Happy 5 months

Five months ago. Five months ago today we welcomed home Yao Yao. Wow. Five months! In some ways, my fingers are tempted to type 5 years. We have been through so much. She has changed so much.

In other ways, it feels like yesterday.

I realize that I have not communicated as much just regarding Yao Yao and the progress she is making. It actually was an intentional lack of communication. The Rockstar Nurse and I have gone through our own emotions and “issues” in regards to our beautiful daughter. They have not always been happy ones. In fact, we have had some down right “dark” days.

However, that is another post completely.

But I am blessed and relieved to say that over the past few weeks, we have come out of the epitome of our own “self wallowing” and we are loving our little girl.

A few nights ago, the Rockstar Nurse and I were reminiscing and celebrating over all the ways that Yao Yao has changed.

So in honor of our 9-9-09, 5 month anniversary, I will share 9 things about our sweet girl.

1. She loves the color blue. It used to be pink, but now it’s all about blue.

2. She is rarely disobedient. Actually she’s a little “too compliant”:) However, she loves to whine. How do kids learn to do that so amazingly well in such a short period of time?

3. Although she still loves certain things about her routine, she is quite flexible and goes with the flow amazingly well.

4. She is quite affectionate with her daddy. He loves to have his back scratched, so she now loves to go and “tickle” his back everytime he is sitting down. This has truely won him over. She likes to brush his hair too. It’s quite cute.

5. She is no longer afraid of animals…she loves them. When we 1st came home,her reactions over cute little puppies almost made you “pass out”. Her screams were quite terrorizing and shrill.

6. She loves to wear sunglasses. She will wear them around all day. They are often on upside down.

7. She has an incredible sense of humor. I was always worried that she wouldn’t. Our other kids have a great sense of humor. We love to tease each other and the kids love when we “pick” on them. Yao Yao has the same incredible gift. She completely understands when we are being funny and she purposely will tease us…it’s a blessing to us.

8. She is developing great bonds with her siblings. The Ringleader is great with her. She without a doubt is Lil’ Rocker’s best friend. We would have to get him counseling if he didn’t have her anymore. Even Sha Sha now accepts and even likes her sister. It is amazing. This week I looked out the window to see her holding Yao Yao’s hand as they were walking through the yard. Miracles never cease.

9. She loves to play baby dolls. This is my favorite thing to do with her for “bonding”. I love to watch her “rock” her baby. She talks to them and reads them books. My favorite is that she folds her hands, closes her eyes and prays with them when she puts them to bed.

We’ve definitely come very far over the past 5 months. Not as far of a distance as she has had to go though. To be honest, most of us never have to go the distance these little ones do in our entire lives. I do love this girl and it makes me sad to know that I’m not always the best mommy to her. And that I don’t usually give all that I have. And that I too have failed her.

But I guess that is what is great about each morning (if there is something great about a morning:)…we can start anew.

We have fallen into our family’s normal now. It is a wonderful vibe to be in.