HOME ONE MONTH

OUR LOVES*OUR LIFE

Elizabeth Grace XinFeng Ryan, 3 years 2 months old

Randy "Levi" XiYi Ryan, 23 months old

Really, one month already?  I want to catch up on pictures and activities that have filled our days since we've been home.  

We have grown a lot as a family in this month.  The older three had three weeks of school left upon our return home.  So they kept to their regular activities as Drew and I tried to adjust to jet lag, caring for two toddlers in our home (not completely toddler proofed at the time) and the balancing act that is family.  The second week Rebecca was sick with a stomach bug for 4 days and then Anna had to have a tooth pulled and Elizabeth had an ear infection and RSV (respiratory virus).  The third week we started to get into a groove, kids were home from school and helpful.  The Littles have had many fussy days, Levi broke out in hives, not sure what he was reacting to.  Eating has been hit or miss (not for me, you'll tell that by my waist line: we have had many generous friends bring us meals to get through this time) for The Littles.  The fourth week: Drew left for a conference for 4 days out of town...... alone.....with FIVE KIDS..... two that don't speak our language yet.  Holy Cow!   But, we are survivors :)  And we worked as a team to enjoyably live though it.

PHYSICAL CHANGES:
Elizabeth (3 years old):  When we got Lizzy (we are starting to call her this now, but I still tend toward "Elizabeth" most of the time) she was walking easily and wanting to climb the steps in the hotel needing two hands to  help.  She could walk fast but not quite run.  She was not able to jump and could not stay in a seated position going down the slide, she would fall back as she had very weak core strength.  In the first week she began running, the second week she started jumping and going down the slide without falling back or holding someones hand, the third week she was riding a tricycle and this week she has started to go up and down the front steps without holding onto anything, and she's so proud :)  She can climb onto a chair and turn herself around. We are amazed at how fast she is gaining strength.  Her weight is up maybe a pound and seems like she's grown taller, but we haven't measured.

They are so full of laughter

Levi (almost 2 years old): He was walking, running and jumping when he came to us. He loves to move and be active and chase and throw everything.  He likes to get in and out of the "car" he can make go with his feet and hold onto the scooter as we hold him on it and push him around.  He can kick a ball and jump on the trampoline.  He tries to climb up into a chair.  He seems about the same height but has put some some weight and filling in those cheeks even more :)  So squeezable!

FOOD:  
Elizabeth: She still has the more limited diet.  She loves her milk, yogurt, grapes, raisins, bananas, nuts, granola bars, sun chips and rice/noodles.  She will sometimes eat mandarin oranges, apples, gold fish, smoothies, sometimes watermelon and ice cream or pop sickle.  




Levi: He has grown more quickly in his appetite for a variety of food.  He will eat nearly any casserole he's given, loves bananas, yogurt, gold fish, animal crackers, cooked veggies (carrots, peas, green beans), little other fruits, ham sandwich sometimes, apples sauce, smoothies, noodles/rice, watermelon, ice cream/pop sickle, some chicken and sun chips.  









COMMUNICATION: 
Elizabeth:  When she first came to us, she was limited in eye contact with anyone other than Drew initially.  She did quickly say "DeeDee" (brother in Chinese) and "no", "uh-oh", and  "Baba".  She quickly picked up routine for activities and is organized and structured.  She quickly learned a few signs like "more", "please" and "thank you" while we were in China and has since learned many more.  She is also imitating many, many words now throughout the day and signing consistently for more, drink, eat, thank you, waving HI and BYE and repeating "I love you".  (Melt my heart).  She does spontaneously say a few words as well.  She still grunts and points frequently .  She will repeat all our names: Baba Mama, Evan (Eban), Anna (Nanna), Rebecca (Ah-Bek-Ah), Levi (Lu-BYE) and Maizy (Maizy) (the dog).
Levi:  He is more quiet that Elizabeth.  He will point or grunt and do some signing.  He says a few words but does not attempt as many as Elizabeth.  He loves to blow kisses and wave HI and BYE. He like to use signs also, but isn't as quick picking them up or as spontaneous, but let me tell you, he has "eat" down pat :)  He verbalizes car, mama, uh-oh, all done and more.

SLEEPING:
Elizabeth: She averages a nap most days for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours and then sleeps from 9 pm to 7 am.  She laying in her toddler bed at the end of our bed and no longer is ever in bed with us through the night.  She is a kid that goes strong and then when you have her lay down, she just passes out.
Levi: He sleeps in a crib next to our bed and has never needed to get up in the night and join us in bed.  He sleeps from about 8 pm to 6 am.  He naps daily for about 2 to 2 1/2 hours.  You can easily tell when he is getting tired as he begins to fuss and cling and pout and complain and moan and groan.. you get the idea :)

PERSONALITY:

November 2013

May 2014

Elizabeth:  When she came to us, she had a very rough transition.  She would only interact with Drew and allow him to care for her needs.  In a few days she allowed me to help her a little but was Drew's shadow and preferred him do everything for her.  He went on an outing for the day in China 4 days after we got them and during that day, she and I bonded.  Each day she was more open to me and though she initially preferred Drew it began to balance out and now that I am home with her full time, she prefers me to meet her needs.  Though she shows much excitement when Drew comes home from work and loves to run and hug and kiss him.  She also loves to run and hang on Evan.  She imitates the girls and likes to follow them around and see what they are up to.  Elizabeth picks up things quickly and watching everything and everyone closely.  She watches once and then usually wants to do whatever it is, by herself until she can do it independently.  And don't dare try to help her, she wantss to figure it out, HERSELF!!!!  Make no mistake about it.  She loves to do puzzles, stack blocks, play with her quiet book, flip through books and rough house (trampoline, therapy ball, swing, jump, chase, wrestle).  She is very structured in following rules.  She knows things get put away after playing with them and happily does it with pride.  She shares and thinks of her new little brother often, especially when he is crying she will bring him his sippy cup or when she goes to get a toy for herself, she frequently will bring him one also.  However, she does take dominance over toys she believe she has ownership or priority of.... like the riding toy or tricycle.  She's a full on throw herself into it kind of girl.  She is quick to let Levi know his place.  She loves the water table and kiddie pool and will play for hours. She is initially quiet among new people and places but warms more quickly and is more interactive then Levi in general with others.  She still loves shoes and usually changes them many times a day, taking them on and off by herself, usually being found with brother, mom or sisters shoes. She doesn't mind snuggling but is squirmy and a bit restless.  her giggles come form her toes and can fill your soul.  She is a delight and sweet love.

August 2013

June 2014

Levi:  When he came to us, he was initially attached to me and this has not changed.  He has slowly warmed to Drew and will hug him and sometimes allow Drew or the kids to hold him but primarily always wants me. (which I have to say, I don't mind :) )  He is mischievous, sneaky, clingy and likes to laugh.  He also likes to try new things and observe but is much less persistent to do things himself, he'd rather have help.  he brings things to me to help him with.  He also loves to ride the riding toy and will swing for a short amount of time and jump forever on the trampoline.  He also loves the water table and kiddie pool.  He is less interested in sitting activities and much more into movement.  he would rather me hold him all day long but is tolerating being down much of the time now.  I'd still prefer to him as my velcro baby though.  He will pick up after much coaching and assistance, compared to sister :)   He feels he has rights on me over Elizabeth so it's been a balancing act trying to make sure they both get the attention, snuggles and interaction they both deserve.  He is much more vocal with screaming and thrashing himself around if I dare put him down.  So I spend much time sitting on the floor with them both on my lap.  He also ha a little temper and slaps at whoever is upsetting him or throwing things across the room.  We are working on this.  He knows what time out is and will sit there until I tell him he can get up.  And he knows how to sign "I'm sorry" to Elizabeth (or whoever he has accosted).  He is a bundle of cuteness that I cannot resist.  He loves to snuggle before nap and bed or meals or between breaths :)

Tired at the table :(

THIS JOURNEY:
A little perspective:  Here is the end of my first journal entry I wrote in May 2012 when we were first seriously discussing if adoption was something for our family......

  

So, on this day of my first journal entry, I want to state that I don’t know where this is going to lead.  I don’t know if we will expand our family at the end of this journey.  I don’t know how it will happen if we do.  But I anticipate that with or without adopting, God will show Himself to me and I will learn something new about His love through this process.   And I trust, that whatever comes our way, we will not be alone.  I anticipate possible heartbreak and frustration as well as immeasurable  joy and growth in either direction this experience takes us as we further experience the unraveling of our lives in His hands.  I can follow His lead, and make a difference for somebody.  Not just a physical and emotional difference, an eternal one too, I hope.

And now, two years later........ what an amazing transformation.  We are home, as a family of seven, another boy, another girl and we are trusting for the grafting in of these two lives.  We feel like family.  I love them in a way that overwhelms me.  To be honest, there were times that we were nearly a "no" on the decision.  We were scared.  Scared of the unkown, scared of the changes it would require, scared of the finances...... but ultimately, the desire never waned.  The verse from Ephesians 3:20 has come up in random places to me this week.  

Ephesians 3:20 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us"

 And as I read it over and over I feel so thankful we allowed ourselves to wonder "what might be"..... how it might work..... what could it look like......  to know Him who is able to do IMMEASURABLE MORE! To trust His power This is more than I imagined.  More love, more work :), five kids, more peace, more faith, more trust, more transformation, more giving, more blessing and the greatest of these is love.  It blows my mind.  I'm exhausted and don't get near enough done on my to do list.  I remember when Evan was a baby and my sister would give me a hard time because every month I would tell her, "It just gets better every month".  And that's how I feel, as these babies open their hearts and trust and love us, "it gets better very month (okay, we're only one month in, but I have great expectations).  I am amazed at this journey and trust more to listen to those promptings daily in the little and big things.  So blessed.  

Do you have an Ephesians 3:20 opportunity?  Is there something you can trust Him with? His power that is at work in us is something!  Ask, seek, listen.  

In the process of transforming

                      Aimee