Leaps and Bounds

Violet is progressing and adjusting better than anyone guessed she would - better than any of the books tell you adopted kids will adjust. It's simply ridiculous how well she is doing.

She is sleeping all night, every night. She naps well, and long. She plays happily alone or with people. She still eats and poops like a champ. She laughs harder every day and cries harder too (which is ok). She responds to discipline and more often than not, corrects her behavior when asked. She is growing like a weed and her hair and skin look incredible (ignore this photo though... she's in a highchair, covered in oreos and boogars).

Her language is still on turbo speed - the most recent new words include Gramma (ga ga), Kitty Cat (kee kah), Again (ghen a), Tickle (tick-uhl) and a whole host of new syllables and clicks (that interestingly enough don't sound like standard "english-speaking-baby" babble).

She walks so steadily that it's nearly a run. She dives face first into any pool without fear and attempts to ride any tricycle or scooter she can get her hands on. She is still aggressive in her play, but seems to be learning to control her hands better - "Nice touches, Violet. Nice touches."

Her nighttime self-soothing rocking has completely stopped and we've even let her cry herself to sleep a time or two. Within a minute or two of crying, she's peacefully asleep. It might sound like a little thing - but this is a big step forward for Violet.

All signs point to one thing: She feels secure with us - and secure in our love for her.