Years, that is…with our sweet Lainey girl!
Taken today, before our dinner out (which I’ll hopefully post tomorrow). Â Remember what she looked like 3 years ago today?
Confused little ball of baby fat! Â 19 months old. Â It took her a good 3 days to come out of her shell. Â And, she’s never looked back.
Has she been “easy” lately. Â Not really. Â She loves her new little brother, it’s evident. Â But, he’s also cramped her style and position in the family. Â She’s working through it.
She’s had 3 surgeries in her young life. Â 1 in China, and 2 with us. Â So far…she has another one next Wednesday. Â We have high hopes that it will greatly improve her speech intelligibility.
And, she’s looking forward to the surgery. Â Oddly, even when she knows there might be pain involved (we asked her what happens at her surgery and she signed “hurt”), she likes anything medical. Â We think she loves the attention heaped on her.
No matter what, Lainey, you’re our baby girl and we love you to bits! Â Happy Forever Family day, sweetie pie!
February 18th, 2011 at 11:35 pm
I don’t think any of us imagined just how much Lainey would mean to us and how much we would love her. Seeing her picture on “Gotcha Day” Lainey would never have imagined the new life she was going to have… siblings who love her, parents who love and protect her and have shown her who Christ is, grandparents who welcomed her with open hearts and love and extended family so large we probably frightened her.
As for her surgery, I just know that one day she will call me “Gram” and not just “Am”. She tries so hard to talk and when frustrated starts to sign too. My prayer is that with this surgery, she won’t have to use the signing anymore… only words… words that are bright and clear.
Lainey is no different than any other child who has been the baby of the family and has someone new come in and take that position away. She will see that all of you have enough love to go around for everyone and that your love for her hasn’t changed. Because Dylan broke his leg and was in a cast and you all had to hold/carry him all the time, it probably did take some time away from Lainey, but Lainey is strong and resiliant and she will come out of all of this just fine.
I thank God every day that I am blessed with this wonderful family of ours and I love my sons beyond measure, my daughter-in-laws the same and my 12 grandchildren with all the love in my heart.
February 20th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
Oh boy, do we EVER love you, Lainey girl!!!! Granpa & I have something for you after your surgery…yes, you will be pampered, and we’re sure you’ll be loving it!! Let everyone spoil you for awhile while you recuperate…be absolutely sure that you get your favorite foods, lots of hugs (no problem there!!!), etc. If you’re not satisfied from all these things, just call us and we’ll see to it that you get what you want!! LOL
Wow, now that I think about it, 3 years have really flown by since you walked in the door in Florida holding little 19-month old Lainey! She was adorable then and she still is now!!!! Can’t wait to have conversations with her in the future…that will be GREAT!!!
See you all soon!!!!