An update: Emmy Xiang

Well, we've been a family of six for a little over three months now. Wow! It seems like Emmy's always been with us. What a joy she is!

I so wish that I would have written down or blogged all the fun little moments she's added to our lives. She definitely is a part of the crew...she laughs and smiles so much, she loves her sisters, is overall quite adjusted. We've had so few issues to deal with; to put it plainly - we've been blessed beyond measure.

Emmy Xiang gets up each morning from her little toddler bed (though every now and then we'll find she's wormed her way into one of the sister's beds!). She's not a morning person - she comes alive after she's prayed and had her morning egg, toast and "cop-pee"...she takes it with cream and sugar...or black...however you give it to her! She's REALLY a Brown!

Obediently (usually), she brushes her teeth and tongue (then comes to show you) and proceeds to distract everyone from what they are suppose to be doing. She receives countless hugs and kisses...and will firmly say, "no thank you!" when she's had enough. She loves yellow, Pooh and her Pooh books, to play with her stringing beads, play dough, foam puzzles, legos and to ride her tricycle and to color. She can often be found pointing at the magnetic letters and attempting to say the sounds..."a-A-ah!" or singing "Happy Birthday" or "Clean up, clean up!" (thanks to Gracie) or some of her Bible songs or hymns. In the afternoons she enjoys playing with Gracie in the playhouse. She keeps it swept clean! I realized not too long ago that I'd done little snuggling up and reading with her, so I'm making it a point to do that more. In fact, some mornings when I've gotten a "later" start, she'll come and sit with me while I'm having my quiet time. That is especially sweet (though I think she's just there for "cop-pee"!).

The evenings have become predictable, too. She loves to talk on the phone....and immediately after "bye" she'll push the buttons to end the call. She will ask Baba (whom she will ocassionally call "Daddy"), "Please may I hold you?" She'll give Hank water when his bowl is empty, will allow him to lick her hands or spoon when she's done eating (yuck!), but then proceed to scold him saying, "Hank, no ma'am!" She is the manners police at the dinner table, "small bites!" "cover your mouth" "use your napkin" "that's enough"...."PRAY!" If anyone takes any food anywhere in the house she reminds us (even mom and dad), "in the kitchen!" and we all know (thanks to EX) to brush our teeth "in the bathroom!" She still is great with a fork AND chopsticks...and loves ice cream and cookie dough. She enjoys a long bath still...no change there...playing with the cups and toys. She prefers lately to wash her own hair, but still likes being carried around the house wrapped in the towel to show everyone "the baby". We've been so blessed that she goes to sleep (after prayer) very well.

Here are a few pictures of her sweet face. Enjoy!