Amy has discovered her reflection. She is fascinated with anything shiny that she can see herself in. She especially had fun in the shoe department at Nordstrom's. The shoe mirrors were just the right height for her.
She is also pushing her stroller around by the bottom basket and is also continuing to push around her Rubbermaid box. She'll be walking on her own before we know it.
Now when ever Amy hears the tub filling, she has to come see what is going on. She knows that it usually means bath time, and she is really enjoying her baths now. As you can see by the pictures today, she is helping me get the tub ready and is enjoying her bath.
A Note: Starting next week all of the April updates will be on their own page, and this page will have the most recent updates. There will be links from this page to get to the other months (April & March right now).
Here are today's "pictures of the day".
Amy is now discovering other rooms in the house. Since she has figured out she can get around crawling, there is no stopping her. She has explored the spare bedroom, our bedroom, the bathrooms, and now she is checking out all the things in her room that she hasn't taken the time to explore before. This includes opening and closing drawers and cupboard doors.
Last night's mentor dinner went great. We had the opportunity to share our experiences with other families who are waiting for their referrals and to travel, in addition to meeting other families who had recently returned, not only from China, but from Russia, Korea, and Guatemala. My heart goes out to all the families that we met that are in the waiting stage. A lot of them are just starting the wait, and time to referral right now is running 11 to 12 months.
Tonight for dinner she had her first taste of pizza and for dessert, ice cream. She thoroughly enjoyed both. She is also now down to one bottle a day, the rest of the time drinking from a sippy cup. Next step, a real cup.
A Note: Starting next week all of the April updates will be on their own page, and this page will have the most recent updates. There will be links from this page to get to the other months (April & March right now).
Here are today's "pictures of the day".
Amy discovered the underside of the dining room table today. While it wasn't all that exciting, she did find she could pull herself up under there and push a chair around the floor. She also managed to push one of her Rubbermaid toy boxes around the living room floor.
She is also enjoying playing with her ball. She is able to pick it up with both hands, and more or less tosses and throws it across the room.
Tomorrow evening we are going to an adoptive families mentor dinner. This is sponsored by the agency that we worked with for our homestudy. There will be families there who are waiting for referral and travel and then others like us, who have recently returned to tell their stories. It will be a late night for Amy, but it should be fun.
Here are today's "pictures of the day".
Amy has a sweet tooth. This evening for dessert, Dean & I were having Tapioca pudding. Amy had already had a large meal, so I was going to wait before she had her portion. Well, she would have none of that. As soon as she saw the pudding, she wanted it and made it known. So as you can see by the pictures, she had some, but when it was gone she still wanted more.
We also made a trip to Wal-Mart this morning. She got her first ball today and has been having fun with it. She rolled it from the living room, into the dining room and around the table, then through the kitchen and back into the living room. I wish there was a way to share her laugh with you when she was doing this. It's hard to describe, but you can definitely tell she is having fun.
Here are today's "pictures of the day".
We've now been home a month. It doesn't seem like it, it actually seems like we've been home longer. But we are at least now settled in, establishing a routine, and adjusting to this new life.
Not much has happened today. But I wanted to get this picture out for everyone to see. This is from this afternoon's nap, about 3:00. Enjoy!
It's been a busy couple of days. Friday evening Amy had another babysitter. Once again she did great. Dean & I had a nice dinner out and then rented a couple of movies.
Today, Amy spent most of the day outside. While Dean mowed the grass, I weeded the yard, and Amy played in her play yard. Since she had a longer than usual nap this morning, this afternoons nap was going to be a little later. Well, I put her down, and about 20 minutes later walked by her room. Much to my surprise she was standing up in her crib, babbling away. So needless to say, this afternoons nap didn't happen.
After we finished with all the yard work, we went to the "End of Tax Season Party" sponsored by UTS. It was a nice big picnic, with games for the kids, hamburgers, hot dogs, and munchies for all. Amy charmed everyone of course. That's where today's pictures are from. Enjoy!
Here are today's "pictures of the day".
Amy is now crawling on all fours, unlike what she has been doing - dragging and pushing her legs behind her. She has also started to take her first few steps. This evening Dean & I were sitting on the floor and she was tottering back and forth between us. It was a few steps only, but she is well on her way now.
She has also learned to wave and kiss. Sometimes the wave will be with one hand others it will be with both, making her look like she's going to take off flying. She only kisses right now when she wants to, not when you want her to. The girl definitely has a mind of her own.
Also this evening, yes it's been a big evening, she decided to drink orange juice from a glass. Some did run down her shirt, but most of it made in her mouth. She also drank from a bottle of water on Saturday at the Steeplechase.
We met with the lawyer this afternoon and have gotten the paperwork started to get her Georgia birth certificate issued in her American name. Once that is done we can file the INS paperwork, apply for her social security card & passport and then have proof of her citizenship.
Here are today's "pictures of the day".
Amy has discovered her belly button. Actually she did this last week during a bath, but now every time her shirt is up or she is in the tub she points out her belly button to us. She is quite amazed by it. She is also figuring out that she can cross her fingers. It's cute to watch her expressions when she discovers something new.
We had lunch out with a friend today. Amy ate two large chicken strips and given the chance probably would have eaten the third one and all the french fries. She also charmed everyone at the restaurant, customers and staff. I just hope it doesn't all go to her head.
In addition to the climbing she is now doing, she is also doing back bends. She will lay across my lap and then try pushing herself up in such a way that she winds up in a back bend. Maybe we have an aspiring gymnast on our hands? One day a musician, the next, who knows...
Here are today's "pictures of the day".
Today's outing was to story time at the library. Amy had fun, enjoyed the songs, puppets, and even sat still for the story. We also met our neighbors there, and another lady who would like to start a play group. It's starting to look like Amy is going to have a busy schedule.
Today's lunch was a hard boiled egg and grapes (one of her favorite fruits - next to bananas). The yolk was a little difficult to eat, it kept falling apart before she could get it to her mouth, but we managed. She's doing really well drinking juice from a sippy cup, but getting her to drink anything during meals from a sippy cup is another story.
Amy plays with the cats fairly well these days. Actually Tigger still pretty much ignores her, but Mittens will let her pet and poke her for a little while. Today Mittens decided she wanted to sit on my lap while Amy was cruising around the living room. Amy decided since Mittens was sitting still to come pet her. She then decided that I should pet her too. So she picked up my hand and moved it back and forth in a petting motion across Mittens.
Thursday we have a meeting set up with a lawyer here in town to get the "readoption" paperwork started. This will legally change Amy's name and also issue a Georgia birth certificate for her. Yes, still more paperwork to be done. And then after that's all finished we can then apply for her social security card, her proof of citizenship from the INS and a US passport. Plus we still have 2 more visits with our social worker, one at 6 months after we've been home and one after a year. These visits are required by China.
Here is today's "picture of the day". Another one from the Steeplechase on Saturday.
Tonight Amy had her first experience with a babysitter. She did great. She didn't fuss when we left, went to bed at her normal time, and was sleeping soundly when we came home.
Her hair needs to grow longer, faster. We have had many comments lately from people who think she's a boy, unless she's wearing a dress. I don't know too many people that would dress a boy in some of the outfits I've been dressing her in, but it doesn't seem to be obvious to others.
She is learning "Pat A Cake" and will do it on her own and in the right rhythm. The words are just babble, but she's got the right idea. She also likes singing along to whatever music we may be listening too, including the Star Spangled Banner while at the races. She really perks up when she hears 80's music though. Go figure.
The picture of the day is from Saturday at the Atlanta Steeplechase.
Frustration is giving way to determination. Amy has now found that when she is trying to do something that sticking her tongue out helps.
We have been letting her try more on her own with less of our help and she is doing amazingly well. She is sitting up, pulling herself up using things other than our hands or fingers, and she is working more on trying to stand by pushing herself up with her hands, head, and feet. She winds up looking like a triangle now before she plops back down. There have been moments of crying and even howling when she gets too frustrated, and we are trying our best to judge when to let it go and when to respond. And in most cases she stops and tries again.
We have also noticed that she seems to make great progress after having been around people. On Saturday we went to the Atlanta Steeplechase. There, Amy got to see her first horse, horse race, and a bunch of people she (and we) didn't know. Total strangers were coming up to us and commenting on how beautiful she is and what a wonderful little girl. She certainly loved all the attention. She also had her first taste of cantaloupe, strawberries, and a ham & cheese sandwich. The fresh fruit is definitely a big hit with her. Not only did she eat her strawberries, but she was trying to take other peoples too.
She has started cruising more now too. Last night while Dean & I were getting dinner ready, she decided to first crawl from the living room down the hall to the spare bedroom. Then she decided since I was in the kitchen she would come out there, with a stop in the living room to pull herself up and hold on to the corner of the wall. Later she would hold on to a chair, then one of our hands and on to the next chair. We found out at dinner that she also likes yams. I think the only thing she hasn't liked so far has been fresh tomatoes.
From all of us, Happy Easter! Enjoy today's pictures.
It has been one month today since we became a "Forever Family" as it's called in the adoption circles. Here she is the day we got her and today.
Another tooth is coming in on the top. That brings the count up to 5 teeth. It is amazing how quickly her teeth are coming in, and her nails and hair are growing. We have found the best way to cut her nails is while she is asleep. She is just way too active when she is awake and won't sit still for nail cutting. I wonder what her first haircut will be like.
She is imitating our actions more and more. I ran my hand back and forth across the carpet and she started doing it too. You make faces and she'll imitate those too. Sometimes she is just too smart for her own good.
Now she is learning how to use a computer. Okay, not really, but she was having fun playing with an extra keyboard that we had. She was trying to help Dean study for his pilot's exam, but when she started answering the questions for him, that's when the extra keyboard came out.
Here is today's "picture of the day".
No obstacle shall get in her way. She is now starting to climb on or over whatever may be in her path, including us. She has also figured out that while walking if she doesn't want to go any more, she just sits down.
Each day she gets stronger and stronger. Today after lunch she was trying to push herself up without holding on to anything. She would make it as far as her knees and then plop down again. She is crawling even better and I'm still expecting to walk into her room one morning and find her standing up in her crib.
Last night she met everyone at the bowling alley. The noise didn't seem to bother her at all, although she was tired, she wouldn't go to sleep because she kept wanting to see what was going on around her.
At dinner this evening she ate a lemon and it didn't seem to phase her. She's also drinking more from her sippy cup and less from her bottle. White grape juice and apple juice are big hits, and cranberry juice is okay. Orange juice if it's not pulpy works well too.
Here is today's "picture of the day".
There were so many good pictures today, it was hard to decide which ones to post. Amy had peas & carrots for dinner, along with a chicken tender. The peas were a huge hit. She picked them all out first, then ate the carrots, then ate the chicken. She also drank an entire sippy cup of juice. She's definitely getting better with the sippy cup and is also holding the bottle now on her own.
We've replaced the "mail bucket" with a Rubbermaid box that she can sit and stand in. She can also see through the sides which makes for a fun game in addition to Peek A Boo.
So without further delay, here are today's "pictures of the day".
Amy has had a couple of busy day's these past two days. Saturday we spent all day in Atlanta, shopping. Dean & I bought a new couch, Amy got a new pair of shoes and some books. She is really enjoying the board books right now. Although the attention span isn't there to actually read through the entire book, she is looking at them, pointing to things, and playing with them.
Her vocabulary, while still only mama, dada as distinguishable words, is starting to include more sounds with more syllables.
Sunday morning we finally made it to church, the first time since we've been back. Amy played in the nursery with other kids her age. She seemed to do well, but was happy to see Mom when she was picked up. She also met some more people there who kept telling her how pretty she is. She just charms everyone she meets.
Spring is definitely here, you can tell by all the pollen that is settling on the cars. But at least it is nice enough that we can go outside for a little while and enjoy the outdoors.
She did it today. Amy finally figured out how to stand up on her own. She was sitting in the mail box Dean had brought home from work and managed to push herself up without any help from either of us. She was very proud of her accomplishment, as was I. Dean didn't see it the first time, he was mowing the grass, but she repeated it again when he came in. She is also crawling at a much faster rate now and really getting around. I guess it's time to finish baby proofing.
Here are today's "pictures of the day".
Amy continues to try to pull herself up without help, balancing, and walking holding one hand. She is still learning to crawl too, getting better at it each time. On Thursday night she was sitting by the gate we have at the top of the stairs and she was trying to hold on to the bars and pull herself up. Friday while she was in Dean's office, she was sitting in a mail bin and was trying to grasp the sides and push herself up that way.
Thursday and Friday we had lunch out with friends. Everyone just adores her. She's now also had a grilled cheese sandwich, fish, and more french fries. The fish was a big hit, so that is something we'll have to start having more of around here.
Thursday evening we had our first trip to Wal-Mart. One of many to come. She enjoyed that, looking at all the bright colors and everything to see. She does very well sitting in the shopping cart - but always want's a piece of my shopping list paper. I guess she wants to have her own list too.
We've registered for a Kindermusik class this summer. It will start in June, once a week, probably Thursday's, and run for 8 weeks. It will be great to get out, meet other kids, and get her involved in an activity. There is also a story time at the library on Tuesday's that I think we might try to start going to as well.
Her two top teeth are coming in very nicely too. By her behavior, you would never guess she's teething. We'll see how she does when the molars start coming in.
Here are today's "pictures of the day". Special delivery and top teeth.
Today Amy figured out that she can hold her bottle while drinking. I couldn't let go completely, but she's grasping the concept.
She's also getting better at pulling herself up without help, balancing, and walking holding one hand. She is still learning to crawl too, getting better at it each time. As I write this she is spitting on Dean. Not just drooling, but like spitting "terbacker" (that's southern for tobacco).
For lunch today, she had her first peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Well half a sandwich, but she ate the whole thing along with half a banana too. Tomorrow and Friday she is having lunch out with friends. She's quite the popular one.
Here is today's "picture of the day".
Well today was a rainy day so we couldn't go outside and play. But at least now the weather is getting warmer, so summer can't be far off. It was a relatively quiet day around the house.
She's still using the potty sporadically. Yesterday nothing, today she used it. Now if she could just tell us when she needs to use it. In due time I know.
We also tried some more with the sippy cup today. As you can see by the pictures, she hasn't quite figured out that she needs to hold it with her hands. But she is starting to understand how it works. She fed herself again and lunch and partially at dinner tonight. The potatoes were a challenge so we had to use a fork for those, but the chicken was easy for her to eat with her fingers.
I am still truly amazed at how much she learns each day and how much she has changed just in the few weeks that we've had her. I can only begin to imagine what these next days and weeks will hold.
Here are today's "pictures of the day".
Wow, she is making such progress, it's amazing. She is now walking with holding on to one hand instead of both - most of the time. She still hasn't mastered crawling yet, but she's improving there too. She is starting to pull herself up using something other than a hand. She also imitates. For example: Dean wiggled his tongue back and forth and now she is doing the same thing.
The big outing on Sunday, was to the mall. So many people commented on how pretty she is. The girl in the shoe store was just adoring her, forgetting about fitting her for shoes.
Today we checked out Mother's Morning Out at Fellowship Baptist Church. It looks like it will be a great program to get her involved in this fall. There are about 10 to 12 kids in a class, two mornings a week, broken down by age group. I think she was a bit overwhelmed by the experience this morning, but by fall I'm sure we'll both be ready to join. This afternoon after her nap we went strolling through the neighborhood. We met some of our neighbors and their kids. Maybe this summer we'll be able to get together a play group too.
At dinner this evening she started feeding herself with the fork. Dean had to put it in her hand a couple of times, but she was reaching for it most of the time. So far meals haven't been too messy, but I guess that's about to change.
Here is today's "picture of the day". Sending everyone a virtual hug.
For breakfast on Saturday morning Amy ate entire blueberry pancake. She also really enjoyed the quiche we had for dinner Friday night. Today's favorite meal was Macaroni & Cheese as you can see by the picture of the day. She certainly has an appetite.
We went for a walk around the subdivision, and had a trip to Home Depot after her nap. It wasn't nearly as exciting as some of the other places she's been. She does like to ride in the car, so it seems anyway. She fell asleep last night on the way home from visiting friends.
Here is today's "picture of the day". Amy enjoying her Macaroni & Cheese and feeding it to herself.
