the fun just doesn't stop

Yet another fun-filled festive fall weekend around here! Say that 5 times fast :)

Lucy and I have discovered the mac-daddy of playgrounds. So it was a no-brainer when deciding where to meet up with our special out-of-town visitors.

Anna (middle) and her hubby (swinging on a swing somewhere) came to visit ALL the way from Atlanta! Just to say hi, meet Goose, slide on some slides, eat dinner and head back to Charlotte before heading home Sunday.

And as double-bonus, they brought along Erin and Tinley to play! Lucy met Erin and Tinley her first week home at a different playground (the one where she just wanted to sit and eat). I think it's safe to say her playground skills have quadrupled since then :) Now I'm chasing her around, saying "Be careful!" and "Wait for Mama!"

Lucy also finally decided the swing wasn't so bad afterall. Thanks to Tinley for showing her how to be brave! I have a feeling I'll be doing a lot of pushing from here on out.

Thanks, precious friends for the miles you drove to meet our Goose. She had a wonderful time and we're all looking forward to next time! Love you ALL!

*I managed to forget my camera several times this weekend as we packed in some other fun! Dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Lynch's house Friday night did not disappoint. And my sweet and silly nephew, Evan turned 9 on Saturday. His parties are always the best - this year, hayrides and weenie-roasting. Lucy ate 2 hotdogs her little self (no buns though). Happy Birthday, Evan! You make life fun!

so loved

Thanks to a sweet and special friend, Lucy now has a shirt like Mama.

These pictures were taken last week when I introduced her to jumping in leaves!

This was one of my all-time favorite fall activities as a kid. And I think she digs it too.

Although she didn't quite get into the jumping part this time.

But she loved throwing a big handful at her DanDan, watching them sprinkle down to the ground.

Lucy Hope, you are SO LOVED!!! May you have many more piles of leaves to jump in!


"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  John 3:16

the many faces of Lucy

Lucy has a zillion different expressions. It's difficult for me to catch them all on camera, but I was able to get a sampling of them this weekend while trying to take pictures of our 2 months together post:

 

 

 

 You make us laugh, little one. I love your faces. Every single one.

Lucy's first Halloween party

We had another fun, fall weekend around here.

Lucy was invited to her first little party.

My sweet neighbor threw a Halloween party for some of the toddlers in our development (and her big kid, of course).

She went all out and showed the kiddos, my sweet girl included, a good time.

From goolish snacks to pumpkin painting and party favors, it was a real treat.

Lucy did beautifully and made me so proud. She jumped in, made herself at home and seemed like a confident little 2-year old. It's times like these when I realize she's not a baby.

Thanks, Miss Ella for inviting us to your party. You know how to make a girl feel welcomed!

two months together

Yesterday marked 2 months with our Goose. Whoa. No way! But then again, we can't believe it's only been 2 months. Feels like we've been together forever.

So, as of yesterday, here are a few noteworthy items:
Height: 33.5 in (same)
Weight: 24 lbs (down a pound...gotta get some ice cream in this girl...but she feels a good 5 pounds heavier!)

Things she likes to say that probably make sense to her, but just sound awfully cute to us:
Sadly, this list is almost non-existent now. While it's amazing how much English she's learning, it saddens us for her to already be losing some of her Chinese.
To our delight, however, the "Ba Ba Bay" song is still alive and kicking! She sings it anytime I'm on the phone, probably because she thinks it's her Baba on the other line, and knows how much he loves it. She aims to please.

English words she's learned to say (in addition to last month's list):
*There are many words she understands, but I'm talking about the ones she actually says...
Jesus, Mary, Noah, Bible, pray, Amen, book, up, down, rain, banana, elephant, pillow, cracker, milk, shoes, shoo (as in "that stinks" but it sounds more like "shao"), potty, stars, moon, mouse, house, mush (Goodnight Moon fans, anyone?), pumpkin, Dora (yes, the explorer), bow, pretzel, animal, eat, spoon, bath, shower, stroller, run!

There are more...She's a sponge and doing way better than I would with a new language after 2 months - 2 life-changing months at that. Again, she understands SO much of what we say to her. Sometimes I don't give her enough credit and think, "she won't have a clue what I just asked her to do." Next thing I know, she's doing exactly what I asked!

Things she likes to eat or drink (in addition to last month's list):
oranges, rice crackers, pretzels, string cheese, cheerios, Grandma Lynch's chocolate pie (which had her bouncing off the walls, but the Pepsi I caught her gulping right before didn't help matters). She still really likes eggs, bananas (of which she downed two whole ones in a row this week - after having a half of one at breakfast), meat, etc. Not much rice in her diet these days. She just starting picking out the good stuff, leaving the rice on her plate.Veggies are still not happening right now. She loves fruit but I can't seem to get the greens in. Any tips? In the meantime, I just keep putting them on her plate, hoping she'll warm up.

Favorite things to do:
Becoming more and more interested in books and reading!
Play with her kitchen set (still)
Boss MaeBelle around (still) but now adds hugs
Sing and dance (she's really starting to get the hang of "Jesus loves me.")
Watch a Kids Gospel Songs DVD (this has allowed me to shower without a pitifully sad toddler at the glass door)
Pretend to put on makeup with Mama (to which we exclaim, "Beautiful, Darling!" when finished)
Hold Mama's hand while going to sleep :) (still!)
Laugh, laugh, laugh
Be held, cuddled, kissed and loved on with all our might! (we're happy to oblige) (STILL!)

Baby Goose, 

You continue to amaze us with the ease in which you've fit right in, the joy you've brought to this family in such a short amount of time and the fun you create for this Baba and Mama. We love you more every passing day!

7

On a day much like today 7 years ago, I married my best friend.

7 is a weird length of time, I think.

Doesn't really seem like a long time, but we're certainly not newly-weds either.

As my friend Tina reminded me, it's the year of completion.

How appropriate for us this year!

Normally, we go somewhere really fun for our anniversary. In the past, you would have found us in the NC mountains checking out the gorgeous fall foliage, in California visiting family and renting a convertible, in Hawaii or San Antonio for a C12 conference, checking out Europe or, like last year,  taking in some warm, sunny island weather off the coast of Florida.

We like to go. But this year we found ourselves content to stay home and spend a fun weekend with our Goose.

We're still sticking close to her side, trying to foster the attachment that's going so well.

And what a special anniversary weekend it's been.Us and our lil pumpkin.

Happy year of completion, dear Baba. So glad we still have fun together!

others

There's no doubt Andy and I have been blessed on this adoption journey, first and foremost with our little Lucy!

But we've also been blessed by others. Others' prayers. Others' support. New relationships.

Here are a few fellow-adoptive families we are now praying for and trusting the Lord with:

1) This little girl, now home with her forever family, is scheduled for open-heart surgery next week. There is a t-shirt sale going on to help the family with their travel and medical expenses:


2) My not so Secret Pal, who encouraged me with gobs of jelly beans, packages and prayer along our journey is now on her way to meet her son!!! Would you mind specifically praying for them for traveling mercies and a smooth, blessed meeting with their Ian next Monday?
http://waitingforian.blogspot.com/

3) And then there's the family waiting on one of the little boys we met at Lucy's orphanage. They are enduring some of the most difficult parts of the wait right now. Lots and lots of paperwork stand between them and their Mycah. It just gets hard. Would you mind praying for endurance and speedy paperwork for them? (They also have an iPad fundraiser on their site, if you feel led to help them financially.)
http://saylorpartyofsix.blogspot.com/

An update on Li Jun Ke: I have not yet been able to identify the family that is matched with him but have been trying! Would love your prayers that his adoption is successful and that we would be able to reconnect someday.

And as for Lucy, it just gets sweeter! I haven't had much time to take pictures this week. Too busy kissing on and loving my girl. We have a fun weekend in store, so I hope to get some good pics up soon.

Thanks again to all of you who continue to pray for us. It really does make a difference.

our week

We've had a fun week together.

Our first trip to a playground was about a week after we'd been home. Lucy was content to sit on the sidelines, eat snacks, and stare at the equipment. These days, she's doing big-girl curly slides - all by herself! It's been neat to watch her build up more confidence every time. Man, am I proud of her.

We also had our first "sit" on a tractor together.  Lucy looks pretty cute in the country, if I do say so!

Although she freaked out when I first sat her up there by herself. When I looked down, I realized why!

 

Dan Dan's had left his gloves sitting like this! Kinda frightened me too...poor girl.

I also practiced some more with my camera, while we checked out horses.

We've been working on our animal sounds this week too. Lucy was making pig noises at the horses at one point. :)

And then we finished up tonight with her first frozen yogurt outing. When we first met Lucy, she would spit out anything cold, including ice cream! The kids in China just aren't used to it. So I was surprised to see her going after this bowl without any of her crazy faces. I think it's safe to say she's getting over the "cold" and starting to enjoy this sweet treat.

There were many other fun things we did this week, like having the grandparents over for dinner and Friday night date night at Blue Ribbon Diner with Baba.

Still so many firsts with this one. I love each and every experience. Can't get over the fact that I get to be her momma.