2 months

Today, June 8th, is our two month "familyversary". 

Two months ago at 2:30pm we were sitting anxiously on a couch in a large open room of the civil affairs office in Guangdong, China waiting for our new daughter.  No greater gift in the world!  We had fallen in love with her (via pictures and videos) just 4.5 months earlier.  We had sent her our pictures but she in no way knew who we were and how her little world was about to change.

At 2:45pm we were told that Audra and her caregivers were running a little late.  When she finally arrived at 3:00pm we got a surprise glimpse of her...they brought her in through the main entrance of the office and quickly ushered her back to the holding room.  Oh the torture of seeing her sweet little self walk across the room, right in front of us!  My heart was racing, my arms ached to reach out and hold her.  There really is such a thing as love at first sight!  Minutes later the colorful curtains on the doorway opened and a very timid, very tiny, beautiful little girl peeked out. 

 

 

 

 

She willingly came to us. 

She looked so serious...she was probably terrified. 

I wish I knew what her caregivers were saying to her in Cantonese...

..."these are your parents, mama and baba"

..."it's okay"

..."don't be scared"

 

She held on tightly to everything we showed her...books, lollipops, tissues...afraid to let anything go.  Once something was in her hand she wasn't letting go of it.  This went on for a few days until she got more comfortable around us, and trusted us. 

 

Looking back at the pictures from that day, she doesn't even look like the same little girl.  In those pictures her face looks sad and still, void of any emotion.  Now, 2 months later, we almost never see her without a smile across her face.  Her giggle is contagious.  Her eyes sparkle in amazement at all of the new things she sees everyday.   She is curious, sweet and sometimes mischievous!

 

Today, we celebrated the day with Charlotte.  And all the girls wore their traditional Chinese silk dresses.  Each one of them looked so very beautiful, the moment they slipped on their silk dresses.  

 

 

 

Audra 

 

Charlotte

 

 and of course...Maura

 

Then all 3 of the girls had fun playing like they always do. 

Dress up, doll house, tea party, train table.

I absolutely LOVE that they each speak a different language...but when they are playing together it doesn't matter.  They each talk in their native language and then the others respond in their native languages.  It is the most precious thing...complete acceptance and understanding of each other regardless of what some would perceive as a huge obstacle.

  

 

Charlotte and Audra...

they will always share their heritage, culture and birth country,
and for that we are grateful beyond words!
 

And thanks to the miracle of adoption that our families were blessed by...
they will always have each other,
and share the love of a family and the pride of being Americans.

Now and forever, they will always be:

daughters,

grand-daughters,

sisters,

nieces,

and

cousins!

 

Happy 2 month Familyversary Audra and Charlotte!

We love you crazy...our beautiful girls!