I really miss Evan now that I've been in Colorado for a week. My roommate has been great about watching Evan and his daycare provider has been very accommodating - taking Evan for 4 afternoons in addition to his regular morning schedule.
My roommate let Evan talk to me on the phone. Normally this is nothing more than hearing him breathe. Today, something clicked. I tried to use some of Evan's new words and he started saying "down" to the dog after I asked him to. I then told him "bye bye" and he waved, as my roommate reported. This was a huge step in my mind and it went a long way to making me feel better about being so far away.
I hope to return to LA on Monday.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Grandma
On Wednesday morning, Evan lost his Grandma and I lost my mother. It's been a rough week.
I've been coming out to Colorado on and off all Spring to help my mother manage through a losing battle with metastatic lung cancer, diagnosed at age 70 in May 2006 (over a year ago). The worst part is that my mother has not smoked for 40 years.
This disease has no cure and life expectancies are very short - usually 4-6 months from diagnosis, if that. I did not expect to complete my adoption in time for my mother to become a grandmother, actually, and certainly did not expect to bring Evan for a visit as I did in May (pictures in my earlier post). Had I let my mother's diagnosis deter me from adopting so soon, my mother and I would not have had these experiences nor met the wonderful son I have.
About 2 weeks ago, I came out to help my mother move into an intensive care center operated by the Denver Hospice (I am indebted to them for their efforts in letting my mother pass away with great dignity). Her pain was out of control and needed some attention. I was able to get her settled in time to return home to LA. Things proceeded very quickly from there. It seems that once my mother's pain was being effecitvely managed, she began to let go quickly.
I returned to Denver last Saturday and was able to spend her last few days with her, in the company of my sister and aunt, who also flew in. I had seriously considered bringing Evan on this trip, to provide life and support as only children can. In retrospect am glad to have left him in good hands in LA as there has been so much to do here.
The last I saw my mother alive was Tuesday night. We left her resting peacefully in her beautiful private room, with the door open to the warm windy Colorado night. On the bulletin board was a picture Evan had drawn and dedicated to his Grandma. On the night stand were pictures of her children and grandchild. Under my mother's arm was her large teddy bear ("Alex"), which she asked to be given to Evan upon her passing.
I've been coming out to Colorado on and off all Spring to help my mother manage through a losing battle with metastatic lung cancer, diagnosed at age 70 in May 2006 (over a year ago). The worst part is that my mother has not smoked for 40 years.
This disease has no cure and life expectancies are very short - usually 4-6 months from diagnosis, if that. I did not expect to complete my adoption in time for my mother to become a grandmother, actually, and certainly did not expect to bring Evan for a visit as I did in May (pictures in my earlier post). Had I let my mother's diagnosis deter me from adopting so soon, my mother and I would not have had these experiences nor met the wonderful son I have.
About 2 weeks ago, I came out to help my mother move into an intensive care center operated by the Denver Hospice (I am indebted to them for their efforts in letting my mother pass away with great dignity). Her pain was out of control and needed some attention. I was able to get her settled in time to return home to LA. Things proceeded very quickly from there. It seems that once my mother's pain was being effecitvely managed, she began to let go quickly.
I returned to Denver last Saturday and was able to spend her last few days with her, in the company of my sister and aunt, who also flew in. I had seriously considered bringing Evan on this trip, to provide life and support as only children can. In retrospect am glad to have left him in good hands in LA as there has been so much to do here.
The last I saw my mother alive was Tuesday night. We left her resting peacefully in her beautiful private room, with the door open to the warm windy Colorado night. On the bulletin board was a picture Evan had drawn and dedicated to his Grandma. On the night stand were pictures of her children and grandchild. Under my mother's arm was her large teddy bear ("Alex"), which she asked to be given to Evan upon her passing.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
This and That
The demands of parenthood and work are keeping me from blogging much at the moment.
Evan had a doctor's appointment last week and checked out fine. He gained a bit of weight and 1 1/2 inches, so he seems to be doing well. However, he has been fighting nagging on-and-off tummy troubles for a few weeks and so I have been varying his diet to see what the trigger is. Lactose is one possible culprit... The doctor does not seem to be alarmed, which is reassuring.
Evan is getting very close to talking. He has used "da da" fairly reliably for some time and he emits "bark" when he hears a dog bark. Just the other day, he seems to have figured out "down" and "up" as well as what seems to be "mine", which he sometimes says when he grabs things. Doctor says 6 words by 18 months is what he looks for, so Evan had better hurry up. Not that I feel any pressure. Really.
Evan also went through a brief period of stamping his foot like a princess when he wanted something. I cannot imagine where he got that...
Evan had a doctor's appointment last week and checked out fine. He gained a bit of weight and 1 1/2 inches, so he seems to be doing well. However, he has been fighting nagging on-and-off tummy troubles for a few weeks and so I have been varying his diet to see what the trigger is. Lactose is one possible culprit... The doctor does not seem to be alarmed, which is reassuring.
Evan is getting very close to talking. He has used "da da" fairly reliably for some time and he emits "bark" when he hears a dog bark. Just the other day, he seems to have figured out "down" and "up" as well as what seems to be "mine", which he sometimes says when he grabs things. Doctor says 6 words by 18 months is what he looks for, so Evan had better hurry up. Not that I feel any pressure. Really.
Evan also went through a brief period of stamping his foot like a princess when he wanted something. I cannot imagine where he got that...
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