Wow! During the adoption process time takes on an interesting quality. Two parallel tracks at polar opposite speeds...and you dance between the two. That quality continues. It feels like Bella has been part of our family forever. Everyone of us is madly in love with her. She continues to do really well. Her language explosion has slowed just a bit but I can see her working on some of the more subtle points of language... pronouns (when to use which ones...you, me, I, etc). She has more words and more words strung together than the older three did at her age. Her newest thing:
B: sneeze (fake, sometimes)
Us: bless you
B: thank you
Us: your welcome
She could do this all day long. She loves it when we sneeze and she has the other part. Her eating has improved dramatically. I don't have to put as much thought into what and how much she eaten. Don't get me wrong...she is a typical two year old eater...but at least I can count on her eating one good meal. She has not gained much if any weight but has grown about 4 inches. She is finally on the height charts (I think). She takes a multivitamin, a multi mineral, and an omega 3 chew. Sleeping improved and then went back to not so good. She comes in with Jason and me every night at about 1am. She is processing something. She is dreaming something. This is where I wish she had a little more language, but in the meantime...she is in with us. Everyone expects that she would be excited about Christmas...she's not. That would assume she knows what is coming. She has no idea what and when. She thinks the trees are "konjo" (pretty) and she had so much fun decorating. She loves baby Jesus in the manger. She loves the snow and playing in it. She takes everything in stride. Some things we will set out to work on early in the new year...sharing with kids her age (thank you Ruth, Aster, Aster, and Milki for being patient), sleeping in her own bed, language, and potty training:)
Now for the three older kids. Andrew has gotten into several schools. He still has to hear from a few. Choosing will balance several factors (cost, majors, soccer, and friends). Eliza turned 15. She is plotting and planning how she can get back to Ethiopia. Zach is loving being a big brother. Life probably changed the most for him when Bella came home. He has become a great big brother. He loves to hold Bella's hand while she falls asleep in her crib.
What a year it has been! Merry Christmas!
9 comments:
Merry Christmas to you also! Bella is a dream! What a cutie! Amazing that she loves snow...so does our little one!
She is so beautiful! Wishing you guys the merriest Christmas!
Merry Christmas! I love the pictures. They all look so happy together and are all so beautiful!
btw- My husband hadn't seen your blog since you got Bella and when I showed him these pictures he said "She's smiling? ...and SO happy! She is SO big." and stood there speechless for a few minutes. :)
Oh how I remember people innocently thinking that Tessa must be so excited by all the electronics/toys/holidays.... It was hard to explain to them that it meant nothing to her! She wouldn't look at the tv for two months! So funny. And boy, things couldn't be any more different now a year and a few months later - xoxox
Love the update on Bella. She's adorable!!
I'd love to see how you get her to sleep in her own bed. At this point, I think eli will be sleeping with us (from midnight on) for the rest of our lives :)
I love the pics.....wishing you an amazing first Christmas with Bella!!!
Hugs to you!
Merry Christmas! This one should be extra special. Bella is looking so gorgeous. Oh, sweet girl. We may be looking your way soon for advice on how to transition these little ones. Sounds like you've had great success on your end.
Thank you so much for the updates on Bella and your beautiful family. We have three bio children and are in the process of adopting a little girl that will (hopefully) be about the same age as Bella when she comes home from Ethiopia. It is so nice to see that a toddler/preschool age child can be so happy while she is transitioning! I look forward to more updates and thank you for sharing your story!
Deena
Thanks Jen... Great pics of your kids! Love, J
Post a Comment