Three little words

There are little things in life which sometimes seems small, but yet are so big, so deep, so important.  We have had the blessing of being in Mei's company for four weeks as a forever family.  While it is a short time, it seems like she has been a part of us forever.  Yet, we've waited so long to hear those three little words..."I love you". We tell her everyday that we love her, in both English and Mandarin.  We finally heard these words in return!  It was so sweet, and so endearing to our ears!  Thank you Jesus for this little one...the marvelous, magnificent, and sometimes mischievous Mei!

Sisters - aka "awesome foursome"

Mei's vocabulary is growing well.  She can say "let's go, bye bye, night night, welcome (you're welcome), one Slim Jim please (ha!), tickle, up please (hold me), sunglasses, and silly girl" to name a few.  She misses her sisters so much when they are at school, and just goes crazy when she sees them.  She wants them to hold her, tickle, and play with her.  She loves having big sisters to entertain, and to entertain her.  Most of the time, they want the same.  But occasionally, they just want some quiet time.  So we've had a few complaints when Mei jumps in the middle of them (ready or not).  I actually see this as a positive.  We're a "real" family now.  :)

There are several things that Mei did not have exposure to in China.  Some of this is education, some is simply not having seen or experienced things before. The lack of exposure makes her innocent, and in some ways she is less mature than American children her age.  I do not see this as bad thing at all.  It allows us to work with her in a more simplistic way.  It also provides some entertainment.  This is a picture of her trying to use tape for the first time.  Success or failure? I'll let you be the judge.  ha!

Yesterday, we had a visit with Mei's orthopedic surgeon.  The doctor examed her, then ordered xrays for her feet, ankles, and hips.  I'll start with the results of her hips.  She has none.  Her hips are "dislocated" because she is missing the hip sockets.  This makes her walk with her little booty pushed out a bit.  I thought it was how she learned to walk to accommodate her feet, but that was incorrect.  Regardless, the ball of her femur seems happy placed up in the muscles of her bottom.  And as with her feet, the amazing Mei found ways to overcome and "keep on keepin' on".  No treatment is required for now.  Once she is grown, a hip placement (as opposed to replacement) might be needed to give her more range of motion in her hips.  Today, her hips do not flare out.  For example, when we hold her, we hold both legs in front of us instead of split legged across our hip.  Perhaps a few limitations, but I don't expect anything will hold her back.  She might have to ride horses with an English instead of western saddle, but nothing that cannot be overcome.  

On to the results of her feet.  The doctor could tell a bit about the China surgery from the scars on her feet and xrays.  It looked like they did an Achilles heel snip, and a tendon transfer on one foot.  They also put pins in her feet.  One of these pins is broken, but does not seem to bother her.  There are several possible treatments for her feet, but the surgeon wanted to have time to think through the best option and also consult with another surgeon in his practice.  We'll see him again in six weeks and go from there.  In the meantime, we'll let Mei enjoy the joys of summer without having to worry with any potential surgery, casts, or restrictions.  Let the swimming begin!