A large family, homeschooling, adoption, special needs, whatever strikes my fancy, sort of blog.

A large family, homeschooling, adoption, special needs, whatever strikes my fancy, sort of blog.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

One Year With Katie



One year ago today, Katie joined our family.  Although unsure, she didn't cry.  She was so brave!  It has been amazing to watch her learn and grow and change in the past year.


Even though she sobbed for her (foster) mama the first night or two (broke my heart!), I was grateful that she allowed me to comfort her.  By the end of our trip, she was really warming up to us.


Even through hours and hours and hours of travel with a sick mama, an exhausted Baba, and a screaming brother, she could still muster a smile for the paparazzi at our airport homecoming.


She quickly grew to love her sisters, and has one of her brothers completely wrapped around her little finger, which is adorable.


And she adjusted to sleeping in a big girl bed.  Mostly.


She doesn't seem to mind our strange holidays.  Especially ones that involve candy.  Which is most of them, now that I think about it.


I think in many ways, having Hannah here for Katie to watch and imitate made Katie's transition so easy.  But part of it is her spunky personality.  She's made her place in our family.  Cracks me up to hear her yell at (15 yr old) Sam and call him names.


Even now, a year later, she still refers to herself by her Chinese nickname when she sees pictures of herself in China.  (There's one hanging over my desk, and another in my bedroom.)  I'm glad we kept her Chinese name as part of her legal name.


She's been an amazing trooper through serial casting, and doesn't complain or fuss about wearing her brace.  The can put on and take off her leg all by herself, and recently learned to put on her own shoes.  Her "special needs" are easily manageable.


It's been an honor to teach her new things and get to see so many firsts, including her first steps.  Katie can now get herself a drink of water, fold napkins, remove her dishes from the table, move the chairs into the kitchen so I can vacuum, and clean up her toys.  Her English is coming along beautifully, and we mostly understand each other as much as any other 3 year old and mama do.


I love the passion she has for life, and her excited, "I did it!" when she tries something she was nervous about.  She's smart, capable, and sweet.  And she's very excited about wearing training pants.  She's brought me the book Big Girl Panties (affiliate link) to read to her every day for almost a week now.  She's doing great, with only one wet accident so far.  I think she might be trained before our summer road trip after all.


She's a happy girl.  Equally content to hang out with us in the schoolroom or play off on her own.  Always ready to make a picture or do a project or work on puzzles.  --I'm really impressed with how well she does puzzles!


Katie has been a bright spot for me during a tough year.  I love what a snuggle bug she is!  Her spontaneous "Thanks!" when I help her get dressed makes me smile.  As does her love of shoes and clothes and purses.  She's always excited when she sees new clothes and asks, "Is that Katie's?" and yells, "Thanks mom!" when I tell her that it is.

I am so blessed to be Katie's mama.

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21 comments:

  1. A spot of happiness in your life. I'm so glad.

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  2. See you are a great Mom! You do so well with all your other kids, which is proof that you are AMAZING!!!! Always build yourself up Shecki!! To many people wait to tear others down for their own gain, so don't let them! Hold your head up high, because you are raising LOTS of kids, not to many people can do as much as you do and keep going. I struggle just keeping up with my small family and find myself run down and sick almost daily! I'm not even 1/10 th the woman you are! :-0. No matter what happens with Luke, you got my deepest respect, because you TRULY are THE woman and deserve a serious pat on the back and huge hug! You are the best! So happy to see beautiful Katie thriving all because of YOU! Love your pictures with her!

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    1. Aw, thanks. I'm sure most of how awesome she is is her inborn personality. I just get to watch her blossom. :)

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    2. There is something seriously wrong with you, "anonymous". Go troll someone else. If you truly knew Shecki, you couldn't say such things. Shes an amazing mother. Get lost!

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    3. Anon, I'm not sure what you're after here. This post is about celebrating my daughter, and has nothing to do with Luke.

      The term "mentally retarded" IS A MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS. Yes, I've seen The R Word campaign, and what they're trying to do is stop people from using "retard" as an insult. Not to bludgeon people who are using it correctly. My son is retarded. He's not "developmentally delayed;" that implies that he will catch up. He's never going to catch up.

      I'm not sure why you're so down on adoptive parents. Are you against all adoptions? You think children should just be left in orphanages?

      What exactly do you think I should do in my situation? I see a lot of anger, but I'm not seeing any helpful suggestions.

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    4. Erin, thanks, hon. :) Miss you like crazy. Wish you guys were here so the kids could splash around in the back yard while we chat.

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  3. Your last line there sums it up- "I am so blessed to be Katie's mama".
    What a delight you are!

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    1. Goodness! I can't remember the last time anyone's called me a delight! LOL

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  4. What a beautiful little girl and family! I'm so happy for you all! Congrats Katie and family! <3

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  5. You have a beautiful family!

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  6. So very happy for you!!

    You are both blessed in each other - it is a lovely thing to see.

    Warmly,
    Kate

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    1. Thanks, Kate! She's a little ray of sunshine. :)

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  7. I don't know if you are required to post all responses,but I am starting to think this anonymous poster is just here for the shock value. I am all for honesty,but this is on the vicious side. I wouldn't blame you a bit if you just deleted them. There is just no value in them.

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    Replies
    1. I think the time may have come for me to start moderating comments. :/ I don't mind open discussion, and I have no problem with differences of opinion, but you're right. I'm feeling attacked.

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