One year home!

Our first night home: January 1, 2010

                                       One year later: January 1, 2011

We have been home one full year as of tonight, and have experienced a full year of firsts with Audrey. She has changed so drastically from a year ago, and what a privilege it has been to witness this transformation. We are blessed!

Broadway bound, for sure!

Audrey has been singing more and more these days, and was willing to share a little bit with us tonight.  On her terms, of course! :)  This is a medley of her current top hits, with the family favorite being "Kwinkle, Kwinkle Wittle Tar"....

One year ago today....

..... we saw this beautiful face for the very first time.  What an exciting day October 12, 2009 was!  Our waiting was finally over, and we finally knew who Audrey Anne Fangying was.  I can remember the details of the day so clearly, and recalling all of those details today has been fun, but also emotional.  What an exciting year we have had, but what a really overwhelming year Audrey has had - both loss and new life for her.  Sometimes it is hard for me to think about all that she has gone through in her life already.  She has changed so much since these first precious pictures!  We think she is quite special every day, but especially today - October 12, 2010.

 

A special visit

I was going to include these pictures as part of a 'June wrap-up' post, but they deserve their own special spot on the blog!  We had the privilege of visiting with our China travelmates Lisa and Lucy last month, at their home, just a couple of hours north of us.  I tear up when I think about these two little girls, spending the first 17 1/2 months of their lives in a room of 10 babies, sleeping in cribs next to each other, on the other side of the world.  Now, they are living two hours apart in Illinois, each one adored and the delight of her own family.  God is good!

Audrey was a little shy with Lucy at first, but then warmed up and was very happy to be the boss of share Lucy's toys. :)  The girls enjoyed a little pre-lunch snack together, and then we headed to a great restaurant for lunch.  (Lisa, can we go to Juicy-O every time we visit?  We loved it!)  There was a very high cute factor when they held hands walking into the restaurant.  Audrey and Lucy did seem genuinely happy to be around each other, and we were all tickled to just watch them be together.  So fun. 

We have Lucy's picture on our fridge, where Audrey can see it from her high chair.  She still calls Lucy "Shu Shu," even though we tell her "Lucy" every day.  I wish I knew what she is thinking - does she remember hearing Lucy called Shu Shu every day from China?  Or is she just saying that to say the opposite of what I tell her? :)  I kind of think it's from hearing it in China, but who knows?!

Audrey and Lucy have both changed so much since December.  They have grown taller, gained weight, and have so much more hair! :)  Besides the physical changes, the change in the girls' demeanor is obvious, as well.  They are happy, funny, and just so comfortable in their surroundings.  They have come a long, long way in six months! 

We are so thankful that we can visit frequently, and look forward to being together the next time! :)  What a special bond for these two little girls! 

6 Months as a Family of 5

I took this sweet picture of Audrey yesterday, our 6-month anniversary of being her family. Wow - half of a year already! I feel like I say the same thing over and over, but we just can't believe how blessed we are to be the parents of this precious girl. She brightens each day, makes us laugh each day, and is growing up so fast.

Our June has been filled with travels, baseball, and a special visit with our dear China travelmates Lisa and Lucy. All of that will be in a June recap - coming soon!

Home 5 months today...

...and Audrey got to celebrate by spending the evening at her big brother's baseball game.  She is a very good spectator, and even knows when we turn on to the street leading to the ballfield that we are going to "bay-ball!  Iam!"

I Scream, You Scream...

To set the scene... the only thing Audrey saw when she looked over her shoulder was Ian standing at the freezer.  She knew she had seen good things come out of that freezer before! :)