catching up...

It's been about six week since we got home from China. It is crazy to think about the difference in Mayleigh from when we were in China and now home. She is 100 % a completely different kid. She is so happy and has brought so much joy to our house! So different from the way I felt in China. To be completely honest, I had a lot of scary feelings about what I had just done to our family. I remember thinking, everything was just fine with our family of 5.....luckily we trusted that this was our plan for our family and we now feel so complete with Mayleigh. Everyone is adjusting and doing well. Kullen is finally acting more like himself and doesnt seem so sad all the time about having to share his mommy with this new strange girl in his house! Now that doesnt mean that he doesnt sometimes try and push her or hit her in the head with a sword but overall, he is doing better.

Actually a few posts ago, I wrote that I was getting out with some girlfriends for dinner. Jeff was doing dinner and bedtime with all 4. I decided to check in and text him about an hour or so after I left. He said things were good except Mayleigh had her first bloody mouth!! He was cleaning up from dinner and thinks that Kullen pushed Mayleigh off the mini tramp in our family room. When she fell she bit down on her lip. Right under her bottom lip. Jeff was nervous that she bit through it and maybe needed stitches. OH BOY! I texted him back asking if he wanted me to come home but the whole time I was praying he would say no!! :) Luckily she recovered quick and was off playing in no time. We had our neighbor Kelly (who is our dentist) run over to take a look and make sure he didnt think she needed stitches!! (thanks Angie and Kelly...you guys are the BEST!!!!) But all looked good so I stayed out and they carried on with their night! PHEW! First night out with my friends...I REALLY didnt want to go home!! ;) 

Mayleigh is chunky up quite a bit. I think she is up to around 22 or 23 lbs. She looks so different than when she was in China.  

     

                            M in China                                                 Home with a loving family!     

What a crazy difference!!! Her face has filled out so much! And wow, has her personality come out! She is quite the character. Fits in well with her brothers! ;) She has figured out the word that you say when I put a camera in front of her! It doesnt exactly sound like "cheese", more like eeeeessss but she says it just like Kullen!! But for some reason she thinks she is suppose to put her arms in the air at the same time! 

First bath!! We had been showering her since since she always wanted to be held in China. We honestly were a little grossed out about the possibility of poop in the bath since she has no control over when she poops with her stoma. But if we do a pretty quick one we are good!! And she LOVES it. She is definitely picking up english because when I say we are going to take a bath...she gets super excited!!

First day at church! Bad pictures but wanted one of her in her cute dress!! We were literally walking out the door and of course we were running late!! ;) That is how we roll with 4 kids!!

First time at MOPS with all the moms!! :)

Enjoying a ride!! 

We tried the park on a pretty mild day. She enjoyed it for a little while!!

She loves the trampoline!!! I was a little nervous because the boys would bounce around her and she would get bounced all over but she just giggled and giggled!! I am sure we will be spending lots of time on it this spring! Thanks neighbors! ;)

Mayleigh finally meets Adalee!! I met another adopting mom on our FB group when I realized she just lived about 20 miles from us! Tammy and I got together a few times while we were waiting for our girls and then they went for Adalee in Nov. We finally got the girls together to play!! :)

Silly girls!!

M has discovered how much she likes sunglasses!! 

I just LOVE this pic!!! She LOVES to go to the mudroom and put the boys boots on! 

Playing at the mall play area! She was LOVING it!!

I started potty training Kullen this past week. Go figure, she likes sitting on the potty WAY more than Kullen! But we are proud of K!! He is doing great so far. It's been a couple days of naked playing and he has not had an accident in a few days. Ok, well, he did poop in his underwear yesterday. But if you know how much trouble pooping was for my other two, you know my expectations with that department are NOT high! We are just hoping for the peeing right now!! :)

Even though he has had a rough transition with her home...I know he loves her!! And this little one LOVES to give kisses to all her brothers! Well, anyone actually. She was trying to kiss our pastor today! :)

We cant remember what life was like before Mayleigh. She fits so perfectly in our family and we are totally in love!!!