About a month ago...

...my housework began to look like this.  :)

DIY Fun

We've been enjoying a few crafty things around here lately. 

Project #1:  Bows!

The orphanage workers shaved our beautiful Bella's hair a few days before leaving the orphanage.  It was a bit uneven, and they claim it'll grow in nice and thick when they're older if you keep shaving it when they're babies.  Well, I'm hoping that day was the last day our daughter's hair was shaved and that from now on it can grow long.  It's currently grown to about one centimeter.  So, she needs beautiful bows.  My mom sent me this little headband, and I made the bow below!

Project #2:  Wall Art

We saw this  at IKEA:

 And we thought, "we can do that."  So we did.

My projects usually start out with me thinking, "It shouldn't be too hard.  I can do this."  And then I can't do some part and I have to ask Mark to jump in.  He really has an artist's eye.  The placement of the butterflies and the troublesome part of cutting them all out was all him.  Thank you for saving me once again, my dear! 

They look pretty good, don't they?

Who is blessed?

"Bella" has been home three weeks today!  Wow, time is flying.  She is doing so well.  The little stinker is growing like crazy.  She is getting much chubbier!  Family sent us some 0-3 month clothes that she can't wear anymore.  Her cheeks and thighs are much fuller than when we brought her home.  Makes a momma happy!

The first few days we were showered with congratulations, we're-so-happy-for-you messages.  It was wonderful.  We felt so loved.  Some people said, "she is so blessed (or lucky) to have you two as parents."  I don't know people, I'm the one feeling incredibly blessed these days.  I  have a beautiful BABY girl in my home.  She turned six months old in our care.  We are a happy family of three.  And despite all the setbacks with our adoption process, it's June and we have a baby!  I just can't stop thanking Jesus for this incredible gift. 

You are called by what name?

I’ve heard it said that adopted children often have three names.  One is an unknown name that their birth parents gave them.  I suppose if a child is abandoned shortly after birth, it’s possible this name was never given.  In China, it is illegal to abandon your baby.  So babies are left with no identification…no name, no birth date.  So, a second name is given by the orphanage.  Then children who are adopted join a new family and are given a new name, the third name.

In all of this, I am thankful that no matter what name a child is given here on earth, they are known and named by God.  The Lord says to all of His children, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!”  (Isaiah 43:1)

Our little girl likely spent about two months with her parents before she was abandoned.  She likely had a name given by them.  The orphanage then gave her a name, and we first knew her by that name.  Now in our home, we have given her a family name and when she is fully adopted she will be a Fertig. 

So, I asked for some suggestions for a name for her for our blog.  To protect her identity I will not be using her real name until she is legally ours.  So for our blog, I want a cute little name with meaning.  Here are all the suggestions I got:

Mei Mei –means “little sister” in Chinese, and we are thinking she will be the little sister in our family
Sweet pea—something I call her often
Lovey
Sugar Sugar
China Doll
Le Le—means “happiness” in Chinese…she does bring so much happiness to our home

Grace—truly it is only by God’s grace that she is here.  It is only His grace that she is ours.

Melody

Jewel—actually part of the name the orphanage gave her means “the tinkling of gems”

Eliza/Liza—means “consecrated to God,” and we pray she will be

I love all of your suggestions, but one night it came to me.  For this blog, she will be “Bella”.  She truly is beautiful and it has a small connection to the family name we’ve given her.

Happy First Father's Day!

Daddy and his girl

My husband is an amazing dad.  I knew he would be, but seeing it this past week or so has filled my heart with such joy.  It causes me to love and respect and appreciate him all the more.  He's done diapers, bedtimes, baths, bottles, laundry, dishes...sometimes with me and sometimes without me.  He lights up at her smile.  And she...well, she can't get enough of her daddy.  She laughs at him and with him.  She looks at him, even when he's not looking at her yet, just waiting for his glance and his smile.  She is content in his arms and growing confident in his provision.  I'd say they're both smitten.  :)

Feet!

This is our little family of three. 

After one week with little girl in our home, (I still don't have a good name for her for this blog, help me out friends!) we are all doing really well.  She's been sleeping through the night since we got her.  She's adjusted to her new formula and eats really well.  She had a couple of fussy nights at bedtime the past two nights, but tonight she went to sleep without any crying.  She smiles all the time.  She's exploring her new world and we think she likes it!  She's rolling over.  Today she flipped from her back to her tummy five times.  We didn't see her do that once in the orphanage. 

So, we're slowly adjusting to being parents and we think she's loving having a mommy and a daddy.  We are all so blessed.

This little hand...

is melting our hearts.

P.S.  I am not intentionally teasing you with this picture.  Legally, we cannot share her identity publicly until she is adopted.  Right now, because we are fostering her, she is still a ward of the government.  So these are the only kinds of photos we are able to share.