Going Back

I am not sure how the conversation began (as is usually the case when raising a five year old) but somehow Lucy and I started talking about our time together in China.  I was sharing stories with her about the places we went, and how beautiful everything was, and what those first moments were like when we met in the lobby of the Galactic Peace Hotel in Nanchung.  This led into what she was wearing at that first moment... which led into many more questions from a very curious child. Rather than trying to describe it all, we decided going up to the closet and getting everything out was a better option.   

Now mind you, these items were in the closet for a reason.   For a long time, we knew that showing her them was a trigger for a very traumatic period of time for her.  So we put them away on purpose.  

The blanket says "Lucky Baby"

All I can say, is 4+ years later, our girl has come a long way…  

The way in which she treated these things with such delicacy was moving to watch.

I guess when you are snowed in for the billionth time, this ended up not being such a bad way to spend the morning.

This was the outfit she had on when we saw her for the first time in the hotel lobby. 

Acting like a tiger...

Ever since we got Lucy's Qi Pao out that day, she has wanted to pretty much wear it all the time....

Who knew this dress, that fit this little one when she was only eleven months old...

would still fit her (except for the length) 4 years later?
 

On a different note, (and at the risk of sounding like a broken record), we were snowed in again for Valentines Day.  So Lucy and I decided to make our own party at home.  We surprised Brian with decorations and yummy treats… 

helping build a fire...

and even a serenade from Lucy....   

Do you think she adores her dad?

Who says that persistent old man winter is going to get the best of us??