Common sense tells us that there will be some things in this life that Tavi John will just not be able to do. However, she doesn't have any idea of her limitations... and she never ceases to amaze her mama!
I have told you all about Tavi before. How she was born at 27 weeks gestation. How she weighed under 1 1/2 lbs. How she had 4 blood transfusions. How she is completely blind because of her premature birth. How she has been in an orphanage her whole life, until joining our family almost a month ago. And how I just think the world of this little girl that refused to let the world win! [Thanks to the will of her Heavenly Father!]
She LOVES, LOVES, LOVES to RUN! By the time I actually thought to tape this video we had been playing this game for 20 minutes or so... she was getting tired, and a little silly! But oh my, she was just having a ball!
And just in case you are wondering, it's not in fast forward! :)
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Birthday wishes...
Tired, grouchy, feeling worn down... am I sick? Oh no, wait! It's just my birthday!
I am at the stage in life where going out for a birthday dinner really isn't any easier than making dinner at home! BUT thanks to my mom volunteering to babysit, John and I did have an hour of quiet dining and conversation! It was overdue and very much appreciated! Thanks MOM! [and for the cake too!]
I am working on a post full of honest feelings about adoption, the girls, their special needs, and large families. So if you have any questions I am open to answering about anything! Let me know!
I am at the stage in life where going out for a birthday dinner really isn't any easier than making dinner at home! BUT thanks to my mom volunteering to babysit, John and I did have an hour of quiet dining and conversation! It was overdue and very much appreciated! Thanks MOM! [and for the cake too!]
I am working on a post full of honest feelings about adoption, the girls, their special needs, and large families. So if you have any questions I am open to answering about anything! Let me know!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Life is continuing to move at a rate that is passing me by, or so it seems. There are only so many hours in a day, and being summer I just can't rouse myself to not sleep in since my 3 youngest like to. During the school year I am up at 5:30 5 days a week, and don't seem to make it to bed before Eleven o'clock or later. So I justify my waking up at 8:30 (or later :) ) by needing to catch up from that time. :)
Tavi is making progress still a little bit everyday. It is finally apparent that she is understanding many things that we say. And she is once again repeating almost everything we say. In fact, when I am trying to teach her to say something like "thank you", I have to be very careful to not say "Say thank you". Or "SAY thank you" is exactly what she says. :)
Yana is crawling from the living room if she is bored, INTO the kitchen! I will look around from washing dishes and THERE she is! :) AND today, for the VERY FIRST TIME EVER she CLAPPED on her own while playing Patty Cake! It may seem like a small thing, but to have a 7 year old, who is like a 10 month old NEVER clap is very noticable to a mommy! AND exactly 3 weeks after leaving the orphanage she IS clapping, or at least starting too! I think that is pretty FANTASTIC!
I admit, I have been a bit down lately. Now it is probably partly due to this whole "post adoption depression" thing I hear about, but I have never been a huge believer in the whole "post whatever" stuff.
I LOVE my life. LOVE my husband. LOVE my kids. But really, I dont' know anyone personally (on line friends excluded) who have large families. And well, lets face it... it's a different life, and it can be an isolating one.
Still, I will pull myself out of this doldrum kind of mindframe long enough to post new pics whic I think are just adorable. And if you will notice, I think Yanas hair is growing and she is filling out a bit. Tavi doesn't seem to be, and she eats a LOT, more than Yana... but she is always GOING too! :) See what you think....
Does she have the sweetest little smile, or what?!
See, she's filling out!
SISTERS by HOLY design...
ok, this ones just cute! She loves finding the cat on her bed... :)
And this one, well I just love this outfit, AND the pants stay up!
Family... by HIS design! I admit, I love the visual differences in my children. Makes me think it's alot like Heaven.
Okay, it's blurry, but dont' you think we are cute?! :)
Tavi is making progress still a little bit everyday. It is finally apparent that she is understanding many things that we say. And she is once again repeating almost everything we say. In fact, when I am trying to teach her to say something like "thank you", I have to be very careful to not say "Say thank you". Or "SAY thank you" is exactly what she says. :)
Yana is crawling from the living room if she is bored, INTO the kitchen! I will look around from washing dishes and THERE she is! :) AND today, for the VERY FIRST TIME EVER she CLAPPED on her own while playing Patty Cake! It may seem like a small thing, but to have a 7 year old, who is like a 10 month old NEVER clap is very noticable to a mommy! AND exactly 3 weeks after leaving the orphanage she IS clapping, or at least starting too! I think that is pretty FANTASTIC!
I admit, I have been a bit down lately. Now it is probably partly due to this whole "post adoption depression" thing I hear about, but I have never been a huge believer in the whole "post whatever" stuff.
I LOVE my life. LOVE my husband. LOVE my kids. But really, I dont' know anyone personally (on line friends excluded) who have large families. And well, lets face it... it's a different life, and it can be an isolating one.
Still, I will pull myself out of this doldrum kind of mindframe long enough to post new pics whic I think are just adorable. And if you will notice, I think Yanas hair is growing and she is filling out a bit. Tavi doesn't seem to be, and she eats a LOT, more than Yana... but she is always GOING too! :) See what you think....
Does she have the sweetest little smile, or what?!
See, she's filling out!
SISTERS by HOLY design...
ok, this ones just cute! She loves finding the cat on her bed... :)
And this one, well I just love this outfit, AND the pants stay up!
Family... by HIS design! I admit, I love the visual differences in my children. Makes me think it's alot like Heaven.
Okay, it's blurry, but dont' you think we are cute?! :)
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Everythings going pretty well!
Well, the girls have been with me for almost 3 weeks. In a lot of ways it seems sooo much longer :), haven't they always been with me?!
Yana continues to go with the flow. She has figured out that raising her arms is a good way to be picked up by someone! She discovered that playing in the baby pool with mom is really fun! Kicking the water is fun too! And mom discovered she is easily sunburned ;). Also, she likes to dunk her head under. Which is strange because baths are not enjoyable for her. :)
Tavi is doing fantastic!!!! :). ESP the last couple of days. It has taken her a while, but she is now initiating affection, hugging, wanting picked up, wanting all my attention (which I guess isn't all good ;)), and is learning to feed herself a larger variety of foods.
I feel like I have invested so much time and energy into Tavi, that Yana is getting short changed. And one of the hardest things about that is that Yana is always so content with whatever she gets. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.... How true this is right now.
Yana got up an hour before Luke and Tavi this morning so she pretty much had mom all to herself. Hopefully this can happen at least every now and then!
One of the main advantages of a big family is that there is an abundance of attention to go around usually! So Yana is getting a bunch, just maybe not as much of mine. We, or I, are still working on finding a balance that will be good fir everyone.
So as life marches on, these little girls continue to grow, heal, and shine! What a mighty God we serve!!!
Yana continues to go with the flow. She has figured out that raising her arms is a good way to be picked up by someone! She discovered that playing in the baby pool with mom is really fun! Kicking the water is fun too! And mom discovered she is easily sunburned ;). Also, she likes to dunk her head under. Which is strange because baths are not enjoyable for her. :)
Tavi is doing fantastic!!!! :). ESP the last couple of days. It has taken her a while, but she is now initiating affection, hugging, wanting picked up, wanting all my attention (which I guess isn't all good ;)), and is learning to feed herself a larger variety of foods.
I feel like I have invested so much time and energy into Tavi, that Yana is getting short changed. And one of the hardest things about that is that Yana is always so content with whatever she gets. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.... How true this is right now.
Yana got up an hour before Luke and Tavi this morning so she pretty much had mom all to herself. Hopefully this can happen at least every now and then!
One of the main advantages of a big family is that there is an abundance of attention to go around usually! So Yana is getting a bunch, just maybe not as much of mine. We, or I, are still working on finding a balance that will be good fir everyone.
So as life marches on, these little girls continue to grow, heal, and shine! What a mighty God we serve!!!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
From a caterpillar to a butterfly.... [warning- picture overload!]
Yana is changing before our eyes. Did the workers at her orphanage ever get to see the real Yana? 7 years waiting to let her light shine... my heart just breaks for the little baby that was never cuddled, then that little toddler who was never comforted, and then that little girl that never happened and no one cared.
Somewhere around 1-2 years my little Yana stopped developing and growing. She stayed a baby/toddler waiting for her chance to spread her wings and let her butterfly spring forth!
It is happening friends. In just over a week as part of a family, it IS happening!
As an example, our little caterpillar, who wouldn't reach for a toy further than 6 inches from her, is now doing climbing!
TAA-DAA!!!! I am so COOL!
And then, she proceeds to overload us with her cuteness and pride in her accomplishment! She was so darned happy!!
Updates
Well, the girls had a Dr. visit this week. We didn't do a whole lot, but they checked out fine and healthy all things considered.
Tavi is 38 inches and a whopping 26 lbs! She is SOOO skinny, with pencil legs and a prominent spine. But she eats very well, so I have no doubts she will be looking very healthy in no time.
She continues to improve in her adjustment each day. And I continue to learn how to read her and work with her also. She is so smart. But she likes to get her way, and right now when she doesn't she wants to be alone. I try to sit close and talk to her, but sometimes I just let her sit too.
She goes all over the house. She likes to go outside. Did I mention she is independent and pretty fearless? :)
She does not feed herself much, but will do a cracker or soemthing she can hold in her hand. She will not pick something up on her own to eat, so we are working on that.
Shes been to church and to the grocery store, and she has done great. :) Still lots of hitting, scratching, and fit throwing... but it is lessening!
She continues to prefer me, but is still very friendly and open when she is walking around on her own. If she is being held however she is more interested in staying put.
______________________________________________________
Yana checked out well at the Drs. too. At 7 years old she is 35 inches and a whopping 25 lbs. :( She has very skinny arms and legs, but her torso has a little weight...
She is engaging more often, crawlign on us if we lay on the floor. She also always has to be touching someone, like in the car she will have her legs stretched to rest on each person beside her. :)
She knows if I say "Mama kiss" then I am going to kiss her cheek and she offers it up without the horrid "Don't touch my head" look! She will go to anyone, but I do believe, and my husband agrees, that she prefers me. :) :)
Sometimes, I do get a little worried about her. She is SO delayed, and when I am not holding her I get to worrying about it. But then I hold her, and love on her, and I just really don't care so much. She is where she is, and we will meet her there. Together we will find where she will be going.... :)
______________________________________________
My kids are doing GREAT with their new sisters. It makes me so proud to see my boys love on them. And Quincy is invaluable help! John is continuing to find his way around being their daddy, and they are slowly stealing his heart. :)
Life is going well, SUPER busy, and I feel like all I do is prepare food for someone, and then clean it up only to start again. but hopefully I will find a method that will feed all of us with minimal effort, esp. since I don't enjoy cooking overly much. :)
Pictures will follow later today, or tomorrow. :)
Tavi is 38 inches and a whopping 26 lbs! She is SOOO skinny, with pencil legs and a prominent spine. But she eats very well, so I have no doubts she will be looking very healthy in no time.
She continues to improve in her adjustment each day. And I continue to learn how to read her and work with her also. She is so smart. But she likes to get her way, and right now when she doesn't she wants to be alone. I try to sit close and talk to her, but sometimes I just let her sit too.
She goes all over the house. She likes to go outside. Did I mention she is independent and pretty fearless? :)
She does not feed herself much, but will do a cracker or soemthing she can hold in her hand. She will not pick something up on her own to eat, so we are working on that.
Shes been to church and to the grocery store, and she has done great. :) Still lots of hitting, scratching, and fit throwing... but it is lessening!
She continues to prefer me, but is still very friendly and open when she is walking around on her own. If she is being held however she is more interested in staying put.
______________________________________________________
Yana checked out well at the Drs. too. At 7 years old she is 35 inches and a whopping 25 lbs. :( She has very skinny arms and legs, but her torso has a little weight...
She is engaging more often, crawlign on us if we lay on the floor. She also always has to be touching someone, like in the car she will have her legs stretched to rest on each person beside her. :)
She knows if I say "Mama kiss" then I am going to kiss her cheek and she offers it up without the horrid "Don't touch my head" look! She will go to anyone, but I do believe, and my husband agrees, that she prefers me. :) :)
Sometimes, I do get a little worried about her. She is SO delayed, and when I am not holding her I get to worrying about it. But then I hold her, and love on her, and I just really don't care so much. She is where she is, and we will meet her there. Together we will find where she will be going.... :)
______________________________________________
My kids are doing GREAT with their new sisters. It makes me so proud to see my boys love on them. And Quincy is invaluable help! John is continuing to find his way around being their daddy, and they are slowly stealing his heart. :)
Life is going well, SUPER busy, and I feel like all I do is prepare food for someone, and then clean it up only to start again. but hopefully I will find a method that will feed all of us with minimal effort, esp. since I don't enjoy cooking overly much. :)
Pictures will follow later today, or tomorrow. :)
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