Saturday, November 29, 2008

Thankful,Thankful, Thankful

Looking more like a true Georgia redneck all the time.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Cousin Kaytlyn's 6th birthday party at build-a-bear


My first visit to Chuck E Cheese




Getting ready to go to Noah and Caleb's sport banquet. I'm a little wildcat.
We are more in awe everyday that God has blessed us with these 3 beautiful children. It becomes more and more evident that Hannah was made just for our family. My favorite thing to do these days is to sit back and watch Noah and Caleb play with Hannah. I was so worried when we first came home that they were not going to accept having her here, but I was wrong. They love her so much and are so good with her. She loves them, too. I also love to watch her experiencing her firsts. The boys and I put up the Christmas tree last Wed while she was taking her nap. When she woke up and saw the tree, lights and decorations, the look of amazement on her face will never be erased from my memory. I cannot say the same about Santa, though. She didn't cry but was also not placing him on her list of new friends. She has also had her first visit to Chuck E Cheese and build-a-bear. Chuck E Cheese was a definate favorite and build-a-bear was good until she had to put the heart inside the bear (she wanted to keep the heart for herself). She definately has an opinion about things.
We also have seen about 6 doctors , had our follow up with Bethany, celebrated 3 birthday's, Thanksgiving and met our aunt Angie from Nashville and Aunt Sandy and Uncle Jim from Illinois, along with many, many family and friends here in Georgia. We still can't wait to meet Granny and Gramps in Illinois. We are hoping they will have snow for us at Christmas. All of our doctors appointments have gone very well. We do have to have tubes put in our ears on Dec 9th. We have have some fluid in our ears (due to our cleft palate) and this is affecting how we hear and how many words we say. We will also have to have some teeth pulled in Jan. (also due to our cleft palate), but otherwise good reports. We don't have to see the cardiologist for 4 years and the cranial/facial doctor was very impressed with how well her lip and palate were repaired in China. I will forever be greatful for the love and care she received in China.
I know it is easy to feel blessed when things are going well, but I can't help but shout from the mountain tops this Thanksgiving. GOD TRUELY IS GOOD AND HE DEFINATELY HAS A PLAN FOR OUR LIVES. Wait and see what he has in store for you!!!
All of our love,
Brian, Tonya, Noah, Caleb and Hannah


Tuesday, November 11, 2008

We are doing Great!!

eating ( my favorite thing)

playing

wearing daddy's hat and shoes ( I found them myself)


getting ready to go to church for the first time ( I wave to everyone, including the camera)


i'm a star




my 2nd birthday





me and Caleb






We have been home for a little over a week, now. We are so glad to be here. Hannah is doing so great. It amazes me how adaptable these little ones are. She is understanding many english words and follows our directions very well. She still is not saying very many words, I don't know if it is a language thing or a cleft palate thing. She babbles and sings all the time, but I don't know if she is speaking Chinese or just babbling. We go to the cleft palate dr. on Nov 19th, so maybe we will get a better idea of when she will talk, then. She has started to develop her own sign language so that we know what she wants. Caleb has adjusted very well to having her here, Noah has been a little slower to get there. Hannah loves them both, so it is a little hard for Noah not to love her back. I have seen big changes in him everyday. Mom and dad are also adjusting to life with a toddler, again. Maybe I just don't remember, but it seems like I get alot more tired more quickly this go around. Even so, we are absolutely in love with her. Here are a few pictures from home.