~~Tessa Day~~

One year ago today, a small, very frightened little girl joined our family. She was content to hold her sister's hands, but she really wanted nothing to do with her forever Mommy. Even though it hurt, I could understand that her whole world had just been turned upside down and adults were not to be trusted. Less than two weeks later when we arrived in Hong Kong, it was as if she realized that China was behind her and she finally could call me, "Mom". Just like her sisters! I don't think that she really knew the impact of what that term meant at the time. Today when I told her "Happy Tessa Day!" She gave me a big hug and said, "I love you Mom!"



Tessa is doing great! She will start 2nd grade this coming Friday. The last appointment she had with her pediatric cardiologist was not quite what we wanted to hear. Her doctor consulted with one of the top pediatric cardiologists in the USA about Tessa's aortic aneurysm. They do not feel that she needs surgery. They think that we should monitor her with an echocardiogram every 6 months and MRI's every couple of years. However, IF she would get hit hard in the chest or on the back the aneurysm could burst and in the doctor's words, "It would be catastrophic." So while we would like to wrap her in bubble wrap and keep her protected, we are opting to let her be a child and do just about everything she wants with the exception of things that are "ballistic".



Gone is the shy quiet little girl and in her place is a loud, funny girl who loves to tease everyone! She still misses her Chinese siblings and fondly talks about them, but she has come to love her home here and does not want to go to China anymore...except to visit. She is not afraid of anything. She loves trying new foods and has never been a picky eater. She is very appreciative of anything she receives and very happily will tell me "Thanks Mom for supper or thanks for doing my clothes!"




She gets along with her sisters....most of the time! They are like any other kids and get along one minute and are tattling on each other in the next breathe. Tessa likes playing on the computer, jumping on the trampoline, riding her scooter, swimming and stuffed animals.

We love her very much and can not imagine our lives without her! Happy Forever Family Day Tessa (Lou) JiXing!! We love you to the moon and back!!