Aria's 6th Family Day

On August 27th, we celebrated our 6th Family Day with Aria. On this day 6 years ago, our tiny girl was once again placed in our arms in Georgetown, Guyana. It had been 2 1/2 months since we had last seen her. After our first trip to Guyana in June, we bid our farewells-for-now and flew home to wait for the Adoption Board meeting to arrive. 

Having to leave Aria in Guyana with her foster family just days after having brain surgery to treat her hydrocephalus was one of the hardest things we've ever had to do. But somehow we made it through. Finally the Adoption Board was ready to meet with us! If they approved our request to adopt Aria, she would legally become a Slominski on this trip and able to come home!

Aria was feeling so much better since the last time we had seen her. Her shunt surgery had been a success, and with the pressure in her head back to normal, she was a happy, smiling, content little girl.

But she was still so very thin and her appendages extremely tight from spasticity. Her hand clinched in such a firm fist that her fingernails would dig into her skin. Her legs so tight and stiff that diaper changes were a challenge. Her little body at 20 months of age so contorted that she couldn't lie flat on her back.

Oh how our tiny, frail little peanut has grown into such a strong, spicy girl! On her Family Day, we made sure to squeeze in some of Aria's favorite things to do on our busy summer day. 

Aria spent the afternoon outside riding her bike around the neighborhood. She loves zooming around on her Freedom Concepts bike and can even self propel. She can get it moving quite fast, but since she's not yet mastered steering, things can get a little wild. Thankfully Cole was up to the task of helping her navigate. They both had a blast on their crazy bike ride adventure.

Afterwards, we made a pit stop in the basement to partake in another of Aria's favorites - swinging! Aria loves being pushed on the swing over and over again. And the higher, the better! That smile of hers radiates with pure joy followed by the cutest squeals of delight as she zooms back and forth through the air. 

Aria - you have come so far in these past 6 years. It's truly remarkable to see all you have overcome. You work so hard every day to do what others take for granted. But you rarely complain. With daily therapy, sometimes up to 3 hours a day, you are one busy girl. You've learned how to roll, floor sit, self-propel your one-armed drive wheelchair, and take steps. Now I only have to hold on to you for balance and weight shifting and off you go walking to your next destination. We are still building up your stamina, but when you are determined to move, boy do you! Your legs have gotten so strong that you can bear your own weight - standing at the sink to splash around water is one of your favorites. You can even pedal your bike along the road. And oh my, you sure can get going fast down an incline!

 

While you only have a handful of words, you recently learned a new one - "Rosie". Somehow you learned the name of your big sister even before you learned to say "mama". But that's ok. I love hearing you ask about Rosie. It's pretty cute! You sure do enjoy hanging out with your Rosie.

You are a huge cuddle-bug and love giving all your favorite people snuggles - your parents, grandparents, siblings, even your therapists! You will grab at our arm, pulling it close around you for a squeeze, or you will wrap your strong left arm tightly around the neck of whomever you are wanting to cuddle. You are the master of the one-armed bear hug.

You are officially done with your beloved paci! You've been a huge pacifier user ever since we first met. It was your only way to self sooth, and you'd automatically request it whenever you were sleepy. You couldn't go without your paci in the car or your bed. You adored that pacifier of yours. But last Christmas Santa brought you the Frida Baby Pacifier Weaning system, and although I was skeptical, within just a few weeks you were paci-free!!

You love watching Xbox games on the TV. Whenever you see Owen sitting on the pink nugget couch playing his games, you request to sit next to him. You will happily sit there, pulling his hand closer to you, as you snuggle up with him. Both of you gazing up at the TV intently watching the game.

You love being on the go and are a huge fan of your battery operated car. You got it for Christmas a while back and it's been perfect for you. It even fits both you and Sam. You two love going for rides up and down the street. The more wild the driving, the better!

You love books! You will wheel yourself right up to our little library shelf and help yourself to whatever book you can grab. Before I know it, you've pulled most of the books right off the shelf in an attempt to locate just the right one. Your favorite book of all time remains the book "Where's Spot?" It was the first book you were ever interested in, and you laughed and laughed as we read through it, lifting the flap on each page in search of Spot, the little puppy dog who's hiding. You thought it was hilarious, and even after reading it dozens and dozens of times, you still chuckle.

 

Aria, it's crazy to think that 6 years ago we traveled to bring you home. You've been my little sidekick ever since. Although you are the superstar of our duo which means I'm most likely your side kick. Where you go, I go. I'm so very thankful we took the leap and said yes to our little Guyanese princess all those years ago. I can't imagine a life without you in it. A very happy 6th Family Day to you, Aria. We love you to the moon and back.