330 plus a few

It has been 11 months since we have come back. Seems like it was yesterday and yet in some way, it seems like we cannot remember a time where she was not here.

First time having dumplings since we left China. She ate a dozen!

Her English is taking off. Three and four word sentences coming out each and everyday. She probably has about a 200 word vocabulary at this point. She is actually chatting our ears offJ She has grown 4.5 inches, one shoe size and has gone from a 24 month clothing to a 4T. Most women probably wish their wardrobe could change every 10 weeks like her!

She is finally learning how to play by herself for periods at a time (which is a huge accomplishment). She pallet seems to be changing which is equaling more and more veggies! The night terrors are not as frequent, and we can pretty much predict when they are going to happen. She is in a toddler bed, and more than likely, sometime before the summer will be in a big girl bed.

Her stuffed animals are now being engaged in some fun to watch imaginary play. It is actually hilarious just how much her and “hot dog” do together.

She really enjoys seeing her “buddies”. Between Sunday school, a bible study and now a mothers morning out group, she gets to see, socialize, play, and interact with buddies a couple of days a week. We are really seeing just what a social butterfly she probably was in her orphanage. And so, we are signing her up for preschool to begin in August. As her mama, I am really excited for her and yet sad, that time indeed is flying by so quickly.

Her comprehension skills are incredible. It will not be before long, that we will not be able to spell things out in front of her. And she watches both of us like a hawk. So we need to always be on our game. She has been a good teacher to point out some of my bad habits.

Daddy, Daughter Date night

30 days to go…. We are planning our first “Family Day”. In the adoption world, most call it Gotcha Day. Let me say, before I explain our change, I have nothing personally against others calling it Gotcha Day. It makes total sense, However for us we just do not feel like it is what we should be naming it. After talking with some adoptees (who are older) and praying about it we just do not feel like it is a fit for our family. We have also decided there will be no gifts, those will be saved for birthdays, Christmas etc. The biggest difference between this day and others, is there will be intentional family time, unplugged, just the three of us. We are actually planning to take her to the aquarium and then have a quiet dinner together as a family with Cathy. (If you remember she came to China with us to get Hosanna). It is a day that all of our lives were changed forever, and it should be celebrated.

 

On our way to Mothers Morning Out!

Overall, in the past year she has done incredibly well. I say that with some hesitation, as I know that we are not totally “out of the woods” yet in regards to transition, but overall it has been fairly smooth. Our problems that we have encountered have been minor compared to some. I know a lot of that has to do with the kid we got, her age, and maybe we prepared for somethings. The ability to spot potential issues has been really helpful making workarounds on the fly.

So being a mama for 11 months to my gal has taught me a ton about living a life that is selfless. It has taught me that there is still much much work to do on my heart in regards to my sin, dealing with the ick in my past and redeeming for the future especially for her future.

The past 11 months as her mama, has completely changed my life. I have experienced some emotions that I did not even know were possible. I have run the roller coaster of thoughts. Moments of intensity more than I thought I could bear, moments of anger about various aspects of this journey, grief beyond what I would be able to comprehend in my own heart. I have been thankful to have an outlet, through this blog and share. Some have called me crazy because of the things I am willing to share, or that my heart may have a more tender side then theirs.

Living this journey out through timed convenience, is not part of being part of our journey on a daily basis.  I was listening to a sermon the other day, and it provided a great nugget as I continue to walk our journey out….. The Gospel free us up from pretending we are not a mess. God has already said we are, hence the need for the Gospel. So, I am coming to peace with being crazy, sensitive, opening up my heart in hopes that it speaks to someone else.

There is lots that I am thinking through and processing coming up on this anniversary. We have gone from a baby, to a toddler, to an almost kindergartener in a matter of a year. That is a lot to take in and process.

Happy New Year!!! Yes in China it is New Years, and we will be celebrating this weekend!

Jennifer