One month ago tomorrow (Feb. 25), we became a family of three. People often tell us how lucky Lily is, but we honestly are the lucky ones. This little girl has so much love to give and giggles to share we are the lucky ones to get to be her Mommy and Daddy!
Loves pretending she's talking on the phone
Having Lily one month, I though it would be a good time to share an overall update. This may be a long post (with pictures and videos) so get comfy!
Sleeping
Lily is sleeping with us at night. I know that may not be the best decision for everyone, but for us, it was and we love it! It helps to build attachment as we can meet her needs right away. She had been by herself enough and this little girl needed some cuddling! Lately she's been falling asleep somewhere around 8:00 and gets up around 7:30 in the morning. Lily also takes a nap around 12:30 for a little over an hour. For her nap, she sleeps in her room. I lay down with her until she falls asleep which is usually pretty quick for naps. Then I leave and try and get a few things done (or watch something I have recorded). This past week was another new thing: When she is finished napping, she just gets out of her bed and comes to find me! We were shocked the first day that happened because in the past, she would just start to cry for us and we would go in and get her.
Snuggling with Roxi
Eating
Lily will try just about anything (except cheese or macaroni and cheese) and if she doesn't like it, she'll just spit it out. Her favorites right now (although they change daily) are: chicken nuggets, fries, any kind of chip, watermelon, pork ribs and oreos! At the orphanage she was on the bottle for her main nutrients. I guess it's easier to feed many toddlers bottles instead of meals. She was use to 5 bottles a day and when we first came home, we kept her on three a day. Now, she's down to just her bedtime bottle. She's currently in the 10th percentile for weight and height. She is 84 cm tall and weighs almost 24 pounds.
Loves being able to sit at the table like a big kid with the help of this on the chair!
Eating and visiting
Mmmmm....pork ribs! Love me some Texas BBQ!
Ahhh, my first oreo! (Warning - long video!)
Attachment
In the adoption world, attachment is a biggie. We did a lot of reading about this before heading to China and we hoped for the best. Lily has attached very well to both of us now! I think she knows we are "her people" who will always take care of her. She's good around other people too, as long as we are close. She takes quite a while to warm up to men and prefers to watch them and just give them toys as a sign of affection. She loves watching kids play when we go out to parks and stores.
Loves her Daddy!
Playing
Lily loves to play - meaning she likes to take things out for a few seconds, then take some more things out, then some more, etc. There are a few times that she'll play with blocks and toys but mostly right now her favorite thing is to close our doors. And yes, she has gotten her fingers caught a few times! Her most favorite activity is just being outside: going for walks in her wagon, going to the park, and going to my friend's house to play outside with her grandkids. She also now loves bath time! (Just don't turn on the shower head to try and rinse anything - she's not a fan of that at all. Now when we go to take a bath she looks up at that shower head and shakes her finger at it!) For the first two weeks we had Lily, we only did a sponge bath because the bath was just too much for her. Then for a few days once we got home, I got in the bath with her. Now, she's a pro and loves playing in there!
Trying out a friend's tricycle for the first time
First time at a park - stay close, Daddy
Read that one again!
Love a clean baby after a bath!
Communicating
The question we get asked most is "Does Lily speak Chinese?". That's a tough one to answer because she is just 27 months old. To me, she babbles a lot like any other young toddler. She is most vocal when we are here at home and it's just us. She's pretty quiet when around new people. She'll mimic and repeat many of the things we say. When she's babbling, who knows if it's in Chinese or not! But let me tell you, she can communicate: she points, mimics, grunts, cries, laughs, and smiles. There are a few things she says that we understand but I doubt anyone else would. She says Gracie, Roxi, Puppy Dog, Dolly, Mama/Mommy and Daddy.
Lily communicating that she's happy
Lily communicating that she's sad (that's a pretty pitiful face and her eyebrows turn so red when she's upset!)
Lily singing and signing to an app with Twinkle, Twinkle
Puppy Dogs
Not ever being around dogs before, we were worried how she would handle our Roxi and Gracie. This was another subject I had read a lot about and some kids had a really hard time getting use to dogs. Lily wasn't too sure about them the first night for a bit, but after that, she was just fine! Gracie lets her climb all over her without batting an eye and Roxi just wants to give Lily some kisses! But, Roxi doesn't like it when Lily decides to try and chase her. I think the three of them will be great buddies!
Gracie needed a blanket on her for a nap
Loving on Roxi
Loving on Gracie
Looking back at the last month, there has already been so much growth and learning! I'm so glad Lily's personality is coming out and we are getting to experience all these "firsts" with her. We never know what our day will bring, but this sweet girl now knows that no matter what, her Mommy and Daddy love her so much and will always be here for her!
Sleeping
Lily is sleeping with us at night. I know that may not be the best decision for everyone, but for us, it was and we love it! It helps to build attachment as we can meet her needs right away. She had been by herself enough and this little girl needed some cuddling! Lately she's been falling asleep somewhere around 8:00 and gets up around 7:30 in the morning. Lily also takes a nap around 12:30 for a little over an hour. For her nap, she sleeps in her room. I lay down with her until she falls asleep which is usually pretty quick for naps. Then I leave and try and get a few things done (or watch something I have recorded). This past week was another new thing: When she is finished napping, she just gets out of her bed and comes to find me! We were shocked the first day that happened because in the past, she would just start to cry for us and we would go in and get her.
Eating
Lily will try just about anything (except cheese or macaroni and cheese) and if she doesn't like it, she'll just spit it out. Her favorites right now (although they change daily) are: chicken nuggets, fries, any kind of chip, watermelon, pork ribs and oreos! At the orphanage she was on the bottle for her main nutrients. I guess it's easier to feed many toddlers bottles instead of meals. She was use to 5 bottles a day and when we first came home, we kept her on three a day. Now, she's down to just her bedtime bottle. She's currently in the 10th percentile for weight and height. She is 84 cm tall and weighs almost 24 pounds.
Attachment
In the adoption world, attachment is a biggie. We did a lot of reading about this before heading to China and we hoped for the best. Lily has attached very well to both of us now! I think she knows we are "her people" who will always take care of her. She's good around other people too, as long as we are close. She takes quite a while to warm up to men and prefers to watch them and just give them toys as a sign of affection. She loves watching kids play when we go out to parks and stores.
Playing
Lily loves to play - meaning she likes to take things out for a few seconds, then take some more things out, then some more, etc. There are a few times that she'll play with blocks and toys but mostly right now her favorite thing is to close our doors. And yes, she has gotten her fingers caught a few times! Her most favorite activity is just being outside: going for walks in her wagon, going to the park, and going to my friend's house to play outside with her grandkids. She also now loves bath time! (Just don't turn on the shower head to try and rinse anything - she's not a fan of that at all. Now when we go to take a bath she looks up at that shower head and shakes her finger at it!) For the first two weeks we had Lily, we only did a sponge bath because the bath was just too much for her. Then for a few days once we got home, I got in the bath with her. Now, she's a pro and loves playing in there!
Communicating
The question we get asked most is "Does Lily speak Chinese?". That's a tough one to answer because she is just 27 months old. To me, she babbles a lot like any other young toddler. She is most vocal when we are here at home and it's just us. She's pretty quiet when around new people. She'll mimic and repeat many of the things we say. When she's babbling, who knows if it's in Chinese or not! But let me tell you, she can communicate: she points, mimics, grunts, cries, laughs, and smiles. There are a few things she says that we understand but I doubt anyone else would. She says Gracie, Roxi, Puppy Dog, Dolly, Mama/Mommy and Daddy.
Puppy Dogs
Not ever being around dogs before, we were worried how she would handle our Roxi and Gracie. This was another subject I had read a lot about and some kids had a really hard time getting use to dogs. Lily wasn't too sure about them the first night for a bit, but after that, she was just fine! Gracie lets her climb all over her without batting an eye and Roxi just wants to give Lily some kisses! But, Roxi doesn't like it when Lily decides to try and chase her. I think the three of them will be great buddies!
Looking back at the last month, there has already been so much growth and learning! I'm so glad Lily's personality is coming out and we are getting to experience all these "firsts" with her. We never know what our day will bring, but this sweet girl now knows that no matter what, her Mommy and Daddy love her so much and will always be here for her!
Our entire family has been blessed with this beautiful child. She has brought such joy and love to all of us. She is simply amazing!
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