Improvising.

We take Maggie's hearing aid off for her bath ( it can not get wet) and then usually leave it off  while she plays a little before bedtime.  This gives her head a rest from the elastic band she has to wear everyday and from the constant amplified noise she hears through her hearing aid.  But, this means that she can not hear one of her favorite things - music.  The girl loves music !! She even has started asking for her hearing aid so she can listen to music while she is in her crib ( she does not wear her hearing aid for naps or bedtime).

 

One day, she stumbled upon a way to listen to her music without wearing her hearing aid - the baby monitor.  The receiver is in her room and was picking up her cd player playing her favorite signing times cd.  She could hear it faintly through the baby monitor, but when she held it up to her ear she could really hear it clearly.

She played and played while she listened to her music.  Maggie was so happy to have found out this new way to hear.  I don't think she will let anything stop her from experiencing life to the fullest !  

Maggie continues to amaze us.  Sometimes we just sit and watch her and are in awe that this is the same silent baby we met in China.  Before and After pictures constantly run through my head as I hear her tell me she loves me and that she is thirsty.  This little one that is so smart and determined. A miracle right before us. 

Art.

Maggie got to do some crafty art work at speech yesterday and she loved it ! 

 I think she loved using the glue stick the most.

 ( and yes, she is posing for this picture and showing a hint of a smile- love, love, love it )

She is working on the sound "p" this week, hence the "pop corn tree". (love the fish lips !)

 Maggie is doing great with her "p" words. Her favorites to say are : papa, open, up and pop. 

(More posing and smiling for the camera)

Posing.

I was just clicking away and taking pictures of Maggie, when she stopped tilted her head and posed.  She waited until I snapped the picture and then she went running away, wrinkled her nose and smelled the flowers. 

 I don't remember reading that posing for pictures was on the two year developmental milestone checklist.  But, we certainly think posing is a big milestone for Maggie.

Her Best Friend.

 Maggie was given many gifts before we even left for China to bring her home.  Little did we know how special this one gift would be.  

Our good friends from The  Employee Pharmacy gave Maggie a stuffed Minnie Mouse and it has become her very best friend.

 She hugs and kisses her all the time.  She makes her crack up laughing and Maggie drags her around everywhere so Minnie won't be left out. 

When I lay Maggie down for her nap, she will play with Minnie for about an hour before she gives in to sleep.  We usually hear lots of loud laughing from Maggie's room during nap time because Minnie is hanging upside down or turning flips in her crib.  It is so funny !

 And, while most parents take for granted that their child has a favorite stuffed animal, we don't.  We know that Maggie went fourteen months with out a special friend, toys or much interaction.  

The only thing she could sleep with or have in her crib was a white wash cloth in which she comforted herself by rubbing her lower lip on. ( This is a fairly common practice in Chinese orphanages).

So, we love Minnie and we're so thankful Maggie has a sweet best friend that's always around to play with and comfort her.  

Disney World will be so fun to go to one day !!!

Storybook Farm

Maggie is participating in equine therapy at Storybook Farm this year. She has only been two times, but already is loving it ! ( in a cautious, but excited kind of way)

The volunteers are so sweet and really love what they do - helping and loving children.

 I am so excited that Maggie has the opportunity to learn how to ride horses, make new friends and work on building her core muscles/posture !  The weather has been so nice too.  I am sure I will post lots more pictures as she gets more accustomed to riding.  Isn't she so cute with her little, tiny riding helmet and look at her holding onto the saddle.  Adorable and Amazing !!

It's fun being two.

Are You My Mommy ?

I am a member of several adoption advocacy groups and am always seeing these beautiful children that need to be adopted.  And my heart aches so bad for them.  I want to go and adopt all of them.  Seriously. But, as of today, we are not adopting any time soon. It's killing me....

So, I plan to start advocating for waiting children on my blog.  I am not sure how I will go about it.  But, I figure that is the least I can do if I can't adopt them.  Please join me in praying for these children and advocating for them if you so feel led.

Please go here and see " Molly".  She is an adorable little girl with a complicated ( but not hopeless) heart condition.  She is bright, cheerful and developmentally on track.  Are you her Mommy ?