Happy Birthday, Alyssa!

Today was Alyssa's 3rd birthday!  She wasn't sure what the big deal was but was in a good mood all day.  When it came time to open presents she had no idea what to do.  She kept asking the girls to help her.  It was fun seeing her so excited about her day.  She loved all her Minnie Mouse gifts!

Alyssa was born in the fall of 2009.  Ironic that our baby girl was born as we were struggling to make it through each day.  If you asked me what was the most difficult year of my life I would most definitely say 2009, the fall being the worst season of them all.  We experienced something that began late summer that drained us all emotionally. It had a huge financial impact on us too.  We lived in fear for many months and it changed the way we will do things the rest of our lives.  Only a few know what happened and no one can understand the toll it took on our family.  Unless you experience it you just can't imagine the nightmare it created. I felt like I was living in a horror movie.  Then in November Grace and I both had surgery. If that wasn't enough my Mom, my best friend, passed away mid November.  Needless to say it was a rough year.  God was with us every step of the way and got us through that year.

So thankful for our sweet Alyssa! This happy loving little girl that was born during our storm spreads happiness everywhere she goes.  She is a delightful reminder that some pretty awesome things occurred in 2009 too!

Isn't Ice Cream a Finger Food?

April 26, 2012 - Ikea in Guangzhou, China

                   


                                                               June 14, 2012 - Ikea in Charlotte, NC

Two Months with Alyssa

June 15 marked 2 months with Alyssa.   We have seen so many changes in her. She is a remarkable little girl.  Her report from China said she was mentally delayed. There is no way this little girl is mentally delayed.  She impresses us every day with something new she has learned.

We have kept Alyssa'a world very small.  We still haven't taken her to church or taken her around many people that we know yet.  Call us crazy but we dealt with attachment issues with Julia(still do) and we don't want to experience that with Alyssa.  It is definitely worth being a little isolated for a couple of months.  I don't think a person can really understand what it is like until you have gone through it.

We went to Concord for a few days and spent one night at Great Wolf Lodge.  I was in awe in the changes in Alyssa.  A month ago you couldn't take her into a bathroom without her screaming.  You could tell she completely trusted Dallas, the kids, and I to take care of her.  When in the big pool with her I just couldn't get over how much she has changed.  She loved watching us all go underwater so I asked her if she wanted to go under the water.  She nodded her head yes. She often does this so I wasn't sure if she knew what I was asking. I told her she would have to hold her breath and demonstrated.  I was surprised when she did the same thing. So we counted, she held her breath and under she went. When she came up she had the most priceless expression on her face.  Her eyes were huge with a big smile on her face.  I wish I could have taken a picture of this face. Every time she went under she would have this same expression when she came up. It was priceless! It amazes me that she trusts us so much after such a short time.

While we were in Concord Alyssa played putt-putt for the first time.  Of course she loved it! She got a hole in one on her very first hole. Quite impressive!  She got two more hole in ones before she was overcome with a little attitude.  Her first putt-putt game was cut short after about 9 holes.  She was content watching the rest of the game in her stroller.

Alyssa is still happy and smiling 90% of the time.  She is the happiest child I have ever met.  When it is just the two of us she is constantly talking and singing.  She has learned to throw a little fit.  If you say no or stop she tears up and starts crying. She has even thrown a tantrum or two.  Her latest is she crosses her arms and gives a little pout.  She also does it if you say no or stop to the other kids because she thinks you are talking to her.

I have enjoyed the last couple of months.  Alyssa has experienced so many firsts. It has been so fun experiencing them with her.  I am so thankful God choose us to be her parents.  We are truly blessed.

                                                   
                                         April 15, 2012- Just arrived in our hotel room

         

                                         June 15, 2012- First time playing putt-putt

                                             June 14, 2012- My Amazing Alyssa

May 26,1990- Video Made May, 2007

Twenty Two Years-May 26, 2012

This post was written on May 26.  I just got around to posting it. I will add pictures later.

I don't know why I haven't posted in awhile. I plan lots of posts in my head but just never get around to posting them.  Have to admit it is not due to time because all the littles are in bed by 8:00 and the bigs - one by 9:00.

It was 22 years ago in a church in Richmond, VA that I married my best friend.  What started out as a rainy Saturday turned into a beautiful day for a wedding.  I have probably told this story on my blog or FB before but I feel like sharing it once more.

I was a freshman in college(GO ECU) when Dallas and I first met. I was that scared shy kid that was afraid to talk to anyone.  I didn't want to go away to college but I got accepted to ECU and I was never given a choice about whether to go to college. It was expected of me, there was no alternative.  So off to ECU I went.  A couple weeks into the year I had only met a couple of people in my classes.  I had no real friends and didn't get along with my roommate.  So I worked up all the courage I could and wrote a note to a girl(Vickie Livingston) that was in one of my education classes.  I knew her sister was involved in a christian organization and I knew I was sinking and had to meet some people.  So I asked her about where her sister, Ginger, attended. Wasn't long Vickie took me to the BSU(Baptist Student Union).  Later Ginger became my roommate and when she graduated Vickie and I became roommates.

I regress, back to meeting Dallas.  I became involved in BSU thanks to Ginger and Vickie. If it weren't for them I probably would have begged my parents to let me come home.  People hung out at the BSU, had bible studies, had Wednesday night dinners, and went to other activities together.  It wasn't long until I met Dallas. He was the tall skinny nerdy grad student that was always asleep on the sofa. To be honest I wasn't even interested in him.  I had my eyes on a different guy.

My parents came down for Parents weekend in September.  My dad graduated from ECU, too, so he wanted to go to the football game.  Mom and I went down for snacks and ran into Dallas. He was there with a group from the BSU.  I introduced them and we talked for a few minutes.  After Dallas walked away my mom told me that he was a nice boy and that I should date him.  She even said he would be a nice boy to marry.  I told her he was dating someone else and it wasn't going to happen.

A month later Dallas and I started dating.  New Year's Eve my junior year Dallas proposed at Crab Louie's in Midlothian, VA.  Needless to say my mom was very pleased and loved to remind me that she picked him out for me.  Two weeks after I graduated from college we were married at Fair Havens Methodist Church in Chesterfield, VA. It was Memorial Day Weekend.

The last 22 years hold lots of memories, some of the best days of my life and some of the worse.  We have always tried to put God first in our lives and the rest just seems to fall in place.  We have been blessed beyond measure!

One Month Ago

One month ago we met Alyssa for the very first time. She walked into our hotel room on Sunday, April 15 not knowing that her life would never be the same.  She never cried but did not want to engage in play.  Her body seemed to itch so bad that she was constantly scratching and would turn her body in really strange ways.  It wasn't long before she warmed up to us.  Her itching subsided with lots of baby lotion.

Alyssa has experienced more in the last month than she had in the 2 1/2 years prior.  She had to say goodbye to the only life she ever knew, to all the people that took care of her.  She had to learn to trust these strangers that had been thrust upon her.  She flew on her first airplane, she ate many new foods, she met lots of people, and she landed in a country so different than hers.  So many other changes have happened in her life.  Through it all she has proved to be one amazing little girl.  She seems to love her new home, new surroundings and new family. She is like a sponge and soaking up everything around her.

Things Alyssa loves:
Noodles
Hugs
Tickles
Singing
Throwing the ball
Playing in the yard
The stroller
Her siblings
Her parents
Eating
Clapping her hands
Waving bye bye

Things that Alyssa is not fond of:
Lettuce
Doctors
Giving blood

Things Alyssa is learning to like:
Baths

Words Alyssa can say:
Hug
Uh Oh
Dack(Zack)
Ulia(Julia)
No
Hey
Bye
Peek a woo(Peek a boo)
Hello

I am still in awe of how wonderful Alyssa has adjusted to her new life and our family.  She is a happy little girl who loves life.  She rarely ever cries.  Since we met her she has only cried a handful of times.  She is usually happy and smiling until I pull out a camera.

Last night we had our first post placement visit.  China now requires 6 post placement visits, the first being a month after you get your child.  Our social worker was very impressed with Ms. Alyssa.  She couldn't believe that she was doing so well and fitting into our family so well.  I would like to think it had something to do with our parenting skills but I know better.  We give all the glory to God.  We are truly blessed.

The Honest Post

Please don't hate me but I am going to be honest. I know this is not the norm in adoption but it is 100% true.

Alyssa is doing great! Really great! She only cries if you take her in a bathroom or a doctor's office. There is no doubt that she is bonding and attaching to us. We are prepared if things change but for now she is doing exceptionally well. This has been our easiest adoption yet. Maybe God is trying to tell us something.

Today was Alyssa's first doctor's appointment. It went pretty much as we anticipated. She is 25 lbs and 34 inches long. Alyssa cried as soon as she realized where we were. She cried when anyone touched her. She cried when she gave blood. Lots of blood work and stool samples. Oh what fun! We go back in a month to see what shots she needs and to make sure she is progressing. So who reading my blog goes to Jeffers, Mann, and Artman? I know someone adopting from China does because Dr. Artman mentioned that you mentioned us. Please fess up, we would love to meet you!