The Gymnast

Deanna is really loving gymnastics, and is quickly progressing. When I found out they make a home gymnastics bar I had to get one for her. Being a former gymnast, I would have loved to have this when I was young. We don't have a play structure so she needs things to burn some energy. She doesn't have great arm strength, but this should do the trick.

Our Newest Addition

We have recently added a third dog to our happy dog-loving family! This was not something we intended to do, but we learned of an elderly couple entering an assisted living facility who were looking for a good home for their 10 month old puppy. She is a purebred pekingese, housebroken, crate trained, with shots and been spayed. She is very sweet and gentle, and of course Deanna LOOOOOVES her. What more could you ask for.

A girl and her dog

Someone else loves the dog too

Last month Jeremy and Jordan, along with Jordan's friend Dave moved to an apartment. Boo Hoo!! (I still have hopes they will come back at some point)

Jeremy has not lived here full time for three years, but this is the first time they both are gone. We do miss them very much, but the groceries do last much longer. Also, they don't live far away and still come back to help with Deanna when we are at work. I appreciate that VERY MUCH!!!!

Picture courtesy of Deanna

Deanna is loving kindergarten and reading sentences. I think her reading skills will pass up her verbal skills! Verbally however she is making great progress. We continue to go to private speech therapy weekly and have just started speech therapy at the elementary school. Deanna has great writing and art skills but she has trouble sitting still and keeping her hands to herself during "carpet" time. She also has trouble keeping her hands off things she likes. Many, many times I hear "she sure has a lot of energy". I still think this is all due to lack of experience rather than ADHD. It sure is hard to be still when you are so darn happy!

HOME A YEAR AND A HALF

We have been home with our daughter for a year and a half, but it really seems like forever. She has gone from a friendly, non-verbal, toddler, to a friendly, outgoing, talkative (but not always completely understandable) little lady.

She is very athletic and has been called a tomboy, but she is really all girl at heart. She loves dressing up and playing with makeup and jewelry. She always says "I want to be just like you mama, all grown up". I tell her to just have fun being a little girl, she will be grown up soon enough!

Socially she is doing great. She loves to play with friends, and prefers this to anything else. She can make a new friend anywhere she goes. Sometimes she comes on a little too strong with people she doesn't know so we have been working on boundaries and taking clues from people.

She loves to go to school and is always ready to go on time. She is great at writing, and beginning to read. Sitting still and listening are a bit more difficult, but progress is being made.

At this point she remembers no Russian at all. She really lost it very quickly because she never spoke it. She has been able to verbalize some memories of the orphanage or "the green building" as we refer to it. She remembers some punishments, as well the the ghost in the bedroom that would get you if you got out of bed. I guess that's how they kept 13 children in the same room from getting up.

She likes frequent reassurance that she is always going to be with us, which we happily give. She is very affectionate and tells us she loves us many times a day. Can't get too much of that!