Happy 1st Family Day, Adelyn!!

It has been just over 1 year since the day Adelyn was placed in our arms. It's hard to believe that this time last year we were holding her tiny, yet mighty little body for the first time. We were somewhat "lost" about how to care for her at first. But on the other hand, we were "found." How were we so lucky to be matched with this tiny timid child, we wondered. Now, we know she was ours long before we ever made the decision to adopt. Thank you, God!!

The following pictures show Adelyn's growth over the course of the year from Referral to today.
One year ago she was 30.5" tall, weighed 19.5 lbs. Now, she is 36 1/4" tall and weighs 26 lbs.

Dec '07

Feb '08

Mar '08

Apr '08

May '08

Jun '08

Jul '08

Aug '08

Sept '08

Oct '08

Nov '08

Dec '08

Jan '09

Feb '09

Adelyn has changed so much over the past 12 months. She has grown so fast! My favorite moments with Adelyn are reading books and snuggling at bedtime. I love to watch Adelyn and Daddy say how much they love each other with their arms spread out big. I love to watch her say the blessing before dinner. She closes her little eyes, but peaks to see if we have our eyes closed too. (Of course we don't because we are watching her!) I love to hear her in the morning say "Mommy, all done resting now. Come get Adelyn." She just smiles when she sees me. Her smile fills my heart with overwhelming love. We are so blessed to have been chosen to be her parents.

I recently had a short interview with Adelyn about some favorite things in life. Here's what she said:

• Favorite toy: Choo Choo Train
• Favorite veggie: carrot
• Favorite fruit: orange
• Favorite food: noodles and chichin (chicken)
• Favorite animal: giraffe
• Favorite day of the week: Tuesday ???(not sure why)
• Favorite drink: strawberry milk
• Favorite letter of the alphabet: A (of course)
• Favorite treat after going #2 in potty: 5 skittles!!
• Favorite crayon color: pink and purple
• Favorite activity with Daddy: play-doh!!!!
• Favorite activity with Mommy: dancing and singing songs
• What do want to be when you grow up: "When Adelyn bigger bigger, sing in microphone at church."

We couldn't leave out these other favorites that she may enjoy knowing when she gets "bigger, bigger":

• Her favorite books: "Good Dog Carl" and "May I have a Cookie Please?"
• Her favorite doll: Butterbean, of course!
• Her favorite movie: "Alvin and the Chipmunks"
• Her favorite TV show: "Little Einsteins"
• Her favorite songs to sing: "Twinkle, Twinkle", "Come Deedee come Speckle", "ABC's", "Itsy Bitsy Spider" "Frosty the Snowman" and "Wheels on the Bus".
• Her new "big" word: "Frustrated!" "Help, Mom...Adelyn fustated!!!!!"

Adelyn's milestones over the past year:

• She conquered her fear of the bathtub shortly after we arrived back in the states. Now, we can't get her out of the bathtub! She can even hold her breath under water.
• She can say her abc's, recognize all letters of the alphabet and spell her name.
• She can count to 20 (....although some of the higher numbers sound the same right now!)
• She is (daytime) potty trained.

Way to go, Baby!!! Mommy and Daddy love you sooooo much!!!!!