Shilda has been home for 6 months!!

Wow! Can you believe it?! To us it seems sometimes like yesterday when we picked Barbara and Shilda up from the airport, but some days it seems like she has been with us since day 1. Christian and I sat out on the porch last night watching her play and he said to me:"Dana, isn't it amazing what a happy child she is and that it seemed so clear to her that we are her family right from the beginning". Yes, it is totally amazing! She adjusted so well and quickly and brings so much happieness in this family! When we saw her on video's and pictures in the orphanage in Haiti we imagined her so different. She was almost always serious, didn't play, just sat somewhere looking sad. NOW, she is full of life and THE PARTY herself!
She has come a looong way. When she first got here in January she could walk, but was still unsure (you know, the airplane walk; both arms out to balance), now she runs, jumps off chouches, stairs, dances (I try to pick up some moves from her, but my butt and hipps just don't want to swing like hers). She also understands and speaks most everything in German and some in English. She is potty trained, feeds herself and likes to dress herself (which I still try to do as much as I am allowed, because my baby is just too independent sometimes:).
Don't give me wrong, she is still very delayed in some areas, but has learned sooo much already. She will be starting school in September. Devin is thrilled to have her in "his" school and they both can't wait.

Well, it's a two days later now, so this post was meant to be there 2 days ago....it already starts with me, right!? But you'll get a pic we took of Shilda today.