I can't help but feel overwhelmed emotionally as we come up on our 3 year anniversary of the day that Ava's joined our family...Ava's "gotcha day". There were so many hours, days, years that I dreamed about having children and the same number in which I didn't know if I would ever get to experience being a mom. I have never been as sad about anything else in my life as the very real possibility of never being a mom. That was a long, hard season of my life in which I learned many lessons about myself and just how strong I am and how much stronger the Lord I serve is. After so much insecurity and sadness I took having you in my arms to feel as if you weren't going to be taken away in some form or another. Even after being matched with Ava, I was so excited but felt as if I had to guard my heart for...just in case. Now that seems so long ago, but as I think on those days I can quickly remember those feelings. I don't want to forget because I don't want to talk any of the days I've had with Ava and then Ella for granted. To say that I love Ava and Ella to moon and back is not enough. They have my heart and make up my world. They call me, "Mama" and that means everything to me.
Ava, it's hard to put into words all the progress, growth, and experiences you've had in the last year. You are growing too quickly if you ask me. I wish you'd slow down!! This last year at home has been a big one and you are becoming a girl ready for school...a girl with a lot of attitude! Ava I hope you always know how much we love you.
1. You're a BIG sister!! In June we traveled to China as a family to meet and bring home Ella. It was so special to take you to China with us and to experience our growing family together. I wouldn't have changed that trip for anything. Being a big sister is not an easy job but you love the role and you love your sister! You love showing her new things and helping take care of her. You definitely want your alone time occasionally but you really enjoy playing with your sister.
2. You started preschool this year and you love it!! You go to a program that has daycare before and after school and then you have the educational day from 9-4 every day. Honestly, your mom and dad really debated about not starting you this year because of all the adjustments after bringing home Ella but you insisted and we decided to give it a try. This turned out to be a great decision! You are learning a ton and at a super fast rate. You've learned how to write your name, mama, Ella, Fuller, Baba. Your favorite question is "what does ___ start with?" I'm pretty sure I spell at least 20 words everyday. You have made some new friends and you love your teachers.
3. You are no longer in diapers of any kind! Yay!! You've been potty trained during the day for almost a year but the overnights is a new success. Honestly, I probably took longer because I was dragging my feet, not sure how to help you be successful. Finally we just started talking about sleeping in underwear and really talking it up for a week with a countdown and gave it a chance. You're doing a great job! You occasionally have an accident but for the most part you can take yourself to the bathroom during the night if needed and you usually wake up dry. My big girl :)
4. You were able to be the Flower Girl in Uncle Robert and Aunt Catherine's wedding in August. You were so excited and a little nervous as time got close but you did such a beautiful job. Mama was almost in tears watching you tosh your flower petals down the isle...I was so proud of you. And trust me, you were the most beautiful flower girl!
5. My beautiful daughter, you are full of attitude and personality!! I never know what is going to come out of your mouth. You are compassionate, sweet, sassy, and funny so you are constantly keeping us on our toes. You've definitely embarrassed us a few times you your comments like, "He's a really big guy!!" as we are walking past a large man in the store. But in the next breath you are saying things like, "It's a lovely day" or "that's marvelous"! You also make me laugh on a daily basis.
6. You would rather be outside than in, any day. You love the sunshine and going for nature walks. But honestly you spend hours outside playing in the snow never affected by the cold temperature. When it's dinner time and you're playing in the back yard we often have to call numerous times to get you in the house. You love going to the lake house and you love swimming. And when I say love I mean you LOVE it!! You are never ready to get out of the lake or pool or whatever it might be. If there is swimming involved you will go until we make you leave. I honestly think you might drown from just going and going before you would get out on your own. Good thing mom and dad are looking out for you. But I think this is one of the reasons why we fit together so well...as a family we love to be outside whenever possible.
6. You would rather be outside than in, any day. You love the sunshine and going for nature walks. But honestly you spend hours outside playing in the snow never affected by the cold temperature. When it's dinner time and you're playing in the back yard we often have to call numerous times to get you in the house. You love going to the lake house and you love swimming. And when I say love I mean you LOVE it!! You are never ready to get out of the lake or pool or whatever it might be. If there is swimming involved you will go until we make you leave. I honestly think you might drown from just going and going before you would get out on your own. Good thing mom and dad are looking out for you. But I think this is one of the reasons why we fit together so well...as a family we love to be outside whenever possible.
7. You are really into nicknames. You come up with nicknames for people around you or find out a nickname and use it. You often call me Nutmeg ever since you found out your dad used to call me that. Ella is never just Ella but always Ella Bella. And on the flip side you inform us daily of what your nickname is for the day. It might be Mr. M & M, Honey Poo, Hotdog, Tiger, or what have you but you let us know every morning what you would like to be called for the day.
8. One of my favorite new activities of your's in imagination and dress up play. I love your's and your sister's imagination! You girls are constantly in princess dresses and tiaras. Or playing doctor. Or dressing as a rockstar and putting on concerts. Once your dressed we typically find you dancing around the house or having tea parties in the castle tent or making dinner in the basement kitchen.
9. Your speech has come along so well in the last year. In school you have been getting speech therapy 3 times per week. I know that the speech therapy is helping but honestly, I think just being around other kids all the time has helped you develop your speech so well. You are so much easier to understand than you were a year ago. You still have some words that are hard to understand and continue to have some lateralization of your speech but you are getting it girl! I'm so proud of you because you put up with mama and baba correcting you at times and having you repeat the word. You have made so much progress and we're so proud of you!
10. You have made some great friends in your short 4 years (3 years at home). I love to watch your friendships bloom and am amazed at the depth of friendship that can be formed at such a young age. Your best friend is Claira who you met at daycare. She still goes to daycare but we run into her often and Mama works with Claira's dad. You girls are constantly having her dad and I pass back and forth gifts you've made for each other. And we have play dates for you girls as often as possible. When you're together it's like you've never had any time apart. You girls have so much fun together and I love how you love each other.
9. Your speech has come along so well in the last year. In school you have been getting speech therapy 3 times per week. I know that the speech therapy is helping but honestly, I think just being around other kids all the time has helped you develop your speech so well. You are so much easier to understand than you were a year ago. You still have some words that are hard to understand and continue to have some lateralization of your speech but you are getting it girl! I'm so proud of you because you put up with mama and baba correcting you at times and having you repeat the word. You have made so much progress and we're so proud of you!
10. You have made some great friends in your short 4 years (3 years at home). I love to watch your friendships bloom and am amazed at the depth of friendship that can be formed at such a young age. Your best friend is Claira who you met at daycare. She still goes to daycare but we run into her often and Mama works with Claira's dad. You girls are constantly having her dad and I pass back and forth gifts you've made for each other. And we have play dates for you girls as often as possible. When you're together it's like you've never had any time apart. You girls have so much fun together and I love how you love each other.
