Well, we know Daughter of Purpose is getting stronger...she can now open the refrigerator all by herself! She seems to be quite proud of herself. I wasn't sure how this was going to affect things. I wasn't sure if she would now stand in front of it continually surveying her food options and hounding me to eat or if she would take it in stride. So far, it's been somewhere in the middle of there. It hasn't been a problem thus far.
We've also noticed her strength increase because she will now go up and down the stairs by herself. She used to stand there waiting for the next victim (or sucker) to convince that they needed to carry her up or down. There are still some times we carry her for times sake, but for the most part she's on her own.
Running was a foreign concept to her when she arrived here. Now that her strength is increasing, we see her attempts at speed increasing. She may end up on her rear-end because her brain got ahead of her feet, but at least she's trying. Upon arrival, it was like as if the thought of running had never occurred to her.
I'm sure that better nutrition is helping immensely with this, but I also have to credit my dear husband. He's the one that is always so good with the kids at pushing them to learn new things. I tend to be in a hurry so I take the easy route with the kids and do things for the kids that they can do themselves. He takes the time and pushes them to do it themselves. I'm pretty sure I would still be dressing them, tying their shoes, bathing them, drying them off, combing their hair, etc if it weren't for Nate. It never really dawns on me to give them the opportunity to try new things until I see him doing it. So...thank you, Love. We make a good team.
1 Samuel 1:27 "I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him."
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Accepted!!!!!!
We are happy to report that we found out today that Daughter of Purpose has been accepted by Shriners Hospital. Woo hoo!! We are so relieved! We hoped she would be a shoe-in, but didn't want to count our chickens before they hatched. She already has an appointment scheduled for mid-August. We are so encouraged that she will now have a team of doctors working in one location to help her get the best medical care available. Yippee!
1 Samuel 1:27 "I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him."
1 Samuel 1:27 "I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him."
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Where There's a Will, There's a Way
These are pictures from one of the days we did not visit a pool. Daughter of Purpose was determined to at least feel like she was in the pool so she wore her googles around the house all day (I made her take them off for nap!). After nap though, she discovered the new water toy I bought on clearance at Target for $3. Watch out everyone Daughter of Purpose was ready for WET!
1 Samuel 1:27 "I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him."
Waiting to Hear
The doctor who will review Daughter of Purpose's application to Shriners Hospital was out and was to return on Friday. We were told that she would not be able to look over her file until Monday, July 21st. Please be praying with us that we would hear something positive from Shriners this week.
1 Samuel 1:27 "I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him."
1 Samuel 1:27 "I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him."
Thursday, July 17, 2008
More Ramblings
These words from her mouth cracked me up this morning. Daughter of Purpose had to go to the lab and get a few tests done. She absolutely hates this and practically gives herself a heart attack on the way because she's so distressed about going to get shots.
After we left this morning and all they had her do was pee in a cup, she replied, "Wow, that was fun!" All I could do was laugh at her perspective.
Along the drive home, she saw a ponding basin and asked me if that was the ocean. Sadly, I had to break her heart and tell her that it was not the ocean. I think all of these water experiences are blending together for her. I suppose water is water in her mind!
1 Samuel 1:27 "I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him."
After we left this morning and all they had her do was pee in a cup, she replied, "Wow, that was fun!" All I could do was laugh at her perspective.
Along the drive home, she saw a ponding basin and asked me if that was the ocean. Sadly, I had to break her heart and tell her that it was not the ocean. I think all of these water experiences are blending together for her. I suppose water is water in her mind!
1 Samuel 1:27 "I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him."
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Ramblings
Ya know, when we adopted Daughter of Purpose, people would tell me how quickly she would acquire English. I heard the figure of 6 months tossed around. So in my mind, I was expecting a relatively quiet child until about Christmas--maybe a few words here and there--and then she'd start spouting out full English as a Christmas present to us. Honestly, I'm being blown out of the water. I have a feeling that Russian will be long gone by Christmas...
Here are a few of ramblings lately and this is truly just a snippet:
After brushing her teeth this morning, she called out to me, "Mama, look at my teeth!"
As we drive along, usually listening to Newsboys or Superchick I hear her little voice from the backseat, "Music loud, please!" I'm pretty sure this is a far cry from the Russian children's music she heard in the orphanage!
She's already figured out how to tattle in English. I heard this conversation between her and her brother the other night:
Daughter of Purpose, "I tell Mama."
Brother: "No, I tell Mama."
And back and forth it went. How does she know this already?
I've even noticed that her receptive language is good enough already that she can perceive when we are joking with her or not. The other day she and I were discussing where everyone would be during quiet/nap time. I told her that she would be sleeping outside. She instantly looked at me with a grin and replied, "Noooo Mama. I not sleep outside. I sleep inside in my room!"
She will also now tease us. She will tell us something silly, but instantly say, "Nooooooo. Ne-yet whatever she had originally said (you fill in the blank)." I think that's pretty darn smart for having only arrived in the US 2 months ago!
Here is my new favorite, "That was fun!" or this one, "Wow, that's cool."
1 Samuel 1:27 "I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him."
Here are a few of ramblings lately and this is truly just a snippet:
After brushing her teeth this morning, she called out to me, "Mama, look at my teeth!"
As we drive along, usually listening to Newsboys or Superchick I hear her little voice from the backseat, "Music loud, please!" I'm pretty sure this is a far cry from the Russian children's music she heard in the orphanage!
She's already figured out how to tattle in English. I heard this conversation between her and her brother the other night:
Daughter of Purpose, "I tell Mama."
Brother: "No, I tell Mama."
And back and forth it went. How does she know this already?
I've even noticed that her receptive language is good enough already that she can perceive when we are joking with her or not. The other day she and I were discussing where everyone would be during quiet/nap time. I told her that she would be sleeping outside. She instantly looked at me with a grin and replied, "Noooo Mama. I not sleep outside. I sleep inside in my room!"
She will also now tease us. She will tell us something silly, but instantly say, "Nooooooo. Ne-yet whatever she had originally said (you fill in the blank)." I think that's pretty darn smart for having only arrived in the US 2 months ago!
Here is my new favorite, "That was fun!" or this one, "Wow, that's cool."
1 Samuel 1:27 "I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him."
Monday, July 14, 2008
4th of July
Sorry it's taken so long to get these pictures up for you, but here are a few of the attempts at family pictures we captured during the 4th of July weekend. We have always purchased Old Navy flag shirts from the year that each child was born. This year it was quite symbolic to buy one for Daughter of Purpose--especially with the American flag.
We had a blast doing fireworks at home on the actual holiday, but then headed off to the coast for a visit with my grandparents. While we were there, we also hung out with some friends who were staying at a local campground. That's how we got all of these pics. Daughter of Purpose was not too keen on the sound of fireworks, but seemed to be okay with the visual. Glad we opted out of going to the stadium for the fireworks show. I think that would've been a bit much for her this year.
A lot of people have asked how she liked the ocean. Well, it's water for goodness sakes...of course she liked it! The previous weekend we had gone to the lake so I think that it was a similar experience for her. She didn't exactly do a double back-flip over the first ocean experience, but I think that she most certainly thought she was in heaven to be in water again.
We've kept busy with visiting friend's pools almost every day. In fact we've made such a routine out of it that tonight before bed when Daughter of Purpose was reviewing tomorrow's activites with me, she became very adamant that we must go the pool tomorrow. I kept explaining that we are not going to the pool and I think she thought that if she raised her voice enough or stomped her foot that maybe I might change my mind. Umm...no, we will not be going to the pool tomorrow. She will live.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Shriners
A little while back we shared that we have had trouble getting the medical care here in our valley needed by Daughter of Purpose. After some additional research, advice from others and prayer we have decided to turn in an application for our daughter to Shriner's Hospital.
A little over a week ago, my friend "just happened" to be at Shriners for an appointment with her daughter. She was so awesome and shared with the doctors there about our predicament. The doctors told her that their experience with someone like our daughter is small, but they do have some experience. They told her to encourage us to apply. So we've done just that. We are encouraged that they have some knowledge and that they are a research hospital so I would imagine that if they don't have the answers, they will help us find them--unlike our experience so far.
We would appreciate your prayers as we now wait to hear back from Shriners. Please pray for the doctor who will review the medical information we have sent. Pray that they would be willing to see our daughter and that it would be soon.
1 Samuel 1:27 "I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him."
A little over a week ago, my friend "just happened" to be at Shriners for an appointment with her daughter. She was so awesome and shared with the doctors there about our predicament. The doctors told her that their experience with someone like our daughter is small, but they do have some experience. They told her to encourage us to apply. So we've done just that. We are encouraged that they have some knowledge and that they are a research hospital so I would imagine that if they don't have the answers, they will help us find them--unlike our experience so far.
We would appreciate your prayers as we now wait to hear back from Shriners. Please pray for the doctor who will review the medical information we have sent. Pray that they would be willing to see our daughter and that it would be soon.
1 Samuel 1:27 "I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him."
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Bonding
Attachment and bonding are huge issues with adoption and I am happy to say that they are going well for us over here!
Daughter of Purpose certainly loves her siblings and most definitely her Daddy. Who in the world wouldn't love someone that wrestles with them on a daily basis (okay, so maybe I'd have to say that I wouldn't like that--I hate being tickled). Maybe I should say, "What CHILD wouldn't love wrestling and tickling on a daily basis?"
I have also noticed that Daughter of Purpose has picked up that at a certain point in the day we begin doing the same things (the kids doing their chores and Mommy making dinner) and I begin to make coffee for Daddy. She knows that as soon as she sees this activity going on and I pull out the coffee that her Daddy is on his way home and she can barely contain herself with excitement! Once we have the coffee peculating, she is on a hot trail to open the garage door to wait for Daddy to pull in the driveway.
It is clear that since Daughter of Purpose doesn't like being without her siblings and I often see her curled up on the couch with them that they are certainly doing well with attachment and bonding.
Since my oldest daughter was traveling the last two weeks, I wasn't sure what that would do to their relationship, but it was like a sweet reunion between the two today when my oldest daughter returned home. I think that it did a lot for Daughter of Purpose to see that her sister came back just like we promised she would. I thought maybe my older daughter would be resentful of jumping right back into her role or that maybe Daughter of Purpose would be stand-offish, but that was far from the case. The two were practically inseparable today. They were almost giddy with excitement of being back together again. For that--I am grateful.
There have also been some great things on the attachment and bonding front with me and Daughter of Purpose also. At first I felt like "just the caregiver" and everyone else in the family was for the fun-loving stuff, but now that part of our relationship has come around. I am excited about that! Daughter of Purpose often comes up to me and randomly gives me a hug & kiss. My favorite time of day that she gives me those kisses and hugs is at nap time because she has also learned the sign and phrase "I love you" so she signs it and says it to me when I tuck her in for her nap. I love toddler fingers that sign "I love you!" There's nothing else like it!
She also loves to play the "baby game" with me. She comes up and tells me that she wants to be my baby. So I swing her up into my arms and begin rocking her and singing her lullabies. I love the closeness and even though I missed out on her baby years, I still get to sing her the same songs I sang to my biological children. I think she must love it too since at least once per day she asks for this game. I can't help but oblige her!
Having a little trauma will always attach and bond you too. Yesterday, I had to take Daughter of Purpose to the Children's Hospital to get a procedure done and it was...well, let's just say it wasn't her favorite visit to the doctor. I hate to put her through some of these tests, but I do have to say that the pay off in the attachment and bonding realm is that she sticks to me like glue after that. After we got home yesterday, she wanted nothing but Mommy and crawled up on the couch with me and we read books together. That bonding was worth the earlier crying. I love that she knows for sure that I am her Mama!
Daughter of Purpose is amazing me day after day. Each day it becomes more and more clear to me that she was intended for our family since before time began. God knew she would be a part of our family--it just took us awhile to figure it out! I'm thankful that although her route of getting to us was different from the rest, I'm thankful she's here and that we clued in to God's Master Plan.
1 Samuel 1:27 "I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him."
Daughter of Purpose certainly loves her siblings and most definitely her Daddy. Who in the world wouldn't love someone that wrestles with them on a daily basis (okay, so maybe I'd have to say that I wouldn't like that--I hate being tickled). Maybe I should say, "What CHILD wouldn't love wrestling and tickling on a daily basis?"
I have also noticed that Daughter of Purpose has picked up that at a certain point in the day we begin doing the same things (the kids doing their chores and Mommy making dinner) and I begin to make coffee for Daddy. She knows that as soon as she sees this activity going on and I pull out the coffee that her Daddy is on his way home and she can barely contain herself with excitement! Once we have the coffee peculating, she is on a hot trail to open the garage door to wait for Daddy to pull in the driveway.
It is clear that since Daughter of Purpose doesn't like being without her siblings and I often see her curled up on the couch with them that they are certainly doing well with attachment and bonding.
Since my oldest daughter was traveling the last two weeks, I wasn't sure what that would do to their relationship, but it was like a sweet reunion between the two today when my oldest daughter returned home. I think that it did a lot for Daughter of Purpose to see that her sister came back just like we promised she would. I thought maybe my older daughter would be resentful of jumping right back into her role or that maybe Daughter of Purpose would be stand-offish, but that was far from the case. The two were practically inseparable today. They were almost giddy with excitement of being back together again. For that--I am grateful.
There have also been some great things on the attachment and bonding front with me and Daughter of Purpose also. At first I felt like "just the caregiver" and everyone else in the family was for the fun-loving stuff, but now that part of our relationship has come around. I am excited about that! Daughter of Purpose often comes up to me and randomly gives me a hug & kiss. My favorite time of day that she gives me those kisses and hugs is at nap time because she has also learned the sign and phrase "I love you" so she signs it and says it to me when I tuck her in for her nap. I love toddler fingers that sign "I love you!" There's nothing else like it!
She also loves to play the "baby game" with me. She comes up and tells me that she wants to be my baby. So I swing her up into my arms and begin rocking her and singing her lullabies. I love the closeness and even though I missed out on her baby years, I still get to sing her the same songs I sang to my biological children. I think she must love it too since at least once per day she asks for this game. I can't help but oblige her!
Having a little trauma will always attach and bond you too. Yesterday, I had to take Daughter of Purpose to the Children's Hospital to get a procedure done and it was...well, let's just say it wasn't her favorite visit to the doctor. I hate to put her through some of these tests, but I do have to say that the pay off in the attachment and bonding realm is that she sticks to me like glue after that. After we got home yesterday, she wanted nothing but Mommy and crawled up on the couch with me and we read books together. That bonding was worth the earlier crying. I love that she knows for sure that I am her Mama!
Daughter of Purpose is amazing me day after day. Each day it becomes more and more clear to me that she was intended for our family since before time began. God knew she would be a part of our family--it just took us awhile to figure it out! I'm thankful that although her route of getting to us was different from the rest, I'm thankful she's here and that we clued in to God's Master Plan.
1 Samuel 1:27 "I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him."
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