Wednesday, June 09, 2010

AMAZING

On Saturday, June 5th, we had an open house for our family and friends to come and meet Alesha. It seemed like a fun thing to do and beat having several people come multiple times a day, day after day. Alesha has a blast at her party! She was the center of attention, crawling around, babbling, playing, and so excited to see all the people. She is such a social little girl. As long as mommy is close by she is happy as can be. It was such a blessing to introduce our daughter to all of the people who had prayed for her and our family during our long journey. I think it was as fun for them as it was for us to finally see the gift of Alesha right before their eyes.

We have been home for 2 weeks now and are adjusting amazingly well. Alesha had her first doctor's appt on June 1st her 15 month birthday. She weighed in at 14lb 7oz and is 28 1/2 inches long. The doctor didn't have any concerns other than getting her to gain some weight. She will go in again on June 15th for a weight check.

It has been so wonderful watching Alesha's personality come to light right before our eyes. She is such a happy little girl. We feel so blessed to have had such a wonderful transition. The first week of sleep was really hard. We spent 4-5 hours each night playing and then crying and fussing for the first 3 nights we were home. We then had an awful night of night terrors. After that she has been sleeping 11 to 12 hours straight through at night in her own crib. We tried the co-sleeping, but she didn't sleep well, moves constantly, and would wake up all night long. I think she likes her big crib and all the room to roll around :-)
Some things we have learned about Alesha so far:
1. This girl has some CRAZY hair.

2. Her food must be hot! Especially bottles, but also bananas and cereal. She will turn her head and push away if the temperature is not to her liking.
3. She is an active little girl. Crawling around and pulling herself up on the furniture is great fun for her.
4. She is very inquisitive and focused. When given a toy or any item she will feel around the entire thing, look intently at it, see what it can do, and hold it for a long time.
5. Bath time is the highlight of her day. She splashes around, laughs, enjoys the water being poured on her (including her head!). She cries every time it is time to get out. Funny thing is when I gave her a bath a couple weeks ago she would just sit in one place and play. I would have her stand up and give her a final rinse before getting out. Fast forward 2 weeks and now she is crawling all over the tub and refuses to stand up for the final rinse, because she has figured out that the final rinse means it is time to get out of the tub, and she doesn't want ANY part it! Silly girl :-)
Doesn't she look SO TINY in our tub?
6. She loves her brothers. She smiles and plays with them and enjoys having them carry her around the house. It fills my heart with joy so see my boys with their sister. They waited SO long for her to finally be home. Luke told me the other day that he couldn't believe she is really home and that she is so much more than he ever thought she would be. Doesn't that just warm a mama's heart?



7. Alesha is not very fond of men. I think her only contact with men was with doctors. She has finally warmed up to Darin. It is so fun to watch them together. They have a morning routine of going on a walk together. There relationship is growing stronger every day.

8. She is the slowest eater! It can take her 40 minutes to drink an 8oz bottle. She does not chew any food right now. She has really stepped up her cereal intake and we have added bananas, yogurt, mashed potatoes, and squash to her diet and they seem to be working well. My boys were the fastest eaters I had ever seen so this little girl is God's way of slowing me down a bit.
There have been a number of times that I look at Alesha and am overwhelmed by emotion. The tears just fill my eyes as I look at this miracle God has blessed us with. So many people say Alesha is so blessed to be part of our family and we say that WE feel blessed having her in our family. She is truly a joy. Her smile and beautiful big dark brown eyes warm every body's heart that she comes in contact with.
We could not be more thankful to God for allowing us to be Alesha's mommy, daddy, and brothers. She is such a blessing and we feel like she has always been a part of our family.
I haven't forgotten about blogging about our trip, but there is A LOT to blog about and I haven't had much time to devote to it. It will come hopefully soon.

10 comments:

Corrigan Party of Six said...

she is soooooo beautiful, and your whole family is just bursting at the seams... it shows in all the pictures! i was so disappointed we couldn't make the open house, i can't wait to see her at church soon :) :) congratulations on your precious little peanut! (ps. aren't girl clothes FUN!!!!)

Anonymous said...

Pfeiffer family:
SHe is so precious! Such a beautiful girlie.Wanted to share that our Kaitrin was a tiny girl when she came home too.16 months and 16 pounds.Doctor's were also concerned and had us add high fat things to her bottles and food so she would gain weight.Things like maple syrup to her cereal,etc.She is now 11 and still very thin.Everyone remarks about how tiny she is.Some size 7's are too big and 7 slims are too small so we have to do alot of searching.So happy she is home and adjusting so well.Such a sweetie.
Leveta

Peter and Nancy said...

She is such a beautiful girl -- it's wonderful to see the great big smiles on all of your faces! I also love how she's eyeing up that cake. :o) Sounds like she can have as much as she wants, per doctor's orders!

God bless you all as you continue enjoying and getting to know each other.
Nancy

Kristi W. said...

Alesha sounds like such a sweetie! And of course she is just beautiful!!! It's great to read about how she fits so perfectly in her new family. I'm so happy for you guys!!!

Laura said...

APRIL!! I share so many of your emotions. We have felt and said lots of the same things! I am thankful sleep is going better:) I'm sure that was some anwered prayer. You worded everything beautifully, too! Can't wait to hear more about the trip. Isn't it hard to find time to blog now??!!!
Laura

Fenwick 5 said...

Love the idea of a welcome home party for her,wonderful. She looks so happy and healthy! The boys look so sweet with their sister! Glad that she is sleeping all night now for you and for her. Welcome home! TTY soon,Gidget:)

Emily said...

I feel so much joy in seeing you all together!! Alesha is adjusting beautifully, and is such an adorable pumpkin! I love your idea of an open house, and I need to pick your brain about how you handled sleep issues and night terrors. What warmed my heart the most, was seeing how your boys adore their sister. They are so lucky to have each other, the bonds between siblings are a treasure! So very happy for you April!! Emily

Eric and Cheryl said...

Love all the pictures! I can't wait to see more of your hubby's work, he is such a fantastic photographer. We enjoyed coming to the open house and getting to see the little sweet pea again. She is such a doll and seems to really love people like Adia. Glad you are getting rest and looking forward to another baby date soon. Love you! Cheryl

Lucy said...

Congratulations!!! I'm so glad Alesha is at last with her family. And I must say she is really beautifull. I'm very happy for you all!!!
Lucy (hoping to adopt one day, waiting one year)

jasonliberty said...

She is such a little cutie! I to love the idea of a welcome home party. I bet she loved it. So good to see her settled and being given oodles and oodles of love :-)
Liberty