Contents of first care package which arrived in Taiwan on 2/2, FINALLY. Hopefully Gracyn received it shortly thereafter.
1.03.2008
Care Package #1
Contents of first care package which arrived in Taiwan on 2/2, FINALLY. Hopefully Gracyn received it shortly thereafter.
1.01.2008
On the other side of the camera. . .
I often wish as I read your blogs that I could see more of you, the authors. During Christmas there were no photos of me and Gracyn, but I did ask DH to take some pictures of just the two of us on our way out to Costco before the holidays got started. . .This is my second attempt at this post. I guess these blogs aren't meant to about me, huh? The other draft somehow got deleted. Oh well, hopefully this version is better!
This blog has been to document our family's journey through life, but especially created for other's to follow our adoption story. Sure, DH has done a few posts, and it's become about the whole family, not just Taiwan, but let's face it, most of our followers are tied to adoption or our family. So, I thought as the author, I'd take a moment to thank each and every one of you for following us through 2008. I can't imagine what it would have been like to be in Taiwan in tears without your comments to lift me up. I can't imagine not following all of your journeys and being inspired to do similar posts. What a learning experience this whole process has been.
New Year's Day marks 4 months since the day I held Gracyn in my arms for the very first time. We've come a long way. In Taiwan she wanted nothing to do with me and I had no idea how we'd ever board a plane for such a long flight. Since coming home she has fully attached to me, and is growing so much in her bond with daddy and brother. I secretly enjoy the fact that I'm still her source of comfort and that she wants mommy all the time! She's a girly-girl. Sits still for piggies and bows, loves to watch me apply make up and get her nose powdered. She finally learned how to wear socks! We have yet to try tights again - that will be a goal for 2009! She has gained about five pounds, her hair looks to have a grown a few inches. She loves to eat sausage, snack foods, veggies, fish, meat, apples and peanut butter. She's content to sit by me and doodle as I write this very post. She is mama's girl!
As I look at the pictures below and I reflect on the past few months, I am in true amazement. To feel my daughter in my arms, her cheek pressed against mine and her face lit up with a smile that melts my heart is such a blessing. Since becoming a mom I have taken thousands of pictures and am in very few. I recall putting together our dossier and having to search for a picture or two with me in it! I love to capture my children on film. Their silly smiles, their "smirky" smiles, their "full of joy" smiles, even their grumpy faces, and their tears. I also enjoy seeing photos of me with my children. On the other side of the camera, here I am. . .the author. . .Me and my daughter. She feels so right to me. She's all mine. Cheek to cheek, smiles galore. . .Happy New Year from us to you. Thank you for following our journey in 2008. We hope you'll follow us in 2009. It wouldn't be the same without you!
This blog has been to document our family's journey through life, but especially created for other's to follow our adoption story. Sure, DH has done a few posts, and it's become about the whole family, not just Taiwan, but let's face it, most of our followers are tied to adoption or our family. So, I thought as the author, I'd take a moment to thank each and every one of you for following us through 2008. I can't imagine what it would have been like to be in Taiwan in tears without your comments to lift me up. I can't imagine not following all of your journeys and being inspired to do similar posts. What a learning experience this whole process has been.
New Year's Day marks 4 months since the day I held Gracyn in my arms for the very first time. We've come a long way. In Taiwan she wanted nothing to do with me and I had no idea how we'd ever board a plane for such a long flight. Since coming home she has fully attached to me, and is growing so much in her bond with daddy and brother. I secretly enjoy the fact that I'm still her source of comfort and that she wants mommy all the time! She's a girly-girl. Sits still for piggies and bows, loves to watch me apply make up and get her nose powdered. She finally learned how to wear socks! We have yet to try tights again - that will be a goal for 2009! She has gained about five pounds, her hair looks to have a grown a few inches. She loves to eat sausage, snack foods, veggies, fish, meat, apples and peanut butter. She's content to sit by me and doodle as I write this very post. She is mama's girl!
As I look at the pictures below and I reflect on the past few months, I am in true amazement. To feel my daughter in my arms, her cheek pressed against mine and her face lit up with a smile that melts my heart is such a blessing. Since becoming a mom I have taken thousands of pictures and am in very few. I recall putting together our dossier and having to search for a picture or two with me in it! I love to capture my children on film. Their silly smiles, their "smirky" smiles, their "full of joy" smiles, even their grumpy faces, and their tears. I also enjoy seeing photos of me with my children. On the other side of the camera, here I am. . .the author. . .Me and my daughter. She feels so right to me. She's all mine. Cheek to cheek, smiles galore. . .Happy New Year from us to you. Thank you for following our journey in 2008. We hope you'll follow us in 2009. It wouldn't be the same without you!
On the other side of the camera. . .
Since becoming a mom, I have always enjoyed taking pictures. I love capturing my kids' smiles and personalities on film. The cute faces, "smirky" faces, silly faces, angry faces, grumpy faces, and my favorite, the "full of joy" faces. Only downside to this, is that as I go back through thousands of pictures, there are very few of me with my beloved children. So, today, I knew the lighting outside was perfect. Perfectly overcast. So, on our way out for a Costco run, I asked DH to take some pictures of Gracyn with ME. . .While this blog is about our family, it really originated with our adoption journey and while DH did manage to write a few posts, let's face it. . .it's my blog and most following have an interest in adoption, so it's really about my thoughts and Gracyn's journey home, right?
To think just over a year ago I could only imagine what it would be like to have a daughter. These pictures mean more to me than anything. I will treasure them always. They are the best Christmas gift ever. Seeing Gracyn's face light up with joy. Holding my baby and having her fit right into my arms, cheek to cheek. I feel like we've finally made it. . .we've finally become mommy and daughter. For the BTDT Moms, do you know what I'm talking about? It takes time, right? For those waiting, know that the dream does come true. Things to get to feeling normal again. When you think you've bonded, you suddenly realize you hadn't, or still had a way to go. I know Gracyn and I have a long road ahead of us to continue falling in love, but boy do I already love her bunches.
Update on Gracyn:
New Year's Day marks the 4 month anniversary of my meeting my beautiful daughter. When I picked her up she was angry, scared, and quite honestly, she wanted nothing to do with me. Since coming home she has gained about 5 pounds, and whole lot of smiles. She is completely attached to me, and is making so much progress with daddy and brother. She still isn't using a lot of words. She signs "please" for almost everything, and somehow communicates with her eyes and body movements. She can say Mama, Bye-Bye, Dada, and Bubba (which I think is for brother). We will be receiving services through the state and she will soon be seeing both an occupational therapist and a speech therapist. She has gained so much strength in the short time home. She can now climb, and her balance has improved. She loves to dance on the little table and the couch with her brother to Hannah Montana. She still loves bath time, and boy can she eat! She loves sausage, noodles, soup, fish, meat, chocolate pocky sticks, veggies, apples and peanut butter! No doubt the last 3 months have not been without challenge. She still plops down on her bottom and throws a fit if she's not getting her way, or she thinks I'm leaving her. She cries hard if I leave the house for anything other than work. Her favorite movie is baby babble, and she has a love for trains and cell phones! It's so hard to believe that just 4 short months ago I didn't know my daughter. I only loved her pictures. I can say it was worth every second of the wait, and every tear shed. . .she has become a part of our family in every way. We think she is the most beautiful little girl, and couldn't imagine any other as ours.
So, from the author of this blog and the little girl so many of you watched come home, from me and my sweet pea to all of you - We wish you all the best in the New Year and thank you for following our journey. Thank you for lifting us up in support and prayer. I can't imagine what this journey would have been in like in 2008 without each and everyone one of you. Hope you'll continue to follow along in 2009!
To think just over a year ago I could only imagine what it would be like to have a daughter. These pictures mean more to me than anything. I will treasure them always. They are the best Christmas gift ever. Seeing Gracyn's face light up with joy. Holding my baby and having her fit right into my arms, cheek to cheek. I feel like we've finally made it. . .we've finally become mommy and daughter. For the BTDT Moms, do you know what I'm talking about? It takes time, right? For those waiting, know that the dream does come true. Things to get to feeling normal again. When you think you've bonded, you suddenly realize you hadn't, or still had a way to go. I know Gracyn and I have a long road ahead of us to continue falling in love, but boy do I already love her bunches.
Update on Gracyn:
New Year's Day marks the 4 month anniversary of my meeting my beautiful daughter. When I picked her up she was angry, scared, and quite honestly, she wanted nothing to do with me. Since coming home she has gained about 5 pounds, and whole lot of smiles. She is completely attached to me, and is making so much progress with daddy and brother. She still isn't using a lot of words. She signs "please" for almost everything, and somehow communicates with her eyes and body movements. She can say Mama, Bye-Bye, Dada, and Bubba (which I think is for brother). We will be receiving services through the state and she will soon be seeing both an occupational therapist and a speech therapist. She has gained so much strength in the short time home. She can now climb, and her balance has improved. She loves to dance on the little table and the couch with her brother to Hannah Montana. She still loves bath time, and boy can she eat! She loves sausage, noodles, soup, fish, meat, chocolate pocky sticks, veggies, apples and peanut butter! No doubt the last 3 months have not been without challenge. She still plops down on her bottom and throws a fit if she's not getting her way, or she thinks I'm leaving her. She cries hard if I leave the house for anything other than work. Her favorite movie is baby babble, and she has a love for trains and cell phones! It's so hard to believe that just 4 short months ago I didn't know my daughter. I only loved her pictures. I can say it was worth every second of the wait, and every tear shed. . .she has become a part of our family in every way. We think she is the most beautiful little girl, and couldn't imagine any other as ours.
So, from the author of this blog and the little girl so many of you watched come home, from me and my sweet pea to all of you - We wish you all the best in the New Year and thank you for following our journey. Thank you for lifting us up in support and prayer. I can't imagine what this journey would have been in like in 2008 without each and everyone one of you. Hope you'll continue to follow along in 2009!
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