Today happens to be the 3rd of the Month.....

It's a special day to me each month, as I count back in my head exactly how many months ago we met Jadyn. Today marks 19 months!

I have been working on a book for her, compiling all of her baby pictures in a keepsake. I love to look at these pictures. She was just so adorable and they make me so thankful that she has a family and no longer lives in the orphanage. I know she was loved there, but not like she is loved now!


she is aprox. 10 months old here.

The photo below was taken with the camera we sent to her in a care package, just a couple weeks before we met her.

she was so tiny!


another one of my favorites, she is looking at the photo album we sent her.

Notice all the bracelets she has on? one of them was on her ankle when we got her.
I have put it away for when she is older.


Sweet baby, she still loves her snacks!

Birthday countdown!

Jadyn and I have been planning her party, she is so excited she can hardly stand it. Everyday, several times a day she asks "Is tomorrow my birthday", this may teach me a lesson to not say anything in the future until it's much closer. But then it would cut down on her excitement, so I'm sure nothing will change next year!

She wants a Princess party this year. I booked her party at a children's salon, we chose the Royal princess party. They do dress up time, glitter polish manicures and Princess up-do's.

Just her thing!

We went shopping yesterday and got a few party favors to send home with her little friends. She spotted this crown, I think she will wear it until her party!

She even has a birthday gift list that she shared with Daddy & I, it hasn't changed in days. We will be shopping for an Olivia doll, a Tinkerbell dress with shoes and Tinkerbell toys.

How does one become American-ized so quickly?

also.....

Thank you Auntie for the paper dolls, I love them!

A friend of mine sent me a link to a web site for early reading.
It starts with kindergarten level 1. Jadyn loves to learn so I thought I would try it with her, it's only been a couple days and she is already on level 2.
It's so fun to watch her learn. She's having as much fun learning as I am teaching her!

Chinese New Year Celebration

Ready to go

Her all time favorite food, Noodles!

Jadyn had a great time playing with her friends

新年快乐 Gung Hay Fat Choy

Year of the Rabbit starts on 2/3/2011)

Chinese New Year
By the Chinese calendar
2011 is the year of the Rabbit,
which is also known by its formal name of Xin Mao.

Jadyn was in no mood for a picture today, even in her pretty Chinese coat.

We are going to a local Chinese New Year celebration tomorrow evening so I'll try then.

Ballet Class

Jadyn started class at a new dance studio today. She had a great time. The class is for 3 year olds only, they were all so cute. She was happy and so was Mom, as I could stand and watch the entire class through glass.

Stretching


Maybe it should be one way glass!

They all got a Princess wand and ran around dancing.

this was her favorite part.

18 months home!

I can hardly believe it's already been 18 months, where does time go?
Our girl has gone from a tiny, skinny, sick little girl to this!


I would have to describe her as:

Beautiful


Smart, she loves to learn

silly, she loves to laugh and make you laugh

affectionate, always ready to give and get a hug and kiss

Great at entertaining herself. Introducing Barbie and Mulan

I can't leave out, Healthy!!

We love you so much Jadyn.

House Call

Our big Lab is getting old. He's over 10 now and slowing down fast. He spent a night at a cage-less boarding facility over the weekend and it takes him a few days to recuperate.
His hips just are not up to running and playing like they use to be.

Jadyn saw me give Lucas some medicine this morning and she quickly went and got her Doctor kit to help make him feel better.




Heart Head sounds good!


looking a little nervous about the shot


but he did a great job and just laid there.

what a great patient you are Lucas

yes, she's gone now, back to sunning myself.

These pictures you're about to see are Jadyn's idea.
She wanted you to see her "house" and her donkey. We got this donkey while we were in China.

She could not ride him then, she just didn't have the strength or the oxygen level that would allow any rapid movement of her legs.

Fast forward 17 months, she jumps on this guy all over the house. Which really brings me to the subject of this update.

6 months ago yesterday, Jadyn had her 2nd open heart surgery. She was put on a medication called coumadin, it's a blood thinner. This medication really scared me. I did a lot of research on it...which I really should not do because that usually makes it worse. Her cardiologist didn't give us an option, she needed to be on this medicine for 6 months.

Along with being on this medication came blood tests, usually every week while they tried to maintain a balanced level in her system. That balanced level was just achieved in December, so needless to say she was poked alot. She became very brave and would tell anyone she saw in the Doctors office that she wasn't going to cry today.

Along with me giving her gum after a poke, and the Doctor giving her a Princess sticker and band aid, it made it all worth it in her eyes. Whatever works!

I'm happy to say, yesterday was the last day our girl will take coumadin.
No more crushing pills and mixing them in cherry medical syrup
No more blood tests
No more giant bruises on her legs from bumping herself
No more watching what fresh veggies we feed her
No more coumadin clinic!

We are so happy about that!

Can't forget the "house" pictures.



This is our great find from one of my favorite stores after Christmas sale $3.00
She loves it!

Memorable Moments of 2010

Seeing her master the stairs for the first time, she was so proud of herself.



Meeting Grandpa for the first time with a big hug


Learning how to show attitude. She is always in such a happy mood, moments like this are camera worthy!

Watching her enjoy everyday of her Make a Wish gift in Maui. I think she will always remember this trip.

Having her final heart surgery. We just dreaded this time and it could not have gone any better. Her heart surgery was text book perfect and it shows!

Walking out of the hospital 8 days after heart surgery a healthy 3 yr old.

Being in the river for the first time. She just loves it.

Her 3rd. birthday, she still talks about it weekly

A daily thing last summer, running in the sprinkler

1st Dance Recital

This performance was at a Retirement home, the seniors really enjoyed watching the girls dance for them.

They performed twice. Jadyn was a little star stuck, but looked so cute up there.

In the lobby waiting for her group to dance