The short version of how things are going with our little Rose is that things are simply amazing. We have been completely shocked at how well she, and the rest of our family, have settled into our new normal. All the things we were most concerned about in regards to her transition into our family have gone so incredibly smoothly. From the moment we got home, Rose has seemed to be completely at peace. Jetlag threw her off for about two or three days, but she quickly acclimated and is the most amazing sleeper we have ever had! She soaks up the attention from all of her siblings, and is not one bit phased by all the commotion. We were prepared for her needing quite of bit of "alone time" in her crib, away from all the noise and stimulation. But that has not been the case one bit. She is interacting with everyone, forming unique bonds with each member of the family, and thriving with all the hands on attention she is getting. She is a quick learner, much more so than we were lead to believe throughout the process. She has learned some hand gestures (blowing kisses and clapping) which indicate her ability to mimic and learn sign language, at the very least. She says Mama, though not really with intention or knowing that that is me. But still, it brings a huge smile every time I hear it!! Her muscles are getting stronger every day, and you can just see the wheels turning in her little head and she takes everything in.
The hardest part of the transition for our family as a whole has been with our little Luke. He was most definitely used to being the "baby" of the family, and having the vast majority of my undivided attention. Fortunately we have gone from, "Mommy, when are we sending baby Rose back to China?!" to "We're never sending baby Rose back to China, she's our baby!" and "I love baby Rose, I just can't stop saying I love her!" He also loves to come to her rescue...if he hears her start to cry, he will immediately come running to her and make a little motor sound that for some reason is oddly soothing to her, and it often stops her crying. I think after six weeks he has settled into the role of big brother pretty well, although it comes with his usual intensity! 😉
Since being home, Rose has had a lot of firsts.
She has ridden in a car seat for the first time, which is now one of her most favorite places to be. This girl loves being on the road!
She has begun eating soft foods, without the help of any feeding therapy whatsoever. This has been one of our biggest surprises, because after almost three years of being exclusively bottle fed, coupled with the tendency for children with Down Syndrome to have feeding difficulties, we were not expecting such quick progress. When I first got her, she had no clue what to do with her tongue when anything other than formula touched it. And really no desire to learn. But once we were home, and her core muscles strengthened enough to where she could sit in the high chair without tiring so quickly, she took to spoon feeding like a pro.
She got up on all fours for the first time, though she definitely prefers to be resting on her tummy!
She has weathered her first respiratory virus with a Mama and Daddy to love her through it, which still ended up turning into pneumonia. It struck me over and over again as I wiped her little nose, or took her temperature, checked her oxygen levels, held her upright in the steam to ease her breathing--all the things I have done with my other kids countless times--that this was the first time she wasn't fighting alone. The nannies don't have time to wipe every child's runny nose all day, or hold each one in the steam, or keep a close eye on their vitals. They simply do not have that luxury. And that is exactly what it is--a luxury, a privilege. Caring for our children is something that I had taken for granted, even griped about at times as an exhausted mom. But it's a luxury. And I am so thankful to get to care for this sweet little girl now.
She met our horse family, and has fallen in love with none other than our big Huey Bear! Though she had never seen such an animal before, much less such a large one, she immediately reached out her little hands to pet him, and then leaned in to lay her head on his (which of course we didn't get a picture of in time.)
She laughs...a lot!
She snuggles.
Every single day we look at this child in amazement that she is here. She is safe. She is home. She is loved. She is happy. And she has brought so much JOY into our lives.
(Blowing Kisses)
As time allows, I will begin sharing more about our time in China--hopefully before all of the most important parts fade from my not-so-great memory!
Thank you all for coming alongside us as we begin walking out the road before us with our sweet Rosie girl. Needless to say, we don't know all the places it will lead us, nor what it will all look like. But we do believe that the story of our Rose in bloom is something to be shared.
With much Love,
Ashley
