2 months ago, the evening we met Guo Ying (Addison) She was so scared...seeing this picture breaks my heart. She lost alot of things that day.....to gain us as her family. I also notice how skinny she is in comparison!
Well on Sunday we have had Addison in our arms for two months! The time has flown by in some ways, and in others it feels like just yesterday! Those first few weeks were just plain old difficult! So worth it, but hard! I thought things were going well when we first met, and they really were, however as I look back....we were just trying to survive! When one is passed a 2 yr old that you really know nothing about, all you can do is survive, until you get to know one another and build a little trust. I loved Addy the moment I met her, and I think she is just starting to "adopt" Howard, the kids and I. She came running up to me yesterday and wrapped her arms around me, gave a sloppy open mouth kiss on the cheek, and said "I love you." That makes all those hard first days worth it! Its also so cute to see her yesterday at church. I was talking to a lady and Addison kept patting me and telling her "My Mama", "Addison's Mama." Like she was really proud I was her Mom! So cute!
We have really started potty training, and its going really well! Today she hasn't had one accident (yet) I put her in diapers for nap and bedtime, but the rest of the day she is in panties. We had to make a quick stop at Wal Mart, and she even told me there! Yay! Hopefully in a few weeks she will be fully potty trained during the day!?!
Socially Addy is doing fairly well. Its kinda like two steps forward one step back. Addison and Riley either really love each other.....or really hate one another. And when Addy gets mad, someone (mostly Riley) gets hit or pinched. She is thinking twice about it now, but if we aren't right there to shake our head no, then Riley gets whacked! We have also seen her do that with kids that are bossy or outgoing (like her) However she is very nurturing with babies and shy children. On Wednesday she went to the nursery at church, because it was just her and Riley. Riley stayed to keep her company. I had a pager and she had a blast playing with our nursery leader. I think its a good way to introduce her to going in and playing without me, because right now once she gets restless at church I leave the service to play with her in the nursery. On Sunday she really wanted to go before the service started, I gave our nursery staff the same instructions I gave the leader, that I was to be called it she showed any signs of fear, aggression, cried, or even asked for me. I checked in every 15 minutes and about half way through the service I noticed she was starting to get overwhelmed, so I pulled her out for a walk and we found a quiet place to play with Kyla (her friend from our China trip) I don't know if I will try again for a while.....it just didn't feel right. I think there were just too many kids on Sunday's for her right now. I love that she wants to socialize, however I want it to be successful.
Sleeping is going well. She loves our bedtime routine. I lay with her for about 30 minutes and then if she isn't asleep, I tell her good night that I love her and leave. She is usually asleep 5 minutes later! Addison sleeps through the night she goes down at 8PM and wakes around 7:30AM. The girl loves her naps! Right after lunch she has a 2 1/2 to 3 hour nap! That time allows me to clean up, and catch up on my emails etc.
Eating....well she certainly likes to eat! She always stops when she is full, and I don't think over eats very often now. She loves a variety of foods. I can't get her to drink milk, however we just introduced chocolate milk, and she likes that! Of course! And the rest of kids are ecstatic that we have Choc milk in the house! Addison has gained 4 pounds since coming home from China! And now is holding steady at 23 pounds. Its nice because now her 18 months size pants don't fall down!!! I wish I had that problem!
We are so blessed to have this precious, sassy, funloving, cuddly, busy, bossy, talkative, smart little girl in our lives! I have moments where I am so overwhelmed by our blessings...I have a God who loves me more than I can ever imagine, my husband is my bestfriend, 4 beautiful funloving children, a wonderful extended family, and fabulous friends. Its more than I deserve. However I will be continually thankful for these gifts.
It is funny how at different stages after coming home, you look back and can really see how far things have come... six month... twelve months... it gets better all the time and make you stronger than you ever thought you could be.
ReplyDeleteShe is really cute and sounds like a joy (most of the time!).
You most certainly are blessed Kim!
ReplyDeleteAnd I distinctly remember Lilah doing that same thing Addy is doing to you... pointing at me and telling everyone that would listen to her, that I'm her Mama. Gosh that feels like so long ago now! It makes me SO emotional knowing what these little ones go through and how they start to take ownership of us. Wow.
I love how she scrunches up her nose too. What a darling girl she is.
Jill
I'm so glad Addy's doing so well! Jacob has been hitting, kicking and shaking his head a whole lot lately... It's wonderful that he expresses himself, and that he's adopted new ways to do just that, but it isn't fun to try to discipline him hitting people while maintaining close proximity to him!!! I hear ya with the Church nursery. I'm not ready to leave Jacob yet either. This past Sunday I was overwhelemed at the goodness shown to me as well!!! I love reading your blog and feeling like we're in the same boat! Thanks for sharing!
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