Long Overdue Update ~ Summer 2011

Emerald Isle 2011

"Lily mermaid"

"Eatin' a corn muff"

Easter 2011

Yes, this update is long overdue. Much has happened since last November. Lily's lip has healed up beautifully. There will be more surgery in the future to fix her hard palate and deviated septum, but they are quite a way off. Lily has been the kind of girl that knows who she is and what she wants from day 1. She just seemed to blend right in with our family. As this year has progressed we've seen her become more comfortable and really claim us as her own. We are so very grateful for this smooth transition. We celebrated Lily's 2nd birthday in July and a year with her in August. I'm trying to upload a video of her birthday song and candle, but if it doesn't work out it'll be on facebook.

It's been a great summer for Lily. We've been camping up in the Adirondacks and took a trip to the beach in North Carolina. She loved the ocean after getting over the noise and made friends with the seagulls, throwing bread to them. She would giggle as they caught pieces in the air. She seems to make friends with people everywhere she goes. She gained a fan club of kids at camp who would look for her at the pool and at meal times. As we walked up & down the beach she just couldn't help herself, she just had to say hello to everyone she passed. People and dogs alike she would win them over. We returned home just ahead of "Irene," stopping to see Uncle Johnny and cousin Faith and went for a rainy walk through the DC Zoo.

These days in the Scicchitano house Lily is potty training & the boys are homeschooling. We're still figuring out what will work for us as it is our first year. There are so many things to do and be involved in. Dan & Nick go to a homeschool consortium 2x's a week for math, writing, chinese, guitar, piano, & aikido. We do language arts, science, & history at home and participate in a LEAH group twice a month. The boys are enjoying being home and I'm enjoying having them home with me. Life is too precious and soon they'll be grown. This affords us more time to be a family as Dave's schedule isn't a traditional 9-5 one.

So, it's been a wonderful 1st year with our Lily. She's added a whole new dynamic to our family. She brings positive energy and it's humorous to watch "tween" boys dote over a little girl (and I'm not just talking about her brothers, but their friends too =D). I'll continue to post updates & pictures as Lily grows as often as I can, so stop back in occasionally if you like. Thankful for the many blessings in our lives and giving all the honor and glory to our Lord Jesus.

Lily's Surgery

Didn't take long for Lily to kick back and relax. It's easy when you have a great Daddy.Shortly after settling down after surgery.
Dr. Fox with Lily before surgery. Yeah, Dave's a little tired. He just finished working 48 hours in 4 days so that he could be home for the week to help out with Lily.
Lily and Mommy just before the big moment.
Arriving @ 7am for surgery

Surgery went so well. Better than we expected. We went in at 7am and were ready to go home by 1pm. Lily went off with the nurse for surgery with a smile on her face, but when we went into the PACU we could hear her screaming down the hallway. She was steaming mad about having those elbow restraints on, and she hadn't eaten for nearly 20 hours. We got her some water and the screaming stopped and she settled down like a dream.

Her brothers couldn't wait to see her when they came home from school. Nicholas said right away that she has a different look to her now. She has a cute little button nose and her eyes even appear different. It didn't take long after we met her in China that we didn't even notice her cleft anymore. Even though we are so glad to see her lip repaired, we kind of miss "our Lily." Daniel said he misses her big, wide smile. Kinda' hard now, but she'll be smiling again once things heal up. She ate a big bowl of cream of wheat when we got home and had some of the chicken dish that our friends,the Bailey's brought over. She always finds a way to get some food in.

Dr. Fox gave her a local anesthetic which is supposed to last 8-12 hours. That means any time now she'll start feeling discomfort. Although we started alternating Tylenol and Ibuprofen since 1pm today. Hopefully, that will make a difference. She's in sleeping with Dave now.

Thank you everyone for your prayers and support. Once again, our God is amazing and has answered our prayers in bringing us through this time. We are blessed beyond measure.

~Sue for the family.

So, we found our camera and here are a couple of pictures of Lily in her ladybug costume with her cousins. They were all bugs for Halloween. Lily's Grandma also bought her an Asian baby doll that looks just like her, we call it her "mini- me."

We're getting closer to the day of surgery and we'll be glad to have it over with. Doc will call on Friday morning to let us know what time to be at the hospital on Monday morning. She's first on the list.

We enjoyed our first Thanksgiving as a family of five. We didn't have to do any cooking, just brought our "turkey" as an appetizer. Hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving with family and friends!

Her brothers dressed her up and she loved it.

Upcoming Surgery

Finally able to get some pigtails!North Point Summit, September 2010
Lily's first summit!
Poor Dave was a bit tired with our little bundle of joy on his back.
Getting ready to hike up North Point in the Catskills.

It's been a while and things around the Scicchitano household are going just fine. Lily is growing, her hair is getting a little longer. She is saying a few words now, not entirely clear to the new ear... but we can hear her repeat things we say, like "doggie" and "where are you?" Lily LOVES to read books over and over and over... you get the picture. She started making animal noises. She would make a sort of "woof" sound for a while which was so cute, until she learned that the goose says "honk" and now everything says "honk." Although she does like to make fish lips and a sucking noise for the fish. She just went through a bout of teething and has almost a mouth full of teeth all at once. She can also handle her bottle all by herself now.

In September we went on a hike in the Catskills. It was Lily's first... and last summit with us until she is able to do it herself. It was such a beautiful day and she said "Hi" to everyone we passed on the way. I'm sure we'll do some walking trails with her, but the mountains are reserved just for the boys for now. Daniel says he'll come back and re-do some mountains with us when Lily is able. What an awesome kid he is!

We had a fun Halloween. We dressed her up as a ladybug and went out candy harvesting with my brother and his daughters. There will be pictures to follow in a few days (when we find our camera... yikes!).

November 29th is the big day. We will see Dr. Fox in Schenectady for Lily's lip revision and she'll have her ears pierced too. It is supposed to be same day surgery and she will have elbow restraints for a week or more just to ensure she doesn't do any damage to herself. I'm not so sure how this will go over with her. Please keep her and us in your prayers for this procedure and the weeks to follow as she heals.

Enjoy some updated pictures and we'll keep you all posted on Lily's progress.

~Sue, for The Scicchitano's

Apple Picking

It's been a long day.
"Hmmm... which one should we get?"
Again with the eating...

Tried to get some pictures while we were apple picking, these were the best ones...

1 Month With Lily

"Sooo Big"
Mama's darlin'
She loves to play in her room and look at books.
Lily's favorite past time... eating.
Daniel & Nicholas' 1st day of school.

Daniel and Nicholas have started school and are doing great. Daniel is in 7th grade now, changing classes, doing choir, percussion, and strolls around the house playing his Ukelele. Nicholas is in 5th grade and is also starting percussion in school. They are greeted with smiles, hugs and kisses from their little sister when they get home. The 16th marked one month as a family of 5 and Lily is doing amazing. We've been to church, the library and even had a couple of play dates. She is a very social little girl and loves music, stopping to bop to the beat whenever she hears it. She's also getting used to our dogs (Cleo & Bella), saying "Hi" to them every morning and every time we come home. Bella gives her kisses and Lily likes to toss the ball for Cleo to chase. Yes her first official English word is "Hi." She waves and says "Hi" whenever she can. She also likes to SCREAM lots of other things that are just baby babble, it's hilarious, she definitely has a lot to say. She's also learned to say "Uh oh" as she drops various objects. What an appetite this girl has. Where does she put it all, I don't know, but she eats more than me! She also loves to look at books and play "Sooo Big."

We saw the pediatrician and all of her blood work came back within normal limits. She's very healthy, just little. We'll interview 2 different doctors in October for her surgery. Please pray for God to be in all the details of this decision and surgery... no complications, infections, or scars...

Dave's back to work after some much needed time off and I plan on returning to work in November. Enjoy some pictures of Lily at home.

~Sue for the family.