Wednesday, April 26, 2006

One month together

Home one Month!!Date: 4/26/2006
Well, we have been home for just over one month and Addie Mei has changed so much! She is the love of my life and brings so much joy to our home. Her laughter is contagious and she has such a beautiful smile.We took our first road trip to MI for Easter. What a blessing to have our entire family together for celebrating the resurrection of our Lord. I was so overjoyed to finally be able to teach Addie Mei about Jesus and to begin showing her about His love for her. Addie traveled very well. She slept some, played some and watched some Barney! She loves the singing and music and watching the kids dancing. Portable DVD players are truely wonderful!!Since we have been home, Addie Mei has had many visitors. Some friends from MI have come down for visits and we also have done some visiting of our own. She is doing better everyday with new people. W got to go visit the Children's Museum with my friend Jody and her daughter Ari. The two of them had so much fun on their visit!!!!Addie went to her first track meet on Monday. She loved it!! She really loved the athletes and played with them very well. Good thing because she is going to be at many track meets in her lifetime!!Yesterday was Mama's first day back to work. It was very hard on me to leave her, even though she was in the great hands of my dear friend. I made it about 3 blocks before I cried and I only called about 3 times throughout the day. We both made it though. Today, I am paying the price a bit as her behavior is not up to her best and I can't leave the room. I know it will take some time for her to get used to me leaving her and that I am coming back. I only work 2 days this week, three next and then full time for the rest of the year.We went today to have out first professional pictures taken. She did OK, so do not expect too much. I think you will really like the one picture we got of her though!!!Tonight we get to welcome home our new friend Esther. She is bringing her new parents home from China and we can't wait to meet her!!! As I mentioned before Addie Mei's behavior is not up to par today, so I had better sign off. I just wanted to fill you all in and update some pictures for you!God Bless,Tamie and Adeline

Monday, April 3, 2006

Doing Great

Doing great!!Date: 4/3/2006
For those who are addicted to the website, I thought I would send out an update. The decision to stay home and not go to FL was a goo done for us! Adeline is really starting to feel comfortable in our home. She has allowed me to leave the room for a brief couple of seconds, as long as I came right back. She has actually ventured away from me a time or two, only to find herself in a bit of a panic when she realizes that I am not following her. She comes back to the room she left me in quite quickly.I know this is all good and normal trust building stuff. I am happy to see her developing that trust with me. I am very concerned about returning to work too soon, though. We are just starting to have the trust, and I do not want to leave her too soon and break that trust. I have had a few panic attacks at the thought of returning to work full time too soon. I am off at least until April 24th. We are going to have to re-evaluate things at that time. Please pray for us as I have to decide what is best for both of us.Adeline has been meeting so many new people. She has handled it wondefully. She has enough stranger anxiety to know I am safe, and comes to me for comfort. I truely believe she is starting to understand who I am too her, that I am not just another nanny in her life. She is eating wonderfully now! Praise God. She eats everything that I prepare for myself, within reaosn. New things take a few tries to get her to keep it in her mouth. She loves lasagne!! A girl after Mama's heart. She has completely switched to whole milk, and is doing great, no allergies to note there. She does have a skin rash that she has had since we have been home. I have switched detergent to a dye and fragrence free to see if that helps. She does not appear to be allergic to the dog or cat, thankfully! She is being evaluated by First Steps, an early educational/developmental intervention program. I am sure she will qualify, simply because she doesn't speak English and she also has some fine motor issues. We go to the International Adoption clinic on April 12 and to the hand surgeon on April 21st. After that we follow through with whatever is reccommended.I am not only overjoyed with how well Adeline is dong with everything she has been through, I am down right impressed. She is just taking things in stride and moving on. I am sure she has things she will have to deal with, but she seems to be doing great!!That is about it for now. Thanks for tagging along this journey with us!!Tamie and Adeline