Little Miss- Nine Months Home

Nine months home!!!  I am a little behind this month on posting, but wow, I looked down at the calendar and was shocked to see we are past the nine month home mark.  This has been the month of talking as Little Miss has really started putting words together, and I feel we can have a pretty good toddler conversation.  It is amazing to watch a child start speaking and communicating. I have loved seeing it all happen. It is just fascinating to this mamma.  It will still be a while before we can show you a  full picture as things to finalize the adoption are taking a lot longer than expected.  I can say she has grown  four inches since she has been home, and her hair has gotten really long from when we first met.

 

(Taking a walk with her baby and stroller)

 

Attachment

This month I really feel we are doing great in this department, and I am feeling confident in our attachment for all parties involved. We took our time and didn’t rush things, and I think this helped out a lot.  It was tough in the beginning, but we have come so far. She is getting more comfortable every day and is really starting to open up and answer questions when people ask her. Nothing major but she will tell you her name and how old she is.  If you ask about “Frozen” or “Moana”, she will talk your ear off.    She knows we are her mom and dad and here to stay, and that is huge in the adoption world.

 

 

 (Feeding the ducks)

 

Food

Little Miss continues to be a great eater, and  most meals she points to a food and tells me it is her favorite food.  We fed ducks at the park near my parents’ home, and she had a great time.  She even took a nibble for herself every now and then.

 

 

 (At the library for children’s hour)

 

Language

The number one question we get about her adoption is how is she doing with her language, and do we speak any Thai to her.  We learned a few Thai phrases before she joined our family, and when we used them,  we also said the phrase or words in English.  I honestly think we were saying the Thai wrong, and that  might have been confusing. Eventually we said everything in English.  She was saying a few English words before we left Thailand so she was picking it up so fast.  Now everything is English, and she hasn’t said any Thai in a while.  The word for elephant, which is chang, is the Thai word she held on to the longest.  We did read an article not long ago about children being able to pick up language from their birth country a lot easier than say if I tried to learn Thai.  The article studied a lot of children adopted from Korea, and even if they were in the country for only six weeks, they learned the language a lot faster than someone not born in the country.  But considering she didn’t hear English for the first 18 months of her life, I am so impressed with how she is a sponge and has picked it up so quickly.  I only wish as an adult I could do the same.

 

 

(Wearing her blond “Frozen” wig)

 

Activities

Okay Disney, you are brilliant.  I don’t know what it is, but she has become obsessed with all things princess, especially “Frozen” and “Moana.”  The songs are now played multiple times in our home, and the serious look she gets when they come on it is very cute.  She is soaking up every word and note and feels the music.  Even after hearing the song from “Frozen” one time, she knew some words.  Yankee and I joke that Disney has a high pitch or something in the songs that adults can’t hear but that children obsess over.  It was the same with “Moana.” One time and wow! The song is a must play in our house.  This month I have also really noticed more toy playing and interaction with other children.  Her imagination is starting to go, and it is really fun to watch.  Some things in her eyes are just magical, and I love seeing it.  I know this imagination won’t last forever, so I love seeing her play and pretend and really light up.  She just melts my heart.  So many times I just look at her smile, and I am so thankful and blessed she is in our lives.

 

 (Dancing with Ya Ya in their jammies)

 

Travel and Holidays

 

Little Miss continues to be a champ  in the travel department.  This month we went to Washington, DC. to visit my brother and sister-in-law.   DC is a great city and has lots of fun things for toddlers.  We traveled to West Virginia for her to visit with my grandmother and grandfather.  Then we made the trek to Kentucky to visit with my parents.  If you have been reading us you know travel is huge, and Yankee and I want to show her the world and open her up to other people and cultures.  Currently, she is unable to leave the US until the adoption is finalized so we will do plenty of travel within the US.

 

The only holiday we have celebrated this month was Valentine’s Day, and she was treated to some pink pancakes and other goodies made by her Aunt.

 

 (In our front yard)

 

Gracie

She is finally back to saying our dog Gracie’s name instead of just dog.  Gracie is visiting with my brother and sister-in-law for a few weeks, so they can enjoy some dog time.  I am sure Gracie is loving all the attention.  I can tell it is great having a dog with a child because she eats up all of the crumbs.  I am running the vacuum more while Gracie is on her little vacation.

Well, there you go… nine months.  I really can’t believe it.  Some days have been so long, but it is going so fast.  Many days I look back and can’t believe how far we have come in such a short amount of time.  Our little family is so fun and special with Little Miss.  We love this sweet girl so much.  Thank you for following along on this journey.

 

 

 (Blowing bubbles)

 

To read all about our adoption journey see below.

Eight Months Home

Seven Months Home

  Six Months Home

Five Months Home

Four Months Home

Three Months Home

Two months home

One Month Home

Home from Our Trip to Thailand

Update from Thailand

Waiting update #5

Waiting update #4

Waiting Update #3 We have a girl!

Waiting Update #2

Waiting Update #1

The life in lifestyle- adoption

We are adopting a baby!

 

Cheers!