More Coughs and Allergies

Lil' Missy doesn't want a bug to run by her without taking part in it.  A little more bronchitis has decided to arrive along with some allergies. (Not uncommon for Chinese children but also not the norm).  So another Dr's Appointment this am and some more Cough Syrup and we may be good as new again in a few days.  Meanwhile she continues to show Luke that she will do all she can to "BE BOSS" and will stop at just about nothing to prove it.

Hugs from Snickerdoodle Luke and Little Miss Sassafras

We signed Luke up for T-Ball.  Maran has to wait for fall ball (due to her surgery) but we had to go ahead and get her helmet and Ball glove.  (WATCH OUT BOYS... here she comes).  

Lil' Miss Sassy Feels Better

Not sure what she had or was trying to get but the Dr. found nothing to be fearful of yesterday.  No STREP (thanks we have already done that this year).  NO FLU -- (thankfully the two flu shots she had may have worked)... maybe just a viral something.... so some drugs and some extra TLC means a NEW MARAN five hours later.  Funny how that works!

Referral Day -- ONE YEAR LATER

Hard to believe one year ago we met Little Miss Sassafras for the first time via the Internet.  She was not the first referral we received but she was the RIGHT one.  We pondered long and hard about the SPECIAL NEEDS option China had to offer and weighed the effects it would have on Luke, our extended family and US.  SPECIAL NEEDS was EXACTLY for us (within certain parameters). 

That said we got the referral and fell in love.  WE DO BELIEVE IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.  (David and I wouldn't call our first meeting each other Love at First sight but we both agree that there was a spark there that had more meaning than love at first sight as we were best friends for almost four years before we started "REALLY DATING").  Our daughter was just adorable and just looked like she wanted to be loved, hugged and adored. 

So with LOVE in abundance we accepted Long Si Hui. (Avay Maran) ....... and the rest is history.

Our Referral Picture (WE LOVED  how she was nibbling on her lip... those eyes... such a deep story, a wealth of knowledge and a cry for love all in one.

One of our favorite pictures... taken 5 months before we got her.

Lil' Miss Maran today.  She dressed herself (Happy Goat shirt made by Aunt Patti).  She knows that Daddy loves it when she puts her fingers in her dimples so she does this quite often to pacify daddy and make  him melt.  She is so full of love.  She loves her cousins and asks for them all the time (as does Luke) and adores her Nammy and Pop Pop.  She has really taken to Nammy and loves the hugs and kisses she receives from her.  What a JOY it is to have her in our lives and have her be a part our family....even more so to be able to call her our DAUGHTER.  What an HONOR!

A TODDLER Shower for Maran & Luke is included too!

David's office gave Maran a "SHOWER".  It was tons of fun.  Not only was there mommy juice and creamsicle adult drinks there was an ice cream bar, HOME MADE CAKE, WINGS from Mac's Barbecue (which by the way are the BEST), Subway sandwiches (which rank in my world too), Meat balls, dips, Garbage mix (which was yum-a-licious) much more and the ever important juice boxes for the kiddos (although we are pretty sure that Luke got his Sprite mixed up with a vodka cocktail).

Lil' Miss Sassafras was in awe of all the gifts... THE MOST IMPORTANT one to her was the "JESSIE DOLL" that she has been wanting.  The look on her face was priceless.  I am SO sad that I didn't video tape the party.  We kept telling her that maybe the "VALENTINE BEAR" would give her a Jessie doll so when she actually got the doll at the party she thought she was going to then have two of them after the Valentine Bear brought one.  It was too cute.  Her English is so much better but we still have some catching up to do.  Maran also received clothes, (MUCH NEEDED) games, little puppet finger critters and more. She was a little confused because she didn't really understand why she was getting gifts and she asked why she wasn't sung "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" to.  She couldn't understand  gifts but no singing.  (She has already had a number of birthday party experiences).   I explained the best I could about how when Mommy's have babies or children are adopted that they are usually given a shower to receive gifts.  She gave me that 'side cock of the head' puppy dog look.  Maybe an explanation that will be saved for later with a little more English knowledge.

Luke received a Buzz in a rocket ship which he has totally worn out.  Anything BUZZ is grand for him.  It's really too bad that the ONLY REALLY GOOD pictures are of the food and the Mommy Juice.  Gosh, I hate it when that happens!

Not a great picture but you can see how jazzed she is about Jessie!

 "Mommy Juice -- Nectar of the God's"

 Feed Bag

 Lil' Sassy taking care of business

 In the midst of the mayhem!

 Doing the HAPPY DANCE

 Daddy Loves Ice Cream too!

Look at how full her hair is getting.....it is such a pretty color too.  Brown hues are coming through. 

Daddy's office really knows how to throw a party.  Everyone was so nice and giving.  We greatly appreciate the thoughtfulness.  It is nice to have such a wonderful group of people who care so much about a little girl and boy who now call America home. We are forever grateful for the love our children are shown. Thank you is so inadequate. 

Maran's 2nd Dr. Vist/More Blood Work SURGERY SCHEDULED!

Lil' Miss Sassafras was not a happy camper!  Who could blame her?  She has been poked and prodded and unfortunately gets to have a lot more of it.  The end result will be more than worth it I am sure.  Blood work came back great except for what we already knew -- a SEVERE Vitamin D deficiency.  We will have to put her on supplements to get this level up.  Unfortunately our trying to do it 'naturally' did not work. The 'malnutrition' for almost three years could not be pardoned in just four months of good nutrition here in America.  That said we will see what options our WONDERFUL pediatrician will have for us. 

She gets her cast put on her foot (LEFT FOOT TO STRETCH THE TENDONS) around the 29th of April.  She gets to wear it for two weeks before surgery which is AT THE MOMENT planned for May 11th.  She will be in a cast for 6 weeks after surgery.  YEP-- during the heat of pre-summer however this was the best of the 'evil time frames' that we could all come to grips with .  Hopefully by mid June she will be enjoying the summer and the pool and will be walking or on her way to walking much better.

Through it all she is such a loving child and is the new "GOOD FRIEND" in her classroom.  She is so caring for others and just full of love.  She truly belongs in the South as she speaks to everyone and doesn't hesitate to Share the Love upon leaving them and blowing many kisses.  What a charmer.  Through all the cuteness is a very bright and smart little girl.  She wants to learn and it is neat to teach her new things.  She picked up LEFT AND RIGHT in a snap.  How proud we are of her and her quick accomplishments. She will speak to you in English and will have a conversation with you.  You can hardly tell that she has not been speaking our native tongue for her whole life.  She loves Luke to death and one day "be cool in his eyes".  He is still being a little resistant to her at times but does enjoy having a built in playmate.  He is doing much better as each day passes but he still would love to be 'an only child' AT TIMES.  They are both so sweet (not always to each other) and caring.  Compassion is part of who they are and it shows.  How lucky could we be to get such warm tenderhearted little ones?

May your day have many "SHARE THE LOVES".........