One year ago we were just meeting you for the first time. You were terrified of what was happening, who we were, and your safe place was being completely over turned. We had been waiting for so long to meet you and hold and love on you. We had months to prepare our hearts, our home, and to change our normal routine. We absolutely could not wait to meet you and have you but I will never forget the fear in your eyes. Over the last year you have grown and changed so much and in the process you have changed us too. You have become comfortable with us and in your new home. We see your personality shine through daily. You are brave. You are spicy. You are full of love and hugs. We love you more and more each day. I think of both you bio parents and your foster families regularly and pray for them. They must miss you so much. And they would be so proud of what you've accomplished this year. You are amazing!! Don't ever forget that!
One Year List
1. Your heart is huge. You love your family, you love your friends, you love your teachers, you love animals, you love our neighbors. You often play hard to get with a huge smile on your face, trying to hind but often give in with a squeal and a jumping hug!
2. Your laugh is contagious! You have one of those great belly laughs. One that seems to brew from deep down inside and joy erupts in that sweet laugh. We love seeing you that happy and that comfortable in your surroundings.
3. You love your sister more than anyone. You do everything she does...and I mean everything. You order the same food she does, you girls like to curl up in the same chair in the evening and watch a TV show together. You often get in trouble together. I love the relationship you girls have and I pray it continues to grow and last forever. This summer you girls are in the same daycare class. I was honestly a little nervous this might be too much togetherness. However, Mama and Baba always find you two playing right next to each other when we pick you up at the end of the day. And when we ask who you played with today you each mention each other first and then name other friends. Melt my heart.
5. You are also brave when it comes to daycare and having a baby sitter come over. This has been a tough adjustment for you but you have recently been singing "Grownups come back" every time we separate. You still have some days that you are not happy with Mama and Baba leaving you for a short time but most days you walk in singing your song. We part for a few hours with a couple hugs and kisses. We are so proud of you. I can't imagine what goes through your mind every time we leave. I pray that fear continues to get smaller each time.
6. Your speech continues to get clearer and clearer on a regular basis. It seems like over the last 2 months we are understanding more and more and you are talking more in phrases. You've made so much progress. We believe part of your progress is probably due to your recent move to the preschool class at daycare. I'm sure it helps to have kids around you who are role modeling speech. But you are also so patient when Mama and Baba work with you and ask you to repeat your words until we can understand you better.
7. You love TV and movies. If we let you, you'd watch TV for hours. Lucky for you, your parents control how many hours you watch :) Your favorites are now Care Bears, Super Why, and Strawberry Shortcake.
8. You have learned so much over the last year. You're learning English first of all when all you'd heard prior was Mandarin. You also know your alphabet and can count to 12. You are learning to share and play nice with others. You are learning to color and to stay in the lines but more importantly you are learning to be creative. You love to cut paper and make creations from paper and stickers and whatever else we allow you to use. You are learning to love others and trust that they are going to be in your life longterm. Wow, that's a lot of big lessons for one year!
9. You love our puppy Sam I Am, but I think you love telling him what to do even more ;) You're not the youngest any more and in your mind I think that means that you can tell him what you'd like him to do...all the time. If he ever is doing something that he shouldn't you're the first to shout, "Sammy NO!!!" And we can't help but laugh at how serious you sound. But you also are loving lovin' on him. Giving him treats, petting him when he comes to snuggle with you, and squealing with delight when he gives you kisses. When we practice commands with Sammy you love to join in. You love giving him commands and then being able to give him a treat.
10. You are very concerned with your princess status. Every day you get dressed...changed and dressed again usually and ask "do I look like a princess?" Apparently if it's not a dress or if there are not ruffles it's harder to tell if it's a princess outfit :) Ella, you will always be a princess in our minds. A princess who loves to twirl and play dress, who loves to play outside and get dirty, who loves to dance and sing, who loves to dig in the sand. You are a princess and don't let anyone ever tell you differently.
