365

Yesterday we celebrated Talitha's Gotcha Day - the day we got her in China.

It's been quite the year. Tali went from a very small, quiet child who could not stand on her own to a not quite as small, very vocal child who chases her older siblings around the house.


Talitha's referral picture (when she was named Wu Rubei, or Peggy):

One of the first pictures the orphanage had of her - 4 months old.

The day we got Tali:

She was laughing at Jack, naturally.

On the way to officially adopting her in China

 She was very quiet in China - so many changes for her. Once we got home, the real Talitha began to emerge. Slowly but surely - the meek, subdued, weak baby transformed into a strong and mighty little girl.

Walking! 22 months old - 6 weeks home.

This was a common occurrence - still is but now they're older, so there's more screaming and pushing.

She came to us at a mere 15 lb - the size of a 9 month old when she was almost 2. She gained 1 pound the first week we had her in China, most of that was probably all noodles. She gained another 4 in the first few months and is now holding steady at a little over 20 lbs.

The day after we came home - Noah was flummoxed, Tali was such a baby in this picture!

6 months home - swinging their legs and laughing

One year home - could not get them to keep still for anything.

Last night we had a small celebration for Talitha's one year home-aversary. I made Chinese food and had the parents over. Tali, being the guest of honor, didn't eat dinner with us. Instead she walked around the house and didn't mosey over to the table until the fortune cookies were brought out.

Fine, we'll just take a picture without you.

She picked at her food and kept gesturing towards the fortune cookies.

She has changed so much over the past year - our whole family has. She has learned to stand, to walk, to run. She has learned to understand us and is growing in her language skills everyday. She is a mighty one to behold sometimes - Shakespeare surely had Tali in mind when he penned 'Though she be but little, she is fierce.' She can raise a storm over your head if she is upset. She gets in Noah's face (though a head taller than her), points her tiny finger and lets him have it in her high-pitched Chingrish. Her tantrums have eased over the past year, which is good news for everyone. She loves noodles, scrambled eggs, and Pooh Bear, dislikes plain water and being crowded out by a very huge Noah. When she gets upset, her nose bleeds - she throws all she has into letting someone know she is displeased.

There have definitely been some trying times for all of us but so many moments of sweetness and grace, having her in our lives and filling an emptiness in our family we didn't know was there. Jack and Tali have found kindred spirits in each other, Kate has a long-awaited and treasured little sister, Noah has lifelong friend, Matt and I have a cherished daughter.

365 days of Talitha Ruby.

365 days of learning to walk, learning to talk, learning to trust.

365 days of being a family.

365 days of forever.