• Home
  • About
  • Wild Olive Tees
  • No Hands But Ours
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • RSS

Ni Hao Y'all

when east meets south

  • Ni Hao Y'all
  • Faith
    • my faith
  • adoption
    • special needs adoption
      • clubfoot
      • Down syndrome
      • dwarfism
    • shared list
    • advocating
  • family
    • Magnolia
    • Clementine
    • Tallula
    • Poppy
    • Esther
    • Vivienne
    • Shepherd
    • Jude
    • Isabelle
    • Sophie
    • Dalton
    • Asher
    • Zach
    • Victoria
  • Life
    • memory lane
    • what works for us
    • things I love
    • Q and A
    • marriage
    • cooking
    • celebrations
    • blogging
      • love others
      • kudos
  • photography
    • photography 101
    • Sunday Snapshot

her little hand

This picture, at first glance, looks like a child’s scribble.

And it is.

But it is so. much. more.

Y’all probably know this, but for those of you who might not, Poppy’s special need is missing fingers on her left hand, also known as symbrachydactyly. It’s pretty much a non-issue in our day-to-day existence. In fact, I’ve found myself completely forgetting that my sweet girl doesn’t have any fingers on her left hand.

Because the girl can do anything.

Since Poppy came home, we’ve referred to her little hand as just that – her little hand. But we’ve tried to stay very factual about it, and only use the term to differentiate between her two hands… as in, “No Pop, not that hand. Give me your little hand.” We didn’t want to inject any of our emotions to it that might have confused her or caused her to question, prematurely, why her hands don’t exactly match.

Oh, but our other kids. They love her little hand. Isabelle loves Poppy and always wants to specifically hold her little hand. Jude wants to adopt little girl from China one day with “a hand just like Poppy’s!” And Vivienne and Sophie routinely comment on it, usually something like, “It’s sooo cute!”

And so, last fall, Poppy began talking about her little hand. She’d never said anything about it, asked about it or even referred to it before, so the first time she said “my little hand” when referring to her left hand, we all collectively held our breath, wondering if someone had done or said something that might have caused her grief over this realization.

Man, were we wrong. It was just the beginning of a budding love affair that Poppy now has with her beloved little hand. She does not question why it isn’t the same as her other hand, but instead feels special. After all, she and only she, has such a magnificent hand.

She studies it.

She rubs it.

She traces it.

This lovely tracing she did the other day at Maggiano’s. On their tablecloth.

And no, she did not get in trouble for it. Instead, mom pulled out the camera to capture it.

Tallula has even expressed some envy over Poppy’s little hand. I caught them in the middle of an argument a few weeks ago…

Tallula (clutching her own hand): “… my little hand!”

Poppy: “You no have little hand, Lula. I have little hand!”

Oh, that she would maintain this beautiful, and deserved, appreciation of the way she was crafted by her Creator.


  • Email
  • Facebook
  • More
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
«
»

01.18.13 · Poppy, special needs adoption 36

Comments

  1. snekcip says

    January 18, 2013 at 2:43 PM

    This beautiful post about Poppy’s “beautiful little hand” brought this verse immediately to my thoughts

    Psalm 139: 14 will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

    Reply
    • NiHaoYall says

      January 18, 2013 at 5:34 PM

      Me too. One of my favorite verses to say over my kiddos πŸ™‚

      Reply
  2. Jennifer says

    January 18, 2013 at 3:34 PM

    I never knew what Poppy’s special need was, but our daughter, who we brought home from China in October 2012 also has a “little hand” for her left hand! I’ve wondered when she will notice or mind that it is different, but your post gives me hope that maybe she will love it instead πŸ™‚ She’s only 2 now, so time will tell, but we love her exactly the way she was made.

    Reply
  3. martha says

    January 18, 2013 at 3:41 PM

    SWEET

    Reply
  4. Campbell says

    January 18, 2013 at 3:53 PM

    Oh darling little Poppy. Sweet girl I have prayed for you since I first saw your precious picture and read the unfolding story of your joining such a wonderful family. I have prayed that you would be protected and loved and have the ability to see, truly know and believe that you are beautifully, wonderfully made. God knew what he was doing when he crafted you exactly as you are. You are special for so many many reasons. God bless you always and protect your self love. I know your family will help you remember every day how truly amazing you are. xoxo

    Reply
  5. Laine says

    January 18, 2013 at 4:30 PM

    LOVE HER!!!!!!! And I love that yall are instilling in her the knowledge that she is wonderfully made!!!!!
    The fruit of your teaching her TRUTH is already evident in her little life! Praise the Lord!

    Reply
  6. Fannie says

    January 18, 2013 at 5:17 PM

    Awww that’s so cute! I hope she does keep that kind of appreciation for how she was made. πŸ™‚ I love hearing about your beautiful kiddos!!

    Reply
  7. Sherri says

    January 18, 2013 at 5:28 PM

    I have a daughter who is missing her entire left arm. We have treated her just as you have Poppy, referring to her “stub” side and her “arm” side. I was explaining to my girls, after the death of a friend of mine, how in Heaven, everyone will have a perfect body. I told Mia she would have two arms in Heaven. Her response? “Aw, man. I like it just the way I am!”

    Who am I to say what is the perfect body?

    I love Poppy’s sweet little hand!

    Reply
    • NiHaoYall says

      January 18, 2013 at 5:35 PM

      Oh gosh, Sherri… I LOVE that! Out of the mouths of babes, right?

      Reply
  8. Dardi says

    January 18, 2013 at 5:51 PM

    Kemeri has a little left hand, too. I was recently filling out paperwork for her EI assessment, & it asked about disabilities/medical needs. Do you know I listed her spina bifida but totally forgot to list her hand! The teachers got quite a kick out of that, but after working with her understood how I could easily forget…she uses it like a rock star! Currently, she is attempting to tie a shoe (she’s only 2.5, so I think we’re a bit early on that, but I’m not about to discourage her!). Yes, definitely fearfully & wonderfully made!! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  9. Patty Smith says

    January 18, 2013 at 5:52 PM

    Ahhh so sweet. My little guy has a little hand too. A few months back it was time for the “flex arm hang” test in the 3rd grade. I fretted about it as a mama and wondered if I should contact the PE teacher and have him excused. He was worried to. Instead, I told him to just do his very best and it would be fine. I worried that day and prayed it would be ok. Imagine my excitement when he came running to me after school with a big smile on his face! Not only did he DO the flex arm hang……he got the second highest score in all of 3rd grade. That little hand held on to that bar for 21 seconds. Yes, all things are possible with God.

    Reply
    • NiHaoYall says

      January 18, 2013 at 5:54 PM

      Wow. I can’t imagine a prouder mama moment, Patty.

      Reply
    • Laura McLaughlin says

      January 19, 2013 at 11:00 AM

      Patty,
      This is so great to hear. My son has a little hand and is in 1st grade. I know that in second grade, they have to do the rope climb in gym class. In the back of my mind, ‘ve been thinking about how this will go. You have just given me the encouragement to “let it go” and stop worrying about such things. Thank you.

      Reply
  10. Alison says

    January 18, 2013 at 6:00 PM

    So sweet πŸ™‚

    Reply
  11. jennifer says

    January 18, 2013 at 6:22 PM

    That is precious!

    Reply
  12. Diana R. says

    January 18, 2013 at 6:44 PM

    Stef,
    I love this.. You have given her such a spirit of confidence in the way she has embraced her sweet and precious “little hand!” Fearfully and wonderfully made… So beautifully true!!!!

    Sweet Girl!

    Hugs,
    Diana

    Reply
  13. Yvette says

    January 18, 2013 at 6:47 PM

    Heehee love this – reminds me of Brahm exclaiming to someone that dwarfs were a superior race – apparently the said child then he prayed for a week to become a dwarf LOL!

    Reply
  14. Joy Lenz says

    January 18, 2013 at 8:28 PM

    We love “little hands” too! One of the few things that truly frustrates Rachel about her little hand is that she can’t trace her big hand because she doesn’t have fingers on her left hand. So she just makes lots and lots of traced little hands.

    Reply
  15. Valerie A. says

    January 18, 2013 at 8:33 PM

    SOooo sweet! She is a brilliant and beautiful little girl and yes, so beautifully made right down to her little hand! Such an appropriate post as I’ve been thinking about a little one at An Orphan’s Wish (Shannan) that has some missing fingers on both hands and have found myself wondering on more than more occasion if she will just rock them like anybody’s business. I have a feeling she will (if she doesn’t already!)
    Just love your little one’s love of her little hand.
    -Valerie

    Reply
  16. Carole Parr says

    January 18, 2013 at 8:45 PM

    What a beautiful thing, so glad she is her self as it should be. It always could be so much worse, she is a warrior.

    Reply
  17. kelleyn says

    January 18, 2013 at 8:57 PM

    So sweet! The more I read about these sweet children from China, I have come to the belief that God has sent the best to China.

    Reply
  18. Lynne says

    January 18, 2013 at 9:23 PM

    As a mother of an adopted daughter with a “mini-foot” this blog entry was priceless.

    Reply
  19. Olivia Huber says

    January 18, 2013 at 9:25 PM

    Awwwwww!! Sweet Post, Stephanie. Poppy is such a blessing.
    You are a great mom.

    Reply
  20. Ally says

    January 18, 2013 at 10:24 PM

    I read your blog … All the time.. I never realized that Poppy had a “little hand”
    Our daughter has a little hand too. We adopted her from china in 2010.
    We knew as soon as we saw her it was a non issue for us and we were hoping it would be a non issue for her!
    So far , so good. She will be 3 soon and looks at her little hand all the time, some days she is courious , some days she loves on it but most days it’s just her little hand!!! It is who she is and we always kiss it and her and remind her how very special she is , just how God made her .

    Reply
  21. Hillary Glauser-Patton says

    January 18, 2013 at 10:27 PM

    *Love* (and smiles)

    Reply
  22. elisabeth says

    January 18, 2013 at 10:37 PM

    Oh this is beautiful.

    Reply
  23. Joy says

    January 18, 2013 at 10:38 PM

    Our daughter has a ‘little ear’! She has an attitude just like Poppy and doesn’t give it another thought. It doesn’t keep us from ponytails, pigtails or earrings!
    She’s so excited to be getting a little sister from China with a ‘little ear’ just like hers but on the other side!
    Love the story!

    Reply
  24. Dita says

    January 18, 2013 at 11:54 PM

    Quite possibly one of my all time favorite posts!!!!

    Reply
  25. Sophi Belle says

    January 19, 2013 at 10:09 AM

    That is the sweetest drawing I’ve seen in a while! I’d kiss that little hand all day long!! <3

    Reply
  26. Katy says

    January 19, 2013 at 12:42 PM

    Oh how sweet! My friend’s daughter (from China) has the same special need as Poppy, and we forget that she has missing fingers. It does NOT slow her down at all. She’s on a 3rd grade volleyball team. God is good.
    What is Lula’s special need?

    Reply
  27. kristi says

    January 19, 2013 at 3:38 PM

    You know, as I watch my girl age, I see that kids with visible SNs are made from a tougher cloth than we tend to give them credit. My prayer for Poppy, my DQ, and all kids that have things that stand out is that they are brought up in His love and learn to stand tall, knowing His love encompasses all!

    Reply
  28. Jenn says

    January 19, 2013 at 9:24 PM

    Adorable. πŸ™‚ Your kids are so stinkin cute. My goodness. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  29. Dusty Drosche says

    January 22, 2013 at 9:09 PM

    What a beautiful post! What a blessing that your entire family can rejoice in and find the bright side of something others might see as a downfall! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  30. Shecki says

    January 26, 2013 at 10:16 PM

    We call Hannah’s her “xiao hand.” Xiao is one of the few Mandarin words we all remember 2 years after the adoption, mostly because of referring to her little hand that way.

    Reply
  31. Tammy says

    January 28, 2013 at 12:57 PM

    Check out Lucky Fin Project on Facebook. I found it after watching Soul Surfer. My daughter was born missing two fingers on her right hand. Just a lot of neat links & info.

    Reply
  32. meganrbg says

    May 12, 2014 at 1:32 PM

    I know you wrote this a long time ago, but it just made my day!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

I'm Stefanie. Wife to one, mom to 13. Occasional blogger and t-shirt maker. Wannabe photographer and exerciser. Constant grace-needer and orphan advocator. more
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS

Subscribe

instagram

see more...follow us on IG

our china journeys

magnolia - 2016
clementine - 2014
tallula - 2012
penelope - 2011
vivienne - 2010
shepherd - 2008
jude - 2007
sophie - 2006
isabelle - 2005

ways to make a difference

Love Project

proceed with caution

a dirty secret in adoption
we don't celebrate gotcha day
there's no such thing as an easy adoption
if I can, you can.
co-sleeping, why we do it.
gawsh. the series.
crazy
affording adoption
God and me.
Vivi's diagnosis
the ugly, beautiful truth
special needs: my .02
my testimony
dear anonymous
my chinese son

Creative Commons License

Copyright © 2023 · Darling theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 Β· Darling Theme on Genesis Framework Β· WordPress Β· Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.