Friday, December 26, 2008

Doctors and Dentists...




I knew when Sarah handed my a chunk of her tooth that we would be needing to go to the dentist soon. I was hoping we could make it to our January 18th appointment but I guess that wasn't meant to be. Today after I returned from the Dr with sick little Anna, Sarah looked at me and held her lower left jaw- ouch, she said. I immediately got on the phone to the pediatric dentist office that of course, was closed today.  The dentist on call, called me back and met us in the office within an hour. What a nice man he was! Sarah did so good for her first dental visit, especially under the circumstances and we had no way of explaining it in mandarin. He checked out the situation-  both bottom 6 yr old molars are in rough shape. They have cavities and a cusp has broken off both of them. The dentist took x-rays and said they are salvageable- thank goodness!! 
He put a temporary filling in - hoping that will stop the decay until her January appt.

Anna went to the Dr is morning- she has had a fever for the last 3 days. She is on an antibiotic now, hopefully she will feel better soon. She is two for two as far as being sick on Christmas.

Both girls were exhausted and ended up taking a late afternoon /early evening nap. It was so quiet, Jim and I couldn't help ourselves- instead of waking up the girls (so they would go to bed at a decent time at night) and feeding them - we sat down, had a glass of wine and called it a date! Works for me!! Sarah was sound asleep on the couch in the family room and Anna was under the coffee table in the family room- I will post the pics tomorrow! Both girls woke up after an hour and then we had dinner- it was nice while it lasted!

Thursday, December 25, 2008

The Girls do the Christmas Baking!






Katie loves to do our baking so when she came home I was all set for her to get started!! She had 2 very eager helpers this year! Sarah can actually do a good job and Anna is adorable trying to help!! She has a step stool that gets moved all over the kitchen so she can reach whatever it is that she needs! We are chocolate lovers, so pretty much everything we make must have chocolate in it!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

The missing piece to our family puzzle!





It is so much fun to have our two daughters home and together! They are such a joy! Anna adores her big sister and Sarah is so good with Anna. They have taken a few baths together and have had so much fun in the tub!! I am guessing that Sarah has never really taken a tub bath before. I think in the orphanages the kids are sponge bathed and then they move on to showers.

Having Sarah home feels so good  and so right. Even Dad has said that "she is just meant to be in our family". It feels like we found the missing piece to the puzzle and it was her. It is amazing that so many families feel that way when they adopt!

She is making wonderful progress- somehow we seem to be able to communicate. She is trying more and more english words. She called Jim, Daddy today instead of Babba. She is eating more American food- like tonight she had a margherita pizza with Katie and I. She is drinking a half glass of milk in the morning and she has even had milk with her cereal once! When ever she has milk we all show our muscles! She likes Dad's but she thinks Mom's muscles are pretty funny! The other day she had a glazed donut- she really seemed to enjoy it! She loves salmon and chicken for dinner and deli meats are great for lunch! Fruit is always a hit! The cheese on the pizza worked but she doesn't like plain cheese.

It is getting late and I need to get to bed- tonight she wanted to sleep with Mom and Dad! Katie is in her room and she still wanted to sleep with us- wow! Things are moving in the right direction! 

Friday, December 12, 2008

Blessings abound!!

We are home from China with our darling daughter Sarah! Anna adores her new big sissy and wants to do everything just like her! We feel so incredible blessed by our dear Lord! It feels so good to have our girls home and together! My heart says to me that we do have one more daughter still in China and when the times comes we will move forward to bring her home but for now we will focus on our adjustments at home. Everything is moving in the right direction and it is good. We do have challenging moments and the mom of these darling girls is a bit tired but all is good!

Yesterday Sarah started ESL classes at the local elementary school, she loved it!! There is another little 2nd grade girl from Holland in the class and Sarah was amazed at her long white blonde hair. At one point she just couldn't help herself and she gently grabbed it, held it and stared at it in amazement! Sarah has made it clear to me that she wants her hair long! As long as can be!   

I am too busy to even finish a post ;-) I will add more when I can!