Two Weeks Today

I can't believe it...two weeks ago today this beautiful, amazing child that I had longed for and dreamed about for so many years was put into my arms and we became a family of four (or five as Camden calls us including the cat). She was not at all happy about life that day, but just two weeks later she has blossomed and is a completely different child. She has come a long way and every day we see her open her heart more and more to her Daddy and get more and more curious and playful with her toys (although she still dislikes all stuffed animals and our cat) and comfortable with me stepping away for a few minutes at a time and just acting like a regular one year old child. She smiles and laughs easily with us (but not others) and giggles when she sees herself in a mirror. She loves to interact and play with us and would do it all day long if she could. She loves to hug and kiss, babble and blow raspberries. She is even beginning to crawl although she is still tentative. She is happy and content during the day. The nights have been a different story but are improving. After trying many different approaches to her sleep, we have had to embrace the family bed idea, which has not been easy for me but seems like the best thing for her at this point. She needs us to be near her right now. The night seems to bring anxiety for her. It really has been interesting (and taxing) trying to figure it all out. Does she have trouble sleeping because she continues to be constipated most of the time or because she has what looks to be Eczema or heat rashes (looking forward to our first Dr's appointment this week to ask). Or is it emotional? What was it like for her in the orphanage at night? We know she was abandoned (they believe) on the day of her birth either during the night or early in the morning as she was found at 7:30 am. Is this part of the difficulty of the night? Either way, this seems to be what she needs and we will do whatever it takes to continue to grow her trust in us and make her feel secure. She did have her first good stretch of restful sleep last night which we were all so thankful for as we really needed a good night sleep and we are hopefully for tonight as well. :)

Camden on the other hand has been struggling. After having one of those most difficult days with him to date yesterday, he is doing much better today. Thanks for praying! He has had quite a few meltdowns, severe defiance and has really been pushing the boundaries. Doug and I have more of a game plan with him and are being more intentional with carving out time for him so I think things will continue to slowly get better. Avery has been doing so much better with Doug which has allowed me a little more time with Camden which I think has really helped.

We have walked a long, amazing road in these two weeks (and six years)....which honestly has been one of those most difficult two weeks we've had but also one of the most amazing ones as well. I feel blessed and thankful in so many ways. Thank you all for your encouragment and prayers...it has made a huge difference!

I am reminded of something that J. Hudson Taylor once said, " I have found that there are three stages in every great work of God: First, it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done."

Yep, that's a bow on her head. Not enough hair to make a "whale spout", so we call it more of a "spit".

Here were are getting ready to head out for the first time. It's only taken us 5 days to get out of the house. Our destination of choice??? Costco and yes it was great fun! Hot dogs & Berry Sundae...what could be more fun than that?

Look what we just received.

Avery helping Dad assemble the car seat.

Avery in the car seat for the first time. She did great and in fact she loved it and fell asleep on the way home from Costco.

It was her first time in a grocery cart and she seemed to really enjoy that as well. (She's giggling here, not crying.)