Feeling Blessed

Julia went to the Cardiologist today.  We got wonderful news.  Her heart is doing well.  Julia was considered a special needs adoption due to having a birth defect.  She had a Ventricular Septal Defect which was repaired at 6 months of age in China.  She had an EKG and ECHO.  The Doctor said based on the ECHO results it's one of the best VSD repairs she has ever seen.  Better than some of the kids she sees that have their surgery in the US.  She will need to be seen once a year.  She has no restrictions on activities.  She is doing amazing.  Most days I feel blessed. Today I am feeling REALLY blessed.

Home 3 weeks

Friday we were home three weeks with Julia.  The last 2 weeks we have been very busy.  We are settling in nicely to our new routine as a family of four.  We have also learned a lot about what Julia likes and does not like.  

Likes

Still loves ketchup.  In fact no bottle on a restaurant table is safe.  Wants to eat it by the spoonful.

Loves bubbles.  

Loves the water table.  Loves dumping water on her sister.

Loves the bathtub....again loves to dump water on her sister.

Loves to snack.  

Loves to give kisses.

Loves to steal our nose and pretend to eat it.

Loves to giggle.

Loves to help unload the dishwasher.  

Loves ice cream.

Loves making new friends.

Loves being loved.

Dislikes

THE DOG....still....much better than it was but only likes the dog on her terms.  Likes to give her treats and toss her the ball.  Does not like when the dog comes up to her.

Not getting what she wants......boy can this girl throw a fit.  The Nanny told me Julia has a BIG temper but was easily consoled.  She was sure right.  This kid will throw herself on the ground and scream and kick.  They first time it happened we all looked at each other and burst out laughing.  Then she screamed more.

Sleeping in her own bed.

Riding in the cart at the store.....instead she wants to run down the aisles.  Tonight in Target she ran up and down the aisles and then pulled her pants down and laughed.  We made quite the scene.

Some pictures of what we have been up to over the past few weeks.

Katie's end of the year party.  Katie had a GREAT year in 2nd grade.

Making new friends

Visiting Great Grandmom

Visiting Pop Pop

Hanging with Daddy

We visited the flag memorial at Falls park.

We went to Annette's surprise party

We celebrated Father's Day

We played with the neighbors

We celebrated Katie.  Katie received a special award at the end of the year award ceremony for progress and effort in all areas.  We are all so proud of Katie

We celebrated Brian's graduation from High School

We helped Katie take her teachers gifts to school.

Last day of 2nd grade

Last day of school neighborhood ice cream party

And that's what we have been up to!