My name is Josie and I’m two and three quarters. I’ve been here seven months and feel like I’m just warming up. I think I’ve got Michael under control now; Chloe was wrapped around my little finger from that first moment. It did take awhile to get used to Daddy and Mommy: their hair color and the way they talk and respond, it was all very strange. But now I feel free!! My heart used to feel so heavy I barely ever smiled. I spent my time positioning myself with the other kids and trying to get the nannies to give me what I wanted. But here I can be myself and I am figuring out who that is. I’ve found I like to grin and sing. I can eat all the food I want. All I have to do is say "hug" or "lap" and I’ve got it. The idea of a daddy and a mommy all for me is pretty awesome. It’s a whole new world in so many ways.
Here are some of our milestones:
February 14th Daddy and Mommy received my referral call and saw my picture for the first time. Happy Valentine’s Day!
March 7th was my birthday but I didn’t know it or know I had a family.
On May 8th I met my daddy and mommy and officially became theirs the next day in my hometown of Nanjing, PRC.
The summer was a blur of adjustment. There were swimming lessons (for the siblings-the tub was plenty scary for me), road trips, and lots of immunizations.
Then in the fall school started and we settled into a new routine. Chloe is a first grader who loves pink, princesses, girlfriends, singing, and her little sister and brother. Michael does some pre-k activities, but mostly plays with me. He loves going, going fast, Lightning McQueen, laughter, and AWANA. He had surgery in February and is feeling (and sleeping) much better.
I’m really liking the Christmas lights and can’t wait to discover what we do at this time of year. Mommy says she can’t wait until I understand why we do what we do at Christmas time. Merry Christmas, everyone!
Love,
Josie An
(Here I am signing "I love you.")
