Zoey. Is. AWESOME.

I have been meaning to write this entry for a while-sorry for the delay. 

This is a hard one to structure-I have wanted to give an update, but honestly I don't even know where to begin.  It was a little easier in China when I would just write about what happened that day.  Now-that is not so exciting.  Let's see...Bryan and I went to work; older kids are finally in school; Zoey started preschool/daycare (and seems to really like it); I came home; drove someone to some sporting event... blah blah blah.  So-instead it might work better if I just post the pics and fill in with narrative.

But first, a little summary of the last couple months.  In a nutshell-this has gone so much better than we could have every dreamed.  She is so sweet, so charming, so darn adorable.  The kids LOVE her-she is truly the rock star everywhere we go, and they love that-there is no jealousy.  She really makes it so easy to adore her-we love her because she is funny, sweet, loveable, and cute, cute cute.  She has settled in well-the attachment has gone amazingly well (thanks to all for your prayers and good wishes).  I am happy to report that lately, I am actually (dare I say it...) her favorite-hugs, kisses, lots of cuddling; she is really bonded to us all.  She does talk about China-fairly often.  She talks about her China mom and dad, sis and brother.  She seems to really understand what happened and has decided it is okay-maybe even kinda fun here in Ohio with our family...  So have we.  :)

Medically-she is doing well.  She does not have a cleft palate-just a lip with a slit in her gums.  She'll need a bone graft in a couple years, and possibly have her tonsils removed (soon), but besides that she is great.

Her and my dad going down the water slide in the Kings' Island water park.

To answer many questions-yes.  She LOVES the pool.  Thank goodness-not sure what she would have done this summer if she didn't.

Kid-friendly pool at Nemacolin

Infinity pool at Falling Rock, Nemacolin

This is Zoey doing a cannonball off the diving board at our local pool.

Celebrating the 4th of July

Zoey turns 4!

Zoey and Morgan

Yes-she has grown accustomed to skirts and hair accessories.  She is developing quite a little sense of style.  (Must get that from Jenna, lol.)

Nope.  She doesn't sleep in her room.  This is a futon we keep in our room on the floor-she'll sleep there or on Meg's floor.  In fact, she doesn't even like to go near her room when I am around-she must fear I might make her [insert gasp] sleep there.

We aren't pushing the issue-yet.  I know she likely lived in a 500 sq. foot home in China with 4 other people.  This is her own room on the floor above Bryan and me, and is very lonely compared to mom and dad's room.  For now, her room is her playroom and her bed is accumulating dust.  But-we figure at SOME point she'll make her way up there.  Someday...surely she won't be sleeping on Meghan's floor or on the futon in our room forever...  This also provides us with an available guest bed if any friends or family wish to come and visit-it is very, very nicely decorated.

Besides the sleeping issue, she is absolutely perfect.  Yes-I said PERFECT.  It is almost frightening how well she fits in with us.  She is a rule follower, a good-natured, laid-back kid, and has a heart of gold (not to mention a really good sense of humor and loves to sing and dance).  She has adjusted so well-and so quickly. 

How is her English?  Well---after an argument with Sam while they were playing tetherball in the back yard, Zoey comes to me and tells me how mad she is.  "Mom-I hit ball that way (pointing with her finger).  Sam hit. He hit opposite direction, and..."  She honestly used the words "OPPOSITE DIRECTION" - so I am thinking that her English is coming along very well.  She speaks in full sentences, almost no Mandarin at all with us.  In fact, we are desperately trying to find a student or mom around who can meet with her once a week to speak Mandarin just to keep it going with her.  Know anyone???  For now, we let her watch that crazy sheep/goat cartoon in the car everywhere we go, hoping it will buy us some time.  

Funniest moment recently:  Hear a clink, clink, clink in the background.  Hear Sam dive and slide on the ground, stating, "Oooh-this coin is from China!  Now it's mine."  Zoey starts screaming and responds with, "NO SAM, I CHINA!!!"  Sam hands over the coin.

The Olympics were fun with her-everytime she heard an announcer say "China," she'd scream "China" and throw her arms up in the air.  But, we did notice several times when she saw the US flag with the National Anthem playing, she'd put her little hand on her heart and watch as the U.S. Gold Medalist was celebrated.  

Falling Rock, August 2012

Fake glasses from Claire's-being a ham.

I have finally reached the point where I can say that I can't remember what it was like without Zoey in our lives.  I know, I know-I can "remember" but I really cannot imagine what it was like without her.  She has really fell into her role in our family and we love her tons. 


(I promise that I will try and be a little more diligent in my blogging-purchased a new camera, so I will want to share some cute pics.)