The Bushell Family: April 2008

Finally a chance to update the blog!
Jade has been with us for 2 months now (she is 11 months old tomorrow) - and what changes we have seen. She could not sit up on her own unaided when we first had her in our arms. With some floor time (not in a walker...) she quickly built up strength to sit, roll and now commando crawl. (She just can't get that belly off the ground :-) She is now starting to pull herself up on furniture and loooooves standing up. Her hair is growing and the bald patch at the back is disappearing. Interestingly, she has a distinct difference in the growth of her toenails. There is a ridge and a change in the nail growing out since we have had her. (Hopefully for the better). She has her paediatrician appointment next week, so I am interested to hear what she has to say about our little poppet.
She eats everything and anything. Her latest great love is avocado!
Words still revolve around "DaDa" with "Do" (for the dog) and "Du" (for her duck). No sign of "MaMa" yet. & no sign of any teeth yet either - top or bottom!!
She goes to an intercountry adoption playgroup in Geelong (more for Dad's benefit) and has started swimming lessons with Alex - she is not really sure about that yet... Here is a picture of her going through the 'shower tunnel'...

We have put together a trampoline for her, and the boys enjoying giving her a bounce. The up and down stimulation is meant to help with attachment, but she does not seem to need that side of it. She is very attached to us and still wary of strangers.
Her first birthday is coming up next month, and I am dreading planning a party while working full time (even if it will be a fairly small affair), but I am sure it will all turn out fine. Butterfly theme, of course!
We were invited a while back to Jessica's welcome home party and it was lovely to get the girls together for the first time since China. Such a precious bond for the girls - 1 week apart in age - first 4 months with the same Foster Mother, and the next 5 months in the same orphanage. Here is a photo of the girls...