1 Month Home

Avery's bath time experience has come a long way. She was terrified for the first 3 weeks. Now she only cries when someone else gets a turn in the bath tub ;) She loves her tub time. She doesn't yet move around in the tub much, but she recognizes the word splash and uses her hands to splash. She likes when water is being poured and tolerates it on her face.

Normally bath time is hectic b/c the boys also need turns. She still bathes alone for health reasons. Last night the boys squeezed in a little extra football playing time with EJ, so I took advantage of the quiet house and snapped some pics of Avery.

So many people ask me how it's going. My usual quick response is, "4 kids is a lot and it's crazy busy." I am exhausted by the end of the day. Honestly, the transition we are experiencing from an adoption perspective, has been relatively easy. I do not take this blessing for granted. I have been thanking God each day for how well things are going. She is doing really well and I know this is not always the case. All 5 of us are finding it easy to love her.
The biggest adjustment is the addition of another family member. It would likely be just as difficult, if not more, if I had given birth to a fourth. My time is split in 4 directions, more food, more laundry, more mess, more disputes to break up.
Thankfully it's getting easier the more I know Avery. It takes less brain cells to guess what she needs or wants or is going to do next. Plus her nap time is increasing a little each day and there are no tears either! Amazing!
Last night, when I peeked in on her sleeping, she truly looked relaxed. The smile she gives us in the morning when we get her up, is priceless. I need to remember to get a picture.
God has been gracious to us. I can't tell you how many times a day I think, she is the perfect fit. Praise Him!

The Little Ones

Their friendship is beginning to blossom. Their relationship has been the trickiest part of bringing Avery home. Avery did not like Ryan very much and I can only assume it was b/c she viewed him as competition with her momma time and because his love is very smothering and she wanted to do her own thing. She warmed up to Mason much faster.
Ryan has struggled b/c suddenly he wasn't the baby anymore. I was carrying someone else around and not at his beckon call.
They are only 16 months apart in age and the competition at times has been fierce. The gap is bigger as of now b/c of Avery's institutional delays, but she is doing her darnedest to catch up and keep up with him. He can be very helpful and sweet with her, but he can also be too rough and quick to get frustrated with her.
I don't know if it's timing or the fact that the older two are in school, but I am seeing a change in her tolerance of him. Things that bothered her before are no longer and she is now letting him hold her hand and hug her without resistance. Ryan is THRILLED and has noticed the change.
I am SO thankful for this as we will be spending LOTS of time together ;)
I must confess my days are a whole lot easier with the older 2 in school. I feel a little guilty about that, but I am grateful for the time and attention I can now offer Ryan and Avery.

4th and 1st Grades

They were both eager to get to school. I wonder how long that will last.

 Their idea, not mine.

 We ALL went to the bus stop. The walk home felt strange. 

The three of us had a good morning together.

 A big group this year. Two weren't even there this a.m.

Both had good days. The afternoon was wild. Gonna need a strategy for homework time.

Weekend Fun

My days are so FULL and BUSY that I forget to take pictures. I've got to get back in the habit.

We had a fun long weekend together doing lots of random things. The older 2 went to a college football game on Sat night with Uncle Alex. Aunt Lissa, Tripp and Grandma joined me and the younger 2 for dinner and gluten free sugar cookie making. It took her a little while, but she ate it :)

Sunday, we enjoyed dinner at the Ayers house. No pics :(

Yesterday, we went to the pool, as we were packing up to head home, Avery fell asleep in the stroller. So we just stayed put and enjoyed an extra hour at the pool. I put my feet up and read a magazine b/c someone had to stay nearby ;)

I enjoyed a little one on one with Mason. 

We went for some back to school shopping and frozen yogurt. YUM!

Can't believe he is entering the first grade!

1 Month Together (A little late)

This has become Avery's signature move. I call her my Chinese acrobat, she is very flexible. If she doesn't want to be set down, she splits her legs. Her feet have come as high as her head if need be. She can hold this position for a very long time. She might just be a tad stubborn ;)

On "fancy" night the dad's danced with their daughters. EJ and Avery's first dance together.

She loves music and loves dancing a perfect fit for her brothers and they love to watch her!

She has continued to settle into our family and home. Everyone who meets her says she seems so happy. I'd have to agree. It's pretty amazing. She is comfortable moving about our house (she really gets around now). She doesn't get upset when we put her to bed for nap or night time. She stays quietly in her crib until we come and get her. Her nap is still not very long, I am hoping she will start sleeping a little more as time goes on.
The quiet, reserved, non-opinionated little girl we first met in China, is NO more. She is loud, kinda crazy and gives us plenty of attitude. All signs that she is growing more comfortable everyday.
I am most thankful that it feels completely natural to hold her and show her affection. I do not take this gift lightly. I LOVE holding her and singing to her right before bed. A day doesn't go by that I don't remember waiting and wondering how it would feel.