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Thursday, June 22, 2006 I know, I know, I missed a month doing Isabelle's update! It doesn't mean there wasn't anything to tell last month, it's just that I was in China adopting her new sister, Sophie! Isabelle spent the time I was away with her daddy taking on the role of primary caregiver and I must say, he did an amazing job. Just seeing how much closer the two of them are now is incredible. She definitely has her daddy wrapped around her finger now! I was worried that my time away would upset her, and I tried to talk to her over the phone from China, but she was usually too busy to chat. When she saw me at the airport, she paused for a second and fell right into my arms. What a relief! I had been so worried about her while I was away and God answered our prayers, that she wouldn't be negatively affected by my absence. Just a few days after we arrived home from China we moved! Poor Isabelle has had to endure more in the last few months than any child should. She has spent the last month sorting things out in her mind...who this new sister Sophie is and how she feels about moving to a new house. At times we can really tell that she's struggling, which is to be expected, but since she is still predominately non verbal, it is frustrating for both us and her. We have contacted the Early Intervention program here in Georgia and we are very much looking forward to getting her back into some therapy. Chris was very busy with her OT, DT and speech therapist while I was in China and although they were sad to see Isabelle leave right after we had gotten started, they were also pleased with how well she was responding to their efforts. She seems to be adjusting well to having a new sister, but I think it will be awhile until she stops feeling possessive of her dad and me. She is definitely the baby of the family and fortunately for her, adding Sophie to our family didn't disrupt her birth order. I think she really enjoys being the pampered princess who rarely gets told 'no'. In fact, when she does hear me tell her 'no' she will promptly, as any 2 year old worth her salt would, protest in some way. Sometimes she'll spit her food or drink out, sometimes she'll smush something or try to push something off the table. We are working at giving her a lot of positive reinforcement when she's doing things the way we expect, and when she acts out she has to sit in the 'naughty spot'. This is actually the pack 'n play that is set up in our bedroom. And boy, does she hate it. It seems to be helping her to understand that we are serious about setting limits with her and we're doing our best to stay consistent. We have already seen improvement in her behavior just in the last week of implementing the 'naughty spot'. She had her first ear infection this month, in both ears, and it has taken 2 rounds of antibiotics to knock it out. And she still has fluid behind her ears. The doctor is recommending she be referred out for a hearing evaluation and we are very much interested in finding out the results. She had her hearing tested in Illinois, but the test was inconclusive. Hopefully we'll be able to figure out soon how to help her communicate in a way that alleviates all of our frustrations! Or maybe that's just what having an almost two year old is like?! Isabelle continues to be very capable and 'on target' physically. She loves to run, throw and kick a ball and is trying to learn to pedal her tricycle. She is beginning to show an interest in her doll house, with the help of her sister, Sophie. Her favorite is my cell phone, she loves to hold pretend conversations on it. She babbles in her own language and doesn't have any problems programming the phone to do all the things I can't seem to! She carries her purse around now also and likes to try on my shoes for dress up. We are seeing her engage in a lot more pretend play which is very encouraging. She will try to put a puzzle together and sometimes is able to rotate the piece to get it in correctly. She still loves to climb and that doesn't seem to be something she's going to tire of anytime soon. She loves the new playset in the backyard and will swing as long as someone will push her. She and Sophie have the best time climbing up onto the top platform and climbing back down the 'rock' wall. I am beginning to see glimpses of their relationship in the future, I truly feel like they're going to be the best of friends. Isabelle will turn 2 on the 26th and we're all looking forward to having family come visit for her big day! Isabelle and her new sister, Sophie

Superstar

Isabelle loves the Ergo backpack

Pretty in purple

Loving the dollhouse

Life is good!

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