Today, we're thankful for a risen Savior, an empty tomb, and the sweetest little girl in the world. She has made our Easter even more special. She seemed to really enjoy Easter. Of course, she doesn't understand anything about it, but she loves all of the candy, hunting eggs, and the general "stuff". We have laughed at how much candy she can actually fit in her mouth. Her cheeks were about to bust at one point from all of the candy that she was hoarding in her mouth. J
We've had another busy several weeks. Busy, but good. We had a surprise shower at CNMOC – my workplace – a couple of weeks ago. They were so sweet and generous to us. The office went together and gave Bethany, Todd, and I a year's membership to the Audubon Institute which encompasses the zoo, aquarium, and insectarium in New Orleans. We are so excited! The zoo is right by Children's Hospital, so when we take her down for doctor's appointments, we'll get to take her to have fun too, so the day won't be quite so bad for her. Thank you again to my friends at CNMOC! J
Bethany attended her first birthday party a couple of weeks for our good friend, Ms. Presley, who turned one. It was a really fun afternoon and Bethany loved being around the other kids – even if she won't play with them. J She loves to observe. J She had a really great time being outside for the afternoon, and she got to pet a horse for the first time. Crystal, Presley's mom, had cheese puffs, so our little girl was in paradise – outside, other kids, and cheese puffs. What more can a little girl ask for? We also had a really good friend from Orlando come and the same weekend as the birthday party. We really enjoyed getting to see her, and finally on the 4th and last day of her visit, Bethany warmed up to her a little bit. Enough so that she finally let our friend kind of halfway kiss her cheek. It takes her a while to warm up…….Be warned!
Todd's dad and stepmom came back into town for awhile, so Bethany and I went to see them. Her 3 cousins from Atlanta also came down last week for their Spring Break. She had never met them, but she loved playing with all 3 of the kids! They were so sweet to her, and we got some good pics of them playing with her. We were amazed at how fast she warmed up to them. My grown niece, Sarah, that lives here locally took our 2 nieces and nephew to Chuck E. Cheese last Thursday, and Bethany and I met them there. Again, Sarah and I were both so surprised at how fast Bethany started enjoying Chuck E. Cheese. I was concerned that the high noise level might scare her, but she loved it. Her favorite things to do were the rides – she didn't want to get off, so we had some fit throwing at times. It was so much fun to watch her having fun, so we'll have to go back soon.
Bethany has really started becoming a lot more affectionate in the last several weeks. She'll walk up to Todd and I and grab onto our legs and hug us, and she has started giving kisses and hugs. She also has gotten to the point that she will lay her head on our shoulders. Before, she would only lay her head on our shoulders when she was tired or asleep, but now she lays her head on our shoulders for no reason whatsoever. That is HUGE, and we are so excited! Before, she would reciprocate some love, but now, she is showing love and affection without it first being shown to her. It probably sounds crazy to be so excited, but we finally feel like she's starting to love us back. She would never let us rock her before, unless she woke up in the middle of the night, but we've been rocking her to sleep for her nap instead of laying her in her crib. Again, it's a huge step and really shows us she's bonding and attaching to us. Of course, we've been bonded and attached to her, but it has taken her a little while, which is very normal for her situation. We are so blessed to be at this point – God has done a miracle in her little wounded heart and soul, and we pray He continues to heal her emotionally and physically.
Bethany has also made lots of progress with hearing and speech. She is imitating lots of sounds and words. Every day she is saying something new. It's hard to understand a lot of it, but we can tell by the inflection in her voice when she's repeating something. Our favorite thing she's learned to say is her first sentence that she learned from her toy cell phone: "I Love You". J I can't remember who gave her that talking cell phone, but I am so thankful for it. It's worth a million dollars to us to hear her say that. J She also got a great report at her ENT visit last week. He was very pleased with her tubes and their function, and he also ordered a hearing test while we were at Children's. When we first went to the ENT back in February and she had a hearing test, she had hearing impairment, but this hearing test was normal!!! J We knew she was hearing so much better, but it was good to have it confirmed with an actual test. Her appointment with the Cleft Team at Children's is next Monday, the 16th. We're anxious to finally get the ball rolling, but at the same time, really dreading her surgery as it gets closer and closer. We'll post more on that after her visit.
Guess that's all for now. Thanks for keeping up with Bethany!
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