Miss Violet

Who is Miss Violet?

Well, we don't know! Ha! Actually, we have a pretty good guess but since we're still barely home, it's not fair of us to jump to conclusions. We remember how we felt when we went to China...overwhelmed with the sensory differences, expectations, food, everything! Poor little Violet came home less than 2 weeks ago and that same week Miss Mia was hospitalized for three days! Talk about confusion and lack of routine! With all that has transpired, we are AMAZED at how well she is doing.

Seriously. Amazed.

She is working her little hardest to figure out our world, learn our language, try our foods. Even when we try to introduce things slowly, she jumps right in. Like when we were home less than 48 hours and she decided to go to church and FaithQuest with her siblings. And like 9 days into being home when she decided to join them and sing a song in ENGLISH in front of the whole church. This one likes a challenge.

Which is probably why we have already found her trying to skateboard! Have we mentioned she has ONE FOOT? Hello?!

Much to our surprise, she loves all things girly. Each night she begs to pick out a dress for the next day. She will consent to pants, but pretty much only if they're pink. She loves to look through the hair basket and pick out pretty bows and flowers. And she is in love with her church shoe. Doesn't matter if doesn't match what she's wearing. Its got a flower with rhinestones! She wears it everywhere.

She is tinkled pink (of course) to wear the dance leotards and tutus. And a new crown with ribbons from her grandma.

Happily for the boys, despite her love for frill and fuss...she is very like her sister in that she loves adventure! Climbing trees? Bring it on! Sliding down the stairs? How fast can we go! We predict she'll love amusement parks. Watch out Disney! She's going to go from the princess castle to the roller coasters and love everything in between!

Now for the words that stir fear into the heart of every parent...

This girl is S.M.A.R.T.

As in, has figured out the password and unlocked the music on my ipad. As in, figured out the code to our security box in the hotel and brought us our passports. As in, HEARD HER BROTHER PLAY A SONG HE WROTE ON THE PIANO AND TAUGHT IT TO HERSELF and plays it with fingers half the size of other people. And I'll just mention it was all in a minor key.

Crazy smart.

Which is dangerous. Its the smart ones that can run circles around parents. Uh-Oh.

As for temperament, she still fluctuates between quiet and super silly. We're guessing she's going to end up somewhere happily in the middle once she explores more of her new world, feels secure in our love and her place in our family, and is less overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, and smells of her new life.

We feel blessed to have Violet in our family and are so excited to see her story unfold!

We LOVE you boys!!!!!!

Poor internet = tough to Skype. For some reason I can post here right now---but can't get to my email. So we'll leave you a note right here. Sorry we missed you this morning! We can't wait to talk to you again. Hopefully we can tomorrow morning. We hope you have a fun time with your Uncle!

Love you!
Mom and Dad

Great Moments

We each continue to get smiles and giggles.
We've each had M. lift up her arms to be held.
We've each received numerous kisses.

One of the best was saying goodnight in a family hug, kissing each other. She is soooo precious and we thank God for her. --Can't wait for that family hug to be complete with her three brothers!

Tomorrow we head to an embroidery factory. (Hunan is apparently known all over China for a certain kind of embroidery we'll see there. Then we'll go to an ancient university, Yuelu Academy, originally built in 976.

That's it for tonight.

Thanks again for your prayers and your love.
R and J

Mom or Dad?

You read so many books, blogs and what-not about the experiences of others. It is quite common for the children to latch on to one parent to various degrees. Some clearly resist (w/ tears and tantrums) being with the other parent; Some kids are practically glued to one parent; Some just have a preference that is clearly seen and felt. This can last for hours, days, weeks, even months. and it can change!

So what's been our experience so far?

Well, mom is CLEARLY preferred over dad when M. wakes up. If dad tries to get her out of the crib there are always tears. Mom is clearly preferred over dad when there are tears. I've been able to do some limited consoling--but J. does it most. Mom is clearly preferred when M. is apparently nervous, shy or uncertain. For example we tried a couple public (on the street) hand-offs yesterday, and I quickly got "the pout" that usually leads to tears if X action is not averted.

With that said: I got the first smile; the first giggles and the only clear "name" spoken moments. I got the first open mouthed kiss--J. got the first "regular" lip-smacking one.

On balance, it's really....balanced! When she's fully awake and at ease we can both hold her; she comes to both of us; she takes food and drink from both of us; she allows both to change her; she holds hands with both of us and plays with both of us. It's wonderful!

Learning From Mei Mei?

The boys are very excited to teach Mei-Mei (little sister) many things. We just found something that SHE can teach them. After finishing her KFC lunch, she dutifully (and quite on her own) took a wet cloth and wiped up her place at the table and then wiped her hands.

She's not even three, boys!

--Dad.

Skyping

We just "skyped" with the boys. We could see and hear them clearly. Our video didn't work--but I think I got it fixed. It was AMAZING to be able to see and hear them from half-way around the world. We love those guys. It's really hard to be apart from them.

You boys mean so much to us. We know you're going to be GREAT ge-ge's for M.

--R