And so it begins... {Winter sickies}

BellaMei's birth defect (TEF/EA) increases her chances of respiratory infections. Thankfully, her issues appear to be mild compared to others with the same birth defect, but she's had more than her fair share of respiratory infections since she was born. She came to us sick and has been sick several times since then. Actually, during my first video chat with my mom when we were in China, I told her I thought BellaMei had pneumonia. She was breathing hard, belly-pushing, and had a harsh cough. She seems to fight the infections off on her own usually, but this time was different.  She started acting sick on Friday. On Saturday, she had a fever and had some stridor, but since she often sounds "junky" with her breathing, I didn't get concerned at first.  By Sunday morning (after Alex and I both got up to check on her multiple times through the night), I knew she needed to be seen. Both the Dr and the nurse went on and on about how awful she sounded, which made me feel like a bad mom for waiting to take her in.  Being an NP (who used to work in pediatrics) and mom of 6, I'm used to high fevers and yucky coughs. I'm used to her sounding raspy when she breathes. I don't like giving my kids unnecessary medication, but it was definitely needed this time.  She ended up getting a racemic epi treatment, steroid shot, and oral steroids to take at home. It was still 48 hrs before she started sounding better.  And I'm guessing this means we could be in for a long winter...

Sick but still so sweet. And those rosy cheeks. 😍

First half of November {Lost teeth, Dr visit, and Grandparents' Day}

Saturday, November 3rd~

Trista and Miles came down for dinner and I snapped a few pictures of them before we left. Miles & Brielle both let me pull a tooth for them while we were at dinner! ha!

Our wild and crazy Saturday night! lol

Sunday, November 4th~

This is what Sunday mornings look like around here. Lots of hair to do!

BellaMei snuck into Braylee's Sunday School class.

Monday, November 6th~

We usually go to Riley, but Beilyn's neurosurgeon moved away so we went to see her new one at his office in Peyton Manning's hospital. The receptionist gave us a lift over to the right area. Beilyn thought it was funny to be riding a golf cart inside! Unfortunately, the doctor had an emergency so she just had more x-rays done and saw the nurse. Then we will see the doctor after her next MRI.

That night on the way home from gymnastics, I was telling Beilyn how God used her to change daddy's heart! He had said we were done adopting...until we met Beilyn! It was the sweetest interaction! ♥

November 8th~
Braylee & Brynna's 1st night cheering of the season. Since the 6th graders cheer for Jr High too, my girls get to cheer together this year!

Weekend ~ November 9-12th~

Playing in Aunt Trista's bag

Hadlee came for a sleepover.

Once Nanchang babies in the same orphanage. Now Forever Cousins. ♥

Beilyn had to disguise her turkey so it wouldn't be eaten for Thanksgiving Dinner.

November 14th~
It's been a year since we found out about our little Juan! Nicole called us late at night to tell us about a 7 month old baby with a March birthday! 💖 So glad we said yes!

Morning snuggles on the couch

Waiting on all of her sisters at gymnastics

November 16th~
My mom visited the little girls at school for Grandparents' Day!

Beilyn's Adoption Video

Beilyn rocked our world 4 years ago, and what a treasured gift she is! Her Chinese name Kai 凯 means “triumphant” and it suits her perfectly. 💜 A crown of beauty for ashes, for His Glory. (Isaiah 61:3)

 A big Thanks! to Alex for the countless hours he spent making this for our special girl. 💝

   

6 months!

It's hard to believe Juan has been ours for 6 months already! While I was sitting in the playroom with the little girls this morning, she crawled up in my lap and fell asleep in my arms, just like she did 6 months ago today. 💗

She turned 19 months on 10/30. (She's the same age now as Beilyn was on Gotcha Day.) We recently had our 6 month post placement visit. It was short and sweet because she's doing so well! She's talking up a storm. Last week, she said, "I yu you" back to me when I told her I loved her at bedtime. 💘 She repeats everyone's names and points to them correctly.  A few days ago, she strung together, "cracker eat eat please" and tonight, she said, "Help!" when trying to climb off our bed.  She does or says something new everyday! It's such a fun stage!

Girl loves to eat!

We went to the court house last week for early voting.
I caught our real life princess losing her little slipper.

Dancing at Brynna's band concert

Trick-or-Treating in our Neighborhood

We don't often get this lucky at the end of October, but the weather was perfect for trick-or-treating this year! BellaMei quickly figured out the result of knocking on neighbors' doors! She just didn't understand why she couldn't eat every treat right away! 😁

I'm gonna miss these days so much!

Ready to Trick-or-Treat with their cousins!

Cutest little dragon tail!

Fall Parade, Pumpkin Carving, & more

Friday, October 26th~  We went to school to see Brielle & Beilyn in the Fall Parade. Beilyn waved and blew us a kiss when she walked by!

My little dragon and magical unicorn!

Beilyn's Kindergarten class

Brielle's 2nd grade class

Sunday, October 27th~

The girls sang "Living Hope" during offering.

Then we did some early Trick-or-Treating, starting at my Granny & Pa's house.
Braylee- tennis player, Brynna- French artist, Brielle- dragon, Beilyn- unicorn, Bria- woodland fairy, and BellaMei- a Hungry Hungry Hippo!

Hungry Hippo was the perfect costume for our little girl who loves to eat and has the sweetest cheeks to show for it! ♥

Then we went to my parents' house where this girly got to be with one of her most favorite people, her Papaw!

The girls are fascinated with Miles' turtles.

Aunt Trista

Then we stopped in at Gramma & Pappy's house!

Monday, October 29th~

BellaMei didn't want anything to do with the pumpkin guts.

Juan's foster mom sent me a picture we hadn't seen before! It was taken when she was ~12 months old.

In case Beilyn ever tries to say she doesn't like dance class, don't believe her.
She hates getting ready to go, but she loves it when she's there!

One of the other moms asked me if she ever stops smiling. 😊