1,276 Days and Counting

We have reached a huge landmark here in the Martin household. This little cutie lived in an orphanage for about 1,275 days. She has now been a Martin for 1,276 days. That, my friends, is something worth celebrating!

When she came to us she was 3 1/2 and the size of a 1 year old. She weighed 21 pounds and was 31 inches tall. She still toddled when she walked, she did not know how to take a step down off of a curb, she was not accustomed to activity so, while she loved to play, she got tired very quickly.

She captured our hearts before we ever met her. Then she walked into the room. We were gonners. She walked in, held her arms up and said, "Mama".

Just after meeting her.

We needed her thumb print on the paperwork the day she became a Martin.

Has it all been easy? No. There is nothing easy about healing from neglect and trauma. And it is an ongoing process. I'm not sure she really believes that she is ours forever even now. She still self-soothes when she is going to sleep. She still flinches if you move too quickly close to her face. She takes nothing for granted. Nothing. The marks of those institutionalized years are still there.

In Guangzhou, China

But...

At 7 she now weighs 39 pounds and is 47 inches tall. She is amazing in her ability to keep up with her siblings! She goes on 3 mile bike rides. She bounces from morning to night and is normally either talking or singing as she bounces. She celebrates with abandon. There is nothing quiet or subdued about her excitement!

How I love that smile!

I can't stop adding pictures! Oh the cuteness! 

She never ceases to amaze us. She has experienced more pain and loss in her little life than most of us will ever experience. But her brave, resilient little spirit remains unbroken and beautiful.