4 Months as a Family | Post Adoption Update

In this video, I share what happened during our fourth month as a family!
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Hi! My name is Michele and I'm on my journey to finding my star. After six years of sharing my struggles to become a mum I realized that I had been so busy with the fight that I forgot to live. Now I'm focusing on the things I am most passionate about; minimalism, veganism, low waste, eating mindfully, and travel. Come join me on my journey to living intentionally and Finding My Star.
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Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links may be affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase through these links. This video is not sponsored. Any opinions expressed are my own and 100% genuine. The opinions expressed in this and all my videos are mine based on the research I have done. I am not a doctor, lawyer, or any sort of expert. Please do not take it as medical or legal advice.
#adoption #internationaladoption #downsyndromeadoption

[@kara2162]

Sleep deprivation makes everything hard. I sympathize.

[@TheChoiceofMotherhood]

Thanks!

[@handincookiejar7001]

The noise and touching. Omg, I so get that! I’ve never been diagnosed with any sensory disorders either, but some days I want to crawl out of my skin I’m so overwhelmed.

[@handincookiejar7001]

And we had to use Thick-It for one of the twins too. She was on honey thickness until she stopped aspirating around 6mo. Took a couple weeks to wean her off of the thickener because she was so uncoordinated having not had thin liquids most of her life.

[@TheChoiceofMotherhood]

I'm so glad it's not just me!

[@kemipue]

I’m an OT in England working with the elderly and my patients often have thickener. Interesting it comes from your OT though, as that’s something Speech and Language Therapists do over here- swallow assessments and prescriptions as to what ratio of thickener is needed. I haven’t worked in paeds since my training, though so maybe there’s some crossover there. Also interesting that your OT works in paediatrics and with stroke patients- it’s kept separate over here and people specialise in the areas. I love the detail you give about Emerys’ progress and your life- I’m planning on international adoption (one I’ve saved money to buy a bigger house, money for the fees, money for a year of adoption leave and money to be part time after that! Also will be adopting as a single mum but it’s complicated as I live with my sister who’s planning on doing the same- we’ll work it out! Have some sound, light and touch sensitivities as well, but hoping I’ve trained myself enough with patients and pets!

[@TheChoiceofMotherhood]

Right now it's just OT but her SLP is involved too. Eventually I think it's transferred more to speech but I can't remember the reasoning why OT for now. All her therapies are through health services for now but starting September some will be transferred to school. Funding is messed though so by kinder she will lose some services through school. Since feeding isn't part of the school stuff we will still work with our current OT for that until she is eating and drinking safely. One of the big reasons I didn't want to put her in prek is because of the school taking over those therapies but since I'm in the classroom nextdoor I will make sure I know what's going on so we can keep working on stuff at home. You can adopt while living with your sister! Anyone over 18 usually needs a police check done but other than that it's mostly the same. It's great that you will both have each other for support!

[@tiffanyweaver7925]

OMG I am watching your video and tearing up. I completely understand what your going through with sleep, Being touch out, finding me time and THE HAIR PULLING . Both my kids were awful sleepers as babies and still struggle with it. I literally do nap drives some days just to get them to nap. My son is a hair puller and hes very very rough. I have bald spots from him pulling. It's a a part of his sensory processing. School does help! I notice a difference when they both are in school or getting all their therapies in person. Does help with the sleep. All I will say like I tell all moms. Parenthood is like the Hunger games. You gotta do what u gotta do to survive. You will have good days and bad. You will get throught this. I love your videos. You are doing amazing job.

[@TheChoiceofMotherhood]

Thanks! It took three times to film this because I was crying so much just from talking about it. I love the comparison to the Hunger Games lol. Some days it definitely feels like it!

[@tiffanyweaver7925]

@@TheChoiceofMotherhood Aww I bet it took you three times to film! It can be hard to talk about . You are putting yourself out there! Thats not easy. Fyi both of my kids are in the special needs program at our school pre k and kindergarten ( we live in the us) I tell people all the time it's a game changer. Both my kids have Austim and Sensory processing. My daughter was non verbal going in at 3. Shes 5 and shes talking. Shes doing very well. My son is 3 would have started in March. Dam covid. But to make a long story short. Finally being able to go to school hes starting to sign and make noises. Hes starting to play with toys, stiming alot less, and his eye contact is better. We also have an amazing aba company that comes after school too. That has been a huge help. Also once covid is gone. Try to find someone to help you w babysitting. So you can go out for me time. You NEED IT. I cant stress that enough. Even if its once a month. You need to do something for your self. You really are doing an amazing job! I can't stress that enough.

[@TheChoiceofMotherhood]

@@tiffanyweaver7925 that's amazing! I'm really hoping school will be good for Emrys too. I think if nothing else it will give her "school skills" and give the school more info about her before she enters full-time in a few years. I'm hoping sometime soon I can get a friend to watch her. It's been hard with covid but I do have one friend (that isn't working this year) that we've gone for walks with. I'm dying to get a massage (which my benefits cover) so fingers crossed things are good enough I can soon!

[@lauriemacdonald5825]

My son came home from B at 17 years old but he is a tiny guy. To get my attention he would scratch me, really hard! I taught him to tap, tap, tap on my shoulder instead. He learned to tap. Great right? Last week I screamed at him..."G## D### IT! WILL YOU STOP TAPPING ME!!! I lost it. I felt bad for a moment then enjoyed my 15 minutes of not being touched. Believe me...I understand the good, the bad and the ugly. I enjoy your updates.

[@TheChoiceofMotherhood]

Most of the time Emrys pulls my hair because she wants me to give her kisses. Hurts like hell though! I have no clue how to teach her to do something else instead. Some days, when she's playing by herself, I feel bad because I'm not interacting with her, but then I realize I get to recharge a bit lol.

[@lauriemacdonald5825]

@@TheChoiceofMotherhood Tanner pulls hair too, but not nearly as hard as he used to. The sad thing is he falls asleep pulling his own hair. Stay safe! (I get my Covid Vaccine on Thursday!!!)

[@TheChoiceofMotherhood]

Emrys will pull her hair too but usually as a trauma response. Unfortunately our vaccines are slower here so I probably won't be able to get mine until the fall.