Faith of the Heart...A Journey to Our Daughter: 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!