6 months!

Then and now:

February 17, 2008

late July, 2008 (photo by B)

[Blogger is in some sort of a snit & won't let me post new photos -- I'll try to replace the July one with a new one tomorrow.]

Yesterday was the six-month anniversary of the day we met Z, and today is the six-month anniversary of the day we officially adopted her. It's hard to believe it's been that long! The changes in our daughter have been awe-inspiring though. She is a smart, resilient and charming little girl. Here is a brief summary of how Z has grown and changed in six months:

- She's grown 1.5" and put on 3.5 pounds. She's now somewhere around 65th %ile for both height and weight. When she first came home she was 50th %ile for height and not quite on the charts for weight. So if she has these seemingly normal measurements, why is it that I still have to safety-pin 18-month size pants and skirts to keep them on my almost two year-old's teeny tiny waist?!

- She's gone from not speaking or understanding a word of English to understanding most of what we say and speaking about 30 words. She also uses or understands about ten or so signs. Her favorite words by far are "up" and "more." She loves to be held, and she loves to eat!

- She went from barely being able to sit up by herself in China to walking in a period of about three months.

- She knows who everyone in the family is and can name us all.

- She can point to and name all of her facial features and some body parts.

- She's had about a cold a month since coming home, which is not always fun, but should make for a healthy immunity by the time she starts kindergarten.

- She has always accepted our affection towards her, but now offers up kisses and hugs to us too.

- In a sure sign of trust on her part, she has begun treating us to some truly spectactular toddler hissy fits.

- She may have actually eaten one or two vegetables since she came home! Seriously, she still doesn't have a very healthy diet, but at least she'll eat more than pork, eggs and noodles now.

- She loves music, and loves the water so much we think she might be part fish. Or maybe mermaid.

- She has adjusted beautifully to child care, and adores her teacher Miss Diane. At the end of the day though, she still runs squealing across the room when I come in, arms opened to be picked up.

We can't wait to see what the next six months bring. I'm sure she'll continue to amaze us. We love you, little Z!