Five years ago, April 18, 2006 our dossier was logged in to the Chinese adoption computers(so to speak). The past five years have passed so very fast, but also so very slow. While waiting for the four+ years for our referral time just ticked away at a snail's pace, but since we received that infamous phone call, man, life has passed FAST!
We have surpassed a special date.....March 11. On this day Ally had spent more time with us than she spent in the orphanage. Luckily, Ryan and I have traumatized her too much. She seems to be thriving and actually loves us a BUNCH! She is growing so fast. She has made it to the American Growth Charts in all areas. The best is her head circumference, she is in the 99th percentile! Yes, my girl has a huge head!
Ally continues to grow her vocabulary, she has well over 60 words that she can say in context. It seems lik everyday she surprises me with another word, today while in the copy room at school she kept on pointing to the copier's key pad and saying "push", she wanted to push the buttons. She's amazingly smart. Sometimes she scares me with how smart she really is. I get visions of her taking Calculus in high school and me not being able to help her AT ALL with her homework.
She can walk and run like a pro. She can maneuver up and down stairs with no problem(while holding someone's hand). Tonight she climbed up onto one of our recliners. She can climb off our bed on her stomach just fine. She's like a little monkey.
She's an eating pro. She'll eat anything once. Her favorite school lunch item are beets. Seriously, the child loves beets. I don't even know how to go about cooking a beet, but Ally loves them so I guess I'll have to learn. She loves Mexican food. When we go to a Mexican restaurant she can throw down some chicken tacos and chips! She also loves spaghetti. She can't feed herself with a spoon yet, it's definitely a skill we need to work with her to develop. She's also still drinking Toddler Formula. I tried to transition her to regular milk, but she didn't care for it so I didn't push it. She's getting plenty of nutrients with the formula. She's also found a juice she likes.....Tang. I didn't even know it existed anymore, but my sister had some and Ally gulped some down and asked for more.
I think the best thing, for me, has seen Ally become an integral part of our extended family. She LOVE her cousins. When she gets to play with the cousins she's at her happiest. She hasn't quite learned how to share, but we're working on it She idolizes Abby. She is obsessed with Abby. She loves to watch videos of Abby and talk to Abby on the phone. She even says Abby's name in her sleep.
Life is good. I still look in Ally's eyes and wonder how I became so lucky to have such a joyous gift in my life. Hearing her yell, "mommy" is true music to my ears.
Ally reading with her Pappaw. 
Ally drawing with her Nana. 
Ally goofing off with her cosins. 
Ally playing in her tent......the best $10 I've spent in awhile. 
Ally learning some colorguard moves. In Harrison Co. we start the kids off early! 
This is my FAVORITE picture of Ally. It represents her spirit perfectly! 
Ally reading with Abby. 
