36 hours from now we will be leaving this place. So many pictures I want to share, so many words I want to write.
But that all takes time. Time I really don’t have right now.
Because mama is busy. Yes, I have lots of help when it comes to bubble-blowing, carrying groceries and giving wild piggy-back rides up and down the hall. But when it comes to giving bottles, bathing, noodle feeding, sleeping and changing diapers, only mama will do.
Thankfully, both Magnolia and Clementine are adjusting amazingly well. So, so many answered prayers, y’all. We are so grateful, your prayers have been truly felt.
Clementine is taking it all in, a little at a time. She has shown sweet moments of tenderness and compassion to her new baby sister more than a few times. They play especially well in the tub because they both love to splash until they giggle.
Be still my heart.
She has also expressed feelings the other end of the spectrum, not-so-surprisingly. It was just 18 months ago she would hoard anything she held dear. Now she is trying to share, gives sweet pats and encourages Magnolia to participate in things we are doing.
At least when she’s not discouraging her from participating. Oops.
She has been sleeping well and eating even better – I think having a little sister who is an avid runner and adventurous eater is encouraging Clementine in all good ways. She used a big fork to feed herself a plate full of watermelon at breakfast yesterday and again today.
Good stuff we would have never anticipated. God is so faithful.
Magnolia is amazing. Feisty, determined and so, so sweet. She’s a grownup in a teeny tiny, completely adorable body.
And those eyes. Oh my.
She is a surprisingly good eater (seriously, where does she put it?) and is very particular about staying tidy. The tiniest of food particles gets delivered to me personally about 497 times per meal.
She very much wants to be able to do everything, and do it right now. I brought some lacing beads for Clementine to work on… Magnolia figured them out in an hour.
She is a wonderful sleeper – naps for 3 hours in the afternoon and 10 hours at night, straight through. I was told that she just needed her bottle to go to sleep and that was absolutely accurate. I expect this routine to become more complicated as she learns to rely on us to meet more of her needs but for now, only having one to rock to sleep has been a lifesaver.
She likes Clementine and tries to imitate a lot of her behavior. And when she’s not imitating her, she tattling on her, or pointing out the food on her face or spot on her shirt. She is crazy observant and an excellent communicator.
She currently calls me baba, and I have no doubt this is not a mistake on her part. The name mama currently belongs to someone else she carries in her heart. So much she has lost and she is keenly aware of it.
But she is also such a happy girl – loves to be silly and giggle and talk, talk, talk.
I can’t wait to see what she thinks of her big ol’ family, waiting anxiously for her halfway around the world. Her updated report that we received on Magnolia day said she loves to be busy, especially surrounded by lots of other kids. When our guide read this part to me she stopped, smiled at me and said, “Wow.”
Wow, indeed. He is so faithful.
If I don’t get another chance to post before we leave, please continue to pray us home. We leave China Friday morning – Thuraday night back home – and arrive home late Friday night.
So thankful for y’all.