3 Months with my Family

It is hard to believe that it has been three months since Ava was placed in our arms.  A few nights ago, I finally watched our Gotcha Day video footage.  She did so well on Gotcha Day; no crying, no hitting, no fussing, yet now that I know her better, I can see she was withdrawn.  We did get lots of smiles and a few giggles from her on Gotcha Day, but I know she was scared.  Here is a revealing then and now picture.....  

This month has been hard.  About half way through month 2, we left the honeymoon phase.  I think Ava actually started to grieve some at night time, and that has affected her sleep.  She hasn't slept through the night for months now.  I'm hoping that we are getting close to filling her love and trust tank so that she can relax and sleep all through the night.  Jeremy and I are now taking turns sleeping in her room.  When she does wake up, we can tell her to lay back down, she does, but then she reaches for our hands through her crib.  She needs reassurance that we are still there.

Our little bedtime and nap routine is working, and she usually goes to sleep pretty easily.  We read several touch and feel books, pray and then sing.  Usually during our prayer, she is saying "sing" because she loves it so much!  We start out by singing "Jesus loves me."  I taught her to say bible, so when I get to that word, I leave it out and she says it!  I have to get it on video because it is sooo cute!

When the boys were little, Jeremy made up this cute little song about getting sleepy and time for bed. I've resurrected it for Ava, but have added some additional verses.  The verses are the prayers of my heart that the Lord would heal her heart, help her to trust, make her whole, we are here forever, and she is loved and cherished.   She usually drifts off to sleep while I'm singing this song.  I pray this words are being buried in her heart and that someday she will understand them.

She is growing, and is now 21.3 lbs.  She still fits in most of her 12 month clothes, but 18 month shirts fit her best.  Her hair is growing too!  When I look back at her Gotcha Day pictures, I can't believe how much it has grown .  I've been toying with the idea of taking her in for a trim because she is pretty lopsided in the back.  But I'm not sure I'm ready yet!

She is quite the little mimicker, and it is hysterical when she pretend burps!  If the boys burp, she will burp.  If they are making funny sounds, she will make the same sound.  She is attempting more words especially if we say "can you say _____."  It's not always clear, but she is trying.  I don't feel like she has added many more words since last month, but she is definitely babbling more.

 

She continues to love music, and her little dances are the cutest.

 

We are seeing more and more of her personality with each passing day, and it is a blessing to have a front row seat to the work God is doing.  She is such a blessing to our family!