Monday, December 28, 2009

Our "Bug" is 6 months old!




















I can hardly believe it. Vivienne Grace is 6 months old today! Sometimes I feel like it was just yesterday that she joined our family, and sometimes it feels like she has been here forever.
She is such a big girl! On Christmas day, she weighed in at almost 19 1/2 pounds. She goes through clothes like CRAZY, and is currently wearing size 12-18 months in most brands, and size 18 months in Carter's pj's. To put it in perspective, when we adopted Lucy at age 15 1/2 months, she was around 16-17 pounds. Vivi is pushing out of the clothes and pj's Lucy wore while in China! In case you were wondering what we feed her, until last week it was mostly formula! We had introduced a few foods here and there since age four months, but she didn't seem real impressed. Last week during dinner she was sitting on my lap, and as I was eating my soup, she would tilt her head back and open her mouth. Let's just say she has gone full force with her daily meals since then! (And OH BOY did I feel guilty!) So far we have tried rice cereal, peas, squash, sweet potatoes, white potatoes, and today, bananas. Let's just say baby girl loves her some sweet potatoes! WOW, she really makes a go for them!

She rolled over for the first time December 5th. Of course I missed it. I was gone for the day spending time with the family I used to work for, and she did it for dad. (I mean come on girl, I am with you day in and day out and this is what I get...sheesh! I mean, you even said DaDa first...Grrrrr.) She has been a rolling fool ever since!
She is so close to sitting up on her own, but does great when supported a bit. The girl has great abs..I swear one of these days she will go from lying on her back to sitting straight up, and most likely it will scare the crap out of me, but I will still be proud of her!

She's not a huge fan of tummy time, but when she does tolerate it, she holds herself up and is pulling one of her legs up like a frog. Mommy and daddy made a quick trip to Targ*t this weekend for a baby gate so we aren't taken off gaurd when she takes off crawling.

She continues to be in awe of her big sister Lucy, and vice versa. It is ovious there is a bond there that I hope continues forever. Lucy can make her smile like no one else can, and loves to be by her side. They sit next to each other in the morning to eat, and will lay together on my lap to rest. Lucy hates for Vivi to be at grandma's alone, and gets upset when her friends Lexi and Linley want to hold or play with her. (Hmmm, a bit jealous perhaps?)

She shows NO interest in holding her own bottle while she is fed, and think about it...would you if you were a princess and had queen mommy to do it for you?
Didn't think so.
She loves her voice, and let me tell you she has a big one! She squeals, screams, and laughs hysterically, but do NOT make the girl mad. There is no going back! I call her my 0-60 baby. She can go from being happy to screaming in, well, you get it!
Especially when hungry!

She is still a good sleeper. Some days 2 twenty minute naps, other days one long one (1-2 hrs) but will sleep from 9:30-8:30 with just one feeding. Sometimes even longer. I am very blessed that my hubby does the early morning feeding around 5 am before he gets in the shower for work. (What's that?...Me spoiled? Yeah, trust me...I know! Get this, I am also allowed to sleep in on most weekends! Is he a dear or what????)

We go to court to finalize our adoption next week.
It will be a bittersweet moment for me.
For many reasons.
It will most likely mark the end of our adoption journey as a family. Let's face it, adoption is EXPENSIVE, and I don't know how much more our credit can take for awhile.
Also, I have been fortunate enough to have met some great social worker's during this journey. If it had not been for one in particular, Denise, Vivi would not have been placed with our family. ( Long story WAY short, Denise came to our house to do a homestudy update for our Nepal adoption. She happened to ask how we found Nepal, and when I explained through an agency we were looking at for Ethiopia, she pointed out something so simple, yet so mind blowing. If we were open to race, why not adopt AA or bi-racial here in Ohio. And she was right. Why not?) This will mark my close continued conversations with these people.
People I would call to ask a question or voice a concern, and end up talking to for a LOT longer than we all bargained for. People I could bounce thoughts off of...... I know I will still be able to chat with them from time to time, but it just won't be the same. I had to laugh at the end of our most recent (and FINAL!!!) post placement visit. As the social worker walked out the door to her car, she turned and looked at me and said, "You'll be back!" with a sly grin. Will we? Only God himself knows. I sure would like it.

On the other hand, how JOYOUS finalization will be! No more paperwork. No more monthly visits. No more fire inspections by the State Fire Marshal. No more checking of all my outlet covers and cabinet locks. No more fingerprinting. No more background checks from the BCI, FBI and local police. NO MORE NICKEL AND DIMING ADOPTION EXPENSES!
But, the HAPPY and most IMPORTANT part of finalization??
Miss Vivienne Grace being a PERMANENT part of our family. The family who LOVES her, ADORES her, DOTES on her, and will CHERISH her forever and ever! How awesome is that???? And for that......we cannot wait!













25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!! I am so excited for you all!! Vivi is getting so big! We miss you guys..call us soon!!

Tammie T. said...

She is a beautiful baby! Sounds like she keeps you on your toes! Congrats on the finalization of the adoption!

Jodi said...

Congratulations! A family complete - it's the best! Vivi is so beautiful!!!

Kelly said...

Great update!! She is just beautiful!!! What part of Ohio do you live in?????

Kelly said...

Sorry, just re-read your profile, Columbus. We live in Dayton! so close!

Musings from Kim K. said...

Beautiful post. Congratulations on 6th months!!! I can't believe how quickly it has gone by. What a precious little girl. What a blessed family. Happy nearly "2010".

Jboo said...

Oh my -- how did that 6 months pass by so quickly! Look at her -- what a sweetie pie!

Congrats on finishing everything up! You are one blessed family! Have a wonderful new year!

Janet

Keisha said...

Oh my Goodness.... What sweetness!!!! She is a Doll! great to hear she is doing well!!

Isn't that just like those little girls..?? they wait till ya gone to do a milestone?!! lol!!!
You crack me up!

Ohilda said...

Jill, she is completely edible! WOW! Those cheeks! :)

Adoption is a miracle and your family is perfect.

Unknown said...

Love her smile! When she smiles she looks older then 6 months. Sabrina has the same hair bows...invaluable. We found Carol's Daughter products work great for that hair.

I too cannot wait for our finalization. Sabrina is 8 months but due to the Thanksgiving to New Year's holidays, we've been delayed. And I'm with you on the nickel and diming...it's all for the children, but no one's shy about having their hands out are they!!

Missy said...

What a GREAT post!!! You are so blessed and have the perfect family. Vivi is a DOLL and I wish I lived closer so I could smooch those sweet cheeks. Enjoy your precious fam!

trina said...

She's sooooo cute!!! Sweet sister pictures...adorable!!

Dori's Mommy (Diana) said...

WOW~ She is getting so big! Congratulations on finalization!

Wanda said...

Congratulations Jill! I loved reading about all the details of your little sweetie.

How wonderful that you found eachother.

Jan said...

Wow, Jill, you bring tears to my eyes!! We loved, loved, loved reading this post!! We are so happy for your beautiful family!!!! And, we wish a Very Happy 6 Month Birthday to Miss Vivi!!
I sure wish you lived closer Jill!!
BTW, we loved your Christmas card!!!
Love and ((Hugs)),
Me, John & Jillian

day by day said...

Oh, my....she just could not be any cuter!! I just want to scoop her up and kiss those cheeks!!!!

~m

a Tonggu Momma said...

Happy half-birthday, Vivi!!!

Faith, Hope, and Love said...

Vivienne Grace is SO beautiful! Time sure does fly. I bet you enjoy kissing those sweet cheeks!

Thank you for your prayers!
Blessings,
Robin

Richele said...

congrats on finalization - and i think it's a-ok to feel bittersweet ... i know exactly what you mean.

your vivi is adorable - and quite a healthy little girl!

and no worries about the whole bottle thing - fletcher reached out for his for the FIRST time yesterday! at 9 months. yikes. spoiled much? he was too excited by holding it that he couldn't drink from it. ah well.

love your update - thanks for sharing!

Jean said...

Congratulations Vivi is 6 months old!! She is such a beautiful little girl!

I do know what yo mean- I loved it when our social worker visited- they wanted to talk about what I wanted to talk about- our child!!

I have a feeling that someday you'll be thinking about another adoption BUT you are right only God knows!! Thank goodness he is in control!

Blessing on your beautiful family!!

Melba said...

I am obnoxiously late in commenting on this post, and for that I am so sorry! I can't believe that sweet girl is already getting so big! She and C. do look quite a bit alike, you can really see it in these photos. He is a little peanut compared to her though, only now wearing 12 month clothes. :)

As for finalization being bittersweet, it makes sense to me. There is something so exciting about the movement and expectation of going through the adoption process, even though it is long, complicated and expensive too. I imagine this is similar to how non IF women feel during their last pregnancy.

But, as you said, there is joy in the completed family too. Joy in the knowledge that you have these two beautiful girls who are WANTED, and so very loved by you, you husband, and all of your family. The world could use a little more of that to go around I think! :)

I hope all went well today, I'll be excited to hear more about your day in court!!

Hugs,

Melba

Unknown said...

6 months already?!? She is such a beauty!!!

And yes, you will go back for more...LOL!!!

Melba said...

Oh I also meant to tell you that C. LOVES sweet potatoes too! He can't get enough of those things, and I've yet to find anything that is even remotely comparable for him. But hey...if I had to choose a food for him to love, that's a good one!

Melba

Lucy said...

Happy 6 Months Vivi! What a sweetheart. I loved this post. She reminds me so much of my George how big she is. It certainly takes some getting used to after having such a peanut. Mags was and still is tiny. Currently, there's only a 3 pound difference between the two of them! So exciting on the finalization of the adoption. We realized recently why we shouldn't do domestic adoption if we we're open to Ethopia. I would love to know more about your experience if you're willing to share. I would love to know what agency you used. I will completely understand if you're not comfortable with this! g3lcjudy@yahoo.com
Lucy

JMCS said...

Happy 6 mos Vivi. She is the sweetest little baby I have ever seen and so happy!

Hugs,
Jonni