May ...Our first full month home

Well, it's been a great month with lots of exciting things to report!  We have now been home with Ava for a month and a half and she has been in our custody full time for 2 months now.  Now that we've gotten into a routine we can't remember what it was like without her here.  Here is the break down of our first full month home with Ava D.

Meeting Family and Friends: 
We took it pretty slow when it came to introducing Ava to our loved ones.  We read and heard that taking it slow is best for and adopted child as they adjust to their new parents and new surroundings.  On May 8th we had a small shower put on by a great friend of mine.  It was perfect!  Everything was beautiful and we felt so loved and supported.  It was wonderful to have people meet Ava.  Everyone was so respectful and understanding about giving her space but also enjoyed her company and showed her lots of love.    

The following Sunday Ava was able to meet my extended family.  I have many wonderful Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins who have been incredibly supportive throughout this adoption and who have been waiting for over a year now to welcome Ava into their family.  We had a great day of celebrating but unfortunately I was far too busy chasing around Miss Ava to take pictures.  We did get a few from that day:

Health:
On average Ava and I are going to the doctors or specialists about 2 times a week.  That will get less after we finish seeing all the specialists that need to be seen.  So far we know that Ava will need an operation to get her adnoids removed and tubes put in her ears.  They found that her adnoids are blocking about 80% of her nasal passage.  Because of this her mouth is almost constantly open because that is the only way she can breath.  Poor girl.  So we are going to get those removed on the 18th June.  The doctor has said that the operation only takes about 5 minutes to preform and that there is not much time needed for recovery.  We are excited to get this fixed so our poor baby girl can breath through her nose and so that she can hear better.  

Progress:
We are in the middle of getting Ava assessed through our local school district so she can get qualified for therapy.  On June 22 we have a meeting to diccusss her plan for therapy.  BUT, on her own Ava has grown and learned so much this past month.  We go the park almost everyday and she climbs, runs, and WORKS hard!  Lucky for us she sees it as play not as work...the girl is so determined to conquer the playground!  She is understanding English wonderfully.  She is still not speaking but she is definitely understanding us and finding ways to communicate through signs.

Home Life:
James is back at work and Ava and I are home together every week day.  I AM LOVING being at home with her.  I wouldn't trade it for anything.  It's certainly challenging and exhausting at times but I love spending this time with her and watching her grow and learn.  Ava loves when her Daddy comes home and James has been great about giving me a break when he gets home from work.  Here are a few shots from our daily life at home in beautiful Ladera Ranch.

Special Events:
We have done some pretty special things with Ava this past month.  We have gone to Sea World, the Beach, and celebrated our first Mother's Day. Sea World was a lot for little Ava to take in.  We did get passes so I think the more we go, the more she will enjoy it!  Ava loves the beach.  She sure is a water baby.  She could have played in the water all day if we let her.  Mother's Day this year was very special not only b/c it was my first Mother's Day with Ava but because I got to also spend it with my Mother who I missed so much when we were overseas. 
Beach:

Sea World:

Mother's Day:

I'm sure I'm forgetting things but at this time of night, it's all I can recall :-)  Morning comes quick so I better catch some sleep while I can.  Goodbye May, Hello June...Stay tuned for the June update next month.