We have had a rough couple of weeks - I have been sick, then Danielle, and this past weekend both Steve and Stephanie got sick. Needless to say, the house is a mess and I have a whole lot of things to get done!
Liz has hit a milestone - she is "paci-free". Liz has always LOVED her pacis, but when she was about 1, she traded her paci for "E" (see photo). For over 1 1/2 years, she has slept with E, and she loved him! Well, last week, the Paci Fairy came and took E away. Liz did great, I cried. I was so sad to see this quirky little friend leave our home! I actually had a hard time holding it together when Stephanie started crying and said, "I am going to miss E!" It was an emotional night. I knew that Liz needed to get rid of it (we don't want her to have to have braces), but it was such a part of her...and it meant that she is growing up. She will be 3 this summer, and I am not ready for her to grow up - I am not ready for ANY of my girls to get any bigger! But I must say, that Liz has done so great without E - we probably should have done this sooner, but we didn't want to take away her E before we went to China!
Danielle continues to do fantastic! Over the past couple of weeks, she has really started to play and interact more with Liz. Since they are so close in age (only 14 months difference), there is some rivalry but lately they have begun to interact and play together just the 2 of them. I have actually been given the highest honor from my youngest daughter - she now calls me Mama! I was very skeptical at first that she was talking about me, but I have come to realize that I am now officially her Mama! Praise God!
This past weekend, I was able to go to a tremendous seminar (along with some great friends)with Sherrie Eldridge, author and an adoptee. It was incredible. She gave such insight into what Danielle may feel and experience as she gets older. So many things to think about. I ache for Danielle because she will never know her birth mother. I just pray that I can help her through all of it. That is why going to these seminars is so important - awareness and education is key. In fact, I may be able to help Danielle with her issues since I am more aware of them and have countless friends and resources to help me help her. I am sure that Stephanie and Liz will have some issues when they get older (don't we all?), and I just hope that I can be as aware of their issues and how to help them. Motherhood is certainly a tough job, but I am grateful that it is mine!
