Saturday, August 23, 2008

Maleah is 18 months old!






What a difference a few months makes! Our girlie is now walking, talking and blossoming. She is quite comfortable with us now, not afraid to whimper or show preferences and certainly not afraid to spat a bit for a toy. All the "normal things" that toddlers go through and I have to say we are rejoicing to see them! I'll never forget the day she learned the word "MINE!" and could say it with such force! My first reaction was to say "No!" and go into a little lesson on sharing, etc. But I found myself saying "Yes!, that's right!" .... she had figured out the comprehension of yet another English word. No worries, now that she "gets it", we for sure teach her to share. :)

Long ago are the days of her giving Daddy the cold shoulder. She now squeals in absolute delight at the sound of his voice when he's coming home from work. Gone are the days of being afraid of most any food. She's even learned to enjoy ice cream with the rest of us! Having to sit by her crib in a chair while she falls asleep is no longer a necessity to every nap and bedtime. Now we go from snuggling and rocking with her night-time milk bottle to saying "baby?" .... "blankie?" ... and she just smiles huge with delight!, knowing it's time for bed! (we have our sleeper back!! - thank you God!)

It has been quite a summer in the Roberts family. Maleah coming to join our family was only one part of this huge time of transition the Lord has taken us through. We came home for Ethiopia with an even greater burden about what we, as a family, were to do about the needs of orphans. We find ourselves on a new adventure of trusting in our Heavenly Father in great and amazing ways. We rest in His Faithfulness and praise Him for His Goodness to us for carrying us through. More to come on that in the days ahead.

13 comments:

Amy B. said...

Oh my goodness...she is so beautiful and so big. What a precious little grin she has. So good to hear that everyone is settling in so nicely :)

Amy

Laurzie said...

18 months -- what a big girl! Isn't it amazing to realize that the "transition" phase is passing and just being a family together has begun? What a blessing!

solas4me said...

Thanks for sharing. The pictures are priceless.


The Darlings

Adoption Cubed said...

I can't believe how big she has gotten! And how wonderful to hear about all the growing she has been doing!

Wonderful pictures! Those colors look wonderful on her!
Rebecca

Farmboy and Buttercup said...

Oh, she is so lovely and I can just see the comfortableness and sparkle in her eyes, that I didn't see at the Gladney home in Ethiopia. Well, of course, she needed her mama!

Yes, thank God for good sleepers!

mama becca said...

Oh she's SO BIG and GORGEOUS!!! I miss her!!!! Thanks for the great update...
love
becca

Jim and Debbie said...

It's wonderful to see that precious smile of hers. Can't believe how she's grown since we saw her in Ethiopia in March.
Blessings to you all!

Spirit of Adoption said...

She's a beauty! So thankful to the Lord she is growing and bonding, by His graces, with her family! What a joy!!!

Lori S said...

What a beautiful little lady! It's good to hear that she's settling in!

Anonymous said...

What a BEAUTIFUL little lady you have!! how wonderful that you have seen so much progress with her over the last few months. That gives me such joy and hope!!

Salzwedel Family said...

Your daughter is beautiful.

Sounds like God is doing some mighty work with your family. I can't wait to hear more about it.

J, A, T and Y said...

Such cute pics!!!

Anonymous said...

she is so precious!