A LOT of new updates!

I have been woefully remiss in updating my blog lately, and I really have no excuse. This summer has flown by, and I'm happy to report that of mid-September I will be gainfully employed again. Okay, so I somewhat lie about being "happy" to report that. I am THRILLED that I will be going back to work, and in a role I am truly passionate about. That being said, I'd be lying if I didn't say that I have enjoyed spending inordinate amounts of time with RP over these past nine months, and I am going to miss those moments as we settle back into a routine of daycare drop-offs, late night dinners and baths, and making the most of our 48-hour weekends. She has blossomed so much over these last several months, and while it hasn't been easy to juggle finances while being unemployed, I am grateful for the time I was able to spend with her and am looking forward to launching head-first into my new career with a renewed passion and energy. Let's just hope I feel that way come the first day of work when I'm blearily trying to get myself and RP out of bed and into the car as the sun is rising!

August has been a very busy month for RP and I. She finished up her first session of gymnastics and is already heading into week two of her second session. We went on an overnight trip to Key Lime Cove (an indoor water park/hotel outside of Chicago) with Nana and Papa and had a BLAST! We've had play dates with old and new friends alike, played at the park, and make friends with Nana's new baby kitten "Mick." While the weather didn't always cooperate, we had a fantastic summer, and one I won't soon forget.

RP has now officially been home for over 18 months. Other than a slight cold, and what appears to be a minor allergy to strawberries, she is completely healthy and over-the-top giddy/silly/happy. Her laugh fills the room, and her smile is infectious. When she gets mad, she gets REALLY mad, as was evidenced by a recent trip to Target which ended in her screaming bloody murder all through the store because she didn't end up getting a toy that she wanted (apparently one that she REALLY REALLY wanted). She is everything I could have dreamed in a daughter... and more.

I'm sure I missed a bunch of stuff, and I KNOW there were a lot of funny stories that I meant to write, but never got around to. I'll try to go back and fill those in over the next week or so, and promise to work on keeping this more up-to-date moving forward!

Almost 18 months home!

Today was Open House at RP's pre-school, which brought me back to LAST year's Open House, which happened to fall on the 6-month anniversary of our arrival home. It's hard to believe that it has only been 18 months, and I was thrilled with the report of RP's pre-school teacher that she is doing very well in school, and even ahead of some of the other kids in her class in some areas.

I haven't posted pictures in a while, so I thought this would be a great time to do so (and yes, it's another one of those "then and now" moments - please bear with me here!).

This was taken on August 27, 2010 - RP had been home exactly six months and while we had found a comfortable routine, in hindsight I can say that we were still in a transitional state. RP was still getting comfortable, developing language skills, and learning to trust and love. You can see in the picture how serious she still looks, how apprehensive she still is. After 22 months in an orphanage she learned to be guarded and expect that the people around you wouldn't stick around forever, and I'm sure she expected nothing less here. The last 18 months certainly haven't been easy, but they have been worth every sacrifice, tear, and frustration, and I can say with absolute honesty that the joys have definitely outweighed any rough patches we hit.

This picture is from earlier today when we were getting ready to head to RP's Open House. It was hard to get her to stand still and STOP being silly for a few seconds so I could snap some pictures (okay, like 30 of them!). I am completely and totally biased, but when I look at the picture from today I see a child who is relaxed and confident not only in herself, but also in the fact that she is loved. It may sound cliche' that love can cure all, but I truly believe that it can work miracles. Today my daughter is almost a complete polar opposite of the child she was a year and a half ago. Would I love her any less if she wasn't? No. I loved her the minute I laid eyes on her, and I love her for who she is, whatever that may be. Today that happens to be a silly, energetic, inquisitive three-year old. What tomorrow holds is anyone's guess, but I'm looking forward to finding out!!!

So much for sympathy!

Today I took RP with me when I ran to the doctor's office to get some blood drawn. Before we left I explained to her that Mommy had to go to the doctor and get a shot, and she would have to be patient in the room with me while it was happening. She was fine with this, and when we got to the doctor's office she was more than curious about everything going on in there - so much so that the phlebotomist was practically a pretzel moving around her! After three sticks - one in the hand and two in the arm, they were finally able to get the blood they needed, and RP was fascinated with the blood going in the tube, and the fact that Mommy had a "boo-boo" that was bleeding and required a non-Mickey Mouse band-aid.

When we got outside, I asked RP why Mommy didn't get a sucker after getting her shot. I was kidding of course, but RP looked at me very seriously and replied, "Because you weren't a good girl Mommy." I laughed out loud and asked WHY I wasn't a good girl in there, to which she replied, "You need to use your listening ears Mommy. Lissss-tennnn..."

While at least I now know that she HEARS everything I say to her, it would be nice if she would implement some of her own "advice" every once in a while! That being said, I'm off to find a little Dum-Dum sucker downstairs - I think I've earned it today!!!