A note from Lexi

Hi all!

I wanted to let you know how I think things are going: I am loving my new home - the boys are entertaining to say the least and I am getting them wrapped around my fingers (and I thought my dad was easy!!), the cat is a curious creature who seems to want to be around me, buy when I go to pet him - he takes off!  I will just continue to torture him by playing with HIS toys instead of my own! :)  Mom and Dad are doing pretty good with getting to know my likes and dislikes.  I didn't know I was that hard to figure out, but I guess the different country thing is what they blame.  Here are some of my likes and dislikes that I have discovered since being in America:

Likes:  empty water bottles (I hit everything with them and mom doesn't seem to mind too much -until I go after the breakable stuff)
playing cards with Chris (52 pick-up is my fave!)
anything that crinkles (travel tissue packages, magazines, bags of chips mom puts next to me in the grocery cart, you get the picture)
brownies!! , noodles (especially in lasagna and alfredo), and music (any type - the louder the better I say!)

Dislikes: an IV in my hand, not getting fed fast enough (when I'm hungry there should be no hesitation!), being told "NO!" (that word stinks!), milk, poopy diapers while taking a nap (they make me cry = and people respond! :))   and green vegetables.

The boys say I talk too much, but they have no idea of my true potential.  They will just  have to wait and see! I am getting used to the cage they put me in to sleep during the day and night (it isn't so bad, but they don't need to know that: SHHH!)
I love getting to know new people and if they have fun jewelry, I am much more apt to go to you.

Mom and Dad have dragged me to a few of these doctor people and I am not a big fan.  They poke and prod and I find it all annoying.  They seem nice enough until they look up your nose, in your ears, or are putting a needle in you somewhere - SHEESH! Mom and Dad just look relieved every time we leave the doctor people - I guess I am ok then with my funny eye and bad teeth.  "It's all good!" as my Aunt Becky would say.

I hope that gives you a little sample on how I'm adjusting - mom and dad say I'm doing great and I think so too!  Life here isn't too bad. Until another time....

What Lexi's Been Up To:

I know I haven't posted in a while - Tim and I are back at work and Lexi is keeping us busy with all her motoring around. We are assuming she is getting much more comfortable with her surroundings since she is crawling all over the house! Nothing is safe anymore! The boys will make comments (not all good) about her behavior, eating habits, dirty diapers, etc. and I have to kindly remind them that Dad and I have been through this all before because they were like this too! They cringe and I laugh!!
Lexi seems to be adjusting to our work schedules and we hope that her world isn't rocked too much in a couple weeks when her brothers are off from school and taking care of her. We had to hire a sitter for the summer to watch her 2 mornings a week. Heidi is a sitter we've had in the past for the boys and we are looking forward to having her back - we hope Lexi loves her as much as we do.

These past three weeks that we have been home have been filled with trying new things, seeing tons of people and getting "back in the groove". That is really hard to do with school wrapping up, family visiting, and throw in a Tulip Festival! Lexi loved the Festival - there was so much for her to look at and listen to, including her oldest brother, Chris, play in the school band. Poor guy had to march in all 6 parades. They did an awesome job though! We are noticing Lexi's attraction to music and we try to have some going much of the time. Last night we got to hear Zach and his 5th grade band in his spring concert and they did super, too! Lexi even danced to their rendition of "Rockin' Robin". Off to Chris' last concert of the year tonight!

Lexi has been to the park, shopping, the doctor (twice), the ophthalmologist, and many times to the library (Mom's work) and out to eat. She has been a real trooper as she tries to get used to all these new places. We have an appointment at the dentist on this Thursday, an eye ultrasound for her left eye on Monday the 24th, and she meets with a pediatrician on the 3rd of June. Our doctors here are general/family practitioners and the one she saw wants to have her evaluated by a pediatrician just to make sure all is well.
The little piggie has gained just over 2 pounds since she has been in America and for that we are grateful! She weighed in at 17 pounds fully-dressed when we got home, now she is 19 1/2! We still can't get her to drink any milk or formula, so that is disguised in her cereal and some other foods, but she is finally taking juice from a sippy cup. Her appetite is big and many new things are finding their way into her mouth! Food that is - she ate half my burrito on Mother's Day, is a big fan of Ramen noodles, yogurt, and brownies!! (She gets her chocolate love from me!)

We feel very blessed with how well things seen to be going - I know many people struggle with bonding and adjusting. The boys, Tim and I are really enjoying having her as part of our family and hope she feels the same. Though I wouldn't give her back in a micro-second, I still feel bad about her being away from her friends at the orphanage. She has acquired quite the "posse" here in Orange City! Many of our friend's kids can't wait to hold her and see her when we are around town or at church.

Our big accomplishment this past week was this picture. She took a bath and FINALLY stopped crying long enough to enjoy it! This was the first bath that did not have tears and screaming from beginning to end. I had to capture it on film!! She even splashed and played with a couple of toys. Yay! Another break-through! :)
This should be enough for now - will keep every one posted on how the appts go - enjoy the rest of May!