Tuesday, November 03, 2009

6 months with our gift from God......

and it's the best little gift I could have ever imagined. It's hard to believe we have now had Cassie for exactly 6 months. Because I know in my heart she has always been a part of our lives. Sonny and I are so blessed to have been chosen to be her parents. To raise her, nurture her, spoil her, watch in awe as she blossoms everyday before our very eyes. And we are doubly blessed because we now get to give our daughter a sister. Soon -- we hope.

Cassie has made great progress the past 3 weeks in many areas. She can now say about 15 words. Her climbing skills are excellent -- mama's not so sure this is a good thing. Her balance is now excellent. She runs, jumps and dances. She's super silly. She loves three stuffed animals with all her heart -- they are -- puppy, bear and lamby. She understands everything I tell her to the point it's scary. She feeds herself now but still has no interest in a sippy cup. She babbles all day long. You can just see her trying to form the words, so it won't be long before she'll be talking up a storm. Oh, and she thinks Sesame Street is pretty cool.

Sleeping has also changed and gotten much better. For the most part she's now sleeping through the night. Except for waking for a diaper change -- the girl really doesn't like wet diapers. She's up at least once and sometimes two or three times for a diaper change but then goes right back to sleep. The only time she has issues with sleeping now is when she gets too scared or overwhelmed during the day. For example, she was up 5 times crying the night of the Halloween party. I still think she's making great progress on the sleeping issues.

As for naps, they have changed too. We tried to switch Cassie from two naps a day to one nap a day and that didn't work out so well. On 3 out of the 5 days that she had only one nap, she fell asleep while eating dinner. Once while chewing. The other 2 nights she was a complete bear. And I don't mean the cute little cub bears -- I mean the big bad papa bears who you don't want to mess with. Needless to say, we are back to two naps a day. But Cassie has decided that she will no longer take a nap if I just lay her in her crib with a bottle and her waving bye-bye to me -- as we have done for at least the last 3 or 4 months. Nope, not anymore. She now demands to be rocked. Yep, that's right. I said rocked!! My baby girl finally wants to be rocked. And I LOVE it. Other than me forcing the issue of her being rocked when she was having night terrors, she has never let me rock her. Never. Not once. And now I get to do it twice a day. Normally with her laying on my shoulder with both her arms around my neck. That's the best feeling in the world. I waited a little over 5 months to be able to rock her -- I'm not normally a patient person -- but it was so worth it.

She has brought unbelievable joy and contentment to our lives. We are so blessed. And Cassie is so amazing!!!!

Here are two photos - one from the first few moments with her in China, and one from last week.

She's found her mama and dada, and that's done a lot for her smile. And ours.



10 comments:

LynnieB said...

Wow. 6 months. Can you believe it? Sherry, you and Sonny are such wonderful parents. You can tell by watching this little rose blossom. Can't wait to see you with two!

Melissa said...

That is so sweet! I understand just how you feel. I am so glad that she is letting you rock her and have that special bonding time. She really has progressed so much. Time really flies when you are having fun doesn't it? It makes that horrible wait seem inconsequential doesn't it?

Michele M said...

Its hard to believe how fast 6 months goes....we were just a few days ahead of you. Absolutely amazing what changes occur in such a short period of time!! Love hearing about all of you and always happy to see pictures of Cassie...keep them coming.

Love to you all.

Susan said...

Great post! I love hearing how much Cassie has blossomed and how much joy and love she brings to your lives. Keep up the good work, Momma! It's shows in her little smile! I love the little ladybug!

Dana said...

Happy six months to you!! I can't believe it has been that long since we were walking around bleary eyed with babies strapped to us in China. Cassie sounds like she is doing awesome, and I am getting a little jealous that you get to go back to China soon! Give her a hug from Makenna:)

Amy, Jeff, LM, SC, & Ashton said...

Happy 6 months home! so amazing and wonderful.. i've been quietly following along from time to time, and was delighted last week to read about the pending arrival of Chloe, as well... amazing how god and the threads that connect us all work, isn't it? very happy for you!! Amy (from your "Friends" in Philly)....

Danielle Moss said...

She's gorgeous. And she's been home for 6 months! Wow!!

Thanks so much for the sweet comment. Means so so much to me. It made me smile and now I feel a little better.

Hugs,

D

Unknown said...

WE have been home for almost 9 months and everyday gets a little sweeter...Wonderful post!

Lesa said...

I just can't get over how fast 6 months has come around!! Isn't it funny how time flies once they are home?!
What a cutie patootie she is too!!!! Man oh man I love her cute hair cut.

Is that your kitchen, Sherry? I love that mural!!

day by day said...

Sherry,
Cassie is adorable...oh, my!!!! It sounds as if she is just blossoming in her forever family!!

I am so happy to have found your blog! : )

~Michelle