New blog "tab" and Kimi's first time in the pool

We have added a new tab to our blog with a link to a little YouTube video of a slideshow of our adoption of Kimi.

Also, we had our Bible Study group over this afternoon for a cook-out and swimming, and got Kimi in the pool for her very first time! She was a little intimidated by it at first; but before long, was kicking her feet and smiling, while floating in the baby float. The pool will be a great way to help her leg muscles develop! Here are a couple of photos of Mike holding Kimi in the pool and Kimi in the baby float.

Continuing to surprise us!

Along one wall in our dining room, we have all the dolls, play kitchen, play dishes, play food, and other "play house" toys, for the girls and our grandchildren to play with. For about the past two months, Kimi has mainly enjoyed undressing the dolls. When I have the time, I dress them again, just so she can enjoy undressing them. (I figure its good practice, and a developmental skill.) Well, this evening, she was playing in the dining room very quietly for about a half-hour. I went in to check on her and she had just finished DRESSING one of the dolls HERSELF! And this was not an easy outfit, either - it was a little sleeper with arms and legs, open down the back! She was SO proud of herself! So, I videotaped the moment and have attached it to the blog. She continues to amaze me!

"My big sister's adoption reunion!"

This is Kimi (with Mommy's "help", of course)! Yesterday, my big sister, Elizabeth had her 7th annual China adoption group reunion with some of the girls adopted from China the same day as she. This year, it was celebrated here in Indiana, with a get-together at another family's home on Friday evening, followed by a day of swimming and a cook-out at our house! We had SO much fun! All of the girls have become GREAT friends over the years and really enjoy getting together, as did all their parents! As you can see from the photo, I even got to be in one of the group photos! (Please note: Mommy is holding me from behind, in case you are concerned that she sat me there on the rail expecting me not to fall.) My big sister is second from the right. I am hoping MY adoption travel group will also get together for reunions, since I didn't really get to know any of the other kids in my travel group while we were in China. My Mommy says I am doing great and learning a LOT every day! I get to go to "big church" every Sunday. I love to clap my hands to the music. This morning, my nephew, Adam, was baptized. I love being part of my forever family because I know how much they all love ME! And this year, for the very first time, I got to make my very own Daddy a "Happy Father's Day!" card!

What a difference a year (and love) makes!!

I was looking back on the first photo we received of Kimi after we accepted her referral May 11, 2010: one day after her third birthday. I then looked at the photo of her taken May 24, 2011...just three months after she became our daughter, and put them side-by-side. I was so shocked. I had not looked at the photo from May, 2010 in quite awhile. All I can say is....what a difference the love of a family can make!

Some success with "eating therapy"!

I just HAD to share this! As I have shared previously, Kimi is averse to eating anything that isn't liquid, due to her being on bottles only, while living in China - hence the "eating therapy" that began earlier this week. Well, this evening, we were following the therapist's advice, and having Kimi play with various foods like vanilla pudding and Cheetos puffs. Kimi actually licked some vanilla pudding off her lips and liked it! She also put a Cheetos puff in her mouth and played with Elizabeth. She was literally cracking up, she got so tickled! Here are some photos and a short video. Unbelievable!!

Getting better and better

Kimi continues to get a little better each day. One of the biggest things we have noticed is how much happier she is! She is consistently saying "Up" when she wants to be picked up. She also waves "bye-bye" and, sometimes, throws kisses, when someone leaves. She giggles a lot and is just all-around happier! Yes, she still has 27 stitches in her lower back - but she is definitely different - interacting tons more! (The stitches will be removed next Tuesday.) She doesn't seem to be having very much pain - but this change in overall disposition is puzzling. It makes me wonder if she was having pain in her back BEFORE the surgery, and she was just used to dealing with it; and now, the only pain she feels is the residual from the surgery? She is pulling up to standing again and crawling everywhere, as she did before the surgery. Her legs are still a little weak; but that was expected, since she had not been using her legs post-surgery until just the last few days. It sometimes appears as if she has some feeling in her feet (she didn't have any feeling in her feet before); but time will tell. We also went to her first "eating" therapy appointment. She is still not eating anything other than Carnation Instant Breakfast; but the therapist said getting her to eat will not be very difficult. I sure hope that proves to be true! The attached photo was another one taken by Taffy French just prior to Kimi's surgery. I love that the photo captured her little dimple!