This is what happens when you've just had your palate repaired and the doctor says everything eaten must pour from a cup....even popsicles! (Does that smile indicate how well Toryn is feeling? Thank you, Jesus!)

We are home

The doctor released us about 9:00 am on Friday morning. Can't believe we actually went home after such a short stay, but they said Toryn was doing so well. I was really nervous about the doctor being so far away from home, but I guess the doctor knows best. The ride home went ok for the most part, he slept most of the way. (Again, thank the Lord for pain meds that the nurses gave him.) The biggest challenge is the eating issue. He wants everything we want, but he can only have food blended in the blender. The dietician told us that we could pretty much purify anything including pizza. YUCK!! That sounds so disgusting! We have started eating in hiding, so he can't see us. I feel so sorry for him. Please pray that these next two weeks will go fast. A good thing is that we didn't have to use the arm restraints. We will have to put them on if he starts to try to touch his lip and palate, but so far so good. We will just watch him like a hawk. I had planned on doing nothing but holding him and loving on him for these next two weeks. Man, you know I'm gonna hate that! NOT!!!!
Well, you know me... I take pictures of everything! Yes, I have before surgery pics and after surgery pics. My mom said she couldn't believe I didn't sneak in the OR room and take pics of the actual surgery! I couldn't find a way to sneak in there! LOL!!




At our pre-op appt. on Tuesday, they gave us some items to play with to help prepare him for surgery. His stuffed Tigger and Mickey Mouse had numerous surgeries that day!

Dr. Toryn Ling Kendrick, M.D. for all your medical needs! (Have I mentioned I love those precious almond shaped eyes?!!)

Mom trying to get Toryn's hospital gown on. The key word here is "trying". He was just fine in his own comfy pj's!

Can you tell that the "goofy juice" is starting to kick in?

He is showing you his muscles! (Poor little guy, I think that will be a while for muscles on his skinny little self!)

Good grief! The things we do for our kids! When the nurse told me to get up in the bed with Toryn, I said, "You want me to do WHAT? You're kidding right?". As you see, she wasn't kidding!

"You are getting SSLLEEPPYY!".....

He just wanted to be held after surgery. You can see who fought me for his turn!

Corbin, he loves his Mickey Mouse that you brought him from Disney World! He loves you, too!

Dr. Genecov was very proud of how well surgery went! We are so thankful that it was successful! He also said he was VERY impressed with how beautiful his lip looks. (I'm sure he's right once the swelling and stitches are gone.) Thank you, Lord, for sending Dr. Genecov our way! The kids were mad that they had his had all taped up, but after I explained that it was to hold the IV in so he couldn't pull it out, they understood.

The next morning....not smiling much, but being such a brave boy!

Toryn's trying to keep his daddy in line!

"I'm ready to get out of here and go home!"

OUCH......

A great big thank you to everyone who lifted up our little guy in prayer today! We can feel them! Toryn had his surgery today to repair his palate in Dallas. They repaired his palate, revised his nose to look a little more cosmetic, and placed tubes in his ears. (The cleft babies usually have lots of fluid on their ears, which he did.) His poor little face looks like he was in a fist fight and lost! Lots of swelling and bruising, which is to be expected. The surgery was very successful, praise our good Lord! We know it was because of all the prayers! Dr. Genecov said he will need to work on the inside of his nose and do a little more to his lip at a later date, in about 3 to 6 months. I wasn't expecting another surgery so quick, but we will do whatever is recommended! Our doctor is awesome and very good at what he does! We are very pleased with him,his staff, and so far the hospital! (Thank you so much Kenny and Leasa for highly recommending him!) Toryn has slept most of the day, thanks to some good pain meds. Please continue to pray for him for the next two weeks. He is a very, very active three year old, and all boy! Keeping him down and his arms restrained so he cannot damage the repairs will definitely be a challenge. The doctor said tonight and tomorrow will be the roughest. We should be released either Fri. or Sat.
We are so thankful that God gave us this precious little guy. We cannot even imagine life without him. I often tell everyone that he just filled a hole that we didn't even know was empty, and it's so true. He has been such a blessing and brings such joy and delight to our family! Our God is so good! I just wish everyone could experience this amazing journey that we have been allowed to experience by our precious Savior. Adoption is truly a miracle. (And just for the record, there are several of you who I am praying that God will touch your hearts with adoption! Stop making excuses! ;o) ) Toryn has bonded with us and adjusted tremendously. God prepared this little guy for this huge change in his life long before we even knew he was the one God had for us! How awesome is that! I am in awe at God's goodness!
Thank you again for your prayers for us! Thank you for all you do! Thank you all for just being you! We love you all and cannot thank you enough for helping us bring Toryn home and into our lives! May God bless you all!

Life's A Zoo.....

It's Spring Break! YIPPEEEE!!! Don't have a lot planned, which is great! We did go to the Abilene Zoo yesterday. It was fun, and exciting seeing Toryn get so excited to see the different animals. Our main goal for this week is to get back in our house. That's a must! Toryn's palate repair surgery is next week, and I really feel like we need to be in our home when we return. We should be, they are painting and working on the flooring tomorrow, then they will come and clean later in the week. (the smoke damage) Please pray that they will be done, so we can move back home this weekend.
Enjoy our crazy zoo pictures! Life in our family is a zoo!


Hopefully this big gorilla won't get out of his cage!

We also went to the Frontier Texas museum. It was a pretty neat museum. I had never been. The kids played on this stagecoach. Toryn didn't want to get off of it!

What a pretty kitty!

Tessa, Hannah, and Toryn on the stagecoach.

There's that smile I just love! Happens all the time and I still melt when I see it.

Help! These animals escaped their cages!