The first time I held you

One year ago in Nanchang Ch*na, I held Yi Xiao Bei for the very first time.  She came to us with some type of illness, and it was apparent she wasn't feeling well as I look at the photos back then.   We were told (through our guide interpreting) she was "sick", had been given an IV earlier in the day, and then we were handed a bag full of medicine, all written in Chinese.  Needless to say, it was rather unsettling.


She indeed was sick, with frequent vomiting and diarrhea as well as a fever.  When she didn't improve by the next afternoon, and in fact seemed to get worse, we took her to the hotel doctor, who had us stop the medicines and instead treat it like a cold.  The vomiting stopped shortly after stopping the medicines, the fever slowly came down, and after seven days the diarrhea finally stopped too. Looking back, she was so subdued and listless that first week, definitely not like the happy exuberant girl we now know!


Lily has a contagious smile and an infectious laugh.  She loves to "talk" (still has only about 5 words), can hum the entire Twinkle Twinkle Little Star tune, loves to play with water just like big sister, has a healthy appetite, and loves to swing on swings and go down the slide.  


She has the loudest scream when she spies a doggy out for a walk.  Calls for the dog-dogs next door to come to the fence.  Likes to be a little stinker and roll balls down the driveway and out into the road.  Understands way more than someone not quite two should.  Has a special radar for anything of Rose's.  Can bend and break eyeglasses faster than anyone I know. 


We waited 4 1/2 years for our little Lilybud, and are so grateful and humbled to call her our daughter.  She truly is a sweet ray of light.   We love you Lily!