We are completing Sophie's 6 month home study update for China this Sunday. Of course we will not be celebrating our 6 month anniversary with her until September 9th, but we need to have the information submitted to China BEFORE then. It quite honestly feels like Sophia Grace has been with us for much longer than that...then again I saw her picture for the first time on November 8, 2007. So, that explains why-I think?! :) Sophie is doing VERY well. She has gained 4 pounds since coming home...that is a pound a month as my Mom put it. :) She is still very much a baby. Yet at the same time incredibly smart!! She is learning English at an impressively fast rate. She adores and idolizes Emma & could not be any more loving to Greg and I! She babbles NON STOP and makes me smile every day. Sophie had blood work for the second time just this month to monitor her Hepatitis B status. We were thrilled to learn that her levels are stable and her next appointment with the lab will not be until January 2010! :)
Emma has matured A LOT over the past 6 months. Her determination is incredible. We are so very, very proud of her. She has also regressed at the same time. Does that make sense? If not, don't worry. It is hard for US to understand sometimes too. We have yet to learn what it takes for Emma to simply function every day. I think that it takes A LOT though. It appears to be an immense effort for Emma to cope with simple every day things. And, she DOES try. We had to leave the grocery store today with a partially full cart. It was just too much for her...and for me. (I assume Sophie as well). It has just been one of THOSE weeks.
We have an appointment next week with a colleague of our Neuro-Psychologist. We want her to test Emma for whatever she CAN test her for. Greg and I need answers for Emma. It is our privilege and duty as parents to advocate for her. Likely the upcoming tests will be developmentally and neurologically based. I will update this area when we learn more.
My daughters are beautiful. I can say that because this is my blog. Enjoy the pictures.
