Becoming Her Momma

The moment I was handed this little bundle I was her mother. She was my daughter. It wasn't that easy for her though. She needed to know that she could trust me. She needed to know that I would take care of her. A knowledge not easy to come by for a little girl who has never known trust or care. But it is happening! I am becoming her momma. There is nothing like the feeling of her crawling into my lap or leaning in with a slobbery open mouth for kisses. There is nothing like her lifting her arms for me to pick her up or her engaging in our games when we play. There are no words to describe what it feels like to be becoming this little one's momma. Slowly she is learning I am hers forever.

She had her first doctor visit yesterday and just as I suspected her ears are in really bad shape. I can't imagine the pain this little one is in and has probably been in her entire life because no one cared enough to take care of her. Her ears are so full of fluid, impacted wax, and infection that the doctor couldn't even see her eardrums. She is on her first round of antibiotic and we are praying that they are cleared up soon. What will it be like for this little one to not be in pain? What will it be like for her to hear clearly when I tell her how much I love her?

She continues to amaze me with how well she is doing. She slept in the sling at the doctor on my chest. When she first came to me, she didn't trust me enough to let herself sleep in the sling, but today she did! She loved her bath tonight playing and splashing for nearly a half hour. She played with the toys in her bedroom. She continues to add toys to her play routine everyday. Yesterday Daddy came in the back door from work and she walked right into his arms. Oh the beauty of this baby. I can't believe the difference in her little heart in just two weeks. She is learning that she is loved so quickly and God is beginning to restore all in her that has been broken.

The spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the blind.. Isaiah 61:1

Jill Is Walking

This morning at 4:00 AM-she just took off down the hall. She was playing with Daddy's shoes for a while then just decided to get up and walk down the hall. Of Course by the time I got the camera out, she was finished with the biggest portion of the steps, but I got the last few up there on the video. Thrilled! Precious! If that chinese official could see her now. Her motion is not delayed-she just needed a family's encouragement!!! Love, Love, Love this little treasure!

Exhausted

I am exhausted. Jill definitely has her days and nights mixed up. I am trying to sleep when she is sleeping, but we are really thrown off. I also woke up with an infected eye today and I really don't have time for that. Please pray for strength as we keep up with this girl...

She decided to empty out the diaper basket today. She is in to everything and we are so happy about that.

She discovered how fun it was to pull all of the stuff off the lower part of the refrigerator. I am loving that smile and so glad she is doing normal two year old things.

Shhhh..She invaded big sis's playroom and decided to pick up Em's Barbies and push her Barbie car for a while. Aren't those little jeans and her t-shirt precious?

She is feeling so loved and welcomed by everyone. Thank you dear friends for you help, support, and prayers. We hope to be out and about soon!

Jill is getting stronger and stronger. She is so comfortable here and doing so much more. I am praising God for how far my baby girl has come in just the last few days. If her sleeping pattern can get closer to normal this momma will be even happier. Until then, enjoying our 2:00AM play sessions and love hearing her little feet pitter pattering around the house at 4:00 AM. God is so good to allow us to parent our little girl. She is a true joy!

Home At Last

Home. At. Last. Let me just say-You all mean the world to me. You all have done so much to encourage us and have walked this road right along with us. We love you and are so blessed by all that you have done for us. Baby food waiting here today, our car decorated, nursery water and a hot pot, dinner delivered, the yard decorated...on and on...

The flight was hard. I told Sean it's a little like labor in that when it's over you don't remember how really hard it was and you even consider doing it again sometime. The flight attendants were crazy about Jill and we reaped the benefits-extra pillows, blankets, sodas, toys. We were treated like royalty. Em says we should fly with Jill more often. One thing is for sure..having a Chinese baby attracts lots of attention. I was praying today and asking God to allow me to use this attention for Him and to engage the hearts of people for the orphan.

SHE LET ME ROCK HER TO SLEEP!!! That precious little hurting heart is healing and she let her momma rock her to sleep! I held her little frame in my arms and rocked her. I was bawling buckets of tears over that little precious girl laying right there in my arms. That little girl who just thirteen days ago had never known a mother's touch. Oh God is so good! I simply can't explain the beauty of this journey except to say that every single hardship is so worth it to hear that baby laugh or to see her sleeping soundly in my arms. Praise Jesus that she is home and she is mine!!