Tuesday, October 02, 2007

6 Months with Mei Lin

Mei Lin 6 months ago - the first day we met


Mei Lin today at 20 months


Today marks six months since we first met our sweet little Mei Lin. It's hard to believe it's only been six months. It feels like she's always been here. It's funny how quickly these little ones just meld into their new families.

That's NOT to say we didn't have a long, sometimes difficult transition and don't need to continue to work toward stronger attachment and bonding. It wasn't until a month or so ago that I felt she really, truly trusted and loved me like I was her mommy. Most of the time that was the case and she was happy, loving, and smiley with me, but for those first five months she still had occasional episodes of rejecting that closeness and intimacy with me.

Now we have many days when she only wants mommy and she's now consistently and totally relaxed and trusting with me. I was so relieved when we turned that corner. I have to be honest and admit that there were a few brief moments when I was afraid she'd never totally love me like her mommy.


She's doing really well. She's generally a happy, easy-going little girl. She definitely has a mind of her own, though. She just carries herself with confidence. I've had several people comment that she has an attitude about her.

Don't get me wrong, she's so incredibly sweet, but don't mess with her! She holds her own. Unlike Miyah, this girl does not need anyone to teach her how to defend herself. Here's an example: I was just looking through the pictures of her "Gotcha Day" to post here and she saw a picture of a baby (herself) with her blankie and pointed saying, "Mine, mine!". And even though she loves her big sister, she's been known to scratch, bite, and pull her hair.

Mei Lin isn't keen on being left in the nursery yet. She does well sitting through Sunday morning church because she usually falls asleep on daddy. Bible study isn't so easy. I stayed with her the first day and then tried to leave for about ten minutes, but she cried and cried. So now I have the privelage of hanging out in the 0ne year old classroom. I hate to not go at all because Miyah and Megan love their classes. By the way, if you're looking for a Bible study, Community Bible Study is an excellent non-denominational study and they have them all over the country (and the world). I highly recommend it.

Mei Lin LOVES reading books. Right now her favorite is "Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?" and she asks for it every night by calling it the "Boom, Boom" book. She also loves coloring, play-doh, the sandbox, trampoline, bikes, bubbles, anything out of doors. But her absolute favorite thing is her blankie, affectionately known as "stinky pinky" (it's pink and she likes to smell it). I'm not even sure where her dad and I rank with that blankie. She's also the best snuggler! That little body nestles in and she's got you completely wrapped around her finger.

She's talking quite a bit, too. In the last few days I've written down about 75 words she says. She's even stringing some words together. Of course, her favorite word is no! Yesterday she told me no in refusal to come get her diaper changed. As she screamed while I held her down for a diaper change, I told her she needed to say "yes, mommy", suddenly she completely stopped screaming, looked at me, and said, "no, mama". Alrighty then! The twos should be interesting, indeed! She's a firecracker, for sure.

Thankfully she's a good sleeper, though I'd prefer she'd sleep a little later. She's awake every morning by 6:30 AM and naps exactly 1 1/2 hours every afternoon. She's also a picky eater, but loves almost anything with noodles or cheese (macaroni and cheese is a favorite) and peanut butter and loves her "milp" and "bapple juice".

We're so blessed that God's entrusted another little person to our family. It's absolutely fulfilling and satisfying to see her with the kids and realize that she perfectly completes our family.


3 incredible comments!:

RamblingMother said...

She is so very cute.

Beverly

Terri said...

Look at how she has grown! She is just beautiful. What a great idea to write down her words. I am glad to hear she is adjusting. Your family will always be in my prayers. :-)

Sharon said...

I am absorbing all of this process so i know what to look foward to! Yay, I'm on the link list, I see!! THank you for all your encouragement Cindy! Keep posting!!