Waiting for Hari

October 2, 2006 School, blood, & sleep

Today, Monday, brings more challenges. Julia and I went to her school for the morning session minus about 45 minutes. We went to the classroom where she will be placed. She sat in the back with me for a few minutes but very soon went to join the other kids at the front of the room. The children were doing different things in small groups waiting for the teacher to call them together for a morning meeting. Julia tried to get the attention of a few kids, although there were two girls who tried to get hers. I wonder if Julia was trying to gain the attention of the teacher, or if she wanted the attention of one of the children.

Julia went to the floor a few times, crying or just laying down. I went to her twice but she was fine. I let the teacher deal with it after that. Julia sat with the kids and said "Hi" and "Hello" a number of times. She also listened at times.

We went to the bathroom with the other kids and then went outside. It was then that the administrator of the school joined us and took Julia by the hand and directed her some. Julia responded to Mrs. Levine, and I think Julia tried to do as she was directed. We will go back to the school tomorrow, and try another day.

After lunch, we went to Methodist Hospital and had Julia’s blood drawn. The whole process of registering, waiting, and having the blood drawn and a TB test took only an hour, but that was long enough. The very calm and efficient nurses or techs drew 7 vials of blood, but Julia did not protest until the blood draw was finished and the needle for the TB test came out. Then she howled and I couldn’t blame her.

Julia’s diet is slowly becoming more varied. She loves sweet potatoes and broiled salmon. I made bok choi with garlic and onions which she liked and she can put away a grownup sized salad without trouble. We had tuna fish salad for lunch today. Our only problem is drinks. Julia is not quite drinking enough unless the day is hot and she drinks water. She drinks a little milk and sips of juice.

Tonight, we had a tough time putting Julia to bed. This is two tough nights in a row. It seems that whenever Julia moves forward a step or two, she has a hard night. She did not get to sleep until 9:30 tonight and that only after she cried herself to sleep.

posted by Suz @ 11:07 PM