November 2006 Update

     HAPPY THANKSGIVING! WE PRAY GOD’S BLESSINGS ON ALL WHO ARE READING THIS.
     We are overflowing with thankfulness this holiday season. I'm sitting here typing this and am just so very grateful to God for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us, not just with the adoption of Alivia, but also for our other children, Doug and Mary, who are healthy and happy.
     Before I get started with this month’s update, I need to wish our American baby girl HAPPY 15TH BIRTHDAY!! Stop growing up so fast! We love you, sweetie!
     Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY “POP-POP”, to my Dad in Arizona. Love you and miss you much!
     Alivia is now 21 months old and continues to do remarkably well. She is such a ‘JOY’ to all of us. This past month has been eventful and it just keeps getting better and better. As of October 16, Alivia has been walking on her own, more like running. Alivia is in to EVERYTHING and I love it! She plays more with pots, pans and Tupperware rather than the many toys she owns. Alivia is very busy from the time she wakes up until bedtime. She and I both look forward to bedtime as we get to cuddle together until she falls asleep. She loves to be held for naptime and bedtime. She still sleeps 10-11 hours a night with a 2-3 hour nap in the daytime (I am blessed with her sleep habits). Unfortunately, she still wakes periodically with “night terrors”, but they are getting fewer and fewer.
     Alivia is a very independent, self-reliant, strong-willed child, but she is also a very loving, affectionate, and caring little girl. She gives the best hugs and kisses! She gets her feelings hurt very easily when she is told no for something. Oh, do the tears start flowing. It breaks Mommy’s heart but we must teach her right from wrong from the get-go. It is so amazing to see the awesome progress she has made these past two months. It seems like she has been with us all along. We are just overjoyed with how great things are going.
     Alivia’s very first word was “TRACTOR”! Yes, “tractor” as we have one on our land and she sees it everyday. I believe we have ourselves a country girl! Words she uses regularly: Mama, Dada, Sissy, Mary, Baby, Cat, Dog, Duck, Turtle, Bye Bye, Go, Bath, Sock, Shoe, Nose, Elmo, No No and Yellow. The only Chinese word she says is Mei Mei (don’t know if she is saying Mary or Mei Mei) Sounds she makes: meow, ruff, honk honk, brrrrr (for cold), baa baa, quack-quack, and she sings all the time to her TV programs (Sesame Street and Wonder Pets). She mimics mostly everything any of us say or do.
     Alivia is quite a Mommy’s helper. She helps me do EVERYTHING! And I mean everything from sweeping the floor (the swifter is hers and ONLY hers), vacuuming, unloading the dishwasher, and putting clothes in the dryer. Can’t get her to pick up her own toys but she’ll help do all my work. LOL!!
     Alivia has turned into quite a social butterfly. She is quite friendly to everyone she meets. She goes to almost everyone at family events and church. Gives kisses to everyone including her little friend, Jameson. (Mary wants to know why it’s ok for Alivia to kiss a boy and she can’t).
     I have now gone back to work one day a week as our church secretary and I am very fortunate and quite grateful that I am able to bring Alivia with me. She is big buddies with our minister, John. You should see them play “patty cake” together. She has a blast while we are there as my office has now turned into a playroom.
     Speaking of church, October 22 was Baby Dedication at VCC. This was a very emotional and meaningful time for our family as well as for our church family. We have many families within our church who have adopted domestically, but we are the first to adopt internationally. I say the first because I believe there are one or two families who are considering this process as many questions have been asked. I pray for God’s direction for each of these families.
     On October 25, Alivia’s first state-side medical exam with Dr. Taylor at UK Children’s Hospital. Dr. Taylor has a very loving nature towards Alivia. She spent over an hour examining her and talking with me. And the fact that she has also adopted a daughter from China has been quite helpful to me. Therefore, we have decided that she will be Alivia’s permanent pediatrician.
     To celebrate Halloween, our church had a Fall Festival. Alivia won first place for cutest costume for her age. She was the cutest ladybug you have ever seen. Thank you to Aunt Tammy for finding us that costume. Trick or treating did not appeal to her. She did enjoy being pushed around in her stroller. I believe she had more fun sitting at the door helping pass out candy.