This slideshow takes a little warming up. You may have to replay it to see all of the photos in place.
Today we celebrate what we will now call Family Day -- the day when we first Louisa met face to face and became a family of four. I pulled some pictures from that amazing day and you can see how tiny and frail she was (see slide show above). She had been ill in the weeks prior, but that day, more than anything, we think she was simply in shock. She most likely had never left the welfare institute and it was just too much for her to process. The director had given her a piece of wrapped candy that morning, which Louisa clenched tightly in her fist for hours. We still have that piece of candy, as well as the clothes she wore that day, all tucked safely away. One day, we'll get it out and tell her how very brave she was that day in China. She never cried, which was in direct contrast to the other 10 children who were there to meet their new families. After several nerve-wracking hours, we prayed to see some emotion from her. We needed to know that she was okay. But it wasn't until later that afternoon that we saw a single tear roll down her cheek. Hallelujah! With joyful tears of our own, we held her and consoled her and told her over and over again, "Bu ku. Bu ku. Mama bao bao." which means "Don't cry. Mama is holding you now." I still use those words when Louisa is crying. It seems to soothe her like nothing else.
We absolutely can't imagine our life without Louisa. She is such a funny and happy little girl. She has a sense of humor, which is hysterical to see in someone so young. She has Spunk (yes, with a capital "S") and we have no doubt that she will always stand up for herself and speak her mind. And she is mischievous in a way that Avery never was, so she definitely keeps us on our toes. Here's a list of Louisa's current favorites:
- Climbing up to Avery's top bunk
- climbing on anything
- toilets (but not necessarily using them)
- pasta, potatoes, bananas, edamame, applesauce, crackers of any kind
- shoes
- "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes"
- bubble wrap
- somersaults
- shadow puppets
- running hugs/tackles
- remotes, cordless phones
- Curious George (so appropriate)
- washing dishes and cooking with Mommy
- wagon rides with Daddy
- anything that has to do with her big sister, Avery
We love you so much Louisa. You have made our family complete.
xoxo
Mama, Daddy and Avery
