Social Security and TRAUMA

Well, yesterday (April 24, 2009) was one eventful day. Shen and I went to the Social Security Administration Office to apply for his social security number, so that we can get a U.S. Passport and then also apply for U.S. Citizenship. The meeting at the social security office went very well and we should know something in 2-6 weeks. Shen was a real "flirt" at the social security office, acting bashful at times and then be his extroverted self when it worked for him. He definitely can be a charmer when he wants to be.
Afterward, me being "dad" gave in to him wanting a shake so we went to Culver's and Shen got his small vanilla shake. When we got home, we went out on the sport court for a little activity and it was so hot (82 degrees) that we didn't stay out too long. When we came in, I gave him a bottle of water and we went downstairs; me to my office to get caught up on some things and him to watch a movie. Now, comes the 'trauma" portion of the day!!
Connor came home from school and we all said hello. Then, I returned to my office and, after about 5 minutes Shen came to my office door (he is not allowed in my office) and said, "My throat sore!" And, he was actually choking and spitting up saliva, and "gunk". I grabbed him and sort of "heimliched" him, carry him upstairs and, about halfway up the stairs, he says "I OK NOW!" We continued upstairs and Connor could see what had happened and I asked him to get mommy. The four of us gathered in the kitchen and discussed what was going on. We discussed everything from overheating to seizures, etc., and decided to just watch him closely because he just kept saying, "I OK NOW." The problem he was REALLY quiet, not himself at all, for the next two hours. We kept asking him if he ate anything, etc. And, all he kept saying was "I OK." Well, he wasn't OK!
At dinner, he looked up at me and got a wierd look on his face and "spit up" again, this time most of the shake that he had eaten about three hours earlier. Mommy and I discussed this second episode and I honestly thought that his stomach had become upset with the combination of the heat outside and the shake. Well, wrong again!
About 5 minutes later, I could see that he was going to throw up again and that he really looked sick. Jodie and I watched him and I held him just as he threw up VOLUMES of shake, sandwich that he had been nimbling, and orange slices. And, then IT came up and out; a small marble-like game piece that he had found. See the picture above. The poor little guy thought it was "candy" because of its appearance and had swallowed it. He didn't understand what he had done. So, the rest of last night was a learning experience about things that DO NOT go into his mouth. And, how he has to talk with Mommy and Daddy when he doesn't feel well so that we can help him.
He had a great night's sleep and just finished a great breakfast. He looked up at us just a little while later and, knowing how concerned we had been all of last night, checking on him all night long, said, "I feel better now!"
We hope all of you are well!
Love,
Jack, Jodie, Connor and Shen

Shen's First Easter Weekend

This past weekend was Shen's first Easter. Shen was so great as he experienced Sunday School for the first time without needing to "see" mommy or daddy. So, Jodie and I truly enjoyed the Worship Service at our church, The Chapel.
But, then, as Easter goes, we had an Easter Egg hunt with our good friends (and basically second family), the Brewer's. We went to park in the Subdivision of Trout Valley not far from our home and had great fellowship with about 50 close friends. Shen had a great time in the playground and the little man made quite a haul of Easter Eggs on the hunt.
I have attached some pictures of this year's Easter. The first is of Shen and the Easter Bunny, then you'll see the little man on Easter morning and that the Easter Bunny brought him a new basketball and soccer ball (all his very own), and the final picture if of Shen and his little friend, Lily DeLaere, just before they begin the big Easter Egg Hunt.
We hope all of you are well and the Easter weekend was a Blessing to you and your family!
Love,
Jack, Jodie, Connor and Shen

Shen's Easter Egg Hunt

What a great week this has been! The weather has warmed up a bit; although, there is another winter storm coming tonight with 3-5 inches of snow. Perhaps I will get some more pictures and post the snow we had last week combined with the snow tonight.
On another note, Shen got together with his Adoptive Playgroup yesterday for their annual Easter Egg Hunt. I have posted 5 pictures showing the little man getting his eggs and playing with some of the children. He had a great time and continues to become more socialized as the days go by!
This week I returned from a trip one evening and was messing around with him and his television show. He "thought" I was teasing but wasn't sure. He wanted to watch something that wasn't on but was being pretty demonstrative about watching "his" program. I said that either he would watch what was on or daddy would just turn off TV. This discourse went back and forth, with me requesting that he make a decision and, suddenly, he says, "I want to talk about it!" WHAT!! Where did that come from?
The final picture of this blog has a story as well. Connor did his school term project and speech on Daniel Boone and had a coonskin cap. Shen got it and decided he would put it on! Enjoy all the photos!
We hope and pray that all of you are well!!
Love,
Jack, Jodie, Connor and Shen

Spring Break

Connor has been on Spring Break this week and it has been great to be together so much. The family did a lot of fun things this but two really stick out that we have to share with you. And, there are obviously some photos along with it.
The first event was that we met our great friends, the Dirks, at the Brunswick Zone and Shen went bowling for the first time. Connor got spend time with his friend, Noah, and Noah's dad, Kerry, was just great with Shen.
In the first photo, you can see the little man stepping up to the line and preparing to roll the ball down the alley (bumpers up of course). He had a great time. In fact, he got into it so much that, no matter how the shot ended up, he walked away from the lane and gave a fist pump (see the second picture and smile).
The next day, Connor and I took Shen to Chuck E. Cheese's and all I can say is that #1 it was definitely Spring Break. I have never seen so many people there. Secondly, however, Shen had another great play time. In the final photo, you can see him on the Bob the Builder tractor and just smiling away.
We are getting ready for a Spring snow storm tonight and tomorrow. However, we know it won't last long as Spring is here formally.
Love to you all,
Jack, Jodie, Connor and Shen

Re-Adopt is Complete

March 18, exactly 6 months to the day that Shen arrived home to meet Mommy and Connor, was a big day. We went to the Kane County Court House, appeared in front of the judge and we, Jodie and Jack, officially became Shen's adopted parents in the eyes of the U.S. Government. This process was necessary for several reasons but mostly so that Jodie could be officially recognized as his mother and so that we can now apply for U.S. Citizenship for Shen. The judge was great and she even gave Shen a big red star with his full name, Shen Jackson Groppel, on the front and the date (3-18-2008) on the back, commemorating this very important date!
I have posted two pictures, one is of the three of us right after the hearing, taken by our lawyer, Jane Ryan (who has been fantastic to work with) and the other picture of Shen later in the day showing his "building" capability with Lincoln Logs. The middle picture was an accident but it reminded me of what happened last September so I have not tried to edit it out.
We hope and pray that all of you are well.
Love,
Jack, Jodie, Connor and Shen

Physical Exam/Social Worker Visit

Hello Everyone,
This is simply an update of the week's events. On Monday, Shen had the next physical exam in his journey toward becoming a U.S. Citizen. His current pediatrician, Dr. Ochs, is a wonderful man, who Shen loves. She got the next set of vaccinations required for his immigration standing and the physical exam revealed that he has some blockage (wax) in his ears but a little prescription for eardrops should take care of that. We also received a prescription to get another ultrasound. As you may remember, there was a slight shadow on his kidneys in the last ultrasound. We want to rule out any complications from the melamine "scare" from China and ensure that he doesn't have kidney stones.
Amy Trotter, our social worker, paid us a visit last Tuesday, and we really enjoyed having her here. Amy spent about 1-1/4 hours with us and asked some very detailed about Shen's habits, capabilities with care and language, etc. It was a great experience to see what the expectations were and the checklist she had to ensure that he was doing OK. I think he passed with flying colors :)! He really is doing quite well.
This is a big week coming up. On Wednesday, we have a morning court date for the re-adoption. If you remember, I went by myself to China to get Shen and this court appearance is for all of us to go so that Jodie and I both are his formal parents. Then, we will begin the process to apply for U.S. Citizenship.
We hope and pray that all of you are well.
Love,
Jack, Jodie, Connor and Shen

Early March

This has been quite the past several days. With the flu bug hitting our house and me traveling a bit, life continues to be a journey worth discussing. I am placing several pictures with this post to show you some of the fun stuff we have been doing.
First, note that our cat, Luigi, has gotten quite attached to Shen. One night, after Shen had fallen asleep, we went in to check on him and Luigi was asleep right next to him. It was precious.
Then, Connor was in a play a school and had one of the speaking roles in Fiddler on the Roof. Shen really enjoyed seeing his big brother on stage, along with the singing and dancing. One of the pictures is the celebration we had our home and Shen placed the ribbons on his ears (always the jester). Then, there is a picture of all our close friends who came to support Connor. I guess there about 20 there supporting our oldest. What a great night!
Then, there was cousin Lily's birthday party and everyone was to be dressed up as a Prince or Princess (or something to do with the King's court). Well, Shen being the jester, dressed as that. Note how he loves doing this. And, the final picture is of Shen and Mommy dancing at the party. You can tell he is still getting socialized but is becoming more accustomed to being out in public and around groups of people.
This is a big week; another doctor appointment to finalize the series of vaccinations and get our 6-month report for our Social Worker appointment on Tuesday.
I'll post later this week to update how all those meetings go.
Love,
Jack, Jodie, Connor and Shen