It is SO hard to believe that we have been home for a WEEK!!! Yes, we are still sleep deprived, but not because we have a new child in our home; it's because jet-lag really IS killer! We were warned... but somehow thought we wouldn't have issues. I am not real sure why we thought we would be the exception, but... The plan is that tomorrow morning we will let everyone sleep as late as they can and hope for the best.
In some ways being a mom to three instead of two is easier; in some ways... well, I wouldn't say "harder" but it is different. I pride myself (yes, I know - pride cometh before a fall...) on our time management skills (i.e. we are always early). Three kids has really thrown me for a loop, though. We haven't actually been late anywhere yet, but WOOO we have been pushing it.
The three kids play together so well! It is really neat to see Ashleigh WANTING to be a little mommy. NOT that I have let her (much to her disdain). She wants to comfort Amy when she's upset, feed her when she's hungry, play when she's full of energy. Austin has truly embraced his role as a big brother! It is so awesome to see the miracle that God has done in transforming Austin as the "baby" of the family into the middle child. Amy LOVES to imitate him; following him around and doing everything like her big brother.
Amy adores her Daddy. She still isn't too sure about letting him be her comforter, but she loves to play with him! And he is the only one who can kiss her boo-boos. She hugs and kisses him "see ya later" (she isn't too fond of good-bye) and it melts Chris... And on Wednesday (Chris's first 1/2 day back to work) she RAN to give him a hug when he got home!
She is really starting to trust and it is a beautiful thing. Last night as I was rocking with her and talking to her, she was intently making eye contact. Her eyes would start to tear up and she would look away. I just kept telling her that it's ok to trust me. I am not going anywhere. Mommy was hers forever. She would look back into my eyes and ask for kisses.
We celebrated Amy's first Easter on Sunday. I must admit that I was very distracted during church, but it was a good distraction. I was thinking about how amazing it was that my daughter was sitting in a Christian church on Easter.
As I type this, Amy is playing "peek-a-boo" behind the screen of my notebook computer! It is so cool to watch her explore and discover things in her world! She touches everything and often turns to me in amazement at texture. She just looks and listens SO intently when we are in public; it's as if she is soaking in the sights, smells and sounds.
She has said her first English words: uh-oh, all done, all gone and hello.
Thanks to all who have followed our journey. The truth is, it is only the beginning of the journey for Amy. What a life she will have! My wish for my daughter is that she would know she is loved; not only by her "forever family" but by her heavenly Father, who loves her more than she will ever know! I hope she learns to trust her "forever family", but also know she can trust God with all the details of her life. He is the one who placed her in our family; CCAA and Dillon International were just the tools he used.
Big brother helping Amy open her birthday presents!
Happy Easter!!
Sisters
She really DOES sleep...
Amy in the back of the van; watching Ashleigh and Austin fly their kites
