Lucie Day-one year later almost

OK, It's not quite officially Lucie Day-- yet. But the kids (and grandma and grandpa) are all tucked in bed and I had a quiet moment, so I thought I'd do some blogging. I spent a minute re-reading last year's post (click here). Wow. It still seems a bit surreal. You walk into a room empty handed and you walk out holding the most precious little thing in your arms...
and we haven't let go of her since! She truly is a miracle and a dream come true. She has added such a spark to our family. We haven't had a dull moment since she waltzed into our lives. She has changed so much over the last twelve months. A year ago she was a little baby. She drank formula and ate rice cereal and maybe a little congee and that was it. She wore little tiny clothes and we could hardly find a pair of shoes that fit. She could sit and roll around on the floor. She could make a few basic sounds. She was thoughtful and observant. She was a little hesitant and sometimes downright fearful of new people and places.

Now she is a little person. She can do almost anything and delights in trying. She eats everything (including stuff she shouldn't-like old band-aids and bits of paper and rocks!) She runs and jumps and does somersaults and rides scooters and walks up and down the stairs without help and climbs on tables and chairs and counters and her Dad's legs. She talks and talks and talks and tells the most fascinating stories. She is still very observant. She is more outgoing everyday and less fearful. She is amazing!

We are forever grateful to her birth parents, who were forced to make some difficult decisions. We are grateful to her native China and the Dianbai Social Welfare Institute and the care that they provided for her those first ten months. She was very healthy and well cared for. She has transitioned so beautifully to her new family and life here in America. And we are thankful to all of you, our family and friends, for your love and support during our wait for little Lucie and during this past year as we have adjusted to being a family of five. And most of all, we are eternally grateful to our Heavenly Father who heard and answered our prayers and allowed our family to grow through the blessing of adoption.