Sisters made in heaven...
Chelsee continues to make huge strides every day and amazes all of those around her by simply living life like she has always been here!! I keep pinching myself to make sure that this is all real. The fact that she can look at me directly in my eyes with love or tell me that she is tired, hungry, ready to poop, loves her sister, gives spontaneous kisses, and TALKS non stop all seems much too good to be true! But true it is! She is so happy learning all about her new life and family and friends. She dances to Julee's iPod music and mimics her sister's choreography with amazing precision! Now, she doesn't even need Julee to show her the steps! She now knows almost all the letters and numbers and loves to tell stories all on her own in well spoken English.
She is showing such confidence that the word "No!" and "Why?" are flying out hourly. You can see and feel her muscle tone growing strong now which is thrilling. Julee is determined to turn this child into a tomboy when in fact, I am beginning to see some girly girl characteristics emerge! What a joy to watch both of them fall deeply in love with each other. Chelsee loves to sing, whether it is "Twinkle Twinkle" or FloRida's "Right Round." She loves to go to her Chinese classes each week and is starting to listen to the Chinese words now. We hope she can keep some of her native language but right now, we hear 99% English coming out of her mouth! Chelsee sleeps through the night in her own bed after saying prayers and snuggling with us. She eats almost everything we offer her - all the best fruits and veggies plus Albee's treats!!
Just loafing around....
She has made such progress that I am now rethinking my initial estimate that we would keep her home from any formal schooling this coming school year. At this rate, she really will need to be in some organized learning class in the fall just to keep her stimulated with all there is to learn. I have already run out of body parts to teach her!! I am interviewing some local preschools and Chelsee will be evaluated next week to see where she stands. Wow! I never thought we would be this far along so soon! We were given such a magnificent child to love and raise! We are so blessed!
Chelsee's Baptism 4/19/2009
Another wonderful bit of news is that we have been in contact with Love Without Boundaries, a foundation consisting of a worldwide group of volunteers dedicated to improving the lives of orphaned and impoverished children in China. LWB sponsors Chelsee's orphanage in Lu'An City, Anhui. Their love and dedication is apparent in Chelsee and I now believe she has adjusted so well because of the care and love she has been shown since birth. LWB has sent me one of the most coveted gifts an adoptive parent can receive: Baby Pictures! I now have hundreds of pictures of our Lu Fu Mei dating back to March 2006 along with progress reports from her foster family and the orphanage. This is invaluable for her future questions and so tremendously satisfying for her forever family!!! You know I am busy framing and hanging pictures all over the house in the few remaining bare spots left!!
More when I have 3 minutes to myself.......(yea, right!)
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