Two Months Home!

Wow! I really can not believe it's been 2 months. Sophia is doing amazing! She is a doll and continues to find her spot in the family. I am learning how to me a mommy to 4 kiddos...all 6 years of age or younger. It can be crazy around this house and I have to really take some deep breaths with all the noise and chaos that can happen at any given moment. I have been really trying to make a conscious effort to stop being so busy and to instead sit and play dolls with Sophia, or color with Julia, or have a time of cuddling and talking with Drew, and making it a point to talk with Samuel about his school day. I have found that I really, really like things tidy and organized. I never was so preoccupied with things being in their place, but it seems every time we add a child, my desire for things to be organized grows. But, I have to just relax and focus on really enjoying my kiddos...they won't be this young for long...and I can guarantee I will miss this stage one day in my life. Well, here's a little list of what our Lil Miss Sophia is up to these days:

1. She loves to follow Mommy around EVERYWHERE!

2. She loves to follow Mommy around EVERYWHERE while saying Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!

3. She loves pretty much all food. She actually cheers when I give her those Natural Cheese Puffs...so maybe that's her favorite! It's pretty darn cute!

4. She is very obedient.

5. She loves her Daddy very much and wants him to toss her around in the air...she's an adrenalin junky! uh oh! :)

6. Her English is taking off! She will say things like "Please help Mommy", or "I love you too", or "Cup Please" or "Up please Mommy". I am so impressed with her!

7. She adores her Grandpa!

8. She only drinks water. She doesn't like juice. She will have a little bit of milk on her cereal, but she doesn't really drink much of it.

9. She loves to "mother" her baby dolls

10. She could care less about tv. Not interested at all.

11. She loves to sing and dance and it's pretty darn cute!

12. She can run, jump, crawl, do somersaults.

13. She's learning how to ride a tricycle and is catching on pretty well!

14. She loves to go in the car and she loves her carseat.

So grateful for this little girl!

Fun in the Sun...

We have had some beautiful weather in our neck of the woods. So we hit the park yesterday and had a blast. I put Sophia in the swing and she was digging it! It hit me while pushing her that this was the very first time she had ever been in a swing. She was unsure when I first put her in, but as soon as I let it soar...she was LOVING it! So cute!

Depraved Indifference

I have posted this video before, but I came upon it again and it reminded me why we choose to do something about one of the many injustices in this world. Adoption was our calling, but I hope by watching this you are stirred to do something that you feel is "beyond you". I hope that this inspires you to be brave and courageous to continue fighting the good fight...for those who don't have a voice...whomever that might be. There are so many heartwrenching needs out there and each of those needs represents real people. For me, this video is such a good reminder to keep in perspective what this life is about.

Fun at Cherry On Top...thanks to Grandma and Grandpa!

Daddy helping his littlest princess finish the last of her yogurt!










My cutie Drew enjoying the moment!











Samuel sneaking into the picture with Sophia!











Julia being silly!

This Christmas Grandma and Grandpa sent some "Cherry on Top" money for all of us to get a yummy yogurt treat at one of our very favorite places! If you don't have a Cherry on Top near you, boy you are missing out! Here's a few pics of the kiddos all enjoying their treat!

YEA!

She's flourishing!!

Goodness! It's AMAZING what God can do when He places an orphan into a family...who then becomes an orphan no more, but simply part of the family. I am in awe of how much Sophia Joy has changed in just over a month of having her (our Gotcha Day was Nov 21st). She's only been home for a little over 3 weeks and it is truly a blessing to watch her transform before our eyes. The nannies who took care of her said she didn't speak much only said about 2 or 3 words. I was a little concerned over that, but she was ours so it didn't really matter. Well, I am so happy to report that this girl can chatter with the best of them now! No, she's not fluent in English, but she can say quite a bit for only hearing English for a month! She can say Daddy, Mommy, Odie, Up, No...No...No, Yea, Help Mommy, Night-Night, More, and quite a bit more, but I can't remember them all right now. Sheesh...for only speaking 2 words in the orphanage to a list of over 10 English words in a month...I am impressed. When my good friend and I traveled to China to get Sophia we felt she was developmentally between 12 months and 18 months old in most things (she is 2 1/2 years old). For example, she walked just like a 12 month old who had only been walking a few days or so. She fell a lot because she was so clumsy. She had ZERO concept of stairs and would have walked straight off the top step if we had let her. Now, only a short time of being in a family she can run around the playground, climb the steps like a champ and go down the slide all by herself. Then she's ready to do it over and over and over again! The girl can jump up and down with both feet coming off the floor. This really may not sound like a big deal, but the girl could barely walk at 2 1/2 years old a month ago! She has also gained about 4-5 pounds since her medical check up in China. In China with her clothes on she weighed about 22.5 pounds. Last night, naked after her bath she weighed in at 27.5 pounds!! Of course that was right after dinner, but still!! Speaking of baths...Sophia had no idea how to play in the bath. This was evident the first day I gave her a bath. She let me wash her hair and her body and then immediately stood up for me to take her out. Now....she is swimming like a fish in the bath! She plays and plays and plays some more and would stay in until she pruned up if we let her. Daddy did a fabulous job the first week home with her. He bathed her every night and literally encouraged and taught her how to play. I am sure I can go on and on, but I will just leave you all with some great before and after pics. I was trying to upload a video, but haven't it doesn't seem to be working. I will keep trying though.

Wearing Daddy's Shoes!