3 Months on...

I know that in recent weeks my posts have been random and few so apologies for that! Life has been so busy but in a good way. We can hardly believe that Gabriella has now been with us 3 months - time has flown by and yet it is so hard to remember life before 02 September 2013. Gabriella has filled our hearts in such an indescribable way. Her witty personality makes us laugh and no doubt when the babble changes to speech she will make us laugh all the more as her words reinforce her non verbal's.

There has been so many things to note since the last time I posted and many of them are related to the festive season. In order to keep a log of those momentous moments I have attached a few photos that will make you both laugh and indeed bring a tear to your eye (well they did for me!)

I hope you enjoy these photos that helped to capture the moment:

1. Visit to the Registry Office and Passport Office in Belfast - Gabriella now has her own British passport and that concludes her naturalisation process. This has been a real achievement.

2. Visit to the Christmas markets in Belfast and a brave sit on the carousel - just the need for that occasional reassurance from daddy!

3. First Christmas tree and look who put the fairy on the top

4. First Christmas card from Nana & Grandpa

5. First lesson in car mechanics

6. First haircut at the hairdressers - thank you Helen!

7. First 'Happy Meal' from Macdonald's but don't let the Health Visitor know that!!

8. My first hair clip...just about enough length - thank you Auntie Karen

9. My first quilt (and what a masterpiece that is - thank you Auntie Cecilia for putting all those hours into making me my gorgeous quilt - I just love it and spend hours studying all of the panels)

10. Transition to my new 'toddler' drinking cup - no need for a bottle or baby cup now!


Gabriella has also progressed with distinction in her Domestic Goddess course and continues to amaze me at her understanding of how things work. Only this week I saw her placing her foot on the 'on' button of the hoover in order to activate it. I had to smile since that only meant that I must hoover quite a bit (I do!!) She also likes to dust and wipe things with a cloth too!

Gabriella continues to sleep 11 hours at night and we hope that this trend continues - this has undoubtedly made our transition into family life much easier since neither of us cope with a broken nights sleep. She has grown so much and is now out of most of her clothes that were purchased upon her arrival home. This is indicative of a healthy diet and we are so pleased to see her positive progress on the WHO growth charts . She now has 10 teeth and eats very well albeit that potatoes are off the menu - she is definitely a rice girl! Gabriella has been discharged from her paediatrician and again this is a good sign of her good health and well being.

Gabriella continues to develop in the complexity of her babble and by that I mean the articulation of the tongue is developing to create more complex sounds. Her words remain limited to 'mama' 'dada' and believe it or not 'NOW!' It is amazing how a child can teach you the errs of your own grammar. Obviously during the day I must say the word 'now' quite a bit and to have it as one of Gabriella's first words is embarrassing! It reminds me of a course I once attended - we had to video record ourselves conducting an interview with a client and (as an example) it was noteworthy how many times I ended sentences with ok! I must of substituted 'ok' with 'now'...will have to consciously correct that!

Stephen and I are really looking forward our first Christmas as a family. It is a time to reflect the wonder and true meaning of Christmas, a time to remember the reason for the season. In the same way that the angel Gabriel advised Mary that she would "bring forth a son" we give thanks that God's promise to us, that was held within the verse of Jeremiah 29:11, came true - we have been truly blessed with a wonderful little girl who we are so proud to call our daughter.

I leave you with this thought......

Legacy of an Adopted Child

 

Once there were two women who never knew each other.
One you do not remember, the other you call mother.
Two different lives, shaped to make your one...
One became your guiding star, the other became your sun.
The first gave you life and the second taught you to live it.
The first gave you a need for love, and the second was there to give it.
One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name.
One gave you a seed of talent, the other gave you an aim.
One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears.
One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried your tears.
One gave you up ... that's all she could do.
The other prayed for a child and God led her straight to you.
And now you ask me, through your fears,
the age old question unanswered throughout the years...
Heredity or environment, which are you the product of?
Neither, my darling, neither.
Just two different kinds of love.

 

 

Wishing you a blessed Christmas and New Year 

Love Caroline, Stephen & Gabriella xxx

Photographs:


With mummy at Passport Office

My first ride on a carousel...it went a bit faster than I expected!

My first 'Happy Meal'

Don't I look pretty with my new hair clip?

Daddy is now competing with mummy's domestic goddess course - he will make sure I will not be a damsel in distress should my car break down!!!!

Getting my hair cut....just keeping a good eye on those scissors!

Yippee...my passport has arrived! Don't I look cute??

Just making sure that there are no mistakes!

I achieved merit in my domestic goddess course....technique was assessed as fully competent

 

My new cup....no more baby cup for me!

 

 

Auntie Cecilia spent hundred's of hours making me my first quilt...it is a masterpiece and an heirloom....pictured here proudly with Auntie Cecilia & Uncle Gordon

 

 

 

I love a good novel....

 

 

Concentrating on putting the baubles on the tree...perfect

 

A Christmas tree is not complete without the fairy on the top...daddy helped lift me up!




My first Christmas card from nana and grandpa

 

Just posing! I am good at that too! but do not let daddy see me with the lipstick :)

 

 

A Chip off the Old Block!

"It is pleasing to God whenever you rejoice or laugh from the bottom of your heart"
Martin Luther

Miss Gabriella is starting to demonstrate increased concentration during her playtimes....I think this photograph shows her potential to follow in her father's professional footsteps! Her mother is also pleased that she demonstrates a perfect ergonomic posture!

Spot the Difference

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

Our new family life continues to grow and develop with each day bringing new joy and experiences. We are thankful that Gabriella's vaccinations went well and despite a sore leg from the MMR vaccine she suffered minimal side effects.

One of the new enjoyments in our daily life together is going to the park and playing on the swings. You will recall the sad and withdrawn child that would not engage with any of the local play park amusements in Guangzhou...well two months on from 'Gotcha Day' Gabriella just loves the park. I think you will spot the difference as you compare the photographs below......

I suppose the other key difference to note is the weather / temperature lol:) !!

Gabriella visiting the park in Guangzhou

Two Months on....

At Great Aunt Muriel & Uncle Tommy's home






















At Bachelor's Walk

 

We are home one month.....

"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour and my hope is in you all day long" Psalm 25: 4-5

In some ways it is hard to believe that we are now home one month yet in other ways it is like she has been apart of our family forever. Miss Gabriella is truly thriving in her new life - she is growing in her own self confidence and although she will not be left with anyone without one of us being present she is more comfortable with people being around her and interacting with her. Her personality is one of humour and quiet wit....she internalises all things new and then integrates her new learning appropriately into her daily routine. Relationships with grandparents and close family members continues to grow and develop as she begins to trust and show love. Gabriella continues to sleep all night and that in itself is a real blessing since we are able to keep up with her boundless energy during the day. She has wonderful dexterity and loves to utilise her fine motor skills to the maximum...which means that many things go missing during the day and more often than not we find them hidden in her linen basket!

Last week she had her physical measurements taken and to our shock she has grown 8cm in height over the last 12 weeks. Although this significant growth spurt was evident in her clothes and her sitting position within her car seat and high chair, to actually quantify the height change was remarkable and testament to her new nutritious diet and nurture within her new home environment.

Over the last four weeks there have been so many wonderful memories....all of which have embraced the simple things in life:

• A walk in the park with Oscar
• Time with nature - looking at the blackberries as their ripen in the hedgerows, crunching the autumn leaves underfoot, feeling the raindrops on the roses, experiencing the feeling of soft grass. Gabriella loves to be held in her daddy's arms as he runs to the nearest tree and then lifts her high so that she can feel the leaves touch her skin, which itself is like peaches and cream!!
• Blowing out the candles at a recent milestone birthday party (won't let on who's!!)
• Enjoying lunch out at the local Faith Mission...this has become a Saturday regular
• A weekly whiz around M&S....sitting tall in the trolley as mummy browses (honest!)
• Gabriella has also commenced a 'Domestic Goddess' course that is tutored by her mummy....the photos posted below will demonstrate her new skills. The course objectives have been set and it is hoped that core competencies in cleaning, ironing and cooking will be achieved by the end of year one :)!

Next week the dreaded but required vaccines are to be given so we both hope she will cope well with this experience and it will not unsettle her too much. However as a family we are now getting into a good routine and growing in confidence ourselves in our new role as parents. We too are developing our competencies in putting a pram up and down (especially at speed when it is raining), working out different strap systems on high chairs in public places, nappy changing and many more!! Gabriella has transformed our lives and we give God thanks for the miracle of this wonderful little girl.

Will post more photos soon
Caroline, Stephen & Gabriella

Message to Auntie Muriel.....

Hello to you and hope that you are well as you enjoy your time in Ghana. We hope that you enjoy these new photographs. We just love the book that you gave Gabriella before you left and think of you often as we read it and learn all about Kinki's ventures. Take care and will send more photos to you soon. XX

Photographs:

In my last post I indicated that in life I might consider some jobs to suit my developing skills and abilities but one that I forgot to mention was becoming a Jack(ie) in the Box!



Squealing with delight!

Enjoying the feel of grass underfoot - a new experienceEnjoying some bonding time with my Grandpa

The Domestic Goddess course begins......first semester is the operationalization of the washing machine

1. Putting the clothes into the machine




2. Making sure all the clothes are in the machine
 

Ensure the door is firmly closed before starting the wash program....this one is a 40 degree cotton wash

 

 

 

Next course objective was to perfect the cookery skills....I think some more time is required to pass the course!!

Leaf blowing with mummy.....

Concentrating very hard on threading the shapes

C'est La Vie

"There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God" (1 Samuel 2:2)

Well as they say 'All good things must come to an end!' Last Tuesday Stephen returned to work after enjoying one month off and 'us' girls decided to head to M&S to lift our spirits. Miss Gabriella loved the experience and she sat so well in the shopping trolley. I have to say one significant benefit of being a parent is the parent/child car parking spaces - just marvellous! I did take my phone out to capture the moment of heading into the Sprucefield store but the new disorganised mummy had not remembered to charge her phone and there was not sufficient charge to take a photograph :(! Anyway it was just wonderful to have her out shopping but we did miss daddy (....although we are not sure if he would have relished the M&S visit just as much as we did! Daddy will also be glad to know that we did not hit the credit card to compensate for his absence!)

Last week was once again a busy one and we have been overwhelmed by the number of cards, presents and best wishes from everyone. It has been truly remarkable - thank you to you all. Gabriella thankfully continues to make steady progress in her new home life and every day we get to see some more of her witty and impish personality. Gabriella asked if she could post her own wee message to you all.

Gabriella's Post

"Thank you to everyone who has welcomed me home into my new family. I love my mummy and daddy - I love to keep them on their toes and every day I try to discover new things in all the different cupboards and drawers and nooks and crannies. Mummy has introduced all these peculiar looking locks - not sure why but they certainly do not make life as much fun!!!!

However I have to say the dog, and especially the cat are quite antisocial beings. The cat just leaves the room (and rather quickly at that) when I enter it and every time I shriek with excitement the dog heads to his bed and puts his paw over his ears. Oh well, I will just keep trying to make friends with them and hope that one day I will get the chance to stroke their lovely fur.

Everyday is packed with new things to do - eating new foods, bathing, playing especially musical instruments, out for walks in the park, shopping and going and meeting people. I love to visit my grandparents - they really spoil me and when I arrive they have lovely toys for me to play with. In return I give them one of my cute smiles and already I have them around my wee finger. Night time is my best time - I do not know what gets into me but I just come to life and put on 'a show' for my mummy and daddy....however when it gets to bedtime I just get really tired and conk out as soon as my head hits the pillow. I sleep the night through and when it gets to 08:15 I wake up ready to embrace the new day. My mummy and daddy think that this is great since they get a good nights sleep as well. I do like to please!

I love the new world that I live in - there is no much to enjoy and experience, especially nature. I am not familiar with the autumn season and love to watch the leaves rustle on the trees and pick them up when they fall down on the ground. The different leaf textures feel funny on my skin - some leaves are smooth and some are crispy. I also love to smell the flowers and only yesterday I smelt the sweet aroma of an English rose - beautiful.

With all the these new life experiences I really do not know what I will do when I grow up but already I am having a go at all of these new skills so maybe I will become.......

A Piano Maestro!!



A Locksmith!!



An Artist



A Model....Its a 'hat' day



The shoulder bag pose

 

 

A Doctor!! "Can you please take a deep breath for me?"






Anyway it is now my nap time so it is time for me to sign off. I promise I will post soon to update you on all of my new ventures.

Love Gabriella xx

We are home one week......

We are now home one week and it has been just wonderful...we feel that Gabriella Wenyuan has been with us forever. It has been a week of significant transitions for all of us, but Gabriella has taken it in her stride. She has been such a blessing to us; we have to keep pinching ourselves to believe she is finally here. The first night she slept in her cot I just stood at the end of it and wept...tears of joy and disbelief that after all of the 'waiting years' she was finally home and sleeping safe and comfortable in her own room. The first week of being home with Gabriella has just flown by. We have tried to instil some sense of schedule to each day...bath times, playtime, daily walk in her pushchair, daily nap (during which we run around by headless chickens trying to get some chores down lol). It has also been a week of more firsts and some of them are noted below:

First time in a plane (we thought we would start with a short flight to see how she liked it!!!)
First nights sleep in her own room
First meeting with Oscar & Mulberry....they are still adjusting to their new family member :)
First meeting with the grandparents and close family & friends
First outing to Church
First ride in her own car seat (with lots of tears during the first outing but which are now non existent as she has got used to it)
First tricycle thanks to her Auntie Andrea, and cousins Jill, Philip & Roslyn
First movie!
First new car - a mini cooper courtesy of Country Garages!!
First meeting with her Social Worker, GP & Health Visitor
First foot measuring for new trainers
First try of potatoes, gingerbread men, strawberries & yoghurt (to name but a few)

As each day passes our daughter is showing so much of her hidden personality. Her frequent tears that were so evident in the early days are now being replaced with smiles and laughter as she grows in self confidence and relishes her new life. Obviously there are so many more simple life experiences to enjoy with her but in one week Gabriella has truly embraced things in such a wonderful way....God is so good and we thank Him every day for her.

 

My new Mini Cooper...just watch me go!

Wonder if Nana is in??

First outing to Church as a family of 3

 

 

Auntie Andrea and Me...enjoying my new tricycle

 

Taking Panda Monium for a ride

 

Getting closer!

 

Gabriella's Great Wall

 

 

 

Getting my new trainers...lovely girl

 

 My second car journey....much happier today!

Wonder if mum would miss these??