Summer Vacation

We spent nearly two weeks in Taos, New Mexico for summer vacation and had a great time. The weather was perfect for hiking, playing outside and fly-fishing (for the boys and Lily!) Jack caught his first trout (brook trout, according to his dad) on a fly line and Lily and Mary Kate enjoyed splashing in the river. Mary Kate hiked on her dad's back in the backpack and had a great time, she was the only one of us who wasn't tired. We enjoyed lots of great food, ice cream and family movie night!

She has been with us ONE year!

Mary Kate has officially been with us one year now. Yesterday, July 21st, was our "Gotcha Day" which is the term that refers to the day when adoptive parents are united with their adopted child. In ways it seems longer than one year, but in other ways it doesn't seem that long ago that we traveled to China to meet her. She is doing great! She loves her family, bubbles, ELMO, being outdoors and eating! She is our strongest eater, but certainly the most petite in our family. We are crazy about her and fun personality and can't imagine life without her. Thanks so much for following us on our journey to Mary Kate and for all of your prayers and support.

Two and Fabulous!

Mary Kate turned 2 the end of February and is doing great! Her speech is coming along, vocabulary is excellent, but pronunciation still needs some more practice. She definitely holds her own in this family and knows exactly what she wants...and she usually gets it! She is active, playful and loves to mother her babies. She takes very good care of them, but does not like for her babies to wear clothes??? Fortunately, Mary Kate does like to wear clothes because she has a dresser full of them. We will update again following her orthopedist appointment next month.

MK home for six months

Mary Kate has been home for six months now. I am not sure what she would say about the past six months, but it seems that she is right at home with us. She is crazy about "Ack" and "LeLe" and loves to dance, play, sing and follow her older siblings all over the house. Her speech has come along beautifully, with some help from a our speech therapist, Lindy. She is unable to suck or drink from a straw and is still leaking certain foods from her nose, which we recently learned from her oral surgeon is a result from an opening in her palate, called a fistula. There is a chance that it could close by itself, but if not, she will have it repaired next year. We see her orthopedic surgeon in 2 days and are praying that she is growing bone in the femoral head of her repaired hip. She is walking well, with a slight limp, but much improved from before her hip surgery. She is a happy and sweet toddler who is adored by many! Thanks for your support and interest in our family. Love, Marni

Six Months Ago...

Six months ago today, we appeared in court in Chongqing, China and made Mary Kate an official member of the Sigmon family. I can't believe we have been together only 6 months because in so many ways it seems like much longer. I feel like I have known her longer than 6 months and I think the feeling is mutual. Mary Kate or "Mei Mei" as Jack and LIly refer to her, which means little sister in the Chinese language, has fit into our family beautifully. At 21 pounds and almost 23 months of age, she is bright, determined, sweet and playful!

Happy New Year!

We spent the days after Christmas in Taos, New Mexico with the kids and our new puppy, Bella. The kids had a great time playing in the snow, skiing and drinking hot chocolate. Mary Kate played with her toys and snacked as often as she was able to do so. She still loves her cheerios! We went to the Orthopedist today and he said she is healing well from her hip surgery. We will see him again next month for more x-rays, but as for the next four weeks we are BRACE FREE and thrilled about it! Happy New Year to you!

She is cast-free!

As of today, Mary Kate is free from her cast. She remains in a brace for the next two weeks and then we will see her Orthopedic doctor again and he will hopefully allow her to have a few minutes each day out of the brace. She has been rather stoic today as her little body is very stiff. She did remember how much she likes to be held by mommy and has been in my arms most of the day. We will keep you posted with her progress!