November 1, 2008
What another BLESSED day! We arrived at Beacon House at 9:00
this morning to pick up our precious girl! When we arrived,
Faustina had dressed Abree in a little American shirt I had left
at Beacon House yesterday….so very thoughtful of her. Sweet
little Abree was a bit under the weather today with lots of
congestion in her chest and a sad cough.
Soon after we left Beacon House and were on our way back to
Heidi and George’s house, Abree fell asleep on my chest…my heart
melted!! She is soooo cuddly—I LOVE IT! When we arrived at the
house, Abree and Kiana played for a while and then we got the
girls dressed to go shopping!! Yeah! We went to an open
marketplace with Heidi, George and family, and then Kathy, Kiana,
Abree and I ventured off in a taxi by ourselves to a few other
shops. I bought lots of gifts for our little angel so we can
give her a gift each year on her birthday that was purchased
while in Ghana.
When we arrived back at the house, we ate some wonderful quiche.
Abree ate and ate and ate! We tried to give her some apple
juice, but she would not have any part of that! I poured out the
apple juice and filled the same cup back up with water, but she
was so afraid it still had apple juice in it she would not drink
it…so funny! I finally got a completely different cup with water
in it and she was fine with that. She’s a very smart girl! When
she is done eating or drinking and you offer her another
bite/drink, she will turn her head to the side to let you know
she is finished. While she was eating, I would ask her “Is that
good?” or “Do you like it?” and she would nod her head up and
down to say yes. She drinks from a big girl cup—no sippy cups
for her.
After lunch we played for a few more minutes and then she
crawled up in my lap to cuddle. She eventually fell asleep and
took a great nap. While she was sleeping I just sat and watched
her…I cannot believe how blessed I am to be able to call this
precious girl my own. I took pictures of her hands and feet
while she was sleeping so we can remember how tiny they are.
We took some measurements today while at Heidi’s house. Little
Abree weighs 14 pounds and is approximately 26 ½ inches. She
wears size 4 shoes and size 9 month clothes. She is a tiny
little angel.
After nap we played some more. She is so happy with just the
simplest toys. She loves the stacking cups! She was a quiet girl
these past two days, but I did hear her say a few words and make
a few sounds: Dada, Mama, Tata, Gah and Bah. She loves to dance
and to imitate others. She gave me precious kisses!!! When I
puckered my lips and made the kissing sound, she would do the
same. It was soooo sweet!!
Today she wanted me to hold her all day, so of course I held her
all day and enjoyed every second of it! If I would put her down
she would begin to cry, so I would scoop her up again and hold
her tight. I love my baby girl!!!!
Soon it was getting late and we had to call for a taxi to take
us back to Beacon House. We fed Abree some dinner while waiting
on the taxi. With each passing minute my heart was breaking
knowing my time with her was soon going to be over. My only hope
is that we will be able to return very soon to bring her home!
The taxi finally arrived to take us back to Beacon House. While
in the taxi I took out some Gerber Graduate banana puffs. She
LOVED them!! She couldn’t eat them fast enough. At first she
wanted me to put them in her mouth for her but after a few
minutes she was doing it all by herself. She was so happy all
evening and was really fun in the taxi on the way to Beacon
House. I was trying so hard to enjoy the moment without thinking
of what was about to happen.
When we arrived at Beacon House, Abree did so well. She went
right to Lydia and had no tears at all. That helped me make it
through the good-byes. She is so well cared for and loved by the
Beacon House staff. It is obvious that she is very well attached
to both Lydia and Faustina. They cannot say enough good things
about her. The statement I heard from them the most was “She is
a good girl. She never gives us any trouble.” I agree—she is a
perfect girl…an amazing gift from God!!
Leaving Beacon House was one of the hardest things I have ever
done. Only God can comfort the broken heart of a Mommy who has
to leave her baby. I am so thankful that I was able to spend two
wonderful days with my baby girl. We bonded so much more than I
anticipated in such a short time. She is truly an amazing girl!!
I pray that James and I will be back so very soon to bring our
precious angel home!!!
|
She fell asleep in the car right after we left Beacon House. She
is so precious!
Wow!! I am SO gorgeous!!
She loves to eat!
She would only drink water. We tried juice but she did not like
it at all.
First time in a stroller. She did great!
Sleeping Beauty....so sweet! |
