7 months!

I can't believe that our little angel is 7 months old!!! Her are her latest stats!!

She had her well baby visit on May 5th where she weighed in at 18 lbs and 11 ounces!! She is above the 97% for her weight! She was 26 cm long which is near the 50%. She of course screamed for her shots but calmed down quickly after a little snuggle with mom. The doctor was a little worried about her one hip so he sent us off to get an xray for possible congenital hip dysplasia. We got the xray results back and now are headed to see an orthopedic doc on June 1st for a consultation. Leah shows no pain or physical signs of anything wrong with her hip so we were quite surprised there may be a problem. She loves standing with our help and rolls around the room like a little worm. We are praying that she is ok but as always will deal with whatever life has to hand us.

During her 6th month she started trying to pull herself up into stance while she holds our hands. She is showing more interest in trying to move around but has not figured out how to crawl or scoot yet. She takes her baths in the tub now with just a mat on the bottom. She loves kicking in the water and splashing around like a little fish. She goes after her toys while sitting up in the tub and she is fascinated with the water swirling down the drain. She continues to eat her veggies like a champ and is now starting to like her fruit. Blueberries and prunes seem to be a hit! We tried a sippy cup twice with no real interest in actually drinking from it. She continues to have the best personality and is much quicker to warm up to new faces. She loves being outside and watching the leaves blow in the wind. She also loves to swing and stand in her exersaucer. She can sit up for a long period of time to play but hasn't figured how to get into sitting herself.

Other news! We are loving our new house and being so close with everyone. We haven't had a weekend without friends and family since we moved here. We spend our nights on the deck...sipping our tea in the dim light of the tiki torches. I couldn't paint a perfect picture. Just us living the all American dream. Our life is full...we are blessed in every way....and we are thankful. So very thankful.

Humbled

Leah is on the verge of turning 7 months! Time seems to be flying by and somedays I'm not sure where the time has gone. We have been in the new house two months and had soo many visitors now that we live close to our friends and family. It is great that everyone can see Leah grow and change...and I can tell she likes seeing everyone. Her stranger anxiety has lessened...thank goodness!

Onto what I wanted to write about. I am humbled. Still. I'm thinking I will be forever. When I look at Leah I am humbled. I'm still in awe that she is my daughter and that I have been given the gift of being her mother. At least once a week my eyes swell with tears as I look down on her and realize that I have everything I could ever want. My life is perfect...in every way....in every moment. How did I get so lucky?
I am humbled by the relationship I have with her birthmother, L. I spoke with her last night and chuckled to myself as I hung up the phone. I felt like I had just had a conversation with someone I have known for years, not just a mere 5 months.
Adoption has humbled me. It has made me look at life differently. It can make me cry with tears of joy and pain all at the same time. The raw emotions of adoption are bold and truthful. They creep in when no one is looking and encompass you..leaving you standing there with tears rolling down your cheeks. In church this weekend, I looked at Leah and almost began crying. I felt the gulp in my throat and had to look away. I pray that every week I continue to have these moments....these crazy moments that rise from somewhere deep down and swallow me up. I am thankful I am humbled. I am thankful that this is my life. I am thankful.

Back to Work

This week I started back to work part time. I wasn't sure what to expect....but I am pleasantly surprised. I enjoy going to work. I like what I do. A small part of my feels that I should feel guilty about it but I don't. Leah has a great time at the babysitter...she is content there...she is happy there. She has such stranger anxiety for so long that it is good she is exposed to other people and can feel comfortable. So really...I think it is good for her. It is good for me. Maybe if things would have been a different I may have been more content being a stay at home mom but that's not how it worked out. Part of me feels that I was a "single" mom for many months while we moved. I think that experience had me looking forward to going back to work. Don't get me wrong...I love every minute I spend with my little angel. BUT.....when you are the only one for 5 days at a time you look forward to a little me time. So even though I am working....I have time to be me and do something I enjoy. That being said I am also glad I am only working part time. I still get my days to be home with Leah. For me, part time is the best of both worlds. I also don't feel guilty because she is 6 months old....and most working moms return to work at 3 months...so I feel she is ready for this. Plus if Leah ever wants a sibling I better get back to work and make some dough!

This weekend we are having a housewarming party for our friends! I am busy baking and cooking all day and getting things in order. Check back for pictures next week!

Here is the little cutie with her classic "smile"!

New Skills

Apparently Leah likes to learn new skills within two days and then she is done for awhile. Since she started cutting her two bottom teeth she has learned to sit up...hold her bottle...roll from belly to back and now she has decided she would like to stand to play. She is quite amazing and continues to make my heart smile!!

First, First, First!! A Big 5th Month!

Can you believe that little Leah will be hitting 6 months in just over a week! This month has gone fast with the move but we couldn't be happier! Life is now perfect and each day seems a little sweeter. This has been a big month for all of us and it has brought a lot of firsts for Leah. This month she started on rice cereal which she wasn't fond of in the least bit. After a week of uncertainty she came down with her first cold and fever just in time for Easter. Once she was feeling better....which was only a few short days....we tried cereal and added sweet potatoes to the mix and she started to get the hang of it! Now she will eat peas, sweet potatoes, squash, rice cereal. On her "dislike" list is applesauce! I think it is a little too tart for her liking! She still takes 5 bottles a day but with less amounts. She also started napping for two hour time lengths, twice a day! I love that and feel I can actually get something done during her naps. She likes to have a snuggly blanket with her during those naps and yes...I let her have it. Also this month she finally figured out how to roll from tummy to back but still needs a little encouragement from something to do so. She is just such a content little girl that moving around isn't her top priority. She loves to sit up and is getting better balance each day. She continues to be very inquisitive and everyone comments on that. Well, that and all of her hair! More ringlets are forming and they are cuter than ever! She likes to pull at her hair when shes tired and will do that at nap time. I'm surprised she hasn't started pulling it out yet! She is also getting her first tooth! You can see the tooth pushing through the bottom gum and feel the hard surface. She actually doesn't seem bothered by it....which is just her style. She is chewing on her thumb and just about everything else so I know she feels it. She continues to have stranger anxiety but seems to get over it some once she is around you for awhile. In time this will all end...and all the visitors are ready for that. I can't believe how much she has changed since moving from Pittsburgh. My love and amazement grow for this little girl everyday. She is truly amazing!! Here are some pictures from the last month!

New House

We are moved...finally!! I LOVE our new house and am so glad we are back to being a "fulltime" family of three! Here are a few pictures of the rooms that are presentable. We gutted the master bedroom completely and redid everything in there....now it is spa-like!! Leah has a cute purple bedroom which there are no pictures yet since she is sleeping soundly in there right now. I will post more about her 5 month birthday tomorrow!!

Is it time?

Is it time for the sunglasses yet? Please spring.....come on over and shine down on us!