Well, believe it or not, we have been home for 4 weeks now! Having arrived in Jacksonville, Florida in the wee hours of May 2nd. Grandma and Grandpa Musselwhite were there to welcome us home and meet Catherine for the first time.
Catherine celebrated her 1st birthday on May 7th. A week later we celebrated our first Mother's Day together as Mother and Daughter. Wow, it still seems unreal that I am saying I am the proud mother of a little girl. What a dream. Catherine also has started to get some teeth. Finally those 2 little ones on the bottom are poking through! Hence, we have had a fussy baby on our hands at times!
Catherine sleeps in her crib in her room. She sleeps pretty much through the night. This is one adorable child that wakes up and goes to sleep with a smile on her face. She has a fabulous disposition. She has attended church several times. Catherine will be Christened into the Catholic faith on June 11th, which happens to be our beloved Father Luke's 40th anniversary of his ordination. We just love him. He married Mark and I. And officiated at James' 1st communion several years ago.
Catherine eats very well. We have yet to have her show dislike for anything we have given her. I know, give it time! She is still on formula, about 3 bottles a day. And she starts her immunizations on June 12th.
James is doing great. He just loves his little sister. And she loves him too. She breaks into a smile whenever she sees him. He loves to hold her, feed her, push her stroller and introduce her to all his friends in the neighborhood.
Catherine has been on a few visits since we have been home. She has gone up to my school and met my coworkers and students. My ladies church circle had a shower for us last Monday and Catherine was the guest of honor. I think I was just her chauffeur! Daddy has taken her to work as well and introduced her to his coworkers. She takes it all in stride with a smile. She doesn't mind other people holding her but only for a minute and then she is searching for our arms again. She even has been on local talk radio with a dear friend of ours that has a radio program.
We feel like it is Oscar time and we are on stage giving our acceptance speech! So here goes. We want to first and foremost thank God for this blessing He has bestowed upon us. Now we see what His plan was that I often would question. Thank you to my sisters, Vickie and Debbie and their families for their love, support, prayers and encouragement throughout the last few years as Mark and I struggled to build our family. Thank you to my in laws who are just like my parents. To the ladies in my church circle, I will always value your love, friendship, support and prayers. You are the best. To our son James, we love you sweetheart. Thank you for welcoming Catherine with open arms. May you be a positive influence on her for years to come. She will always look up to you, her big brother. To our agency, Harrah Family Services, thank you for believing in us to be parents of a wonderful child from China. And finally, thank you to my Mother, Patricia Ann Putnam, who rests in the loving arms of our Lord Jesus. It breaks my heart that you will not get a chance to hold and love and spoil Catherine Anne. You wanted nothing more than to live to see me become a mother again. But God had other plans for you. I know that you knew and cradled Catherine long before Mark and I knew that she was to be our daughter. I miss you more and more everyday. I will do my very best to be the mother you guided me to be. We will raise her to know the Lord, just as you did with me and my siblings. God Bless you Mom.
One part of our journey is over and another part is just beginning!
