First Family Pictures

After two hours in the studio crammed in with at least ten other families we have the fruits of our labors. The photographer was able to get some pretty good pictures.

Aubrey has a little fake bandana with red curly hair. She wears it around constantly. Thankfully this new hair has replaced the dishcloths.

She continues to prove how smart she is. When she finished all of her chips the other day she began shouting for more chips. I told her she had to finish her ham first. Within a few minutes she was pointing to her empty plate yelling "chips". She did not feed the ham to the dog either. She had it all balled up in her left hand, which was raised above her head, as if I would not be able to see it there.

The boys took Aubrey sledding in the front yard last night. She loves the inner tubes and being pushed down the hill. When we get more snow we will take her to the park with the huge sledding hill. I may take a while for her to climb to the top but she continues to amaze me with her persistance.

Autumn Splendor to First Snow

We have officially had Aubrey now for 2 months. In that time we have suffered extreme heat and typhoons in China, seen a beautiful fall with gorgeous leaves changing color and now the first snow. In many ways the changing seasons mirror Aubrey's adjustments to her new family. Hot and stormy in China, blossoming with such delightful joy and colors here, with many more firsts to come.

At first, Aubrey was not impressed with the snow. The more it snowed however, the more she began to sense something special was happening. Of course her brothers were getting all carried away and anxious to don snow gear. In mere minutes Aubrey was outside with only a light jacket running through the flurries. As we were at the photography studio trying to get our first family picture with Aubrey, the boys were becoming more and more frustrated as we waited to view our shots. By the time we returned home it was time for bed. Daddy couldn't wait to get pictures of his little girl during her first snow. He took her out in her nightgown and snow boots. The pictures of Aubrey in the night snow were well worth it.

The past few weekends we have had family visiting. Each time someone comes and returns home Aubrey does a little better saying goodbye. She remembers the whole week and says over and over Poppa and Grandma bye bye, Emmie bye bye, Aunt Jean, Aunt Dee, Unka Gunka bye bye. She still cries when mama leaves for work, but she is learning to trust Baba again.

She has realized now that she is from China, and says often 'Aubrey China, in airplane'. She is able to write Au on paper, we are working on the end of her name. She has started to learn her colors, pink is the one she knows best. Recently she has began yearning for hair. She takes washcloths and hand towels and drapes them over her head. She then turns her head back and forth to feel her fake hair moving to and fro on the back of her neck. I keep telling her it will grow. I think Santa may have to find her a little play wig, anything will look better that her running around with a dish towel for hair.

Ladybug's Halloween

First Peanutbutter cup

Helping rake leaves

Aubrey in Baba's glasses

Surprise

First, Thank the Heavens, we received Aubrey's Memory Book on Halloween morning. I was so thrilled. Dave's sister, Jean, and her husband Stephan were here to celebrate with us.

Aubrey in Emperor's cap

We carved pumpkins and got into costume. Aubrey had the choice of her Chinese lion hat and dressing in red or being a ladybug. She chose to be a ladybug. Prior to donning her costume she tried on my witch wig and decided having hair was great. She fussed as it tangled on her little fingers but refused to take the wig off. I finally had to grab the mess the wig had become and hide it. I thought she was gorgeous with hair, but she is beautiful even when she is having a full blown temper tantrum as well.

Gabe's alive and well!



Long Hair, so cute.

Aubrey loved trick or treating. She learned very quickly that people were handing out candy. She ran from house to house screaming "CANDY!" Of course she remembered to clasp her hands, bow her little head and say "thank you" to everyone. People though this was so cute they gave her twice as much candy. Aubrey has the Aldrich sweet tooth, but for now she seems to like fruit flavored sweets over chocolates.

Candy!!!!!!!!

Saturday, Uncle Patrick sent a wonderful package to Aubrey. She found the cutest Mandarin jacket, an I love NY tee-shirt written in Chinese characters, and some wonderful books. I got some beautiful pictures of her in the setting sun with her new clothes on. She is precious.

So beautiful

Just as an update, Aubrey is now the boss of Daisy. Poor Daisy didn't stand a chance. Aubrey also tries to boss Mama and her brothers. She doesn't get away with her shouting at me. She has learned very quickly to stop screaming and say please. I have learned her personality and her mannerisms. She really is a cute and sweet little girl, and amazingly smart!

First Playdate

Last week was a busy week. We had many doctors appointments, most of which we still have no results from. We do know through the echocardiogram that her heart is normal, the murmur is not going to be a problem. We are still waiting on most of the blood testing results. Aubrey's specialist from Riley Hospital in Indy is going to phone conference us when she has all the results. She did suggest that since Aubrey's Bun/ Creatinine are elevated, and her orphanage was listed as one that used the Sandu milk products, she will need a renal ultrasound. That should help see if the melamine has caused any kidney stones or other problems.

Her ears continue to be a problem, she is on antibiotics now. We see the ENT tomorrow. Hopefully they will set up a plan, tubes in the ears possibly, to get her turned around.

We did take some time off from all the poking and prodding to play. Aubrey had her first playdate with Hannah and Mackenzie. She loved the merry-go-round and of course the slide.
She didn't do alot of play with the girls, but played beside them. It was great to see her run and laugh without needing me to hold her. Each day she is opening up a little bit more and becoming more self confident.

Last night as Aubrey was laying down to go to sleep, she reached for my hand. I thought to myself she needs reassurance that mama's not going to disappear. I layed beside her content to hold her hand. I needed the reassurance that she is really here now, physically here. No longer the dreams in my minds eye, a vanishing glimpse in the ethers, solidly totally Aubrey. My little girl.

Pictures for Ferne