headlights look)
21 December 2007
Luka's New Friends
Elijah, Paulina, Moliana, Luka, Naomi, Steveni
Check out all the kids under 4 staying that the Hodgson's house in Mbeya last weekend!
(also check out Luka's deer-in-the-headlights look)
Tuende hospitalini, part II
So Luka got his measles shot. He screamed and screamed, but it was hard to tell if the shot was actually that painful or if Luka was just ticked that we forced him to stay put on the hospital bed, since he started screaming as soon as we set him down and didn't stop until we picked him back up. (Wow, that was a long sentence.) I was able to display my (lack of) courage by turning around and plugging my ears during the actual injection, to the amusement of the nurses.
Luka's immediate panic upon entering the clinic should have given us a clue that he had done it before. We had tried to contact the orphanage to see if he in fact ALREADY had his immunizations, but we didn't hear back until AFTER the shot--so the poor kid was injected for no reason! (Don't worry too much. We were advised to give him the shot anyway, despite the chance that he might have already gotten it, because both pediatricians in town insisted that duplicating immunizations is much better than the risk that he is not immunized at all.) Anyway, we think Luka deserves a Chupa-Chup. And we deserve another most neglectful foster parent award. Shoot, that's twice in one week.
In other news, Luka is defying all expectations and hasn't pooped ALL MORNING, despite the fact that he ALWAYS poops in the morning. So no stool test yet!
Luka's immediate panic upon entering the clinic should have given us a clue that he had done it before. We had tried to contact the orphanage to see if he in fact ALREADY had his immunizations, but we didn't hear back until AFTER the shot--so the poor kid was injected for no reason! (Don't worry too much. We were advised to give him the shot anyway, despite the chance that he might have already gotten it, because both pediatricians in town insisted that duplicating immunizations is much better than the risk that he is not immunized at all.) Anyway, we think Luka deserves a Chupa-Chup. And we deserve another most neglectful foster parent award. Shoot, that's twice in one week.
In other news, Luka is defying all expectations and hasn't pooped ALL MORNING, despite the fact that he ALWAYS poops in the morning. So no stool test yet!
Tuende hospitalini!
Luka's getting his measles shot today! (We are actually at the internet cafe next door, waiting for the doctor to come in.) We are also hoping Luka poops sometime soon (I never thought I'd say that) so we can get his stool analyzed. After that, we're off to the OTHER hospital in town to get Luka's chest x-rayed.
Poor kid.
We'll post the results sometime soon, although we don't anticipate having much internet access the next few days because we are going to Dar to pick up my family.
Woohoo!
Poor kid.
We'll post the results sometime soon, although we don't anticipate having much internet access the next few days because we are going to Dar to pick up my family.
Woohoo!
19 December 2007
Mbeya visit
We just got back from Mbeya, where we were checking out this year's home stay site as well as catching up with the GMI folk. Casey and Shelby arrived on Monday and got a chance to see Luka. Everyone was so shocked to see how much he has grown (length-wise and girth-wise). Luka did very well with all the stimulation--and there was a LOT of it. Lynn and Mike came with one-year-old twins from the orphanage, which brought the grand total of kids-under-5 to a whopping 6! The Hodgson's living room looked like a daycare!
I think I deserve the prize for most neglectful foster parent. The last night in Mbeya, I decided to let Luka sleep on a bed instead of his pack-and-play because the mosquito net that goes with his crib smelled like poop. I made sure to tuck the net under his mattress as tightly as I could, not wanting him to fall out of bed. Sometime during the night, I heard Luka mildly whimpering. Since he does this every once in a while, I said "shhhhhhh' really loudly and he almost immediately stopped. This happened again two or three times until morning--each time, Luka stopped within a few seconds.
When I finally woke up, I couldn't find Luka in his bed. And I noticed that the mosquito net was untucked. Only then did I realize that there were two little legs sticking out from under the bed. It turns out that Luka had fallen out and had wedged himself under the bed sometime during the night! Yikes! The poor guy must have been so uncomfortable. And boy, did I feel bad for shushing him.
I think I deserve the prize for most neglectful foster parent. The last night in Mbeya, I decided to let Luka sleep on a bed instead of his pack-and-play because the mosquito net that goes with his crib smelled like poop. I made sure to tuck the net under his mattress as tightly as I could, not wanting him to fall out of bed. Sometime during the night, I heard Luka mildly whimpering. Since he does this every once in a while, I said "shhhhhhh' really loudly and he almost immediately stopped. This happened again two or three times until morning--each time, Luka stopped within a few seconds.
When I finally woke up, I couldn't find Luka in his bed. And I noticed that the mosquito net was untucked. Only then did I realize that there were two little legs sticking out from under the bed. It turns out that Luka had fallen out and had wedged himself under the bed sometime during the night! Yikes! The poor guy must have been so uncomfortable. And boy, did I feel bad for shushing him.
11 December 2007
Camping pictures, part II
Paul and Luka in the hand-me-down baby backpack (that was used to cart Colton Rabenold around. Yes, Colton is now 18)
Paul and Luka in the water! Apparently, I DID get a picture of Luka "swimming"
The boys
Walking update
I think this mad dash for posting updates is in reaction to all the pictures I posted yesterday. But more pictures are coming, I promise!
Luka is still not walking, but he is incredibly active. Part of the trouble is his lack of desire to walk. He has perfected a fast-as-lightning crawl and is perfectly happy scooting around on his bum when he's got something in his hands. I read in a British book on baby development that babies who learn to butt-scoot are almost always behind in learning to walk, simply because they don't feel the need to. Definitely true of Luka!
We also think that part of the reason why he is not yet walking is that he still hasn't built up enough strength in his lower legs (calves). He is such a solid baby, but his lower legs look like toothpicks (especially compared to his humongous thighs-of-steel). We've been trying to encourage him to use his lower legs by setting his toys (and sometimes his desserts) in the middle of our coffee table so he has to stand up to get to them (mwa ha ha). He also likes standing on the Moyers' couch to look at the dogs, or on our pillows to look outside our bedroom window, which is good exercise, too.
Luka can "walk" if I hold his arms up. At first I thought it was just a matter of balance, but I am realizing that he has a very hard time holding himself up when I let his hands drop down so that he can no longer let me carry his weight.
All in all, Luka's shown much improvement and is very active, but needs a little more time in order to build the confidence to walk.
Luka is still not walking, but he is incredibly active. Part of the trouble is his lack of desire to walk. He has perfected a fast-as-lightning crawl and is perfectly happy scooting around on his bum when he's got something in his hands. I read in a British book on baby development that babies who learn to butt-scoot are almost always behind in learning to walk, simply because they don't feel the need to. Definitely true of Luka!
We also think that part of the reason why he is not yet walking is that he still hasn't built up enough strength in his lower legs (calves). He is such a solid baby, but his lower legs look like toothpicks (especially compared to his humongous thighs-of-steel). We've been trying to encourage him to use his lower legs by setting his toys (and sometimes his desserts) in the middle of our coffee table so he has to stand up to get to them (mwa ha ha). He also likes standing on the Moyers' couch to look at the dogs, or on our pillows to look outside our bedroom window, which is good exercise, too.
Luka can "walk" if I hold his arms up. At first I thought it was just a matter of balance, but I am realizing that he has a very hard time holding himself up when I let his hands drop down so that he can no longer let me carry his weight.
All in all, Luka's shown much improvement and is very active, but needs a little more time in order to build the confidence to walk.
Long overdue: our trip to the pediatrician
We are so fortunate to have two great pediatricians in town. One of them, Clare, is a British doctor whose husband is working with Student Partnership Worldwide. She agreed to see Luka, although she does not usually do consultations in her home (she volunteers at the government hospital several days a week).
To make a four-page check-up summary short:
-Luka has been diagnosed as anemic. We were encouraged to have his blood tested (he tested a 9.7, which is not terrible, but we're aiming to reach 11 or 12, which is "good" in European standards). We are now giving him iron supplements, which turn his poo a lovely shade of olive green.
-Luka might have a heart murmur, possibly related to his anemia. While he was absolutely lovely during the hour-long check-up, Luka decided that he was fed up with sitting still right when Clare needed to listen to his heart. She instructed us to have his heart checked in a month or so.
-Luka's weight is at the 80-90% percentile according to the TZ growth chart and at around 30% according to the US growth chart. Either way, he is healthy! His head measurements came at a whopping 95% in the US growth chart, which is no surprise considering we often joke that he can't walk simply because it takes too much work to carry all that weight! His head is huge! (but healthy!)
-Luka's cough didn't seem to concern Clare. When she heard what treatment had been prescribed when he was first (allegedly) diagnosed with TB, she concluded that he probably DIDN'T have TB and was given TB medication because TB is often a knee-jerk diagnosis. She told us that we could have Luka's chest x-rayed to rule out the possibility entirely, but also said that he looks so healthy that we probably don't have to worry.
-When we asked about Luka's age, she told us that it is impossible to tell. Her best guess is somewhere around 18 - 22 months (the only real "clue" is the fact that two of his molars have already come in and he's got lots of other teeth). She encouraged us to pick the younger age because it doesn't hurt Luka to be placed at an age closer to his development level, and also observed that he looked remarkably close in age/development to her 18-month-old daughter. She told us to pick a birthdate for Luka because it will be helpful for him later on to have a day already given to him, rather than leaving him with no birthday and the responsibility of coming up with a date himself!
All in all, Luka is healthy! We have dewormed him, given him vitamin A supplements, and are mixing iron supplements in with his food. We have an appointment with the doctor to give him the measles vaccine and will take him for a chest x-ray.
To make a four-page check-up summary short:
-Luka has been diagnosed as anemic. We were encouraged to have his blood tested (he tested a 9.7, which is not terrible, but we're aiming to reach 11 or 12, which is "good" in European standards). We are now giving him iron supplements, which turn his poo a lovely shade of olive green.
-Luka might have a heart murmur, possibly related to his anemia. While he was absolutely lovely during the hour-long check-up, Luka decided that he was fed up with sitting still right when Clare needed to listen to his heart. She instructed us to have his heart checked in a month or so.
-Luka's weight is at the 80-90% percentile according to the TZ growth chart and at around 30% according to the US growth chart. Either way, he is healthy! His head measurements came at a whopping 95% in the US growth chart, which is no surprise considering we often joke that he can't walk simply because it takes too much work to carry all that weight! His head is huge! (but healthy!)
-Luka's cough didn't seem to concern Clare. When she heard what treatment had been prescribed when he was first (allegedly) diagnosed with TB, she concluded that he probably DIDN'T have TB and was given TB medication because TB is often a knee-jerk diagnosis. She told us that we could have Luka's chest x-rayed to rule out the possibility entirely, but also said that he looks so healthy that we probably don't have to worry.
-When we asked about Luka's age, she told us that it is impossible to tell. Her best guess is somewhere around 18 - 22 months (the only real "clue" is the fact that two of his molars have already come in and he's got lots of other teeth). She encouraged us to pick the younger age because it doesn't hurt Luka to be placed at an age closer to his development level, and also observed that he looked remarkably close in age/development to her 18-month-old daughter. She told us to pick a birthdate for Luka because it will be helpful for him later on to have a day already given to him, rather than leaving him with no birthday and the responsibility of coming up with a date himself!
All in all, Luka is healthy! We have dewormed him, given him vitamin A supplements, and are mixing iron supplements in with his food. We have an appointment with the doctor to give him the measles vaccine and will take him for a chest x-ray.
10 December 2007
Camping pictures, part I
We went camping with our friends Andrew, Miriam, and Ben this past weekend. Luka loved being outside and was, for the most part, very happy and well behaved. Luka liked the river but hated the baby paddling pool Andrew brought along. He liked Andrew and Miriam but was scared of Ben. He liked hanging out without a diaper but didn't like lying exposed (he insisted on covering up with a kanga--what a modest guy!). This child is full of contradictions!
Paul, Kat, Luka, Ben, Miriam, and Andrew
Kat and Luka in the water (he later went in up to his chest and splashed around with us, but unfortunately, we were too busy playing to get any pictures!) I picked this pic to post because my arms look buff--oh wait, it's just the lighting. Oh well, at least you get the action shot of his arms waving frantically.
Playing with Ben and Luka (check out his new phone). Andrew in background.
Paul, Kat, Luka, Ben, Miriam, and Andrew
Kat and Luka in the water (he later went in up to his chest and splashed around with us, but unfortunately, we were too busy playing to get any pictures!) I picked this pic to post because my arms look buff--oh wait, it's just the lighting. Oh well, at least you get the action shot of his arms waving frantically.
Playing with Ben and Luka (check out his new phone). Andrew in background.
07 December 2007
Talking in his sleep, Part II
For those of you who read my other blog, you've probably noticed that a sleep-talking theme has emerged the past few days. Here's another story to add to the collection!
We had to walk down the hill (and zipline across the river) in the dark the other night, and I bundled sleeping Luka up in a kitenge and fastened the fabric around me, sling-style. His little head bobbed up and down as I gingerly made my way down the hill, but he stayed asleep. To my dismay, I found myself slipping on a loose rock and in the midst of the fall, a still-sleeping Luka brightly chirped, "Uh, oh!" It took me a while to get back on my feet, I was laughing so hard.
I guess Luka is a deep sleeper.
We had to walk down the hill (and zipline across the river) in the dark the other night, and I bundled sleeping Luka up in a kitenge and fastened the fabric around me, sling-style. His little head bobbed up and down as I gingerly made my way down the hill, but he stayed asleep. To my dismay, I found myself slipping on a loose rock and in the midst of the fall, a still-sleeping Luka brightly chirped, "Uh, oh!" It took me a while to get back on my feet, I was laughing so hard.
I guess Luka is a deep sleeper.
04 December 2007
Goodbye, Dream People!
Last night, we got home quite late and Luka was fast asleep in his car seat. I laid him on the bed while Paul set up the pack-and-play and he was so calm and peaceful (and asleep) that we decided to let him lie there for a while so we could enjoy his immobile, silent cuteness (with all his newfound energy, these moments are rare). Paul poked him one too many times and Luka finally reacted by turning over. As he was turning, he lifted a hand (still asleep), waved it slowly, and said, "Yaaaaii." (Luka-speak for "bye".)
Paul summed it up best: "It was so cute I wanted to curl up in a ball and explode."
Paul summed it up best: "It was so cute I wanted to curl up in a ball and explode."
03 December 2007
Updates
Check out the updated "About Luka" section on the side. Notable update: Luka now LOVES taking a bath!
The Cold
Luka usually sleeps through the night with no problem. We put him to bed around 8:00 at night and he is quiet (whether or not he falls asleep right away) until sometime between 6:00 - 7:00 in the morning.
Unfortunately, Luka's cough has been getting worse, and to top it off, he's gotten a cold, which means a miserable drippy nose and a sore throat. Two nights ago, Luka had hacking bouts of coughing (literally) every other minute and his coughs would give way to pitiful cries every hour or two. It was so hard for me to know what to do, and I got up 5 times that night to comfort Luka and help him fall back asleep.
Luka eventually became so frustrated by his interrupted sleep that he decided to get up for the morning at 5:15. Thankfully, wonderful Paul--who slept through the coughing--got up with him and fed him breakfast, giving me an hour or so to catch up on sleep before having to get up for work.
Luka's since been sleeping better again, probably in part because of our very busy weekend mostly spent in town (no regular naps for the poor guy).
But now we ALL have colds! Pray for us!
Unfortunately, Luka's cough has been getting worse, and to top it off, he's gotten a cold, which means a miserable drippy nose and a sore throat. Two nights ago, Luka had hacking bouts of coughing (literally) every other minute and his coughs would give way to pitiful cries every hour or two. It was so hard for me to know what to do, and I got up 5 times that night to comfort Luka and help him fall back asleep.
Luka eventually became so frustrated by his interrupted sleep that he decided to get up for the morning at 5:15. Thankfully, wonderful Paul--who slept through the coughing--got up with him and fed him breakfast, giving me an hour or so to catch up on sleep before having to get up for work.
Luka's since been sleeping better again, probably in part because of our very busy weekend mostly spent in town (no regular naps for the poor guy).
But now we ALL have colds! Pray for us!
27 November 2007
26 November 2007
The Haircut
Before we'd even met Luka, we saw a video of him laughing hysterically while getting his hair cut. This was encouraging, since his hair has been getting a tad long. We decided to cut his hair last night.
Bad idea. The poor kid wasn't in a good mood, and having his head held still wasn't his idea of a good time. Nor was having to take TWO baths in one night. We (mostly) succeeded though, with the help of Paul's beard trimmer, and Luka now has a bare head.
I feel like a bad person for saying this, but where has my child gone? Luka looks completely different without hair!
*will post a picture as soon as we take one!
Bad idea. The poor kid wasn't in a good mood, and having his head held still wasn't his idea of a good time. Nor was having to take TWO baths in one night. We (mostly) succeeded though, with the help of Paul's beard trimmer, and Luka now has a bare head.
I feel like a bad person for saying this, but where has my child gone? Luka looks completely different without hair!
*will post a picture as soon as we take one!
The Morning Wake-up Call
Sleeping in is no longer a possibility with a two-year-old in the house. Especially a two-year-old with a poopy diaper. Hungry for his breakfast at 6:00 AM.
I must say, though, that if I have to wake up at dawn every morning, there's no better way of doing so than waking up to an eagerly smiling face. Luka is always in the best mood when Paul and I are barely awake.
Luka and I play this game where I sing a few notes (of the la-la-la variety) and he echoes after me. Using "las" wasn't the best idea, as every command to go to sleep (Ulale! Lala sasa hivi!) is now met with a sweet sing-song response: "la la la."
Yesterday, he charmingly entertained himself while we tried to go back to sleep, poking our eyes with his tiny fingers, pretending to sleep (curled up, fingers in his mouth, bum in the air), and zoom-zooming his Duplo brick across our pillows.
This morning, Luka was so wide awake, he'd pushed the mosquito net over his crib out of the way and was standing. I woke up to the sight of his staring face. Unfortunately, he wasn't in the mood for entertaining himself while we continued to sleep, so it was up and at 'em for Paul and me!
It's a good thing he's so cute.
I must say, though, that if I have to wake up at dawn every morning, there's no better way of doing so than waking up to an eagerly smiling face. Luka is always in the best mood when Paul and I are barely awake.
Luka and I play this game where I sing a few notes (of the la-la-la variety) and he echoes after me. Using "las" wasn't the best idea, as every command to go to sleep (Ulale! Lala sasa hivi!) is now met with a sweet sing-song response: "la la la."
Yesterday, he charmingly entertained himself while we tried to go back to sleep, poking our eyes with his tiny fingers, pretending to sleep (curled up, fingers in his mouth, bum in the air), and zoom-zooming his Duplo brick across our pillows.
This morning, Luka was so wide awake, he'd pushed the mosquito net over his crib out of the way and was standing. I woke up to the sight of his staring face. Unfortunately, he wasn't in the mood for entertaining himself while we continued to sleep, so it was up and at 'em for Paul and me!
It's a good thing he's so cute.
new vocab
new ways luka expresses himself:
"uh-oh..." (after dropping things off the table on purpose)
"DAWN-tay" ("asante"...thank you in kiswahili)
"DEE-tah" ("mpira"...kiswahili for ball)
"doog" ("dog" but also refers to flies, mosquitoes, and music)
"uh-oh..." (after dropping things off the table on purpose)
"DAWN-tay" ("asante"...thank you in kiswahili)
"DEE-tah" ("mpira"...kiswahili for ball)
"doog" ("dog" but also refers to flies, mosquitoes, and music)
23 November 2007
Mbwa
Luka's favorite activity is standing on the couch in front of the window and watch the "mbwa".
Luka: Mbwa. (pointing)
(Dog.)
Paul: Umeona nini? (typing)
(What did you see?)
Luka: Mbwa! (excitedly)
He can do this for an hour at a time! (Which allows me time to get online and tell you all what he's doing next to me on the couch.)
Luka: Mbwa. (pointing)
(Dog.)
Paul: Umeona nini? (typing)
(What did you see?)
Luka: Mbwa! (excitedly)
He can do this for an hour at a time! (Which allows me time to get online and tell you all what he's doing next to me on the couch.)
22 November 2007
The Tube
Luka doesn't watch TV, but he does have a tube of toothpaste that he loves (despite the fact that he hates it when I try to brush his teeth). Sometimes he even goes to sleep holding the toothpaste (it has a childproof lid).
Here he is with his beloved tube, blocking the paparazzi
Here he is with his beloved tube, blocking the paparazzi
The Midnight Pooper
Paul and I have decided that the only way to ward off having to wake up to Luka's poopy diapers every morning (and the only way to ensure a better night's sleep for the poor boy) is to get up in the night to change his diapers as soon as he poops.
Last night, I was falling asleep when I heard grunting from the general direction of Luka's crib. He's pooping! I thought. I waited about fifteen minutes (or fifty, depending on whether or not I drifted off), and changed his diaper. There was only a fist-sized (Luka's fist, not mine) lump of poo in his diaper, which I knew from experience to mean that he was not quite done. I changed him anyway and impulsively set him down between Paul and me, figuring it wouldn't hurt to keep him beside us so as to better hear when he continues his pooping. And so I wouldn't have to get up to change the second diaper. And so I could cuddle the little goober for a little while.
Bad idea. Not only does a watched child never poop, but I almost bit a hole through my bottom lip, trying desperately not to succumb to the temptation to squeeze the little monkey to death, he's just THAT CUTE.
After the weight of his huge head cut off the circulation in my left arm, I gave up and brought him back to his crib. I went back to sleep.
And Paul and I woke up to yet another explosive diaper this morning.
Last night, I was falling asleep when I heard grunting from the general direction of Luka's crib. He's pooping! I thought. I waited about fifteen minutes (or fifty, depending on whether or not I drifted off), and changed his diaper. There was only a fist-sized (Luka's fist, not mine) lump of poo in his diaper, which I knew from experience to mean that he was not quite done. I changed him anyway and impulsively set him down between Paul and me, figuring it wouldn't hurt to keep him beside us so as to better hear when he continues his pooping. And so I wouldn't have to get up to change the second diaper. And so I could cuddle the little goober for a little while.
Bad idea. Not only does a watched child never poop, but I almost bit a hole through my bottom lip, trying desperately not to succumb to the temptation to squeeze the little monkey to death, he's just THAT CUTE.
After the weight of his huge head cut off the circulation in my left arm, I gave up and brought him back to his crib. I went back to sleep.
And Paul and I woke up to yet another explosive diaper this morning.
21 November 2007
The Appointment
We had an appointment with the physical therapist at Neema Crafts today. I was a bit nervous because Luka had been cranky all day, and having to interrupt his almost-nap when we arrived at Neema wasn't QUITE the thing to do to improve his move. However, after whimpering for a few minutes, unsure what to do with all the friendly people's greetings and the many pairs of eyes fixed on him, Luka calmed down.
We met with Peter, a Belgian physical therapist who is here with his wife to start a physical therapy clinic in town. Paulina, one of the Neema workers, accompanied us to the check-up (she seemed to be as taken with Luka as he was with her!) and helped me distract him while Peter poked and prodded and tested Luka's flexibility.
At one point, Peter asked me if Luka could crawl. I'd seen Luka crawl around our massive bed a few times, but never more than a couple of "steps" at a time, so I wasn't sure how good of a crawler he really is. Just as we were discussing what toy to place in the other side of the room to encourage Luka to crawl, Paulina abruptly left the room. Luka looked up, alarmed, and proceeded to crawl the length of the room, right to the door, which he opened so he could peer out after Paulina. A+ for crawling, Luka!
Peter's diagnosis, after seeing Luka stand while holding on to a ladder, is that his feet are fine and he is physically healthy, just developmentally behind. Luka tends to stand with his left foot at a 90 degree angle (toes pointing out to the left), but does not seem to feel any pain or discomfort if I correct his stance. Peter guesses that Luka DID have an injured foot at one point, causing him to favor it, but only stands "incorrectly" out of habit now. So with lots of exercise and practice, there should be no reason why Luka won't be walking soon! Hurray!
We met with Peter, a Belgian physical therapist who is here with his wife to start a physical therapy clinic in town. Paulina, one of the Neema workers, accompanied us to the check-up (she seemed to be as taken with Luka as he was with her!) and helped me distract him while Peter poked and prodded and tested Luka's flexibility.
At one point, Peter asked me if Luka could crawl. I'd seen Luka crawl around our massive bed a few times, but never more than a couple of "steps" at a time, so I wasn't sure how good of a crawler he really is. Just as we were discussing what toy to place in the other side of the room to encourage Luka to crawl, Paulina abruptly left the room. Luka looked up, alarmed, and proceeded to crawl the length of the room, right to the door, which he opened so he could peer out after Paulina. A+ for crawling, Luka!
Peter's diagnosis, after seeing Luka stand while holding on to a ladder, is that his feet are fine and he is physically healthy, just developmentally behind. Luka tends to stand with his left foot at a 90 degree angle (toes pointing out to the left), but does not seem to feel any pain or discomfort if I correct his stance. Peter guesses that Luka DID have an injured foot at one point, causing him to favor it, but only stands "incorrectly" out of habit now. So with lots of exercise and practice, there should be no reason why Luka won't be walking soon! Hurray!
18 November 2007
The Smile
Today was the second day with Luka. We had a 6-hour bus ride (on a bush bus, mostly on bumpy dirt roads) this morning from Sumbawanga. Luka did fine; he sat still in my lap, unmoving. It wasn't until about 2/3 of the way into the ride that he started to move voluntarily. Not too long after, I brushed my fingers under his chin and he smiled! Paul and I were beside ourselves. The rest of the ride flew by, as Luka began to respond more and more. This afternoon, I stayed with him at our friends' home here in Mbeya while Paul went to town to buy a new spare tire. Luka started to PLAY! Within a few hours, he was not only responding to voices and touch, he was instigating interaction.
One of our major concerns was that we'd heard Luka had development problems with one of his feet, which was impeding his ability to walk or stand. When I put him in the pack-and-play, however, he immediately stood up to look at me. He seemed to be able to stand without any pain. We are pretty confident that with lots of attention and exercise, he'll be walking soon.
What a flirt!
One of our major concerns was that we'd heard Luka had development problems with one of his feet, which was impeding his ability to walk or stand. When I put him in the pack-and-play, however, he immediately stood up to look at me. He seemed to be able to stand without any pain. We are pretty confident that with lots of attention and exercise, he'll be walking soon.
What a flirt!
17 November 2007
The Meeting
First day: stunned little guy
When we first saw Luka, he was sitting on a borrowed booster seat, eating rice and beans. For the entire first day, Luka did not move anything voluntarily, except his eyes. When I changed his first diaper (an unfastened cloth nappy held together with a tied-on plastic bag) and lifted his legs up, he literally froze in the position for a good half an hour. The poor little guy was obviously traumatized and we were a bit worried that he'd remain completely unresponsive. The only progress we saw in the first day was his willingness to grasp onto a plastic spoon.
Paul and I joked that we'd have to try not to forget we had a little kid around, since he didn't make a peep the entire first day.
14 November 2007
The Announcement
Luka is coming to live with us for a couple of months. He has been living in an orphanage in Sumbawanga, but needs extra medical attention because of a developmental problem with one of his feet. Here in Iringa, we have great pediatricians and physical therapists, so we hope that we'll be able to get him the help he needs so that he'll be able to walk!
We will be picking him up this Friday. We certainly would appreciate your prayers as we embark on the grand adventure of taking care of a two-year-old!
We will be picking him up this Friday. We certainly would appreciate your prayers as we embark on the grand adventure of taking care of a two-year-old!
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