Five Years with Aria

August 27th marked five years since we traveled to Guyana to bring Aria home. Her adoption was by far the most stressful, dealing first with a medical emergency and then the closing of adoptions from Guyana. Two of the most feared adoption situations. It seemed like whatever could go wrong, did go wrong. But this precious girl was meant to be ours as we saw mountains moved and seas parted to fulfill our promise to bring her home. 

Thankfully that was all months behind us as we returned to Guyana to once again be united with our baby girl, but this time, we would not have to leave her behind. This time, we would leave for home, together, with Aria in our arms. 

Aria had recovered quickly from the shunt surgery she had in June when we had first met her. Our tiny little girl had been in so much pain from untreated hydrocephalus at that time, but now she was all smiles, giggles and coos. She was an itty bitty 20 month old with the biggest, most adorable smile.

Those days feel like a lifetime ago. Aria has changed so much since then. We made sure to enjoy some of her very favorite things on her Family Day. We played catch (aka, fetch). Aria has the most amazing aim but will purposely throw the ball in the opposite direction or the hardest to reach place just for giggles.

We swung on the basement swing. Aria was all squeals and smiles as she swung back and forth asking for more and more pushes. She is pure joy.

Of course, we had to squeeze in some time to play with the door too. Aria has been obsessed with doors for years and can spend quite some time intrigued watching it move open and shut. It's her most requested activity. 

Aria - you are the hardest working kid I know. You go with the flow and rarely complain about your crazy therapy schedule. With therapy everyday and all over town, we spend much of our days running from one appointment to the next. But it is all paying off! You have gotten so strong. You can even stand barring all your weight for quite some time now. Although motivating you to do the work has gotten a bit harder as you often choose to sit back down and just snuggle with your therapist. 

When you are in your little Bella's Bumba wheelchair, everyone better watch out! You can sure get going and maneuver all over the house. You love wheeling up to the cabinets to dig through all their contents, throwing much of it all over the floor. But your favorite place I find you most often is in the main floor bathroom. There is just enough space for you to park your wheelchair next to the door where you will happily open and shut the door to your heart's content. 

You are our silly, giggly girl. You love watching goofy videos and take great joy seeing your siblings act funny. Anytime something falls to the floor with a crash, you will quickly look up and start laughing. You just love slap stick comedy. 

You have an amazing pitching arm. You can whip the ball across the room with ease and hit the same target again and again. You think it's hilarious to throw balls at your little brother or to toss them across the room or under the couch and make your dear old mom go running after it.

Your pacifier has been your self-soother since the day we met. You've loved your paci even though your suck was so weak you'd have to hold it in your mouth with your hand. And you still do the same to this day!

Every time you lay down for bed, you open your little mouth waiting for me to find you a paci. I just don't have the heart to take your precious paci away from you, despite you now being 6 years old.

You are most definitely a Mama's girl. You rarely leave my side. I know you like no other. I can tell what you're thinking just by the look on your face or the sound you make. I'm so very lucky to be your mama!

While I had my concerns, you've taken on the role of big sister with ease. You are so patient with your little brother and surprisingly more than content to share your toys and even your Mama with him. You've adjusted so well and even think it's funny when your baby bro pulls your hair. 

You love your Beat Belle. It's a little pink and purple robot that plays songs when you tap its head. It was gifted to you by the school district and it sat in the cabinet for years as you had very little interest in it. Until one day, you decided to make it your most prized possession. And ever since, you've been nearly inseparable. Anytime you hear its catchy tune, you perk up and start looking around to find out just who is playing with your Beat Belle. Then you yell at them until they hand it over to you.

You are finally wearing your purple spectacles. It only took you four years! One day this summer, you decided that wearing your glasses just may be a good idea (before you'd whip them off as soon as they were put on.) I guess you're just a big girl now and wanting to see the world around you. Ever since, you've happily worn them all day long with no complaints. 

Aria, you are such a sweet, silly, loving girl. You love your snuggles with your mama and will tightly wrap your arm around my neck to give me a big squeeze. Your giggles are the absolute best - a mix of laughter and excited squeals. Your smile is pure joy and lights up any room. You are such an amazing girl and we are so very thankful to call you our daughter. A very happy 5th Family Day to you!