Thursday, August 5, 2010
Too Much Fun!!
We are having soo much fun this summer it is hard to put it into words. All three kids are doing great and everyone has had an awesome summer. My best friend, Karrie, and I took her two girls and mine to Pennslyvania this past week. We went to Sesame Place Park, which I highly recommend, Hershey Park, Crayola Factory and to New Jersey to the beach. We had an absolute blast. The girls were excellent, especially in the long car ride and the activities we did with the girls were soo much fun. Pictures will come soon!! Addy continues to fit right into our lives. She still does not talk, which is ok, we are learning more signs to teach her and she is picking up new ones everyday. She is now addicted to Gracie, they are best friends, and never leave each others side. It is too cute to watch them giggle for hours and play together..Very bittersweet. We are working on body parts right now and she is doing well. We also took a trip to the dentist, she has no cavities and teeth are pretty healthy..he did say to watch her gums and she could have some adult teeth missing, but no worries now. We also are doing Speech Therapy starting next week, so excited to see her progress with her signing and speech. She has gained a total of 4 pounds and has grown almost two inches and has went from a shoe size of 5.5 to a 7. I guess a little nutrition goes along way. When she first came home she slept almost 13 hours at night and took a 3 hour, if not more, nap during the day. Now she sleeps around 10-11 hours at night and if she does take a nap, it is only 1-2 hours. The malnutrition and anemia really took its toll on her, but now that she is much healthier, THANK YOU JESUS!!, she is really doing great. To look at her now and see the changes and the love that pours out of her is such a blessing. Now for the good stuff!!!! 
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Birthday Fun
Addy's birthday was 7-7, but we did the majority of the celebration this weekend.
She absolutely loved her birthday. She did such a good job opening gifts and loved to have us sing to her. She even blew out her candles, with some help :)
Her personality is definitely emerging. She can get quite upset when other kids invade her space and she has no problem pointing her finger at them and telling them "Niet"!! (no in Ukrainian).
She continues to enjoy the pool more and more and even with strict sunscreen she has herself a little bikini tan, which is too cute!!
We visited the aquarium on her actual birthday with my best friend Karrie and her girls. The kids all had a blast. I think Addy liked the glass floor the best, she could see all the fish and sharks underneath her. I think at one point she layed down on the glass and held up the line as everyone laughed. She also got to enjoy some ColdStone ice cream, which she enjoyed immensely.
Her birthday celebration was a blast. We had a cookout with family and friends and she had a really good turnout. Lots of food, presents and swimming. She got alot of nice toys and is having so much fun playing with them!
Since early last week she has developed the "I love my mommy and will scream if she leaves my sight" idea. We went shopping and out to dinner Friday night as a family and when I went to the restroom at the restaurant I could hear her screaming all the way there. When I got back she just looked at me like...Im good now, thanks! It is soo nice to see that she knows I love her and she does have a mommy now that will care for her and comfort her. It can also be a little stressful, but in a good way.
Karrie wanted me to post the TOP TEN THINGS I LOVE ABOUT ADDY, so here goes......
I love that she is specific about where her drink and food goes on the table when she eats. I love when she crawls into bed and reaches up for a kiss. I love how she rubs my chest and face when we cuddl. I love that she uses the sign for cookie when she wants a drink. I love how she says "poo" when she goes #2 and waves her hand bc it stinkies. I love when she screams at the top of her lungs in excitement in restaurants when they deliver our food. I love to watch the attachment her and Noah have for one another. I love how she plays with our puppy and belly laughs. I love how she runs with such determination. And finally I love how she looks in her daddy's arms.
Today at church I thought alot about her birth parents. I wonder if they are thinking about her as she turns three. I know her birth mom is aware that she was adopted. I just hope she feels it in her heart that she is loved for and cared for and is part of a family that would do anything for her. My heart breaks for them. I could not imagine giving up a child that I held so close to my heart for 9 months. I do not know the specifics, but i do know mothers are encouraged to give special needs children up because of the future that they would endure in such a country. It is soo sad to think that the opportunities that we have here are soo far from the things that other countries have. Traveling there and seeing the day to day activity restrictions that these people would be faced with is enough to scare anyone. Especially a new mom. I pray that more and more people see these issues and things change so that these kids have a fighting chance there. I also pray that Addy's birth mom feels a peace about her and her life now and knows that we love her as if she came into our lives 3 years ago.
New pics of her past couple weeks and her awesome birthday fun!!!
She absolutely loved her birthday. She did such a good job opening gifts and loved to have us sing to her. She even blew out her candles, with some help :)
Her personality is definitely emerging. She can get quite upset when other kids invade her space and she has no problem pointing her finger at them and telling them "Niet"!! (no in Ukrainian).
She continues to enjoy the pool more and more and even with strict sunscreen she has herself a little bikini tan, which is too cute!!
We visited the aquarium on her actual birthday with my best friend Karrie and her girls. The kids all had a blast. I think Addy liked the glass floor the best, she could see all the fish and sharks underneath her. I think at one point she layed down on the glass and held up the line as everyone laughed. She also got to enjoy some ColdStone ice cream, which she enjoyed immensely.
Her birthday celebration was a blast. We had a cookout with family and friends and she had a really good turnout. Lots of food, presents and swimming. She got alot of nice toys and is having so much fun playing with them!
Since early last week she has developed the "I love my mommy and will scream if she leaves my sight" idea. We went shopping and out to dinner Friday night as a family and when I went to the restroom at the restaurant I could hear her screaming all the way there. When I got back she just looked at me like...Im good now, thanks! It is soo nice to see that she knows I love her and she does have a mommy now that will care for her and comfort her. It can also be a little stressful, but in a good way.
Karrie wanted me to post the TOP TEN THINGS I LOVE ABOUT ADDY, so here goes......
I love that she is specific about where her drink and food goes on the table when she eats. I love when she crawls into bed and reaches up for a kiss. I love how she rubs my chest and face when we cuddl. I love that she uses the sign for cookie when she wants a drink. I love how she says "poo" when she goes #2 and waves her hand bc it stinkies. I love when she screams at the top of her lungs in excitement in restaurants when they deliver our food. I love to watch the attachment her and Noah have for one another. I love how she plays with our puppy and belly laughs. I love how she runs with such determination. And finally I love how she looks in her daddy's arms.
Today at church I thought alot about her birth parents. I wonder if they are thinking about her as she turns three. I know her birth mom is aware that she was adopted. I just hope she feels it in her heart that she is loved for and cared for and is part of a family that would do anything for her. My heart breaks for them. I could not imagine giving up a child that I held so close to my heart for 9 months. I do not know the specifics, but i do know mothers are encouraged to give special needs children up because of the future that they would endure in such a country. It is soo sad to think that the opportunities that we have here are soo far from the things that other countries have. Traveling there and seeing the day to day activity restrictions that these people would be faced with is enough to scare anyone. Especially a new mom. I pray that more and more people see these issues and things change so that these kids have a fighting chance there. I also pray that Addy's birth mom feels a peace about her and her life now and knows that we love her as if she came into our lives 3 years ago.
New pics of her past couple weeks and her awesome birthday fun!!!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Silly girls, dancing and the fair
Wow what a busy week we have had. The kids have had such an awesome time at their aunts this week. It was so nice to be able to go to work without any children at my feet! I actually got stuff done. Addy did excellent with Amy, and even screamed in excitement when we got to her house on Wed. morning. The sister bond is growing and Im soo excited. Gracie still likes to "mother" alot, which I know is normal and annoying all at the same time. But they are doing great together, and everyday gets better. We visited our local fair last night and the kids had a blast on the rides and seeing the animals. Addy loved the goats and pigs, until one pig tried to eat her shoe..and then she yelled at them!!! Just a quick update...sorry....but I will include some pics and finally a VIDEO!!! 
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Sweet Moments
We are having such a blast with Addy. I can not even put into words how perfect our family feels now. For the longest time if I was asked if we would have more kids, I would have said absolutely not! Four in our family is enough, we are good, do not ask that question again! :)
Oh how the Lord has HIS plan for us, and it is not always what we plan for. To follow His word,to be His hands and feet, and to be obedient has been such a huge part of our life the past year and all I can say is Thank God!
Addy has fit right in to our family, just like she was meant to be. She is such a happy, happy little girl. I could not imagine our lives without her.
Within the last week she has... added please to her list of signs, has said her first English words~ hi, baby & no, seeks us out for hugs and kisses, goes to her bed and falls asleep when asked to, says eww when I change her diaper, sits on the potty and pretends to pee, plays with toys with meaning and purpose instead of just thowing them, realized she can drink whenever she wants during the day, climbed up the deck steps, found out play sand is alot of fun, caught lightening bugs with her brother and sister, walks with her eyes closed and peeks at what she is about to run into, spins in circles and laughs uncontrollably until she falls down, sat in a mud puddle and loved it, tasted rain and had her first marshmallow!!
That is alot for one week and I even think I left a few things out. :)
God is sooooo good!!!!
She did her own hair here!!!
Hopefully video to come soon!!!! She is a doll baby, you have to see her in action!!!
Oh how the Lord has HIS plan for us, and it is not always what we plan for. To follow His word,to be His hands and feet, and to be obedient has been such a huge part of our life the past year and all I can say is Thank God!
Addy has fit right in to our family, just like she was meant to be. She is such a happy, happy little girl. I could not imagine our lives without her.
Within the last week she has... added please to her list of signs, has said her first English words~ hi, baby & no, seeks us out for hugs and kisses, goes to her bed and falls asleep when asked to, says eww when I change her diaper, sits on the potty and pretends to pee, plays with toys with meaning and purpose instead of just thowing them, realized she can drink whenever she wants during the day, climbed up the deck steps, found out play sand is alot of fun, caught lightening bugs with her brother and sister, walks with her eyes closed and peeks at what she is about to run into, spins in circles and laughs uncontrollably until she falls down, sat in a mud puddle and loved it, tasted rain and had her first marshmallow!!
That is alot for one week and I even think I left a few things out. :)
God is sooooo good!!!!
She did her own hair here!!!
Hopefully video to come soon!!!! She is a doll baby, you have to see her in action!!!
Friday, June 11, 2010
My Beautiful Little One
This little girl surprises me each and everyday.
Everyday she learns new things, new signs, new ways to communicate and show her love. She defintely gets it now, we are her family!!! She is such a cuddle bug, loves to kiss us and she has some pretty good tickle spots. Her laughter is soo contagious.
Gracie and Adelee are doing much better. We still have our moments, but their sisterhood bond is getting stronger. Noah is in complete love with her and tells us that on a daily basis, what an awesome big brother to two little girls he has made. :)
We thank Jesus daily for showing us the need and giving us the courage to step out in faith and bring her home. I could not imagine our life without her in it. I look back now at the long waits we had, the paperwork that we compiled, the hardship we endured being away from home and more waiting...it seems so trivial now. The love we have for this little precious child outweighs the process by far.
We have gotten her to try more foods, but the mushier the better, so we keep trying. She got to experience our pool last night for the first time and was unsure at the beginning but loved it. She now loves the dogs and cats, chases them around and plays with them. She enjoys being outside, riding in the car, the grocery cart, and her swing on the deck.
She uses the sign for cookie to get a drink and it is so cute I think we will just keep it as her sign for drink, it makes me giggle each time she does it. It is such a blessing to watch her and Joe together, he has fallen head over heals for this little girl.
I will defintely get more pictures up soon, I will leave you with a few pics of her trying an oreo cookie!!!!
Everyday she learns new things, new signs, new ways to communicate and show her love. She defintely gets it now, we are her family!!! She is such a cuddle bug, loves to kiss us and she has some pretty good tickle spots. Her laughter is soo contagious.
Gracie and Adelee are doing much better. We still have our moments, but their sisterhood bond is getting stronger. Noah is in complete love with her and tells us that on a daily basis, what an awesome big brother to two little girls he has made. :)
We thank Jesus daily for showing us the need and giving us the courage to step out in faith and bring her home. I could not imagine our life without her in it. I look back now at the long waits we had, the paperwork that we compiled, the hardship we endured being away from home and more waiting...it seems so trivial now. The love we have for this little precious child outweighs the process by far.
We have gotten her to try more foods, but the mushier the better, so we keep trying. She got to experience our pool last night for the first time and was unsure at the beginning but loved it. She now loves the dogs and cats, chases them around and plays with them. She enjoys being outside, riding in the car, the grocery cart, and her swing on the deck.
She uses the sign for cookie to get a drink and it is so cute I think we will just keep it as her sign for drink, it makes me giggle each time she does it. It is such a blessing to watch her and Joe together, he has fallen head over heals for this little girl.
I will defintely get more pictures up soon, I will leave you with a few pics of her trying an oreo cookie!!!!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Has it really been 2+ weeks!
Hey everyone,
WOW what a whirlwind life can be. Just a quick update...
Things are going good but extremely busy. Between our business, catching up at home (no real yard work done for the first two months of spring YIKES, and the three kiddos we really find some days a little overwhelming :).
As for Adie she amazes me each and every day. What a blessing she truly is, the joy in her smile stops me daily and refereshes me totally. How these precious children are tossed aside is beyond comprehension. I am so thankful that we found her and saved her. God Bless Andrea and everyone that gives of themselves for RR to do what they do.
Sorry for the vague hit and run update... hopefully we can update with some good pics soon.
JOE
WOW what a whirlwind life can be. Just a quick update...
Things are going good but extremely busy. Between our business, catching up at home (no real yard work done for the first two months of spring YIKES, and the three kiddos we really find some days a little overwhelming :).
As for Adie she amazes me each and every day. What a blessing she truly is, the joy in her smile stops me daily and refereshes me totally. How these precious children are tossed aside is beyond comprehension. I am so thankful that we found her and saved her. God Bless Andrea and everyone that gives of themselves for RR to do what they do.
Sorry for the vague hit and run update... hopefully we can update with some good pics soon.
JOE
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