My First Mother's Day

My first Mother's Day was very special. We woke up bright and early to get ready to drive to Selma to attend our niece, Emily's, senior recognition service at church, which was also Sophie's first time to go to church. Sophie did great and sat on Bo's knee, watching everything that was going on before falling asleep. After church we all went to lunch and then to my sister's house to relax before Emily's baccalaureate service at 2pm. We made it through most of the service with Sophie before we had to leave because she was talking a little too loudly. She loves being outside, so she didn't mind having to leave at all! The baccalaureate service was very nice, and we were so glad that we were able to go.

As I am sure every mother says, my first Mother's Day is one that I will never forget!

Aunt Beth holding Sophie for the first time

Emily and Sophie after the baccalaureate service

Nana and Pawpaw with all of their granddaughters

Amy and Emily

Home One Month

Wow, I can't believe we have been home a month already. Time is just flying by. Sophie is doing really well. She has changed so much and has come out of her shell over the last 6 weeks. She has the cutest little personality and smiles all of the time. She is picking up new words everyday, and we have even started learning a little sign language. It's amazing to see just how much their little brains absorb, even when you think they are really not paying attention.

Sophie can sign eat, banana, cracker, milk, and juice. If we say "Let's say the blessing.", or even after we have already said the blessing, she puts her little hands together to say it. She even says her own words in the rhythmic fashion of "God Is Great". She runs to her highchair when we say that it's time to eat. She calls the dog and cats by name, even though she is not a fan of any of them. Much to my horror, she is learning to climb the steps. The one's she loves the most are the brick ones on the front of our house, of course. She does the motions to "The Itsy-Bitsy Spider", "If You're Happy And You Know It", "Patty-Cake". She now says, "there she is", when playing peep-eye. She can say teeth and loves to brush her teeth. She says "sit" and points for you to sit down beside her. She now spontaneously says "Cheese" when you take the camera out. She knows where her nose, eyes, ears, and mouth are, when prompted. She has learned to climb onto the couch or chair by herself and get down by herself.

Let's just say she is a VERY busy little girl, but we are having the time of our lives. We have waited for this for so long and are enjoying every minute of it.

Our Newest Graduate

Our grandson, Nick, graduated from preschool on Thursday night. It's hard to believe that he's about to start grade school! He has grown up so quickly! They had a really cute program and sang a lot of songs that they have learned throughout the year. He has had a great group of Christian teachers that really love him and the other students. They have all learned so much!

Bebe, Pawpaw Bo, and Sophie are so proud of you, Nick! We love you!

Oh, and Thursday was also Nick's birthday! Happy Birthday, Nick!!

Our First Visit to the International Adoption Clinic

On Monday, April 26, we had our first visit to the International Adoption Clinic at Children's Hospital in Birmingham. This clinic was started by doctors who have themselves adopted internationally. They know first-hand the services that adopted children and their families need and offer their services so warmly and professionally. We met with a pediatrician, a family theraptist to talk about attachment and bonding, had a kidney ultrasound and labs done.

You may be wondering why Sophie would have to have a kidney ultrasound. If you think back a couple of years, you may remember hearing on the news or reading in the papers and on the internet about tainted milk in China. Melamine was added to formula, which unfortunately killed some children. Since no really knows if the formula our children were given was tainted, the IAC tests every child adopted from China. Children who have been exposed generally have kidney stones and/or other kidney problems. We do not have the results of the ultrasound, and we pray that Sophie was not exposed. She did do really well during the ultrasound. The room was painted as if it were under the sea. There were jellyfish suspended over the bed where the ultrasounds are done, the walls were covered in beautiful murals of fish, turtles, coral, and sea grasses. Sophie held my hands while I sang to her and talked to her about the fish and the beach, and in no time, the ultrasound was complete!

We found out that Sophie is between the 5th and 10th percentile in height and weight for her age group, which is not uncommon for adopted Asian children. The pediatrician found Sophie to be really healthy and was very happy that she is eating and sleeping so well. The family therapist thought that her attachment and bonding were coming along really well and advised us to continue what we were doing.

The last thing we had to do before we could leave was have labs done. I was SO nervous about this. You never want to see your child stuck with a needle, but I knew that it had to be done so that we would know exactly the immunizations she had had in China. I would rather her be stuck this one time, rather than stuck multiple times later for unnecessary immunizations. The nurse was so good with her and only had to stick her once. She was a trooper. She cried, but only for a little while. After it was all done, her booboo liked like a little ant bite, and she did not bruise at all!

Thanks to all of the staff at the IAC. You are awesome!

Sophie's First Haircut

Sophie got her first US haircut this week. From all of the pictures we received of Sophie prior to her adoption, her haircuts always looked as if they were done with clippers. Now that her hair is growing out, at a rapid pace I might add, it was time to get her bangs trimmed. I was afraid that she would not let Brenda cut it, but she did great!

Look at me! Doesn't my new haircut look cute!