Ivy

I realize that most of my posts lately have been about Ivy.  It seems like there is so much progress to post about, so she is an easy subject.  But, now that she is in a good routine, it is back to normal.  Ivy's English has really picked up.  She is starting to speak more clearly with many more words, and she understands about 99% of what I say.  She loves to help me in the kitchen, whether it is cooking, emptying the dishwasher or washing the dishes.

I had some time just yesterday to look back through some pictures that another Zhongshan mom shared with me, and I grabbed some cute pictures of Ivy, some of when she was much smaller.  She went through them and seemed so happy to see herself, friends, and China.  She even told me about the pink flower she is holding in one of the pictures.

 Notice Ivy on the right, directly behind the boy in the red.  She looks so little!

Ivy is the cutie, 2nd from right, front row.

My daughter is in the center with the pencil to her mouth.  It looks like a fun classroom.

This is the picture Ivy was telling me about.  She is holding the pink flower...her favorite color.  Those look like her thumbs, and she definitely remembers participating in this project.

I'm glad I have these pictures for Ivy.  I don't want her to forget her life in China, but I can tell that she is moving on very happily.  I look forward to the day that she can tell me about her life in China and all that she felt.

There is a big accomplishment to report on, though.  Ivy would cry whenever I would leave to run an errand.  Not every time, but many times.  She would also not go anywhere without me.  Mike wanted to take the children to a park 2 miles away.  We told her she was going with Daddy, Eva, and Joy, and that Mommy was staying home to clean up the kitchen.  Well, she started crying those silent tears.  Then it was louder and she was saying, "no, no, no".  Finally, when they were in the garage getting their shoes on, she plopped herself down on the floor.  I saw manipulation all over her face.  I put her in the car, buckled her in, and off they went to the park.  Mike said she cried the whole way and stumbled all the way up the hill to the playground.  Once there, Mike started playing with the girls.  Ivy finally joined in, laughing at all of the fun they were having.  Last night, same thing.  But, this time, she did not cry at all.  She happily left with her Daddy, sisters, and brother.  She didn't even say good-bye to me!?  I've seen this behavior in Ivy since I met her.  She acts like this to try to get her way.  I can tell it is not out of fear.  She does not fear her daddy at all.  She easily jumps on his lap here at home and plays with him.  She may have had some uneasiness about leaving me, but she is finally understanding that a family is for keeps.