Christmas 2011

Leah is 5 1/2. Here she is on Christmas vacation with the family.

Leah's first picture with Santa. His eyes twinkled when he talked to her!

Leah loves the beach! Christmas was a little warmer for us this year :)

3rd Gotcha Day--January 20th, 2010

Christmas celebrations with all our family members left us with deeper appreciation for the love we share. Having a family of 6 is the best! We've had loads of snow and cold days to go sledding. Leah loves stomping in her winter boots. January appeared and we couldn't believe we were celebrating her 3rd Gotcha Day! She loves to look at her baby album full of photos, momentos and journaling all about her beginnings in China, adoption, and adaptation to our family, past birthdays, first steps, preschool, friends and special events that we can all remember with loving feelings.

Next fall she will be a big Kingergartner! Amazing the time that passes...you see it so clearly with the growth of children.

London in November

We got to travel with Dan to England on business in November! Leah's first trip to Europe! Folks would wish us Happy Thanksgiving when they heard we were visiting from the States. Leah got to see the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace Gates and Changing of Guard, drive over London Bridge (what's left of it), and drive on a double -decker bus over the famous Tower Bridge, and take a boat ride down the Thames River! So much more, but she will hardly remember it except for our stories and photos. But we did discover that she's a great international traveler.

Neighbor Friends!

Nick has been Leah's buddie who lives down the street. They had fun decorating gingerbread trains on a snow day!

Leah & Kelly--buddies!

Our Two Princesses! Anna 9 1/2 & Leah 3 1/2

2nd Gotcha Day for Leah Rudmann!

2nd Gotcha Day for Leah Rudmann!
January 20th, 2010!

Another year has passed so quickly, and we are amazed to look back and see the changes in Leah. She's really magnified her language skills a hundred-fold since summer! She continues to get therapy in speech by Miss Cheryl and Miss Teri--Leah loves seeing them. She talks almost nonstop during certain periods of the day, and has such expression, and enthusiam. Such a difference from the reticent little baby we received.
Preschool at New Hope has been another great experience. Leah looks forward to seeing her two teachers, Mrs. Salwin & Mrs. Garrison each week. Kelly, our dog, has become a good buddie--she includes Kelly in most of her playtime at home--dresses her, feeds her, talks to her likes she's a playmate. She likes swimming lessons, tumbling class, Sunday school, and playing with neighborhood friends. After watching big sister, Anna, in creative play--she can play imaginatively with Littlest Petshops or any toys for hours. It's been a joy to see her growth, and we love her dearly.

We had gotten Leah a heart cake to remind us of our love for her, and a toy plane all for "Gotcha Day" We retold her how we came on a plane to get her, and took her home on one, too! She has loved this gift.

She has 2 photo albums (one a "Lifebook") that we reviewed and remembered the incredible journey to China, her homeland, and the wonderful experiences there. She has repeatly marveled at this fact, and excitedly says..."You came to get me in China, mama. Keegan was born in Indiana, Connor in California, Anna in Michigan and I was born in China." Yes you were, Leah, I always happily reply -- even if it is the 29th time that day she's said it. She is in that typical developmental stage of the "Why?" questions, and repeating things so many times you temporarily need some ear plugs.

Where Does The Time Go?

Well, Christmas came & went and we never got back on Leah's blogspot to post. Had thought about it several times, but life with 4 children has it's priorities! Leah is 3 and a half, and has come a long way in the time she's been with us. Such a fun-loving sweetheart that has a will of iron (could be partly her toddler stage) and an inner beauty beyond the outward--just like her namesake from the Bible. She has progressed so much with her speech this summer! Sometimes we cannot get her to stop! She has started at a new preschool 2 half days a week, that is closer to our home. She's making friends and loves her stuffed animals. Creative in her play--think she picked some of that up from her sister, Anna.
The surgeon said she looked great in late July and won't need another major surgery until she's 7 or 8 (to continue the cleft repair--bone grafting). The Speech Path. tested her, and said she's in the normal range for her speech.
We praise God for his blessings and wonderful plan to add her to our family.

January 20th, 2009- Gotcha Day!

We celebrated Leah's Gotcha Day with Grandma JoAnn. Leah loves Elmo--she's wearing one of her favorite sweaters with his face on the front--you can't see, but she wants to read about him, watch him and talk to him all the time!

4th of July Fun in Michigan

Leah loved boating and fishing with Grandpa Ron in Michigan!

Family Photo in August 2009

Leah's First Christmas!

We were excited to realize we'd be celebrating her first Christmas! She loved putting ornaments on the tree, and she hardly ever bothered them after they were up. She got a couple special ornaments to recall this year and her home country. She became very skilled at opening presents, like any child, it didn't take long!

Happy New Year!

Well, we managed to get behind over the holidays, so we will back track our postings a bit just to catch up!
We took the kids to the Conrad Hotel (an auction one night freebee!) and we were living it up is this fine lodging! Swimming pool overlooks the Indpls. Art Center, Cathy got a free massage, and we ate out at the famous Harry & Izzy's for dinner. Leah just loved bouncing on the bed and pushing the elevator buttons!

Trick-or-Treating Time!

Pumpkin Farm with Grandparents in October

Apple Farm Picking & Tasting

August 6th, 2008

We arrived at Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis around noon. Her surgery was scheduled for 2pm. They had a wagon for Leah to pull around, stickers, toys and attention distractors, but after awhile...Leah knew something was up. She wouldn't let nurse take her vitals very easily. Her strong will came out and probably because of some memory of past health care. All the doctors visited before the surgery. Very communicative staff. Dan's mother, Sally, came to help get her off to surgery and later to be with Leah's siblings at home. It was great to have her support.

The surgery went well overall, but Dr. Havlick did tell us that the front part of the cleft did not have enough tissue to make for a strong repair. (A few days after the surgery, she developed 2 small fistulas near her canine teeth--we were distraught for a couple of days, but nothing to do for it now). The rest of the repair attached well, and she is learning to talk since September!

Her recovery was very painful and we had to feed her pureed foods and liquids for 8 weeks, with some pastas and softened foods the last couple of weeks. The first night at the hospital was so hard. I couldn't sleep with all the noise, and she awoke so much in pain or wanting to lay in my arms(that got tiring). Dan came in the morning to relieve me, and then she was released in the afternoon after she had shown she could eat and drink. They had a thread through her tongue to keep it out of the way during surgery! They did cut that off before leaving, thank goodness. She had to wear the arm bands/restraints , though, to keep her hands out of her mouth. It was quite the ordeal to keep her from taking those off the first few weeks--we had to pin them to her clothing! Then she adapted and got used to them...actually would get them for us to put back on after a bath or changing. Tylenol with codeine was the only alloted pain killer at home, but we gave that up after a couple days...it was more trouble than it was worth. The regular ibuprofen seemed to be enough to take the edge off the pain.

This is nothing I'd like to relive, but we are thankful the Lord gave us the strength to make it through. Her fun personality returned and she slowly got used to eating regular foods again.

She shouldn't need another surgery for a year and a half. They can repair the fistulas at that time.

Whew! Ready for a reprieve with the fall school starting.

FTIA Picnic

We were able to attend the FTIA(Families Through International Adoption) picnic in July and see friends and our coordinator, Maury! Leah got a chinese bracelet, and other gifts that grandma and mama purchased! They had some great scrapbooking items to add to her lifebook. Amazing that we are in attendance at this picnic we've always heard about , finally, with our daughter!

Leah is not afraid of the camera!

Leah's 2-year old birthday!

We celebrated Leah's 2nd birthday!

Leah wasn't sure about the cake at first but watch the video!

Leah loved her first birthday present, a doll.

Leah catching up on the 2-year old milestones!

Leah is really making some great gains on her 2-year old milestones. Her walking, vocalizing, eating, and social skills have moved forward considerably. Her cleft palate will keep her speaking simple for now but we plan for surgeries and speech therapy this summer so stay tuned!

Leah hiding behind her bunny blanket.
Leah playing with friends.
Leah loves to share!
Leah has learned to use a spoon!

Friends, Family and Leah

Friends have been wonderfully encouraging to us these last several months. Leah can tell they love her as much as we do and has warmed up to them very quickly. Carole Rosner and Leah tickle together.Leah bonded almost immediately with Kate Corcoran.
Leah loves her Grandmother very much. JoAnn has reached out to Leah with open arms and Leah enjoys being with her.

Baby Shower at Work

Dan and Leah with friends from work watching.

Leah opens up her veterinary practice toy. Appropriate!
Cathy and Leah enjoying the work party. Leah is dressed in her traditional Chinese dress.