Last April...

...the Nanjing Orphanage emailed us this picture of Ava. This was just a few weeks before she came home.

Here are some pictures of Ava taken just last week.She was so cooperative during this photo shoot. She has the most natural smile, even when I asked her to smile on cue. Isn't she sweet? I just love this first picture of her-the expression on her face is so priceless.

So many people have asked for updates on Ava and how she is doing. The answer is that she is dong wonderfully. She is thriving, gaining weight and getting taller.

A little about Ava:

Ava loves life. She gets excited when it's time to wake up, when it's time to get dressed, when it's time to go somewhere, and when we come home (she says "home!" as we pull in the driveway). She also likes when it's time to brush her teeth or clip her nails. Ava is so gentle and nurturing with Gabe. She is also a great helper and loves to please. When I lay Gabe down to change his diaper, there she is handing me a wipe. Then she puts the wipes away without being asked. Today after I loaded the dishwasher, I looked and there was Ava with the dishwashing soap ready to put it in the dishwasher for me. When the toilet paper is out, she'll go get a new roll on her own and put it in the holder. She is a great listener too. I rarely ever have to tell her anything twice. In many ways she is very mature. In other ways she is still so young.

Now I'm not saying she's perfect (fussy doesn't begin to describe her when she's tired), for she did inherit the "disease" we all have: sin. But for the most part, Ava is easy-going, cooperative, and kind. How did this child get to be such an incredible blessing, despite 3 1/2 years of neglect in an orphanage? We don't know. All we know is that we are so thankful to God for the gift of this sweet soul.

Having said all that, the bonding is still coming. We are a lot further along than when we started, but I know we still have a ways to go. Bonding and attachment do not happen overnight. It usually takes time, especially when adopting an older child. After talking to other adoptive moms, I found that it's common for the process to take awhile, sometimes even years. I look forward to the relationship I have with Ava getting stronger and stronger as time goes on.

Some people ask how Ava and Kate get along, being so close in age and having such drastically different personalities. There is sometimes jealousy and fighting between them like you would expect with sisters. However, they really do enjoy each other and play together a lot. The other day after Kate got angry at Ava for something, I asked Kate, "Are you glad we have Ava?" (I guess I was wondering if she resented us a little for adopting a child so close in age to her.) Immediately she said (like she was surprised I would even ask), "Yes, because I yuv her."

Ava's language has exploded. She understands everything we say to her. She is smart and picks things up quickly and can follow multi-step directions without getting side-tracked. However, while her expressive language has improved greatly, it is sometimes still hard to understand what she is saying. Sometimes if Chad and I are not sure, one of our other kids will interpret for her.

I think I'll end this post by sharing how Ava feels about her adoption. When it was her turn to pray the other night she said, "Dear God, thank you that Daddy and Brookie came to get me in China."

Okay, I think that about covers it. If not, feel free to ask questions. Here are some more pictures.

Here is that first picture again. Isn't she just beautiful?