The Latest.....

I can't believe that this Saturday we will be home from China 6 weeks. The time has gone by so fast. It is as if Taylor has been here forever. She has changed to much since our Gotcha Day on January 24th. Two weeks from today (April 1st) she will turn 3 years old.

Baths are a time of pure enjoyment for Taylor. That is after she gets her hair washed. Still doesn't like that but lets me do it. Sometimes she has a fit when I try to get her out of the tub. What a change from a few weeks ago. Whoever said that baths are supposed to be relaxing for kids and start winding them down obviously hasn't met my daughter. She gets out with more energy than she went in with.

Taylor still always has a smile and laughs at the drop of a hat. She is one happy little girl. Doesn't cry often unless she takes a fall. Then it is break out the Elmo ice pad and she is happy again.

Sleeping through the night has been eluding us. Although this week we did have a few nights where she didn't wake up until morning (very early morning). Has also started sleeping past 5:00am most mornings. Still need to lie down with her at night until she falls asleep then I try to sneak out. Sometimes I can make it on the first try but half the time it takes 2-3 tries. Sometimes I can get out of her room but not down the stairs. Hopefully over time she will be comfortable enough that she can go to sleep by herself. Don't mind this time with her until that happens.

About 2 1/2 weeks ago she started talking in Chinese (or Chinese babble) much more than she had in the past. She looks at me and can talk for 5 minutes and I just look at her thinking I wish I knew what she was saying. It is so cute to here her talk like that. Her English is improving every day. I am constantly asking her to repeat words that I say to her. She watches the Signing Times DVD's she has and I heard her the other day say the words back. She understands everything I say to her....may have to repeat it 2 or 3 times but she gets it. On Sunday she actually answered 2 of my questions in English. Wasn't expecting that. She was about to stand on her booster seat on the dining room chair and I asked her to please sit down which she did. Then she started standing again and I said to her "What did I just tell you?" and her response clear as day was "Sit Down." How do you keep a straight face with that?

She is also learning to sign. Her most used ones are eat and more. She signs water for her juice. We were in the grocery store the other day and I said I have apples at home and I would cut one up for her later. She looked at me and signed and said apple. Big smile on my face!!!

There are times when she seems to get better around dogs as she has had a few meetings with friends dogs these past few weeks but most of the time she is hesitant, afraid and wants to be held. If they are across the street she is fine with them and waves. Will keep working on liking and being around dogs.

Once we got home I decided that since she was so extroverted and was used to being around kids that when I go back to work I would send her to nursery school instead of hiring a full-time nanny. We went to an open house at a near by nursery school and she seemed to like it and was comfortable there and didn't want to leave. Signed her up for full-time in May and also decided to send her 2 mornings a week starting in March so she could get used to it. If she didn't like it then I would have time to come up with another option. This was her first week. She goes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-1. So far so good. I think she remembered it from our first visit because when we got there on Tuesday she went right in with no hesitation. This week went well. She is playing well with the other kids and participates in all the activities. We have has some wonderful weather this week so they were able to go outside and play. Will take her back next week and hope for the same results. The best part is she is happy to see me when I pick her up. Has a huge smile and runs over for a hug.

Taylor was invited to her first birthday party on the 13th for our friend Danielle who turned 5 today. Taylor did very well and had fun. There was a magician there that she watch for about 5 minutes and then went back to the table for another piece of pizza. She also tried out Danielle's sit and spin and had a lot of fun on it. Below are some pictures from the party.

No particular reason for this picture except that I really liked that outfit she had on. Thought it was cute so had to have a pictures.

I am thrilled with the progress my angel has made these past few weeks. I am doing well also. I have accepted a new definition of organized (don't laugh too hard!!!) and have accepted the fact that not everything will get done as quickly as I want it to. Somethings won't get done at all...oh well!!!! I was able to catch up on a lot activities when my Mom was here so I am in a good place. I am sure I will be doing some more adjusting when I go back to work in May. At least now I am in the right frame of mind to do it. When I came back from China I was focused on Taylor's adjustment and not mine. I think it was harder for me than for her.