Since the day we brought her home, Angeline has blossomed so much. We can't believe how much progress she's made since we brought her home from the orphanage, just one month ago. Taken from the only world she's ever known, given to people she's never met and don't understand, and taken to live in strange places. She's come so far, not only logistically, but developmentally and emotionally. She's gone from a shell-shocked, scared little baby to a radiant, happy (and may I say, flirty) little toddler. Sometimes I forget she's still a baby, because she has so much personality. My mother-in-law says she seems so mature for her age. It's only when she cries, that we're reminded that San San's only a 1 year old baby.
She's like a little ray of sunshine when she smiles. She enjoys meeting new people and is not as afraid of strangers, as before. With people she recognizes, she greets with an adorable smile. With people she's familiar with, she adds a little dance jig and offers a big hug. She's a very curious baby, which makes her a lot of fun. She is interested in everything and everyone. I think since my parents and I have been taking her out and about, almost daily, that she's become more worldly.
Since our last blog entry, that same night, Angeline has slept peacefully in her crib. She actually prefers it, because she has so much more room. Thanks so much Janet, for your advice. It worked! Some things haven't changed though, since Gotcha Day, she still loves to eat ALOT! So much that she's gained 3 1/2 pounds in a month. Her pediatrician said that it's catch-up eating, which is normal, and that she is at the correct weight for her height now. If we let her, she can eat more than me! No, I don't eat that little! Anyways, we figured out a trick, that if we give her a cup of juice before meals, she manages to get full faster. We call this the "baby portion control" diet, or "no spit-up" diet. Instead of grunting, she has learned to ask for more food by saying "mama". She says this even when she's tugging on daddy's arm. Oh, well.
She has so much energy! She wants to walk and climb so bad, that the adults around her have to take turns supporting her or risk over-exhaustion. We expect she'll be walking on her own, in another month and running in two. Watch out world, here she comes!
She's gotten to know her maternal grandparents really well. She sees them pretty much daily. She's got them trained so that they walk her, feed her on cue, rock her when she's sleepy and pretty much come immediately, on demand. She's even trained them to take her out to dim sum 2 to 3 times a week. Mom has to watch this overzealous little toddler and her eating habits. She'll try any food and will like it, too. She even eats BITTERMELON! Even dad can't stomach more than 2 tiny slices in one sitting. You go girl!
Unfortunately, since returning home, William has been battling a sore throat and, we thought, a cold. Just last weekend, we found out it was not a cold, he was trying to get over, but a fever. After taking San San for a dip in the pool, in Sacramento, he immediately came down with a 104 degree fever. I have, also, been trying to get over a sore throat, but since I haven't officially started work yet and have a little, less rigid schedule, I hope to get over this bug faster.
San San will be getting a neurological and developmental assessment check-up in two weeks, just to see where she's at and should be age-wise. We'll keep you posted!
