Happy Two Years!

Two years ago today, Richard and I met this little firecracker for the first time.  Boy did she turn our family right upside down from the start.  I wouldn't have her any other way.  I'm not going to lie, she challenges me as a mother every single day.  But she was born to be mine and God handpicked her for our family.

I decided to let Gracie wear her favorite things in the world...her princess dresses.  I can't believe I've never done a photoshoot in them before.  She wears these dresses constantly.

 What a pair these two have become in the past 2 years.  You would never know they haven't been together since birth.  They were destined to be sisters and best friends for all time.

Happy Gotcha Day, baby girl.  We love you big as the sky...forever!

Sisterhood

I never had a sister.  I always wanted one, but I just had 2 stinky brothers :)  I have only been able to observe the "sisterhood" from the outside in and wonder what it would be like.  Of course, I have some friends who I would call my sisters...but I'm sure it's not really the same.

It has been amazing to watch my girls become sisters.  Because I'm with them both everyday, I don't think I have really noticed how strong their bond has become.  When I took Gracie for 2 weeks to Cincinnati three months after she had come home, they loved to see each other on skype but there was no talk about missing each other.  This week was different!

Richard and I brought Wesleigh to see a new pediatric neurosurgeon in Birmingham.  We were only gone one night, but both my girls missed the other one greatly.  We decided to spoil Wesleigh the entire time and fill her up with all the love and attention we could, since she has to share it with 4 others at home!  She ate it up!

We took her to Build a Bear(which she never knew existed!).  She was in hog heaven!





 Of course, she had to make one for her sister!

She was in heaven "living" in the hotel and sleeping between the two of us.

And we thoroughly enjoyed being able to spend some time with just her.  We were able to focus on everything she said fully.  She truly is the sweetest, cutest thing ever!  You can imagine the people who fawned over her everywhere we went :)


But...even with all this excitement, there were still moments when her eyes would well up with those big crocodile tears and she said "I miss my sister". She fully enjoyed herself, but I don't think she felt complete without her sister.

 On the homefront, Gracie had no trouble going to school by herself and had a brother lay down with her to help her go to sleep at night, but she missed her sister too. She would utter the same words "I miss my sister".

Wesleigh was so excited as we were driving into the neighborhood. I couldn't wait to see what their reaction would be!
Here it is: (Listen closely to what Wesleigh says as she runs through the laundry room)

On the medical side, we found a doctor that we loved and fully trust with the decisions that will need to be made for Wesleigh in the future.  In case you're not aware, Wesleigh has spina bifida.  Because of this condition, her spinal cord is tethered.  She has a 50/50 chance that she will need a delicate surgery to de-tether her cord in the future.  It is a big decision and you definitely want a doctor that you trust to help you make it.  You might remember that our local doctor was a complete a$$ to us the last time we were there.  There was NO way I would darken that door again!

The good news is that he was completely smitten and impressed with our girl.  He said she was well above average on her function and he thought she was doing amazing.

Again, I marvel at the fact that God chose me to be her mom.  I can't get over the detail with which God presented her file to me in a way that I couldn't close the door at the words "spina bifida".  What a blessing this journey has been!  What a precious gem Wesleigh Jane is!

Storytime

Before Gracie came home, I could only imagine what life would be like with two little girls....virtual twins.  Many times real life cannot compare to the dreams that we concoct in our minds.  These sisters, however not perfect, have totally lived up to my dreams.  I don't have a sister, so I've never know what it would be like to grow up with your best friend.

These are the sweet moments that make me take pause and thank God that He lead us to adopt Gracie...  So the two of them would have each other...."bess fwiends and sissers" forever.

Ariel reading a story to Tinkerbell and friends:  Wesleigh even had to excuse herself for a little while because one of her babies was crying :)

Taking turns...


The sweetest little fairy around :)
 

Wordless Wednesday

One Month

One month ago today, these two little girls began their lifelong journey as sisters.  What a priviledge it has been to watch this special bond form.  We still have quite a ways to go, but the progress we have made to this point is nothing short of amazing. 


Wesleigh was definitely feeling territorial the first week or so, but after we got over that, these two have been completely willing to share their lives with the other...well most of the time.  They just accept the fact that they are sisters...and that's that. 

For two little ones who both got their worlds completely rocked...I'm pretty impressed.  Not to say we don't have our challenges...but today I am celebrating something pretty amazing...Sisterhood!

(Yes...we are still wearing summer clothes :(  When it's still in the upper 80's, it's all we can do!)

Chinese-Mexican Shredded Chicken :)

Gracie has been hard to feed since she's gotten home. She does not care for American food! Even in China, she was picky...smelling everything and picking parts of the meal out of the bowl. I made Mexican shredded chicken the other night. We eat it on tortillas with the fixin's. I knew there was no chance Gracie would put that tortilla in her mouth, so I added a little Chinese flair to it :) We traded the tortilla for rice (only for the girls). She initially started taking the chicken out of it, and walked away but she was hungry so she came back. After one bite of chicken, she said "yummy" and started taking the chicken out to put in her mouth. Yay! That is success...a meal eaten that does not include Ramen noodles!!!


I put alot of these pics because I think they're so funny. We had smoke in the air yesterday because of a marsh fire a ways away, so they're a little hazy. And again, I had about 60 seconds to take these or we would have been late. We had Gracie's pediatrician appt. It was successful in the sense that I didn't lose one of them, and the doctor did get to look at Gracie...even though she was screaming and Wesleigh was crying hanging onto my legs because Gracie was getting attention. Fun times!




The did grab hands all on their own. They both instinctively know that they're supposed to, at least, look like they love each other for pics :)


Look at their feet! Gracie wears a 9 and Wesleigh wears a 7. Their hands are just as different!








I made my life easier and bought 2 new baby strollers. We had one that was falling apart, and it was the main thing they would fight over. It helped but they still fight over who's is who's! UGH!! I love this picture though. So funny.


Yesterday was better. I had been putting Gracie down for a nap but not Wesleigh because I needed them to both go to sleep at night. However, Wesleigh was so crabby I couldn't stand it. So yesterday, I decided that Wesleigh was going to nap. It worked. She was SO much better yesterday afternoon. It still took her a while to go to sleep, but I just slept in there with them...so it doesn't matter what time she went to sleep (I fell asleep first).

In the afternoon, I had Bryce take them outside while I helped the other two with homework. It was a nice touch of "normal".

Here is the second video of Gracie and Sam. She will sit in front of the computer and watch these over and over. I have been touched by your comments about your children remembering the songs and enjoying them. this one is so funny because you see some of Gracie's "high energy"...aka: naughtiness). Last time, I forgot to warn those who are not used to the way children travel in China that she was in the front seat :) Sam had never even heard of carseats for children...they just don't use them...ever! Gracie was usually in the back with us, but Sam bringing her up there with him was such a sweet gesture, I couldn't say "no". It also allowed me to get these videos that are invaluable to me. "It's the Chinese Way!"



I was asked where I found these flowers. Both the pink in the pictures and the yellow in the video were bought here!

So...How's it REALLY Going?

In all honesty...pretty good! Jetlag has not been near the issue that it was last time around. I think that is due to a couple of things. First, I slept really good in China. Since Gracie slept through the night, I used my friend Ambien to get a good night's sleep every night :) Second, Richard and I suscribed to the theory that jetlag is caused by dehydration. We drank so much water on that plane, I thought I would float away! I don't know if it really helped, but it didn't hurt!

Gracie has done well with the jetlag too, she seems to have made the flip, as well. Poor baby, though, Sunday she didn't get a nap and this is what she looked like at 7:30 :)


Here's my overall thought on how things are: After observing Wesleigh, I am completely positive that this 2nd adoption was exactly what she needed. Honestly, she has been having a hard time with the adjustment, but I think she is learning life lessons that are necessary to not grow up as a brat. That might sound harsh, but the behaviors she is exhibiting to Gracie are the same behaviors she has anytime there is a friend over to play. She does not like to share and she is very bossy. She'll play with you but only if you do what she wants! I am glad that she is going to make these adjustments now, when she's 3, instead of as a teen when things would be much worse!!

Wesleigh has acted exactly as I expected. For me to come home after 2 weeks with someone who moved into her entire world has made her very clingy and whiney. Totally expected...Totally frustrating!! What makes it worse, I think, is that Gracie has done so much better than I expected. This extremely verbal child, gets taken from everything she knows and finds herself in a new place where nobody understands her. Yet, she is patient, kind and gentle. I did not expect this. I thought there would be some aggression towards Wesleigh. I have seen 1 push and 1 pinch, but honestly...Wesleigh probably deserved it.

I am wondering how long it will take before Wesleigh relaxes a little. There are times when they play together well. They will take hands and run through the house. They are finding their way. I know it won't take long before Wesleigh doesn't even remember what it was like before Gracie was here. Anyone have any insight? I do think school is going to help. I am going to start them in a couple of weeks, after they are more used to each other. They will go 3 mornings a week, and I think it's going to be "just what the dr. ordered"...for ALL of us!!

I do have to say, Cade was home sick yesterday :( I was planning to keep him home to hang out with me anyway, but he woke up sick (strep) and we ended up in the Dr. office...with the girls!!! While Gracie napped, I took Wesleigh with me to Target. She was SO good. There were times that I actually forgot she was in the cart!! Being with Gracie for 2 weeks, the contrast was huge. Gracie would have been grabbing anything she could reach. I don't know if Gracie will ever see the inside of a Walmart or Target again :)

One thing that has struck me is how much time I spend in the bathroom!!! With 2 that can't wipe their hiney's by themselves, potty time seems to consume my day!! Praise God!!! It could have been diaper time comsuming my day!!!

I know I'm blabbering...just trying to get my thoughts down. I am pleased with the way things are going. I am happy with the level of energy and patience I have had. I know this is God's grace in my life. I'm praying this continues and I am able to give each girl what they need and deserve.

Here are some pictures I took yesterday:

My all time favorite of the two! I am just disappointed that Wesleigh's face is a little blurry :(




And here's...the rest of the story!! (Wesleigh was actually not very cooperative during this photo shoot, I just happended to get a couple of cute ones :)


I thought you might like to see some of the video I took in China of Wesleigh and our beloved Sam. This is the first part. I love seeing the city of Changsha pass outside the window. It is so bitter-sweet for me to watch. I am so impressed that Gracie has not been more frustrated with the level of communication. I know, as much as I like to talk, I would be very frustrated being in a situation where nobody understood me. She has handled it way better than I would!

First Sister Photo Shoot

I had about 90 seconds this morning to snap a few pictures of the girls before we left for church. I was determined to do it though, and they're pretty cute. The girls were pretty agreeable and I can't wait to do it again when it's a little cooler and we have more time.





We had another good day today. We went to church and both girls went to the nursery. They said Gracie cried a little bit, and she was very relieved to see me when I picked them up. The worker said they were very cute together.




Wesleigh was a little crabby again today but not nearly as bad. I made the boys take them outside to play for a while so I could get some things done in the house, so that helped as well.


Some of you have asked about their ages and sizes. They are both 3 and Wesleigh is 2 months older. Gracie is a good 2 inches taller and outweighs her by about 5 lbs. They have completely different builds. Gracie is not fat at all, just thick. And Wesleigh (and all her features) is just tiny. Wesleigh's feet are a size 7 and Gracie's are a 9 :)

Day 1~ Sisters

First...let me just say that these pics are horrible! Let's just blame it on the jetlag :)

Our first day went pretty well. Richard's sister, Amanda, came and spent much of the morning with me. That allowed me to get some laundry and unpacking done until I hit a wall at noon. The girls did pretty good. Honestly, Gracie did great...Wesleigh...well, not so much :) It was pretty much exactly what I expected. Gracie was in heaven exploring all the toys and Wesleigh followed her around claiming them all for herself. I seem to have 2 of enough items to be ok...except the baby stroller. We will be getting another one of those this week!! Each time I wanted to take a picture, Gracie would wrap her arm around Wesleigh and almost choke her :)




It was so bizzare brushing two sets of teeth and picking out two dresses. They are really adorable :) They actually sat here for a few minutes watching a movie I brought from China.


At noon, I hit a wall and apparently, so did Wesleigh. She was horrible and spent alot of time crying and hanging onto me. Gracie, however, took a nap so that little separation was probably good. Richard and I were both exhausted, but we decided to take everyone for snowballs. I am shocked that Gracie ate hers (she actually devoured it!). We spent some time outside which was good for me and them...they loved running around together. Gracie is so much more of a tomboy than Wesleigh! She jumps off the porch over and over when Wesleigh would never think of not using the steps :) She also loves the balls and wants to throw them over and over...so funny!


How about those flowers that don't match :) lol...whatever makes them happy at this point!!


They grabbed hands totally on their own and set out to explore. Absolutely adorable! I think Richard and I will have to take them on the buggy tonight and look for bunnies on the golf course. Wesleigh loves to do that, and I'm pretty sure Gracie will too. I wish it wasn't so hot here...we would spend the whole day outside!




They ended the day taking a bath together and running around the house in diapers holding hands.

Overall, the day was good. Gracie was up for a while in the middle of the night and was a little weepy, but she's still sleeping now. We are headed to church this morning and I have a feeling Wesleigh will be happy to show Gracie where to go (her bossy side has definitely made an appearance). I'm also pretty sure Gracie won't want to miss out!! I can't wait to get them dressed for church...I will try to take "non-jetlag" pics of that!!

Wish me luck on day 2!! Pretty soon, none of us will even remember when Gracie wasn't here :)