Gotcha Day - One Year Later!

One Year..... 12 months.....365 days..... It sounds like a long time, but feels like a blink of an eye. It has been a year full of changes for Lillie and me.
A YEAR AGO... I picked up a scared, timid little girl. She was still taking a bottle and eating congee and steamed eggs for most meals.


LAST NIGHT, we had dinner with my family. She had fried chicken and corn and grapes and pasta salad ( yes, we are in the South!). She gave everyone hugs and when we left said, " Love you, Babop. Love you, Nai Nai."


WHEN WE FIRST ARRIVED HOME... Lillie was speaking a little Mandrin and slowly learning a few words in English. She was reserved in her play and in her affection toward me.

TODAY... She is a talkative girl, exploring her language and understanding of concepts through conversations ( all the time!) She is quick to give a hug, will give me kisses (this has happened in the last few months. Previously, she would give me a kiss if I kissed her....mostly hello or goodbye. We would go days with her telling me " Too much kisses" or "No kissing, mommy") and loves to sing and dance!

OUR FIRST NIGHT... Bed time was stressful for a scared little girl and a brand new mommy. She woke up several times in the night crying and had difficulty feeling secure.

LAST NIGHT... Lillie fell asleep next to me. She said good night and curled up beside me. Sleep is still something Lillie struggles with, but we have made great improvements over the last year!

Lillie is a blessing. We have had some difficult moments and some amazing moments. All of them, however, are moments together. We have moved from a time when, though I loved her dearly, she seemed like a visitor to feeling like a family...One that I know truly belongs together.

A Match made In Heaven