Princess Lover

How is it that a little girl just KNOWS a princess? Giggles at the sight of one? Is enchanted by their gowns and hair? We're getting personal here, but it's just too cute not to share. So M has princess undies (of course!) and every day while getting her dressed we have to wait FOREVER while she looks at the different pairs and giggles at their hair color and admires their dresses. She's fascinated by Ariel and Jasmine is called "M". Today in the store, we spied a princess pillow and M squealed in delight and frantically gestured to her own undies while exclaiming to all around that she too had princess attire! Now, you just try explaining to a three year old who doesn't speak English that we just shouldn't do that in public! :-)

Yale International Adoption Clinic

Today Randall and I went to Yale International Adoption Clinic for an initial consultation with one of their physicians. The clinic is run through the Children's Hospital there and specializes in evaluating adoption referrals, as well as assessing the physical and emotional state of children upon arriving home in the US. M's doing so well here at home, but we wanted to just do a check up there and catch and "lags" in development. After having been in an orphanage for so long she's behind in some areas, we think...but she's catching up. The physician will meet with M for two sessions to evaluate her and make some recommendations. They will also interface with our local school district to ensure that M receives the extra assistance she needs to catch up before Kindergarten.

The opportunity to share our story with the physician, to recount our time in China and our experiences here at home have reminded us again of just how special this little girl is. She has captured our hearts forever......