5 months ago today, we stood outside of a tall white building in Zhengzhou, Henan, China. We were with 12 other families all waiting to have our lives changed inevitably for the better as we received our new Chinese children. We had worked, waited, worried and worked, waited and worried some more over these precious little orphans. Finally, we were going to get them. 2 of them were already there, waiting for their parents!! It was one of the coolest, scariest, unique, amazing, and fabulous moments of my life. 5 months later, we are LOVING every single minute of our little China girl. So here is my picture heavy report of 5 months later.
Em is so happy! She loves to play, loves to love, loves to kiss, and be kissed on. If anyone fusses over her and gets too close, they'll get kissed!
She has the BEST bed head!! EVER!!
Her bed head get's photographed daily, it's so funny. As I'm looking at these, they aren't even funny ones. Sorry.
Because of her cleft palate, her ears were in such a condition when she finally received her surgery, that we have reason to believe she couldn't really hear at all whilst in China. We don't believe that she had any concept of language at all, partially because of her ears, and probably because of neglect. She has started responding to language for the first time in the past couple of weeks. She'll sign on her own, she'll show us signs that we ask her to show, she'll give you a kiss if you ask for it, and she'll get excited over things. It's so awesome!
In her silks for Chinese New Year.
She loves her sisters, and is adored by them! Her therapists have been telling me "You guys need to quit rescuing and doing everything for her!" What??
Lest we forget the child is indeed Chinese, she makes her awesome Chinese face upon request. So funny.
My favorite thing ever, Emily is mobile!! She crawled across the floor 4 days ago completely on her own, and emptied out the diaper bag!! Best. Day. Ever! She is soooo much happier. She hasn't quit exploring all week long! She goes non stop! She also on that same day quit sleeping. For real. She doesn't want to stop going for any reason. So, we're tired. Again.
The high chair is her favorite place! She eats! She loves all food at all times.
We can't wait for summer. Em loves being outside. I wonder how much time if any at all she spent out of doors in China. She loves going out, and we can't wait to spend all of our time out rather than in.
Em loves music and watching her sister's dance classes are happy times for her. We are excited for her to be able to dance herself. She loves any and all music.
We love this girl more than we can say. Adoption has been a tremendous blessing in our lives. She has brought so much more joy and happiness into our lives than we could have ever imagined.
