Bella, Post-Adoption: Month 11

It is so hard to believe that at this time last year, I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off - buying what we needed for our China trip, finalizing the girls' bedroom; making sure all documents were prepared, mailed, ready, and prepped as needed; packing for our last beach trip as a family of five; spending time with each kiddo, individually, to ensure they felt loved, prepared, and ready to add another Lu to the Crew; etc. But here we are, one year later, now having had our Bella for 11 months. Here's the latest on what's new with our littlest Lu, 11 months post-Gotcha Day:

Language. I continue to pray for language progression, and it is coming along. Bella is very slowly starting to put two words together. One of her first two-word phrases? "Love you!" taught to her by her Daddy. It sounds more like "Wuv....woooo," but it is the cutest stinkin' thing and we'll take it! <3 She is mimicking all sorts of sounds, and we continue to focus on trying to get her to add the endings to words (e.g., saying Bella, not just Bell). She is getting there, slowly but surely, and we are so proud. Her receptive language continues to thrive and we can't wait to watch her language output continue to improve. <3

Motor. Bella is just all over the place the days! She has gotten SO much stronger, sturdier, and more confident in her motor abilities under the guidance of our new, amazing physical therapist. Until this month, her gait was very wide-based and very immature. Now, as her hips continue to get stronger, her gait is looking much more typical! Again, we have a ways to go with many of her gross motor skills, but the progress she has made over the last month has been so awesome! 

Bella also continues to make gains with her fine motor skills, thanks to our beloved occupational therapist. Her assisted cutting is getting better, she has been rocking some puzzles, and she love, love, loves to color! We may just have a little artist on our hands! :) 

Cognitive. Several of Bella's therapists have remarked that it just seems as though a switch has flipped over the last month, as though a lightbulb's come on. Bella just seems to cognitively understand so much more all of a sudden. From completing multiple puzzles with ease to identifying colors to "reading" books, it has been amazing to watch. Hopefully, this is the start of the acquisition of so many new skills. Go, Bella, go! 

Out and About/Playing. We dove headfirst into Bella's first full month of summer with no looking back! Over the last month, she has been on her first family beach trip with the Luton "side" of the family - and had the best time! She also had no problem being under my parents' care for the five days my hub and I were in Cabo, shedding not one tear in our absence. This is night-and-day-different from how scared she was to be away from us when we got her 11 months ago (I couldn't even walk out of the room without her crying)! We have also had plenty of pool days, trips to the baseball fields to cheer on our All-Star, Banks, and lots of time with family and friends in between. This girl continues to roll with it all! 

Etc. Well, this is new: we only had ONE extra appointment over the last month!!! She received a brand new pair of MUCH better orthotics earlier this week (after being measured and casted for them back in May), and that is IT! Not going to lie - it has been so nice to have a break in the doctor appointments and evaluations. We only have ONE more left on the docket for now, which will be happening next month, and hopefully that will be it for awhile, aside from her weekly therapies, of course! :) :) 

And here we are, just one month out from Bella's Gotcha Day anniversary. So hard to believe. I have something very special I will be sharing next month. For now, we wait and watch and work hard to continue to see our girl shine. We love you with all our hearts, Bellaboo. Month 12, we're ready for you!

14 Years

Sixteen years ago, I started dating a boy named Clay when we were both seniors at Clemson University. Within two weeks, I told my mom that I had met THE one. 

Fifteen years ago, that boy asked me to marry him. I remember saying, over and over throughout our engagement, "I don't care if I'm wearing a brown sack and standing in an alley. None of the other stuff matters. The only thing that matters is getting to marry you." 

Fourteen years ago today, we held hands, looked each other in the eyes, and said, 'I do." 

Over the last 14 years: 

• 8 were spent in Atlanta (during one of which, we lived apart while I completed my  internship in Minnesota); 6 have been spent in our new hometown of Fort Mill. 
• We have lived in four residences. 
• I earned a doctorate in Child Psychology/Pediatric Neuropsychology; He earned a Master's of Business Administration; total years of graduate school/training while married = 9 years.
• I quit my job working in a children's hospital to stay home with my own children. He has consistently worked hard to provide for our family, allowing me to fulfill my previously unknown dream of being a stay-at-home momma. 
• We welcomed three biological kiddos and one adopted kiddo into our family. 
• We became aunt/uncle to 15 nieces/nephews.
• We traveled to six countries - Dominican Republic, Jamaica, France, Portugal, China, and Mexico - as well as the Virgin Islands, and adventured on countless domestic trips all across the country. 
• We have had family members and friends pass away.  
• We found our church home and our couples LifeGroup and remained devoted to both for nearly five years. 
• We have made friendships that will last a lifetime, none more important than the friendship we share with one another. 
• We have laughed together and cried together, rooted one another on and been each other's biggest fan. We have each seen the other make mistakes and provided love and support to conquer mountains that seemed insurmountable, coming out stronger together as a team.
• We have prayed together, parented together, learned together, and grown together.
• We have come to balance each other and listen to one other, despite our often varying views on matters of politics and various other odds and ends. 
• We have argued and screwed up and apologized and then done it all again, always offering grace, forgiveness, and understanding in the end.
• I still maintain what I said so many years ago: "I don't care if I would have been wearing a brown sack and standing in an alley. None of the other stuff mattered. The only thing that mattered is getting to marry you." 

More than anything, over the last 14 years, we have remained in love and in this thing together. No matter what, we are in it together. <3

________________________________

Happy 14, Rich.  If you asked me again, my answer would remain the same: I do. Every day forever, I do.

I love you,

Linds

Lutons In The Inlet

We are back and diving headfirst into reality after a lovely week away with our Luton "side" of the family. Every summer, we spend two weeks at the beach with each "side" of our family, and first up this year was with my "in laws" side. We went to Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, which is where my brother and sisters and I used to go when we were little to visit my dad's mom; so, being there brought back a lot of sweet memories of time spent with my Granny, who is now in heaven. <3 It made being there that much more special. 

Some of the things I'll remember from this year: 

We lucked into the most gorgeous beach weather - not a single rain drop the entire week! - and we took full advantage, getting out to the beach every single morning by 10:00 at the latest (with the exception of taking my Lu Crew to play Putt-Putt one morning) and staying out until 4:00 pm or so each day. We just love the beach!!! And I loved my time with my peeps.

We all (eight adults; nine kiddos) stayed in one house together, and the most special part to me was seeing all the cousins together. They aren't able to get together nearly as much as I would like; so, when they do, it is so fun for them and so fun for us. I know they will look back and treasure these memories as much as I treasure those I share with my own cousins growing up. <3 

I also made it a point to spend time with each of my nieces and nephews every day. There was one day when the dads played 27 holes of golf, and I don't think my butt hit my chair for more than 60 seconds that day! I just couldn't get enough time with my sweet nieces, nephews, and own kiddos. I helped them do toe touches and pikes over the waves; we boogey boarded together; I taught them to play Tidal Ball; we searched for shells; we swam; we played Corn Hole and Bocce Ball; I did some informal therapy with Bella (who suddenly decided she did NOT like the soft sand; so, I did a little OT/sensory stuff to help her get acclimated); I just had the best time soaking each of them in. I am one lucky momma/aunt. <3

Earrrrrrly each morning, I spent time on my own, running between 4.5-6 miles on the beach, alone. It was such a nice way to start my days, zoning out while listening to a podcast, with the ocean on one side and the beautiful beach homes on the other. I was able to clear my head and energize myself for the full day to come of chasing little ones in and out of waves, traipsing throughout the sand while playing game after game, going up and down stairs to put kiddos down for naps or change diapers; etc. It was not a "relaxing" kind of vacation, but it was definitely a fun one, and I wouldn't change a single second of it! I am so thankful to have young kiddos and to be able see these trips through their eyes. <3

There are so many sweet, special little moments I was able to share with my Lu Crew, and family, last week, that I will keep tucked away and use to fuel me until we get to do it all again next year. We are so incredibly blessed to have the most amazing Nana and Pop, and we so enjoyed our time together with our family. <3

What a beautiful week with people we love. Thanks for the memories, Murrells Inlet. We are already looking forward to next time...