Sunday, January 29, 2012

1st post home study!

I wasn't quite as nervous this time as I was the first time our social worker made a home visit!  I was a nervous wreck the first time, thinking our kids would act crazy and we wouldn't get approved.  This time we had our little girl in our arms and she was loving the attention:)  She greeted Beverly at the door waving and telling her "heeyyyy".  Beverly couldn't believe how well she was doing and how quickly she had adjusted!  She said she was shocked that she had been in an orphanage because she behaved as though she had been with us for a very long time.  She was showing off by showing Beverly all the new things she's leaarned,...pointing to her eyes, nose, bellybutton, doing her shape sorter(she has the circles down pat), showing her Roux(our dog) and petting him so sweetly.  She showed her how she plays peek a boo, her sign language and just showed her the happy little girl that she is.  We know we're beyond blessed with a beautiful, sweet, special and smart little girl!  Before we got her, Jon was hoping for the best but preparing for the worst(because that's how he rolls) and I (being the half glass full kind of person that I am) was preparing for somebody just like Molly.  

I took her for her first well visit on Thursday. Because she didn't receive shots in the orphanage, she has to start ALL over! :(   She got 4 on this visit, but she was such a trooper!  She cried right when she got them, but then as soon as I picked her up, she started waving bye-bye.  I don't blame her a bit!  The nurse said she should be cranky and sleep the rest of the day, but she proved them wrong.  We met Jon for lunch and she was her usual happy self all day.  
 Waiting for the nurse to come in with her shots

                                                                       Trouble! :)



Gage has been wanting to take Molly to the mall for a while now, so we met Krissy and Raley there on Friday.  Gage and I have our usual routine that we do there....play area, train table, carousel,...and so he was excited to show her how it's done!  I was curious to see how she would do interacting with all the kids in the play area, but once again she totally impressed me with her ability to adjust and adapt to any situation.  She walked in like she owned the place!   She's so good about waiting her turn, sharing, laughing at other kids when they try and make her laugh, and she wasn't scared to try any of it!  She watched Gage(like yeah, that's my big brother)...and copied everything he did.  He was so patient and sweet with her.   My heart was beaming..I couldn't be any more proud of both of them!

1st time for donuts!  Gage trying to make her laugh:)  She's not a big fan of donuts yet...I'M sure that'll change!


 1st time in double stroller.  I forgot how hard these buses are to push!

z

 She loved this slide!


 G showing her how it's done!

 I loved watching G show her how to play.


 She watched G jump on this thing and thought it was so funny!  She copied everything he did





 lunch time!  She's getting a little pickier with her food


 She didn't want to get off the carousel!






We went to the boys bball games yesterday and then went to our favorite mexican restaurant after.  Girlfriend LOVES chips!  Oh yeah,....She's a true Coco! :)



1st time for smores with friends!!


Reed woke up throwing up this morning, so we'll be taking it easy today.  I'm hoping it stops with him because Reed is having his 7th birthday party on Friday! 


Jon and Molly are heading out for a daddy/daughter date to home depot:)

Monday, January 23, 2012

playdates, birthday parties and more...

Molly has had lots of firsts this week, including going to her first birthday party for our friend, Grayson.  She loved bouncing, sliding, and swinging most of all.  I've also learned that she doesn't mind being the center of attention...at ALL!  Before the night was over, she was sitting on the island with everybody around her dancing and working the room! 


Miss thing loving her spot in the middle of it all!
We've also had a few playdates and she's done really well playing with her new friends.  She does great sharing and just being sweet.
playing with Emily Kate

and Raley

Some new things Molly is doing....gives sweet eyes, points to her head, nose and belly button,  does sign language for more, and tries to repeat a lot more(esp. with Gage)! 


We went to Reed's school for lunch last week.  Reed loved showing his little sis off to his friends!


She went to church for the first time here last week and did great...well at least during the first part while the singing was going on.  She was clapping and singing the whole time.  she got a little fidgety once the sermon started, so Jon took her out in the hall during that part.  I think we'll try Sunday School next week, and see how she does in there.  I think she'll be fine.  


I snapped a few of them after church..





I have a feeling Molly and Gage are going to be the best of friends.  She really cuts loose with him and he gets her to act sillier than anybody else.  She copies and repeats everything he does.  Tonight they were in the bath and I heard Gage telling her to say "Gage" and she wasn't saying it right, so he told her if she said Gage, he would give her a chinese dollar!  SO funny!!   At first I thought he said it because she's chinese, but realized it was because he wants to get rid of the chinese money we gave him because he can't buy anything with it here...smart boy!  He's obsessed with his $$!!


I LOVE this picture because it shows how much her brothers and their friends love little Molly!  I don't think she'll ever have to lift a finger with these guys around:)

Monday, January 16, 2012

Good Times with family

I can't believe our extended weekend is over!  We all have had a great visit with Aunt Julie and cousin Luke.  Molly is in LOVE with her cousin and he is with her, too!   We are getting out and doing more things with Molly, and she's doing so well!  She really seems to enjoy being out with us and just taking everything in.  I know I keep saying this, but she is such a HAPPY girl!
watching Ben's bball game

Nothing make me happier than watching Molly and her brothers play together....so sweet!

She loves riding in the golf cart!

She LOVES swinging!




everybody had fun with molly's bows! :)





Gage said, "mom, it's dark in here!!"  I turn around and see this.  HE cracks me UP!!

LOVE this pic!!

Roux and his BFF

LOVE!


These 2 are going to miss each other!

Molly and Aunt Julie

eating at twisted root

she loves coloring

Yep!  That's a fried onionring she put on as her bracelet...by herself!!  :)

She had so much fun at the park we went to that had these little play houses

She lit up when Reed walked in









I posted lots of pics but I couldn't decide which to cut.   She has come out of her shell and opened up to us so much just in the past few days.  She really has bonded with me and I truly feel she knows I'm her mama. She's also really bonded with Jon and her brothers.  She lights up when they come in the room and nobody can make her laugh the way they do!  And she and Gage have really started to play so well together.  He's so sweet to her and willingly shares all of his toys with her. She's so laid back and easy going and will go easily to somebody if they want to hold her, but will reach back for me shortly after.  Watching Jon and the boys with her gives me a happiness like I've never known.   I  stand amazed at how God has blessed our family and allowed her to transition so amazingly well! She is blossoming right before our eyes everyday!  I can't imagine life without our sweet Molly!