Ying Rules!

We had our 6-month post-placement visit today with a new social worker. She has to write a report to send to China to let them know how Ying is adjusting to her new home. Well, let me tell you, Ying was ON! I swear, it was like she was trying to impress the woman. First of all, she came to the door with me and said “hi’ when B walked in. Then, she proceeded to put on a little show for her. Ying showed her how her favorite toys work, and danced for her, then she came and sat in my lap and talked up a storm. I couldn’t quite catch everything she was saying, but I think the jest of it was, “This is my house, and these are my toys, and this is my Mama, and I like it here very much. Please tell China that I would like to stay here because they give me everything I want. I rule this house!” Well, at least that’s what I got out of it.

So, I don’t think we are going to have any problems getting a favorable report. And, as an added bonus, my house it so clean it shines. I was actually up at 2 o’clock this morning mopping my kitchen and bathroom floors. You know, there are just some things you cannot do when 2 children are awake! Of course, B didn’t actually want to see the house, but if she had asked to use the bathroom, she would have been impressed, I’m sure!

Out of the Mouth of YBaby

Last night, as I was trying to get YBaby to go to sleep, I was telling her what a good girl she is and what a good girl Jie-Jie is. When I said “Jie-Jie is a good girl”, YBaby responded, “I yuv Jie-Jie.” Man, she is just too cute for words.

One thing I swore I'd never do . . .

I entered Ying’s picture in a photo contest at Baby Zone, and she was selected as one of 8 toddlers in this week’s competition. Actually, the contest is supposed to be about the best picture, not the cutest kid. Of course, in Ying’s case, she is both! So, if you have a minute, drop by and vote for Ying! She is in the Toddler competition. Yes, I’m totally shameless!

Half a Year

As of today, I have been Ying’s mommy for 6 whole months. Yes, 6 months ago today that tiny little bundle of clothes was brought to my door at the Gloria Hotel in Nanchang. I remember thinking, “That can’t be her. That’s a tiny baby.” But it was her, and she might have been tiny, but she was tough. She went through some hard grieving and seriously tested my mothering skills (my strategy, hold back and let her come to me, which she eventually did). The first week was horrible. The second week was bearable. And each and every day, it just gets better.

My tiny girl is still tiny, but she has really started talking up a storm lately. She has a whole slew of new vocabulary words. Right now, her favorite game is to tell me “Be right back” as she walks away from me. She will turn around and yell “bye bye” a time or two, then go out of my sight (usually around the corner). Then she will run back to me with her arms out for hugs and say “I yuv ooo”. Apparently, this is very, very funny. More funny if it is repeated approximately 27 times. The girl has a wicked sense of humor. She finds everything funny, especially her own jokes. Boy, does she ever fit in with the rest of our family!

It’s incredible to think what Little Miss Ying has been through in 6 months. She left her home and her nanny. She left her birth country. She came to a place where no one looked normal or spoke a language she could understand. So, she learned the new language. She learned how to walk. She learned how to eat American food (and lots of it!). She learned how to drink out of a bottle, then with a straw, then out of a cup. She learned what it is to have a sister and a mommy. She had surgery to help her see better and make her eyes more comfortable. And she’s done all of this in just 6 months! I can’t wait to see what the next 6 months will bring!