4 months and counting...

Victoria beginning her new life as an Isenberg

Victoria four months later

We've had Victoria home for over four months now...and no, it's not peaches and cream.  It's hard, agonizing work.  It takes so much time and patience (both of which I need more of) teaching everything from square one, i.e. this is an appropriate way to talk; this is the way you should touch people; here is how to put a puzzle together; try to sing on the right note, Honey; think through this, how will you put this toy away?; etc. It is amazing to me what one misses by not having a family to grow up in for almost six years.  I truly didn't know how much a child actually picks up by just living in a family.  Although we have come a long way with Victoria, we have a long, long way to go.  Yes, I am exhausted by the end of the day, but when I see my oldest daughter sitting beside us in church being exposed  for the first times to things of God that are most precious to us, or singing Bible songs in the back seat of the van with her sisters, or having independence in ways that she has never experienced before, or learning about America, the country that is offering her so much opportunity to learn, grow and thrive, I know this as surely as I know my exhaustion: it is worth it all! 

We have been very busy with Victoria's weekly therapy, and she continues to improve.  We have obtained ankle braces and a walker for her that have greatly improved her independence.  Next on the list is purchasing an adapted bike, per doctor recommendation, so that she can continue to exercise (and keep up with her sisters) - it also will be able to be hooked like a tandem bike to John's or my bike for longer distances.  Unfortunately, it is very expensive (we've applied for some grants, and are hoping to hear back soon), but she is so very excited about it.  We also are in the beginning stages of obtaining a manual wheelchair to use out in the community for longer distances instead of the stroller that she has very much grown out of.  All of these changes have come in fairly short order, and we're thankful for God's provision to this point.

Victoria herself has also grown.  We found out that she has grown two inches in the last four months and gained a healthy amount of weight along with it!  Wow!  I'm still in shock!  No wonder I can't find any clothes that fit her!  She continues to learn English, but has a tendency to talk faster than she can think.  (If you're talking with her, don't be afraid to tell her to slow down.)  We encourage her to "talk American", which means slower and not so nasally :).

I took a minute to look at "before and after" pictures of our little girl (see above).  I was not expecting to see a huge difference - and maybe it's not obvious to anyone else - but to me I'm seeing quite a change in just four months.  I see more trust in her eyes, a healthy fullness to her face, a bit more of a smile, and a little more maturity.  Thank God for these blessings as we continue day by day to help Victoria become everything He made her to be!

Sister love!

Watching the goldfinches at the feeder.

 

This is a picture of a bike similar to the one we are ordering for Victoria - only hers will be green!