Our journey to adopting our daughter from China.
A hundred years from now it will not matter what size my bank account was or the kind of car I drove...but the world may be different, because I was important in the life of a child.
May 30, 2006
Already 15 months old!
Still crawling, but we know she'll walk when she's ready. She can stand on her own now, but only when she's holding a toy she is very interested in. Daddy taught her how to blow kisses and she does every chance she gets. Oh how she loves it when Daddy comes home! We sit on the porch and she can see his truck all the way down the street and jumps up and down on my lap and squeals! Then she screams DaDa when he pulls up and waves and can NOT wait until he gets out of that truck. He can't move fast enough for her. Must be a great feeling. We've counted about 12 or 14 words she can say and the Pediatrician says she is very advanced for her age. We didn't count the words she signs, but I think those surely count. Our friend who also adopted from China teaches sign language and she encouraged us to teach Natalie. We are happy we did. Its so nice to know what she wants or needs instead of just crying, but that happens too. We just love her so much!
What a wonderful Mother's Day gift! I got my first kiss from Natalie this morning. I gave her a big loud smooch on her cheek and she popped one right back to me all slobbery and cute! She now loves her Simon husky dog that Marie & Sarah gave to her and hugs him every day. She loves to read and this book about the ocean has lots of texture built into the pages so she can feel each page even if she can't yet say the words. We bought that Scottie Dog outfit at Strausberg's. They have well made clothes and when they have a sale...that's the time to go!
Well, well so much has happened in two short months! We've become parents and we have a precious daughter. She brings so much joy to our lives. She is so funny and loves learning new things. This picture was taken as we were leaving for the Maymont Herb Festival. I thought ladybugs were very appropriate, because of their benefit to the garden as well as their status as mascot of the adoption community. Natalie may not yet be walking, but she is learning like a sponge! She loves her puzzles and although it took her a while, she loves her stuffed animals too. I kept playing with them and kissing them then having them kiss her and having them dance. Then one day I looked down and she was holding her bunny's hands and making it dance! I almost cried on the spot, but I didn't want her to think I was sad, so I held it in, but I did praise her. I have also read to her ever since our first day and didn't think she was paying attention. Then one morning she crawled into my lap with a book and took my finger and pointed to every word. She wanted me to read to her! Again, I marveled that she had been paying attention, afterall. Now every morning she chooses a book and we read. I may not get past the first page until she's off playing with another toy, but it is important to her. We also play in our garden almost daily and she loves the water. She'll take the hose and water everything including my pants! I'm so interested to see where her interests will take her. Will she be a swimmer, an engineer (she loves taking things apart to see how they work), a photographer (she already hams it up when that camera comes out!). Well, that's all for now. I just feel so blessed that she is our daughter and she is so loving. She completes my life, my heart is full.
