We're Home
September 29, 2009  |  November 23, 2009

Monday, November 23, 2009 We have been home now for two months and it seems both much longer and much shorter than that! Rachel’s adjustment to a whole new life has been nothing short of amazing. She is a delight! Rachel’s 2nd birthday was today. We celebrated over the weekend with a ladybug themed party. She loved the cake, presents, and having lots of people around. We had Rachel baptized during church on Sunday. She wore a beautiful dress that Granny made from silk purchased in China. The ceremony was beautiful and Rachel was so pleased that she clapped for herself at the end! Rachel continues to be very happy, very busy, and very social. She keeps things hopping! She is going to daycare now and loves it. Life at home is pretty boring compared to the excitement of daycare. She stays with Granny and Poppy one day a week and they all look forward to that. Rachel also loves playing in the church nursery, going to toddler story time at the library, and being around kids anywhere she can find them. She loves to GO and doesn’t care where! Rachel now understands everything we say to her. She is saying a few words and uses a few signs and tries so hard to tell us more. She is constantly pointing to pictures or things and asking “Dat?” just trying to add to her vocabulary. “Mama” continues to be her favorite all-purpose word, but she also uses “shoe”, “broke”, “cat”, “Dada”, “night-night”, and “rau-rau” [dog] to explain and comment on things. The words have been kind of slow to come, but I think we are about to see her expressive vocabulary explode. Despite her current verbal limitations, she manages to tattle, argue, taunt, and have conversations! Rachel is receiving early intervention services to work on her fine motor skills, but it’s really only because she is missing a hand. She manages to do everything any other 2 year can do. Her teacher calls her a “container kid” and she does love bottles, jars, boxes, and anything else with a lid to take on and off. She loves to scribble with crayons, unzip her jackets and pajamas, and do puzzles. She uses her “little” hand and arm to hold things and just adapts everything as needed. She’s amazing to watch! Rachel had an appointment with a pediatric orthopedist, who thinks she may be a candidate for a thumb-to-finger transplant! This was a whole new concept to us, but we are willing to investigate it. We have been referred to Shriner’s Hospital in St. Louis. We will be interested to hear what they have to say. Rachel is active and fearless. She loves to be outside and doesn’t care how cold or wet it is out. She loves going to the playground and can climb the slide all be herself. She will swing or slide or climb long past the time everyone is tired. Rachel is now sleeping in a toddler bed because she managed to climb out of her crib. Never mind that the rails were chin high and she’s missing a hand - no problem! Some of her favorite activities include jumping off the bathroom stepstool, climbing on to beds, and attempting to climb in her high chair. Rachel eats anything put in front of her and never misses a meal, a snack, or even a passing bite. Noodles remain a favorite, but she is also a big fan of Mexican food. Two months ago, she had never fed herself and could barely chew. Now she eats with a spoon and fork (or her fingers in no one is looking) and chews most foods. She has weaned herself off her nightly bottle and seems happy to put aside her baby ways. Rachel has eagerly met many of our friends and family members and has charmed them all. She is a hoot! She flirts shamelessly and knows how to work a crowd. She is very affectionate and we get many, many hugs and kisses a day. Her hair has grown out to about 3 inches, but shows no sign of lying down! It’s spectacular! Actually, it kind of fits her personality. The other members of our family are fairly quiet and somewhat reserved, but Rachel is a true social butterfly. She will keep us on our toes! Katherine has had a long, hard adjustment to being a big sister, but is finally making her peace with it. After 5 years as an only child, it was difficult for her to give up some attention. As I told a friend, the Queen has been dethroned and she is NOT happy about it! We had some rough weeks, but things are much better now. Katherine loves her sister dearly and can’t wait to get home after school to see her. She likes showing Rachel off and teaching her new things. She can be so sweet with her sister. Rachel adores Katherine and follows her around trying to do everything Kate does. I love watching them play together. I am so glad that they have each other.

Rachel on her 2nd birthday, wearing her baptism dress. I crack myself up! The Ladybug Sisters Rachel loved her "pump" and gave it lots of hugs! Do you like my bows? Giving kisses.

Rachel brings such joy to our lives. We waited for so long for her, but she is a perfect fit for our family. She’s exactly what we had been looking for. She is such a fun and funny kid! Katherine has always made me think but Rachel is going to make me laugh! She has claimed us as hers and is so secure and content with us. She truly is amazing. Rachel fills in a missing place in our lives, she completes us. This will be our last post here. I am so glad that we were able to share our story with so many people. Our trip to China is over, but the journey continues. I have so enjoyed journaling here, that I have set up a family website. You are welcome to follow us at www.redthreadjoy.blogspot.com.

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