Interesting thing...words. I found a lovely article about adoption...It has the quote I used above. Its not something people usually think about, but to adopt or be adopted is an action, in other words, a verb. Adopt is not an adjective, so it should not be used as such. Once you are adopted, you are a "child". My daughter is adopted, yes, but she is not under the title of my 'adopted daughter'. She is my daughter, and we love her as equally as our other two children. I want her to grow up hearing that she is our daughter, not our adopted daughter. She will learn of her adoption and then I will leave it to her to disclose her background to those she wishes to share it with. I only share her story with those who are family and friends or when the need arises for medical reasons, I hope my family and friends will do the same for her sake.
A good rule for general conversation in life is this: If you wouldn't use the word "biological" when describing a child, then don't use the word "adopted".
A good rule for general conversation in life is this: If you wouldn't use the word "biological" when describing a child, then don't use the word "adopted".
"Take my hand, and I will show you the world, baby girl. "~ Amanda
Hilton Head Island, Family vacation...15 months old
Last week, Anna turned 15 months old~
She had just hit 20 lbs 2 weeks ago and as of this morning is now 20 lbs 8oz, thanks to the high calorie drink she is on. She still does not like to eat foods, so her bottles are her main diet. She drinks about 21oz a day. She is doing better with running and climbing and has now mastered climbing onto the couch...unfortunately she still has trouble getting down. She is trying to imitate talking a bit more now too. I think she has grown taller, but her appt is this coming week and we will know for sure. She is getting a little more affectionate and comfortable with people, even though restaurants are still a struggle for her.
We went on a family vacation with Nanny and Pap Pap this past week to Hilton Head Island. Anna did really well except for the actual trip to and from which she did not like and made sure we all knew it! The 10 hour trip was just too much for her to handle in a carseat. She really liked the water at the ocean and the pool and the wetsuit was really nice at keeping her from getting burned or having sand all over her. She has no fear so we had to really watch her with the water, she just ran right in the ocean! She also loved the sand, smooshing it in her fingers and of course trying to eat it. We found small pools of ocean water in the sand and that became her place to play...she also enjoyed walking up to strangers and seeing what they had for her to touch, eat or just grab. We took her to putt-putt golf and Dylan got to hold her most of the time on his back. The second time we went golfing, she stayed down and ran around eating and picking up everyone's golf balls, she got tired at the end and mommy carried her while she played golf left handed, lol...of course mommy had the worst score!
She loved to follow everyone around and especially liked Nanny's room with the jacuzzi hot tub that she could turn the water on. She was really enjoying the new living area we were in and cabinets without child proof locks! She was into everything, but like any 1 year old I am sure.
I'm glad she is doing so well, and her weight gain is great! She has gained 3 lbs since she turned 1 year, just 3 months ago. Still hoping we can get her to start eating real foods, rather than her cheerios, but for now its keeping her eating. She tasted some ice cream at the beach and ate some bread at a restaurant...but she also started vomiting again. They raised her medication, but no help yet...She had virtually stopped and I think she has vomited 4x now in the past 8 days, so we can talk about that with the doctor at her appt next week as well as get her 15 mo shots-not looking forward to that. All her teeth have come in for now and they look nice on her, giving her a pretty smile. She is slowly getting her hair, very fine and light brown. She has beautiful eyes, like Amanda and Dylan.
She had just hit 20 lbs 2 weeks ago and as of this morning is now 20 lbs 8oz, thanks to the high calorie drink she is on. She still does not like to eat foods, so her bottles are her main diet. She drinks about 21oz a day. She is doing better with running and climbing and has now mastered climbing onto the couch...unfortunately she still has trouble getting down. She is trying to imitate talking a bit more now too. I think she has grown taller, but her appt is this coming week and we will know for sure. She is getting a little more affectionate and comfortable with people, even though restaurants are still a struggle for her.
We went on a family vacation with Nanny and Pap Pap this past week to Hilton Head Island. Anna did really well except for the actual trip to and from which she did not like and made sure we all knew it! The 10 hour trip was just too much for her to handle in a carseat. She really liked the water at the ocean and the pool and the wetsuit was really nice at keeping her from getting burned or having sand all over her. She has no fear so we had to really watch her with the water, she just ran right in the ocean! She also loved the sand, smooshing it in her fingers and of course trying to eat it. We found small pools of ocean water in the sand and that became her place to play...she also enjoyed walking up to strangers and seeing what they had for her to touch, eat or just grab. We took her to putt-putt golf and Dylan got to hold her most of the time on his back. The second time we went golfing, she stayed down and ran around eating and picking up everyone's golf balls, she got tired at the end and mommy carried her while she played golf left handed, lol...of course mommy had the worst score!
She loved to follow everyone around and especially liked Nanny's room with the jacuzzi hot tub that she could turn the water on. She was really enjoying the new living area we were in and cabinets without child proof locks! She was into everything, but like any 1 year old I am sure.
I'm glad she is doing so well, and her weight gain is great! She has gained 3 lbs since she turned 1 year, just 3 months ago. Still hoping we can get her to start eating real foods, rather than her cheerios, but for now its keeping her eating. She tasted some ice cream at the beach and ate some bread at a restaurant...but she also started vomiting again. They raised her medication, but no help yet...She had virtually stopped and I think she has vomited 4x now in the past 8 days, so we can talk about that with the doctor at her appt next week as well as get her 15 mo shots-not looking forward to that. All her teeth have come in for now and they look nice on her, giving her a pretty smile. She is slowly getting her hair, very fine and light brown. She has beautiful eyes, like Amanda and Dylan.