Ahhh, Vivienne.
It wasn’t long ago I had some very real worries about this little one joining our family.
And when I said I was scared, I really meant it.
But now, well… just look at her.
Scared?
Me?
Of her?
Obviously, I had too much time on my hands.
Vivienne is truly delightful.
And I have fallen for her in the worst way.
She’s beautiful.
She’s engaging.
She’s silly.
She’s jiggly.
That might be one of my favorite things about her. After enduring the feeding issues of two *unnamed* toothpick-like children in our home, it’s surprisingly wonderful to have a child with an appetite.
And some jiggle to her middle.
Plus, every ounce is absolutely pinchable.
She plays by herself, with nothing more than two kitchen spoons and an empty tupperw@re for entertainment.
She plays with the kids, right smack in the middle of a living room UFC match.
She’s girly.
She plays mama to her ‘baby’.
She loves to have bows in her hair.
She picks out a clip, brings it to me and then points to her hair.
Then she smiles.
She’s fearless. In a really good way.
She embraces life.
Even the dogs don’t intimidate her. In fact, she gets right in Seamus’ face, finger pointed, and tells him off. In Chinese.
Then she pulls his ears.
She has begun to be show small signs of affection, sneaking in a hand hold here and a tiny kiss there.
And asking “bao bao” (hold me) with her arms held out wide.
So far, I’m her top choice.
That’s one more thing I find particularly adorable about her. She likes me.
We’re not certain of the status of her special need.
We’ll start that long journey Monday afternoon with our first visit to the doctor. Who will then refer her out to many, many specialists.
Dwarfism is a possibility.
Surgery is a probability.
But being positively blessed by this precious child… that’s a certainty.
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BEAUTIFUL…we hope to travel April to bring home our little man. I have the same worries about him fitting into our tribe. Thank you for allowing me to follow your journey.
Nicole
I am so smitten with your Vivienne. I can certainly see how you are! She sounds absolutely delightful…..my favorite things..she plays independently ( what I would not give for Kate to do that) and that she brings you a clip for her hair..TOO CUTE!
I will be posting my SS of Harry tomorrow:)
She is so precious..just totally beautiful. She is causing me to want a little girl even more. I soooo have the 'fever.'
Praying for you and the dr. appts.
Everyone keeps using the word precious… because that's exactly what your Vivi IS. So glad to hear she's adjusting as well as she is. I am smitten, too.
She's amazing – YOU'RE amazing. You are so candid and personable – can it be possible that I love you and Vivi too?? Ahh, maybe this post just got me sappy!! All right, please don't call the authorities on me. I am days away at best. And I really hate riding in the car. I think you are safe.
Praying for the doctors to have wisdom and for Vivi to be strong (mama too!)
Maybe I will try to break out of my SS lull tomorrow- happens to the best of us! (really, it is just to cold for outside pictures!)
She is so beautiful! Sounds like she has adjusted so well to everyone! Girl I am dying to talk to you! How did Asher do with the whole jet lag? Love ya!
Chenoa
Ahhh Stef, she's wonderful! I am so happy for you!!!
Oh Stefanie! What a beautiful post. Vivi is simply delicious! And I love that she's got some jiggle goin' on. And no matter what her diagnosis is…she's absolutely perfect in every way!
What a doll. Seriously, those of us who adore her through just pictures can completely "get" why you have fallen so hard for this little one. Her personality just shines through even miles and miles away. What a sweetheart.
Well, that post just about sums it all up. She is out of this world precious. You have such an extraordinary family.
Love that punkin!! I adore that she tells the dog off in Chinese!
Whatever the future holds….ya'll are TOGETHER! PTL for that! 🙂
Oh Stefanie!! As I have said, Vivi is just too cute and sounds like she fits right in to your beautiful family! I promise to start back up with my Sunday Snapshots and will try tomorrow. My Mom is having hip surgery on Monday and I am spending Sunday night with her, so don't know for sure if I can join in this week, but will try!!
O my I could just eat her up!!! I love all the faces she is making in these pics! What a perfect little angel she is, you are one lucky Mama!!
Hi, Stephanie. I'm one of the ChattyGirls. Vivi is sooo adorable, she looks like such an absolute blessing! Congratulations!
I also had to say thank you. In your post you mentioned bao bao. This was a light bulb moment for me. Our Grace (adopted Dec. 2008 at 26 months old) says this when she wants us to hold her! Her English is still coming along, we just thought she had made something up. She refuses to speak anything else in Chinese. She use to say (phonetically) "mama gai" and "mama ga" (give to me or give to mama?) and of course bu yow (often). She hasn't said anything in so long, I didn't think this would be Chinese. It really means "hold me?" Thank you!!
she is so beautiful!!! Look at her!!! I am in love with that sweet little face {{{}}}
Could she be any cuter? I mean seriously….is there anything that could possibly make her more adorable??? nope. Vivi's got it goin' on!
Is it a Guilin thing? Our girls can put away some food too!
Sharon
She looks so joyful, what a doll!!
Whatever her special needs may be she is so lucky to have a family and parents that love her, she's perfect!!
She is AMAZING … like mother, like daughter!
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim
Vivienne appears to be a delight in every way. Is she ever NOT smiling??? You have been blessed big time with your sweet girl. I will be praying for you all as you begin the medical journey…but mostly for sweet Vivienne.
Best wishes,
Kate
What a sweet post about sweet Vivi. I am so glad that everything is going so well!
Those pictures…
So glad that while you were understandably scared (I'll admit to being scared this time too, for many of the same reasons you were) that it was for naught.
Love this description of her in your early relationship together.
Such Beautiful photos of Vivi! Thank You for posting them!
I so know what you mean about being a little scared…
Seeing how we are currently waiting on LID for our Benjamin (our 3rd child ~ first boy)…There are days I totally question myself ~ am I crazy…This is nothing new for seeing how I did it with Francesca & Annabelle's adoption, but this time…this time…I find myself a bit more scared than before…
Hope you are having a great weekend!
Please get video of her yelling at the dog. That's something you must share. Or at least I need to see it 🙂
Prayers for you and Miss Vivienne at the dr tomorrow. Thank you for sharing this sweet look at her. She is a doll. I just love that she wears hairbows!
I am so happy for you guys! 😉
The unknown is always so scary, … aren't you glad you took the plunge?!?!
Vivienne is adorable and seems to be settling in just beautifully! We will be praying Monday that your appointment(s) will go well and that you will get some answers soon!
Vivienne is beautiful! I did my first Snapshot Sunday post today! Nothin' like being late to the game!
🙂
-Nicole
It is SO obvious how beautifully she fits right in. I love watching for updates of sweet Vivi. She couldn't have found a more perfect forever family.
your post made me laugh and cry. She is so precious!!
Your Vivi is vivilicious!!! You are so blessed and I all that you shared about her. Thank you for saying you were scared. I am scared and need to know I am normal. So praying for you all as you go to the dr. God's on top of it!!!
XOXO,
Shay
She is adorable! Just looking at her pictures, and reading about how sweet she is, makes me want a little girl just like her 🙂
As she was from the beginning – A-dorable!!
Blessings, Ashley
She's all that AND beyond precious!
Wanda (at Last…)
She is adorable!! Praying for positive news medically. Anyway you look at it she is precious.
Oh I love her! She sounds adorable and spunky – just a way a girl should be! You are so lucky!
P.S. I posted my Sunday Snapshot…
She is so beautiful!!
This is my first time posting to Sunday Snapshot!!
Krista D
Oh wow, I think I am smitten too! Vivienne is simply adorable.
She is beautiful! I love watching her from a distance through your pictures the last few weeks. What blessings our Father has bestowed upon you!
Gayly
Vivi is gorgeous beyond words.
Thank you for sharing.
Christy
mom to Mia, Ava and Kai, adopted 2005, 2006 and 2008
She is simply beautiful! I just love you blog and have finally joined in the Sunday Snapshot!
She is just so sweet!! No wonder you have fallen for this girl. So happy her adjustment is going so well.
Just when I think I can't see one more Vivi picture without falling to a puddle of mush on the floor you show up with THESE?
I can truly say she just melts my heart.
Thinking of all of you as you begin the journey tomorrow with the specialists…watch them all as they, too, melt at first glance of this precious sweetie!
Better late than never!! I seem to be always just under the wire!!! hehe!!!
You're breaking my heart with this little one!
pure sweetness is what that is. sara kate has the same dress, wore it saturday actually. praying for good reports from the doctors, wisdom for them as they examine her, strenth for mama, and endurance for both of you!
Such a sweet post, Stefanie! You are quite a writer and quite a mom, too! Vivi is simply a doll, and I am so happy that she is settling in so well!
All the best,
Nicole A. in OH
How was the dr. appt.
Paula
Simply Breathtaking…
Absolutely stunning photos, and little girl!!! : )
Just fell on your blog through a friend, and was instantly smitten by how gorgeous your new little one is. We have 2 daughters from China, so we tend to be a little biased on Asian beauty! 🙂 You sound like a lovely family, and I know God is going to bless you for doing such a good job!!!! God bless as you go through Viv's medical evaluations. He doesn't give us more than we can handle.
Jackie W.