How have we already reached the quarter-of-a-year mark with our Bellaboo? Absolutely nuts! Time always seems to fly during the holidays; so, I think that, coupled with the appointments and therapies and what-have-yous, we are in overdrive over here! Anyway, our girl continues to make amazing strides month after month. Here is what she's accomplished over the last one:
Language. Bella has become SO much more verbal this month! She tries to mimic words and sounds all the time! She is slowly expanding her vocabulary; one of my favorite new words is "Hello!" She is also doing a good job of trying to put gestures with her words, like saying "Bye-bye" while waving and saying "More, more" while signing it. She is trying to mimic more animal sounds and has learned how to scream at the top of her lungs while smiling - ha! She also now will babble various sounds in sequence, like she's trying to say sentences, which is the cutest thing.
Side note: One thing that absolutely broke my heart recently was the story a new friend shared on Facebook the other day. She is currently in China adopting her new daughter and was able to visit her daughter's orphanage (this was not allowed in Bella's province). She noted that, while in a room FULL of babies, it was silent. The littles were awake but....totally silent. These precious orphans have learned over time that it doesn't matter if they make sounds - if they cry, if they laugh, if they babble - it doesn't matter. No one comes. No one cheers them on. No one is around to constantly talk to, and stimulate, them. So, why make any sound? They learn to just stay quiet. Now, I know it is not that way in every orphanage in every province. But. I believe that it is the case in many of them. I think the nannies do their best to care for the children, but there are hundreds of children in each orphanage and not nearly enough nannies. THIS is why, when Bella makes any sound at all, we cheer and praise and celebrate! You find that voice, baby girl! We love to hear it! Say it loud and proud little bit. We're listening. <3
Anyway, We are still trying to get a clearer understanding of her hearing. We have now had three audiology appointments (and are headed back in a couple weeks for specialized testing) and have seen two different ENTs, both of whom came to the same conclusion, that she does NOT have fluid in her ears. Long story short, we know she is hearing but don't know how well nor how clearly she is hearing. At this point, her hearing is a mystery, as she continues to fail a certain type of hearing test with no known cause for the failure at this point. So, we pray that the next round of testing will give us the answers we seek so that we can proceed with treatment as needed. <3
Motor. I am soooooooo proud of the tremendous gains Bella has made in her gross motor skills this month!!!! She is now able to stand on her own! I would say her record is probably 15 seconds or so. We started at 1 second and then 2, but as she increased in her confidence and stability, she has been able to stand for longer and longer periods. I have had this secret prayerl that she will take her first steps by Christmas. It has felt like a lofty goal in the past, but I know God can do all things. So, I pray for it to happen. And as Bella becomes more stable on her feet, I can feel it getting closer. Go Bella! You've got this!
Language. Bella has become SO much more verbal this month! She tries to mimic words and sounds all the time! She is slowly expanding her vocabulary; one of my favorite new words is "Hello!" She is also doing a good job of trying to put gestures with her words, like saying "Bye-bye" while waving and saying "More, more" while signing it. She is trying to mimic more animal sounds and has learned how to scream at the top of her lungs while smiling - ha! She also now will babble various sounds in sequence, like she's trying to say sentences, which is the cutest thing.
Side note: One thing that absolutely broke my heart recently was the story a new friend shared on Facebook the other day. She is currently in China adopting her new daughter and was able to visit her daughter's orphanage (this was not allowed in Bella's province). She noted that, while in a room FULL of babies, it was silent. The littles were awake but....totally silent. These precious orphans have learned over time that it doesn't matter if they make sounds - if they cry, if they laugh, if they babble - it doesn't matter. No one comes. No one cheers them on. No one is around to constantly talk to, and stimulate, them. So, why make any sound? They learn to just stay quiet. Now, I know it is not that way in every orphanage in every province. But. I believe that it is the case in many of them. I think the nannies do their best to care for the children, but there are hundreds of children in each orphanage and not nearly enough nannies. THIS is why, when Bella makes any sound at all, we cheer and praise and celebrate! You find that voice, baby girl! We love to hear it! Say it loud and proud little bit. We're listening. <3
Anyway, We are still trying to get a clearer understanding of her hearing. We have now had three audiology appointments (and are headed back in a couple weeks for specialized testing) and have seen two different ENTs, both of whom came to the same conclusion, that she does NOT have fluid in her ears. Long story short, we know she is hearing but don't know how well nor how clearly she is hearing. At this point, her hearing is a mystery, as she continues to fail a certain type of hearing test with no known cause for the failure at this point. So, we pray that the next round of testing will give us the answers we seek so that we can proceed with treatment as needed. <3
Motor. I am soooooooo proud of the tremendous gains Bella has made in her gross motor skills this month!!!! She is now able to stand on her own! I would say her record is probably 15 seconds or so. We started at 1 second and then 2, but as she increased in her confidence and stability, she has been able to stand for longer and longer periods. I have had this secret prayerl that she will take her first steps by Christmas. It has felt like a lofty goal in the past, but I know God can do all things. So, I pray for it to happen. And as Bella becomes more stable on her feet, I can feel it getting closer. Go Bella! You've got this!
Cognitive. We continue to focus on helping Bella learn purposeful play and pretend play. She is making good progress here too, I think, especially given that her "play" just four months ago consisted of banging toys together and putting everything in her mouth. Speaking of play, you can bet your bottom dollar our sweet girl is getting all kinds of therapy-related toys for Christmas! I can't wait to put them to good use with her!
Sleeping. This will be the last month I include this category in these posts, as our girl (knock on wood), continues to be a great sleeper. This month, she even slept in a different crib in a different house for the first time when we visited Nana and Pop, and she did great, despite the change in scenery! Hopefully, her awesome sleeping habits will live on!
Eating. This will also be the last month I post about Bella's eating because it is now always the same report: our girl LOVES to eat. She will eat just about anything. She wants to snack all.day.long. (which we have to limit, or she would literally eat all.day.long.). She drinks water and Almond Milk with no problem. In fact, homegirl has a nice, round belly on her now, thanks to lots of good ol' American food. She continues to prefer salty over sweet and carbs and meats over fruits and veggies. But she rarely finds a food she will say no to. :)
Attaching. Bella is very well attached to us - this has been such an answered prayer, as it was one of my greatest fears before meeting her: "Please let her attach to us. Let her know how much we love her and that we are her family and that we will never leave her and..." Praise be to God, this girl knows. Now, we continue to focus on separating from us. She has good moments and not-so-good moments, but we continue to tell her and show her that we will always come back. We will never leave her. <3
Out and About/Playing. Let's see...this fourth month was a busy one (what else is new for my Lu Crew?! :) ). Aside from traveling for Thanksgiving, and meeting lots of new family members, Bella also started staying in the nursery at church, has participated in family LifeGroup events, went to several FMES lunches, has been to multiple doctor appointments, has been around large crowds of people, including at Friendsgiving, and more. And this girl just rolls with it!
Etc. One of the most special things about this fourth month was getting to celebrate Bella's first Thanksgiving. And then her first time getting a Christmas tree. And after our tree was upright in our home, I insisted on putting on the first ornament this year: a souvenir I bought while we were in China. And seeing it hanging on our tree, and then looking over and seeing her stocking hanging from our mantle, nestled between her brothers' and sister's and parents', well, I broke down. I have a feeling this is going to be a very special, very emotional, very memorable holiday season, and I can't wait to see what Month 5 brings for our beautiful Bella.
Happy 4 Months Post-Gotcha Day, sweet girl. Here's to a very Merry Christmas (your first ever!), Bels. We love you with all our hearts!
“I can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength” is my favorite verse. It helped me through our journey with our oldest son who passed away 3 1/2 years ago after becoming a quad due to a diving accident. I know how true this verse is and I know that Jesus will continue to be with Bella during her journey through life. I praise y’all for all you’re doing for this sweet child. God knew who she needed. And your strength through Christ is all you need, therefore all she needs. I can’t wait to see your progress report for Christmas!! God bless. And Merry Christmas, Lutons!
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