Sunday Snapshot: {Hope}

It is so hard to believe that this precious little baby girl became a part of our family just 2 weeks ago on July 4, 2011. When she was brought into the Civil Affairs office, she was screaming, crying, and terrified. She didn't even know the people who brought her to us, so she had no idea what was going on. It's hard to believe that as soon as we left the Civil Affairs office and were in the van that she was giggling and calling us Mama, Baba, and GeGe. It was so obvious the way she clutched her little photo album of us that her foster family had prepared her for us coming. We are so very thankful for them, and will be forever grateful.

She makes us smile all day long, and it's so funny to watch her personality evolve and come out more every single day. She's a perfect fit for our family, and what a personality she has! Here are just a few things ery about our precious Hope that we have learned:

- She walks amazingly well - and adapts to wearing shoes, socks, and a brace...nothing stops her!
- She has the best giggle, just like Matthew's and loves to make herself and us laugh!
- She loves peek-a-boo, and holding her head and saying uh-oh!
- She is an amazing eater, nothing has really turned her off yet - except for maybe the wet cat food she grabbed and stuck in her mouth tonight :)
- She loves to play ball, build blocks and stack them, and feed and take care of her stuffed teddy bear.
- She sucks her left thumb when she is very tired and clutches her shirt or a favorite blanket up to her little hand.
- She LOVES music, and loves to sing. I have been singing twinkle twinkle little star to her and she already sings the melody to it - it's adorable!
- Whenever she hears music, she shakes her hips side to side and spins herself around dancing.
- She talks very well, and repeats a lot. She now says Matthew and Smokey...and has mastered yelling Mama, Dada, and STOP Matthew :)
- She loved Matthew pushing her in a cart at Target today - put her hands up like it was a ride!
- She adores her big brother and loves to be around him. He is doing an amazing job as a big brother too!

What a blessing she has been to us. It amazes me how strong she is, and how adaptable she is. Her whole little world changed almost 2 weeks ago, and yet she trusts us to care for her and provide for her. We are so very lucky and thankful she has become a part of our family. Hope is the perfect name for her, and we can't wait to continue to get to know her. Our hearts are already overtaken with so much love for her - we couldn't have had 2 more precious children in the world!!!

We surely LOVE being a family of four now!!!