A Surprise for Mommy!

This beauty surprised me today! I heard her awake after her nap, talking happily in her crib. Then I heard her calling, "Mom, Mom". When I went in to get her, she was SITTING UP!. We have been working on this after every diaper change for weeks, steadying her so that she can learn to sit up. And now............she did it!

When the older kids are in charge...........

.............strange things can and do happen!

Jacob and Elizabeth are teaming together to care for Lydia Mei while I am working (just started my new job 2 weeks ago). They do a great job with some assistance from Benjamin and Aaron. There are some things that go on while I am gone that I probably would do differently?!?!?! I am thankful for my responsible teenagers and for their willingness to help out and love and care for their new sister.

A brief update.......

Lydia Mei is 16 1/2 months old, weighs 21 lbs, and is 30 inches long. She is very attached to her family, is very vocal and happy, and has made tremendous gains physically.

Her mommy has gone back to work part time at a residential hospice facility as an RN. She is very glad to see Mommy when she gets home and wants to be held and cuddled. Fortunately, she loves her daddy and older sister and brothers, too.

Happy Five Month GOTCHA DAY Anniversary!

My mom probably will not be too happy that I'm posting on her blog...anyway I made a video to honor the February 17, 2008 Gotcha Day Girls of Jiangxi Province! Lydia Mei has changed to much in the five months since my parents received her into their arms and called her their own!

These five months have gone by so fast! Lydia Mei has roughly spent 1/3 of her life with her family! Even though one year of Lydia Mei's life was spent in an orphanage on the other side of the world, we can make up for that by showing her unconditional love. God shows us love by sending His Son to die for us and adopting us into His heart, if we are willing to be adopted by Him. God places that wonderful call into parents' hearts to adopt His children, here on earth. I think of all the children out there without a family to love them and my only comfort is that God is their heavenly Father and He loves them.

On this day, please take time to pray for all of the children out there, who do not have an earthly family to love them. Pray that they know that God is their Father and will care for them on this world and in heaven. If you can take that leap of faith to adopt or sponsor a child, do so! God knows your heart and he has plans for you and knows what you are capable of...remember that God will provide if you have faith. Read Hebrews chapter 11 and you will see that God has given rewards to those who have faith. Having faith may seem impossible, but the result is awesome!

James 2: 14

"So you see, it isn't enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is not faith at all; it is dead and useless."

Matthew 18: 3-5

"Then Jesus said, "I assure you, unless you turn from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me."

Signing off,

Elizabeth

Wow, what a change!!!!

Gotcha Day, February 17, 2008

Sunday, July 6, 2008

In my previous post, I was unable to post pictures as my computer was out of commission. Well, here are a couple of pictures of comparison. We are approaching 5 months since our "Gotcha Day" (February 17, 2008) in China for Lydia Mei. What a change we have seen in our little girl. And what a blessing she is!

June 27 was 4 months home with Lydia Mei.....

.....and what an incredible 4 months it has been. Lydia Mei has blossomed into the sweetest little girl. It is sort of sad that she has lost the "baby look" she had when she first came home. She looks like a little girl. She is getting heavy! Her thighs are no longer little sticks. She is giving hugs, putting her head on our shoulders, kissing when we ask for a kiss, lifting up her arms so that we can pick her up. She continues to scoot in her crazy fashion, but is trying to get her legs into a crawling position. Today she woke up from her nap all disoriented.....she had turned herself completely around in bed for the first time. She is going to physical therapy and HATES it. But after 3 weeks, we can see slow but steady progress. She does not need occupational therapy as she is age appropriate in most things with her fine motor skills. Words: she says "Mamma", "uh-oh" when she drops something, "baba" for blankie, baby, and book, "ta-da" with her arm extended, and "Dacob" for Jacob (very proud older brother who taught her this!).

She still likes her bottle (especially with Vit. D milk!...hence, the chubby legs!), she is very picky about which table food she will eat (she prefers the consistency of baby cereal and fruits/veggies), she is up with Mom or Dad at least twice every night (ugh!!) (YAWN!!!), and she loves all the attention she gets from her siblings.

If only my computer was functioning, I would post some pictures. Maybe next week! Meanwhile, this is our little update from our home.