Thumbs Up! Our Eleven Month Old Slept Through the Night!

         Nathan turned eleven months today. I knew it was going to be a good day when we woke up at 6:00 and he was still in his crib. For the first time since we've had him, he slept through the night. We had to get up extra early today for an appointment at Children's and I had to wake the poor guy up!

        Our appointment was with a hand specialist, Dr. Cornwall, to check Nathan's thumbs. He has not been using them, and we were concerned that there may be some physical cause. He keeps both of them tucked into his hand, and won't use them to grab things appropriately. I will never forget getting a call from our agency months ago from our concerned case worker. The nannies in Taiwan noticed he wasn't using his thumbs and wouldn't open his hand.   Without seeing Nathan in person, we didn't know the extent of the condition. And, we had learned that children can have so many conditions.  My special ed background was more of a curse than helpful, because I knew that closed fists could mean,  CP-cerebral palsy.  We had to sign off on official paperwork that we were aware of the medical issue and whether or not we still wanted Nathan. I remember that the call came on a Friday, and I spent the entire weekend worrying and praying. All those WHAT IF's were going through our heads. By the end of the weekend, I knew we were going to sign the paper. No matter what it was, Nathan was ours already. We had named him, we wanted him, whatever he had.

        Fortunately, after a few x-rays and a look from the Doc, Nathan's thumbs are okay, and he won't need any surgery. Some occupational therapy and lots of good playing, and he should learn to use them. We've already made sure his toys include all kinds of thumb stimulating gadgets like blocks, balls, and tiny buttons!  With his dad, the physical therapist, and all our PT friends, he is in good "hands".
       After his appointment, it was off to get the shaggy boy a haircut. I can't believe he's had his head shaved already in Taiwan, and this second head of hair needed cut!  Aunt Shelby took care of him, and he looks like such a little man.

         He's grown so much since we've been home. Here's 11 things our 11 month old has learned to do:
1. Take 20 steps on his own
2. Give kisses.
3. Wait with Ellie for Daddy to come home..
4. Knock over a stack of blocks
5. Wave goodbye

6. Nod his head "yes".

7. Play with the door stop on the floor.

8. Dance by bouncing up and down.

9. Say momma and dadda

10. Bounce a ball.

11. Make us feel like we're the luckiest people in the world.

Nathan in plaid, looking a little like Papa Ritter. While he's not here with us, there have been some signs he knows what we've been waiting for has come. Every "Ritter" has had their picture on this tractor.   On the day we took this picture, I think the grass was a little greener, the sky a little more blue.   I can picture Dad behind the garage, holding  a Keystone with his tan skin, white t-shirt, navy pants and work boots on, grinning from ear to ear.

       We are so blessed.