This little girl has been home with us for about 8 weeks now and the days are flying by! She fits so perfectly in our family its amazing. She is one of us, there is no doubt of that! Her smile is contagious and her giggle is one of the best I've ever heard. She is quick to smile and laugh but certainly knows how to let us know when she doesn't like something. She is talking up a storm and we are amazed at the short sentences that are starting to come from her spontaneously - "Mama shoes on?" when she wanted me to go outside the other day, and "Hannah's drink" when she sees Hannah's cup. I continue to be surprised by how easily she seems to have accepted us as her family. She is such a joy to us and we are so glad she is here!
We received simply wonderful news this week about Olivia's health. I believe I mentioned here that Livvy was diagnosed in China with a brain tumor. We were told by a pediatric neurosurgeon this week that she does NOT have a brain tumor (which we already thought to be the case based on other opinions from radiologists and doctors who had looked at her scans). It is wonderful to have her here with us, to see that she is okay and developing well, and to hear the great news that we do not have to have this concern in our minds anymore! She has a small soft spot on the back of her head that may need surgery in the future, but for now she is doing great and will not need to see the neurosurgeon for 6 months!
One of the biggest challenges since we've been home is the relationship between these two girls. They certainly started to bond in China, and that bond continues to grow, but since we have been home Hannah has struggled to accept her little sister. They play together all the time, but unfortunately neither of them has the skills to get along well with another child at the moment :) Basically that means that they fight all the livelong day and it's making me bonkers! I know, imagine such cuteness making me bonkers?!?!
Sleep has been very difficult in the last few weeks especially. Olivia is a champion sleeper (I am SO thankful for that!!!) and she sometimes wakes up once crying but is easily calmed down. We pretty much just go in and she lies back down, we cover her up and kiss her and she goes back to sleep. Amazing! Hannah has had sleep issues for years and shows no sign of that letting up anytime soon! Night terrors and anxiety seem to plague her at the moment and we just hope that she will outgrow this...soon....like, maybe this week?! I have been so tired and find it hard to be a calm and patient mommy when I have been up a lot in the night.
Summer is a lovely, slow time around here and we are enjoying days at the park or the zoo, swimming in our little backyard paddling pool, and playing for hours on end. I am busy with school plans for the fall and looking forward to homeschooling Matthew (1st grade) and Nathan (Kindergarten) while trying to keep the girls occupied. Some days I say "Bring it on!" and some days I want to hide under a blanket at the thought of it! Raising four kids is one of the hardest things I've ever done but there's nothing I would rather be doing!
