Report Card for Maddie

At the end of the 3rd Academic 9 weeks at Maddie's school, all parent's must go meet with the teacher for a conference. During the conference her teacher reviewed a 9 page developmental checklist with me on Maddie's progress. Wow have things changed from last year. She hit every developmental milestone for her age and even some that were beyond her age bracket. "Maddie is a leader and everyone knows it" - lol - these were the words her teacher wrote on the report.

For each category of developmental skills there was a section on whether or not your child had corresponding disruptive behavior. She had a few but they were completely acceptable for a 3 year old. Her teacher stated that she was "Hard Headed" - YA THINK?!!!! AND Very Independant. For the report the teacher helped each child trace a circle, the letter T, a straight line and a couple of other objects and then wanted them to write each on their own. Maddie wouldn't let the teacher help her trace - she wanted to do both by herself without any help. I am not surprised.

Maddie is very bright and is learning things very quickly. Her speech is on target and is understandable by her teacher and the others in her class. I hear her mumble some words together as she is beginning to form larger sentences. This may be normal but she will be evaluated again in October at Texas Childrens. Now that she is more vocal she may require a little speech therapy.

All in all, I am so pleased at her progress and with her school's program. She loves to go to school and learn and play with her friends. Next year she will have just as an amazing teacher as she does this year. We are so blessed to have a great community of educators at EDS - thanks to all of you who have helped Maddie become so settled, safe and secure at school!

Snow Skiing

For the Mardi Gras break we took the kids to Steamboat Springs, Colorado for one of our favorite vacations....Skiing!! We were joined by 3 of our closest couple friends and their families. The company was great, the skiing was fantastic and everyone had a great time.

We were able to get Maddie on skis a couple of times but she concluded that she did not like being confined to those awkward ski boots. She was perfectly content with painting, arts and crafts and playing with friends at daycare while we ski'd during the day.

We were so lucky to have all of our 4 condo's on the same hall of the complex and no other neighbors. We were able to leave our doors opens and Maddie and the other kids just migrated from room to room. Maddie had a blast running up and down the hallway and playing with the other kids.

I hope in years to come Maddie will learn to love skiing as we all do. In the meantime, I think she had a great vacation!!!!

Build A Bear

When Lizzy was a little girl about 8 years old I took her to Build A Bear in Houston and she got a cute little dog, complete with a bed and some girlie clothes. She named the dog "Summer". She still sleeps with Summer and even brings her to camp with her each year.

Maddie loves Lizzy's Summer. Lizzy refuses to share Summer with Maddie. We have been trying to transition Maddie into her own bed upstairs and thought a Build A Bear would be a nice reward for this accomplishment.

We tried for a week and it didn't go as I had hoped. She managed about 3 1/2 nights in her bed alone. After that, it was a disaster. However, we were successful in getting her out of our bed and into her little bed (pallet) on the floor in my room. For this Maddie gets a Build A Bear.

We took her to Build A Bear and allowed her to pick anyone of the 12-14 choices of Build A Bears. They were all different colors and animals. Maddie, of course, chose the dog that looks most like Lizzy's Summer. She didn't quite appreciate the whole experience but she had fun going through and building her dog - which she named - you guessed it - Summer.

Maybe one day - she'll sleep in her bed - in her room. Maybe...... It was fun family day anyway.

Homecoming 1 year ago

1 year ago we landed in Lake Charles to an airport full of family and friends welcoming us home and anxiously waiting to meet Maddie. This was the day her brother and sister got to meet Maddie and the beginning of a beautiful relationship...

This is also the beginning of the Chinese New Year - The Year of the Rabbit. A good friend of ours coordinated a Chinese New Year Celebration at a local Chinese Restaurant and brought together a small group of Chinese Adoptive Families. It was great to meet other families and hear there stories. We hope to continue to get together throughout the year and share in the common bond that binds all of us together.

Thanks Ms. Kelli for getting us all together and planning a wonderful lunch!!!! What a wonderful weekend....

GOTCHA DAY

Today marks Maddie's 1 year anniversary of her GOTCHA Day. I remember the excitement and the anxiety I felt when we drove to the office in China where we were to meet Maddie for the first time. Getting down and walking into the tiny office with 8 other families - my emotions were bubbling at the surface. The moment we saw her being carried in sleeping by her caregiver - I felt as though I had lost my breath. Although she cried for a while I can remember that first moment later that night where she outstretched her arms for me to hold her.... What an amazing and emotional day this was. That moment changed our lives forever.....

Tonight we had a GOTCHA Day celebration with a GOTCHA Day Cake, a Candle and some delicious chinese food. Maddie was quite excited that the Cake and Candle were for her! Although she does not understand the significance of this day - she one day will. What a history she has and an amazing story that is hers to tell.

This past year has flown by so quickly yet we all feel that Maddie has been with our family forever. I can't remember life without her... We all love her so much!!!!

I am also remembering all of the wonderful families we met during our trip to China that are celebrating their GOTCHA Days today or tomorrow. Happy GOTCHA Day to all of you. Remembering one particular family at this time, hoping that all the good memories fill your days. Praying for your new journey in 2011.

1 year ago

1 year ago we were in Beijing anxiously awaiting the moment when we were able to finally hold our precious daughter in our arms. We had traveled far from home and left our family behind. We met some amazing families who were on similar journeys to their children. We saw some amazing sights in a country that we had never traveled to before.

So much has changed in 1 year. As I am typing this blog entry, Maddie is laying in my bed with her babies getting ready to go to sleep. Sweet!

Good Memories!!!!

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Final Milestone in our Journey

Yesterday marked the final milestone in this journey called Adoption. We completed our Final Post Placement Visit with our Social Worker. I can't believe it has been almost 1 year since she came into our lives - 2 1/2 years since we began the process. We have crossed many hurdles, faced many challenges, gained friendships, learned many things about ourselves, traveled around the world, grew closer to GOD and increased our faith in Him throughout this amazing journey. I wouldn't trade a moment! We are looking forward to celebrating, in Grand Portie style, Maddie's Gotcha Day on January 24th.

Now to decide if we pursue Adopting another child. Be praying for us as pray and seek God's guidance.