Our Christmas Angel

Abby's Aunt Carla took these Christmas pictures of her yesterday. Aren't they adorable?

HAPPY FIRST THANKSGIVING ABBY!

Dancing with Daddy.




Our first Thanksgiving with Abby.




Paw-Paw Freddy loved Abby's pink AND camoufloge outfit!

Bungee Physical Therapy

Here is Little Miss Photogenic posing for the camera!



Standing tall with my bungee cords helping to steady me. (This session was pretty cool for Abby because she was able to stand without anyone helping to hold her up. A harness was put around her waist and bungee cords were hooked from the harness to the wire cage. At first she fussed a little since this was such a new feeling and completely independent of human assistance. But soon she was playing and enjoying it like nobody's business.)





What are you doing back there, Mrs. Cheryl?




Getting my leg muscles stretched out.




High Five for Mr. Kevin.




This is so much fun I've forgotten it was supposed to be therapy.

Major Milestone - Abby Stands Up for First Time!!!!!

I've been anxiously waiting to get this picture from our physical therapist so this post could be made! Last Thursday (Nov. 20th) Abby was able to stand up for the first time in her life! It was an amazing moment for me as a mommy to see my baby finally get to stand up. Of course it was with the help of braces since her legs and hips are so weak, but this is only the beginning! I don't think we've ever shared this on our blog, but when we got Abby at 17 months old, she had never been allowed to stand or crawl. She had spent her entire life laying on her stomach and right side, or sitting on her foster mother's lap. She was not able to sit up on her own and her neck muscles were not even stable. By the time we left China, Abby was sitting up on her own and even wanting to move around and crawl. That took a little time, but since her 3 surgeries, she is crawling all over the place.

Our little miracle continues to amaze us. We have been praying over her left leg every day and believing God to heal whatever damage has been done. During her physical therapy while Abby was standing up, both therapists were shocked to feel muscle movement in her left hip. She was using those muscles to balance herself! One of them called me over to feel it for myself and sure enough those muscles were contracting and moving around. This was something none of us really expected since we have been told by several doctors that her left leg is just "hopeless." In the physical therapists words, "We have a much better situation with Abby than I thought we had."

Abby Welcomes Visitors

November 21, 2008 Cousin Emmely and Maw-Maw Sonja came for a visit.







November 24, 2008. Jawanna with her friends from Hattiesburg: Christy Daniell(left) and Tammy Wascomb (right). Today was their first time to see Abby and we all had quite a time. Abby enjoyed playing with her new friends. Thank you guys for coming so far to visit us...it was great to see you!





Tammy sent this collage of us and our kids together:



Getting to know Mrs. Tammy

First Physical Therapy

Abby had her first physical therapy appointment with Cheryl Thames, PTA, and her assistant, Kevin today. Everything went great and Cheryl said Abby will definitely walk!!!!!!!! She will require some help (braces, etc.) but we do not know to what degree at this point. We will have two appointments per week through the end of the year and will see how she does from there. Also, we will be doing physical therapy and stretches with Abby at home every day. We continue to covet your prayers as we endeavor to do our very best for our precious little one. She has such a sweet but yet strong spirit and displays an incredible attitude in spite of the difficulties she faces. What a Blessing we were given in China! We still think of Abby's birth mother and also her foster mother and wonder how they are doing. We know their hearts are aching from the loss both of them have faced. It is sad to think that someone had to give up this beautiful baby in order for us to call her our own. We still pray that God will bless them and comfort their hearts. We hope that somehow in the deepest part of their spirits they have the assurance that Abby is being showered with love and receiving the very best medical care we have been able to find. Thank you, Lord, for our Little Blessing.




Abby meets Cheryl & Kevin and seems to be cool with the fact they are touching her and manipulating her legs.





Just being my usual little charming self!




Is this over yet??? It's my nap time!

Tuckered Out!

I caught this precious moment on camera today when Abby literally played herself to sleep. Every day she is growing and more of her little personality is shining through. She understands a lot of English now and responds to questions we ask her. She is a very smart baby and her Mama and Daddy couldn't be prouder. (To see how pretty and long her eyelashes are, point to the picture and click and a bigger photo will pop up. You can also see that the surgery wound on her head is healing up nicely and there is only one stitch left.)

First Word!

Michael was in the floor playing with Abby this evening when he asked her if she wanted her book and she said (plain as day) "YEP!" And we both almost passed out from shock! That is the first time she has said anything in English other than mama, daddy or papa. She is definitely a little tease and has refused to say it again even though we've done everything but stand on our heads, but that's okay. This is one of those proud parenthood moments and we're reveling in it.




Daddy attempting to get Abby to say "YEP" again





Playing with cousin Seth-Christopher




Sometimes Abby feels left out because she is not able to run around and play like her cousins. She was so excited when we put her on Thomas the Train and pushed her around like the other kids were doing. We have an appointment with a physical therapist next week and would appreciate prayer over that time. Abby's pediatric neurosurgon has done all he can do for her left leg, so we are praying over our baby and believing that tenacity and hard work can help her overcome what the surgery didn't fix.





Maw-Maw Sonja playing Thomas the Train with Abby...she's a wonderful grandmother and Abby loves her so much.





Wow! Aunt Julie and Nano surprised us with some homemade biscuits. Mmmm!

A Day in the Park

We had a family picnic at our local park today and Abby had a blast. By the way.....today makes exactly 2 months we have been home, so this was a great way to celebrate.



Somebody push me!!!




Yeaaaa! Here I go!



Wheeeeeee!



This is my mischevious look



She was completely unimpressed by the geese (or whatever they are)



Bye Ya'll!