One month home as of today!!

Do you believe that it has been one month since we have been home? Do you believe next week is Christmas??? Do you believe 2009 is quickly upon us? Time does fly when you are having fun! It seems like yesterday that we received Lydia's referral. Do you believe that was 3 months ago??

INSANE!

Today we went to the Social Security Office to apply for Lydia's Social Security Card. Let me just say that it wasn't a pleasant experience. I will leave it at that. All in all, we accomplished what we wanted to do while we were there. :) Unfortunately, that was pretty much all we were able to do while we were out...it was lunch and naptime for Lydia.

I also want to give a shout out to my precious husband. He is such an amazing man. I love him dearly.

Thank you Lord Jesus for placing him in my life.

Cute Pictures of Lydia and our sweet cats!

"What?" "Is this too close?"
Lydia looking at the "Hello Spot" book.

She found Mr. Rabbit!

"Seriously, do you have to carry that camera around all the time?"

"Okay, you can take one more picture."

"....and another..."

"Oh, alright...you can take as many pictures as you want Momma!"

Lydia checking out the "Panda" book.

"Interesting fabric."

We couldn't get her pullover off of her head...we were both cracking up!!!

Harlow and Lola taking up residency in Lydia's room

"Check out my new Christmas dress!" from Grandpa and Grandma (THANKS!!!)

Aren't they so cuddly?

"Please Momma, no more pictures...I keep seeing these white blocks everywhere!"

Baby is waking up early from her nap......gotta run! Hope you enjoy the pictures! By the way, today we received her Certificate of Citizenship in the mail! Wow!!!!! How cool is that?

ps-John and I just want to say thanks to all of you who are supporting and encouraging us (not to mention your outpouring of love) with our decision with Lydia's recent attachment issues. It really means so much to us.

We praise the Lord for such wonderful people. Thanks again.

Lydia is 20 months old today!

Happy 20 months Lydia.

Your Momma and BaBa love you.

Attachment Issues Update

Well....John and I have made a decision on what the doctor stated about our situation. John and I, with Lydia's best interest, will follow doctor's orders.

Let me explain a bit further why our doctor has come to this conclusion......

While Lydia was in the orphanage, she did not attach to any of the caregivers. We could tell that when we first received her in our arms. Lydia did not cry when she was taken out of the caregiver's arms and given to us. This is the first indication of unhealthy attachment. Then, afterwards, Lydia would go to anyone. If the person held out their arms to her or even was in her reach....she would leave one of us and go to that person..with no regard to either her Momma or BaBa.

Let's look at it this way...when a person holds Lydia (other than us) they are acting as her "caregiver" (much like it was in the orphanage), and in that, she starts to build trust in that person. Taking away the very trust that she needs to be building in us. Lydia does not know the difference from "Tom, Dick, or Harry, Mom, Dad, or whoever" (so to speak). If you are holding her or meeting her needs..you are acting as a caregiver and we cannot risk this anymore.

Lydia has not learned that family is special (the three of us). She needs to learn that if we want her to have a healthy bonding/attachment to us. If she does not know this at an early age, it will be detrimental to her growth as a young lady and even in her adult years. We certainly do not want this (we have seen examples)...we want what is best for her.

We have talked with many other adoptive families and friends who state to just "listen to your doctor". Her doctor is an adoption specialist, has 3 children adopted from China and knows what she is talking about. I trust her. Why else would I drive all the way to Cincinnati to see her.

This is how we will do things for the next 5 months....
>When playing with other children: we will either hold her or she will sit on our lap while she interacts with other children
>When with family or friends: we will hold her while she interacts with others
>We will not allow anyone other than ourselves to: feed her, pick her up, comfort her, wake her up, put her down to sleep, change her, or any other circumstance where she has a need

I know that this may sound ridiculous, but we will do whatever it takes to help Lydia. We love her and we have a responsibility from the Lord to take care of her . We are accountable for her.

We hope and pray that those who are upset with this would prayerfully consider Lydia and what her needs are right now.

Whew! I am glad that is over with!

Yesterday, I took Lydia for her first doctors appointment in Cincinnati, Ohio. Needless to say, I thought it was just going to be an evaluation. Well, I was so wrong. 6 shots later...and lab work done...my sweet girl was ready to go home!

It was probably the hardest thing to watch. To see my daughter totally freak out like that was so heartbreaking!

Tomorrow, I have to drive to Northern Kentucky for her doctor to check her TB test..then on Monday...I am back in Cincinnati to deliver "samples" that we have had to collect over the weekend.

Poor girl..considering the circumstances..she did very well.

One more thing.....her doctor is concerned about her attachment to us. Reason being..because she goes to just about anyone (but still comes back to us-which she states is a good start with healthy attachment). She stated that for the next 5 months that no one else should be able to hold her or provide for any of Lydia's needs. We are uncertain about this. I have read and researched this..most adoption circles will state this. However, we will be speaking to other families that have adopted from China who have a Christian worldview. We certainly want what is best for Lydia..so whatever we need to do..we will do.

Pray for us that we will have wisdom regarding this situation..also that if we do need to do this..that our friends and family will respect our decision.

Awesome Pictures of Lydia

A dear friend of ours, Dustin Benge, went to church with us last Sunday and he had lunch at our home. He has picked up photography and he has become very good at it! He brought over his camera and immediately started taking pictures. I have asked his permission to share some of them. Check them out...they are so good.

Thanks Dustin!

One month today as a family of three!!

Lydia just started crossing her feet while eating! I thought it was so cute!

Lydia playing with her panda

Givin' lovin' to the panda

She just loves her panda!

SNOW!!! It was so beautiful!

Santa Lydia!

These hollies are located right outside our bay window

She likes bracelets...a lot!

She is trying to put the bracelets in her purse

Too cute!

Today we celebrate one month as a family of three. It is so hard to believe that it has already been one month! I feel like it has been quite a bit longer than that. When we think about how far she has progressed..just in one month...we are amazed! She is doing so well. Trust me, we have our days....good and not so good..but all in all...its been pretty stinkin' good! :)

We are truly grateful to our God and King. This season just brings a smile to my face. Even more so this year when we reflect on God's goodness and His provision.

ALL PRAISE TO OUR GOD AND KING!

For wonders He has done!