A YEAR. A whole YEAR. We've had you in our arms for a YEAR. On September 5, 2018, we took off to China to find you and now it's been a YEAR. So crazy.
And busy.
And full.
And hard.
And wonderful.
And exhausting.
And miraculous.
And we are beyond thankful.
One of Mary's favorite things to do is look back at her baby pictures here in the blog. It's a modern-day baby book sort of..... and I have FAILED MISERABLY for you, sweet girl. I told Daddy the other day that if you google yourself - NOTHING WILL POP UP. I gotta do better.
Lottie, when you're older and scrolling through your past in pictures, you need to know that we have loved EVERY SECOND of our first year together. You are definitely the cherry on top of our clan and we literally do not know what we would do without you. Thanks for making us laugh. Thanks for being a good player. Thanks for letting me sing to you. Thanks for patting us on the back when you hug us. Thanks for keeping the conversation flowing around here. Thanks for coming along on any and all adventures. Thanks for being such a big helper. And thanks for opening your heart to us 12 months ago and letting us be your people.
Lottie Gene Powell - here's your first year home!
SEPTEMBER:
I remember EVERY second of that first night at home. We'd traveled for a million hours and finally made it to Birmingham where we had a car waiting for us. We'd told the rest of the family to go to Max's football game and support him, so they'd been giving us updates from the game throughout that last flight. You had slept for most of the journey, and for that, we were SO thankful! When we pulled into our culdesac late that Friday night, I remember thinking that I would never ever forget that moment. I was so thankful to see the boys' faces and they were out in the middle of the street waving and smiling! I held you and stepped out of that car and realized that WE WERE ALL TOGETHER. FINALLY. SO GREAT.
That next day, we had a little brunch for the grandparents, and then everyone went back home and we entered into the Powell Family Cocoon. It's my favorite thing, that cocoon.
Jetlag was no fun, but in a few days, we settled into our new normal. The boys and Mary went back and forth to school and Dad kept going to and from Atlanta to work, but in the swirl of all that activity, you and I stayed close to home. We talked and laughed and rocked and went on walks and sang and played...... precious, PRECIOUS time. As you get older, if you EVER want to "cocoon" for a few days, I AM HERE FOR YOU.
OCTOBER:
This was a fun and busy month getting to know you and figuring out what was best for that skin of yours. There were SEVERAL trips to Children's Hospital in Birmingham and the International Adoption Clinic. YOU DID NOT ENJOY ANY OF THIS, but it was such a gift to be the one you clung to when folks in white coats walked by. We had your eyes and ears checked and, of course, met our new dermatologist. At the request of the dermatologist, we began to wean you off of all the medicine that you'd come home with and we ordered EVERY KIND of cream known to man to see what worked best for you! LOTS of try this and try that. Although you didn't like any doctors or nurses messing with you, you were so trusting and willing when Daddy and I needed to give you medicine or put on cream or give you ANOTHER bath. It's like you were saying, "Okay, you two - I'm all in." I'm overwhelmed just thinking about how quickly you trusted us. WHAT A GIFT.
We got our Fall decorations all set up - pumpkins and mums, of course.... you thought it was GREAT FUN to pick the buds off the mums every morning. NoNo is not yet in your English vocabulary.
We also did the traditional China Silks pictures on campus. It was HOT that day, so your little cheeks were bright red! You weren't really sure what to think about the grass (or all the picture-taking) but the snow cone that Mary shared with you made you VERY happy!
We had a birthday celebration for you and Mary - Mary turned 7 and you were 2! She wanted an Incredibles party and your theme was PURPLE. You weren't quite sure what this was all about, but you liked that cake! I remember you kept your eyes on Mary the whole time and pretty much did whatever she did..... if she smiled for a picture, you would, too. If she drank green punch, you had to have some. If she opened a present, you figured out how to open one, too. SO SWEET to watch.
You went to church for the first time in October! You lasted about THREE seconds.... cause YOU ARE LOUD ALL THE TIME. We sat up in the balcony and when the music picked up, SO DID YOU. So we just walked around outside and ate crackers. HUSH is not yet in your English vocabulary.
Your birthday was on Halloween and you dressed up like the most precious little pumpkin EVER and rode happily in the wagon for the neighborhood Halloween parade and trick-or-treating. You didn't eat one bite of the candy, but you toted that bucket like it was your JOB.
NOVEMBER:
Your baby dedication at Northport Baptist was on November 4, 2018. You wore the same precious dress that Mary wore when she was dedicated. The whole family was there. You were NOT, however, precious during this event - you kinda wanted DOWN and, once again, YOU WERE LOUD. You were a scene. Mama doesn't enjoy moments like this - you know - stress, sweat, people watching things unravel, being unable to give a stern look cause folks are staring - but we got through it, and Mom realized that this was the last baby dedication she'd ever be the Mama for..... I'd love to say, dear Lottie, that this made your mother stop and ponder and "treasure all these things in her heart", but NO. REALIZING THESE THINGS DID NOT MAKE HER SAD. People keep telling me that "you're gonna miss this"..... well, no, in fact, I will NOT miss stressful moments like baby dedications. Thankyouverymuch. I love the Lord and most certainly know that you are HIS, not mine, but this stress will not be missed.
Anyhoo.
STRESS.
I am giving a thumbs up. Why am I doing this?
This picture is out of place, but we all went to lunch to celebrate YOU!
Dad is losing control at this point.
Just before your big moment. I am feeding you goldfish and you are dropping them all over the place. Mary is asking if she can "sit up on this wall cause my feet are TIRED of STANDING"..... I'm whispering to the boys to NOT STEP ON THE GOLDFISH on the floor. Joe is smiling. Jack and Max look BEYOND THRILLED.
Nope. Won't miss it.
But you sure were cute in that dress.
We also visited your new school a few times in mid-November. I stayed with you that first morning and you really did great! You joined right into circle time, played in the gym.... you knew just what to do! Then, for a few days, I dropped you off, then I hid in the hallway while you played for a few hours. I was always RIGHT THERE if you needed me, but you never knew it. I'd peek around corners or listen through doors. You did GREAT. And the look on your face when I would come back in the room to get you? Priceless. It was such a blessing to know in just a few short weeks, we'd bonded. Love you, little girl.
November also brought a couple of Max's football games where you LOVED the music and the M&Ms.
It also was your first trip to the FARM! We went up for Thanksgiving and did all the usual fun things - hayrides, bonfires, good food, etc. You were precious and loved it. The Lord has blessed us IMMENSELY and I'll be GIVINGTHANKS every second of every day for letting me Mama such awesome humans.
DECEMBER:
December brought a lot of activity, but you did GREAT. I went back to teaching 5th grade, so you started school full time, and thanks to some awesome teachers and school folk, you did beautifully. THIS OVERWHELMS me when I think about it, because you'd had SO many changes in your life in such a short time, but you were SO BRAVE and took it all in stride. I don't know what was going through your little mind, but you were happy and willing and brave and awesome. WHAT A TROOPER.
We did all the usual Christmasy things - decorations, wrapped presents, Mary's piano recital, programs at church, family gatherings, etc. You'd stick close to Mom and Dad, but as long as your people were nearby, you did great! Your favorite Christmas gifts were ALL THE ELMO THINGS. I was just about sick of that little red fella, but he made you happy, so he's welcome here any time!
Mary enjoyed being Santa for a Day at school!
A quick little photo session in a cute Christmas dress!
Our first visit with Santa was a bit bumpy. You LOVED writing the letter and waving at him from afar..... but once it was time to actually meet him, it was a NO from you. Don't worry. Same thing happened to Maxer when he was your age......
Mary's first piano recital was a hit! Big, BIG thanks to Jack for being her "practice partner"..... there are lots of things I can do as a mother of four children..... but enduring piano practice with Mary is NOT one of them. Jack, however, has the patience of Job, so he stepped in as her helper. We owe you one, Jack!
Photo session with the cousins..... trying to surprise Mudger and NightNight with a little something.....
Max had his annual football banquet.
We dressed you up in funny hats and glasses.
You did GREAT helping to decorate the tree! The bottom branches were FULLY LOADED by the time you were done!
SO CUTE in your matching dresses!
You loved EVERY MINUTE.
Oh, sweet Lottie..... please always know that the Lord is SO smart. He knew exactly who was missing from our family...... and He brought us YOU! Thanks for trusting us so quickly. These first few months with you flew by! And you filled them with such fun and joy. I'm amazed at ALL of my people! My cup overfloweth......
A Year with Lottie - Part 2 - coming soon!
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