My sweet girl. I just can’t resist trying to capture everything about her.
I don’t want to miss a minute.
It’s been four months since we met in that tiny Civil Affairs office in Nanning.
And as much as I hate to see time slipping away so quickly, I’m not gonna lie…
I’m glad to be on this side of those first few months.
Much of those first days and weeks are tough. Sometimes for the parents, but always for the child.
And the more I fall in love with Vivienne, the more my heart breaks that she ever had to give up anything.
She had to give up everything she ever knew.
For absolute strangers. In a completely foreign land.
But the beauty of having faith in God and His plan, means not always understanding, but always trusting.
And in trusting Him, catching sweet glimpses of Him and His handiwork.
The work He is doing in her heart.
And in our hearts.
Medically speaking, we really don’t know any more about Vivienne than when we met her, four months ago.
Based on her PT and OT evaluations though, we do know that she’s ridiculously capable. Outrageously determined. And not delayed one iota.
She’s in her AFOs now and is blowing our collective brains as she learns to climb up and down stairs, jump and run.
As to her official diagnosis, the specialists we’ve visited are taking a ‘watch and wait’ approach. The geneticist who saw Vivienne last week wants to track her growth for awhile before doing any further testing.
And, I’m actually okay with that. Despite the fact that being patient is totally contrary to my nature.
Because ‘watching and waiting’ puts the focus on the blessing of now. No rushing headlong into the future. Just relishing the present.
And witnessing His plans for Vivienne as they unfold.
All in His time.
I love this post. My DH and I made the decision to go for a second adoption recently, but I have responded differently this time around and I have been trying to figure out why. I am happy, but not enthusiastic. I think that this time I am more aware of how much these kids give up. How much they grieve. I know about those long nights of holding my child while she cries. Thanks for giving me food for thought so I can try to wrap my head around this:)
Hey Stef!
I can't believe it's already been 4 months! WOW!!! It's not by accident you mentioned "How much they give up" My heart has been aching for my Madelyn, we are praying non-stop for her precious heart to be prepared as much as it can for our pending arrival. To say I'm nervous for her doesn't do it justice, I am terrified for her. 8 1/2 years she's lived the life of an orphan/foster child, now she's heading to a whole new world. Happy new world but heart breaking for her as well…In time we pray she's more happy than homesick. My heart is a bit heavy today but your post gave me hope that soon we'll be at the post adoption mark and time does help the heart. Thank you sweet friend!!!
Miss Vivi is so precious!!! Linzhi was looking at her pictures and said "she's a cute China baby" =) Out of the mouth of babes!
~Amy
Oh so sweet! And she is just beautiful! I love your post processing.
Vivi is as adorable as ever. These are precious moments. We all want to do whatever it takes to savor them. But I also know how you feel about getting past that certain point! Speaking of His perfect timing, what is the secret to finding that peace while waiting for TA?? Have a great day! Love, Kim
Happy Fourmonths.
Stefanie,
this is a beautiful post. Your words are so honest but so encouraging! "Putting the focus on the blessing of now" is how we can really see God's grace working in our lives…and the life of the child we have been given. Thank you for sharing. Vivienne is beautiful!
All of her pictures are so cute but oh my..that last one is so precious. I love her.
Amen.
Oh Congratulations on hitting 4 months! I had no idea Vivienne was from Guangxi…so is Georgia! Georgia is from Yulin 1st and we got her in August. Anyhow….so beautiful!
Shannon
Wow, what a cutie pie she is…and she's got a cute little tummy as well!
As we are learning through our study 'Live Like You Were Dying' , each day we are given is a precious gift…and I am so trying to enjoy each day, with no worries about the future. He has it all taken care of after all doesn't He? Hugs to you Steph~
That's what we are doing right now with Joey's eyes…..we are doing a visual acuity test tomorrow and we are meeting with ..someone, to talk about the MRI results….but I was given the line "Things look good so we are just going to watch until things become problematic".
Lots of prayers that nothing ever becomes problematic!
Happy 4 Months! Hard to believe it has been 4 months….seems like yesterday!
wow, could she be more beautiful? so sweet. hope you are well…
i know exactly what you mean about part of your heart being thankful when you are on "this side" – this side of whatever that magic # of days/weeks/months that the fog lifts & you mold together a little bit more every day…
I think Miss Vivi Kate could not fit in any better! She is the prefect caboose for your family (or is she???????) Hmm..a caboose that is…
Beautiful, beautiful girl. What a gift she is!
Blessings,
Sarah
Hard to believe she's been home 4 months already. She's a precious cherub with the sweetest cheeks.
I can certainly relate to the "patience", not one of my finest attributes. I've learned the hard way that in the waiting period is were God meets us.
She's just adorable!
4 months…how can it be already?!? I had to giggle at the truth of being on "this" side of the 4 months…you wouldn't trade those first 4 months for anything but they can be exhausting indeed. She's wonderful Stefanie…simply wonderful! Hugs, stacy
4 months – wow – and good to be where you are now too, we can so relate!
Watching and waiting – the hard part of parenting – in particular when they are 20 somethings….but it IS all good!
hugs – aus and co.
WOW, can't believe it's been 4 months already!!
What a perfectly amazing and beautiful child she is! You are so very blessed! 🙂
Four months seem to have screamed by! Vivi is such a sweet little baby! I love the jeans and the bare tummy. Too cute!
Donna
Our Blog: Double Happiness!
She is so beautiful!!!!! I love the colors!!! So Vibrant!!!! I can't believe you have been home that long…
After lurking on your blog for so very long, and after reading some comments last week that were just plain cruddy…I wanted you to share in the sunshine of my Gotcha Day. I'm 27, and 18 years ago, something magical happened. I got a whole new family and a new last name. There have been some issues over the years, we've had fights, and struggles, and drama…but we've also had so much love. I gained two brothers and five sisters, all born after my adoption. I am because we are family. Have some cake with me and celebrate who I was; (a 9 year old Latina girl who got a German last name and a real chance at family)and who I AM (a woman who knows the real joy of God's adopting us as children).
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oh fail, it squished my cake!! >.<
She is so "Yummy" Stef!!!!! Truly just the loveliest little being… How can you not be smitten with that face, and that belly, those eyes, and that tender heart!!! God is smiling my friend!
Love,
Diana
She is so beautiful and what a neat post.
and she is just so stinkin' beautiful.
Stephanie, I love this post. I love the total passion and single-minded committment to her becoming all that God desires for her to become that I can read between the lines. I love the slobbery enslaved love that you so eloquently pour out over her 🙂 They do make us their royal subjects, don't they? But most of all, I love that you KNOW that He is the author and finisher of it all – that He trusted her to your care and you are striving to live up to that. For her, for you, and For HIM. It's a wonderful example to us all and I'm absolutely thrilled to get to peek into it all.
Vivi gets more beautiful with each passing day, Happy 4 Months, Baby!