Monday, March 5, 2012
3 month pictures
Having some technical difficulties, but here are some pics that I was able to add...
3 months since Gotcha Day!
I cannot believe it has been over a month since my last post. And at the same time, I cannot think of when I would have had the time to write. I had forgotten all about life with a toddler. It is exhilirating to watch Quinn learn and grow, but the days do occassionally get long after hearing "mommy" and "up" (as in, please hold me) consistently:)
Chris and I were just thinking back to that miraculous day three months ago when we finally laid our eyes on our daughter and got to hold her in our arms. It really and truly seems like that was a lifetime ago! We are connected as a family to the core. It is a bond that only God could have created in us and we are in awe of the blessings that He has given our family.
Quinn has met most of her immediate family members at this point. She is so outgoing and fun-loving, each visit has been a joy. She has warmed up to everyone and shown what a hoot she can be. We even took our first road trip to visit my dad. She didn't miss a beat. Traveled the 5 hours well, slept well, ate well, and played hard with her "Poppy." We are in the midst of major separation anxiety when I try to take her to the YMCA or church nursery to play, but as long as we're there, being in a new place is no problem.
Since my last post, Quinn has started physical therapy to regain strength and mobility in her right arm. She is progressing quickly, though she pouts when I tell her it's time to go play with Miss Karen. "No jump with Miss Karen," she'll say, but when she's there, the first thing she runs for is the trampoline!
Quinn is a very determined little girl. She thinks that she can and should be able to do whatever her brothers are doing. When we say the dreaded "n" word, she will melt into a puddle of tears. We have even occassionally had some primal screams and meltdowns when she doesn't get her way. While the tantrums aren't fun to deal with, we always say we're grateful that she's that comfortable with us to show how she really feels.
As a reminder to myself, I'm going to list some of Quinn's favorite things to do three months since Gotcha Day...
1. Eat. She still enjoys almost any food she's presented with, though she has slowed down on the quantity tremendously since Gotcha Day.
2. Sing/Dance. All of Quinn's favorite toys play music. She loves to sing along and dance. She will break out into song in the car, in a store, at the dinner table, in the swing, etc. Currently, she loves the Kids Bops version of "Telephone" and she'll ask to hear it over and over so she can sing "Stop callin', stop callin'. I dont want to talk anymore." And she's got some crazy hip-moving dance moves:)
3. Play with her brothers. No matter what they're doing, she wants to be in on the action! Laser tag guns...awesome! Wrestling...fantastic! Belly-flopping on the trampoline- a blast! She even has her own broken Wii remote so she can join them for video games.
4. Bathe. Yes, I said bathe! For some reason, she has taken the word bathroom to mean it's time to take a bath. She'll perk up when she hears the word because she's hoping to hop in! She pours water on her head, rolls around, blows bubbles in the water. One of our most consistent tantrum times is when it's time to get OUT of the tub, not IN it anymore!
5. MOVE. This girl is ACTIVE! Not hyper by any means. She knows when it's time to sit still and be quiet and behaves very nicely in church, doctor's offices, etc. However, when it's free time, she is a live wire! She loves to be tossed, rolled, swung, etc. I think this was lacking so she's making up for lost time! She would much rather walk than ride in the stroller and she does a great job keeping up.
6. Help. Quinn loves to help. Help cook, help clean, help grocery shop, help get herself dressed, you name it. When she puts items in the grocery cart, she is so proud. She'll say over and over "I helpin, I helpin, I helpin." ANd she won't stop until I acknowledge, repeatedly, what a great helper she is.
7. Read. She loves books....loves,loves, loves them. She would rather read a few books when she wakes up than eat breakfast. She reads many of her favorite books to me!
Colin and Owen continue to be the best big brothers a girl could ask for. They are extremely helpful with her without any prompting from Chris or me. They love to play with her and make her laugh (which isn't a tough task.) They are very protective of her in public and see it as their job to keep her safe. They will get annoyed when she doesn't want to share or she gets in their space, but they handle it with grace and maturity. Having a little sister has helped them grow in ways I could not have imagined. I look forward to seeing how they grow together as siblings. It touches my heart to see them together.
9am and my little girl with the cold is still asleep...so grateful to have had this opportunity to share what's been going on with our newest addition. Here are some pictures from the past couple months...take care.
Chris and I were just thinking back to that miraculous day three months ago when we finally laid our eyes on our daughter and got to hold her in our arms. It really and truly seems like that was a lifetime ago! We are connected as a family to the core. It is a bond that only God could have created in us and we are in awe of the blessings that He has given our family.
Quinn has met most of her immediate family members at this point. She is so outgoing and fun-loving, each visit has been a joy. She has warmed up to everyone and shown what a hoot she can be. We even took our first road trip to visit my dad. She didn't miss a beat. Traveled the 5 hours well, slept well, ate well, and played hard with her "Poppy." We are in the midst of major separation anxiety when I try to take her to the YMCA or church nursery to play, but as long as we're there, being in a new place is no problem.
Since my last post, Quinn has started physical therapy to regain strength and mobility in her right arm. She is progressing quickly, though she pouts when I tell her it's time to go play with Miss Karen. "No jump with Miss Karen," she'll say, but when she's there, the first thing she runs for is the trampoline!
Quinn is a very determined little girl. She thinks that she can and should be able to do whatever her brothers are doing. When we say the dreaded "n" word, she will melt into a puddle of tears. We have even occassionally had some primal screams and meltdowns when she doesn't get her way. While the tantrums aren't fun to deal with, we always say we're grateful that she's that comfortable with us to show how she really feels.
As a reminder to myself, I'm going to list some of Quinn's favorite things to do three months since Gotcha Day...
1. Eat. She still enjoys almost any food she's presented with, though she has slowed down on the quantity tremendously since Gotcha Day.
2. Sing/Dance. All of Quinn's favorite toys play music. She loves to sing along and dance. She will break out into song in the car, in a store, at the dinner table, in the swing, etc. Currently, she loves the Kids Bops version of "Telephone" and she'll ask to hear it over and over so she can sing "Stop callin', stop callin'. I dont want to talk anymore." And she's got some crazy hip-moving dance moves:)
3. Play with her brothers. No matter what they're doing, she wants to be in on the action! Laser tag guns...awesome! Wrestling...fantastic! Belly-flopping on the trampoline- a blast! She even has her own broken Wii remote so she can join them for video games.
4. Bathe. Yes, I said bathe! For some reason, she has taken the word bathroom to mean it's time to take a bath. She'll perk up when she hears the word because she's hoping to hop in! She pours water on her head, rolls around, blows bubbles in the water. One of our most consistent tantrum times is when it's time to get OUT of the tub, not IN it anymore!
5. MOVE. This girl is ACTIVE! Not hyper by any means. She knows when it's time to sit still and be quiet and behaves very nicely in church, doctor's offices, etc. However, when it's free time, she is a live wire! She loves to be tossed, rolled, swung, etc. I think this was lacking so she's making up for lost time! She would much rather walk than ride in the stroller and she does a great job keeping up.
6. Help. Quinn loves to help. Help cook, help clean, help grocery shop, help get herself dressed, you name it. When she puts items in the grocery cart, she is so proud. She'll say over and over "I helpin, I helpin, I helpin." ANd she won't stop until I acknowledge, repeatedly, what a great helper she is.
7. Read. She loves books....loves,loves, loves them. She would rather read a few books when she wakes up than eat breakfast. She reads many of her favorite books to me!
Colin and Owen continue to be the best big brothers a girl could ask for. They are extremely helpful with her without any prompting from Chris or me. They love to play with her and make her laugh (which isn't a tough task.) They are very protective of her in public and see it as their job to keep her safe. They will get annoyed when she doesn't want to share or she gets in their space, but they handle it with grace and maturity. Having a little sister has helped them grow in ways I could not have imagined. I look forward to seeing how they grow together as siblings. It touches my heart to see them together.
9am and my little girl with the cold is still asleep...so grateful to have had this opportunity to share what's been going on with our newest addition. Here are some pictures from the past couple months...take care.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Happy Chinese New Year!
Here are some recent pictures that illustrate the fun we've been having! Quinn continues to be quite the ham. She is full of joy, humor, and funny faces. She also has the independent two-year old spirit. "I got it" is one of her favorite sayings when it's time to get dressed, buckle her seat belt, get washed or go down the stairs. He language skills conitue to grow by leaps and bounds. She's counting to 5, singing songs (favorites is Tinkle, Tinkle Litto Tah and All Thew Town aka. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Wheels on the Bus), and telling her big brothers what to do. We've also been surprised at her motor abilities. She can jump, forward roll, and pedal her tricycle, and, unfortunately, open AND lock all the doors in the house...mama is busy, busy!
Our recent trip to Duke was a waste of time. After spending over 3 hours in the waiting room, we were given an WebMD description of brachial plexus paralysis and a prescription for physical therapy. The only positive info we were given was that Quinn seems to be using her arm really well. (We already knew that!) We'll begin weekly PT this week to be sure she keeps strength and range of motion in the right arm and beyond that nothing else is needed.
We're getting into a routine now, While I still haven't packed the first lunch for the boys, I AM remembering to help with homework and check teethbrushing at night:) Colin and Owen are into their routine as well. Colin confessed to me at bedtime recently that Quinn was a little annoying that day. "That means you're getting used to her and she's getting used to you," I responded happily. "Get used to it!" Chris is working hard and will take his first work trip this week for a couple nights. Quinn has grown to rely on me for pretty much everything so I'll be sure to give her some extra baba time this weekend:)
We enjoyed a lunch out yesterday to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Our waitress spoke Cantonese and started chattering away to Quinn. At first Quinn avoided her completely, but soon she was responding to the waitress. Thankfully, she hasn't lost her native language yet, but I'm afraid it won't be long before it is gone since we can't speak more than a few words.
This is all I can write for now as a little girl is craving attention. Take care.
Monday, January 9, 2012
One month since Gotcha Day
Actually one month and 3 days, but who's counting:)
We're very slowly but surely getting into a routine. The boys started back to school on Jan 2nd and the first week was incredibly frustrating for me. I love routine and I love order...we had none! I forgot about signing hoemwork folders, packing lunches, doing laundry. Cooking a meal seemed a bit overwhleming while helping two with homework and listening to the third say her favorite word "up, up, up." I lost my keys, forgot to put refrigerated groceries away, and did not glance at the newspaper all week. This week I am trying harder to get into a routine since I know it will be my saving grace, but it's still a little slow going.
Quinn is doing fabulously. She's eating and sleeping like a champ and even asks to get in the bathtub. Her language seems to develop more and more by the minute. Each day she'll have a new phrase she enjoys using. One day it was "Cheers" before every sip of her drinks. Another day she walked around saying "I don't know" to every question we asked. Yesterday Colin taught her "Sup" as in "What's up" with the head bob and all. She gets really into character with that one!
We had a positive TB test last week despite the negative result in China. After a fun morning of chest X-rays, we found out that her lungs look good, but we may have to put her on a 9-month regimen of potent antibiotics. Praying we can avoid it, but we'll know for sure later this week.
Tomorrow Chris and I will take Quinn to Duke for her first specialist appointment. Duke has a pediatric brachial plexus clinic (of course they do:) We'll meet with a neurologist and orthopaedist to determine the best approach to help Quinn regain some movement in her right arm and hand. We'll write again soon with the update on that one.
For now, in my discombobulated state, I leave you with a few recent pictures...
We're very slowly but surely getting into a routine. The boys started back to school on Jan 2nd and the first week was incredibly frustrating for me. I love routine and I love order...we had none! I forgot about signing hoemwork folders, packing lunches, doing laundry. Cooking a meal seemed a bit overwhleming while helping two with homework and listening to the third say her favorite word "up, up, up." I lost my keys, forgot to put refrigerated groceries away, and did not glance at the newspaper all week. This week I am trying harder to get into a routine since I know it will be my saving grace, but it's still a little slow going.
Quinn is doing fabulously. She's eating and sleeping like a champ and even asks to get in the bathtub. Her language seems to develop more and more by the minute. Each day she'll have a new phrase she enjoys using. One day it was "Cheers" before every sip of her drinks. Another day she walked around saying "I don't know" to every question we asked. Yesterday Colin taught her "Sup" as in "What's up" with the head bob and all. She gets really into character with that one!
We had a positive TB test last week despite the negative result in China. After a fun morning of chest X-rays, we found out that her lungs look good, but we may have to put her on a 9-month regimen of potent antibiotics. Praying we can avoid it, but we'll know for sure later this week.
Tomorrow Chris and I will take Quinn to Duke for her first specialist appointment. Duke has a pediatric brachial plexus clinic (of course they do:) We'll meet with a neurologist and orthopaedist to determine the best approach to help Quinn regain some movement in her right arm and hand. We'll write again soon with the update on that one.
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