Last Post-placment report

Before this month passes by completely, there's more to say about our one year anniversary with Iris. First, the post-placement visit by our agency's social worker is done and we think that the information will be favorable. Iris played while our conversation about her was happening. At one point, she stood up in her new chair/table set (from Aunt Ruth!), and mama asked her to sit down. She did...and other times, she didn't. There's definitely independence happening. The words we used to describe Iris: active, fast learner, happy, and fearless. Today after her playgroup, one lady described Iris as a go-getter.

She's usually a great eater and sleeper. As you can see in the photo, she can make a real mess! Yet one new developments: Iris is not eating some of her favorite foods, such as banana (She eats all other kinds of fruit!), french toast, yams, carrots, and rice. She's not eating vegetables, except for frozen peas. Each day is a challenge to give her good nutrition.


Another new development: She communicates more with pseudo-words, such as "day-do" for "playdough" (See photo with her friend Grayson). So far, she says: uh-oh (a lot!), dada, mama, Mmmmm (for cow sound), "guh" for "all gone/I'm done", "ticka ticka ticka" for "tickle tickle tickle" (which ma and dada like to do to her).

As she will turn two years old in November, we are slowly seeing her assert her independence and sometimes, defiance. It reminds me of how as a Christian, sometimes I don't listen to God's Spirit to guide me in the right paths. That's when I get stressed and feel out of sorts. In parenthood, I realize that one of the most important roles is to protect the child. Therefore, I will need to meditate and pray more in listening mode to understand fully how much Jesus loves and protects me. After all, this is what children learn to sing at at young age: "Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so."

1st Anniversary of Gotcha Day

It's amazing to think that one year ago, we met our fun, happy daughter Iris. We were in China fumbling our way around what to do with our 9-month old. Wow! We've learned a lot, yet it seems that we still know so little about raising a child.

For example, I think Iris is ready for potty training, ...but how? Once again, I try to consult books and videos. Other parents may try to help, but oftentimes their recollection is not tied to a "method." So, we're going to try different things-potty in her room, potty in the bathroom, regular times after drinking or eating to "try". It's just strange that we are doing this, but she can't really express herself in words.

But onto more pleasant thoughts: a reunion with one of the families that we met one year ago. We met Iris's friends, Isabella and Alexandra, at Tilden Park. All the girls enjoyed petting calves, feeding cows, chickens, ducks, and seeing rabbits, and sheep in the little farm. Iris enjoyed feeding them the lettuce leaves that Isabella's dad and mom brought. It was a joyous and sunny day. Here are some photos:

From Psalm 104 that celebrates our Creator God:
"May my meditation be pleasing to him,
as I rejoice in the LORD."